Frump to Fab 2022 - The Big One

liberty_lily

Sugarbaby and Wednesday, thank you ☺️

Wednesday, it's *fairly* small, comparatively speaking, as this move was a serious downsize for us. Our most recent houses starting from the furthest back - 3500 sq ft, 2500 sq ft, 2000 sq ft and now we have 1400 sq ft. Downsizing so much in a relatively short space of time was a step too far for me 🙄 although the heating bills of some of the others were onerous as you'd expect!

Wednesday2000

Oh wow, those first houses were huge! My new house is half the size of your house now and it still feels fairly big compared to my old one. 1400 sq foot is about the size of the house I grew up in. I think I could handle a house that size.

liberty_lily

I know, lol, although they didn't seem huge at the time 😉

I was spoilt, I think, because my first (rented) flat as a student was large with a 15' square living room and enormous kitchen/diner. It was in the basement of a tall Southampton house that had been converted to offices and even had its own garden. It was let unfurnished and this was when I began collecting vintage furniture and other old stuff 😃

I was burgled (fortunately not there at the time!) when someone got into the ground floor one weekend, then broke through the connecting hall door that led down into my flat and stole all my jewellery. Soon after that I met DH and after another attempted break-in - when we disturbed someone lifting the roof lantern at the back (accessed via the garden) - we moved out....

When we bought our first home together (another basement flat 🙄) it had a massive (30+ feet long) living room - although the one bedroom was tiny - so I guess I got used to large living spaces quite early on. My childhood home was probably only about 1000 sq ft though. 

liberty_lily

I've been making the most of DH being away by relaxing and reading one of my new novels (Tulip Fever by Deborah Moggach), but I really need to get on with a few jobs so it doesn't look like I've been idle on his return at the weekend 😂 

Last week I bought a remnant of Fermoie linen upholstery fabric on ebay which I plan to use to upholster a pair of Aesthetic Movement dining chairs we purchased from a local dealer a couple of years back. Need to find my staple gun and get started on those 😁

maman

I'm impressed by the windows too @liberty_lily, so pleased your DH could make the house watertight before he went away.  😊

liberty_lily

Thanks, Maman 😊 

Instead of getting on with hunting down my staple gun, this afternoon I've been lazing with a book on my fleabay love seat (which despite the space not being finished I've dragged into position 😉)....although I've not actually read much as I keep getting distracted by the view through the new windows, lol 😆

sheilavw

thought of you Sugarbaby when I was in London. My younger Daughter and I travelled to Colchester and spent a few days with my oldest Daughter, son in law and Grandson. On Sunday we went to see Wicked in London. We really enjoyed it

sugarbaby125

Hello Ladies, 

Shelia, time spent with family is priceless. Glad you all enjoyed Wicked.

On Tuesday afternoon I went to the Ritzy cinema to watch the film, Emily. I used a £10.50 Picturehouse voucher towards my £10.80 ticket and 70p booking fee. I was totally engrossed in this film. For me this film was a 9/10.

Yesterday morning and afternoon, I was at Blackfrairs Settlement for the mental health and wellbeing discussion. We also had lunch and a music session laid on for us all to celebrate Black History Month after the discussion. The meal was vegetarian but tasted really good. It was basmati rice with chopped roasted veg and sultanas, spicy vegetable stew, steamed fine green beans and potato and sweet potato wedges. I was given a container full of the spicy vegetable stew to bring home. There was enough for 4 portions. I had already defrosted some steak mince to cook, so we had the mince with red, yellow sweet peppers and red onions, to add to the vegetable stew and I also cooked some baby baked potatoes. 

Yesterday evening I went to watch the play Something in the Air at the Jermyn Street Theatre. I really enjoyed this play, even though my right knee started to be really painful about half way through this 65 minute play. I did hang my right leg down, to reposition it from the footrest, but this did not alleviate the pain. Thankfully the pain, did not prevent me from thoroughly enjoying this play. For me this play was a 9/10. I got my £33 ticket for £6.50. 

The female actor Francesca Annis was sitting in the audience with an older female companion. When she was getting her ticket at the box office, I felt her eyes on me and when I looked at her, I was surprised at the expression on her face, but did not react to it in any way. I was the only black person in the audience, and she seemed less than thrilled to see me and that is the politest interpretation of her expression and her staring at me. It never ceases to be a surprise if any white persons react negatively to me being the only black person in the audience in a theatre. I expected better of a female actor I had previously always held in high esteem, simply because I really admired her acting talent. Sad, to find she is an even more flawed human being than the ups and downs of her private life had already revealed her to be. 

maman

That's so sad that you should be made to feel like that @sugarbaby125. I'm appalled that it's still happening in 2022. Like you, I'd admired Francesca Annis, most recently in the TV adaptation of Cranford. How disappointing.

On the positive side, I was in my local independent bookshop today and they had a big display of books by black writers for BHM.  In a prominent place was People Person by Candice Carty Williams. 😁 Who knows, something you've written could appear in future years. 🤞🏼

I saw a trailer for Emily when I went to the cinema the other week. I usually like period drama but t seemed a bit sad.  I did enjoy a drama about her sister that I listened to recently.
BBC Sounds - Charlotte Brontë in Babylon by Charlotte Cory - Available Episodes🤔 

I plan to see Living, starring Bill Nighy which looked really interesting from the trailer I've seen. I think it comes out at the end of next week. 

I had my hair cut on Monday and I'm very pleased with it. We were out with friends that evening and I received compliments which is always good. 😊 I'm feeling a bit fed up with my wardrobe at the moment. I think it's probably because I'm tired of everything, not having bought much new since pre Covid. I made a point of browsing the shops on Monday before my hair appointment but really couldn't fancy anything. It's not helped that (although I'm not complaining😁), the mild weather we're having means I've not really worn many winter clothes so it's hard to decide what to put on. 

Today I've been walking with a group of friends. I wore jeans and a Breton top and a hooded coat as rain was promised. Instead, the sun came out and it was really hot!  It was lovely afterwards to sit in the sun having coffee. I can't believe it's almost November. 

Floss

@maman I'm waiting for Living too, and I am debating going to see Emily. I did enjoy Mrs Harris goes to Paris, and loved seeing the dresses I'd seen in the Dior exhibition.