Tips for the house and your savings, plus a fab dress

I first started blogging as friends were always saying I should share my helpful hints for around the home and budgeting and although I've probably mentioned them before it was a long time ago so here are some handy tips.

1. If you cans of tuna fish that are stinking out your bin, put the can in separate plastic bag and place in the freezer until rubbish day.
2. Use fruit and vegetable peel as compost for the garden. Keep a sealable bucket outside and fill it with your off cuttings, you'll be doing your bit for the environment too.
3. If you don't have a garden and the off cuttings seam to always find a way to leak through the bin bag, also put them in the freezer until rubbish day.
4.  Need to pick up little bits from a table cloth or threads after you have finished sewing, use a lint brush, I use mine for everything.
5. If your lipstick is a shade too dark, lighten it with some foundation or cover stick. My current 24 hour lipstick is a bit pale and pinky so I brown gloss on top of the lipstick and seal it in with the 24 hour balm, the lip gloss stays on a long time and it is a great shade.
6. Best way to cut a pineapple or melon…Cut the pineapple/melons into rounds, then peel each round with a knife, I usually cut a V shape into each round so I can easily start, then cut the rounds up into pieces.
7. Drying your clothes inside and find they are taking a while to dry or are drying with wet patches, that is probably because there is not enough air flowing through them, if possible hang them over two bars on clothes dryer or put them on a hanger and hang the hanger on the clothes dryer, this will also save on the ironing.
8. Yellow nails from wearing nail polish for prolonged lengths of time, dip your hands in some lemon juice (remember to test a finger first to make sure you are not allergic) and remember your nails need to breath, take your nail polish off at night and repaint in the morning or better yet give them a whole day to breath.
9.  Going to a picnic, take a cheap shower curtain (you can get them for a £1 in the Pound Store) with to put under your blanket, a lot less cleaning and shaking will be needed for the blanket.
10. Have too many items lining around but not enough space, get a box that doubles as a little table. I keep my weights in one in the lounge which doubles as table and as I don't have space for a shoe rack I keep my everyday shoes in another one that doubles as a seat to sit on when you first walk in to sit on and take your shoes off.

Some budget tips

1. It is that time of year again when new ISA's (Investment Saving Accounts that are tax free) are rolled out. Even though the interest rates are a lot lower especially if you don't have oodles of cash, it’s still worth it. Remember you can have a new ISA each year so whatever you have saved in previous years in an ISA is still tax free. . If your ISA was on a special rate last year look to see if you can transfer it into your new ISA. Last year’s rate has probably dropped and you won't be earning much interest. But as in all things it depends on your circumstances. I found that Cheshire Bank’s Poppy ISA had the highest interest rate for starting with a balance under a £1000-00 but you cannot transfer in previous ISA’s. So I compared this with a few more and considering the value of my current ISA it would be best to leave it where it is and try transfer it in next year. Check out Martin's Money Tips for more advice.
2. Shop around, use voucher codes and websites. Grocery shops are getting more and more competitive as the belts tighten. Tesco now also gives you a voucher back like Sainsbury’s if your shop would have been cheaper at one of the other main grocers.
3. Save money on electricity by switching off if you don't need it on. I.e. leave a room, switch off the light, switch the TV off at the power switch and all other such devices don't leave them in idle position. Not using a cell phone charger, unplug it, it still uses small amounts of energy while just lying there plugged in. You'll not only be saving some pennies in the long run but helping the environment too by saving power.
4. Think about this, you turn on the hot water tap to wash your hands, but by the time you are finished the water is not warm, all you have done is used power to start warming the water but as you turned if off as quickly as you turned it on you have just wasted power, rather use the cold tap.
5.  How much money do you spend on bottle water, depending of course on where you live if you are lucky enough to drink the water out of the tap make your own bottle water by filling a bottle with water. You will again not only save money but also help the environment with there being less water bottles lying around.

Before I go if you are not watching the Great British Sewing Bee on BBC, then get watching. This is one of my favourite dresses that I have made. I received the Pattern Simplicity K2588 free with the Sewing Magazine and as I already had the material all I had to buy was the lace, so I think in total it cost me a rainy day and all of £4-00 to make.  I used a stretch material and it fitted much better.  I'm bias but I think the red adds that little something extra...

Make up wonders of BB Cream and Foundation

When I was younger I was embarrassed of my freckles this led to me wearing copious amounts of foundation on my face or as we called it base. As I grew older and became more accepting of my freckles I also realised that the goo I was putting on my face was not doing my skin any good, not to mention that I struggled to find a colour to match my pale complexion and was prone to outbreaks. I'm also one for a natural complexion preferring to have an all natural foundation aka glowing skin, which was the greatest advantage when I stopped wearing foundation. Fast forward about 10 years though and call it age or its just in my head, my face looks a bit drab to what I would prefer so on a foundation hunt I went. Foundation has of course evolved dramatically over the years with technology it is now super light, contains SPF and other vitamins. So I settled on Maybeline Eraser. For those days when my skin needs a little pick me up, The Eraser is a perfect with an anti aging formula containing SPF 18, goji berries and collagen.  
Then came BB cream which has also evolved a lot since it first hit the shelves last year..Of course I was delighted to be able to find Garnier's BB Cream was not only light on the skin and suited my complexion but contained SPF20 and came in a combination to oily skin formula.  The choices are endless.   So now when I look in the mirror and think my face looks a bit blotchy or uneven BB cream to the rescue or if it just needs a little bit of cheer up I use my Maybeline Eraser Foundation and if I’m lucky to have a good natural glow with no blemishes, just some blusher to the cheeks.  As I seem to be a little bit behind on the make up front I enjoy reading the Small Things Blog, Kate has some great tips and I've learnt about products I did not even know exisited before, make-up really has evolved.
To stop my new found make up collection falling all around my handbag I've made a cute little make-up bag. The thing about make up bags are they are super easy to make and can make for a great first time sewing project. Check youcanmakethis.com for a great pattern.

And before I go a hint of my next sewing project for myself:)

Happy sewing.

Pretty Flower Dress and some pink for Spring

Well I hope everyone has had a blessed Easter. Easter in England occurs in the Spring which seems to be in hibernation this year due to a high pressure system from Siberia.....brrr is an understatement. Five years in London and not taking my regular trip to South Africa in January has indeed made this a very long winter. I though have decided that I am bored with all the blacks and greys so I brightened up my wardrobe, who says you can't wear springier clothes when it’s still chilly out. My latest sewing project is a combination of Simplicity Pattern K2444 and New Look (NL) Pattern 6141. The combination sprung from a big oops I made with NL 6141. I bought some lovely pink material when on holiday in South Africa in November and proceeded to cut it out for this dress, I was surprised to see a lot of material left over but didn't think anything of it.  I decided to use the rest of the material to cheer up my blacks and quickly make a pink A-Line Skirt. The skirt looks fab and brings some cheer to the cold weather and drab skies. I sat down the next week-end to make my dress. I did the top part no problems, came to do the skirt and oops, I had forgotten to cut out the back of the skirt, no wonder I had enough for the A-Line Skirt.  Thanks to the great technology we have these days I was able to Whatsapp my mom a picture and she was able to get me some more material. Not risking the post so the next one home has a package to bring back.

Oops this is going to be a bit drafty

It will look better once finished, skit pinned on at the moment

Chilly Spring Dressing, looks fab with some pback stockings and shoe boots.

 
 I used my last lot of material bought in South Africa, a brown viscose with blue flowers on it for the combination.  My idea from the start with this material was a dress I could wear with my causal brown boots in spring if it was a bit nippy and right through to autumn. The Simplicity pattern needed just over 2m of material and I only had a 1.5m and so my improvising began. I pinned the top part of K2444 onto Emma (my sewing model). I was lucky to already have the bottom part of NL6141 cut out and so I pinned the bottom skirt piece of NL6141 to the top of K2444. I then added some length to the skirt as the NL6141 top was longer, fiddled with the pleats a bit and cut a seam in the back and Bob's your uncle.   The darts in the top of the dress are really flattering and feminine and the many options with belts really do accentuate the waist and nip it in nicely. Though I have opted for the non belt option.  The pleats make the dress even more flattering around the middle and thighs, not to mention the way it doesn’t cling to the bottom.   I've dressed it up below, one dress so many ways.

Lunch in the park

Office meeting at work

Chilly starts, add a leather jacket

Warmer days

 

I've also decided after seeing Elle Macpherson at 50 that I need to look after myself better. I do not know what Elle's secret is but my Spring time resolutions are:

• To eat more fruit,
• Get back into my walking,
• Ensure I sit, stand and walk up straight

And yes I am dead serious about the last point. I've noticed so many people lately when I look around seem to be slouching and look hunched over. By standing up straight we look so much more beautiful and confident. Not to mention that the stomach muscles get a mini work out, the body breathes better and you in turn you will just feel so much better. Good posture is a great asset to have and after all who really wants a hunched back when they are older. . Also don't forget to moisturise from top to toe every morning and night including the all important and so easily neglected neck and décolleté area. Happy Spring....

Blue dress blunders, the WEDDING of the year and some Easter Treats too

 

On Friday I attended my friend Sarah's wedding reception. I had no doubts that this was going to be the wedding of the year and let’s say there was no disappointment on the day. This was my first UK wedding and by that I mean just attending the reception, the bar has been set high. Sadly I didn't get any photo's, though I did record the band, so I've used Emma my model below.  

  Being me I had of course planned weeks if not months ago what I was going to wear, my new blue lace dress that I made. Except for the hem the dress was finished. So the weekend before I did the hem and all was well until I tried it on. The dress is stretchy and it fitted and laid well before the hemming. After the hemming well let’s just say it was no longer laying well the lining was pulling the lace up and it was not a pretty picture for a perfectionist such as me. I then decided to hand stitch the lining (which is stretch linen) and the lace hem together as they were the same length, still a no go, so I endured the horrible task of unpicking the lace hem, if anyone has ever had to unpick on lace before and has a good secret of how to please share.


Two hours later I was all unpicked, I then had a brainwave and I satin stitched the lace instead of hemming it. My overlocker/zerger does not do the traditional roll hem, so I set my zigzag stitch to really small on my sewing machine and performed a neat satin stitch at the end of the lace. Unfortunately my problem persisted so onto plan B, I pinned the lace to the lining about a centimetre from the bottom and then proceeded to jump up and down without getting stabbed by a pin to see what would happen, it sat perfectly so I quickly stitched the two together and tada my dress was ready.
Now for the wedding. It was a stunning setting but not too formal and everything screamed all things Sarah which just made it that extra bit special. From the grooms braces; to the The Trans Siberian Marching Band; to the scrabble pieces on the tables used to identify the very original table names which your name was matched to (also served a dual purpose of keeping  the children busy the whole night); to the opening dance, sung by a close friend of the couple, this was a truly special and one of a kind wedding that I won't forget. Love is defiantly in the air for the new Mr & Mrs Brazier. The table decorations where sticks from her parents garden that she had spray painted white and then covered with pink flowers, I thought she had rented them from a private firm, they looked that amazing, there was little quiz cards on the table with fun questions of how well you knew the lucky couple, apparently I know her a bit too well and my score was stalker! The Trans Siberian Marching band rocked and after all the dancing the hog roast was most welcome not to mention the wedding cake of cheese and crackers. I do think Sarah should go into planning spectacular and one of kind weddings because it was simply just beyond fabulous. Thank you Sarah and Liam.


Now I couldn't post this blog before Easter without some Easter Crafts. So here is a picture of some Easter bunny bags I made courtesy of www.sewcanshe.com . I do think mine could also pass for carrots. I bought some little Easter eggs which seemed to be in abundance this year on the shelves and filled each bag with a mixture. Check out the blog post at www.sewcanshe.com for the down loadable pattern and tutorial posted on 4 March.  Happy sewing and may you have a blessed Easter.

Actually save some money

I seem to find that everyday items keep going up and up in price. So to help me save better I decided to read Susan Calhoun's book on Investing with Small Amounts a bargain at only £1.92 for an e edition. The how to put aside extra cash points are great and even though I did most of these already it was nice to know I wasn't alone in scraping and saving as much as I can.  I'm now on the hunt for a similar free e book based on the UK finance system. 

As I’m very good at budgeting and saving money below are a few tips that always seem to help me and I do hope they will help you too.

• My number 1 saving tip is always to ask myself if I really need it, just because it is on sale doesn't mean I need it.
• If you can make it yourself and save money give it a go, check out my recipe page for these yummy biscuits.

 

• Every month I put aside money for Christmas and Birthday presents then when the sales start, I'm ready to get all my Christmas shopping and Birthday shopping done at a fraction of the price but still get the great gifts for my friends and family that I wanted. 
• Instead of having speciality coffee every day I treat myself to one on a Saturday morning when I'm out shopping or going for a walk and it might be all in the head but I swear that Saturday skinny latte tastes better on a Saturday.
• I have started doing my shopping once every four or five weeks depending on when the pay cheque comes in.  I get to take advantage of all the 2 for 1 offers for which the freezer is great for.  I make sure I buy enough to cover lunch for the next month (yes I pre-pack lunch every day and save a fortune) and buy enough snacks to last me too, though my biggest weakness is rationing the snacks to one a day but out of sight, out of mind.  The only thing I need to buy on the week-end is milk, fresh fruit and salad for my lunch.  My new shopping routine has saved me quite a bit of cash as I'm not running to the shops during lunch to buy a snack and on a week-end I don't have to worry about a grocery shop, time saved too.  Plus I earn more store points when doing one big shop when I take advantage of the double points.  So all in all my piggy bank is very happy.
• I write out a budget every month and ensure whatever I put on my credit card I have the cash in my bank account to pay for it. 
• There is nothing wrong with budget shops, I  buy Timotei Shampoo from Wilkinson for £1.99 and I am constantly asked how I get my hair so shiny
• For DIY and interior around the house, get yourself to the market, there are lots of great locally made items that are of a high quality that won't cost you the fortune that a high end retailer will.  Though I have to admit that the one lesson I have learnt is that good quality lasts longer though might cost a bit more now it will save you pennies in the long run. 
• Instead of bulking up your wardrobe with item after item that you might not wear, accessorise, accessorise, a great collar goes along way.  Check out this great sewing blog A Common Thread on how to make your own.  I also love SewCanShe Sewing blog for great ideas on things you might never though of doing.

So start saving and think about what to invest that extra cash on. 

 

Time to tighten and tone and fight the cellulite.

Those who know me know I’m a bit of an exercise junkie and even though I'm not as exercise mad as I used to be, I still manage to ensure that what activity I do from vacuum cleaning to just walking down the street I come up with a way to work some extra muscles as I go.  But first to get you in the frame of mind to do some fab quick toning exercises some fashion blogging.
 I have pasted below my 3 fave dresses at the moment that fit me perfectly after all the toning I've been doing.  Same pattern, New Look 6045  ; 3 dresses;  all different. After making the first one which I thought was going to be so difficult, I was wrong it turned out to quite simple to make, so I got a bit more adventurous ~ see for yourselve bleow.  And when I had to attend an awards event at the last minute, a full length lace evening dress in the same pattern seemed the obvious choice.  One of the reasons I just love sewing there are so many choices, keep scrolling down and the toning exercises follow. 







Tone, tone, tone
 

1.  Forgo the bus trip to the station and walk, simple as that.  When you walk remember to always keep your back straight, tummy in and tighten your bum muscles with each step.  This works even better when walking up hills.  Put the bus money in a jar and start saving some extra cash while you are at it. 

2  I did a blog last year on Tim Ferriss's 4hour body, I'm still doing those exercises and the results are showing.  Take 5-10 minutes every second day to do the following:

Lie on your back, legs at 90 degree angle and slowly lift your bum off of the floor curling your toes as you go and pushing your heels into the floor, do this very slowly for a count of 20.  Then get on all fours and do some horse kicks, using the same arm and leg, lift your arm forward and your leg out until it is parallel with the floor for a repeat of 15 on each side.  Do this slowly; I count to 5 each time. 

 

3. Cleaning house, make sure your back is straight and your tummy is in, work those stomach muscles as you vacuum, dusting bending your arms, using extra muscle power as you go.

4. I suffer from the dreaded cellulite curse and I have tried most things to get rid of it and have my own tried and tested methods that work for me.  Having tried most creams the best cream I have come across that works is Annique Circulex Cellulite Treatment, it burns when you put it on but it works, hey no pain no gain right.

5. Every morning and evening I use a body brush and brush off all those dead skin cells, then when I've got out of the bath or shower I lather on cream from top to toe and rub in extra hard on my thighs and bum with a massager.  Remember you need to get the blood flowing.

6. The best exercise I have found for cellulite is the leg lunge.  Now I know a lot of people will be saying I hate lunges, they don't work and I don't have time.  I've tried them though and for me they work.  I do mine while brushing my teeth.  Just remember to go slowly and keep your back straight.  I find if I count repetitively so 1,1 then 2,2 and so on they seem to go quicker, yes it is all in the head.  Make them fun and do them to your favourite song.  Bored after a while there are a few types of leg lunges, have a google and see what you can find. 

7.  Speed up your metabolism by drinking freezing cold water first thing in the morning, eat slower, sit down when you eat at a table making sure to sit up straight and chew your food properly.  I recently read that eating by candle light or with the lights dimmed helps you eat slower and digest your food better, how true this is I don't know but it’s a good excuse for more romantic meals. 

7.  Do a bit of activity before eating a meal this will also help speed up your metabolism and I find aids the digestion of my food.  So for 3-5 minutes before dinner I get down on the floor on all fours, cushion under my knees, put the radio on and some bum exercises, I do one leg to a song and alternate each night between the bent leg donkey kick, straight leg donkey kick and the double leg extension kit.    Remember always to go slow and keep your back straight and tummy in, this way you are not only tightening your bum but your tummy is working too.   (click on the bum exercises link above to be taken to a fab workout for your bum, demonstrating these exercises)

8. If  you want nice arms like the lovely Michelle Obama, start doing some push ups,  granted you won't be able to do many at first but if you start off slow aiming for 5, then every week increase your count, you'll be doing 25 in no time and have fab toned arms no more bingo wings.  And  even though push ups won’t stop gravity they help keep your breasts perkier. 

9.  Most importantly don't forget to smile while walking, you'll feel better, ooze out confidence and though it won't happen over night in a few weeks you will start to feel more toned, who knows you might even start to enjoy exercising a bit too. 

 

So start walking and get toning.

 

 

 

 

The Red Dress and a Floor Steamer

Rocking the Red Dress
Now I know the rule of thumb is to always have a LBD (little black dress) but I can’t help myself and also have a LRD (little red dress). As most skin tones and hair colours in my opinion can pull of red its always a winner, brighter and cheerier than black but still smart. Just double check your make up when wearing red as I personally need to make sure I wear greens and browns when wearing red clothing. No pink lipstick or any imperfection in my skin it shows up. Now this style is from the same pattern as the flower princess style dressed I showed last week but as you can see, different material, different colour, completelly different dress. It is still princess style so very flattering. This dress orginally had long sleeves but I wanted to wear it all year round so I took them out and finished off the shoulder seams with some red bias binding. I have to share this little fact with you; I found the bias binidng in the bottom of my mom's sewing box and as it still had the pence sticker on it was clearly bought before she immigrated to South Africa so about 30 years old. Some things were built to last. Back to the red dress, for a smart office look in winter, black tights, knee high heeled boots (always polished), court shoes or my favourite this season ankle boots with a smart jacket. For a dressed down office look wear it with a cardi instead of the jacket. Now this isn't a dress I would wear casually on the week-end but its great for going out to dinner and can easily be worn from the office day look into the dinner night out look. In summer and spring simply loose the knee high boots and tights. I think this dress looks great with some ankle boots and a mac for the fresh spring look.







Exercise tip for your legs to look even greater in your fab red dress, do calf raises while brushing your teeth, go slowly and ensure you do them for 2 minutes the amount of time you should spend brushing your teeth.  Do normal front ones then turn your toes out and then in.  No excuse not to exercise:)









Beroe I go a  Home Cleaning Tip you'll love. 
A few weeks ago I welcomed to my home as a house warming gift from my mom my new best cleaning friend the Polti Steam Cleaner. Now I’m a bit of a clean freak so normally I’m a scrub the floor type of gal, contrary to the believe of most people I really do scrub the floor on my hands and knees. Pictures will not be circulated of these actions though. Anyway my new flat has a lot more flooring and tiles to clean so I decided to invest in a floor steamer. Orginally I wanted one just for the floor but the lovely sales man at John Lewis (the best place to buy electrics by the way due to their extended warranty, competitive price and just good old fashioned customer service that counts) convinced me that I should go for a more multi functional one. I can clean the shower, the oven, windows, upholstery, carpet its great. No more limescale on my shower door. I simply sling it over my shoulder and glide along the floors, then pressure steam what ever else needs a clean. The brush also gets inbetween the grit on the tiles. The Polti has numerous brushes for attachments and you can even steam clean windows. It doesn't use any cleaning products just water so its saving me money on cleaning products and was cheaper than plain floor steamer I was orginally interested in and most importantly it works and does what it says on the box. How do I know this, I actually took a clean cloth over the kitchen floor to see if it picked up any dirt, the answer was no. While searching for the link today I also discovereds that it helps with dust mites, eczema, hayfever and asthma, I shall be using it on even more surfaces now.

As summer is heading my way next week I’m going to share some new and old tips on cellulite fighting and tighting that bottom!!!