London Socialite Sees The Light

LondonGirl252

I have three cookbooks which I've picked out stuff I fancy from and just working through the list...

First one is my fave and it was only £3 it's the Healthy Eating one from Sainsburys, loads of tasty simple recipes with a good variety in there.

Second, is The Hairy Dieters. I think that was about £6 and had good wholesome food but with a lower calorie twist... Like Shepard pie but using veggie mash instead of potato.

Third is the Low Card Revolution, this was a bit more expensive at £16.99 but worth it. It's got really varied recipes using protein vs carb ratio so just really natural heathy eating.

Another good source is the slimming world website and these have he benefit of being free but I just like looking through books and seeing which pictures take my fancy!

Hope that helps! X

Brightspark87

Hi LG

I did the same with TSB - I explained that I had a joint account for bills etc but I wanted to move my current account. I was told I would get the bonus but then when I went to pay a cheque in and spoke to someone else they said because I didnt use the switch service ( I have no DD just my salary goes in so I didnt see the point) I wouldnt get it! So I am raising a compliant because the account is great for the 5% interest and then the 5% on £100 contactless but I moved it to them for the bonus... perhaps its worth trying for you too?

glad you are doing so well moneywise, I often find this time of year is when suddenly I noticed work clothes etc need replacing. This is why I have nearly bought all my christmas presents so I need then spend some over the next few months on the clothing I need!

you seem to be doing so well with your food too, I need to sort that side out a bit more! xx

LondonGirl252

Thanks Bright Spark it is definitely worth a go. You don't ask you don't get, right?!

Thanks So funny you say that as at the weekend I bought a couple of new work jumpers, both can actually be worn at home too so all good value I think! Well done on the Christmas organisation! That is impressive, I need to start making a list and getting organised now so that I don't leave it all to the last minute. I have a day of annual leave yet to book for this year so I might have that in the next fees weeks and blitz it while the boy is at work.

Last night was a lovely dinner with my friend, I really needed a good girlie catch up and came away feeling so much more relaxed! I was a bit naughtier than planned as we had wine and starters but sooo worth it!

Tonight the boy and I are having turkey stir fry using those new Sharw*ods melts, I got the chow mein ones and I usually stir in a couple of spoons of peanut butter too to give it a bit of nuttiness.

I was borderline about to have a meltdown at work yesterday, we have had building works going on both behind and adjacent to our office for some weeks now, this week the one directly behind my desk ramped it up a notch and the noise has been unbearable. I've had headaches all week and been feeling stressed and been so unproductive, and by yesterday afternoon I just snapped. So I'm hot desking on the other side of the office until it calms down again, can still hear it but at least it doesn't feel like they're in my head at the moment.

We have complained so many times but whenever they come up to take decibel readings amazingly the noise seems to reduce somewhat. So it's difficult but it has definitely helped just moving desks. I am looking forward to the weekend though and having some peace and quiet.

It's looking like M will be away for a month in November which sucks, hoping his injury will mean he can't go as he isn't supposed to be putting so much strain on his knee yet but we will see. I will find it hard be at home alone for that long as I have never lived alone but it will probably be good practice and I will be fine I'm sure!

I can bank another tube trip for this morning but last night I needed to use the tube to get to dinner. I'll also have to use it tonight too, at lunch a colleague of mine needed some cheering up so we had a couple of vinos to talk over some bad news received at work, nto the best idea to run after a drink... darn.

LG x

lulabelle

thanks for the healthy eating recommendations LG, I am definitely going to check those out!

i too would be sad if my boy went away for a month - i struggled last night when he was out for a curry! i have my fingers crossed for you he doesn't go.

i reckon i spend most of my money on food/eating out - but why not treat yourself - you can't take it with you! x

Brightspark87

Oh you poor thing with the headaches - I had that fora few weeks and I ended up working from home! Such a nightmare.

Don't be hard on yourself when you do get the tube - you have done such a great job about running most of the time.

Sorry to hear your M is away for a month - that is so hard especially at this time of year when everyone is being all cosy together. I hope that he doesn't have to go!
x

LondonGirl252

Thanks guys! Hopefully we'll find out soon, the worst thing is its always so last minute! He is still medically downgraded because of his knee op but that doesn't always stop them!


So, last night I got the tube back again but I walked this morning so that is another tube trip logged and tonight I am out for dinner then after that I'll need to tube again. So that makes a grand total of 30 tube trips avoided in October saving me £69! Not bad going I think! I will try to beat that in November, there are 21 working days so 42 potential tube trips.


M's granny is coming over on Sunday to see our new place and she wants to take us out for lunch so that will be nice, she is bringing her friend with her as she doesn't want to drive up alone so should be an interesting lunch! Lol M is worried she'll be annoyed at us for swapping the stinky bed for a nice new one but to be fair even without the stink it was almost 10 years old so we could just say the springs had gone if we didn't want to risk offending anyone.


Looking forward to home time and the weekend! I am looking forward to trying out the new stables tomorrow, fingers crossed I don't mess it up!


Hope you all have great weekends


LG x

LondonGirl252

Happy Monday all,


I hope you all had nice weekends!


Ours was lovely, Friday night we went to Pizza Express with the girls so lots of fun and not too spendy. Saturday morning was riding - really enjoyed it, I had a lovely horse who had lots of energy and I think I rode her well, anyway they were happy to sign me up as a member so I'm very pleased. Everyone I met was v friendly and the girls I rode with were all my age-ish so hopefully some new friends to be made. Saturday afternoon/evening we stayed in, watched the rugger and toasted our 2 year anniversary with some bubbles which was lovely. We could also see the local firework display from our balcony so we got a free viewing of that. Then yesterday M's granny came up as planned with her friend which was v nice, she didn't spot we'd changed the bed but did notice the extractor fan in our en-suite isn't working (we already know this and it is on our list of things to do v quickly) but she wouldn't let it drop and even emailed us this morning telling us to get it sorted, she means v well and she is kind to look out for us but she can be over-controlling at times. It really gets M wound up as he wants to do things himself and not feel like its because he's been told to if that makes sense. Anyway I think we just need to use the main bathroom until we manage to get someone in to sort it out to avoid it going mouldy.


I walked in this morning so that's my first tube trip saved for November and planning to run back tonight. The fog over London at the moment is incredible, as I walked in this morning I couldn't even see over to the other side of the thames!


Not much on this week so hoping to be able to eat well and walk/run a lot. I am working from home Thursday to register with the doctors then in the evening and friend and I are going to try a pole dancing class nearby - can't wait!


LG x

LondonGirl252

Hi all,


Another 2 tube trips banked, I ran last night and walked this morning. The weather is due to turn wet for the rest of this week so I am hoping it's not too horrible, running in the drizzle is OK but if its pouring it down it's not great especially to walk. We shall see! I am working from home Thursday anyway so that's one day I won't get wet!


Another lovely sups last night, we had prawn and pineapple stir fry with brown rice and quinoa, I also added in a bit of leftover chorizo from the weekend. I'm currently tucking into the leftovers of this now for lunch and there's more for tomorrows lunch.


My shins were a bit sore again last night while running so I am going to try my other slightly more cushioned trainers tonight and see if that helps. I am still really enjoying the zombie app, I had to sign up to the pro membership as it makes you wait a few days before being able to download the next mission and as I use it everyday almost I don't want to have to wait! It's only £2.29 a month... much cheaper than the gym!


We STILL need to call the bank to open the current account everytime we think about it the bank is closed! Must be more organised!


Right, time to call up the council the direct debit form for my council tax doesn't seem to have been done, I keep having to call up or go online to pay


LG x

mark55man

Was in London today and had a nice walk from embankment to Blackfriars including 30 minutes taking a call sat on the steps just east of Somerset House with the Thames 3 steps below me, completely cut off from city sounds - was a very good place.


sadly now since I got my disabled rail card (for needing a hearing aid) I am saving £1.50 rather than £2.30 for each trip so its not quite as worthwhile !! although as work pays my expenses I am not saving anything at all, except for my Finance department !

mark55man

do you know what - if somethings too difficult don't do it. if you look at martin's bank account article three are plenty of choices, why not look at others - if they are this bad at opening the account what are they going to be like running it.


You don't have to take their nonsense - you have consumer rights use them and walk away (unless it really is the best deal of course!!)