Tuesday, October 28, 2025

Purloined ivy, boyz with toyz and the rag trade

 Today's gardening was about swiping another tendril of ivy from next door where it's threatening the butterfly bush anyway, and potting it up.


Future houseplant and possible raw material for soap.

And this morning's walk was over to the next street, where after threats of lawsuits and much delay, the boyz are repairing the pothole ridden road. 

It's owned by the next development whose board has been reluctant to repair it, since it's along the edge of the development so it gets main road traffic, a lot of wear and tear.

So first they put up traffic cones. Several days later, one truck. Last week No Parking signs. It's always been a no parking zone. Today another truck and signs of activity.




Not a lot. They're not getting carried away here. Nice man directing traffic and telling me where not to step, new tar. He has a folding chair and thermos.

Then the exciting box of clothes arrived, no complaints here.  One dress, one tshirt, one pant, as they say in the trade, one cotton shirt, one sort of hoodie. Definitely worth the total of $25. Labels on, unused.








I can shorten the pant, take off some floofy frill from the white shirt, remove the peplum from the hoodie, use the dress thing as a tunic, it's a nice side-closing front, and the T-shirt as a cheerful pajama top.

That was a lot more fun than ordinary shopping. The goods were as described, arrived bang on time, clean, well packed. These guys know what they're doing. They're selling rock bottom for resale except I'm not selling. I'm upcycling. 

When I've had a bag of items from Freecycle, it's a similar thing, where you get to try stuff out of your usual range. It can be interesting instead of the routine, or rut, I tend to get into. I like clothes but not enough to spend serious energy choosing, more like making.  But I'm open to a new style if it comes at me. 

Now to try on, then wash. 

Happy day everyone, may all your mystery boxes be good ones.





30 comments:

  1. Mystery box shopping - a real lucky dip and very lucky in your case. I could imagine ending up with clothes I simply couldn't remake into anything I would wear!

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    1. I wondered about that. But I could use the fabric anyway.

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  2. Having missed yesterday's post somehow, I misread the title of this one as Poisoned Ivy. Had to go back and read again for reassurance. Yesterday's handmade paper art was really fun to see. Very diverse pieces.

    Your box of clothes is a winner, with a few minor alterations. That'll be a fun project. And yes, it's good to be nudged out of a rut occasionally.

    I'm reading Gavin Francis' "Recovery" per your suggestion, and finding it enlightening. Thanks!

    Chris from Boise

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    1. I'm glad you like Francis. I find him very readable and useful ideas. I'm really enjoying the box. Already did one alteration.

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  3. All that clothing for $25?? Bargain!!

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    1. I'd say so. The surprise element alone is worth it!

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  4. I find cuttings, that I have swiped illegally, tend to strike much better than ones I’ve acquired with the person’s permission.
    Twenty five dollars for all these clothes is an absolute bargain.
    I look forward to seeing what they look like once you have altered them

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    1. That's funny about the stolen cuttings. Maybe they have an adventurous streak.
      I'm enjoying this box already.

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  5. Replies
    1. Hm. This stuff might not quite suit. A bit on the small side.

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  6. That box of clothes was a win...

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    1. Actually better than I'd expected. Not often that happens.

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  7. A nice mixed box of goodies to keep you busy - or busier.

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  8. Do you get to choose the sizes that will come in the box? I'm sure you will repurpose everything beautifully.
    We have a huge problem with potholes here, due to frost heaves. The university is doing research into self healing asphalt which would be so helpful.

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    1. The boxes are advertised by size. I chose S-M, I think. I can literally use all of them, to my surprise.
      Our potholes relate to heavy traffic, heavy rains and reluctance to do more than fill potholes with loose blacktop. They get dug out in days again. We don't get your extreme cold though.

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  9. I buy most of my clothes at resale shops. So many good deals to find.

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    1. And better quality, often, than new fabrics and construction.

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  10. I would say that's $25 well spent! You will have fun redoing the pieces to suit your style.
    Stolen Ivy - should be the title of a song!

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  11. Wow, you hit the jackpot with that $25 box of clothes!

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  12. Where did you buy this wonderful box? You got a great deal.

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  13. I'm so glad you like your mystery box.
    And they still have the tags on, too. Nice!

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  14. A great deal with the clothes. And the projects to alter them will fill the days with interest.

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