Champagne Lifestyle on a Lemonade Budget - 2021

phoebe1989seb

Michelle - so pleased to hear that your little boy is doing well now that the true cause of his health problems seems to have been identified 😃

Sugarbaby, I'm glad you're ok and still cramming in the champagne moments (particularly the finding of that fiver, lol... I love it when that happens!) 😆 You're going to be extremely busy with all those gifts to wrap!

Helen - you sound very busy too! Hope the upholstery project is proceeding well? What fabric type/design did you choose?

Although the weather has been pretty bleak - just so grateful that unlike those poor souls in the north of England/parts of Scotland, our power cut here in SW Wales was fairly brief - it hasn't prevented the champagne moments from happening!

Most recently in the form of our new oled TV arriving....a massive Black Friday deal we couldn't resist 🙄 The picture is so fantastically clear...we don't really watch masses of tv, but nonetheless, I don't know how we managed without one all this time, lol!

Also, finalising the arrangements for delivering the Christmas gifts to our family down on the south coast of England 😍 We haven't seen them for so long, especially DH's twin sister who we last visited in 2019 😮

I've been planning the Christmas menus too - most of the meat and treats are ordered/purchased including the blancmange powder I was unable to source last year. I'm intending to make a very pink trifle just like my mum used to contribute to the Christmas feast every year..... just wish I had her bunny jelly mould! I might have to buy one 😉

sugarbaby125

I have finished wrapping all of my daughter's birthday presents and every family members Christmas presents. I let my son-in-law know and he is coming to collect them all tomorrow. So I will get to see my daughter and son-in-law for a another visit, before the celebration for my daughter's 40th birthday on the 10th December. 

I am making great inroads with deep cleaning my bedroom. I am having to pace myself, because of my Arthritis, but the difference is already visible even though I have not finished. 

phoebe1989seb

Well done on getting all your gifts wrapped, Sugarbaby 😃

I'm not there yet, but do have all the wrapping paper and majority of the gifts.

Over the weekend we attempted to finish the Christmas shopping, but I confess I was sidelined by irresistible (but bargainicious, of course!) decorative bits for the home!

On eBay I succumbed to some (less than half price) Abigail Ahern dried seed pods to add interest to a gorgeous art nouveau vase that came from a local auction many years ago. 

Whilst in Homesense buying a couple of homeware items for DS and his GF, I spotted a tiny, opaque black glass Murano style ceiling pendant that will look amazing in our still-to-be-fitted-out ground floor cloakroom. The room is taking its inspiration from the jewel beetle dress worn by actress Ellen Terry playing the role of Lady Macbeth, so will be all shimmery shades of black, green and gold  😉 When complete, the vintage print of Ellen Terry in said dress - a treasured fleamarket find - will take pride of place....

We've saved a fortune by sourcing high end sanitary ware etc online and this diminutive light will be the icing on the cake! It almost leapt into the trolley...ok, that was actually me, grabbing it quickly before anyone else did, lol!

I also picked up some green pampas grasses which have taken up residence in an almost iridescent olive green art nouveau umbrella stand adorned with heart motifs that we've had for ever 😍

Despite the distractions - apart from a few things for ourselves and a specific, elusive gardening book I'm hunting for for DS - we got everything we were hoping to, which is a first for us! We don't usually start our buying in September (in anticipation of another dreaded festive lockdown) as we did this year, but being this organised certainly has its advantages 😁

sugarbaby125

I had a lovely visit with my daughter and son-in-law, despite the rain and cold yesterday. As I live in a 1st floor maisonette and my daughter is in a wheelchair, we just have to visit on the grounds of my estate, as she cannot gain access to my actual home. We had such a laugh together.  

My sister R is visiting a friend in London, so her and her friend also paid us a visit yesterday, so it was such a lovely family day for my younger daughter, my younger son and I.  

As the bulk of wrapped presents have gone out of my living room, it almost looks normal again. I have 3 Christmas presents to post to my sisters today, then I am done with wrapping presents for now. I will be wrapping more presents next week, as I am helping my brother H out by buying clothing Christmas presents for his 3 grandsons from eBay, as he has no internet access or eBay account of his own. He will settle up with me once all of the clothing has been delivered to me. 

Siebrie

It's my birthday next week, and I have asked for (and ordered...) a Museum Pass. It cost €65 for a year and gives me free entry to 200 Belgian musea. Going through a club I'm a member of, I received a 10% discount (added to my club card). The entry fee of Belgian musea often keeps me from visiting, so this will remove the threshold! Looking forward to receiving it!

phoebe1989seb

Sounds like you had a wonderful family day, Sugarbaby 😄

That museum pass should be a fabulous gift for your birthday, Siebrie... I'm sure it will give you hours of enjoyment 😊 I'm envious as that would be my idea of a perfect gift too!

Hunkering down for storm Barra here today, although first thing we had a courier collecting one of the large furniture items we recently sold....not the best day for it 🙄

I do hope Helen is ok, as she hasn't posted for a while.....

Stay safe and warm, everyone!

sugarbaby125

So many Champagne moments yesterday in Andover celebrating my daughter's 40th birthday. We all had so much fun together as a family  My Great grandson is now 10 months old 

helensbiggestfan

Helen is fine thanks.  😂.  Have had another lurgy this week but it's easing off now.  

Siebre.....a museum pass is a great idea. Enjoy.  

SUgarbaby.......your grandson is gorgeous.   

Speaking of "Helen". Watched my namesake in a great film last night.  Called "The Good Liar". Can recommend.  Helen Mirren and Ian Mckellan and a very clever plot.  

Going to finish putting up the Christmas decorations and wrap the presents this weekend and then I'm about done.  

I have started thinking about next year, my goals, hopes and dreams.  I am so looking forward to kissing 2021 Goodbye.  It's not been a good year for me.  I am looking forward to welcoming a new year and making a fresh start.  

phoebe1989seb

Sorry you've had another lurgy, Helen, but pleased to hear you're beating it now 😃

I hope 2022 is a better year for you....and everyone on this thread!

I agree, little Shylo is beautiful, Sugarbaby....glad you had a super day with your family celebrating your daughter's 40th birthday 😄

Champagne moments this week were getting the Christmas cards written/posted whilst cosying up by the kitchen wood burner on our new-to-us velvet sofa and planning the Christmas table decorations (including my treat to myself - a light up reindeer from Gisela Graham, courtesy of eBay 😉).

Most of the gift shopping is done - I found some amazing things on 'the bay', particularly a rare book that DH has been coveting for ages 😀 The book I wanted for DS had to be bought on Amazon in the end - the only place that had a copy. I normally try to avoid shopping there, but needs must, lol!

Earlier in the week I returned home to find an unexpected parcel on the doorstep. It was a fabulous book on Victorian artist GF Watts from some very dear friends who live on the other side of the UK.... whilst decluttering they had found two copies and knowing we share an interest in art of that period, thought I would appreciate it 😊😄😊

Today we've been out to get the tree - most places had very little stock left so we were fortunate to find a good tall, bushy specimen in the local garden centre. The guy who served us said that last Saturday they had their busiest trading day ever and have never sold so many trees! 

Later we'll be putting it up whilst listening to carols and have a party food supper planned 😋

sugarbaby125

My Champagne moment today was going to see Best of Enemies at The Young Vic.  I only had to pay £10 for my ticket when I booked it. 

I woke up this morning with an upset stomach, so I was not sure if I was going to make it to the theatre. I was tired as well after all of the celebrating yesterday, but I really enjoyed this play. My Arthritis was particularly painful when I was in the theatre, but I somehow managed to get through watching the whole play. I really enjoyed Best Of Enemies. For me it was a 9/10. 

Thank you ladies, I know I am biased, but Shylo is so gorgeous. He is so sociable with all of the family. He loves playing peek-a-boo and babbling away with us all.