Champagne Lifestyle on a Lemonade Budget.

sugarbaby125

My Champagne moments yesterday were going to watch the film Le Mans 66 at Streatham Odeon and I bought my ticket with my Odeon Limitless card and going to the theatre in the evening.

ODEON says...
Find out why the story of Motorsport's greatest race is a must-see!

Academy Award-winners Matt Damon and Christian Bale star in 'Le Mans '66', based on the true story of the visionary American car designer Carroll Shelby and the fearless British-born driver Ken Miles, who together battled corporate interference, the laws of physics, and their own personal demons to build a revolutionary race car for Ford Motor Company and take on the dominating race cars of Enzo Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France in 1966.

I found this film really exciting, thrilling and full of racing driving action. It is also a moving story of the friendship between Carroll Shelby and Ken Miles. I would give this film 9.5/10

I went to The Old Vic to watch A Christmas Carol in the evening and it is a great production of a popular Dickens story. The stage has been designed to be a kind of cross shape with the audience surrounding the stage. There are traditional carols and bell ringing and so many lanterns which create a very inviting atmosphere and I loved it all. There are some very talented musicians, singers and actors (both male and female) who kept the audience very entertained throughout both acts of this play. I had such a good time, that I am glad that I had the foresight to buy another special price ticket for Thursday evening in advance, so I will have the immense pleasure of enjoying this play again on Thursday. I also got a free mince pie which was warm and tasted really good.

LL I am all ready to dazzle for Christmas. I have various choices of glamorous outfits to choose from. Depending on just how cold the weather is, for outwear I have my M & S coat and a faux fur wrap to choose from.

lessonlearned

I’m looking forward to Le Mans too. I love Christian Bale. Superb actor. I seem to recall there was a film of the same or similar name with Steve McQueen. Another of the all time greats. Not sure if it’s a remake.


I’m not a huge motor racing fan although my husband was so I sort of got dragged into it. His dad was a Marshall at Silverstone so my husband practically grew up there. The boys were big fans too. Luckily we lived near Donnington so they went regularly. I bought My husbands lessons driving a F1 car for his 40th birthday. He was in heaven.

One of my favourite films is Rush which tells the story of the friendship and rivalry between Nikki Lauder and James Hunt. It’s very thrilling and of course it covers Nikkis crash. What a brave man. My husband met them both and said they were both giants of the sport. A very impressive and moving film. And of course the gorgeous Chris Hemsworth was perfect as Hunt. He was born for the role.

Shopping this morning. Just treated myself to a bright turquoise blue knitted sweater dress with my favourite cowl neckline. Just the thing to brighten up the dark miserable days. Lol.

lessonlearned

DundeeDoll wrote: »

intriguing lessonlearned

:rotfl::rotfl:

Oh yes, next year is the big one. :cool:

Speaking of the film Rush...and the amazing phenomenon that was Nikki Lauder.

Well you know how I collect inspirational quotes. Here is my favourite from Mr L.

"A lot of people criticise Formula 1 as an unnecessary risk. But what would life be like if we only did what was necessary".

lessonlearned

DundeeDoll wrote: »

intriguing lessonlearned

Good morning......ok a little teaser. But first some background.

As you can guess this thread and the idea of a champagne lifestyle, as indeed the Frump to Fab thread, are both my attempts to pick up the pieces when my husband got sick and then after I was subsequently made a widow.

My progress so far.

Two years or so ago I read "How I Changed my Life in a Year" by Shelley Wilson, so I decided to borrow the idea and I set myself the "A Year to Change My Life Challenge".

It took me slightly longer to make the changes I wanted. I would say around 18 months and I'm guessing my next challenge might not be achieved in a year either, but no matter as long as I move in the right direction and make progress then timescales aren't too important.

So what did I achieve .........

In Year 1 the two big ones were that I went on a six week cruise to the Amazon and I moved house. During the following six months, I began a renovation programme on the house, I lost 3 stones and I started my "Say Yes" challenge. So that's roughly where I am at now. The house roughly half finished but comfortable and generally feeling healthier as a result of the weight loss and certainly saying "yes" more often.

So now I want to take it up a notch .....nothing quite so dramatic as moving house (although who knows - I am still saying "yes" after all. :rotfl:) but this next challenge is all about "more". Adding, doing and being more - so whilst the changes might be a bit more subtle, hopefully they will be just as profound.

In order to prepare the ground for lift off in the New Year I have set myself some tasks for December. Bearing in mind it's the run up to Christmas and life can be a bit crazy I am easing myself in gently and wont try to run before I can walk.

I now have a dedicated file to write up a "life plan" :rotfl:, setting out goals and the steps I need to take to achieve them. I will then divide this into monthly, weekly and daily mini goals. I know it all sound a bit anal but I do like ticking off lists. And I think, in order to avoid drifting it's good to have a clear plan and to be able to measure progress. So far my plan just consists of a list of vague ideas but over time I will flesh it out in more detail. Maybe create a sort of Mood Board.

Anyway for December - the big ones.

1. Make more time.........how is that possible I hear you say. You can make money but not time.

YES I CAN MAKE TIME. I can switch off the TV more often and I can stop frittering time on social media.

(This thread and the Frump to Fab will be the exceptions of course, because they keep me Focussed and on track. And anyway you lot are all so lovely, I would miss you)

But you get the idea. All joking apart, I think The internet is a great source of information and entertainment but I also think it's a bit of a rabbit hole. You can disappear......I can waste a lot of time surfing the net and channel surfing the TV. Guilty as charged M'Lord. :rotfl: but no more. I'm going to put some of that wasted time to better use.

2. Daily yoga and stretching. This is crucial. If I want to achieve all my goals and start making some of my dreams come true then I have to be fit enough and strong enough to do so. I'm 68 and starting to seize up. Time to turn back my body clock, so I will start with yoga to improve flexibility, balance and core strength.

So there you have it - my first two simple tasks for December, two little steps to prepare me next years challenge.

Make Time and Make a Better Body.

Its December on Sunday.........

Yesterday I had a mini sort out in my wardrobe....I got rid of all the dull boring colours that only seem to drain me. There's a world of colour out there, who needs dull, bland and boring.

sugarbaby125

My Champagne moment yesterday was going to Leilani restaurant & Lounge bar to have a 2 course Caribbean meal and cocktail with my son, then I stayed at the same venue for Karaoke.

I had a Groupon for the meal with cocktails which cost me £23 which saved me £44.80 on the menu prices. :T My younger son came with me for the meal, but he did not stay for Karaoke.

I had a starter of saltfish fritters with salad leaves and tartare sauce and a main of jerk chicken, rice & peas and salad with a Disaronno gladiator. My son had a starter of Suya beef with rocket & red onion and a main of steak burger with hand cut twice fried chips and a tequila sunrise. We found both courses of our meals and our cocktails really delicious.

I had a great time at Karaoke. I sang 4 songs: I'll never fall in love again by Tom Jones, It's now or never by Elvis, Dream lover by Bobby Darin and All Around the World by Lisa Stansfield. There were plenty of other singers of varied singing talent so it was a fun night out for me.

lessonlearned

Wow....bargainous meal there SUgarbaby and it sounds delicious.

Great champagne moment......window man finished the last room today, great job, super cosy house now and the icing on the cake it's come in at £59 under budget. Wahoo. :rotfl:

Good job because I've had a little splurge this week, two gorgeous wool sweater dresses, one turquoise and one a plum colour, a nice Christmas wreath for the front door.....I know I know I should really have made one with found objects.:rotfl: but it was reduced and it is very pretty and it will last a few years. I also bought myself a book which I am just about to curl up and read.

Again I know I should order books from the library and not buy them but I do like to own nice books, especially nice hardbacks which I know I will read more than once.

Anyway this one is a psychology/personal development book so hopefully it will be a good investment.....teaching me how to develop and grow so I can go on to achieve great things. :rotfl:

Have a lovely evening.......

For dinner I have moussaka, followed by a decadent calorie laden chocolate mousse to look forward to. Not the healthiest of choices but I see no harm in a little indulgence and decadence now and again.

ska_lover

DundeeDoll wrote: »

Friday played ceilidh !

OOO are you a violinist, Dundee?

ska_lover

lessonlearned wrote: »

I’m looking forward to Le Mans too. I love Christian Bale. Superb actor. .

I absolutely fancy the pants off of Christian Bale.

ska_lover

Hi all

So it has been a few weeks since I showed up, so will update. I do love reading about everyone else and what you have been up to

I literally love reading what you have to say LL, and every time I read one of your posts I feel inspired, to be more like you

Anyway, so jobs still going well, I started a new job in August (after a near mental health breakdown in my old stressy job) - still the best thing I have done for myself this year - change jobs

Had a few stressors, as whilst working, I also do a lot of care for my poorly ''little un'' and there have been a few hiccups there. And there is the stress and anxiety the whole situation causes - which is often more of a problem, than the problem (if that makes sense at all)

BUT there have been some fantastic champagne moments this week=

- Last night of the proms - a local hall was doing this and OMG best afternoon out I have had in YONKS. Opera, Choir, Orchestra, right up my street. I was wooping and flag waving. Nessun Dorma and Largo al factotum from barber of seville. I was so happy I was floating almost

-Got a small bonus at work. It is small but gratefully recieved.

- A lovely customer brought me a box of chocolates today. I literally bust in to tears. Comletely unexpected. Ive only been there since august

- Hubby messaged me this afternoon and said 'dont book anything for the xxth december I have a treat planned'' - ooooooo

- My best friend lives in London and I am going down there soon to visit and see Winter wonderland in Hyde park

So I am a fortunate woman. I count my blessings every single day

Life is good. and I do my very best to be kind to everyone as you don't know what other pple are going through

Sometimes at work, I will find my mind wander, as I am particularly stressed or worried about little un, that day - and that can be hard to deal with - but other than that, it has been a grand old few weeks

mrs_slapshot

Hello all - am just popping in quick to say that Now TV have their annual Black Friday offers on - and you can get 12 months Entertainment and Cinema for £99 upfront. This is a huge bargain, I have done this for the last two years - it's a huge saving on the normal cost of £252 for the year (I presume if you just paid monthly). Now TV is basically Sky. I love it. My last subscription expired last week and I thought I would do without, but actually it is such good value and such good quality I would be a fool not to do it!

It's 'new' subscribers only - well, I use a new email address each time...and it expires on 4 December so don't mess around if you are doing it!

LL - I am loving your new plan! You inspire me!

Well done everyone on the champagne moments - will pop back soon for a bit more of an update (although not much to tell really...)