Mini Muffins, More Op Shopping and an Orange in the Guts

Ok, so weird title, I know, but I will explain them all one by one.
Firstly, thanks to those who posted comments to my dilemma of whether or not to wear 2nd hand leather goods from op shops. I also did some research last night and the jury seems pretty much divided 50-50. So, I have temporarily come to this conclusion: I don't believe (at this stage, feel free to convince me otherwise) that I am adding to the demand of leather by buying 2nd hand goods. It sits well with my beliefs in recycling and reusing before buying new. I won't go searching for 2nd hand leather goods to buy, but if something happens to appear that seems to be just what I need, I will definitely consider buying it. Although, a little part of me feels a bit icky having a dead animal on my feet...

So this morning Tweenie and Baby decided to make some mini muffins. Here is a picture of the mini's in Baby's seven-year-old hand. So tiny and cute.

They adapted a recipe from Vegan a Go-Go.

Today went  headed towards Preston Markets and the local library. I had planned on only a $20 budget at the markets today, mostly to get fruit for school lunches. So we walked down High Street as I wanted to look for a dry cleaner to clean a couple of the dresses I bought yesterday for my cousin's wedding. On the way we stopped at a few more op shops and picked up a couple of more bargains. The last place we stopped at was Scrooges. The kids found some clothes for themselves there and we all started chatting to the lady behind the counter. It started off her asking how to say my name (it was on the credit card), to the origin of my name (NZ) and ended up finding out that her sister AM lives in Geraldton (WA) - which is where we moved from. I said that I worked at Geraldton PS, and did her sister's kids go there. Turns out they did, we know them, one of the kids was in Tweenie's class, and I lived next door to AM's best buddy - so I knew her sister REALLY well!! It is such a small world!!! It also turns out that AM and her boys are due here tomorrow (or should I say tonight, since it is again past midnight!), so I left my number for her to call if she wants to catch up! I totally believe there was a reason why we started to chat to the lady there instead of saying thanks, and leaving! Weird!

OK, now for the orange explanation! Just before I got on here to type this post, I thought I would duck across the road to the petrol station to binge on some skittles and fanta. It doesn't happen very often, since I have lived here this year, I have probably been over maybe 3 times (including this time). Unfortunatly, they had no skittles (what's with that??) so I left with nothing. As I got to the kerb to cross the road, a P plater's car cruised around the corner onto the main road on which I live. It was only metres away so I waited for it to pass before I crossed the road. The next thing I know, the passenger had thrown an orange at me and it hit me in the stomach!! WTF!!!! I hear about this stupid shit happening all the time but it has never happened to me! Check out the pic.

Can you believe that? I let loose on Facebook for a little while and I feel a bit better now. Maybe it was a sign. Telling me off for trying to have refined sugar/a binge session/lollies/unhealthy foods or whatever. I am glad that it wasn't an egg or something, that would have really pissed me off more to have to clean myself up! It was sore internally for about an hour afterwards, but seems to have settled down now and it is mostly my pride that is hurt.

Sorry for all the swearing tonight, I am just a little annoyed!

Tahn

2nd Hand Leather: To Buy or Not To Buy?

That was the dilemma I faced today and I didn't know how to answer it.

I haven't bought any leather since turning vegan. I have a pair of leather boots that I owned pre-veganism, which I still wear, although when they are ruined they will not be replaced.

While rummaging through the treasures of a couple of op shops today, I was confronted with a pair of shoes that would be perfect with the dress and cardi I found. Unfortunately, the shoes are leather. I had an internal fight with myself. I would NEVER buy anything new (leather), but could I bring myself to buy and wear 2nd hand leather?? Was I adding to the consumer demands and the need to kill cows, skin them and produce leather products? Could I justify the purchase of 2nd hand leather as a way to reduce, reuse and recycle in a bid to reduce waste, help the environment and reduce my consumer footprint? AARRGGGHHH! I was feeling quite sick inside and riddled with guilt. After my internal struggle I still hadn't come to a convincing conclusion and I thought I would ask around (that's you guys) and maybe do a bit of research myself to find a definitive answer. In case you are wondering, I bought the shoes deciding to look into the subject further and if I decided that I did not want to be a part of the 2nd hand leather movement I could always donate them back.

So, what do you think? What is your stance here? I would love to hear everyone's opinion on this to help me make up my mind on the subject.

Anyway, I'll post the pics of what I bought (and love) tomorrow! Since the kids and I got home quite late  tonight from our shopping trip we quickly cooked up some schnitzels for dinner.

I only wish our plate looked as yummy as the one on the box. Unfortunately, that was not the case! It was just slapped between to pieces of bread! Well, it was late!

And since we have past midnight on this side of the world...65 days to go

Tahn