Frump to Fab - A Whole New World.

sugarbaby125

Hello Ladies,

LL I can cook basmati rice in a pot, but then I have a pot to wash up, balanced against a packet of pilau rice or rice 'n' peas I can put into the microwave, then I do not usually bother to cook a pot of rice for myself and my daughter. 

I love whole wheat pasta, potatoes and mashed potato, but I eat smaller portions of carbohydrates with my healthier meals now. Lucky for me I have no issue digesting carbohydrates. 

As I have stopped eating chocolate, sweets, biscuits, cakes and crisps, everything I now eat is much healthier than in my recent past, but the only food treat that I miss are crisps but I can continue to live without them. 

It was such a lovely warm, sunny Autumn days yesterday, that I decided to get all of my top up shopping done in one day. I went to Peckham 3 times by bus but I got everything on my lists. The 2nd time I went shopping, I literally ran into one of my niece's and we had a quick catch up chat. We both started to step forward to hug each other and then we thought better of it. I had not seen her for about a year, so it was so lovely to cross paths with her. 

chanie

Lessons I love your flowers.  I did say to myself that I want to grow more flowers/edibles next spring and your flowers are a great incentive for me.  I bought a few wall planters, which I'm going to attach to my fence posts and i want to get a few trough planters for my bay window.  

Sugar your lovely dinner just reminded me to take out a samon fillet for my lunch tomorrow (another working from home day).

chanie

helensbiggestfan said:

Apparently you can now get plastic free teabags. I use Yorkshire Tea,  also PG tips are plastic free. Not sure of which other brands.  

I didn’t realise you could buy plastic free tea bags, as we do our main food shop in Lidl and they done give you much choice.  I had to pop to Sainsbury’s today and bought some biodegradable PG Tips.  My green conscience can rest now.

Wednesday2000

I only have 4 pairs of boots! Two black, one higher than the other one and then a cherry red pair and a brown pair. All ankle. I would like some knee high boots too. I want a grey ankle pair too.

Chanie - I meant to say (If I didn't already!) that one of my neighbours has sunflowers in their garden.

Sunflowers remind me of growing up in South London as a lot of people in my neighbourhood had them in their front garden.

I got my hair cut today. It felt good even to get a bit of the ends off. I was wearing my new black and white knitted dress (chazzer shop buy) but I thought it looked too short with my tights and boots so I ran upstairs and changed into something else before she arrived.

My husband did say it looked much shorter than my normal dresses, although he said I looked fit, lol. I would feel better with a longer cardigan with it so I will have to see which one looks okay.

We are watching a new horror channel. Tonight we are watching a film called Found Footage.

chanie

happy Friday Fabbers
im working from home today.  Although I do get washed and dressed in one mile wear, I finish off the look with a dressing gown to keep warm, so I can avoid putting the heating on.

Im going to treat myself to a soak with a bath bomb later on, before picking up the children from school.  Bliss.

helensbiggestfan

Good morning lovely ladies. 

Just going to pop out for a walk in a minute because rain is forecast later.  Going to walk past the funny little cheap shop and see if they have any compost.  I need to plant some spring bulbs in the next week or so.  

Chanie....laughing at the idea of you wearing your dressing gown over your 1 mile clothes. Can't say as I blame you though if it helps you keep your heating bills down.  As long as you don't forget....when you pick up the children. 😂🤣.  The yummy mummies at the school gate wouldn't approve. Lol
  
that reminds of the time we used to spend time in Spain in winter. You would often see the Spanish fully dressed underneath their dressing gowns, Spanish houses can be very cold in winter, it's often warmer outside.  

The thing that always made me smile though is that during the day Brits, Germans and Scandinavians would be wearing tee shirts and shorts, or, if it was a bit chilly, trousers and light sweaters. The Spanish would be in coats, scarves and boots.  The "old boys" would wear thick fleecy checked lumberjack type jackets but still wearing their slippers whilst they sat in the sunshine in the squares gossiping.  The nights could be quite cold but day time temperatures would rarely drop below around 12, even on a cold day. Often afternoon temps would be high teens or low 20s even in January and February.  And of course the extra couple of hours of daylight made all the difference.  There was a  beach the locals christened Loco beach because those from more northerly climes would swim in the sea on New Years Day.  The Spanish couldnt  fathom it out at all and we're utterly bemused at the crazy foreigners. 😂 They thought the swimmers were loco.  

I miss escaping to Spain.  And of course no sunshine cruises this winter.  Maybe one day.  And good  old Blighty has its compensations.  On a nice warm sunny day there's no place like I t for me and I do love the changing seasons. East, west, home is best. 

Having said that I'm sure I could be happy wherever I landed,  my motto is "bloom where you are planted". A lot of people moan that Derby is a dump. In all fairness parts of it are, but there are nice bits if you know where to look.  I think every city has its less salubrious areas.  Some parts are looking very sad and down at heel at the moment. 

There was a report yesterday that 1 in 3 of our city centre shops are now closed and standing empty. I wouldn't be surprised if more follow suit.  I also read that out of town retail parks are also feeling the pinch.  I think the way we live is changing, less retail and less office space will be needed so perhaps city centres will once again become mixed use, combining residential, work space, shops and leisure. 

Well - we certainly live in interesting times. 😁

Speaking of heating.  I think it's going to be a long winter and tbh I am half expecting power cuts so I'm going to make sure I'm prepared.  I have had my chimney swept and have a good supply of coal and wood left over from last year.  

I have seen a nice portable gas heater that looks like a wood burning stove which I am going to order.  Much cheaper than getting a stove fitted - £300 instead of over £2k because I would need to sort out the chimney and fireplace. The beauty of the stove is it can be moved from room to room in the event of a power cut and of course I can take it with me when I move.  

Not very good at links but is called a Provence, loads of stockists, even ebay and amazon sell them.  The style is perfect for period properties. There is also a model called Manhattan which would look great in a modern house or apartment. (I'm not on commission, honest😂). Both very smart and a huge leap forward from the old style calor gas heaters.  You can even use them as patio heaters or in garden buildings. They are also  ideal for people working from home instead of having to heat a whole house.  

Anyway if we do have power cuts, I will have my new gas cooker, an open fireplace in the dining room,  and a portable gas stove which can be wheeled to where it's needed.  

Plus a huge stack of candles. 😂

But for now the sun is out and it's not  too bad a day at all.  Time to blow the cobwebs away,  

Happy Fab Friday. 

maman

Sounds good chanie. Enjoy your soak.😊

I wonder if fewer people will want to work from home as the weather gets colder? Although from what you said, the financial savings would be more than enough to pay for  some heating. That's without the time and childcare bonuses. I've heard that some local coffee shops/cafes have offered facilities for working too. I heard one on the radio that was offering unlimited drinks and lunch for a set fee. 

More dancing for me today. This hall insists that doors are left open for ventilation while we're dancing so will have to dress up warmly as we move into winter. Fortunately the Tuesday dance studio just opens the doors between classes to get a change of air.  Today I'm planning to wear a lined White Stuff skirt (and may wear navy leggings underneath) with a long sleeved top and taking  a cardi for layers just in case. So not a dressing gown but not far off. 🤣

chanie

maman said:

I wonder if fewer people will want to work from home as the weather gets colder? 

  

Interesting point.  I’ve mainly worked in public sector organisations where you wouldn’t be able to claim for heating costs because it’s not an appropriate use of public funds.  

I suspect that many organisations will just tell people to get back in the office, if they complain.
 Me?  I plan to put up an shut up, as it suits me to work from home, as much as possible.  I’ll keep my heating on low and work from my bed with a hot water bottle, if needed.

helensbiggestfan

Chanie......you can claim tax relief if you work from home.  Up to £6 a week.  Martin Lewis (All hail) mentioned it a while back.  It is supposed to be for extra heat and electricity used.  And it doesn't come out of your employers pockets so no need to worry about upsetting them.  

My son and DIL have said they have saved quite a lot money by working from home........reduced childcare costs, less petrol.  I think a lot of people have been quite surprised at how much the savings stack up.  It's an ill wind as they say.......

I know I have spent a lot less this year, no holidays, less overall travel, no theatre or cinema, no meals out etc.  I'm using the savings to pay down my mortgage and to treat myself to some nice bits and pieces that I might have thought twice about, like my fancy awning and the stove I mentioned, lots of plants, new rugs and accessories. My rationale is, if I'm going to be spending more time at home then I will make it beautiful and comfortable.  

My DS1 and I were talking about the positives of lockdown and shieldIng the other day. He hasn't been able to do much DIY around the house because he is just too busy combining work and childcare but he's not too disappointed because the money they have saved has enabled them to pay tradesmen to do some big jobs that were beyond his capabilities.  And he said that, if I had been gadding about as usual,  I probably wouldn't have achieved as much either, revamping the kitchen and making such good progress with the  garden.  

It's true, I wouldn't have done nearly as much.  Whilst isolating has been a bit tedious at times I am actually quite pleased with what I've achieved so far.  Sometimes I find it hard to stay motivated though. 😂. 

Went to the funny little everything for around £1 shop. No compost, but did buy some odds and ends.  A dress storage cover to try. I need several but just bought one to see if it was any good.  A set of three different sized mesh strainers, a set of stirring spoons, and some spray stuff that is supposed to stop car windows steaming up.  Don't know if it works but at £1 it's worth a try.  My old jalopy is a devil for condensation and steamy windows but that's no reason to buy a new car. 😂

Glad I went out earlier. It's turned, colder, grey and murky now. Just going to have a break with a book and a cuppa, then do my exercises and then cook some chicken for supper.  Whilst that's cooking I'll reorganise another couple of kitchen cupboards and drawers. I'm doing a couple a day.  

chanie

Helen I love the sound of your pound shop.  I enjoy finding products I never knew I needed.

Ive loved spending more time with my children during lockdown and the opportunity to do all of the home fabbing I did.  Not to mention our new kitten.....

ive just finished my soak in the bath and using my lovely products. Not too long before I have to pick up the children from school.