Thrifty Thursday!

Just sharing a couple of bits ive picked up at either charity shops or boot sales or freecycle within the past week...

 Berkertex dress size 14 (but boy is it small - the waist is teeny and i really think its more a 12!)

 Isnt it gorgeous!  I saw the lady putting it on a mannequin in the charity shop window.  One of the girls said it was for display only and i almost freaked out - thankfully the other lady said it was for sale - phew!)

 Also managed to pick up these 2 heavy glass candle sticks which will work really well as cake stand bases! The little case is from Mamas & Papas and was only £2 from the charity shop too! Its really sturdy so im dithering over using it as either a cosmetic case or storage :)

These little side plates are so cute and will be perfect for tea parties etc - £1.99 for 5! Bargain

Have you found anything this week??

TTFN

Debbie

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Slimming World week 1!

I got to the stage where i don't think my body will allow anymore fatty foods into it!  Honestly!! I got to the point where i didn't even want to eat it anymore and knew i needed to change!

Last Wednesday I enrolled in a local Slimming World club and its the best thing I have ever done. 

 I have been eating fruit, veg, Muller yogurts and the like for the past week as well as walking everywhere (there isn't a day i haven't walked for at least an hour)

Tonight was my first weigh in and I've lost 4 1/2 lb this past week!

Wohooo - go me! 

I'm determined to stick to it - its not a diet, this is now my healthy way of life! :)

Tomorrow I start with Slim Pod too - more on that one to follow....

Reviews'day Tues'day!

See what I did there?! lol  

Silly huh?  

Yes but so easily pleased! lol

I don't just mean reviewing things that people have sent to me, I am on about things I would recommend you cant live without... things that I have personally found and tried and want to keep documented!  

Cooking department, going green and eco (I am on an eco drive right now and I have a list of things im going to make - kitchen composter, own washing liquid etc..),  household helpers, restaurants, food, bloggers, websites and so much more....I'm going to be trying it all and posting it here! 

Today I am going to write about a little gem I found on the net.  

Zenhabits - 50 Tips for frugal living

If anyone has a copy of this book i could borrow it would be very much appreciated - see, I'm not even going to buy it....frugal or what!! ;)

Everyone knows times are hard.....everyone is in the same situation, so hopefully even one tip from the list might help :)

I already do a lot of them (5, 8, 11, 22....) and some of them don't apply (23, 25, 29....) but I have made a little list of the ones that jumped out at me...

21, 27, 43, 44, 45...

I am going to keep a record of when I do each one and have it down to a fine art - that belt needs tightening further!

Whats on your list??

TTFN

Debbie

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Making Monday - Pinterest upcycle!

My favourite place to hide out is Pinterest!

Its full of pretty ideas and masses of inspiration! From home decor to cake baking, scantily clad men to recycled projects! 

After looking through page after page of things I have pinned in the hope of one day recreating I made a decision to start!  

Here are some of the inspiration pieces I was looking at.... (i will link ones that go back to blogs etc but Pinterest is a minefield for not linking back to the original post ....  and that little problem is a whole other days post!)...

Mason Jars, candlesticks and twine - idea for wedding display!

I love the pop of colour on these ones and they would work great for a candy bar!

The green on this one screams kitchen to me so I would love something like this to keep my spices on display!

I would add a white one to this display and make it the centre piece for a July 4th or Jubilee party table! 

Knowing I had all the pieces in for this one was a given - glass candle sticks, glass candle jars with silver lids and glass knobs (picked up from a car boot sale in the hope of redoing the tv unit!)

First I gave everything a good wash down in warm soapy water and dried thoroughly.  That darn glass glue is so picky with what it will and wont stick to!!

The glass jars are placed on top of the candlesticks and held in place over night with something heavy to adhere to glue fully.  

The lids were sanded slightly in the centre to give the glue something to adhere to (...told you it was fussy!) Again i sanded a little on the bottom of each knob too for the same reasons and held them in place until the sticky took hold!

I think they are really cute and a fraction of the price you would pay in one of the department stores for something similar.

Overall project thoughts..... simple and effective!  Well worth making and look better than I initially thought they would! 

Please link to your blog in the comment section with your Pinterest makeover and I promise to pop round and check it out - nothing like a project share to get the creative juices flowing!! :) 

TTFN

Debbie

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Realisation...

Its taken me a couple of weeks of feeling awful for not updating my blog....( along with opening the new shop, organising 2 more retreats this year, planning for 3 upcoming weddings, renewing our vows and raising 5 kids...) to have a sudden realisation yesterday of why i do this blog.

I do it to keep a visual update of what we do as a family.

I do it to keep me on track with projects and work.

I do it to keep me SANE!

Worrying about what others think and panicking because im not posting is NOT keeping me SANE!

I took a step back last night and like a lightbulb it hit me....

I do my blog because I LOVE IT!

Its for me...

Its for my family...

Its for my sanity! lol

Ive worked out a schedule of posts and I AM MAKING TIME to sit down each day and do what I love!

Looking forward to tomorrows posting already!

TTFN

Debbie

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Just keep swimming...

..just keep swimming!  A wise little fish once said!

I know that feeling!

TTFN

Debbie

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Almost there!

Since I last posted we have had 2 weeks Easter Holidays, 2 craft fairs, lots of products made and walls painted, prep work done and bunting put up!  

Yes im almost there in finishing the shop so i will be open soon - opening party coming soon!!

Best get back to work!

TTFN

Debbie
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