Charity shops and spending too much in The View from the Terrace

Although I’m missing my garden and my country views while staying with Cat in the city, I really am loving being close to so many charity shops. There are more within walking distance of this flat than we have in our whole town at home.

Yesterday we walked down to the internet cafe to print out some forms. It was almost a mile walk on the other side of Death Junction. Of course that isn’t it’s proper name but all of the locals call it that because it is the site of the old city gallows!

Cat doesn’t have a printer. She says it isn’t worth it as they only need to print something once a month or so. I said I didn’t think I could live having to walk nearly a mile every time I wanted to print something, she said she couldn’t afford one and didn’t like clutter! Well I get her liking a minimalistic flat, especially as she grew up in our house with Hubby the hoarder, but to call a printer clutter.... a printer is convenience. As for the cost, I told her I got mine free from the freecycle website and I wouldn’t be without one.

On the way back from the printing we went down Charity Shop Road, that isn’t the proper name either and only Cat calls it that, but it fits as there are about seven or eight charity shops down there. Hanging on a rail in the first one was a yellow top with a butterfly pattern that I nearly bought new for £19 a few weeks back. It was my size, I couldn’t believe it. I had really wanted that top but felt I couldn’t justify buying it because I had a lot of tops and there it was in the charity shop for £1.49! The next shop was just about to close as it was getting late, we had five minutes. In that time Cat found a pretty red sundress with white spots and I found a lilac crinckle blouse. I like to wear a blouse over my fuchsia pink dress as that makes me look slimmer but when Hubby brought the dress down for me with some extra clothes last week he couldn’t find the blouse I usually wear with it. This one will look really pretty, and by the till was a turquoise sparkly scarf which will also go with it for evening wear. That was £5.24 for both of them. Then we went into the bargain store and I saw a beautiful handbag for £12.95. I do need a new small lightweight one for when we go on days out, but I would have intended to pay less, but, I thought to myself,I just saved £17.55 on the yellow top by not buying it new, so I treated myself.

I really need to go home soon. Having so many shops around is making me a bit of a spendthrift. I found a fascinating Indian shop in the city arcades last week and bought a long wrap around skirt and a lovely malachite ring. I was owed the ring, though, as Hubby was going to buy me jade one on our 35th anniversary but never got around to it. I couldn’t find a jade one that I liked that fitted but this ring is much the same colour and I love it. At home if I fancy a luxury I usually go away and have a think before buying, but here I think I might not come back into Cardiff for ages so I better get it now. Still Cat says I deserve a treat, and I’m sure I do!

Last updated July 19, 2015