Champagne Lifestyle on a Lemonade Budget.

phoebe1989seb

I've also been lurking a while and would like to join if I may, please? I'm always inspired by your fabulous ways of living the champagne lifestyle on a lemonade budget!

Anyway, I'm renowned for my expensive tastes amongst family and friends, lol, and for years was known as the eBay queen because almost everything in our rather rambling family home was found there. Not just any old stuff though as - like I said - my tastes run to the high end I won't even tell you how much our sideboard (Liberty, my spiritual home too, LL ) cost, it's too embarrassing.

Anyway, since we downsized and bought our little rural idyll in Wales last year we have far less income - although much less expenditure too, which is great! The Liberty sideboard was sold as was a whole load of other large, antique furniture - but we kept many of our smaller, favourite things collected over many years.

We've been gradually restoring the 400 year old cottage - mostly DIY - and having fun finding new items for both house and garden preferably at bargainicious prices, so there's been much frequenting of fleamarkets, antique fairs.....and yes, I've rediscovered eBay :rotfl:

I trained as a fashion designer and have a fondness for fabrics - and a passion for cushions - so make a lot of stuff, but at the beginning of April I fell in love with an embellished silk velvet cushion in Homesense. It was the perfect colours for my 'book room' where I write and read. I misread the price tag, thinking - based upon other cushions there - it said £15.99. It was £159.99 :eek:

We googled the brand and discovered the retail price was an eye-watering £350!!!

DH - who's recently started a landscaping/property maintenance business - said he'd treat me to it in a couple of days, when a job he was working on was completed. I told him it was way too much.....but sadly I confess to dreaming of said cushion that night, lol!

Anyway, fast forward to last Friday. We were again browsing the Homesense shelves when DH fell into virtual convulsions. *The* cushion was in the 'clearance' section.......marked down to £78! Yep, still a ridiculous extravagance, but it seemed as though it was meant to be and as DH had just been paid for a landscaping job we decided to buy it!

Not exactly lemonade, I know, but definitely my best champagne moment for ages :T

candygirl

Lost my phone this week, so haven't been able to ring the docs for blood results.Anyway I got a letter from the docs today, telling me to contact them urgently!!!! This has never happened before, n i'm a bit worried

Kantankrus_Mare

Get the appointment made Candy Girl. The sooner you know what they want you for the sooner you can stop worrying. Fingers crossed everything is ok. X

Reverse champagne moment for me this week.

Our boiler which has been in the house well before we moved in 26 yrs ago seems to have finally given up the ghost. Getting hot water but the heating wont work which is fine now but wont be in a few months time.

We have about half the money needed saved but will have to tighten our belts a little more to afford new system. Only bonus is hopefully cheaper bills as our gas is really quite high. Getting quotes in the next week or so. The other bonus hopefully is: our heating is either ON or OFF. No way of turning down temperature and being a woman of a certain age I really struggle sometimes. Its got to save us money long term. Hasnt it?:cool: Im hoping in a few years it will pay for itself.

lessonlearned

Good evening everyone.....

Well that's Alton Towers done and dusted....:rotfl: I'm exhausted.

It was a lovely day out, even if I'm not a fan of theme parks. It was nice to see everyone excited and having fun. I wouldn't dream of begrudging my son the chance to go and have fun on his birthday (I paid for his ticket instead of buying him "stuff") so I was happy to spend most of the time doing the gentle rides my grandson while the youngsters got to play.

I have to say it really isn't my thing at all and that's not my age talking. I have never liked theme parks, not even when I was a teenager. But as a parent well .....that's what you do. You do all sorts of things, yes even standing on the edge of a football field in the freezing rain, cheering them on when you'd much rather be at home with a cuppa and a good book.

Phoebe...welcome. We have "met" before on these boards. I have enjoyed reading about your renovation projects in the past. I fully appreciate your passion for old houses, they are irresistible aren't they, especially when they are begging to be rescued. They get under your skin like a sad forlorn dog or a sweet little abandoned kitty.

Although actually I would love to design and build from scratch.....maybe one day. As much as I love old buildings I also love really good modern architecture and design.

That cushion definitely has your name on it....... it needed rescuing, stuck there all on its own, on a shelf, all sad and lonely. I'm sure you will give it a loving home. Anyway they do say that each room should have a statement piece......:rotfl:

House Elf.....your day out sounds lovely. A grand day out indeed. I used to live in the Cotswolds. So pretty. Actually one of the best bits today was the drive there and back through the lovely countryside. Britain can be so pretty. The Venezuelans were in raptures, they are becoming real Anglophiles. They love our beautiful country and our lovely old buildings.

Candy......oh dear, poor you, you are really being made to ride an emotional rollercoaster. What dreadful timing for that letter, making you worry like that for a whole weekend. That could have been managed better. I do hope all is well.

KM. I'm sure a new boiler will be a lot more efficient. I'm sure you will see a reduction in your gas bill. At least you've got a couple of months to save up a bit more.

The skip arrived today, so will be making a start tomorrow morning on getting it loaded up with all the unwanted junk. Maybe not a champagne moment but it will be satisfying to get rid of all the clutter. And then I get to relax at my sons .....he's cooking a BBQ so another day off cooking tomorrow. He's a great cook so definitely a champagne moment. No doubt I will indulge in some be Prosecco. Lol.

candygirl

Yea i'm not impressed with the timing of the letter LL:mad:
Glad You had a good day, but like you, I can't stand theme parks.We had a small one near us, called Camelot, that was ok though .Not as busy n loud

ska_lover

Candygirl - I really feel for you - I do not know why Doctors send out letters like this with no explanation - it really is ridiculous. I hope it turns out to be a minor thing. I know you have had symptoms for a while now and it must be very distressing.
A couple of years ago, I had that same letter, and rang the GP in a massive panic to be told I had a vitamin D deficiency. The letter had me thinking all kinds of things though so I can empathise. I keep my fingers crossed yours is a similar thing, as in a minor thing x

On a lighter note - Champagne moment! I went to London yesterday to visit an old friend and her wonderful son. It was a most wonderful day. and I got to see Buckingham Palace

London really does feel a good place to be. A vibrant cosmopolitan place and I felt safer than I thought I would (I am a very nervy person)

We are planning to do it again before the end of the year, and go to Camden Market. I always hear good things about the Market but have never had the chance to go - anyone been?

Otherwise, start new job tomorrow. I am besides myself with nerves and trying to distract myself big time. Feel like running away haha

Wednesday2000

candygirl wrote: »

Lost my phone this week, so haven't been able to ring the docs for blood results.Anyway I got a letter from the docs today, telling me to contact them urgently!!!! This has never happened before, n i'm a bit worried

:grouphug: Oh no. You need to find out what it is.xxx

candygirl

Oooh good luck with the job WEDNESDAY, what is it you'll.be doing? :Dxx

lessonlearned

I'm another one who loves London.....such a fab place. I love cities and London is probably one of the best in the world. Not been to Camden market.

Good luck with the new job. Hopefully the first day nerves will settle quickly. It's the next chapter of your life and the beginning of a new adventure and a better work life balance. Do let us know his you get on, I shall be all agog.

Today's BBQ has been postponed. I really don't mind, I'm shattered.

The builder has only just left, so I'm going to tuck into a once in a blue moon Cornish pasty for a naughty treat and take it easy. And then a full fat curry for supper.......lol.

Back to the healthy eating tomorrow.

ska_lover

Oh god I ate two of those cornish pasties when I got back home last night it was gone 9pm and was the only thing I could bung in the oven and leave, whilst i sat there excitedly telling hubby about my day

For anyone who is interested - The new job is working for a not-for-profit organisation - the wages are low, + the hours slightly less. In my old job I was out of the house for a good 12 hours each day. This job seems a very low stress one, I am not 'responsible' for anything major (where I felt i was before) + there seems periods of downtime where there is nothing to do (and I will be on this website hahaha) But we will see - I am going in with an open mind and happy heart

I was talking to my friend yesterday who does a fantastic work-from-home job. Its a proper company and job, not one of those rip of deals - and she only has to go into the office once in a blue moon. It sounds ideal. She was horrified when I told her what my new wages were (but then again she does live in London where prices are higher)

Currently cooking a vat of Spag Bol for tea this evening and lunches in the week- i think this will last for days.