Making Good Use

Here's To The Next 50 Years

I have had the most wonderful extended birthday this year.  It started on Thursday when P and I travelled to Bristol for a luxurious two-night stay at the Bristol Marriott Royal Hotel.  It was sheer luxury all the way, from the air-conditioned room (that was SO nice) to the wonderfully comfortable bed, the breakfast buffet, the relaxing G&T on the terrace before bed and the splendid hotel swimming pool - which we had practically to ourselves.  Add to that two wonderfully indulgent evening meals in local restaurants (yay! no cooking or washing up) and the two day break made me feel as relaxed and pampered as if I'd been away for a fortnight.

Originally, we had decided to go to Bath Spa on the Friday and try out the roof-top pool at the Thermae Bath Spa but it was so hot that we decided sitting in the full sun in a thermally heated swimming pool might not be the best of all ideas.  So, being ever flexible, we changed tack and headed instead for Weston-super-Mare (known locally and more accurately as Weston-super-Mud.)  True to form the sea was nowhere to be seen, just miles and miles of mud stretching, so it seemed, all the way to the Welsh coast.  Every summer a few twits think they can walk to Wales and sure enough I saw on the local news that the Coastguards had had to rescue 8 people from the mud this weekend and warn of a further 30!

Weston has A LOT of charity shops so I was quite happy to work my way through at least eight of them.  Sadly, I didn't find anything for myself in but I did score a few bits and bobs for my nephew.  We had a bit of a walk along the front and were very pleased to see the new pier is well on the way to completion.  The old pier burnt down a couple of years ago and it's great to see the owners have rebuilt it so quickly.  As it got hotter and hotter P and I retreated to a cafe with outdoor tables in the shade and had a spot of lunch whilst watching The Wurzels being interviewed for local radio.  When the radio presenter began making the rounds of other diners, asking them how they were enjoying their day in Weston, P and I beat a hasty retreat. 

On Saturday, my actual birthday, we had a lovely buffet lunch at my Mum's house, followed later on by a slice of birthday cake and a nice cup of tea sitting in the garden. It was really relaxed and chilled-out and the ideal way to round off a wonderful few days.  I had some gorgeous presents and this particularly wonderful card from my sister.

We were both very fond of this book when we were children and I was really touched she'd found this card for me.

So many thanks to my Mum, my sister, brother-in-law and nephew and especial thanks to P who 'played a blinder' by giving me such a relaxing stay in a wonderful hotel.  Here's to the next half century!!

Board Shorts

The Bay City Roller trousers I made for my nephew in April ended up being about three inches too short in the leg, bearing in mind he is only just 7 and the fact that I'd cut them out to the length for a 10 year old, I was a bit surprised.  I offered to let them down as much as possible (I'd left a pretty generous hem on them) but because of the very hot weather we're experiencing at the moment, my sister and I thought board shorts might be a better option.  

Yesterday I got the opportunity for my nephew to try them on (lovely fit, by the way) and folded them up to sort of mid-calf level.  So I duly cut them off to the right level and this morning I got Mum's sewing machine out and hemmed them up.  That's me done for the day I thought but no, the sewing bug seemed to have well and truly bitten me and this afternoon I cut out and completely sewed up another pair of board shorts for him.  It was hot, it was sticky, there was a fair bit of swearing (me and a session with the sewing machine always results in vast amounts of swearing) but by gum I feel pleased with myself.

Made from the same pattern as the others, these are in a very cheery red and white check (the fabric is really nowhere near as pink as it looks in the photo - which is just as well as my nephew hates anything pink with a passion.)   As we'd originally only bought enough fabric to make a shorter pair of shorts it was a bit of a squeeze to get these longer ones out of what we had but it worked out - just.  So, they're pure cotton, cost about £3.00 to make, should be a custom fit and weren't produced in a sweatshop in China - a pretty good result I reckon.

Thank you so much for the kind birthday wishes last week.  I had an utterly fabulous birthday weekend - more on that tomorrow when I've recovered from my unexpected sewing fever.

Let the Festivities Begin

To celebrate me being 50 years young on Saturday, P and I are off to Bristol for a couple of days to join my family for the big day (gulp, FIFTY!!, how the heck did that happen!) 

We're spending a couple of nights in this posh hotel - I'm particularly looking forward to having a full English breakfast in the mornings.  On Friday we're going over to Bath to try out the rooftop pool at Thermae Bath Spa.  I haven't been to Bath for quite a few years so I'll be interested to see how much it has changed in the interim.  My sister and I used to live right in the centre of Bath, in a flat over a tea rooms on one of the small cobbled side streets - ah, happy days.  Then on Saturday we're heading to my Mum's house for a slap-up buffet lunch - yum, can't wait!  Fifty - good grief, I still feel 16 inside (but more like 116 on the outside!)

  

10.00 pm Midsummer's Day

So the summer solstice has come and gone for another year.  I just love this point in the summer - when it's still light in the sky at 10.00 pm and not totally dark even at 11.00 pm and when it starts to get light again by about 4.00 am.  It's so wonderful

Once, when I was bemoaning the fact that it's dark by 4.00 pm in the middle of winter, P asked me if I would prefer it if the sunset summer and winter was at about 7.00 in the evening (like it is in the tropics.)  Honestly, I don't think I would.

Even though the dreary dark winter days are horrible I do feel we more than compensate for it by having these long light summer evenings.  And to celebrate not only midsummer's day but also the fact that it was finally warm(ish) enough, we ate our evening meal al fresco - it was wonderful.

Chilly Sunday Boot Sale

Blimey, it was chilly yesterday here in Essex, I really regretted not wearing a coat when I went to the car boot sale.  Some of the sellers were wearing hats and gloves or were wrapped in blankets - and I can't say I blame them, I wouldn't have wanted to stand around for a few hours in those temperatures.  (Oddly enough - although I'm not sure why I say that as this is the great British summer n'est ce pas? - but today is a glorious day and must be at least 20 degrees warmer than Sunday.)

Anyhoo, I shivered my way round the boot sale sans coat, hat and gloves and came home with a few reasonable bargains.

The theme of the day seemed to be toiletries - there was the Benefit silky body balm - 50p; a mini Vidal Sassoon shampoo - 20p; mini John Frieda shampoo - 20p; small bottle of Body Shop shower gel - 20p;  and a Britney Spears shower gel - 20p.  These will all prove useful as my stash of thrifted toiletries was beginning to get a bit sparse.

For 50p I got this stacking Russian matryoshka doll - with all parts intact if a little faded in places.  The same seller had a couple of other Russian dolls too, I'm wishing now I'd bought them all as I've got a sort of mini collection of them going on.

Also for 50p I took a gamble on a huge bag of buttons and tapestry wools.  I wasn't so interested in the tapestry stuff but the buttons look like they may have been a good find - these ones were just on the top of the pile and there are hundreds more to look through.

And that really was the sum of what I found - apart from a couple of books and a ball of string for 50p for my Mum.  Nothing earth-shattering but a few useful bits and bobs nonetheless.

It's Amazing What You Can Find on YouTube

Thanks to the tedium that is the ever-present World Cup coverage on TV, and P's great interest in anything football-related, I've had to devise new ways to entertain myself during matches. 

By chance the other evening I read a review in the Evening Standard about a concert in memory of Kate McGarrigle (one half of the Canadian singing sisters Kate and Anna McGarrigle.)  I hadn't heard any of their songs in YEARS so I decided to have a root round on YouTube where indeed there were plenty of McGarrigle songs to choose from - Entre La Jeuness et La Sagesse  being my favourite. 

This led me on to thinking about Loudon Wainwright III (ex-husband of Kate and father of Rufus and Martha Wainright.)  I used to really enjoy Loudon Wainwright's music but again hadn't heard any for YEARS and YEARS.  I've quickly become re-acquainted with the fabulous, and still highly relevant, Hard Day on the Planet.  I've become somewhat obsessed with this song in the last few days and have played it so many times I'm now practically word perfect.  The wonderful saxophone playing in it made me then think about Andy McKay's wonderful sax playing in Rock Follies and Rock Follies of '77. 

I had the music from both these TV series on cassette (stashed away somewhere in the loft at the moment) and wondered if there were any clips available on YouTube.  Indeed there were and I spent a very happy half hour or so immersing myself in memories from my youth.  Check out the opening sequence here with the old Thames TV intro - blimey, that took me back.  Anyone else remember these series about a struggling female rock group and starring Charlotte Cornwell, Rula Lenska and Julie Covington? 

Since then I've been all over the place on YouTube.  Checking out a very ancient Aviance Perfume advert which oddly always stuck in my memory, the title sequence to The Virginian (I always loved the old Wild West photos they used,) and then moving bang up to date with the quite extraordinary video by Lady Gaga for her song Alejandro (don't watch this one if you're easily offended!) 

While P is being deafened by the sound of vuvuzela's from the TV, I'm really enjoying searching for long-lost memories on YouTube.  At this rate I'll be sorry when the World Cup is all over!!   

Cracking Car Boot Sale, Gromit

It was a lovely sunny morning today and that darned northerly wind had dropped a little as well so I took myself off to the local Thursday car boot sale.  I'm really glad I made the effort as I had some cracking finds.  There was a huge rack of 'larger size' clothes with everything priced at £2.00 each - a truly bargainous price for plus size clothing. 

I bought this turquoise summer top which was a lovely fit and length when I tried it on.

A purple batwing-sleeve sweater from Evans.  I remember these being around last winter and not being sure whether to buy one or not as they say never wear a trend - batwing sleeves - that you wore first time around.  I clearly remember batwing sleeves from the 80s so thought I'd pass up on them second time around.  However, when the sweater in question is only £2.00 I thought I'd take a punt - and very nice it looks on too.

A 1647 (Dawn French's fashion company) blue velvet top which was £1.00 (different seller from the one I bought the other tops from.)  I initially bought this with the idea of selling it on ebay but, having tried it on, I think I may keep it for myself.

A pretty summer skirt for my sister - hope she'll like it - also £1.00.

A tube of Soap & Glory facial exfoliator.  I hadn't really heard of Soap & Glory as a brand until I read one of Caroline's recent boot sale posts and realised they're worth looking out for.  My face could do with something to brighten it up a bit and I'm hoping this might help.  The tube was £1.00.

And then the piece de resistant - a Poppy Treffry tea cosy.  It is gorgeous and has apparently never been used.  I really like Poppy Treffry's things so I was delighted to find this.  It cost just £1.00.  Appropriately enough, the 'I'm a little teapot' rhyme whas the first thing I ever learnt at school on my first day at infants.

So, all in all, 'twas a truly cracking car boot sale.  Let's hope the weather stays fine for Sunday's boot sale too.

Catching a Few Rays

Don't be fooled by this photo of a beautiful blue sky - the sun may well be shining but there is a vicious cold northerly wind blowing at the same time (it's wonderful for getting the washing dry if nothing else!)  As at least it's not raining I took myself out in the garden this afternoon to make a start on sewing up my second knitted patchwork blanket.

It's so nippy in the evenings (and no way are we putting the heating as it's June for heaven's sake!) that I wouldn't mind having this lap blanket sewn up and ready for use.  It was very pleasant, and surprisingly warm sitting in the full afternoon sun and I hope I'll remember this sunny (albeit still a bit chilly) summer afternoon when I'm shivering under the blanket in the depths of next winter.

Red Shoes

I received a card in the post yesterday which gave a website address saying there was a free gift for me!!  Yes, I know, probably a right old con!!  Anyway, I went to the website given and it turned out it was an offer for 20% off and free delivery on all Cosy Feet shoes.  Now, believe me, I wouldn't choose to wear Cosy Feet shoes if I could get my hooves into anything a tad more fashionable but because of the oedema (severe fluid retention) that I have in my feet and ankles it means my choice of footwear is incredibly limited. 

I inherited the condition from my Dad's side of the family and I remember him really struggling to get a decent pair of shoes he could squeeze his swollen feet into too.  Dad used to say it would be wonderful to have a small tap fitted to each ankle so that the fluid could be easily drained away - I know exactly what he meant now.  It's hardly a life-threatening condition but it is unattractive, miserable, sometimes painful and a bl**dy pain in the backside when it comes to finding shoes.

I've had a few pairs of Cosy Feet shoes in the past and they really do fit comfortably and have lasted extremely well.  I just wish they could make shoes that were just a teeny tiny bit more up-to-date.  I don't have a problem in the summer months as I can get away with wearing Birkenstock one-strap sandals day after day, but in the winter I'm down to whatever Cosy Feet shoes I can bear to wear.

So I had a look on their website thinking it would be the same old same old aimed at the over-eighties, when I spotted a very fetching looking pair of red shoes.  Red!!  Good heavens, that's a bit racy. 

Well, needless to say I decided to buy a pair. Originally they cost £60.00 plus £3.95 for P&P - with my 20% off and free P&P offer the price was reduced to £48.00 (still expensive to me, but I can't just go into a shoe shop and find shoes that'll fit so I don't really have a choice.)  I also remembered to click through from the Top Cash Back site which will eventually give me a 11% cashback - further reducing the price to approx. £43.00.  I'm quite excited to see what the shoes are like when they arrive, it'll be lovely to have a bit of a variety to wear.

Thrifty Ties

I have to confess to having had a mega lie-in on Sunday morning, thus forfeiting an opportunity to go to the local car boot sale.  Even though this particular boot sale is a 'late' start - 10.00 am as opposed to silly o'clock for most of the others round here - as I didn't surface from bed until nearly 10.45 am, and didn't really wake up properly for another hour, I decided to give the boot sale a miss.  Of course, I've been wondering what wonderful bargains I missed by being so lazy but, hey ho, there's always next week!!

Whilst looking through the piles of linen in one of the local charity shops this morning my eye was caught by a larger-than-usual pile of mens' ties hanging up.  I took a closer look and kept finding all sorts of ties in lovely patterns that I thought would be quite nice for P. 

P has to look smart for work and has got quite an extensive tie collection - many of them silk Liberty ties.  Sadly, two of his favourites have had to be thrown out recently as the delicate silk had worn away completely along one edge.  P thinks it was as a result of him leaning against the edge of his desk when he's at work.  As most of the Liberty ties had come from ebay or sometimes from charity shops (some years ago I found a beautiful Liberty tie for 10p in a charity shop in Bristol,) their demise was not too upsetting.

Today I found a nice selection of 'new' ties to add to his collection.  A T M Lewin silk tie in pastel shades.  I like this one a lot but it may be deemed too 'girly' by 'him indoors.'

Two Marks and Spencer ties - I myself prefer the blue floral but that may also be deemed a tad too 'fey' for office wear.

And, finally, a silk Paul Smith designer tie which I think is gorgeous.  I had a look at the Paul Smith website and these sorts of ties seem to sell for around £65.00.  If P doesn't like this one it will be destined for ebay.  I paid 50p for each tie - excellent bargain!!