About MeHello, and welcome to my "no brand new" challenge! I am Beccy Beavis, and live in the picturesque North West of Auckland, New Zealand with my husband, gorgeous son Charlie and his crazy feline sister Bailey. Much to my beloved husbands dismay I have vowed to not buy brand new for an entire year, 12 months, 365 days! Unfortunately little Charlie has no choice in the matter & is coming along for the ride. I have made exceptions to the "no brand new" of course which in our health & safety mad society can't be avoided, including consumables, and toiletries. But that's it folks, nothing else is entering our home or denting our bank balance unless its second hand, re styled, re invented, hand made, handed down, or gifted. We are even planing on doing a home renovation this year... arghhhhhhhh have I bitten off more than I can chew? You will have to stay tuned, and hopefully I can inspire you to join me in the challenge.
What do I gain from this?? Sooooooo much and possibly more! - I am hoping to free my mind from a generation Y instant gratification, "I deserve now" and "keeping up with the Jones" mindset. - To help our beautiful planet by re using, recycling and living a more sustainable life. - To take minimalism to an entire new level, and improve my confidence, clarity, decision making skills, and knowledge by not indulging in consumerism. - To connect with an old fashioned way of living - To re connect with creativity - To teach Charlie through the process of making & inventing - To spend less time in shopping malls and more time in nature - And most importantly in an age where the average house price is $820,000 in Auckland and the cost of living is through the roof, my hardworking husband has given me the gift of being able to be a stay at home with my son. This challenge is one huge way that this priority can continue to be a reality. Wish me luck and check out the blog xx |
My History |
I have been totally obsessed with the "Reinvent" concept since I was a little girl. I suppose you could say its in my blood. My grandparents owned an inorganic rubbish collection business and almost their entire house was made up of someones trash "reinvented". It was a magical treasure trove of creativity and practicability I couldn't understand how some people could chuck out such potential. My grandmother Lenora was also a milliner by trade and had a keen eye for fashion and fabric. The dresses, lace, curtains and tablecloths she collected from the rubbish collections were turned into the most amazing dolls, hats, clothing and costumes. It was when I realized everything should be appreciated and respected. Each item no matter what shape or form has had an interesting story, and has a story yet to tell. Taking after my grandmother is my freakishly talented mother who I used to watch as a little girl shine in all her artistic glory restoring and remodeling old furniture, stripping back paint to reveal the native timber, adding decorative handles, and bright cushion covers.
As I have experienced its the love, passion and creativity that goes into the reinvention process that gives an object more value. It carries all the charm of the past and can suddenly reinvent it self into the future. Call it reinventing the wheel or recasting old ideas, but these contemporary versions have a spirit and style all on their own. After university and a corporate career in Melbourne, I was compelled to re connect with my creativity. I returned to New Zealand and started my own business "Reinvented Bride" and tapped into the amazing potential of wedding dresses already sitting in wardrobes all over the world, pre loved designer gowns, spectacular vintage gowns, and the reinvention of dresses and vintage fabrics. This concept then grew and became the popular & successful bridal store "Secret Lace Bridal". Then came the birth of my beautiful son, becoming a mother slowly changed me. At the beginning my determined, business minded, self driven persona remained as I vaguely stumbled through the early shocking stages of motherhood. I dragged my new born son with severe re flux into the shop, the seldom times he did nap without me having to rock him I would work, and my mum would be over every Friday as I raced between appointments and breastfeeding, my mother was a godsend in those early months. I was exhausted and finally realized enough was enough and sold my share of the business. It was bittersweet but a huge weight off my shoulders when I finally realized being a mum was my first priority. My beautiful son is now almost 16 months and I feel my creative spirit rearing to reinvent again. Our visa card more commonly than not also gets a battering as we survive on one wage. So instead of going out to find a part time job, I discover how I can kill all three birds with one stone and the "no brand new" concept is born |