Painting and decorating...

Every year around spring/summer time I always start noticing bits of the house that need a lick of paint. If I am honest the only thing I had set out to paint were the 5 new doors in my house so I primed and painted them with an eggshell paint on Saturday. It didn't take as long as I had anticipated but painting those doors highlighted other areas that need to be painted i.e door frames and skirting boards. I am not going to do paint them now as it requires a bit of attention which I am not ready to give. While I was on a roll I decided to repaint the kitchen and one wall in Master T's bedroom.

 

Master T will be 11 at the end of this year and I think it's time I gave him a gown uppish room in terms of deco. I have just about everything I need to make his room a lot nicer than it is now but some work is required. I have been looking for a curtain that matches the deco but haven't found anything in the right colour or size. I had all but given up when I walked into Primark and saw a duvet cover in exactly the colour and design I required. I didn't even hesitate paying the £9. Now all I need to do is dust my sewing machine and start making a curtain.

 

This past week has been a good one. I have been listening to my body and sleeping a bit more. 3 years of not going to bed when I want too because there is an assignment to write are over. Sleep is good and refreshing. I have also noticed in the past week that I have been eating a bit more. Hope the pounds don't start piling.

 

Hope you all enjoyed the weekend.

xx

And Breathe...

Sorry lovely people I have been AWOL. University and assignments kind of took over my life since I last posted. I had a few back to back assignments and they needed to be done. Today I handed in my last assignment which means no more academic work. Fingers crossed I pass. I still have practical's/placement  to do till the end of September at 371/2 hrs a week so still full time. (No rest for the wicked) but I would rather have that any day than write assignments. It is way better than juggling academic and placements at the same time me thinks. After handing in my assignment I met some friends and we went out to lunch to celebrate.

 

I am going to take things easy and try to gather my thoughts in the next few days. My head is filled with so many things that I have neglected over the last 2/3 years and I feel I have the time and energy to tackle them now.

 

Hope you have all been enjoying whatever it is you were doing in my absence.

xx

 

Will be back soon

30 Ways To Save £1

Just thought I would join in the Money Supermarket pound saving tips.

1) Hand wash bra's and tights, they will last longer.
2) Save money on a window cleaner and fancy window cleaning products and clean your windows with free newspapers and water.
3) Look after your appliances so they last longer i.e wipe and dry your microwave after use to avoid water collection which can damage your oven.
4) If you have to buy potted herbs from the supermarket, repot them when you get home so you can enjoy them longer.
5) Buy pre-loved items to save money
6) If you have to buy new items shop around and use cash back websites.
7) Never go shopping hungry you will spend more
8) Pop some snacks in your bag when you leave the house, that way when you get peckish you won't be tempted to buy expensive snacks.
9) Learn to cook from scratch
10) Menu plan
11) Go shopping a day later than you would usually and try using up what you already have in your cupboards.
12) Go shopping with a list to avoid buying unnecessary items.
13) Have one meat free day a week.
14) Grow your own fruit and vegetables.
15) Find free things to do in your local area, go to the park or visit free museums.
16) Use bicarbonate of soda and vinegar for cleaning.
17) Use half the recommended washing powder when doing your laundry.
18) Wash your own car, a rag, water, bucket and a drop of washing up liquid is all you need.
19) Store food properly it prevents waste.
20) Buy Christmas and birthday presents throughout the year when they are a fraction of the price.
21) For items that you will probably only use one for example wallpaper stripper ask friends if they can lend you one.
22) Set a budget and know your income and expenses in and out to avoid small surprises.
23) For shorter journeys walk instead of using the car.
24) Stopping and starting the car wastes fuel. Try setting off early to beat the traffic it not only reduces fuel cost but stress levels.
25) Take your own snacks to the movies.
26) Not all items need to washed on a long cycle or in warm water. Were possible use a shorter cycle at a low temperature.
27) Clean muddy and dirty shoes as soon as possible they will last longer.
28) Car share to work and on the school run.
29) If you want to catch up with friends but can't afford to go out or make a meal for everyone. Ask everyone to bring a dish to share and their favourite tipple.
30) Buy a brand cheaper than you would normally and try cheaper cuts of meat or even goat meat, it's a lot cheaper.

What are your top tips when it comes to saving money?

Lifes Little Pleasure...

Lie ins

Relaxing

Cheap wine

Watching movies

Family and old friends

Brief encounter with the sun 

Spending time with Master T

Hot water for long baths and showers 

My house finally beginning to feel like home

Opinions aren't facts so I can take them or leave them

Glancing in the mirror and briefly seeing Master T in me (Shocker)

 

Some of the things I have been enjoying this half term

xx

RED...

Something to brighten up these gloomy days

New washing basket.

 

Ruby and Millie make-up case.

 Apple shaped paper weight with sticky notes.

I love this.

 

Hope you all have something cheering you up in this cold weather

xx

 

Shoe Boxes...

Some of you may be aware that I am in the process of decluttering my house and I have a feeling it will forever be a work in progress. I have avoided buying storage boxes just to hide my clutter so I am physically having to take stuff out of the house. Most of the stuff I have given away to charity and some things have made their way to friends houses or been relocated to the shed for the meantime . I have managed to sell a few things on ebay and have advertised bits in my local supermarket and am finding a good home/ place for the things I am keeping.

I do have a small collection of cd's that I am not yet ready to part with as I haven't transferred the music on to my ipod. Sometimes I just like playing them on my radio rather than sticking earphones and listening to my ipod. Master T has also recently been interested in cd's so his collection is also growing. I have never had any proper storage for these cd's, I have always stored them in shoe boxes but looking at a Clarks or Barratts shoe box was really getting on my nerves so I decided to prettify them (if there is such a word).

These are the boxes I selected

 

One for tapes. I know still a bit old school

 

and one for cd's

This one is my favourite

but this one is not bad either

 

 

Hope you are enjoying whatever you are doing.

xx

 

Song Of The Week...

Last week it was 1Ds One way or another, the week before it was Taylor Swifts I knew you were trouble, a week before that it was Olly Murs Trouble maker and the week before that it was something else. This weeks song, well since Saturday morning is Do-Re-Mi... from The Sound of Music. Master T is a loud singer, bless him and every morning with no fail he feels the urge to sing in the shower. He doesn't care whether he sings in or out of tune he just goes for it. Ahh to be 10. Where he gets the energy or motivation to sing so early in the morning I do not. I just wish some of it would rub on me.

 

Some days all the singing gets on my nerves but I just bite my tongue and remember it is not going to last so I might as well make the most of it. 

 

Hope you have enjoyed your day.

xx