Organisation - De-Clutter your Life

A room at a time.

Although I didn't set out to write a series of posts on organisation it appears that is where I have been heading the last few weeks so here's another one! It must be the stage we are in preparing for the building works that is making me focus on this aspect of life.

We have a seemingly insurmountable task of de cluttering our house and living in it whilst a pretty major , 6 month building project goes on. Then and only then will the new kitchen  go in. I received the first draft plan of it today......

Beyond excited!

During this time we will have rooms out of action, services cut off and at some point the whole roof will be removed and replaced - please, please not another wet summer...please.

We have to empty two very full garages completely, move an office whilst working, clear out a utility room entirely - I have still not worked out where, oh where can I plumb in a temporary washing machine . Having cold sweats about that. 

We have to brick up half of our existing kitchen so the table, sideboard, fish tank and hamster have to be re homed - oh I could go on and on and on.

The lesson I have learnt is....

WHY DO WE HAVE ALL THIS STUFF?

We don't need most of it. 

I don't want most of it.

We don't use half of it.

It just seems to get collected over the years and clogs up our house.

Now I am a constant de clutterer. I thought I didn't hoard. 

Think again Mrs A. 

I am on a mission.

Ruthless doesn't come into it.

Fear has struck in the heart of my hubby. He has seen the crazed look in my eye and knows STUFF is going.

I am going through each room bit by bit making quick decisions. I have four piles:

KEEP

SELL

CHUCK

DONATE

I am chanting these words in my sleep . 

I am singing them to my kids. 

I have turned into the crazy, singing bag lady I was probably always destined to be, BUT

Slowly ......

There is space.

I can open drawers and find only things in there that I NEED.

I look at a shelf and only see things that PLEASE me.

I can fit my children's clothes in their drawers AND shut them ALL the way .

The food in my larder is all IN DATE

I have shelves that are EMPTY in my cupboards

IT IS HAPPENING. I FEEL I AM WAKING UP FROM THE FOG OF HAVING YOUNG CHILDREN AND FINDING A LIFE AGAIN.

BRING IT ON!

Design ©2012 Another New Day

www.takingachanceinlife.blogspot.uk 2012 - 2013

All personal images are owned by Another New Day

unless stated otherwise.

Images may not be downloaded,manipulated or reproduced without prior written permission. All rights are reserved.

Commercial or Private use without explicit written consent is prohibited and action will be taken through UK and worldwide copyright laws.

Bobbi Brown Gel Eye Liner

Wednesday Beauty Buys 

A Little Pot Of Magic

There is no use denying it. As you get older, it is harder to apply eyeliner. 

Fact.

The lid of the eye becomes less firm, less elastic and more crepe like. 

Sorry.

This makes it hard to get a nice neat straight line with a eye pencil or brush. It also means that eye make up can smudge more easily and instead of improving and widening the appearance of your eyes , do just the opposite.

Oh dear.

However, having tried a fair few gel eye liners out and failed miserably with the application, I did make some progress .

I bit the bullet and blew the budget.

Bobbi Brown I love you. 

Fact.

I got the shimmer brown , this time.But it comes in loads of adorable colours so I can play too.

This gel eye liner goes on beautifully. 

Stays on beautifully. 

It is very forgiving and does not sink into fine lines and creases.

 It does not budge! 

Love, Love, Love.

Nothing more to say.

Buy it Here.

Design ©2012 Another New Day

www.takingachanceinlife.blogspot.uk 2012 - 2013

All personal images are owned by Another New Day

unless stated otherwise.

Images may not be downloaded,manipulated or reproduced without prior written permission. All rights are reserved.

Commercial or Private use without explicit written consent is prohibited and action will be taken through UK and worldwide copyright laws.

Spring Has Sprung

The Grass Has 'Riz.....

I Wonder Where My Breton Is?

Well technically speaking it is still flipping freezing and this is not a breton, but the sun has shone nearly all week. 

I found my linen striped jumper I got last Spring and it has that feel good factor about it so, despite it's lack of wool content, it had to be worn today. 

I love pairing spots and stripes still ( last seen here).  This scarf will be a Spring favourite again I think.

 These jeans were a Zara bargain this week for £12.00 . I couldn't walk away from that, especially as my last beloved Zara jeans are way past their best. They are a lovely blue/grey colour and I have worn them constantly since I got them!

 The Boots were a steal at Next in the Autumn for under £30 . I have loved them all winter and will continue wearing them into the Spring. Suede wedges aka Rebecaa Minkoff.

My favourite nail colour of the moment. - Essie angora cardi. A lovely deep, dusky pink. Love it. Looks chipped here - it isn't !!

I came across our wedding photos in my big sort out this week. Boy do I look young AND wrinkle free in those pictures. 

15 years and 3 kids does some damage! 

Still.....

A close up - tired this week , but proud of those lines and wrinkles - they tell a lot of stories!

I may be brave in April and post a wedding photo on our wedding anniversary!! 

A few codes courtesy of Savoo to help top up your Spring wardrobe on a budget!



20% off all orders and free delivery and returns with Boden

25% and free delivery of all orders at Dorothy Perkins

Printable 25% pass off Dorothy Perkins

10% of all orders and free delivery with Asos with VALENTINE10

Linking up with Visible Monday 

Frugal Friday - Spring Spending

Keeping to a budget....again.

We have a had a lovely week of fresh Spring sunshine . Bitterly cold still when walking along the sea front, but I can handle that with the sun on my face. It has been just glorious having the children home from school with no sickness and the sun shining. It  makes all the difference doesn't it?

However, I always find despite my best intentions, having the children off always bumps up the budget, mainly for food!

 I don't spend a lot on taking them to paid days out. We spend enough on their sports clubs during the term times to be doing this as well. We are fortunate to live in a beautiful part of the country where we have entertainment that is free of charge within minutes of our house. The children are members ( £9 a year) of our villages tennis court which is 3 minutes from our house. We have a full size football pitch 2 minutes from our house. The park is at the bottom of our road. The beach is a 5 minute drive away. The list continues. We enjoy these "free" activities to capacity before spending on expensive days out.

I  find I get to this time of year, the sun peeps out and suddenly I am yearning after new clothes and fresh decor and plants for the garden. For some of us it just seems to be in our nature! I am always planning and scheming about the next thing.

Fortunately this year I have our extension to keep me occupied, but usually these are some of the things I keep in mind to help me stick to a budget:

• I ask "Need" or "Want"
• If "Want" then wait and save for it.
• Plan, Plan, Plan. I enjoy a spend so much more if I have planned it in, decided what I want and am saving for it.
• How will I "feel" next week if I buy this today. Sometimes we buy things for that quick , instant feel good factor. That wears off. Avoid emotional buying.
• Walk away and think about it.
• Don't go into the shops you love if you know you shouldn't spend.
• Don't deny yourself all the time. I find this ends up with you "falling off the wagon" and having a big splurge. It is better to have a reasoned spend from time to time than constantly deny yourself the things you like to do. ( As long as you can afford it)
• Write down what you have spent each day- it will shock you how the small purchases add up
• Take out your "spending money" each month in cash. That way you won't be tempted to just "pop it on the card."
• Don't take your credit card shopping with you.

I think there is a whole other blog post on "Emotional Buying" in there somewhere, that if we were honest a lot of us have struggled with at some point and at times probably still do. 

How do you deal with the temptations of new Spring clothes, fresh decor, booking a nice hot holiday, treating the kids when they are home etc etc.........all within a budget?

Design ©2012 Another New Day

www.takingachanceinlife.blogspot.uk 2012 - 2013

All personal images are owned by Another New Day

unless stated otherwise.

Images may not be downloaded,manipulated or reproduced without prior written permission. All rights are reserved.

Commercial or Private use without explicit written consent is prohibited and action will be taken through UK and worldwide copyright laws.

BirchBox

 February


Another great box this month from BirchBox. I am really enjoying the contents of these boxes now. Some great new products to try and tailored to your own requirements too.

The Contents

Vicky - Eau Thermale - thermal sap water with 15 minerals and 13 trace elements. it can be used as a toner, to set make up or as a refreshing boost.  Full Size £7

Korres - Guava little shower gel -  with wheat proteins and aloe vera to hydrate skin. Divine. Full size £8

Nick Chavez - Leave in Thickening Mist - Spritz on hair before drying. Full size £13.90

Gerda Spillmann - Cream Make up - Sets to a powder finish . Full size £20

Daily health Booster - orange flavour - mix with cold water and drink! Full Size (20 pkts)£20.99

Birchbox eyelash curlers - Full size £10

Keep up the good work Birchbox!

Design ©2012 Another New Day

www.takingachanceinlife.blogspot.uk 2012 - 2013

All personal images are owned by Another New Day

unless stated otherwise.

Images may not be downloaded,manipulated or reproduced without prior written permission. All rights are reserved.

Commercial or Private use without explicit written consent is prohibited and action will be taken through UK and worldwide copyright laws.