*The Holly and the Ivy* and the You Know What 2013 Chatter Thread.

fenna

*Louise* wrote: »

You are taking something you like and creatively producing a piece of artwork from it......why on earth would it be naff? I think it sounds like a lovely idea :T

I agree that does sound like a fab idea! why not hey, make the most of it I say, we don't all have the luxury of living near the sea, and free crafting! I say go for it!

shellieholly wrote: »

Love those seashell hearts. Great crafty idea for the kids to do too! Thank you!



kayandy - Our venue was a Youth Hostel hence having the place to ourselves. So with that in mind book well ahead - summer dates are much more pricey - April was fine though.

Started to list bits on Ebay to build funds up for the big Christmas/Birthday months, using "buy it now" for the first time, stuff is selling faster than I thought!

Must dash for the now. Back later!

I am doing the same now! Good luck, I am trying to build funds too, I should edit my signature for encouragement!

Pinksteps wrote: »

:eek: I've lost 6lb this week :eek:

Not sure where lol

I'm guessing it is mainly water that you lose in the first week but still, it's given me a smile from ear to ear.

I can honestly say it was with help from the fitbit ladies on here and from tomorrow I'm going to step it up a notch

Thats Fab news!:j Well done you, it doesn't matter where it is coming from as long as it keeps coming! these fitbit's do sound like a great idea. I always find eating porridge in the morning is the best thing for fighting off the sweet cravings all day long! i can really notice the difference from when I have my usual smoothie or weetabix.

Starting my first day of baking cupcakes today, not sure how well they have come out, maybe a little under done, but its the first of many!

picnmix

Afternoon all,

Just back from town, got a couple of bits in the Boots Sale for my niece's birthday, not much of a saving as were 342 prior to Xmas, also a Gok set for my mum's birthday. Went into Card Factory to get mums birthday cards, and picked up some lovely Xmas cards for 49p per pack, money wallets, Xmas tea-towel, and various family cards, all for under a fiver, they had loads of wrapping paper, but had the kids with me, so didn't have the hands to carry any.

No much else that caught my eye, so was home again within a couple of hours.

On the smoking front, had a blip on Friday, lost all perspective and what felt like my mind and caved and had 1/2 a ciggie, but nothing since, and when I came back from town my first thought was "i'm dying for a cup of tea" rather than "i'm dying for a ciggie" which it would normally have been, as I never smoke in front of the kids, in fact they don't even know that I did!

This thread is moving so so fast have not had time to catch up, will try later, but I hope everyone is well and big hugs to those who need them X

islandgirl8

I read something on the boards yesterday (but can't find it now), but I thought it was such a great idea it was worth sharing here.

Someone suggested putting £1 away on week 1 of 2013 and £2 on week two, £3 on week 3 etc until the end of the year, apparently it adds up to £1368 (I think!). I thought I would try this until the end of August and then use this money for Christmas.

Forgive me if this is a well known saving plan on MSE but I thought I would share in case it appeals to anyone else.

Snugglebunny8

well done Pinksteps!!!

Snugglebunny8

thanks IslandGirl8, that's a good idea, may have a go at that myself!

well done Picnmix - you are doing brilliantly!! Ive never smoked but I know how hard it is to stop; whenever Ive been busy or out doing stuff, I always want a cuppa when I get in ... and a biscuit .. or 2!

picnmix

Snugglebunny8 wrote: »

thanks IslandGirl8, that's a good idea, may have a go at that myself!

well done Picnmix - you are doing brilliantly!! Ive never smoked but I know how hard it is to stop; whenever Ive been busy or out doing stuff, I always want a cuppa when I get in ... and a biscuit .. or 2!

Thanks Snugglebunny - have to say that biscuit stocks and sweets are going down rather fast in the house, will probably weigh about a stone heavier, but know from losing weight in the past that it is darn easier than this smoking malarky! :rotfl:

FeistyFidget

Pinksteps wrote: »

Well considering I'm only five foot I resemble a bungalow as it is!

I'm 5 foot and half an inch - that half an inch is very important

Not sure if any of you are trying to cut down on your weekly shopping costs, but for those that are (and buy at least one loaf of bread/pizza a week), I have just posted a review on my blog on a budget bread-maker. I also included a cost breakdown and the results spread over the year are shocking!

http://ramblingsofababymakingaddict.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/cookworks-stainless-steel-bread-maker.html

ReformedShopaholic

Back from Hobbycraft.
If I had won the lottery I could have gone mad in there! Lots of stuff in clearance boxes. Got a few things for my sisters scrapbook, managed to get the cross stitch letters for her name which I was pleased about.
They had the Christmas cross stitch in a sale bin, but like I said before it isn't actually as a sale price. Maybe they will reduce at a later date?

Had a wander around B&M but nothing caught my eye.

Well done to those who want to lose weight and have managed it already. I can never seem to lose it from where I want to (my stomach) it only ever goes from everywhere else :mad:

ReformedShopaholic

FeistyFidget wrote: »

I'm 5 foot and half an inch - that half an inch is very important

Not sure if any of you are trying to cut down on your weekly shopping costs, but for those that are (and buy at least one loaf of bread/pizza a week), I have just posted a review on my blog on a budget bread-maker. I also included a cost breakdown and the results spread over the year are shocking!

http://ramblingsofababymakingaddict.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/cookworks-stainless-steel-bread-maker.html

Oh I have this bread maker. Never had a problem, like you said its more down to human error than the machine. Never forget my first go where I put the wrong measurement of yeast in, dough overflow
Every loaf I have made in here has had rave reviews from family.

I remember one Christmas when I was single and out of work, I made everybody a basket of home made bread loaves in this and the choc chip cookies that never lasted long when I made them. Went down a treat.

Had it for years and is a quality machine.

Although I have to admit to not eating the bread myself when its cooked in here, now I just use it for dough and put bread in oven but I'm a pain in the a*se when it comes to food :rotfl:

pinknfluffy28

picnmix wrote: »

Afternoon all,


On the smoking front, had a blip on Friday, lost all perspective and what felt like my mind and caved and had 1/2 a ciggie, but nothing since, and when I came back from town my first thought was "i'm dying for a cup of tea" rather than "i'm dying for a ciggie" which it would normally have been, as I never smoke in front of the kids, in fact they don't even know that I did!

picnmix - im having a bad day today, not actually caved in but the cravings are sooo bad im actually shaking from withdrawel! but at least now shop is closed and i know i cant go get any it seems to be easing, just proves that its all psychological! WE CAN DO IT !!!

ReformedShopaholic wrote: »

Well done to those who want to lose weight and have managed it already. I can never seem to lose it from where I want to (my stomach) it only ever goes from everywhere else :mad:

i know exactly what you mean! i lost just under 2 stone last summer with ww, but my stomach never looked any different, yet my boobs (admitably one of my best "assets") shrank to almost nothing!! at least over christmas i seem to have increased them a bit again lol!!

had a quick look around wilkos today and picked up a wooden dolls house, half price at £7.50!! only a little one with 3 peeps and a bit of furniture but perfect for dn 3rd birthday at end of month. i also wanted that baking mag with the cadburys & golden syrup books (wanted 3 actually cos going to use books to make baking hampers) but nowhere had them, not even whsmith. Gutted