I popped into town last week for a meeting and found myself in the middle of a photographic exhibition. I'd arranged to meet for coffee in the Town Hall Tea Room and having arrived almost 30 minutes early, I was rather pleased to find something to occupy my time. It also meant I could tick off my 'something cultural' resolution for this month without even having to try (or spend a single penny).


The exhibition is a project by Gavin King, a local photographer, called 1000 Faces. It aims to capture the differences and individuality of the people of Ipswich, the diversity and community that goes beyond age, race or ethnicity.


It was six months in the making and I have to say I found it thoroughly engaging. I love portrait photography and found that the more I looked the more I wanted to keep looking. I watched as others came in and looked, some searching for their own photo, others spotting friends. The person I was meeting was included, somewhere, but we couldn't find her.


The town hall is the perfect place to hold this exhibition, it's a beautiful building and the location of our Fairy World Record attempt last year, so I'll always have a soft spot for it.

Before the Town Hall Tea Room was opened it used to be home to an independent coffee shop, which was just fabulous, it quickly became one of my favourite places in the town. Since it's changed hands it's lost almost all of it's charm which is such a shame.


On the up side it's not normally busy and it's reasonably priced, but personally I like a place with a nice atmosphere and chatty staff. Still, now I know it's worth popping in once in a while to see what adorns the walls.

I haven't spent much time in the town centre recently so I think I need to go exploring to see what else I can find. Walking through a part of Ipswich last week, that I hadn't visited in years, meant that I found three new charity shops and a place to take a short workshop in patchwork quilting.

The 1000 Faces exhibition is on until March 1st if you fancy going along.

Week 5 of Wearing It All Again and all the wind and rain and grey days of the week left me longing for summer. I can't wait for the days when you can go out without having to take a coat or add yet another extra layer! I sent most of the week cosied up in woollens and scarves.


The blue scarf is covered in tiny umbrellas and how apt it was on the day I wore it, I don't think it stopped raining once!


For Valentine's Day (doesn't that seem like ages ago already) I wore a burgundy top under a red jumper to get into the spirit of it, I rather like to combination. Andy took me out for lunch after scoffing half the Coconut Ice I'd made for him, he wouldn't admit it but I think he made himself feel a little bit sick!


I had two days freelancing in a local studio and I'd purposely saved the grey skirt and grey stripe dress to wear as I needed to be at least a little bit smart. The dress cost £5 but the skirt was a real bargain, it's originally from Hobbs and cost me just £3.50.

I don't understand my local charity shop, they charged next to nothing for this Hobbs skirt but they put a £12 price tag on a dress from Peacocks. It wouldn't have been much more than that if it was still in store. When I pointed this out I received an icy reply 'we have guidelines to follow'. Well, your stupid guidelines suck Mrs Charity Shop. The Peacocks dress, although really nice, stayed on the rail.

I remember a time when charity shops used to cut the labels out of all clothing and sold similar items at the same price. I understand that charging more for certain brands makes more money for charities but when the pricing doesn't make sense it can put me off parting with my cash.


I wasn't sure about this jumper when I tried it on for the first time as it's quite sheer, but with a vest top underneath and some casual jeans it worked rather well. A perfect example of simplicity sometimes being the best option.

What's the most you would spend on a pre-loved high street item?

I decided that for each month of 2014 I'd do something nice, just for me and just because. I find that now I work for myself (it's been a year already) time often runs away and I find myself working almost all day, everyday. Obviously I'm not going to complain about this (I love working for myself) but some down time is necessary and if I don't plan it, it just doesn't seem to happen.

Last month I took some time out to go to the cinema and earlier this month I spent a very enjoyable morning in Woodbridge with my sister-in-law and nephew no.1. We went to Jars of Clay and, after cake and tea, each painted ourselves a little something.


Being the start of Frugal February I felt a little guilty at this non essential spending so I wanted to make something I'd use. I opted for a bowl that I could use as a food dish for my cats. It was nice to sit a chat while we painted (and the huge piece of chocolate cake I had was delicious), it's a very relaxing way to spend a morning.




Afterwards we visited a local garden centre and then Pets at Home to look at the rabbits and hamsters and such before going back to theirs for a cuppa and a bit of a sit down. Once at home I was back to work but the break was most welcome.


I returned a few days later to collect our creations and met a lovely new feline friend. Walking back to the car I spotted this chap waiting patiently outside the fish stall.


I smiled, secretly wanted to steal him and decided I had to go back to take his picture.


He popped over to say a quick 'hello' and then returned to his spot, announcing his return loudly.


His patience paid off. It made my day.


And my bowl turned out rather well. After a thorough inspection from Socks, it was deemed a success and everyone was happy.

I think this could be one of the best new year resolutions I've ever made! Have you managed to stick to your resolutions so far this year?

For an absolute age I'd been wanting to get organised about my meal planning (not to mention just more organised in general). So when Sophie wrote about her food rage recently and I found myself nodding in agreement all the way through, and then again when I read through the comments, I decided it was time to take action.

Sophie's post seemed to strike a cord with everyone. It's so nice to know that I'm not the only one that struggled and found meal planning a chore. I wanted to stop the I'm-all-out-of-ideas frustration when it came to food and what to put on the table.

So, here's what I did

First step - write an inventory.
I pinned this post about making and maintaining a freezer inventory a while ago thinking I'd 'pin now, read later'. Who knew this would be the first of many such pins I'd actually go back to and read? It's pretty self explanatory really - it's basically just writing a list. It now sits in my pantry, along with a pencil to make amendments.

Secondly, sort out my recipe file.
I had a file full of recipes taken from magazines that, more often than not, never made it to my plate. I sorted them into types - meats, fish, seafood, veggie, side dishes, baking and puddings, putting my favourite recipes at the front of each section. I'm contemplating putting a page at the beginning of each section listing my favourite recipes from books with the page numbers... just for quick reference.

And finally, make a meal plan.
When I was growing up my Mum always had a plan (she is the most organised person in the entire universe, and often exasperated at my 'winging it' way of life). Sunday was roast day, Monday was my favourite - oven chips, bacon, eggs and beans (or mushy peas). Mum called it a 'scrappy tea', I called it delicious! I was a fussy eater as a child (I wouldn't touch a vegetable) and this was the only meal I would eat without complaint, or having to sit at the table until it was all gone. I never ate it, it used to go cold and I'd sneak away from the table when I though Mum wasn't looking - little did I know that she saw everything. Anyway, Tuesday was mince - cottage pie or lasagne and such, Wednesday was... well, you get the idea.

I decided to do the same but make a two week plan to help me to cook a larger variety of meals, I often get stuck in a rut of cooking the same recipes over and over and over again. I planned meals using my inventory and wrote a shopping list for the perishable items and ingredients I'd need. I placed an online order for things needed within the next few days and kept the lists for top-up shops in my diary. I added a new recipe to try each week but mainly stuck to tired and tested (and easy) recipes during the week.

Imagine my immense smugness when asked 'what are we having for dinner', I was able to reply 'just tonight or for the next two weeks?'

I wonder how long I can keep it up?

It's a good thing that Andy and I don't make a big deal out of Valentine's Day because I forgot all about it when I decided that February would be a month of frugality. I normally make him a card and get him a silly little gift, just a token thing to tip a nod to the occasion but I refuse to give into the hype. It irritates me that the price of flowers goes through the roof and that there is so much pressure to be as romantic as possible and have the Best. Date. Ever. Pfft! Stuff that. The best nights out are always the most unexpected ones.

For our first Valentine's Day together I banned Andy from buying me flowers. He often used to buy me flowers, just because, and that was lovelier than any bunch of over priced valentines roses could ever be.

So, on February 15th 2009, I was surprised when Andy turned up with a bunch of Not-Valentine's-Day flowers, and then again the next day... and again the next. He then told me if he wanted to buy me flowers he damn well would, no matter what day it was. Awww.


But anyway, I've gone off the point entirely. This year I decided to make him a card of a different kind. I pinned this envelope card to my Pinterest projects board some time ago and happily downloaded the template (from here), but, putting my designer hat on, I changed it because a) I wanted to personalise it and b) because I can (it's a designer thing, I just can't help myself).

For a gift I decided to make some coconut ice, I found a recipe ages ago and normally make it for a treat to share at Christmas but I forgot last year. Knowing how much Andy likes it, I decided to make him a batch all of his own (the bonus being that I already had all the ingredients so I didn't have to spend a single penny - oh the romance!).

Hope you've had a lovely day however you've celebrated (or not).

So, week 4 of wearing everything in my wardrobe is done - and it's gone by in a flash!

I can't believe the weather we've been having - windy as hell one moment, bright sunshine the next. Some days have been freezing, others have felt like - dare I say it? - spring. But the rain! Oh, the rain! Whilst it's soggy and muddy under foot here, we're lucky to be in an area unaffected by the floods. My heart goes out to anyone who has been forced to evacuate their home. It must be so hard to leave, not knowing when you'll be going back and what you'll be going back to.

It rather puts my issues with weather interrupted wi-fi in perspective, whilst it's inconvenient, it's nothing compared to seeing your home slowly fill up with muddy water. Let's hope it stops raining soon.


This week I've worn a lot of my charity shop finds, my orange and red stripey jumper was £1.50 and I'm often told how nice it is. The check shirt is Crew Clothing, the photo doesn't really do it justice, and it was an absolute bargain at £3.00. The black jeans have served me well too. I must have had them for over 3 years. I've dyed them back to black a 3 or 4 times to prolong their life, there's nothing else wrong with them, they fit well, keep their shape - a real wardrobe staple.

I've been torturing myself a little today. I've been browsing shoes and boots on the interwebs, which is an utterly stupid idea when you're on a spending ban. However, I am rather short on ankle boots and shoes after my feet inexplicably grew last year, taking me from a size 5 to a size 6, so I'm seeing it as research. These are my favourites so far...


What have you got lined up as your next purchase?

I can always rely on my friends ability to have fun at a party. I went to a joint 40th birthday party recently and it was an excellent night. The theme was Hollywood Movies and we were invited to dress up as either our favourite leading actor or go for red carpet glamour. I went for the latter - any excuse to wear fabulous shoes!

I pondered my outfit for a while, I didn't want to spend a fortune and I wanted to wear things already in my wardrobe, but I rather fancied wearing a big skirt. When I saw this Coast skirt on eBay (BNWT) for £25 and knew it would be perfect. My initial thought was 'wear it with a stripey top', but I talked myself out of it, telling myself I had to wear something dressy. I spent ages trying to find something and in the end, as you can see, I went for the stripes and I'm so glad I did. I felt fabulous and very 'me'.



The top is a new addition to my wardrobe, I hope it washes well and keeps it's shape because I bought two, I liked it so much (you can never have too many stripey tops). The clutch bag is from Boohoo, it's not  place I normally shop but I was running out of options (and time). A word of advice - never try to buy a clutch bag after Christmas. There were a few I liked on eBay but I kept being out bid, the search of my local charity shops proved fruitless, and even the New Look, Accessorize and H&M sales didn't have anything to fit the bill.


The necklace I've had for ages - it's Monsoon but I won it on eBay in 2011 and this is the first time I've worn it. I love it but it's not the easiest thing to dance in (I say dance - jumping about like a loon is rather more accurate). As I boogied with the likes of Austin Powers, The Black Swan, Cruella De Vil and Scarlett O'Hara, it kept flying up and hitting me in the face. Now I understand how big boobed girls feel.


The shoes were a Christmas present from Andy 4 years ago (isn't it hard to take photos of your own feet?) and this was the first opportunity I'd had to wear them. One of the guests at the party didn't think that it was me because 'I looked too tall'. They were surprisingly comfortable, although I did take them off to dance for fear of injury.

So, there you have it, my red carpet outfit for £51.00. Not bad eh?

Love

I was tagged earlier this week by Char with a Liebster blog tag. I like these posts, they often uncover quirks and it's those quirks that I think make us interesting and different from one and other.

The Rules:
Answer the 11 questions that your tagger gave you.
Choose 11 other blogs to nominate.
Think of 11 questions to ask the bloggers that were nominated.
Thank the person that nominated you and link back to their blog (Thanks Char)

1. What is your favourite thing to do on a rainy day?
Sit by a window with a hot drink either reading or watching a film. Cats would be present and if Andy could be there too, all the better. If it's really heavy rain I can sit and watch it for ages. If it's not too cold I'll open the window so I can feel and smell the freshness it brings. Summer storms are the best.

2. Skirts or shorts?
Skirts as I love maxi skirts and maxi shorts would just be trousers. And I can't pull off the shorts over tights look, so shorts lose.

3. If you found £10 on the pavement, what would you do with it?
Buy lottery tickets.

4. Favourite colour?
Today it's blue but it changes all the time.

5. Best advice someone has ever given you?
Don't avoid having a conversation because it's difficult. This is particularly true for me, I never know how to start a tricky conversation, I totally suck at it.

6. Where would you most like to go in the world?
There are so many places I'd like to visit but right now I'd love to be somewhere warm with beautiful scenery and loads of culture.

7. What super-power would you most like to have and why?
The ability to be in more than one place at any given time, I can multitask with the best of them but sometimes that's just not enough to get everything done!

8. Who is the last person you sent a text to?
A friend and old work colleague, just a boring message about a project we'll be working on together later this month.

9. How many times per day do you brush your teeth (randomly this was a question on a survey I recently was paid to take part in!)?
Once - on instruction from my dentist. I scrub too hard when I brush and have receding gums as a result. So I clean my teeth in the morning and use a mouthwash before bed.

10. What is the last blog you followed?
Thanks to an introduction from Jenny, I'm now following and enjoying Prattle & Froth.

11. Do you prefer to read e-books or regular books? Library or shop-bought?
The majority of my books are from charity shops or Green Metropolis, the others are from the Waterstones shop in my local town as I love the shop and the building but I can get carried away a buy more than I should.

I've never read an ebook and it's not something that I feel the need to do. I love the smell of books and turning the pages. Never say never though...

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I'm not going to tag 11 people (rules are made to be broken) mainly because most of the people I'd tag, have been recently tagged anyway...

But I will tag the most recent additions to my blog roll -  Jen  //   Emma  //  Jane  //  Zoe  who's blogs I have been following (and enjoying) since taking part in #BEDN last year.

You don't need to be invited, if you just fancy taking part please do, here are my questions:

1. If you were a cartoon character who would you be?

2. What's your nickname?

3. What are you reading at the moment?

4. If you could take a year off work with limitless funds, how would you spend your year?

5. What is your signature dish?

6. What is the one thing that everyone should do, at least once, in their lifetime?

7. Have you ever given blood?

8. Do you have any tattoos?

9. Name a film that you have watched over and over again?

10. What question would you most like to ask me?

11. Do you have a favourite piece of jewellery? What is it, how did it come to be yours?

If you do take part, be sure to let me know as I'm as nosy as hell I'd love to have a read.

Love

For week 3 of Wearing it All Again I decided to focus on dresses with just a small interlude at the weekend for the most cat-tacular jumper of all time. Isn't it awesome?!


The week was another busy one with a day working in a studio in town and a last minute meeting in London - I had to wear my long grey maxi dress twice thanks to having nothing meeting worthy clean and ironed. But the challenge continues and I can't believe it's the end of the third week already.


I also can't believe that I haven't mentioned this before now, but look what Secret Santa sent me, the cutest button necklace. I love buttons!


OK, so the maxi dress is a little summery but on a bright day (which it was) and with the heater turned to max in my office, I was able to kid myself that it was June for a while. I love this dress even though it is ridiculously long and I kept getting it caught under the leg of my chair.

I'm contemplating a blog sale as I have a huge bag of clothes that I've been thinking about selling. Have you ever done one / bought anything from one? Do you think I should have one or stick it all on eBay?

Hope you're having a great week!

Love

I'm not sure where the idea for Frugal February originated but having successfully taken part a few years ago (inspired by Big Girl's Browse) and with a wish to save money this year, I've decided to do it again.

You all know the rules by now - only essential spending is allowed. Although I have to own up to having two rather fun outings already planned for this month. What's a girl to do? I'll just have to spend wisely on those days.

To help me spend less I'm going to plan my weekly meals by using more of what I have in the pantry and ban myself from buying any clothes. In January I spent just under £130 on clothes so I can't pretend I need anymore.

Since taking part last time, I've cancelled three magazine subscriptions and unsubscribed from almost all of the emails I received from online retailers. I realised that I was just flicking through the magazines before putting them to one side and forgetting about them, and my online impulse spending diminished because the I'd removed the temptation. Admittedly, I've swapped online retail therapy for a hefty Pinterest addiction instead, which is at worst a waste of time, at best it's free!

Have you taken part before? Did it change your spending habits? Any tips for saving a few extra pennies would be greatly appreciated!

Love

So much for posting this every Wednesday. The week turned out to be all work and no play, it was a good week though and very productive!

I started week 2 of Wearing it All Again seeking out items that I thought would be tricky to style at this time of year, I figured it was better to get them out of the way when I still had lots of items to wear them with.



I must be crazy to have decided to wear ankle length trousers, it's been so cold! But I had to wear them sometime, and let's face it, it's not going to warm up anytime soon it is? I've decided not to keep the khaki ones, I like them but they lose their shape quickly and I never feel 100% comfortable when I'm wearing them. In contrast I've fallen a little bit in love with the printed trousers again and I think this could even be my favourite way to wear them so far...



Deciding how to wear my white loose fitting jeans took a while. I've had them for years and wear them in the summer months - they're perfect for a BBQ or a beer garden with a bright top - but they seemed all sorts of wrong for cold weather. I didn't want to wear anything light, in colour or material, as I knew I'd feel (and probably look) like a proper twit. What ever I wore had to be winterish in order for me to feel comfortable. My hand knitted brown jumper with a dark grey top underneath seemed appropriately wintery, although I'm not sure these will make many more cold weather appearances. I'd love to be able to wear all my clothes all year round, but it's just not really practical is it?

Sunday was a very lazy day (above bottom right), sporting a new haircut and a hangover (I'll share my party outfit with you in a future post) I just wanted to drag on a sweatshirt and jeans, but I've worn almost all of my jeans already (I knew that was a bad idea) so I went for a maxi dress, big cardy and a scarf. It has to be my most stylish hangover outfit to date!

The next few days saw me working in a studio in town so I had to be smart(ish). Out came my two spotty dresses, both are loosely fitted and really easy to wear but perhaps not really smart enough?


How has your week been? Have you done anything exciting?

Love