Champagne Lifestyle on a Lemonade Budget - 2021

sugarbaby125

LL you have done an amazing job of transforming those 6 dining chairs. 

florianatwobob

Yesterday’s Champagne moment was a half day off work and a trip to the cinema to see Death in the Nile. We went to our local independent cinema so tickets were only £8 (instead of £13 at the chain cinema) and sweeties came from
the supermarket. 

To be honest I prefer our local independent cinema. It’s in a beautiful Art Deco building and during their refurb to increase the number of screens they kept as many internal fittings as possible and the new bits are in the same style. One screen now also converts to a theatre and they have various performances and comedy gigs. It’s a little gem. 

helensbiggestfan

Thanks Candy.....it's amazing what you can do with fabric and paint.  

These are what they were like prior to painting.  £10 for 4 chairs and two carvers.  Bargain.  😉  I first painted them and recovered them about 5 years ago. The seat coverings had become really dirty so thought I'd just replace the fabric bit. The pads had become a bit thin so I bought new foam and wadding and did a "proper job" this time.  Spent more on materials than on the original chairs but I think it was worth it.  

Just having a little rest, I've been like a whirling dervisher this morning,  have set out the new cushions and lamp shade in the lounge.  Total cost £14. Amazing what Just a couple of cheap and cheerful tweaks and a good tidy up will do.  I bought myself some cheap roses from Aldi nearly two weeks ago. I can't believe they are still going strong.  Just goes to show you can create beauty and style on a small budget.  

I also picked  up a couple of pieces of wall art from the chazzer, £2 each. (Last of the big spenders, me).   Not sure where they are going to go yet. The frames are a medium pine. A bit 80s and somewhat dated now so I might paint them first. I do like a bit of shabby chic, covers up a multitude of sins and great way to upgrade tired and tatty pieces. 

I was taking a fresh look at the cupboard under the stairs, aka the cupboard of doom. It's full of junk and cleaning stuff, which, now that I have decluttered a bit, can easily be located elsewhere.  I noticed there was a hanging rail already in place which I had completely forgotten about. A lightbulb went off. I'm going to clean it out and use it for my winter coats and shoes. Free up space in my wardrobe.  Why didn't I think of that before.....I have only lived here for 3.5 years. I can be a bit slow on the uptake sometimes. 😂🤣. 

Anyway that will be a job for the weekend,  

helensbiggestfan

Some of my recent finds.  

The word picture was £1, thought it was perfect for the open shelves.  The two pine framed pictures I mentioned and a fab real leather bag £4. It's immaculate. Don't think it's ever been used.  Ooh I do love a bargain.  And it just goes to show you don't need to be rich to have nice things.  

helensbiggestfan

Thanks SUgarbaby.  I enjoyed doing it.  

Florian (love that name) Your local cinema sounds lovely. They shut ours down during the pandemic, sold off the land and it's now in the process of being demolished.  It wasn't a nice old building like yours, in fact it was an 80s monstrosity but it was convenient.

 I love old cinemas and theatres, especially when they are in Art Deco style. All that red velvet. 😁.  To me they say "Hollywood Movies and Glamour" even when their grandeur is a bit faded.  There is just something special about them.  

florianatwobob

helensbiggestfan said:

Thanks SUgarbaby.  I enjoyed doing it.  

Florian (love that name) Your local cinema sounds lovely. They shut ours down during the pandemic, sold off the land and it's now in the process of being demolished.  It wasn't a nice old building like yours, in fact it was an 80s monstrosity but it was convenient.

 I love old cinemas and theatres, especially when they are in Art Deco style. All that red velvet. 😁.  To me they say "Hollywood Movies and Glamour" even when their grandeur is a bit faded.  There is just something special about them.  

Thank you, it was a nickname that my dad gave me when I was little. Floriana is also a town in Malta which is where he spent a lot of time when he was in the Navy. 

That’s a pity about your local cinema, even as an 80s monstrosity. Sadly the red velvet has gone as has the circle from its original incarnation but the beautiful sweeping staircase up to the first floor remains as does its beautiful large deco windows. 

MrsPorridge

DS has had to take an injection each day for growth hormone since he was about 10.  He is now 25 and after various tests etc., we have now had the great news that his is now OK.  Whatever it was has now rebalanced itself and he doesn't need to take the injections.  That is my champagne moment not just for today but for the year, actually for ever.  I am so happy that he is ok and has  clean bill of health.  Also very lucky.

sugarbaby125

Mrs. Porridge, that is such brilliant news about your son's health. 

phoebe1989seb

That's wonderful news for you and your DS, Mrs P 😊

Just wanting to say stay safe, ahead of storm Eunice, everyone!

We have a red weather warning for wind/gales here, so are braced for the worst and have battened down the hatches, moved anything that might get blown about to a secure place and ensured we are well stocked inside with wood for the stoves, candles, batteries etc 🙄

Today's champagne moments - firstly, talk about calm before the storm! It's been a beautifully spring-like day today with wall-to-wall sunshine 😃

Secondly, I've been sorting out the more fun elements of getting the guest room finished (although the decorating still has a way to go!) and realised that considering I thought we'd need to buy lots of stuff, we actually have some lovely bits we can utilise 😉

Such as the hideously damaged but still stunning aesthetic movement jardiniere I was given by a lovely staff member at Portsmouth tip about 20 years ago. Just needs a strategically placed plant, lol!

And the scented candle from B&M reduced from £4 to £2 😁

Not to mention the Homesense vases marked down from £54 to £30....

There's a few things I will have to get (eg, some bookends and a lamp for the window sill), but on the whole it's going to be a fairly inexpensive room to put together 😄

helensbiggestfan

I have had a lovely Morning, playing wardrobe Tetris.  😂🤣

As you can see I have utilised the cupboard under the stairs, two large suitcases at the back (neatly labelled with the contents so I don't forget where I have put things) and then all my long heavy winter coats on a rail at the front.  There will be a bit of space for some shoes at the bottom.  Coats not currently on rotation in breathable dust covers, again neatly labelled, anti moth cedar rings and lavender bags on hooks. It's freed up space in my main wardrobe so I unpacked my summer clothes whilst I was at it.  

Well pleased with the result, a lot more space and much better organised now. A bit tired now and some backache today so just having a rest on the sofa.  

Very windy here now.  We're in the amber zone. I wont be going out.  Hope you are all staying safe, warm and cosy.