I can't quite believe that there are now only 3 months to go on this challenge. It seems to have gone by so fast. Must be the old 'time flies when you're having fun' saying in action.
This month has been quite quiet on the beauty front, merely replacing a few things that have run out over the course of the month. Just one extra purchase, which wasn't really essential, but which I was curious to try. There's always something. Oh, and one mistake which you'll read about in a minute.
This month I have spent the very restrained sum of £5.48 which is well under budget and takes the running total to £76.54/£100 with just 3 months remaining. Money was spent on the following this month:
Tissues x 15 packs of 10 - 99p
Cotton Wool Pads x 2 packs of 50 - £1
Conditioner 360ml - £2 - This was actually supposed to be shampoo, but unfortunately I picked up the wrong bottle from the shelf in the supermarket, so I've now got 3 bottles of conditioner to use and no shampoo! Great. Anyway, as a result, in order not to push the budget by buying some shampoo, I decided it was a good opportunity to use up all those small sample/hotel/travel bottles that I had lurking in my stash. Some are better than others, but they need using up, so now is as good a time as any.
BB Cream - £1.49 - This was the only extra purchase this month, which was on offer with Approved Foods, so I popped one on my order. I must admit I haven't even tried it on my skin yet, as I'm still using my Nivea Tinted Moisturiser. I need to give it a go before that runs out, just in case I need to buy some more.
I'm starting to think that it might be nice when this challenge ends, not to have a budget any more and be able to treat myself from time to time. I picked up a Grapefruit Eau de Cologne Spray in T K Maxx the other day which I wanted to try, but then remembered that at £9.99 it just wouldn't fit into the budget so put it back. Not really a hardship in the scheme of things, so I can't complain, but I think I can see me having a little binge when the challenge is finally over. Maybe treat myself to a new inexpensive perfume or lipstick, although currently my lipsticks are getting used up, which is no bad thing.
I'll have to start thinking of the things I might treat myself to when this challenge ends. Number one is a perfume from Lidl for £3.99 that I've heard good reviews of in the media. It's supposed to be as good as Chanel on a Lidl budget. Sounds fine to me for daily use. If I can fit it into my £100 per year budget I might even indulge whilst still on the challenge, it could be an end of the challenge treat if there's enough spending power left.
Wednesday, 26 March 2014
Tuesday, 25 March 2014
Earring Revamp
Last Friday, I took delivery of some kidney shaped earring fastenings that I had ordered from eBay. I love these fastenings and have used them on several pairs of earrings in the past to create a dangly earring with a secure fastening. Lately though, these earrings have been looking a bit worse for wear and the silver colour has worn off the fastenings with repeated wear and cleaning using surgical spirit, so I decided to order some more and give them a revamp.
I paid about £2 for 40, which is far more than I need and very inexpensive, as this included postage. Once they had arrived I set about attaching them to my earrings. Here's a few of them.
There's the lips.
I love these as they are just so kitsch. I often get admiring comments about these earrings. I can't remember where I got the charms, eBay, I think.
Then there's the bows, which are cute too.
The spotted beads which I made up myself using another triangular fastening many years ago.
And finally there's the hearts. Great for wearing on Valentine's Day.
I had a look around to see what new earrings I could make using them and made the following:
My current favourites are these green drops. (I'm wearing them today). Ideally, they need a gold coloured kidney fastening, but I'm happy to make do with the silver.
I paid about £2 for 40, which is far more than I need and very inexpensive, as this included postage. Once they had arrived I set about attaching them to my earrings. Here's a few of them.
There's the lips.
I love these as they are just so kitsch. I often get admiring comments about these earrings. I can't remember where I got the charms, eBay, I think.
Then there's the bows, which are cute too.
The spotted beads which I made up myself using another triangular fastening many years ago.
And finally there's the hearts. Great for wearing on Valentine's Day.
I had a look around to see what new earrings I could make using them and made the following:
My current favourites are these green drops. (I'm wearing them today). Ideally, they need a gold coloured kidney fastening, but I'm happy to make do with the silver.
Monday, 24 March 2014
Sunday
Sunday, we had a lovely day doing just as we pleased and doing the jobs we needed and wanted to do. I started the day off by having a long lie in as I had slept badly the night before and wasn't at my usual class as it was fully booked up. I laid in bed reading a book which I'm really enjoying, until that is, I saw that it was nearly 10 am and thought I'd better get out of bed and do something useful.
Once up and about I caught up on a bit of housework and some online reading and then later we headed out. Me to the allotment in the car and OH, Little Bird and the dog on foot to the same destination, where they met me later. The plot wasn't in too bad a shape after I'd tidied it up a few weeks ago. A few things had gone to seed so I removed them and dug up some weeds from the foot paths, which I now need to cover with weed suppressant fabric and wood chips.
I was pleased to see that some salad seeds I'd sown on my last visit were germinating,
and the onion sets were sprouting.
When OH got there, he put my First Early potato tubers in for me, as I never quite plant them right when I do it. I didn't buy as many this year, so we just created one main row and some short off shoots. It felt good to tick that one off my to do list. Especially as they'll be inspecting the plots in the next week, to make sure they've been cultivated.
When we got back, we had some lunch and then I spent the afternoon catching up on some blogging, and watching a couple of TV programmes I'd recorded, whilst OH and Little Bird went for a swim. Later, I took the dog for a walk and then after supper had a lovely soak in a nice hot bath. I always treat myself to this after a visit to the allotment, as it helps gets the soil out from under my fingernails.
I do love an easy going Sunday.
Once up and about I caught up on a bit of housework and some online reading and then later we headed out. Me to the allotment in the car and OH, Little Bird and the dog on foot to the same destination, where they met me later. The plot wasn't in too bad a shape after I'd tidied it up a few weeks ago. A few things had gone to seed so I removed them and dug up some weeds from the foot paths, which I now need to cover with weed suppressant fabric and wood chips.
I was pleased to see that some salad seeds I'd sown on my last visit were germinating,
and the onion sets were sprouting.
When OH got there, he put my First Early potato tubers in for me, as I never quite plant them right when I do it. I didn't buy as many this year, so we just created one main row and some short off shoots. It felt good to tick that one off my to do list. Especially as they'll be inspecting the plots in the next week, to make sure they've been cultivated.
When we got back, we had some lunch and then I spent the afternoon catching up on some blogging, and watching a couple of TV programmes I'd recorded, whilst OH and Little Bird went for a swim. Later, I took the dog for a walk and then after supper had a lovely soak in a nice hot bath. I always treat myself to this after a visit to the allotment, as it helps gets the soil out from under my fingernails.
I do love an easy going Sunday.
Sunday, 23 March 2014
Project 52 - Week 12 - Sorting and Sifting My Wardrobe - Part 2
I posted earlier in the week about how I'd started to sort and sift my wardrobe for the coming months, taking out most of the winter woollies, ready for getting my summer clothes out of storage. I managed to sort through the winter clothes quite quickly and pack them away into storage until next year. I've still got coats, shoes/boots and jumpers to sort through and pack away, but as most of these aren't in my wardrobe, they're not strictly included in this post. They will be tackled at a later date.
For those of you who didn't catch my first post, the wardrobe started off looking like this.
It was then reduced to this, with lots of lovely empty hangers.
It didn't stay like that for long, as once I'd got all the summer clothes out of storage, it filled up again pretty quickly.
It felt good to get the job done and there appears to be a bit more colour in evidence. It's one of those seasonal must do's, to clear out any unworn or tired items that you're not going to wear any more, and make room for things you really like wearing. Also when I get my summer clothes out, it's like having a whole new wardrobe of clothes to choose from.
I've also sorted through all of my handbags on the top shelf too and made them all easily accessible for when I want a change and just need to grab one, fill it and go. Hopefully, this way I might use some of them more often than I currently do. Here they are lined up ready for action.
I'm not so optimistic as to go over completely to summer clothes and therefore I'm keeping a few sweaters back in case we get some chilly days in the next couple of months, but for all intents and purposes I'm ready to go. Bring on the sunshine.
In carrying out this task, I did manage to put quite a few items aside for taking to the charity shop and I had a bit of good news this week about the remaining eBay items I listed a few weeks ago, as they all sold. This has removed more unused 'stuff' from the house and provided a small amount of income too which is very satisfying.
I still have more clothes to sort, sift and store, namely the contents of the chests of drawers, the coat rack and the shoe basket. I was hoping to reduce the amount of storage bags/suitcases that I keep stored seasonal clothing in this time around, but unfortunately because winter boots, jumpers, coats, etc. take up more room physically than summer t-shirts, etc., I haven't been able to reduce these, but haven't increased them either, so that is something at least.
The shoe basket sort and sift is another item on my 'to do list' for Project 52, so I will post another week on my progress in this task, when I eventually get around to it.
In doing this task, I am joining in with Dreamer of Living A Slow And Simple Life in carrying out task a week for a year, in her 52 Projects Challenge.
For those of you who didn't catch my first post, the wardrobe started off looking like this.
It was then reduced to this, with lots of lovely empty hangers.
It didn't stay like that for long, as once I'd got all the summer clothes out of storage, it filled up again pretty quickly.
It felt good to get the job done and there appears to be a bit more colour in evidence. It's one of those seasonal must do's, to clear out any unworn or tired items that you're not going to wear any more, and make room for things you really like wearing. Also when I get my summer clothes out, it's like having a whole new wardrobe of clothes to choose from.
I've also sorted through all of my handbags on the top shelf too and made them all easily accessible for when I want a change and just need to grab one, fill it and go. Hopefully, this way I might use some of them more often than I currently do. Here they are lined up ready for action.
I'm not so optimistic as to go over completely to summer clothes and therefore I'm keeping a few sweaters back in case we get some chilly days in the next couple of months, but for all intents and purposes I'm ready to go. Bring on the sunshine.
In carrying out this task, I did manage to put quite a few items aside for taking to the charity shop and I had a bit of good news this week about the remaining eBay items I listed a few weeks ago, as they all sold. This has removed more unused 'stuff' from the house and provided a small amount of income too which is very satisfying.
I still have more clothes to sort, sift and store, namely the contents of the chests of drawers, the coat rack and the shoe basket. I was hoping to reduce the amount of storage bags/suitcases that I keep stored seasonal clothing in this time around, but unfortunately because winter boots, jumpers, coats, etc. take up more room physically than summer t-shirts, etc., I haven't been able to reduce these, but haven't increased them either, so that is something at least.
The shoe basket sort and sift is another item on my 'to do list' for Project 52, so I will post another week on my progress in this task, when I eventually get around to it.
In doing this task, I am joining in with Dreamer of Living A Slow And Simple Life in carrying out task a week for a year, in her 52 Projects Challenge.
Saturday, 22 March 2014
On the Subject of Hoarding
I've got an admission to make, that I have a bit of an obsession at the moment, with a series of programmes on CBS Reality Channel, about extreme hoarders in the US. I'm recording them via a series link, as they are on daily, and I'm gradually finding time to watch them. I've mentioned before that I have mild hoarding tendencies or have had in the past as I can get quite sentimental about some items, but in recent years I have managed to get them under some sort of control and gradually minimise the urge to buy more and more 'stuff'. I still sometimes have the odd lapse, but where I do buy anything, I try to make sure that it is either something small or something that I will definitely use or wear.
I'm finding most of the episodes very interesting, save for the ones where people hoard animals, which I enjoy less. I can empathise with the fact that animals can be very good companions, and I could see myself with a guinea pig village if I had a spare outbuilding, but I've always found pets to be a very big responsibility, not to mention expense and some of the animals in some of the programmes don't always appear to be very well looked after, which I find a bit distressing. Not that I'm making judgements, it is very difficult to tell from an edited TV programme, just what is the real reality.
I do, however, find watching these programmes quite inspiring, as the psychologists and organisers very kindly and gently try to help the afflicted, whilst trying to identify the underlying reasons for their behaviour, and bring some normality back to their somewhat chaotic lives. I have to admit I find these programmes therapeutic too, as after each programme I watch, I wander off and purge another part of the house to free us of 'stuff' I/we no longer want or need. It seems to be working, as the house is so much less cluttered than it was 3 months ago. I don't know what I will use to inspire me when the series ends!
Part of the reason for the sudden interest, is that we are having guests coming to stay in a week's time, so I'm trying to get a grip on the house, to enable me to give it a good spring clean in time for their arrival. The sewing room/spare bedroom is the main room left to tackle, with piles of fabric everywhere, that I have laid out intending to use for various projects I have in my head.
This morning, I decided to start to tackle this room. I tidied away as many stray items as I could and then decided to sort through all of my sewing patterns and there must be 70+ of them. I pulled out any that I fancy making in the next 6 months, and any that I am never likely to make, so that the latter could be sent to the charity shop. I probably got rid of about 10, which wasn't great, but it was progress at least. I then matched the fabrics from the piles to the sewing patterns and created one big 'to make' pile, which makes a lot more sense of the mess. Most of the remaining fabrics were then tidied away in drawers and other storage containers out of sight.
There's still a bit of tidying left to do, but I'll tackle that another time. I find that sometimes when you get stuck, as I have today, as to where you're going to put everything, if you walk away, think about it for a while and then go back to it, it can all fall into place in your mind at least where everything should eventually go. That's my theory anyway and I'm sticking to it.
I'm finding most of the episodes very interesting, save for the ones where people hoard animals, which I enjoy less. I can empathise with the fact that animals can be very good companions, and I could see myself with a guinea pig village if I had a spare outbuilding, but I've always found pets to be a very big responsibility, not to mention expense and some of the animals in some of the programmes don't always appear to be very well looked after, which I find a bit distressing. Not that I'm making judgements, it is very difficult to tell from an edited TV programme, just what is the real reality.
I do, however, find watching these programmes quite inspiring, as the psychologists and organisers very kindly and gently try to help the afflicted, whilst trying to identify the underlying reasons for their behaviour, and bring some normality back to their somewhat chaotic lives. I have to admit I find these programmes therapeutic too, as after each programme I watch, I wander off and purge another part of the house to free us of 'stuff' I/we no longer want or need. It seems to be working, as the house is so much less cluttered than it was 3 months ago. I don't know what I will use to inspire me when the series ends!
Part of the reason for the sudden interest, is that we are having guests coming to stay in a week's time, so I'm trying to get a grip on the house, to enable me to give it a good spring clean in time for their arrival. The sewing room/spare bedroom is the main room left to tackle, with piles of fabric everywhere, that I have laid out intending to use for various projects I have in my head.
This morning, I decided to start to tackle this room. I tidied away as many stray items as I could and then decided to sort through all of my sewing patterns and there must be 70+ of them. I pulled out any that I fancy making in the next 6 months, and any that I am never likely to make, so that the latter could be sent to the charity shop. I probably got rid of about 10, which wasn't great, but it was progress at least. I then matched the fabrics from the piles to the sewing patterns and created one big 'to make' pile, which makes a lot more sense of the mess. Most of the remaining fabrics were then tidied away in drawers and other storage containers out of sight.
There's still a bit of tidying left to do, but I'll tackle that another time. I find that sometimes when you get stuck, as I have today, as to where you're going to put everything, if you walk away, think about it for a while and then go back to it, it can all fall into place in your mind at least where everything should eventually go. That's my theory anyway and I'm sticking to it.
Friday, 21 March 2014
Alphabet Blogging - S is for ......Stripping (No, not that kind)
Today was a big day for our little dog, if only she knew it. OH had booked her in to have her coat stripped for the first time. We were all a bit nervous about it and what she would look like afterwards.
She's been scratching a lot lately and I know she hasn't got fleas, because we've treated her and if she had I would get bitten, which I always did as a child when we had cats. OH thought that getting her stripped might relieve her skin irritation, which has been getting worse for a while now and the groomer seemed to agree.
We took her along to the grooming salon, filled with other dogs. She didn't have a clue as to what was going on. We had to sign the usual disclaimers, in case of a reaction to the process. Hopefully, this won't be a problem.
Being a Cairn Terrier, she has a coat that doesn't really moult, so she can get quite hot in the summer months. We were advised by her breeders that stripping would be necessary, but this is the first time we had taken her. After staying for a few minutes to see how she took to the process, we left her in the capable hands of the groomers (the process takes 2 to 2 and half hours).
When we took her in she looked like this. Our lovely scruffy little dog.
Joining in with Mum from Mum's Simply Living blog, posting using the Backwards Alphabet.
She's been scratching a lot lately and I know she hasn't got fleas, because we've treated her and if she had I would get bitten, which I always did as a child when we had cats. OH thought that getting her stripped might relieve her skin irritation, which has been getting worse for a while now and the groomer seemed to agree.
We took her along to the grooming salon, filled with other dogs. She didn't have a clue as to what was going on. We had to sign the usual disclaimers, in case of a reaction to the process. Hopefully, this won't be a problem.
Being a Cairn Terrier, she has a coat that doesn't really moult, so she can get quite hot in the summer months. We were advised by her breeders that stripping would be necessary, but this is the first time we had taken her. After staying for a few minutes to see how she took to the process, we left her in the capable hands of the groomers (the process takes 2 to 2 and half hours).
When we took her in she looked like this. Our lovely scruffy little dog.
When we collected her she looked like this.
Bless her. It wasn't actually as short as I was expecting and thankfully, she didn't seem to mind having it done. I think she was a little bit shocked, but she soon perked up. It's like having a new dog, only a tidy looking one. I want to ruffle her fur up and make her look more scruffy.
I think she might need to wear her wool coat on walks for a couple of weeks if the weather takes a turn for the worst.
Thursday, 20 March 2014
Charity Shop Tales 15
Today, I had to head out into our main local shopping street, on account of picking up my shoes and boots from the shoe repairers (they look great, but did cost even more than I expected) and because I needed to visit the Post Office. Whilst out, I decided to treat myself to a little look in a couple of my favourite charity shops.
In the first, I didn't have a lot of money in my purse (£3.50 only), so I didn't buy much, but I couldn't resist this book by Plum Sykes to add to my reading pile.
I also spotted this little Knitting Pattern Book,
which has some very sweet patterns in it to make cushions. On leafing through it, I particularly liked this cute spotted one
and this sweet heart cushion.
Finally, I bought this unused piece of Arthur Sanderson fabric with a tropical bird print.
I thought it was lovely. I have a bit of a tendency to collect Sanderson fabrics that take my fancy. Anyway, all three came to £2 in total, so I was very happy to purchase them.
I then moved on to my other favourite charity shop, which is not far from my home. This shop accepts cards for purchases over £5, so I had a good look around to see if there was enough to interest me, to make it worthwhile using my debit card.
I found a few items of clothing I liked, but after trying them on, three out of the four didn't really look too good on. This Next jacket appealed to me, however, possibly because it was grey and white striped, the right size (more or less) and was brand new with tags still attached. It seemed perfect as a summer jacket, that I can just throw on when it's too chilly to go without one. It was priced at £8, but I noticed it was originally £45, so I didn't mind paying this for it.
The next couple of items I bought, I couldn't believe my luck. They were in a box underneath one of the dress rails along with some other similar items, pieces of leather to be more exact. I had a good look through and decided to buy two pieces. This large one, which is a reddish brown, slightly darker than the photos suggest and big enough to make a handbag!
It cost just £1. After watching the contestants sew with leather on Tuesday's Sewing Bee, it seemed an opportunity not to miss. The second piece was a lot smaller and unfortunately, where the sticker is attached to the leather, this part is not usable, as the sticker has marked it, but there's still enough to make a small zip purse and maybe a pair or two of earrings and a cuff bracelet.
It's very thick though, so I would probably have to sew it by hand. This piece cost 50p. Both were definitely worth buying.
Last, but not least, whilst at the counter I had a look through some buttons displayed in a basket and decided to buy these two cards to add to my stash too, at just 30p each card.
I was really happy with these purchases and very pleased that I'd popped in. I'll let you know what I make from the leather, when I eventually get around to using it.
In the first, I didn't have a lot of money in my purse (£3.50 only), so I didn't buy much, but I couldn't resist this book by Plum Sykes to add to my reading pile.
I also spotted this little Knitting Pattern Book,
which has some very sweet patterns in it to make cushions. On leafing through it, I particularly liked this cute spotted one
and this sweet heart cushion.
Finally, I bought this unused piece of Arthur Sanderson fabric with a tropical bird print.
I thought it was lovely. I have a bit of a tendency to collect Sanderson fabrics that take my fancy. Anyway, all three came to £2 in total, so I was very happy to purchase them.
I then moved on to my other favourite charity shop, which is not far from my home. This shop accepts cards for purchases over £5, so I had a good look around to see if there was enough to interest me, to make it worthwhile using my debit card.
I found a few items of clothing I liked, but after trying them on, three out of the four didn't really look too good on. This Next jacket appealed to me, however, possibly because it was grey and white striped, the right size (more or less) and was brand new with tags still attached. It seemed perfect as a summer jacket, that I can just throw on when it's too chilly to go without one. It was priced at £8, but I noticed it was originally £45, so I didn't mind paying this for it.
The next couple of items I bought, I couldn't believe my luck. They were in a box underneath one of the dress rails along with some other similar items, pieces of leather to be more exact. I had a good look through and decided to buy two pieces. This large one, which is a reddish brown, slightly darker than the photos suggest and big enough to make a handbag!
It cost just £1. After watching the contestants sew with leather on Tuesday's Sewing Bee, it seemed an opportunity not to miss. The second piece was a lot smaller and unfortunately, where the sticker is attached to the leather, this part is not usable, as the sticker has marked it, but there's still enough to make a small zip purse and maybe a pair or two of earrings and a cuff bracelet.
It's very thick though, so I would probably have to sew it by hand. This piece cost 50p. Both were definitely worth buying.
Last, but not least, whilst at the counter I had a look through some buttons displayed in a basket and decided to buy these two cards to add to my stash too, at just 30p each card.
I was really happy with these purchases and very pleased that I'd popped in. I'll let you know what I make from the leather, when I eventually get around to using it.
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