'Sometimes I can spend like a kicking horse': Joanna Lumley admits she splashes out on stationery but also enjoys giving back
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UPDATED:
02:16 GMT, 8 June 2012
Most people expect celebrities to splash out on designer handbags and luxurious clothes, but not Joanna Lumley.
The 66-year-old star has admitted that she does like to spend at times but it's normally in Ryman's rather than Louis Vuitton.
The Absolutely Fabulous star says she has a thing for stationary and can't resist stocking up on the essentials.
Hey big spender! Joanna Lumley admits that she loves splashing out on stationary at Ryman
I’d describe myself as a saver, but just sometimes I can spend like a kicking horse!' Lumley told Woman and Home magazine.
'Ryman is the one shop I can’t go past without going into. I have shoeboxes full of pads and pens that I’ve bought. I just can’t resist lovely stationery. I always have a notebook in my handbag to jot things down.'
However, as much as she loves buying new pens and pads, Lumley also loves to give back and her latest role is as an ambassador for Plan A.
'The environmentalist Jonathon Porritt sits on the advisory board and thought it’s the sort of thing I’d like to help with, so he approached me,' she told the magazine.
'I absolutely love the fact that M&S is aiming for the moon with this. They’ve set themselves the goal of being the most sustainable major retailer. They want to do things right and are leading the way in animal welfare and sustainable fishing, so I feel very proud to be involved.'
Waste not, want not: The actress is currently working with M&S on their latest environmental campaign that encourages the public not to throw things away
The full interview with Joanna can be seen in the July issue of Woman & Home
The blonde went on to explain that none of the brand's unsold food is wasted or goes into landfill.
Lumley admits that too hates waste and can't bear to throw anything away.
'I’m from the post-war generation when there was still a focus on make do and mend, and that is part of me,' she said.
'I’m also lucky to have travelled a lot in my life. When you see how poorer people around the world use everything and make new things from scrap, it’s horrifying to think of things as disposable.'
Fans of Lumley would have seen her in the new M&S advert that encourages people to 'shwop' their clothes.
'The concept of shwopping is so clever, I think. The idea is that every time someone goes shopping, they can take an unwanted item of clothing and pop it in the recycling bin in their M&S store for Oxfam,' she explained.
'It makes it so easy for people – they can just pop a child’s T-shirt or something they don’t want any more into their handbag, rather than waiting till they’ve got a huge mound of stuff to get rid of.
'Amazingly, even old socks or tights can be used. Nothing will end up in landfill – the good clothes will be sold in Oxfam’s shops, but the old clothes will be broken down and recycled, and turned into new textiles. So open old drawers in your house and bring out your laddered tights!'
Lumley wants to raise 50m plus for Oxfam, and wants everyone to become a bit more aware of how food is produced.
'I also hope that other retailers and manufacturers will follow this lead and work to be sustainable,' she added.
To read the feature in full, see the July issue of Woman & Home which is on sale now.