For the last week or so I have been mostly in survival mode – hence things have been a little quiet over here. My energies have been focused on purely doing what I need to make it through each day, and keeping our home in a clean and liveable state whilst making life normal for my kids! It’s a hard time of year for us and this one has been especially tough for one reason or another, and usually my instinct is to want to hibernate. I have a little, but I have also made the effort to be more sociable with new friends, and make an appearance on the toddler scene here in the village. As a result I have met some wonderful women who have embraced me and made me feel very welcome, and each one has accepted me in my loss without judgement – it has been a real blessing.
With each anniversary that passes, I find that I am learning ways to get through it and protect myself and my grief, and only focusing on the day to day essentials. Taking a break from stuff, walking during the day, and watching more TV on a night have certainly been the right decision for me this time round.
With staying more local I haven’t really had a lot of time to scrat around the charity shops and hunt for things, but I did have a lovely shopping trip with my sister yesterday and got some great deals to show you, as well as managing to finally get a pair of kitchen stools for our breakfast bar. There are sales galore starting and deals already on the shelves in preparation for Christmas (WHAAATTTT???!!!) so keep your eyes peeled, but for me in my little corner of the world, here are the frugal things we found this week.
Kitchen stools from Gum tree
When we looked round our house I loved that it had space in the conservatory for a dining table, but also a big enough kitchen to eat at one of the counter tops. I imagined Ethan and Megan eating breakfast together and doing homework whilst I made dinner… it was a lovely space and yet we haven’t been able to use it in that way yet as the previous owners kept the stools.
Thursday however things changed, when I had another scout on gum tree (as I have been doing weekly) and found a lovely pair, originally from Ikea for just 25 quid!
I was so excited (as were the kids), and they already make a huge difference to our morning routine and containing mess to one area. I have enjoyed sitting on them too and they completely transform the kitchen into a more sociable space. Thank goodness again for gum tree and another great bargain.
3 Chocolate Oranges for £2
Oh man I totally went a little nuts inside when I saw this offer the other day with my mum in Tesco but restrained myself. My husband however did not and rocked up after swimming last night with 6! I mean who doesn’t love a good chocolate orange? they are so tasty and a real treat, but 6??? really??? I’ve hidden them in my present box and will monitor their consumption!
So yes – right now (hoping it’s still on) you can buy one and get 2 free at Tesco. They are on at £2 each which is more that they are usually in places like home bargains and even the pound shops, but when you’re getting 3 of them for £2 its a really great deal (just 66.6p each to be exact!). So get down to Tesco quick and stock up for Christmas….if they’ll last that long!
Free Veggies
This week the schools clubs began and Ethan and Megs were both accepted into “Gardening club”! I will probably talk about it more on the blog because I think it’s brilliant, but basically it’s one of many free after school clubs their new school runs, and they were both super enthusiastic to join it and do something they have loved helping their grandma with over the Summer. I think it will be a fantastic experience for them to learn more about plants, nature, growth, harvesting, food, pruning, hard work, and so many other things along the way too.
This week in their little club they were in the school gardens doing harvesting! Each child brought home a bag of goodies for their hard work and I was so excited for some free onions, corn on the cob, cabbage and potatoes – several things for soups and stews for FREEEEE! You can’t really get more frugal than that now can you?? A free club reaping free veggie goodies for the fam – Brilliant!!!
Clearance stores at Princes Quay (Hull)
Hull shopping scene has changed A LOT since being a teenager and is a lot different to the whole host of places I enjoyed in Leeds too. But what it does have that I thoroughly enjoy is a new outlet floor in the Princes Quay shopping centre. Yesterday I went with my sister and bought a £34 jumper in Next clearance for £6 and a £56 Checked shirt in Jack Wills clearance for just £9!!!
The jumper is thick and has cool puff sleeves so will be great for the cooler months ahead, and the shirt is just plain cool. I have never had a rich blue like this one and I love the frill collar too – I am totally wearing it next week for Britmums!!
Okay so way more deals and frugally things than I initially thought, so if you’ve made it this far you deserve a chocolate orange… or 3… for £2!
