La Dolce Vita - 2024

helensbiggestfan

Hello my lovely friends.  How are we all.  Hopefully your vitas are still dolce whilst not breaking the bank.......lol.  I'm still living simply but well and have recently rediscovered my love of cooking.  Still can't bake for toffee though.  Lol. But I am trying lots of new dishes and adding to my repertoire. 

After months of living like a hermit I suddenly find my calendar is filling up with mini breaks and social engagements.  December is already getting booked up quite quickly.  One of my bookings is a trip to Chatsworth. Chatsworth at Christmas is a bit of a family tradition, although we havent indulged for a couple of years. But pleased to say it's now back on the agenda.  It's always a fabulous day out, the house always looks gorgeous and of course we usually splurge on lunch in their "posh" restaurant rather than the self serve cafes.  This time we are trying a newly opened restaurant in nearby Rowsley rather than the restaurant at the house.  It's received some rave reviews so 🤞.  

A day out at Chatsworth is not a "cheap day out" by any means, especially as I usually like to buy a couple of new Christmas decorations and stock up on Christmas goodies at the farm shop (which knocks spots of Harrods food hall).   Rather it's a day of shameless indulgence from start to finish.  And why not.......it's nice to push the boat out sometimes.   

Thoroughly enjoyed watching some of my latest DVD acquisitions although I have to admit sometimes old films don't always age well and are best left to memory.  I really enjoyed Dr Zhivago, My Fair Lady less so.  I hadn't seen Dr Zhivago since i saw it at the cinema when I was about 17. Lol.  I enjoyed it just as much this time round. I had never seen My Fair Lady in full, only clips. I confess I found it a bit disappointing so I will probably redonate it.  

One of the things I love most about film is the styling, not just the clothes but also the interior design.  I get a lot of my ideas from film.  I call it "filmsperation". 

I have always loved the clothes in Dr Zhivago, the military style coats and all the fur trimmings.  I recently brought an amazing coat which could have come straight out of Dr Zhivago, dark green velvet, with black frogging fasteners and trimmed lavishly with black faux fur.  Perfect for a glamorous night out.  And more amazingly just £16, never worn, from a chazzer.  I tried it on in the shop and the lady behind the till just said "wow"!. 

Another film I watched recently also had some amazing clothes.  Since Maggie Smiths death you tube showed "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie" so I watched that again too.  The costume dept excelled themselves.  I can remember when I saw the film the first time being astonished at the colours they had chosen for her because of her red hair.  I too had auburn hair at the time and often was frustrated and unsure of what colours I should wear and tended to play it safe.  But that film taught me to experiment and be a bit bolder with my colours.  And even though I'm now an old lady with white hair I still love to experiment with style and colour.  🤣 

Its a grey miserable day here, not helped by the interior of this house.  It's very bland, a lot of "greige", grey carpets etc. -  talk about 50 shades of grey.  😱😂.  I have brightened it up a bit with rugs, plants, throws etc but I have to say it's still rather dull and uninspiring.  Never mind I know what to avoid in my next house, grey will be banned.  

Time for lunch.  I am trialling an anti inflammatory diet. See if I can reduce my joint and muscle pain.  It's early days yet so just need to be patient and wait and see.  It does mean going alcohol free for a couple of months 😱🤣 so no champagne for now. Ha ha.  

annieb64

Used to love Christmas at Chatsworth when we lived in the north west. It's a bit far to go now we live in Kent.

One year I went to a W.I. evening at the Chatsworth Farm Shop. We had a drink on arrival then watched cookery demonstrations in varoius departments. The evening finished with time for shopping.

I'd be interested in hearing how you get on with the anti-inflammatory diet.

Wednesday2000

That should be very nice. I think I have been to Chatsworth, years ago.

I have been booking things up in the run up to Christmas too. I am going to Cornwall for a week next week and meeting my family in Shoreditch in November. My cousins want to go to a darts bar for some reason! That is only a month from now, the year seems to be going by very fast. I am going to the local theatre this weekend with my pal from London which should be nice.

It is still fairly warm weather here, although I have been enjoying getting cosy in the evenings with my blanket and having wine and snacks on the sofa. We are watching The Penguin at the moment on Sky. Colin Farrell is unrecognisable in that role!

helensbiggestfan

Good Morning My Lovely Friends.  

Wednesday.   How was Cornwall.  It's been a while since I've been, but it's one of my favourite places, especially Port Isaac and St Ives.  Hopefully one day.......

Anyhoo.  All is good here, except for having to cancel last weekend due to (yet another) tummy upset.  This time it was too many cashew nuts.  Something else to be careful about lol.  The list just seems to get longer.   I had planned to view a property but had to postpone.  I have rescheduled for next Wednesday. It's in a local market town about 8 miles from the city. I don't know it terribly well, so my friend who used to live there is going to go with me and give me the grand tour.  The house itself seems to tick all the boxes so keeping my fingers crossed. 🤞 A simple modern ish house, about 20 years old so hopefully no real issues.  It would be easy to run and maintain, and has a smallish garden. Both the garden and the interior look like a blank canvas, so I can add my own personal touches.  There's nothing in the garden, just lawns to the front and rear, no plants or trees so I would be starting from scratch. Luckily my eldest son has a well stocked garden I can raid for cuttings......

Other than that nothing much happening. All is quiet in the western front, lol.  Had a nice family gathering here a week past last Sunday.  Both sons and their families.  The grandsons were in heaven, they adore "Cool Uncle J" and were wild with excitement.  A little too much so. Ha ha.  It's the little ones 4th birthday this weekend so more fun and frolics.   

Annie.  I love Chatsworth Farm shop and although the prices can't compare with Aldi 😱 they do have some wonderful produce, especially the meat and game which all comes from the estate and which is about as clean and pure as you are likely to get.  Having said that I've noticed that our local Lidl  now stocks grass fed beef. I managed to pick up some yellow stickered grass fed sirloin steaks and they were delicious.  

The anti inflammatory diet seems to be starting to pay off. It's been about 3 weeks now and whilst there's been no miraculous "cure" I think there's been an improvement, especially my right knee (the one with the meniscus damage).  I am going to stick with it as far as I can.  It's not too restrictive and I can usually find workarounds or substitutions. 

I avoid all processed meats, bacon, sausage, cooked meats etc and anything from the nightshade family, white potatoes, tomatoes, peppers. And of course I still avoid grains, especially wheat. I do allow myself a little high quality bread from a proper bakery now and again but I don't touch mass produced supermarket bread.  I have also reduced the amount of dairy, especially cheese.  It might sound a bit Spartan but it's not in reality.  There's still plenty of options, it just takes a bit of planning and forethought.  I still enjoy my favourite treats such as chocolate and an occasional tipple.  Just not everyday.  

Shopping is easy, I just stick to the outside isles and buy only fresh or frozen produce.  Nothing out of a box, no ready meals.  It sounds hard work because of course it means always cooking from scratch but I think that, given the improvements I'm seeing, it's going to be worth it so I'm going to stick with it.

My postie has just delivered my latest eBay acquisition.  A scarlet lightweight pure wool knee length skirt  by Jaegar.    A timeless classic "old money" piece that will look great with a cashmere sweater or jacket  for when I'm a "lady wot lunches". Lol.  

Right time to head out to Aldi......

Wednesday2000

Cornwall was lovely. We stayed in a hotel in Penzance and we visited St Ives and Truro while we were there. I said to my brother that I could imagine living in Cornwall.  

It is a very warm and sunny October day here. I would like this weather to continue as I'm dreading the chilly weather.

I have booked an Indian Head Massage for next week instead of my usual reflexology session. I'm really looking forward to it.

helensbiggestfan

I would move to Cornwall tomorrow if it wasn't for my family........🤪

MelenHirren

Hello there 

I have just read through this whole thread and have enjoyed the upbeat fun and friendly tempo that much, I hope you don't mind if I join in.

I am approaching retirement and will have a very modest pension... so an old style way of finding more joie de vivre in my days is perfect.

Love & light to all,

Mel x

helensbiggestfan

Hello MelenHirren.  love it.  Is that because you look like the Blessed Helen.  Lol. My sister once told me I could give Helen a run for her money so that's why I chose my nom de plume.  Anyway welcome to the thread.  The more the merrier.  When are you due to retire.  I am sure you will love it.  Total freedom.  

Actually I think I just have one of those faces that reminds people of other people iyswim. Over the years, starting from my teens, I have been compared to The Mona Lisa, Cathy McGowan (from Ready Steady Go) Ruth from Pans People, Cilla Black (😱😂) Claudia Cardinale, Liz Taylor, Stevie Nicks (from Fleetwood Mac). And now, apparently Helen Mirren is my latest reincarnation.  Sometimes it makes me feel like a right mongrel.  You gotta laugh.  

Just waiting for my ride, I'm off to stay with my son and DIL for a mini weekend.  I know it's only family and it's only 30 minutes away but it makes a nice little break.  No cooking, time with my family and lots of fun and frolics with the grandchildren.  

 Must dash....

helensbiggestfan

Good afternoon my lovely friends.  

Melen. I loved all three films you mentioned there.  Really great stories about women going on a life journey and finding themselves. I often feel a bit like my life story is echoed in Educating Rita.  I left school at 15 without a qualification to my name, met my first husband (first real boyfriend) when I was 16, married at 19.  

Like Rita's bloke, my first husband tried to hold me back through his old fashioned notions of what he wanted his wife to be.  (Basically, In the kitchen and pregnant, lol).  But of course he didn't really reveal his true colours until after we were married and we had moved over 300 miles away from my friends and family.  All the better for him to try and control me.  Much to his dismay It didn't work though. I'm far too strong willed and bloody minded. Despite my lack of education I landed a really good job and suddenly I began to realise I had more brains and potential than I had been led to believe.  

Once my eyes were opened and I saw things clearly there was no stopping me. He had to shape up or I would ship out.  He wouldn't or couldn't change so I walked away.  Spent the next five years improving my education, buying my own house and relishing life as a "girl about town", living the carefree teenage years I had missed out on by settling for the first man who came into my life.  

Then I met a more enlightened man who became my second husband.  😂🤣.  He was a completely different kettle of fish. He nurtured my ambitions and encouraged me to go to university at the ripe old age of 40.  

Went to see a nice house today.  It's on my short list.  I have got three more viewings next week.  I'm on a roll........

New house, new life. Sooooo looking forward to it.  

helensbiggestfan

Well today's viewing was something else.  

Delusional greedy lazy vendors (in this case the owners family - it's a probate sale) who can't even be bothered to present the property in a half decent state combined with clueless lazy inept Estate Agents who don't know the meaning of customer service. 

I have also noticed a new trend from Estate Agents.......they can't even be bothered to pick up the phone to ask for feedback. They now send an automated text instead. I wonder if vendors are aware of this new "time saving" practice.  I would be furious if I were selling and my EA did this.  

It's no wonder properties aren't selling.   I could teach both vendors and EAs a thing or two.  😂.    

I appreciate the vendors might not be local and getting the property market ready might present some difficulty but the EA is not advising them the best way to secure a sale.  As it is, given the condition the house is in, and the current state of the housing market, the house will not sell.  If they can't do the work themselves they should invest £10k on contractors, maybe not even that much -  clearing the house, painting everything white and replacing the carpets.

Failure to do this is a huge mistake that will cost them tens of thousands.  It will probably have to go to auction and will eventually sell at least £60k to £80k less as a result.  

I can appreciate that the vendors might not be business minded or very savvy but the EA should know this.  Perhaps they did try to advise the vendor and they were ignored. In which case I can understand their lethargy and their lack of basic customer service. 

Perhaps the EA  know there's not a Snowballs in hell chance of selling it as it stands so they have little enthusiasm to put in any effort,  but, sheesh, what a complete waste of everyone's time.   

Hey ho......not my problem but it does offend my professional sensibilities having spent 30 odd years working in the property market, as well as renovating several of my own houses and selling for a handsome profit.  

A lose lose situation for everyone.