Summer Cold

 Yep, I’ve had one! I came down with it last Friday and it hung over the start of my week like a grey cloud. I was determined to get to the sound bath I’d booked on Monday night though. I put my mats and blankets a bit further away from everyone and let the noises of gongs, drums and singing crystal bowls wash over me. This is the second time I’ve had a sound bath, it’s so relaxing and I really must do it again.

Tuesday I had to cancel my lunchtime nail appointment. I was still feeling too rough and didn’t think it very fair to go and breathe my germs all over the nail technician. I also realised that last week was so busy that I spent a lot of my time eating junk and convenience food, so it’s little wonder I caught this. Note to self, eat more fruit! 

Dusk falling over South Bay

By Tuesday night I was a bit fed up, so I went out for a breath of air near the sea, and a coffee at one of the local hotels, taking care to sit in a far corner. 

My lergy didn’t didn’t really shift for the rest of the week, and the highlight of my week was going to collect a parcel from the shop. A gorgeous skirt I’d bagged on Vinted. 

Friday, I did get to my rescheduled nail appointment though. Even though I felt the haze was lifting, with little Miss still being very poorly, I cancelled my weekend plans with the chap and some of our friends. Good job I did because I also managed to get little Miss into the doctors, and she was prescribed some antibiotics. They don’t give those out freely, so she definitely needs a quiet weekend with her mumma. 

Funky orange nails are the order of the day

Here’s hoping that next week is better!

Here Comes The Sun

 Wow! What a week we’ve had. It’s been incredibly warm, I even cracked out the new Dr Marten sandals I bought earlier in the year. Anyone who knows me knows that the feet don’t get exposed until it’s very warm. Unfortunately the warmth and hayfever has made concentration fairly difficult, but I’ve soldiered on all week.

Wednesday evening though I decided I needed to get my act together or risk missing all of the sunshine. It was the last day dogs will be allowed on the main beach until September, so we took Thelma down for a walk.

It was glorious there. The sun shining, people swimming and of course, Ice Cream.

Thursday the mercury hit 26, and I was off for a day in the office. It was so warm, I couldn’t even bring myself to go for a lunchtime wander. Instead, I sat in the sun on the office roof terrace and admired the Minster and the blue skies.

After work, the chap met me. We were going to go for a pizza in the pub, but instead opted for one of the chap’s favourite places, and another roof terrace, Las Iguanas.

The chap treated me to beer and fajitas. We’ve not been to Las Iguanas in ages, and we both really enjoyed it. Although we did also notice some changes to the portion sizes which seem somewhat smaller. 

Back at home I was excited to open the Kobo e-reader I’d bagged off eBay at the end of last week. My excitement was replaced with disappointment however when it didn’t work. So annoying when a listing says working, when it blatantly isn’t! I never have much luck with used electricals, so I might just save for a new one. 

Friday, I was exhausted. The week had wiped me out and I was looking forward to the long bank holiday weekend. I even went to bed early, which I never do on a Friday. Saturday we didn’t have much planned. The weather has plummeted to cold and windy, so I just sorted out some donations for the charity shop, and dropped those off. 

Later on, we took Thelma for a lovely walk around the duck pond in Thornton le Dale. Then it was home for a chilled evening. The chilled vibe spilled over into Sunday. After church in the morning, we had a leisurely brunch in the Morrisons cafe, which was pleasantly surprising. Cheap and tasty! Followed by grocery shopping.

While my chicken casserole was cooking in the oven, I did some yoga, and helped little miss with some Minecraft. Later in the evening, I sewed some patches onto my overnight bag.

Like the denim jacket that appeared in an outfit shot a few weeks back, my overnight bag is an ongoing project of patches depicting, mostly, places I’ve been. I love these infinity projects. They are like a record of thoughts or events but are usable too. 

Having what I would usually consider to be a mundane weekend has made me realise that I try to cram too much into too little time. I try to rush my shopping between some other activity, or always feel like I need to be going somewhere and doing something but, actually, it’s really valuable just to stop sometimes, buy your groceries, play Minecraft and have a lazyish day. 

April No Spend Challenge - End of the Month review

 At the start of April, I set myself a no-spend challenge. Here’s how it went.

Week 1. This week seemed fairly easy. I wasn’t out near many shops because I spent my weekend decorating. I still spent a fair bit of time surfing Vinted, but I didn’t buy anything and to be fair, the only thing I was genuinely tempted by in the first week was a neon nail varnish from Superdrug. It was on my no buy list though, so I didn’t buy it and just painted my nails in a colour I already have. I didn’t save a great deal this week though. Eating out, Easter eggs and replacement clothes for little Misses latest growth spurt saw me still spend a fair bit. 

Sorry I’m Latte by China Glaze - Apparently nude nails are the thing at the moment, so it’s a good job I had it already! 

Week 2. Well, I thought I’d get past week 2 before caving in, but I did have a little bump in the road this week. All was going well until Wednesday. I was in the office, so were Guide Dogs for the Blind. I bought a new cuddly toy for little miss, which as you’ll recall was on my list of things not to buy. My justification was that it’s a worthwhile charity so the money goes to a good cause. I got to meet Guide dog puppies that week too, which was rather lovely. 

For a worthy cause, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it

Week 3: I well and truly crashed this week. I was off work and we were doing lots of activities. My first fall came at Flamingoland. Unsurprisingly with another soft toy for little Miss. Bluey the Frenchie, which she’s now clothed in one of her baby dresses since I wasn’t about to fork out for clothes for the toy after spending £25 on the toy itself. 

I did well when we went shopping for little Misses birthday presents in York, not succumbing to anything for me. The week didn’t end though without me falling for something on Vinted. A Mulberry leather phone case. At a bargain price, and being something I could actually justify as needing, I’m not too disappointed in myself. 

Week 4: Although I did spend a lot this week (Little Misses birthday party, cake, eating out and new plants for the garden), I only bought one thing from my things I’m not buying list. It was a new pair of leggings. I’ve not owned any in months since my last pair fell apart, so I feel it was a justified purchase. I did also buy myself a new e-reader (Kobo as recommended by Vix) but it was from eBay and, annoyingly doesn’t work, so I’ll be returning it.

Week 5. Aced it! Although I still keep adding to my Vinted watchlist, meaning constant temptation. I haven’t actually bought anything other than food or petrol this week though. 

I have found my no spend April useful. Not necessarily because I’ve saved any cash, I don’t think I have. What I have done though is to take the time to use more of what I own, as well as take the time to look after the things I own better, like cleaning my silver jewellery. In turn, this has freed up more money to do things like get my nails done, or spruce up the garden for summer. I’m going to try to take my mindful lessons forward because it’s not necessarily about not buying things, but it’s about spending money on the right things rather than just growing collections of stuff in the wardrobe.