However, my intention to eat seasonally and simply fell apart when it became evident our household only possessed a handful of plates of one pattern, and devoid of chips or scratches. I decided to put together one of those eclectic mixes that look so gorgeous in the glossy magazines.
The problem is, those fancy-pants magazine set-ups don’t really start with a bargain basement dinner set, an old Bunnykins bowl and a few plastic plates left over from the last barbecue party. However, not to be demoralised by clapped-out crockery, I resorted to using the best we had available and endeavoured to keep the worst dishes discretely hidden in my spot.
The food was consumed and the company was indeed the highlight of the lunch, but afterwards I was determined to do something about the sorry dinner-set situation. Second-hand stuff seemed like a good solution and should enable me to achieve the stylish jumbled-up look I aspired to.
On a junk-shop mission, I travelled here and there hoping something stunning would catch my eye.
Sadly the only things that did leap out at me were the hefty price tags. Old crockery is obviously in high demand when the world economy is in a downwards spin.
After using sufficient petrol to cover the cost of a couple of dinner plates, it became clear my mission was futile but there was still another option for creating an appealing table setting — Trade Me.
It’s remarkable how initial enthusiasm can wane when confronted by too many options. Hours wasted ploughing through other people’s no-longer loved cups and saucers is enough to derange the most determined shopper.
Of course frugalism takes commitment, so bids were duly made and promising pieces were placed on my watchlist.
Years ago the excitement would have sent an electric charge through our household but this type of shopping no longer rings my bell. Needless to say nothing has been “won” — a Trade Me euphemism for “overpaid” — and we are still eating off chipped crockery.
