To not tell friend where I bought something.

[GardenGnomeParty]

Three years ago we bought a common garden thing from a local supplier. It's gorgeous, still looks great, had lots of use and we love it.
My friend admired it but was then disappointed to be given a lovely but different one from her family. Not heard from her for ages, no presents for my DD last year for her birthday, I thought the friendship had faded.
She's now asked where we bought ours from.
I don't want to tell her.
It was expensive and I don't want local gossip.
Our version is unusual but classy and I don't want to share my 'fucking nailed it this time' style.
I have sensed 'competitive purchasing' from this 'Shopping Friend' family in the past, they do it with others and pride themselves on their great 'taste'. It's not healthy and we have distanced ourselves from them.
The examples they gave with other friends were best car, slow cooker, bell tent, dog breed, cat breed, mug manufacturer. They take great pride in their purchasing and like to buy the 'best'. It will end up all over Instagram and I'll have to listen to mutual friends tell me I've bought one just like 'Shopping Friend'

So yabu - tell her, share the joy, it's just a thing for the garden
Yanbu - keep quiet, wallow in your mid life teen cool crisis, don't share the info, you win the best garden thing prize, don't share.

Agree with the poster who said, 'Say John Lewis.'

Your OP made me laugh. Everyone's entitled to a bit of mid-life cool competitiveness sometimes. Revel in it.

I do it all the time OP - I always say "it was a gift, so I've no idea where it's from" - used to have a friend who wanted my clothes! drove me mad, so I'd say "charity shop" or "a gift" and change the subject when she wanted to look at the labels.
I'm individual and that's how I like it, certainly when it comes to your own personal style.
We've also had it with one of our rugs and pieces of art - I give the same excuse - I'm so mean aren't I

@AnneKipanki

https://pixieland.co.uk/pixieland-products/made-to-order.html

There are other places where they will use a photo of a loved one and make a bespoke gnome .

Sorry, I can't remember

I think it’s a bit precious to be honest. It’s just ‘stuff’ at the end of the day.

@namechangetheworld

I don't want to share my 'fucking nailed it this time' style.

God, you sound unbearable.

Well you say that but we haven't seen the gnome. Maybe she did fucking nail it. Style wise.

My vote goes for a wheelbarrow.

I can understand not wanting everyone to have the same one as you. Imagine the embarrassment if you all turned up at a BBQ with the same wheelbarrow.

You sound very immature.

Tell her Argos

@AnneKipanki

https://pixieland.co.uk/pixieland-products/made-to-order.html

There are other places where they will use a photo of a loved one and make a bespoke gnome .

Haha, beware - I arranged one of those bespoke gnomes for a colleague’s leaving gift. Then we started dating and I have to live with the bloody thing

Intrigued what this marvellous garden thing is....

Those gnomes are fab.

Jesus Christ, I can't understand being this petty about a bloody garden ornament

Normally I'd be like ugh grow up.

UNTIL THIS STARTED HAPPENING TO ME. My bloody sister in law started buying/copying everything I bought or would do one better, and brag about whatever it was all over social media or make it "her thing" or claim it was "her style" when she had clearly just copied me. No one else knew or remotely cared I'm sure, but I did.

I started saying stuff was either home home sense (as they never have the same stuff in twice lol) or from
An independent company quite pricy who's name I could never find again

Please tell us!

Weird. She obviously admire your taste so asked for the info. Why not just tell her? If you don't want her to show off the thing first, do it yourself so everyone knows that it was you with a good taste in garden stuff, and she just copied you.

I love how you’ve described your sex pond as classy, bless. Of course you are being precious, but I reckon you know that.

Tell her it's bespoke, or a company that's gone out of business? This sort of person annoys me too, don't care if they makes me petty

It's a chiminea isn't it?

"Three years ago.... oooh, I can't remember".

@HTH1

I would also lie and say it was bespoke and made specially for me or, even better, shipped in from the US from a company which has since ceased to trade.

If they then find the item you will be the local loon

How odd.
My friend has a beautiful garden and if I ever ask where something came from she tells me. The same with my garden. I can’t understand why, if it is a common or garden item bought at a local nursery, I wouldn’t say.

Tell her you got it at Chelsea Flower Show!

@Ginfilledcats I too have a SiL who has bought the same lounge furniture and has the same kitchen (newer obvs) as us but that doesn't bother me, it's the little house fillers or art and clothing that bothers me more, as to me, it's more a personal choice that makes your home/look your very own and unlike a catalogue photo. PPs saying it's immature and "unbearable" - it's copying and I find it intrusive, I think that is more immature and unbearable.

Tell her you got it from eBay.

Can neither be proved or disproved.

She prides herself on purchasing? Wtaf have I just heard?! Batshit, seriously

Is it a Tiki Bar?