I wore this outfit on Wednesday. I had to take the youngest grandson for a hospital appointment to Cambridge in the afternoon so managed to get a quick swim in before; 22 laps. I wore this green corduroy skirt by H&M; 1.00 rail somewhere, a white Gap shirt also 1.00 rail and this cheerful yellow jumper by Mc&Co which I picked up from Barnardo's in Ampthill. 1.00 rail. Green boots by River Island from my Barnardo's.
Had a much needed haircut on Thursday and got my eyebrows done. I also did the food shopping and worked on the Hydrangea blanket. It's almost done...
It was 7 degrees on Thursday morning; quite chilly! The camera is still not taking its usual photos; I just don't know why..
Lace effect leggings M&S retail and boots; both presents from my daughter, tunic; 1.00 rail and Gap shirt underneath; as above. All jewellery charity shopped. I'd planned to go out for a walk after I'd done everything I wanted to do; but it rained and I don't enjoy walking in the rain. I thought there was a bus walk on Friday but I'd got my dates muddled up so I did my own bus walk instead. I caught the bus to Milton Ernest and walked back to Bedford - 7 miles. The bus stop is at the bottom of my street and I just have to swipe my bus pass! I am really enjoying being an official pensioner and plan to spend a day in Oxford soon catching the (free) bus there and back! This was Friday's outfit:
Everything charity shopped. Phase Eight top, M&S skirt; boots have no label. I remember buying these tights in the Cat's Protection charity shop ages ago; they are a German brand and were 3.99.
All jewellery charity shopped. I bought the earrings - and several other pairs - in one of the Hospice shops when I was at the hairdresser's on Thursday. It's the only time I get to this charity shop and I nearly always find something.
Another pensioner perk is free flu jabs. I took advantage of this when I was in Ampthill on Tuesday and had my first ever flu jab. I had flu on two consecutive years in the early 1990s and it wiped me out both times. If I can avoid ever having to suffer that again, I will.
Saturday was quite a good day with sun and wind. I walked to Biddenham and back; 5 miles and snapped the autumn foliage on this beautiful tree.
Everything charity shopped. The suede skirt came from Oxfam in West Hampstead; can't remember where I got the top from; the brown jacket by Viyella; 1 euro in the Donegal Animal Charity shop. Boots online retail.
All jewellery charity shopped. Did anyone spot I had odd earrings on? I only realised when I saw the photos; I'd tried two different pairs on and forgot they weren't matching...
After my walk I went to see my friend Ann and we spent the rest of the afternoon catching up.
Sunday's outfit. I bought this green tunic by Savannah Miller for 3.95 when I went to the hairdressers on Thursday. Cardigan by Next also charity shopped as are the boots (River Island) and the leggings; H&M - both from my Barnardo's. The leggings are black with dark green splodges.
All jewellery charity shopped. The earrings were another of the 1.00 pairs from the Hospice shop.
OH and I went to the last of our local car boot sales on Sunday. It was very disappointing. There were very few stalls and most of those had childrens' and babies' items. It was also a really chilly day; my hands were so cold I wished I'd worn gloves! I did manage to buy a dress for 50p and two necklaces each for 50p. Then it was home to do the housework and cook the dinner. I also finished the Hydrangea blanket on Sunday:
I hope Hilary likes it!
I've certainly enjoyed making it; the pattern is very easy. You can see above where the inspiration for the pattern and colours came from - real hydrangea flowers. Attic 24 uses inspiration from nature a lot and then tries to find suitable colours. Very successfully, I'd say! I could have bought the yarn pack in these colours, but it works out extremely expensive. Instead I make use of my stash; almost all of which has been picked up in charity shops.
I may make a second Hydrangea blanket in different shades of blue and give it to my middle grandson's little brother. His mum asked me to make one for him ages ago. There's quite a lot of good TV at the moment, so I can crochet and watch at the same time. I'm currently reading the Coco Chanel biography that I picked up from my Barnardo's last week. What a fascinating woman she was...
Even though it was half term I still went to volunteer at Barnardo's on Monday. There was so much stuff to sort, tag and put onto the shop floor. We have the Christmas launch coming up where all the Barnardo's Christmas branded stuff is put out; I've volunteered to do an extra day that week. I bought two jumpers from the 50p rail; a couple of necklaces and two pictures; one of which is for Hilary.
I didn't go to the foodbank as it was half term. I set off for a swim at midday only to realise as I approached the pool that as it was half term there wouldn't be lane swimming during the day; only in the early morning or evening!
It was quite a chilly day so I wrapped up well.
This is one of the 50p jumpers (by Tu) bought at Barnardo's on Monday.
Skirt by Topshop and also charity shopped. Boots charity shopped in Oxfam in Bedford.
I wore my 'And Other Stories' denim jacket which I bought at the 3:16 charity shop for 5.00. Thick cable pattern tights also charity shopped, but I can't remember where from.
All jewellery charity shopped;
I went to Newport Pagnell for a rummage. I bought another scarf (!) a top by Boden for 2.00; and I found a lovely pair of earrings for 1.00 in the Willen Hospice shop. The only drawback was they were post earrings which I don't like very much. But I have jewellery pliers in a range of sizes and lots of hooks that turn earrings into drop or dangle earrings. When I got home I got the pliers out and set to work and now I have a pair of large pearl earrings plus a small pair of square diamond earrings. I often do this with earrings that I see; or sometimes I remove parts of earring to make them simpler. I bought both the pliers and hooks from ebay some years ago.
And talking of jewellery look at this:
My bag of shame. AKA as a bag full of bangles - mostly plastic in assorted hues.
I had 8 baskets full of bangles that sat on top of my cupboard. Every time I reached into a basket or went to lift one down; bangles would fall on the bedroom floor with a huge clatter. Why did I need 8 baskets of bangles - all colour coded? I didn't. I've just bought them because they're always plentiful in charity shops and they're cheap. I've been buying them for years. And of course I like them; but not enough that they keep falling to the floor. So on Wednesday after my walk of 7 miles; I sorted them out and got down to 4 baskets (from 8!) that sit neatly on top of the cupboard and aren't too full. The bag of shame will go to one of the nearby charity shops.
This is the top from Boden bought yesterday for 2.00 in the Willen Hospice shop.
All jewellery charity shopped.
Frayed bottom jeans (by me) from Next; charity shopped and brogues Tesco sale a few years ago.
Can you see my neat baskets on top of the cupboard? Prior to the clearout they each had another basket balancing precariously on top!
It was quite a cold day on Wednesday and although I had socks on my ankles were cold.
On Thursday afternoon, my daughter, me and two youngest grandsons set off for a trip for a couple of nights stay in Saltburn by the Sea. We had never visited this part of the country before and I was keen to see Whitby. We stayed in an airbnb which was very good; but the weather was awful. It rained so heavily on the drive there it was like driving in fog; I couldn't see the tail lights of the driver in front! My daughter drove us back and the conditions were the same on the return journey. In fact the weather made us return early on Saturday as we had exhausted all the indoor possibilities - crazy golf etc...
This is Saltburn by the Sea. It had stopped raining
when we arrived and the sky was this strange pinky colour...
We set off for Whitby on Friday and as luck would have it it was Goth weekend; because of Halloween I assume. You can read all about Whitby, Goths and the Dracula/Bram Stoker connection here.
This group of obliging people allowed me to take their photo. There were some wonderfully costumed people walking up the 199 steps to St. Mary's Church and to the Abbey, but I didn't like to take their photos without permission and we could have been there all day if I had! Some fabulous costumes were seen and then of course the rain descended. We then made out way to Skelton where we played an 18 hole indoor Crazy Golf game which was great fun and then went out to get something to eat. Both evenings we played cards for 5p stakes. The grandchildren really enjoy games. I had intended to bring a game called Articulate with us but had forgotten it. Tried 2 different places to buy another (which I would have given to my daughter for her house) but there were none to be found.
We found this poor dead lizard outside the walls of the abbey as we circumnavigated it. Youngest grandson said he knew it was dead - because 'his tongue was sticking out and that's a sign that something is dead'. Such innocence!
Whitby Harbour from the steps going back down to the town.
Harbour wall, Whitby.
A replica of Captain Cook's 'Endeavour'. James Cook, explorer came from this part of the world and there is a museum devoted to him in Whitby.
I'd also hoped to have a quick whizz round the charity shops in Saltburn on Saturday before we left. but the weather was so awful I didn't bother! I did look at one (I saw 3) in Whitby; the prices seemed to be quite high...
This lovely tweed fabric caught my eye when I went to Ampthill a week ago and I couldn't resist this tunic for 5.00. The colours aren't properly defined in the outfit photos.
All jewellery charity shopped.
Worn with brown leggings; M&S retail and brown boots; charity shopped. I wore this on Sunday when I went to see my son. It was a lovely sunny day but very, very chilly. I was however very grateful the incessant rain had finally stopped. I hope the ground has a chance to dry out a bit otherwise when I lead my walk on Wednesday it will be very muddy...
Grandson had a teacher training day so I only went to the charity shop for two hours on Monday. It was busy as usual and for a change I sorted out and decoded the bric a brac.
This was what I wore. All jewellery charity shopped. Another 1.00 pair of earrings from the Hospice shop.
Joe Brown dress bought BNWT in a Donegal charity shop for 10 euros.
The green footless tights were bought online last year and the green boots were charity shopped from my Barnardo's. Orange boiled wool jacket bought in the Hospice shop in Kempston last year, I think.
Hope you're all keeping warm!
Had a much needed haircut on Thursday and got my eyebrows done. I also did the food shopping and worked on the Hydrangea blanket. It's almost done...
It was 7 degrees on Thursday morning; quite chilly! The camera is still not taking its usual photos; I just don't know why..
Lace effect leggings M&S retail and boots; both presents from my daughter, tunic; 1.00 rail and Gap shirt underneath; as above. All jewellery charity shopped. I'd planned to go out for a walk after I'd done everything I wanted to do; but it rained and I don't enjoy walking in the rain. I thought there was a bus walk on Friday but I'd got my dates muddled up so I did my own bus walk instead. I caught the bus to Milton Ernest and walked back to Bedford - 7 miles. The bus stop is at the bottom of my street and I just have to swipe my bus pass! I am really enjoying being an official pensioner and plan to spend a day in Oxford soon catching the (free) bus there and back! This was Friday's outfit:
Everything charity shopped. Phase Eight top, M&S skirt; boots have no label. I remember buying these tights in the Cat's Protection charity shop ages ago; they are a German brand and were 3.99.
All jewellery charity shopped. I bought the earrings - and several other pairs - in one of the Hospice shops when I was at the hairdresser's on Thursday. It's the only time I get to this charity shop and I nearly always find something.
Another pensioner perk is free flu jabs. I took advantage of this when I was in Ampthill on Tuesday and had my first ever flu jab. I had flu on two consecutive years in the early 1990s and it wiped me out both times. If I can avoid ever having to suffer that again, I will.
Saturday was quite a good day with sun and wind. I walked to Biddenham and back; 5 miles and snapped the autumn foliage on this beautiful tree.
Everything charity shopped. The suede skirt came from Oxfam in West Hampstead; can't remember where I got the top from; the brown jacket by Viyella; 1 euro in the Donegal Animal Charity shop. Boots online retail.
All jewellery charity shopped. Did anyone spot I had odd earrings on? I only realised when I saw the photos; I'd tried two different pairs on and forgot they weren't matching...
After my walk I went to see my friend Ann and we spent the rest of the afternoon catching up.
Sunday's outfit. I bought this green tunic by Savannah Miller for 3.95 when I went to the hairdressers on Thursday. Cardigan by Next also charity shopped as are the boots (River Island) and the leggings; H&M - both from my Barnardo's. The leggings are black with dark green splodges.
All jewellery charity shopped. The earrings were another of the 1.00 pairs from the Hospice shop.
OH and I went to the last of our local car boot sales on Sunday. It was very disappointing. There were very few stalls and most of those had childrens' and babies' items. It was also a really chilly day; my hands were so cold I wished I'd worn gloves! I did manage to buy a dress for 50p and two necklaces each for 50p. Then it was home to do the housework and cook the dinner. I also finished the Hydrangea blanket on Sunday:
 |
| Source: Attic 24 blog. |
I've certainly enjoyed making it; the pattern is very easy. You can see above where the inspiration for the pattern and colours came from - real hydrangea flowers. Attic 24 uses inspiration from nature a lot and then tries to find suitable colours. Very successfully, I'd say! I could have bought the yarn pack in these colours, but it works out extremely expensive. Instead I make use of my stash; almost all of which has been picked up in charity shops.
I may make a second Hydrangea blanket in different shades of blue and give it to my middle grandson's little brother. His mum asked me to make one for him ages ago. There's quite a lot of good TV at the moment, so I can crochet and watch at the same time. I'm currently reading the Coco Chanel biography that I picked up from my Barnardo's last week. What a fascinating woman she was...
Even though it was half term I still went to volunteer at Barnardo's on Monday. There was so much stuff to sort, tag and put onto the shop floor. We have the Christmas launch coming up where all the Barnardo's Christmas branded stuff is put out; I've volunteered to do an extra day that week. I bought two jumpers from the 50p rail; a couple of necklaces and two pictures; one of which is for Hilary.
I didn't go to the foodbank as it was half term. I set off for a swim at midday only to realise as I approached the pool that as it was half term there wouldn't be lane swimming during the day; only in the early morning or evening!
It was quite a chilly day so I wrapped up well.
Skirt by Topshop and also charity shopped. Boots charity shopped in Oxfam in Bedford.
I wore my 'And Other Stories' denim jacket which I bought at the 3:16 charity shop for 5.00. Thick cable pattern tights also charity shopped, but I can't remember where from.
All jewellery charity shopped;
I went to Newport Pagnell for a rummage. I bought another scarf (!) a top by Boden for 2.00; and I found a lovely pair of earrings for 1.00 in the Willen Hospice shop. The only drawback was they were post earrings which I don't like very much. But I have jewellery pliers in a range of sizes and lots of hooks that turn earrings into drop or dangle earrings. When I got home I got the pliers out and set to work and now I have a pair of large pearl earrings plus a small pair of square diamond earrings. I often do this with earrings that I see; or sometimes I remove parts of earring to make them simpler. I bought both the pliers and hooks from ebay some years ago.
And talking of jewellery look at this:
My bag of shame. AKA as a bag full of bangles - mostly plastic in assorted hues.
I had 8 baskets full of bangles that sat on top of my cupboard. Every time I reached into a basket or went to lift one down; bangles would fall on the bedroom floor with a huge clatter. Why did I need 8 baskets of bangles - all colour coded? I didn't. I've just bought them because they're always plentiful in charity shops and they're cheap. I've been buying them for years. And of course I like them; but not enough that they keep falling to the floor. So on Wednesday after my walk of 7 miles; I sorted them out and got down to 4 baskets (from 8!) that sit neatly on top of the cupboard and aren't too full. The bag of shame will go to one of the nearby charity shops.
This is the top from Boden bought yesterday for 2.00 in the Willen Hospice shop.
All jewellery charity shopped.
Frayed bottom jeans (by me) from Next; charity shopped and brogues Tesco sale a few years ago.
Can you see my neat baskets on top of the cupboard? Prior to the clearout they each had another basket balancing precariously on top!
On Thursday afternoon, my daughter, me and two youngest grandsons set off for a trip for a couple of nights stay in Saltburn by the Sea. We had never visited this part of the country before and I was keen to see Whitby. We stayed in an airbnb which was very good; but the weather was awful. It rained so heavily on the drive there it was like driving in fog; I couldn't see the tail lights of the driver in front! My daughter drove us back and the conditions were the same on the return journey. In fact the weather made us return early on Saturday as we had exhausted all the indoor possibilities - crazy golf etc...
when we arrived and the sky was this strange pinky colour...
We set off for Whitby on Friday and as luck would have it it was Goth weekend; because of Halloween I assume. You can read all about Whitby, Goths and the Dracula/Bram Stoker connection here.
This group of obliging people allowed me to take their photo. There were some wonderfully costumed people walking up the 199 steps to St. Mary's Church and to the Abbey, but I didn't like to take their photos without permission and we could have been there all day if I had! Some fabulous costumes were seen and then of course the rain descended. We then made out way to Skelton where we played an 18 hole indoor Crazy Golf game which was great fun and then went out to get something to eat. Both evenings we played cards for 5p stakes. The grandchildren really enjoy games. I had intended to bring a game called Articulate with us but had forgotten it. Tried 2 different places to buy another (which I would have given to my daughter for her house) but there were none to be found.
We found this poor dead lizard outside the walls of the abbey as we circumnavigated it. Youngest grandson said he knew it was dead - because 'his tongue was sticking out and that's a sign that something is dead'. Such innocence!
Whitby Harbour from the steps going back down to the town.
Harbour wall, Whitby.
A replica of Captain Cook's 'Endeavour'. James Cook, explorer came from this part of the world and there is a museum devoted to him in Whitby.
I'd also hoped to have a quick whizz round the charity shops in Saltburn on Saturday before we left. but the weather was so awful I didn't bother! I did look at one (I saw 3) in Whitby; the prices seemed to be quite high...
This lovely tweed fabric caught my eye when I went to Ampthill a week ago and I couldn't resist this tunic for 5.00. The colours aren't properly defined in the outfit photos.
All jewellery charity shopped.
Worn with brown leggings; M&S retail and brown boots; charity shopped. I wore this on Sunday when I went to see my son. It was a lovely sunny day but very, very chilly. I was however very grateful the incessant rain had finally stopped. I hope the ground has a chance to dry out a bit otherwise when I lead my walk on Wednesday it will be very muddy...
Grandson had a teacher training day so I only went to the charity shop for two hours on Monday. It was busy as usual and for a change I sorted out and decoded the bric a brac.
This was what I wore. All jewellery charity shopped. Another 1.00 pair of earrings from the Hospice shop.
Joe Brown dress bought BNWT in a Donegal charity shop for 10 euros.
The green footless tights were bought online last year and the green boots were charity shopped from my Barnardo's. Orange boiled wool jacket bought in the Hospice shop in Kempston last year, I think.
Hope you're all keeping warm!
