Superscrimper make

Yet another discovery I am afraid....

I find it really difficult to find reasonably priced, varied and quality fabric in Devon or Cornwall at the moment. Then, as luck would have it, that Mrs M came through again. Just look at this website! As long as you can get passed the naff website, I am sure it is a diamond in the rough kinda discovery.

Superscrimper make

This week is a bit of a cheat, not so much of a make as a bit of a discovery. The link will take you to the blog of one of the ladies on the show and although some things aren't relevant to me, her innovative cheap ideas more often appeal.

Nicolette's DIY page, has to be one of the most inspiring around. My inner crafty is just itching to get started!

Superscrimper make

Ok, so enough of the household focus for this little piece. This week it is a recipe we have tried!!

This is what ours looked like:



I have also done a cost analysis for this pasta recipe, I halved the quantities stated because there is only two of us for dinner. I sent Andy to work with the left overs for lunch. This meal cost us .....

Superscrimper make

Next of course on the list had to be fabric conditioner!

How did your washing powder go? I haven't done it yet.... I really will though! I need to!

I think for this fabric conditioner I will want to compliment the lemon I chose for the powder so I will be picking a conditioner that isn't too strong.

Superscrimper make

Yes, I am obsessed with making my own washing powder. I have seen so many recipes out there and never given it a go. So, I will be attempting this recipe soon! I promise, I will also take photos so that I can come back and review it!

Such a simple recipe for washing powder I am sure it will be beneficial to our family to not only pay less, but know the ingredients on our skin. I will need to keep a container ready for this too....

Working out

Since this little lady of mine appeared I have been achieving all kinds of goals for myself, around the home, budgeting and getting myself back into shape. Shape I didn't even get married in!

So far, Jillian has been kicking my butt. I am aiming to do the 30 Day shred 3 times a week. So far so good I am up to 2 times, which is progress!

My mum found these problem area mini workout that I have been attempting! Again, I aim for each night before bed. Yet to get there, but I know I will once I have printed the sheet I made myself. Except the printer is right next to nap time in mummy's bed!

Other than that I try to walk as much as possible - cutting our petrol costs and my waist.

Food wise I have been trying Clean eating and Paleo recipes. These help my imagination and have enabled me to 'diet' on budget, my meats aren't grain fed organic but they are what they are. One day I won't worry about money as much.... maybe... but that's not for right now.

I am not really up for sharing before and after photos just because that feels a little too personal for me. However, I have gone from a horrible size to a not so bad size to working on a I am ok here size.

Superscrimper make

I was going to write my own tutorial for these paper hearts I saw on the show but instead, this link will take you straight to it!

I found them really straight forward and I don't measure mine, I can get 2 hearts from 3 pieces of paper. They are a seriously inexpensive way of decorating any cabinet, wall, nursery, kitchen well, in my opinion they look cute anywhere.

Once I have decided with Andy what the theme to Isabelle's birthday will be I am sure I will make some up as a decoration for some part of the house. My baby is 1 in September? :(

Finding my way back to you

Every now and again I think I am getting the hang of things, then something changes and goes out of the window. Life I guess.

Anyways, Andy and I took a walk through Mutley Plain charity shops today - one of my favourite places for bargains. Andy managed to find a baby sign book I have been toying with buying for us for about 6 months now, and it was £1.50! Originally on amazon this costs almost £4. So not a huge saving but I was certainly pleased not to pay post and packaging too!

I am coming to the end of my maternity pay now and this is when the real budget has to kick in, to see if we can make it on one wage. I think this budgeting will get me back into blogging a little more simply because I need to be even thriftier than ever, with food, presents, clothes. Everything. Life in general has to become less about things and more about making the most of what we have. I know we can do it, it is daunting though.

I don't know if anyone else watches Superscrimpers on UK channel 4? If not use the link! You will be amazed and inspired. It is one of those programs I feel like I need a notepad next to me to keep the ideas ready for research later. Andy and I never fail to find something new to have a go at - even if it is just the beauty tips!!

I make no promises for this space, but I think I will be keeping my ideas here and I will try to keep this space up to date with as many tips as possible - provided I am saving enough money!

quick make #6

I am definitely planning on decorating the hall we have hired for the christening with http://www.themotherhuddle.com/how-to-make-paper-pom-poms/ these cutesy pom poms, i am planning different shades of pink and different sizes in little groups to  the room up a bit. 

Mummy Motivation

So I am still pregnant writing this but I have spent a lot of pregnancy promising myself that I cannot let myself become a mum that doesn't take care of herself and let things become too much for me.

I know that I need to find a way of incorporating the baby into any routine or exercise plans I have, but I am sure I can do it. Maybe not right away and quite probably it will be baby steps to start with. I just know that I need to keep my relationship with Andy just as much as I need to keep my happiness with me. Which means I have a lot on my plate!

Yet when there are dresses like these out there, a girl gets excited and motivation kicks in again!! All dresses are from ModCloth

     

I can definitely see a pattern forming!! 

I think this one <<< might be my favourite!

So who knows, I might treat myself to one of these as I start achieving my weight loss goals. You are more likely to see me thrifting and sharing the awesome scoops I find once I am happier. I definitely want to wear more dresses and I think I will need to invest in some good tights and flats after winter is done - I have enough boots to be happy for now!

What is your motivation? Do you have any tips for me?!

Beauty on a budget ... Part 3 Olive oil

For the third part of this Beauty on a budget series I came up with the idea of using things we probably already have in our homes, after all our budgets can only handle so much luxury!!!
Olive oil is a really great base for sauces and cooking in general.
In the Mediterranean, it is rumoured that a lot of the health problems the UK is suffering from are not present because of the consumption of a healthier diet - based around olive oil.

For the purpose of the beauty on a budget series, I have started to use olive oil on my elbows and hard skin on my feet. This is great at softening the skin and creating younger looking fresher skin.

My newest experiment has been using olive oil in rejuvenating face masks. Mix a teaspoon of olive oil with 1 mashed banana and use after the bicarbonate of soda micro-dermabrasion (in a previous post)
I think this will become my new sunday evening routine as I am finding it is really helping bring my spots out - not great but my theory is the sooner they have appeared the sooner they can leave!!

Beauty on a budget ... Part 1 Bicarbonate of soda

Well, after a fruitful day car booting (therefore spending) I felt like a bit of a pamper (but on a budget) this evening. I really love Clinique products but the cost reflects the quality!!

I use the number 2 range I think, its about combintion skin anyway. As I am still early twenties my skin is very erratic and sometimes its really ok, and other times I just want to scream!!

Today was one of those days, I hadn't washed my hair because I wanted to dye it but I felt really ugly for most of the day! Just one of things that I am sure most ladies can relate to... so I popped a little Baby talc in my roots to make them less shiny. This is something I really rely on these days otherwise I would have to wash my hair every day and I just don't have the time. But to the point.....

Teeth Whitening
I am only speaking from experience and would really recommend speaking to your dentist before trying this, I use Bicarbonate of soda to whiten my teeth. It costs about 50p from tesco's in the home baking aisle and its brilliant! It has so many exciting uses I am sure my home will never be without it. All I do is mix a teaspoon with a little water to make a paste. I then use my toothbrush to spoon it onto my teeth - DO NOT swallow whilst brushing your teeth in the normal way. It will taste disgusting. I wont lie! However, if you do this every other day and only once a day  - on the other occasions just use your normal toothpaste, I use a sensitive pronamel one to in theory help build the enamel where you have just stripped it with the bicarb. I am amazed by my results and it is something I have stuck with for quite a few months now.

Microdermabrasion
This sounds very clinical but its not! Basically, your skin is always growing and shedding. But it can build up and it helps to remove it to bring out the new more youthful skin underneath. Again, speaking from my own experience, I have found that using 3 teaspoons of bicarbonate of soda with water will really tighten your pores and strip back the skin. It is vitally important that you do not do this too often as it would probably make the skin raw and red. I use this skin treatment once a week just to freshen my face and dry out any spots.If you have any trouble with sensitive skin I would suggest doing a test patch somewhere hidden just in case!! Once you have rinsed the paste off of your face, towel dry. Make sure you wait until your skin goes shiny before applying your moisturiser to let your skin breathe. Then I would suggest a rich moisturiser as you have taken a good layer of skin off.

The above beauty treatments are things I have developed myself and therefore only tried on myself. I have not had negative effects but that doesn't mean you wont. Therefore, if you try any of my ideas do not expect the same results.