Apologies for lack of contact

24/02/2013

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So I have been having a good old rummage through my website settings and bits 'n' pieces and realised that a whole bunch of people (well, 16+) have sent me messages over the past year or so and I have been incredibly rude and ignored them completely.  My sincere apologies. 

Will be going through everything over the next week or so and will make all appropriate suggested changes.  In the mean time, thanks so much for all the (entirely positive) feedback.  Most appreciated and am so glad so many people have found it so useful.


I'll also be heading out on my bike/on the bus over the next few days to check out some of the new stores that have been popping up - be sure to give me a wave :-)

Diana
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Back to save the universe...

24/02/2013

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Hurrah!  After a long absence, I'm back in NZ for a few weeks and aiming to update this website with everything new and exciting.  I've already spotted several new shops and a few that are sadly no longer with us :-( 

If you can help at all, by pointing me in the right direction of recently opened stores, or changed opening times, or relocated premises or whatever, please feel free to drop me a line.  I will check them out as soon as I can - in between enjoying myself in the sunshine and catching up with old, good and new friends.

Happy shopping :-)


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Good things come in threes...

09/05/2012

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So From the Universe is getting some publicity, wow.  How did that happen?  

First it was Breakfast with Spanky on RDU 98.5 last month (gosh, I sounded so terribly English), then it was chatting to the Chief of the Charity Barns and the lovely Shabby Chic Market/Forget-me-not lady and yesterday it was a wee paragraph on page 14 of Zest, one section of The Press.  I was wondering why suddenly lots of people had hit the FB 'like' button recently.

Thanks to all who have supported this little whimsical project of mine and sent me corrections/ideas/additions recently.  Very much appreciated.  It's still a work in progress, but onwards and upwards I say :-)

Such fun!
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The Magpie Effect

11/03/2012

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If, like me, you are attracted to shiny and sparkly things, you'll know already that op-shops and other second hand stores are the best places to find things like that, without breaking the bank.  The excitement is in the search!  

If your friends or family need further convincing, here are a whole bunch of reasons why buying things second hand is such a great idea...
  • It's much cheaper than buying items brand new.
  • It's fun hunting for a special item and finding a real gem buried under the junk.
  • It's more environmentally friendly, since items you buy are re-used rather than thrown into landfill.
  • If you buy from 'op-shops' you are often supporting charitable organisations.
  • By buying second hand you are more likely to find something unique that doesn't resemble what the next door neighbour or your best friend has.
  • If you're shopping for clothing, the low prices mean you can buy more items for less.
  • You can 'tweak' or 'up-cycle' cheap or not-quite-right items very easily and you won't be hugely out of pocket if the tweak doesn't quite go to plan...
  • Second hand items are often donated by folk who'd like to see their unwanted possessions go to a good home and be looked after all over again.  By buying second hand you can be part of this story.
  • Spending less on 'stuff' means that you free up cash for other things that are more 'experience-based', for example gig tickets, a long weekend away, a lift-pass for the ski season or a for splashing out on a nice bottle of bubbly to go with your picnic lunch.
Why would you do it any other way...?!
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Hello

11/03/2012

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Welcome to From the Universe.  This site was built for op-shoppers, retro-rummagers, vintage-vagabonds, curio-collectors and all those who adore pre-loved stuff.

There is too much stuff in this world that is thrown away. I see secondhand shopping as part of changing that, as well as being a whole heap of fun and great for any budget. From the Universe lists places that sell secondhand items in Christchurch (and nearby), for you to explore and search through at your leisure. Here's hoping you find some gems amongst the junk.

Happy shopping :-)

Diana
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