Second Childhood Blog

As well as meaning a lot to us, we also just really like the shot......

We're seeing so many beautifully made objects at the moment - bespoke and personal - that it's feeling like a return to the Arts & Crafts movement of a little over a century ago.  Could it be that we're sick of the mass-produced?

Here's what Wikipedia has to say about the movement:

Arts & Crafts was an international design movement that flourished between 1860-1910, based on a philosophy developed by the artist & writer William Morris to advocate traditional craftmanship in simple forms using medieval, romantic or folk styles of decoration.  It also argued for economic equality & social reform and was anti-industrial.

Second Childhood thinks it's back and we love it!

We've just put out a whole lot of beautiful new stock of recycled girls and boys clothes, toys, games and accessories - you'll be happily surprised by what you find.  Come on a journey of discovery at Second Childhood.

We have plenty of great gifts for your kids, all in the one place.  Pick up stylish recycled designer clothes, fantastic toys - many of them new - and games that will keep your little ones amused and occupied for hours.  We also stock a huge range of accessories.  Think of Second Childhood as your one-stop shop!  Happy shopping & see you soon.

We've just taken a huge consignment of fantastic toys and games - mostly all brand new, unopened, in their original packaging!  And there's a bonus.  You won't pay full price because we want you to have them at the usual amazingly low Second Childhood price.  They're great gifts for the Christmas tree.  Drop into the shop and see what we've got - we'd love to see you.

We're now open 7 days a week until Christmas.

Monday - Friday:  10.00 am - 4.00pm

Saturday - Sunday:  11.00am - 3.00pm

44 Glenferrie Rd, Malvern, Vic.  Phone 9509 6898.

Lots of new stock arriving daily.  Gorgeous recycled kids clothes, toys, games & accessories in excellent condition - perfect for the Christmas stocking!

To celebrate our first Sunday opening, we're having an instore Super Sunday Sale, where everything in the shop - all current stock and sale items - will be up to 50% off the marked price.

Come in to Second Childhood this Sunday 6 November from 11 am - 3 pm for beautiful recycled kid's clothes, toys and accessories at amazing prices.

We're at 44 Glenferrie Rd, Malvern & we'd love to see you.

October has been 'Buy Nothing New Month', and Second Childhood is a supporter.  It's a really worthwhile campaign to get us all thinking about the impact that buying new has on the planet, urging us to take pause for a month to consider whether we really need that 'new' thing.  And if we don't, then hold off buying it or consider other options such as buying recycled or secondhand.  With only a few days to go before the end of the month we wondered how the campaign went and whether the idea had taken hold in the community.  We've seen a bit about it in the media, but not a lot, so we'd like to know - did you hear about 'Buy Nothing New Month'?

I also get a lot of people asking me how the consignment system works.  It's so simple: we go 50/50 with you (less a small selling fee, which helps us cover our rent and power and the like).  So, bring your designer kids clothes into the shop for assessment and if we think they're right for us we'll consign them and we share the proceeds.  If you're online, just contact us first with the email form & we'll work things out from there.  You'll get a listing of what we take to sell on your behalf - which we'll do for 3 months - after which you get half of whatever is sold (less fee).  We do the work for you, it's a great way for you to pick up a little extra cash, and to top all that off, by recycling you're doing the planet some good at the same time.  Come on in or get in touch and give it a go!

Second Childhood has an unbelievably huge range of designer label kids clothes.  Here's a list of who we stock:  Burberry, True Religion, Ralph Lauren, Kenzo, Catimini, Chloe, Confetti, 3 Pommes, DKNY, Diesel, Fred Bare, Calvin Klein, Willow & Finn, Eeni Meeni Miini Moh, Seed, Country Road, Minihaha, Guess Kids, Jacardi, MissSicty, Juicy Couture, Big by Fiona Scanlan, OneRedFly, Nolita.

So many of our recycled designer kids clothes are as good as new.  Not even Myer or David Jones can boast the label range that we carry!

Many first-time visitors to Second Childhood ask me questions about the shop, about our beautiful recycled kids clothes, and about the way our consignment and recycled clothes system works.

The question i get most is:  "Where do you get your clothes from"?

I really like answering this one because it's so simple:  "You".  It's your gorgeous clothes that Second Childhood recycles, on your behalf.  All the clothes in the shop are as if they've come from your house and have been worn by your kids.  They were new when you bought them and now you're turning them into desirable second hand clothes, sharing them with others.

We love the simplicity & elegance of 'pass-it-on'.

For the last few days we've been putting new stock onto the Second Childhood clothes racks, so pop in to support 'buy nothing new' month.  And if you get in early you'll have the pick of the beautiful recycled kids clothes crop - especially while everyone else is away for the school holidays!

See you soon...

October is 'buy nothing new' month, a brilliant idea from the Salvos and the Brotherhood, and one which we at Second Childhood wholeheartedly support.  It just means that we should all take pause and think about the impact that buying new has on the planet, and really think about whether we need the 'new' (it doesn't include essentials like food).  Of course, we love it and we want everyone to buy our recycled kid's clothes - all the time!  Let's all support this great idea and see how we go for one month.  It sounds easy, but is it?

Here's the link:

Every now and again we should give ourselves a little clap when we do good things, things that help people and the planet.  Recycling kids clothes is one of those good things because what you're doing is giving the planet a helping hand by living more sustainably.  It might only seem like a small gesture for an individual, but if we all recycle then the gesture becomes part of a movement.  How do you think recycling pre loved children's clothes helps the planet?

Came across this quote today and thought i'd share it with you...

"Happiness is a perfume you cannot pour on others without getting a few drops on yourself"  Ralph Waldo Emerson.

How lovely that is - have a great day everyone!

I'm getting a bit sick of hearing and reading all the doom and gloom media reports about how depressed the retail economy is and how long it's going to be that way.  I think it's time to get positive - let's support our friends, the people who like us and everyone in our networks and if we all do it i think we can help turn the energy around.  Let's start today, let's start right now.  Let's share and get the word around - let's energise retail and let's get positive! 

What do you think?

Melbourne's Herald Sun newspaper today reports the results of a consumer survey - more of us are buying more recycled goods, with clothes number 2 on the list.  Obviously we're all ahead of the game and know how smart it is to buy recycled clothes and accessories, but it's interesting that more are coming aboard the recycling train!  Mostly people are saying thay want to save money on things like secondhand clothes, but we know there's also the added benefit of doing a little something to help the planet by not buying new, so we're not adding to the excess and waste that's awash in the world.  A big well done to all of you - a nice way to start the week!

Here's the link to the article:

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"We received the preloved windcheater and windbreaker last week and they are in excellent condition, and we are very happy with them".  Warmly, Erica and family.

"Very pleased with my purchases.  Very impressed with the service.  Very impressed with the environmentally friendly wrapping".  Sonia

Today we've been thinking about sharing because last night we went on a facebook 'march' which is all about sharing like-to-like, with friends and businesses.  We sent some love out to people who do similar things to us at Trycycle + Second Childhood, and we got a lot of love back.  And of course sharing is central to what we do here with our recycled kids clothes, and what you all do as well.  If you can, share our facebook page with other like-minded sharers, and let's all help each other because sharing is feel-good - and who doesn't like that!

Here's the Second Childhood shop window for those of you who haven't seen it, at 44 Glenferrie Rd, Malvern (sorry about the reflections).  You can see from our bright display that the warmth of the season has really hit now, and that spring is all about colour for the kids!

Don't forget that recycled is the new 'new'.