Would like to chat about Less

[WhitegreeNcandle]

So, I’ve just read Patrick Grants book Less and found it really thought provoking. I’ve never bought from places like SHEIN but I had been trundling along thinking I was doing ok. Since reading it I’ve realised how much tat we are surrounded by and I don’t want to be a part of it any more. I hadn’t realised how insidious it’s become really. It’s not just the quality of stuff it’s about how the economy could work on a quality scale.

Would love to just chat about easy swaps to make. Preferably cheap ones and it is a more expensive lifestyle I think. I went into our local refill shop yesterday and found there is a local company who do cleaning refills. Manufactured within 20 miles of where I live, reusable glass bottles etc.

Thanks @Yourmywifenow , I'll take a look

WhitegreeNcandle thank you for the link to this thread from S&B, still to catch up on what people have said. I didn’t even know this board existed before you mentioned
it !!!

I have signed up to the plastic count. I think even though I use a refill shop, I am going to be ashamed.
We are getting food waste bins from April, and the amount of complaining on Facebook should be an Olympic sport!!
I have bought UK made thermals and some UK made socks.

I've just remembered a website that people on this thread might like.

https://www.buymeonce.co.uk/?srsltid=AfmBOoqDnxFVYje1uJ7i8TZexFL7t2pXst3Cm9CZddHUAeB3k9k8xFvI

Their tagline is 'Only buy things once – love things that last'

@Bjorkdidit that’s a great fine if a website thanks for sharing.

so my pan is not a success. I can’t seem to cook scrambled eggs in it without it sticking. Even using loads of butter! Any tips?!

I've only done it with one pan, but I seem to remember it was repeatedly lightly oiling it, heating it up very high, letting it cool overnight and repeating the process the next day for about a week.

It's one of those things that are great once they are bedded in but hard to get to there at first. You need lots of layers building up over time.

Has anyone bought from Unfolded? They don't meet my ideal criteria of being British made, but I'm finding this increasingly difficult. I mean there's Community Clothing obviously, and I will use them for t-shirts and stuff, but it has to be said a lot of their stuff looks like what students wore in the 70s/80s to flog Militant and Socialist Worker.
I bought a pinafore dress from Hobbs that had signs all over the website saying pure British wool, and I imagine it was, but it was made in Sri Lanka, which rather defeats the object. It's hardly saving the planet if they ship it halfway across the world to get it put together and then ship it all the way back.
So I thought I'd explore Unfolded. They're selling off their end of collection returns etc and have very little in my size - fair enough. So I went to have a look at the 'new collection' and blow me if that isn't just about all sold out too! How can that be if they're made to order? Or is this a bit of a glitch where the website is showing the 'old' collection and the new stuff hasn't gone up there yet?
PS I hope your pan is started to behave @WhitegreeNcandle

I haven't, @igivein but I keep seeing ads for them on social media. Their ethos is spot on, even if their items are made overseas. The only thing which puts me off is that it was the same company behind the "Lost Stock" debacle in Covid times, I ordered a box for me and a box for DD which never turned up and after about 4 months had to get refunds.

Thanks for this @SheinIsShite , I'll maybe give them a swerve for now.

That's probably unfair though, I have heard only positive things about them recently.

This thread has been quiet for a while, but I was just browsing a thread that mentioned Justine Tabak which is a (luxury) women's clothing brand that is all UK manufactured using UK materials. So in the spirit of letting people know about UK manufactured goods I thought I'd post.
I had a look. There wasn't anything that set my world alight, and it did make me go HOW MUCH! Although I could probably run to some of the items in the sale - I'm partial to a Fairisle jumper but it's not really the time of year to be splashing out on jumpers.
Hope you've tamed your pan @WhitegreeNcandle 😁

I’m doing the big plastic count, and I’m ashamed.

Anyone reading the Denby thread thinking we are fucked! Everything and I mean everything just get throw away. By people also complaining about the cost of living.

Hello! Sorry I haven’t been ignoring the thread. Have been doing no social media for lent but have had a Sunday off today.

Also read the Denby thread. How many of these people who are saying they can’t afford Denby are on the Botox thread soending hundreds a year?!

Good luck with lent.

Thanks for updating your thread OP!

I came across this thread before Xmas and bought some presents - socks for DS2 and a plain white T shirt for DH from Community Clothing. The socks with colourful stripes were DS's favourite present (he's 23!) and hopeful they will be robust. Likewise, DH was looking for a T that didn't lose its shape (althiugh it did shrink a bit).

And I notice Patrick's book is on the library shelves. Will go and find it tomorrow.

Today, I went on an odyssey into town to recycle some textiles (interestingly in Primark). Contact lens cases and empty makeup in Boots.

I bought a new watch battery and paid extra for a lifetime guarantee - the watch was my mum's and I've replaced the strap already. It struck me I am wearing my nan's earrings, her engagement ring and my MIL's wedding ring...

I am the make do and mend generation. I was a Saturday girl in a sewing shop from 14-18! My nan could also knit & crochet, my mum was a knitter too, but not me alas.

I have a beloved black cashmere cardigan from John Lewis. When the elbows were wearing thin, I bought cashmere patches (Nearly New Cashmere). I noticed I've worn the under arms thin, looked in vain for a replacement on Vinted/eBay and decided to buy more patches and use them for under arms (like dress shields which, I guess used to protect dresses when they couldn't be washed so often).

We bought from JL, I assume a PVC cover for our kitchen table and it is in perfect nick for at least 10 years.

Bin day tomorrow - it amazes me how people moan about recycling. We have a weekly food waste collections now - we can use the smaller plastic bags (bread, salad) to wrap waste - it gets separated later.

I haven't used our refills shop. I tend to buy oil etc in larger demijohns and decant for the kitchen.

Hello! I’m back after lent off social media. Have to confess I didn’t make it right through till Easter but 3 weeks off social media really made me realise how much time I waste on things.

Tablecloth update - I found a nice cotton one in a local shop with a gorgeous spring flower pattern on that I’m just getting in the habit of ironing and using.

Loving spring. Have got tomatoes, cucumber, cabbage, lettuce, beetroot, broad beans and spinach on the go.

Sad to see Denby didn’t make it.

Well done on cutting down the social media - something I need to do.
I’ve only got tomatoes, courgette, cucumber and leeks on the go so far, but I’m in the NE so tend to leave things until later. There’s only the leeks in the greenhouse, everything else is still inside on windowsills.
Carrots, parsnips and peas will probably get sown outside at the end of the month and a tray of cut and come again lettuce in the greenhouse.
I love it when things start sprouting, I’m always so relieved when they actually do!

Anyone else still trying? I haven’t bought any new clothes since Christmas. Did go through my wardrobe and found clothes I had forgotten about!
With the weather changing, hanging was on the line feels so good.

I need a whole new wardrobe because I’ve lost 9 stone over the last 18 months. But I’m buying good quality, natural fibres and made in the UK where possible.
I’m also haunting vinted.

@igivein youve reminded me to get some leeks on the go. It’s so cold right now things aren’t growing so fast.

@igivein thats an incredible weightloss. Well done! How did you do it? Do have some fun buying some new clothes - I lost 6 stone just before my wedding and I still remember how amazing it felt to be able to go into normal shops, try something on and how great I felt.

@Yourmywifenow i had a bit of a bump in Uniqlo. I bought two pairs of wide leg jeans which I love. They’re very comfy and they altered the length for free in store. Also got a white cotton t shirt. I basically live in this so might get some more t shirts. I am trying to look after them ie line dry not tumble dry

@WhitegreeNcandle my leeks currently resemble very thin blades of grass...
The weight loss has been greatly assisted by wli, but has been well worth the outlay, I'm so much more active and enjoying life more now.
I'm also really enjoying replacing my wardrobe, mainly from vinted, which is working well because I haven't actually spent any money yet, just used my selling balance to buy 🙂