I have returned triumphant from the hunt.
This is definitely one of my favourite things to do. And, since I can’t fit back into my jeans yet and my skirts are dying like flies (zippers, bah!) today was definitely the right day. I decided on a budget of $20, and came back with change (and a bra, which isn’t pictured here for self-explanatory reasons).
Yep, it’s Fat Pants O’clock. I can’t tell you how comfy they are (even though I don’t think I’ve worn jeans in six months). And the top is warmer than any of my existing long-sleeved tops (most of which are visibly wearing out). But best of all. . .
The Holy Grail of op-shopping: a full-length wraparound skirt. I can wear it at any weight, it covers my hairy legs, it’s super easy to put on and take off, and it has no buttons or zippers to break. Clothing perfection for $7.
While I was there, I took my chance to delve into the latest op-shop fashion:
I am wearing shoes, a dress, a belt, a tie, two scarves twisted together, a jacket, a handbag (denim with silver stars), and a hat. Like a closer look?
Play along at home: Everyone has to buy clothes sometime. Next time, take however much moolah you have ($5 is often enough for a top, or $7 for jeans), and buy something unique.
Tomorrow: Fill your house with balloons (and I’ll post the twitter tale so far, which you can follow in real time at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Louise-Curtis-Books/287050773170)
The cost of things at thrift stores varies wildly in Canberra. Jamison is incredibly expensive. I prefer to go into Belconnen to the salvos there.
New challenge:
http://peaslovecarrots.blogspot.com/search/label/3%20Ingredient%20recipes
Three ingredient recipes. This author did it for ten evening meals. My challenge is just for one day: a cooked breakfast, lunch and dinner, each only consisting of three ingredients (not counting butter/oil for frying, salt and pepper, etc.). My contribution to it is a suggestion of rice pilaf (?), where you boil rice with something in it (what you put in varies a lot). When the rice is almost boiled dry, remove from heat and leave it with the lid on for 5-10 mins. Season with just about any herbs and spices that take your fancy.
What you could put in the rice: bacon, ham, roast chicken strips, peas, corn, bok choy, shallots, leek, diced carrot, sultanas, raisins, softened lentils, beans or chickpeas, cha su, chopped up garlic, … basically, anything that doesn’t need to be cooked or will cook if you boil it for 5 minutes. The best things are ones with a strong taste that will spread through the rice as you cook it.
If you only put one vegetable/meat in the rice, you can put in stock (in liquid or powder form), or a combination of water and white wine.
It’s dirt cheap, and you don’t notice much if you only have rice and a small amount of something.
W: a food-related challenge, huh? I accept!
I should have mentioned that you are correct. The skirt is awesome. I don’t think it’s one I’ll borrow though. Not without extenuating circumstance.
I figure that food-related ideas are always welcome. 🙂
You can probably do the rice thing in a rice cooker, now that I think about it. I haven’t tried it, but I bet it works. But you’d have to be careful with some of the things going in there – it could be a right b****r to clean.
I’ll have to try to think up some other 3-ingredient ideas for you to choose from, and another food related challenge.
Ooh, I know another 3-ingredient idea. Leek and potato soup.
1) One whole leek, chopped up smallish and washed
2) about 2 or 4 peeled and diced potatos
3) something else for taste/texture
—-possibilities include bacon, sour cream (added last), chopped coriander leaves, vegetable stock, …
Boil the guts out of them all for an hour or two in a bunch of water. Makes a heap, and the most expensive part is probably the leek.
Thankyou for the terrifying preview of ‘Mad Granny Louise’…