I really think it was easier last year when I was on The compact and not buying anything new. I didn’t have to worry about comparison shopping to find the best deal – if Goodwill had it I did a little happy dance and if not, I did without. I also didn’t have to worry about where it was produced. Buying a secondhand item, even if it comes from China, is still a more environmentally friendly choice than buying a new item.
This year we are striving to be conscientious consumers and will occasionally buy new items. This is turning out to be a lot of work. After my first shopping experience which was also my first shopping failure, I was ready to go back on The Compact.
The first thing I wanted to buy this year was Pilates or yoga socks which have non-slip bottoms. I searched for the best prices and looked for socks made in America. After finding a pair that I thought met my requirements, I was distracted by a pair that were white and a little less expensive. I clicked and ordered 3 pair thinking they were a white version of the pair I had researched.
I was so excited when they came. I ripped into a package to try them on and I couldn’t find the non-stick bottoms. Ugh. I looked at the package trying to figure out what went wrong and then I saw Made in China printed on the bottom of the package. Double Ugh. I looked at my receipt and noticed that I could only return unopened items. Triple Ugh. At least I can return the two pair I hadn’t opened but I was disappointed at being stuck with a pair of socks that I didn’t like and couldn’t use.
Then I remembered how I used to use puff paint to make non-slip socks for my kids when they were little and decided to give it a try so I could perhaps partially rectify the situation.
I made dots all over the bottom of the socks with puff paint and allowed them to dry overnight: 
Smiley faces on the big toes of your socks are entirely optional.
My instructor laughed at the smiley faces peaking over the reformer bar at her and asked where I got them. I told her I made them myself with puff paint and she said, “so I could turn any pair of socks into Pilates socks?” Exactly! Even secondhand socks…
This post is linked to Works For me Wednesday.
what a great idea!
so smart!
That is too cool. I wish I would have known this when Blaze was smaller!! Love the smiley faces too.
great idea, and what perfect rows you have-mine would look like blobs all over
haha! This is a great idea. I will try this with my toddler. We get almost all of her clothes from my brother. He has a daughter about 1 year or so older than mine. When we get the jammies, sometimes the little non-slip things are worn off. This means my daughter occasionally goes sliding through the kitchen. hehe
Too cute! What a great idea! This is actually the second great idea I heard of yours today. The first was the asthma tip over at A Moderate Life. I have suffered from asthma my whole life and since moving into our own house, have kept the hamper in our room. I am moving it as soon as I go upstairs and I can't wait to see the difference! Thanks!
Too cute! What a great idea! This is actually the second great idea I heard of yours today. The first was the asthma tip over at A Moderate Life. I have suffered from asthma my whole life and since moving into our own house, have kept the hamper in our room. I am moving it as soon as I go upstairs and I can't wait to see the difference! Thanks!
Too cute! What a great idea! This is actually the second great idea I heard of yours today. The first was the asthma tip over at A Moderate Life. I have suffered from asthma my whole life and since moving into our own house, have kept the hamper in our room. I am moving it as soon as I go upstairs and I can't wait to see the difference! Thanks!
I am gonna use this to make a baby gift for a friend