A Simpler Life 2018

GreyQueen

LameWolf wrote: »

Does anyone else have a problem with Lush in that the smell in their stores in overpowering? I have to hold my breath if we just go past their door - I'm certain I'd pass out if we actually went in.

Yeah, I do the breath-holding thing as I pass by, the reek coming out of the shop nearly floors me. I went into a Lush once and had to exit in double-time.

Mind you, I'm hypersensitive to odours and can feel a bit bleugh in the cleaning product/ laundry detergent aisles of supermarkets, too. Some folk think that must be a side-effect of CFS/ME but, having had that for over 30 years now, I really can't remember what my sense of smell was like beforehand.

I once had to respectfully ask a colleague to please not spritz her body spray on in our office (less than 6 feet away) as it made me gag. Not that it was an unpleasant odour, but just the effect of having a synthetic perfume aerolised and squirted into our shared breathing space.

If I'm out and about, it's different, I can walk on by and hold my breath for a few seconds but you can't do that in a call centre when you're talking to the customers........:rotfl:

maryb

Yes I hated the smell in Lush. But thanks for the info RR, glad to know it will work out relatively frugal.

Interestingly, there's a chat about shampoo bars on the minimising plastics thread. Someone just mentioned that Lush use palm oil derivatives in their shampoo bars. Does anyone know anything about that? Some palm oil is sustainable after all. If not then I think that's a nudge to make shampoo bars. I've made soap before and it was OK but I'm happy to buy Imperial Leather when it's cheap. I know it's not organically virginally pure but it's good enough. Making shampoo bars would be a better return on time. Also I can add rosemary oil which is great for dandruff - I add a few drops of the essential oil to ordinary shampoo and it works really well

fuddle

All I can add Mary is that a few years ago, well at least 8, Lush stopped using palm oil in some of their soaps. There was a big hoohaa about the soaps not being as foaming. I don't think I've used their stuff since but if there is a way of making the product without non ethical ways I'm sure Lush would have tapped into it all these years later.

VJs once educated us about palm oil and I now avoid the stuff too so I can understand your concern.

Mary will you tell us how the shampoo bar making goes if you do decide to make it. I would be very interested in trying it myself.

maryb

Will do Fuddle but I’m hoping this shampoo bar lasts a good while first considering what it cost

Siebrie

I have always bought my bnwt pure cotton hankies in charity shops, or I inherited them from family members. I don’t iron them, just fold them and take a clean one from the pile each morning.

We want to start meal planning, but our attempts so far have failed due to changed shifts, unexpected overtime or just bleeuugh. On the positive side:dd1 wants to learn how to cook and will cook every Saturday. Simple meals with me supervising; she’s 9.

Mrs_Salad_Dodger

GreyQueen wrote: »

Yeah, I do the breath-holding thing as I pass by, the reek coming out of the shop nearly floors me. I went into a Lush once and had to exit in double-time.

Mind you, I'm hypersensitive to odours and can feel a bit bleugh in the cleaning product/ laundry detergent aisles of supermarkets, too. Some folk think that must be a side-effect of CFS/ME but, having had that for over 30 years now, I really can't remember what my sense of smell was like beforehand.

I once had to respectfully ask a colleague to please not spritz her body spray on in our office (less than 6 feet away) as it made me gag. Not that it was an unpleasant odour, but just the effect of having a synthetic perfume aerolised and squirted into our shared breathing space.

If I'm out and about, it's different, I can walk on by and hold my breath for a few seconds but you can't do that in a call centre when you're talking to the customers........:rotfl:

When I was working in offices I always had a problem with XMas party time - the ladies always got togged up & made up at work. I always had to hold my breath in the “facilities” and avoid the lift as the perfume smells were gut wrenchingly overpowering! Fortunately only ever a maximum of 5 flights!
The other place that makes me feel really ill is at the airport when you are trying to get to the gates - I absolutely detest running the gauntlet of perfume shops which seems NEVER ENDING!

Reminds me that I wore a dab of Chanel No5 perfume over XMas (a miniature inherited from my mum & at least 35 years old!) Still smelt wonderful as has been kept in its box in a drawer after each use. I had forgotten I had it - wonderful find during attempted decluttering.

Onwards & upwards

Mrs SD:)

Mrs_Salad_Dodger

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

I've just had an idea that might simplify feeding us in the future. I've been a collector of cookery books for years, all sorts of cuisines and I've gotten muddled in my approach to food along with a decided propensity to grab up YS bargains because they are 'good value' and then finding them out of date at the back of the fridge shelf a week later. Not good!!!
What I'm considering doing is to spend the meat allowance each week on a joint for a roast on Sundays and then do the old fashioned thing of cold with bubble and squeak on Monday, re-heated in gravy/shepherds pie on Tuesday and scraps in a curry on Wednesday etc. many uses for cold cooked roasts and I have a whole shelf full of wartime books to garner ideas from that only use small amounts of meat. I think that would simplify not only meal planning but shopping too and cut down on wastage and over consumption. I'll work out a weeks worth of meals for a beef joint, a pork joint, a leg of lamb and a gammon joint and see how things work out, worth a go I think.

What an excellent idea! Unfortunately the only time I buy a large enough joint to do this (2 person household) is when I buy an half price leg of lamb.

Mrs SD:)

[Deleted User]

GreyQueen wrote: »

Yeah, I do the breath-holding thing as I pass by, the reek coming out of the shop nearly floors me. I went into a Lush once and had to exit in double-time.

Mind you, I'm hypersensitive to odours and can feel a bit bleugh in the cleaning product/ laundry detergent aisles of supermarkets, too. Some folk think that must be a side-effect of CFS/ME but, having had that for over 30 years now, I really can't remember what my sense of smell was like beforehand.

I once had to respectfully ask a colleague to please not spritz her body spray on in our office (less than 6 feet away) as it made me gag. Not that it was an unpleasant odour, but just the effect of having a synthetic perfume aerolised and squirted into our shared breathing space.

If I'm out and about, it's different, I can walk on by and hold my breath for a few seconds but you can't do that in a call centre when you're talking to the customers........:rotfl:

Same for me too. The washing powder aisle makes my nose run and aftershave makes me sneeze (as in constant sneezing one after another).

Perfume is horrible too as I can taste it as well as smell it when people are wearing it.

At the moment I am not happy (as are others if you look at reviews). I used to use Ecover washing liquid to clean clothes. They have now added 'scent' and it stinks so currently trying to find another non scented washing powder / liquid.

maryb

Have you thought of making laundry gloop? I haven’t but lots of people swear by it

SimpleLiving

Agree about perfumes etc.
I detest air fresheners especially aerosols. Nasty chemicals, awful smells. I just open a window in the morning, can't beat the smell of fresh air especially in the springtime. I also hang a few sprigs of lavender around the place occasionally.