La Dolce Vita (The Sweet Life) - on a tiny budget.

MrsPorridge

helensbiggestfan said:

  

I am currently washing everything that goes next to my skin.  My skin is so dry and sensitive I thought I would switch my detergent, see if that helps.  

I used Fairy pods and Sainsbogs own brand fabric conditiioner - used it for over 20 years now since DS developed dry skin.  Still use it even though he left home 7 years ago.  If you haven;t tried Fairy then I can recommend it.

helensbiggestfan

Hi Mrs P, yes I bought Fairy pods.  Lovely smell.  Thanks for the recommendation.  Glad to know you found them suitable. Will see how I go.  I also noticed they are now packed in cardboard boxes too. A plus. 

Well I'm finally dressed. Lol. Will head off for a stroll later.  

Have been looking at Rightmove this Morning.  Found a few possibles so might book some viewings next week.  I do like living here but it is rather like living in limbo because I know it's not my permanent home.  I'm ready to take the next step now.  Exciting times.  😁

Nelliegrace

You could try homemade laundry liquid @helensbiggestfan
There are recipes and instructions online. I use the one by Rhonda Hetzel in her blog and book, Down to Earth: A Guide to Simple Living.

https://down---to---earth.blogspot.com/2011/07/have-you-tried-homemade-laundry-liquid.html

My ingredients are Waitrose or Sainsbury's sensitive soap, (grated), Sainsbury’s Limescale Preventer powder which is Borax substitute (sodium Sesquicarbonate,) washing soda (sodium carbonate,) and water. I make a 10 litre batch for just over £1, which does about 50 washes at 2p a wash. I use a splash of Aldi white vinegar instead of fabric conditioner. DH’s skin is better. 
I like the fact that there is no horrible stink perfume added. My clothes don’t fade and last longer. 
We have gone back to using proper bar and liquid soap instead of detergent shower gel and handwash. Dripac Pure Liquid Soap is good for woolies and waterproofs. 

Humdinger1

@helensbiggestfan just popping in to say keep on getting better.  No matter how much patience we have, we never want to use it on health I find.  Don't often comment at the moment as run off my feet at work and the thread is thriving.  Always love it though; thanks for starting it and to everyone who posts.  Love Humdinger xx 

wort

I started wonderful weekend with superb Saturday! My dd1 treated me and her mil to a meal at the Ivy in Manchester. I was unsure of what to wear because of the cold weather, but as I was being picked up decided on a dress midaxi length, so could just see my suede ankle boots. I put on makeup and my favorite perfume, and it felt so good to make an effort and be out, it started to rain but had an umbrella and warm raspberry coat and scarf.
It was very swish the waiters all wore brocade flowered waistcoats or jackets. It was surprisingly busy. We had a wonderful time and the food was delicious a great early Mother’s Day present.

Wednesday2000

I would like to go to The Ivy one day.:)

I had a nice day out yesterday even though the day started off very cold with a little bit of snow. We had a trip to Aldi and Superdrug and then saw the new Scream at the cinema and then got some cheeky chips on the way home. The film was really good (probably not to everyone's taste as it was a horror film!) but I thought it was well done. I really jumped at one part. 

I have been experimenting with different flavoured waters. I have been steeping a couple of green tea and lemon tea bags in water in the fridge with added fresh lemon slices which is actually really tasty. I want to try mint and lime as I read that is a good combination. I did go to Aldi yesterday, but couldn't find mint or lime. I then thought about buying mint tea on the way home, but I couldn't find any in the shop I went into. I will look for that next week. I did get some lemon and ginger tea bags so I will try that too.

I'm going to have a hot bath and use one of the Superdrug face masks I bought. My dog is back from the kennel at midday so I need to vaccum before she gets home as she hates the sound of the vacuum cleaner! I got a Thai curry and rice pot from Aldi yesterday to have for dinner. It was a new product that I haven't tried before and I will stretch it out with some extra steamed veg. I'm so happy that I finally live within walking distance of an Aldi as it is so reasonable in price! 

helensbiggestfan

Super Sunday. 

Good Morning lovely ladies.  

Wort, your trip to the Ivy sounds wonderful. It's nice to push the boat out and go somewhere really special every so often. I have a couple of favourite restaurants in my city. They do cost a bit more than the average but well worth the extra for a treat or special occasion.  

Wednesday I too am experimenting with fruit/herbal teas.  I am also guilty of buying bottled water because our tap water has a bit of a twang.  .  Not only is all that plastic bad for environmental reasons but I read somewhere that if plastic bottles are stored in direct sunlight then they can become quite toxic. I  am going to the garden centre next week and I intend to buy some pots of herbs so I can make my own infusions, as well as for cooking. 

Nelligrace thanks for the home made detergent recipes.  That book sounds interesting,  I definitely want to start using fewer commercial and more natural products, better for the environment and our wallets, not to mention our health. 

My grandmother didn't use all these commercial products but her bed and table linens were always snowy white. She had beautiful skin and very few wrinkles despite working on the land most days. (She was a midwife by profession and married a farmer, so a busy lady) she lived till she was 90 so she must have got something right.  😉.  Even when she eventually had to go into a nursing home she would help to take care of the less able residents, many of whom were a lot younger than she was.  

Humdinger .....thanks for your kind words. You really got me thinking.  

We often have endless patience with others but give ourselves short shrift, not allowing ourselves to heal properly or recover before rushing onto the next thing.  You are so right.   I have come to realise that going forward I need to take much better care of myself and start showing myself some love. That's why this sabbatical is so important, putting time, effort and money into finally sorting out some long standing issues that I have been neglecting.

Actually I had a major breakthrough yesterday.  It was very cold and I still didn't really feel like setting foot out of the door so instead I spent a lot of time chatting with friends and family on the phone.  After several conversations, discussing what I like to term "life, art and the universe" 😂🤣. I suddenly found that the brain fog and indecision I had been suffering from had cleared. 

 I made several decisions yesterday which I think are going to be of immense help in getting me to my goals this year.  The big one was finally deciding where I actually want to live. I guess decisions don't get much bigger than that. Lol.  I have been dithering for a while but now I Know where I want to be I can actually start house hunting with intent.  The other decisions I made were just a natural progression from finally being able to focus on my search area. 

 So a bit of a eureka moment.  Ha ha,  I dislike uncertainty, not knowing where I'm headed and not being able to see my path clearly.   It seems that the metaphorical tectonic plates have finally shifted and the stars have aligned, 😂🤣. so now the rest will just slot into place.  

My friend said something interesting.  When I mentioned that I had finally got my head round my next move she said......"you did absolutely the right thing in not rushing to buy, you really needed to step back and have time for yourself, and decide what you really want". She's right.  She's known me since we were 15. As she pointed out I have been on a treadmill for most of my life.........school. work, marriage, children, university, family responsibilities, running businesses, husbands prolonged illness and death, overseeing my parents care, dealing with their estates, house clearances, guiding and helping my children achieve their goals, helping them renovate their properties as well as several of my own.....and the list goes on. 

I am not saying this for sympathy.  Isn't this what all women do. Most of us take on these burdens and responsibilities without so much as a second thought. We do it from love. But it's only now I've finally stepped off the treadmill that I realise the enormity of what I did, how tired I was, how much punishment my body has taken.  Throw in three car crashes, and nine surgical procedures over the years and it's not surprising I hit a wall.  I read a book recently called "The Body Keeps The Score".  All about the effects of trauma and stress on the body and the toll they take on our health,  

Well my body has been saying no for years but I never paid heed.  I finally listened and the good news is my patience is finally starting to pay out some dividends.  

I'm getting there..,,,

have a Super Sunday.   

❤️❤️

newroadahead

Helen
Just to say your most recent post has really resonated with me
I have followed you through a number of your threads and have always enjoyed reading even though I don't post very often
I am younger than you and agree it is what we women do from love and also that it is often expected of us yet no one rarely thinks about what we may be going through or even think to ask if we are ok

I hope you find your forever home and that it gives you all you would wish for

NRA xxx

helensbiggestfan

Just edited my post.....the book is called. "The Body Keeps The Score"; 

Just  been for a 30 minute walk.  Agony.  😱😂

leftatthetrafficlights

@helensbiggestfan - I used to work in children's social care and we always recommended that foster parents read that book, it's truly shocking how our bodies hold on to abuses that we have long since forgotten or have buried in our psyche 😳 Exciting times ahead for you finding your 'forever' home - I hope it all goes smoothly and you find the place of your dreams! 😁

@wort - I'm glad you enjoyed the Ivy - I've been to several of them (Covent Garden, Cheltenham and Norwich) and have always enjoyed the food and atmosphere - they always feel a little bit special! 😁 

My Super Sunday has consisted of a yoga practice; a lovely lunch of buckwheat 'lasagne' filled with a smoky dark speckled lentil and courgette sauce and a side salad of leaves, black grapes, strawberries, watermelon and blood orange balsamic dressing; a long hot shower where I exfoliated and moisturised afterwards and several cups of chamomile tea 😁 This evening I will be watching an opera that I have recorded then having an early night!