Spring seemed to last for ages, so I'm so glad summer has arrived. With luck the weather will continue to be kind, it'll scorch our lawns, send us to the coast in droves, and see the sales of icecream (and sun cream) go through the roof.

Here's how I'll be spending my summer...

1. Visit three different beaches in Suffolk - Felixstowe, Aldeburgh, Southwold
Dip my toes into the water, and try a new ice cream flavour in each place. I plan to go before the schools break up so I can avoid hoards of people. Unsociable? Me?

2. Get organised and start felting for Christmas (yes, I totally just used the C word)
Even if I only tick one item off my list it'll be a start. I always have so many things on my to-do list, things often get put off because 'I have loads of time', and then time flies...

3. Go on a picnic
Complete with blanket and wicker basket.

4. Visit a maize maze
Kezzie the Southwold maize maze opens on July 17th.

5. Go Geocaching

6. Visit the Suffolk Punch Trust

7. Make lemonade from scratch

8. Join my local library
After losing a book whilst at college I was too scared to darken the doors again, I think sufficient time has passed...

9. Decorate until my arms fall off
I say this so often...

10. Read 14 books - preferably whilst lounging in my hammock in the sunshine
My freelance friend and I have decided to make July 7th #NationalFreelancersDayOff and we intend to sit in hammocks and do nothing but read. Since the beginning of April I've purchased 28 books, mostly from charity shops, and been given four others, so I need to do some serious catching up!

What do you have planned for the summer months?

To keep on top of my Day Zero Project I thought I'd do an update post every once in a while. It'll help to keep me focused and give me the nudge I need to get things done. I'm two months in (with 940 days left) and so far I've completed five of my 101 goals, and a further thirteen are underway. I had no idea that this post would end up being so long. Make yourself a cuppa, and get comfortable.

In progress

001. Read 101 books
Six, half way through the 7th.

014. Go on a date with my husband at least once a month (outside of harvest)
April - A trip to see the bluebells
May - Back to see the bluebells and a cinema trip to see The Lego Batman Movie

021. See a psychic
Reading booked for January 2018, this was the first available appointment with the guy I wanted to see.

029. Grow something edible in the greenhouse
I've grown mixed lettuce leaves, lambs lettuce, spring onions (2 varieties), garlic chives, cucamelons, electric daisies, and raspberries. So far we've eaten (a lot of) lettuce leaves, and jolly nice they are too.

054. Take part in a beach clean up
I discovered details of a clean up when a local business posted on Instagram. It's in the diary and I've got my fingers crossed for a little sunshine.

063. Create a 1 Second Everyday video for items ticked off the list
So far so good.

070. Make five more loans via Lend With Care
One more made. With repayments from my existing lending, I was able to lend £30.00 to Mrs Ol Pol, a 57 year old farmer in Cambodia. The day before she’d requested a 12 month loan of £492.46 in order to purchase fertilizer, pesticide, weed killer, as well as to pay for ploughing costs and labour costs. You can read her full story here. After I loaned her £30 she had £67.46 left to raise. Within a few hours two more lenders had loaned her some money and she’d reached her target. In total 15 lenders made up the loan in less than 24 hours.

I’ve said it before but I think it’s a fabulous idea. My original loan was £75.00 to a tradesperson in Vietnam two years ago, since then I've been able to lend money to four others with the repayments from that original loan.

072. Do ten things I've pinned on Pinterest 
I'll do a separate blog post when I've done all ten, I'm half way there.

076. Give geocaching a go
I've signed up to the website and selected the first location I'm going to attempt.

081. Watch 26 movies I've never seen starting with each letter of the Alphabet
If the film starts with the word 'The' I decided to ignore it, e.g. I count The Man From Uncle is an M. And so far I've watched five.

084. Keep a change jar for a year and buy something frivolous with the proceeds
Current total: £13.23. I don't carry cash very often so this might not be very fruitful but my idea is to empty my purse of anything but pound coins after I've been out spending.

086. Read a book set in my hometown
I have the book, 22 Britannia Road by Amanda Hodgkinson, and it's in the to-be-read pile. A friend of mine used to live on Britannia Road so I've spent a lot of time on this street. Weird coincidence - the day after this book arrived the character from the book I was reading at the time, The Girl In The Red Coat, visited my home town, Ipswich.

090. Take a one second clip of myself every first day of the month and create a video
This means I have to brush my hair at least once a month. Two captured so far, 31 to go. I'm using the 1 Second Everyday app, which date stamps the clips, so no possibility of me cheating and waiting for a good hair day...


If at first you don't succeed

018. Run a marathon a month
The idea here was to run 27 miles over the course of each month. The main aim being to get me in the habit of exercising regularly. As I started mid month I set a target of 14 miles for the first month, and failed to stumble a single mile. Same goes from the second month.

057. Take part in a world record attempt
On May 6th a local food hall celebrated it's 10th anniversary and as part of their celebrations they attempted the record to get the largest number of people eating a sausage roll in one place. I thought that this was too good an opportunity to miss, so I popped it in my diary. However, before leaving home I checked the start time only to discover that is was actually an unofficial record attempt (which surely just makes it a large group of people standing around eating sausage rolls?). So the search continues...


Completed

047. Create a bee friendly area in my garden
This will be an ongoing project as I intend to keep adding bee friendly plants and shrubs, but I have started by creating an area with a bee bath and lavender to entice the bees to a sunny spot.

058. Climb a tree
In my garden, so it's a bit of a cheat but I'll keep my eyes peeled for another good climber. The problem is a lot of low branches are cut off to stop such activity!


077. Write a letter to myself to open in 10 years
Done. The question is where do I put it so a) I'll remember it and b) I won't lose it?

078. Answer the 50 Questions That Will Free Your Mind
I can't say my mind feels freer, but some of them did make me stop and think, my answers, if you'd like to read them, are at the end of this post.

100. Make a video about a typical day of my life
I thought I'd do this early on in the project and then maybe do another one near the end to see how life has changed. I filmed on May 18th and now need to edit all of the clips together, so any recommendations on simple editing software, and editing tips would be gratefully received!


Here are my answers to the 50 Questions That Will Free Your Mind (answered 19/04/2017):

How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?
Younger. I've never been in a hurry to grow up. Most days I don't feel like a grown up and yet I'm currently 41, married, self employed...

Which is worse, failing or never trying?
Never trying. What's that saying? You only regret the things you did not do...

If life is so short, why do we do so many things we don’t like and like so many things we don’t do?
Fear of failure, fear of judgement. Also because sometimes we have to do things (work, food shopping, laundry) in order to live. Sometimes out of duty, feeling that we should do something 'because it's the right thing to do' even when we don't want to.

When it’s all said and done, will you have said more than you’ve done?
Without a doubt, I'm full of ideas and plans, less so of action.

What is the one thing you’d most like to change about the world?
Greed and the corrupting need for power

If happiness was the national currency, what kind of work would make you rich?
Being outside, growing things, creating beautiful spaces

Are you doing what you believe in, or are you settling for what you are doing?
I'm taking 'doing' as work. I'm doing what I know, what I'm good at. I do believe that good design is helpful, but I doubt it's the thing that will being me the most happiness

If the average human life span was 40 years, how would you live your life differently?
I'd have a family in my 20s.

To what degree have you actually controlled the course your life has taken?
I've always said that our lives are set to take a certain path so I've allowed myself to wait for life to come to me on occasion, other times I've made decisions that have altered the course of my life, but all of these things, I believe, have led me to be where I am today. And where I am today is exactly where I am meant to be.

Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things?
If I do something I like to do it well, but it depends on what the 'right things' are, who decides?

You’re having lunch with three people you respect and admire. They all start criticizing a close friend of yours, not knowing she is your friend. The criticism is distasteful and unjustified. What do you do?
Stand up for my friend.

If you could offer a newborn child only one piece of advice, what would it be?
Do the things that tug at your gut, make your heart swell, and refuse to leave your thoughts. Listen to your inner voice, your instinct.

Would you break the law to save a loved one?
Save them from what? Death, injury, hurt? yes absolutely.

Have you ever seen insanity where you later saw creativity?
I don't think I have

What’s something you know you do differently than most people?
I don't believe that I do anything differently.

How come the things that make you happy don’t make everyone happy?
Because we're all different

What one thing have you not done that you really want to do? What’s holding you back?
More travel. Holding me back are funding and my husband's dislike of flying

Are you holding onto something you need to let go of?
Certain elements of the past would be better off forgiven and left behind

If you had to move to a state or country besides the one you currently live in, where would you move and why?
I'd live by the sea, it's calming and restorative

Do you push the elevator button more than once? Do you really believe it makes the elevator faster?
No, and no.

Would you rather be a worried genius or a joyful simpleton?
Joyful simpleton. Life is never dull for the simple minded.

Why are you, you?
I'm a result of all the experiences I've had in my life

Have you been the kind of friend you want as a friend?
No

Which is worse, when a good friend moves away, or losing touch with a good friend who lives right near you?
Losing touch with a friend hurts no matter what

What are you most grateful for?
My husband, he's my best friend

Would you rather lose all of your old memories, or never be able to make new ones?
Tough one. My memories make me who I am, being unable to make new ones means I wouldn't change from who I am today whilst everyone around me moved on, changed.

Is is possible to know the truth without challenging it first?
Yes

Has your greatest fear ever come true?
No

Do you remember that time 5 years ago when you were extremely upset? Does it really matter now?
Yes, and not anymore

What is your happiest childhood memory? What makes it so special?
Climbing a large fur tree with my big brother, we'd climb as high as we could and then let go and drop down through the branches. It was so much fun, we laughed and laughed. We didn't have a care in the world and thought of nothing but doing it over and over again. We wandered home exhausted, muddy, sticky with tree sap, but happy.

At what time in your recent past have you felt most passionate and alive?
Our wedding day, it was awesome

If not now, then when?
As soon as I pluck up the courage

If you haven’t achieved it yet, what do you have to lose?
Nothing

Have you ever been with someone, said nothing, and walked away feeling like you just had the best conversation ever?
Yes. 

Why do religions that support love cause so many wars?
Because people are afraid of losing the love they believe in

Is it possible to know, without a doubt, what is good and what is evil?
Yes

If you just won a million dollars, would you quit your job?
Yes, work is not my life

Would you rather have less work to do, or more work you actually enjoy doing?
I'll take less work if I can earn the same

Do you feel like you’ve lived this day a hundred times before?
Today? No.

When was the last time you marched into the dark with only the soft glow of an idea you strongly believed in?
When I left work to work for myself

If you knew that everyone you know was going to die tomorrow, who would you visit today?
My husband and my family. I'd text my best friends to tell them I loved them, and that they made me a better person.

Would you be willing to reduce your life expectancy by 10 years to become extremely attractive or famous?
No

What is the difference between being alive and truly living?
Everyone is alive, living is filling your life with love and adventure

When is it time to stop calculating risk and rewards, and just go ahead and do what you know is right?
When you can't stand another day of not doing it

If we learn from our mistakes, why are we always so afraid to make a mistake?
Because nobody likes or wants to fail

What would you do differently if you knew nobody would judge you?
Maybe botox on my frown lines

When was the last time you noticed the sound of your own breathing?
Just before I go to sleep at night

What do you love? Have any of your recent actions openly expressed this love?
My husband. Yes.

In 5 years from now, will you remember what you did yesterday? What about the day before that? Or the day before that?
Five years from now I'll remember this time in my life, maybe not what happened on exact days but I'll remember the events of this time.

Decisions are being made right now. The question is: Are you making them for yourself, or are you letting others make them for you?
I'm making the decisions in my life right now. Some things are beyond my control (and the control of others) but I can say at this point I am making the decisions, along with my husband. We're doing it together.

 I've set myself a little goal to work on within the Fast Fashion Fast challenge  - to wear my most recent purchase 30 times or more before the end of the challenge.

Inspired by Livia Firth and her #30Wears campaign which urges us to ask “Will I wear it a minimum of 30 times?” before making a clothing purchase, to challenge the idea of fast fashion.

I purchased this glorious green skirt as a result of one of my mindless scrolling though the ASOS app moments. I wore it the very next day with a pre-loved tee and my trusty Toms. I keep telling myself that these shoes won't last much longer but they just keep going - these have most definitely been worn more than 30 times!

I wore this outfit to the Suffolk Show. The pockets (look at those pockets!!) came in handy on multiple occasions, I was able to sit on the floor comfortably without fear of flashing my under garments, and, as it's a slightly thicker fabric, there was no chance of it billowing up when the breeze got over excited.

I really enjoyed wearing this skirt. I want to wear it a whole lot more, more than 30 times in fact. It's not that it would hang in my wardrobe unworn otherwise, I just want to wear it and stick two fingers up at those who say you shouldn't be seen in the same outfit twice. Clothes are made to be worn and enjoyed time and time again, they're not disposable.

And I do enjoy a challenge of the wardrobe variety.

How would you style this skirt?

I've signed up for a summer clothing challenge - Fast Fashion Fast organised by Verena Erin from My Green Closet. It basically means no high street shopping for three months - June, July, and August.

When I signed up on June 8th, I'd already purchased a new skirt from ASOS, and I'm going to ignore that fact that just a few hours later I popped to Asda to buy some hosiery - needs must. So I might extend this challenge into September.

Why do I want to do it? Well, I love my charity shopping but if I have a specific item I need (want!) I tend to have a quick look in my local charity shops and then head straight to the high street if I can't find anything. And whilst I'm there I often buy other things too (example, my April clothing purchases).

Also, I can often be found scrolling though my ASOS app when bored and making random purchases. Although my latest ASOS purchase is fabulous, I don't have a lot to wear it with so I'll probably (almost certainly) end up buying more clothes.

I really enjoy second hand shopping, so it'll be fun to see if I can make it through the summer without stepping foot in H&M.

Having signed up to the challenge I'll get emails every few weeks with extra challenges, activities, and encouragement. Blogging about it will make me accountable. Let's see if I can do this...

And a quick thanks goes to Charlotte for not only bringing my attention to this challenge, but for also making me think about where my money goes with her Spending Diaries.

Image Source

Hello! Have you had a good week? It's been a tad disappointing weather wise, but it's been a productive and sociable week nonetheless. With three birthdays - Andy, his Mum, and my Dad - we've had a lot of family time that included a no-bake Malteser cheesecake, a Chinese take away, and several sirloin steaks.

I planted my hanging baskets. I waited weeks for my winter flowering pansies to stop looking so lovely and alive, so that I could declare them 'done'. I was finally able to do so this week, and turfed them out for some lovely trailing plants. I did love the pansies though and have decided to grow them from seed to plant in my hanging baskets in the autumn.

I made Elderflower gin. I can not wait to taste it in a few months time. I wanted to make some cordial and perhaps some elderflower delight too, but the recent wind and rain scuppered any chance of picking any decent flowers. I'll just have to wait and harvest the berries for more gin instead #everycloud

I voted

and I found a source of free books on my way home. The telephone box in our local village had been turned into an Info Box, and in it are a few shelves and a sign saying 'Please feel free to take a book', so I did. I'll return it, along with a few others, when I've finished reading it. I love that this sort of 'honesty box' mentality still exists, it really made me smile.

I ate an awful lot of lettuce. I planted too many seeds and now we have a more plants than we really know what to do with. I've given away one tray, and we're eating a huge amount of lettuce every lunchtime, and for supper too. Andy has had some for breakfast on a few occasions, I can't quite bring myself to do that. I love it, eating something I've grown myself feels like a little victory. I can't wait for the spring onions to be ready. And at least I'll know not to make the same mistake next year.

And now I'm looking forward to another Sunday cinema date with Andy, a craft and vintage market in my local town hall, trying a granola recipe, and indulging in some serious reading time.

What has been the highlight of your week?

This year

After last month's attack of the spends I thought I'd be more restrained with my spending this month, but it seems I haven't finished just yet.

Firstly, I picked up a fascinator for £6.00 and a pair of shorts, £2.50, in my local charity shop, not that I need either.

Then I decided I wanted a lace crop (but not too cropped) top to wear with the high waisted midi skirt I purchased last month. A quick look on ebay, a sneaky last minute bid, and this BNWT Topshop lace top was mine for £6.00.

I then wanted a cardigan for a funeral, for which we have been asked to wear colour. This turned out to be rather tricky as you don’t want to be too colourful, and there is a real possibility that you can look like you’re going to a wedding (especially as my most colourful items have been purchased specifically for weddings). In the end I settled on a patterned knee length skirt but I needed an appropriate top. So I purchased a cardigan from New Look that I know I’ll wear again, £9.99.

Next up I purchased 2 vest tops, £11.20 - 20% off in Miss Selfridge, to wear under the cardigan and the lace top. Talk about a cascade of spending.

Last Year


Asymmetric Knotted Sweater  |  Zara  |  £19.99
I have a love/hate relationship with this. Sometimes it's the exact thing, other times it just annoys me. Is this normal?

T-shirt bra   |  Asda  |  £4.00
Not pretty but practical and necessary. And worn a lot.

Fatface top | Mind charity shop | £3.00
This lost it's shape after a few washes, and so has been relegated to the 'stuff I sleep in' drawer.

Wrap top | ASOS | £26.00
I decided after I'd worn this a few times that I actually rather disliked it. It's long gone.


Necklace | Next | £14.00
Love this!


Crew neck jumper | ASOS | £16.00
I really rather like this. But haven't put it in a capsule for a while. 

T-shirt | Topshop | £14.00
An essential. I love the curved hem, it's really flattering.

Total for May: £35.69

Total so far for 2017: £264.95

Total at this time last year: £301.89

Looking at my purchases it's clear that May isn't a month in which I add much colour to my wardrobe.

Anyway, my total is still under what I'd spent at this time last year, and maybe now I've satisfied my spending itch I can have a more frugal month in June... we'll see - the arrival of summer always seems to make me crave new clothes.

Thanks to Elise for the inspiration and for organising the #buyersarchive hashtag.