Beauty Box Gift Idea

I'm thinking of making up a beauty gift box for my daughter for Christmas. I have a nice sturdy Christmas gift box ( reused from previous years ) and lots of nice tissue paper to present it in. Yesterday I was in Boots and they had a clearance shelf with various items on. I picked up a bottle of OPI chip skip for £1.50 which usually retails around £10, some Nailene false nails for £1 usually £8 and some ORS shea butter hair oil for £1 usually also around £8. I also have in my own stock two Victoria Secrets lip glosses that were £2 each , reduced from £9 each , which I will put in the box as well. So far I've spent £7.50 and have some very nice goodies ready to gift.

300th post and 5 years of blogging.

This month sees the fifth anniversary of my blog with this post being my 300th. Life takes over sometimes and posts can be sporadic. I'm not a blogger who is interested in getting the most page views or getting any kind of freebies or sponsorship. I started blogging because I was interested in reading about likeminded people and their stories. I also like picking up tips from other people and applying them in my own everyday life. Five years seems to have gone rather quickly, here's to the next five years !

Fun sunday

Today I have thrown routine out of the window. Got up , got ready and went out for the day. Didn't cook the sunday lunch. Have made sandwiches for tomorrow and put washing on the line before we went out , other than that just winged it ! The sun was shining and off we went.
Tonight I have tried to catch up with some of my favourite blogs. Its a short week this week so I'm not too worried about the usual routine.

Hello

Hello bloggers and hope you are all well. I haven't been reading blogs for a while now so I was pleased to see some old favourites that  have decided to return. I am trying to catch up and read all the latest posts. I am quite busy myself in my everyday life. I mentioned previously that I had started a new job. Well since then I have started another !! My current job is much better, nicer people, better hours and better workload. I had reservations about my last job , that it was a big mistake, which were confirmed when I returned from sick leave to nastiness from colleagues. Having been offered something else I was glad to be out of the door and left them too it ! Life is too short ! I had worked part time for years until last summer when I decided to increase my hours. All in all , it hasn't been too bad and we have all coped with the change in our routine at home. I do however have to be more organised with cooking and washing but I'm slowly getting into a routine and of course the extra wages are very welcome.
I still enjoy charity shopping and source most of my things from the various shops I frequent. One recent lucky find was a brand new with tags duffel coat , made by Dash, priced at £9. The original tag was £99. I still like buying unusual things, last week I bought a seahorse brooch and today I bought a crystal rose bowl which I'm looking forward to displaying some lovely flowers in.
I'm not as frugal as I used to be but equally I don't have credit cards or any debts other than mortgage. I do still meal plan and I would like to be more thrifty especially with shopping. Bye for now x

Merry Christmas

Wishing you all health and happiness wherever you are this Christmas xx

Pre Christmas Chazzing

I had a quick venture out of the house today. I went into a nearby town for a bit of shopping and to look in the charity shops. I saw a pair of brand new black leather Hotter shoes. Slight heel but with a twist pattern on the front , would have been nice for work and at only £6 a real bargain. The downside, they were a size 9. I did try them on, just in case, but they were like boats. My size is 7.5/8 but the 9 was just too big. Its probably why they are still sat on the shelf , as in a smaller size they would have been long gone ! I did however come away with something. I spotted a dark brown Kipling bag, used at £4.49. Its style is called 'Robin' and its more of a handbag style than rucksack or holdall. It was in very good condition apart from some marks on the inside. I've put it through on a quick wash and the marks seem to have all gone. I'm pleased with the bag as they can be quite expensive new but they are practical , washable and fold up easily unlike rigid leather bags. 

Its been over a year since my last post......

Sorry for such a long absence, things have kind of gotten in the way. Firstly thank you to those who have sent messages, much appreciated. Don't know where to start really so should start where I left off;

Personal loss - Back in the summer of 2014 I miscarried, the two other babies of friends and family that were due the same time actually both arrived on the same day. Luckily it was a day off work so when I received both sets of news I was at home , very upset naturally but pleased for the new parents. It was tricky as other family members were talking about the new arrival, inside I was torn in two but had to have a happy face. I was dreading seeing the baby for the first time from the point of view that once I held it , I may turn into an emotional wreck and how due you explain that to other people who don't know. As it happened , it was fine , I made it through the afternoon. The new baby is nearly a year old now. I still find myself at random times with tears rolling down my cheeks, less than before but it still happens. Part of my healing process was seeing a counsellor. She advised me that I was holding back from doing things and moving forwards in other areas, which in some respects wasn't fair to my husband and daughter. I agreed I had to push myself to start enjoying things again which in turn led to other things......

Travel - In respect of moving on and enjoying life with my family, I went out and booked a trip to America. We had ten great days and hired a car , staying in motels along a section of Route 66. We had a great time, lots of fun and hundreds of fabulous photos. I look at those pictures and think of what a great time we all had together. We have also been to Europe which was great and a lot of fun. No travel agent involved, just us hopping on and off trains, trams and buses. Again hundreds of photos, happy memories. We also rejoined the National Trust. Quite a few days out enjoying stately homes and gardens, not to mention lots of tea and cakes.

Family history - I spent considerable time researching both mine and my husbands family trees. One set of great grandparents lived in Garrison Lane, Birmingham around the time of the Peaky Blinders. Having checked the names of the notorious gang, Gt Grandpa luckily isn't one of them !

Chazzing - I would say 95% of my clothing acquisitions have been from charity shops. I rarely ever go High Street shopping now.

Work - I have changed jobs and now work full time. I'm not sure its the right decision, time will tell, its still early days. I may grow to love it, at the moment its like learning a foreign language.

General - I have an impending big birthday this month, but I'm unwell at the moment so due to medication, illness , fatigue and general errgghhh, I wont be having any raucous celebrations on the day itself. Maybe postponed for a few weeks until my batteries are recharged.