Inside my wardrobe....

Today has been an up and down day-I had to come home from work this morning as I was feeling unwell. Unfortunately I think I have caught a stomach bug which kinda sucks as I seem to get them all the time. Right now my stomach is ok but it feels very sensitive-I know it isn't IBS but I feel generally rather under the weather and weak. It reminded me that I really need to start taking care of myself-I don't eat much fruit and veg or take vitamins which is quite naughty of me. I have a low immune system anyway so I am not doing myself any favours. From now on I am going to try and take care of myself a little more-my diet is still quite studenty and also my cake addiction is rather hard to stop! It seems like every day there is a new cake on offer at work and I don't have the willpower to resist!

Anyway, onto the main topic of this post. Recently, I have got my sorting socks on and organised my wardrobe. If you saw it before, you would be slightly shocked, i do have a lot of clothes which I kinda just keep but don't wear, I just don't want to part with them. However this means I am currently stuffing loads of clothes in boxes and I have limited space. Thankfully I am not particularly a shoe lover and I only have about 9 or 10 pairs of shoes, only about 4 of which I wear lol. It is looking much neater now :) and looking through my wardrobe I thought I would show you some of my favourite dresses (I have about 50, seriously!)...

Forever 21 Collar Dress

I love this dress, it is so simple and easy to wear. It is covered in bird print and I lurrrrveee peter pan collars. I can wear it to work too as it's not too fancy or fussy. Perfect :)

Forever 21 Sailor Dress

Again, such a nice simple dress but it's a fav. As I have mentioned, I am pretty obsessed with anything nautical and I have been known to wear this, my anchor necklace, earrings and bag...sad but true. 

Primark Boat Dress

This was on sale quite a few years ago now but I still wear it all the time. It is super comfy, it only cost about £7 and of course, it's boat print! Can't get much better than that.

New Look Art Deco/20's Dress  

This is my ultimate favourite dress, it's beautiful. It has delicate beading all over but the 20's/art deco style is to die for (for me, anyway) and what's even better is that I bagged it for a fiver in the sale when it was originally £40.

Boohoo Floral Prom Dress

Michael bought this for me last year to wear on my birthday from boohoo.com-it is not quite as garish as it looks in the photo, I love anything 'prom' like and it has a netted tutu underneath. I hope to wear it at some point this year, it's lovely. 

New Look Palm Tree Dress

This dress is fitted in a 50's style and I love the palm tree print-I wore it all of last summer and on holiday and plan to do so again this year! Again, I also love this as it was another bargain-it was reduced to £5 as there was a tiny rip at the back but it's barely noticable...not really worth a £20 reduction but I'm not complaining!

Anyway I am going to try and get rid of this tummy bug by resting, drinking water, drinking horrible blackburrant medicine...wish me luck. Only have 2 working days and then it's half term! xoxo

Cheryl's guide to frugalness...part 2

So I thought today I would focus on how to be money-saving when it comes to gift buying-as someone who is always buying little things for people (it's an obsession of mine!) I have found ways to cut costs, be creative and make gifts that little bit more personal for my loved ones. For the past few days in particular, I have been working on a lovely little gift/project for Michael (because I am such a nice girlfriend) just to express my cheesy love for him. 

Basically it involves NO COST but quite a lot of effort and time, however I think it's worth it. Using Windows Movie Maker, I have created a lovely slideshow/video using a song we mutually love, photos from our time together and some cheesy one liners about how much I care (which are all true, sorry!)..it took me about 3 hours but I plan to burn it onto a DVD and it's such a lovely personal gift I would recommend it to anyone who is low on cash like moi but wants to give something special to someone. It doesn't just have to be for a boyfriend/girlfriend, you could create a little video for parents, brothers/sisters, friends...I really like the end result to be honest and I would much rather recieve it than an unpersonal box of chocolates. Unfortunately, I cannot upload it on here (tried many a time!) but here are some screen caps from it :)

Here are some other moving-saving gifts ideas...

1. Buy something cheap and make it prettier

As gifts, I often buy relatively cheap things like candles (Primark actually do lovely smelling ones) and I make it look nicer by putting some ribbon around it. I also do things like with flowers (bought for about £3-£5 from a supermarket, remove the packagaing, cover in some tissue paper and ribbon). It looks much more attractive and you've got a great gift for hardly any money!

2. Re-use re-use re-use!

  To save money, I almost always re-use things like gift bags (I just take off the tag) and also wrapping paper. I know it may seem a bit stingy but why spend £1 on a sheet of wrapping paper when you can do it for free?

3. Consider buying gifts online

Sometimes it can be risky because you can't actually SEE the items but most of the gifts I buy people are bought online for a discounted price. I search websites like Ebay and Amazon and often get almost-new books, DVDS etc. Groupon is a nice website to buy vouchers which could be used as gifts and it's free to sign up.

4. Make hampers cheaply

I think mini hampers make a lovely gift, not just at Christmas. Buy a cheap wicker basket on Ebay, some roll of ribbon and fill it with a few items perhaps based on a theme-for example if you are buying for a cake lover, you could fill it with a recipe book, a cake tin etc. It's so lovely and personal and to save money, if you plan in advance, you could buy one little item each week to fill it up and after a few months, you have a wonderfully unique present.

5. Make a 'photo' gift

I love these and they can be made for under a fiver most of the time and when you can personalise it yourself, even better. I usually use a website called Truprint (just upload your photos on there) and using my pics, I have created things like a photo collage (only 99p), whacked it in a pretty frame and bob's your uncle...you have a pressie! You can also create photo books which you can add words too-when printed they look lovely and glossy and again, very cheap.

Anyway I think that is enough money saving for one day! I am boiling hot right now! I am planning to watch my *cough* One Direction *cough* DVD now...have a lovely evening everyone. XOXO   

Cheryl...tries to stay positive!

So whilst I haven't had the best morning (hello Sunday morning anxiety attack) I am trying not to let this beat me. Yes, it does feel crap not being able to go out because you feel overwhealmed with emotion and panic but whilst I am at home I am trying to keep myself busy. In a week's time I shall be heading off to lovely Southport with my mum for a nice holiday. Southport is a highly underrated seaside town, close to Liverpool, and we always love visiting-having already been there in 2001, 2002 and 2006. 

 

My mum and I like having holidays together as it means we get some quality mother-daughter time and it's always nice to reminise about old holidays. There are still so many places across the world I want to visit and whilst I am restrained right now with my fear of flying (most I have managed is a 3 1/2 hour flight), I am hoping to build up to going further afield. Here are some places I would love to visit over the next few years....

Berlin

 Maybe not an obvious 'dream trip' choice but I have always wanted to go to Berlin and with it only being a few hours away it is definitely possible. I have never been to Germany before and I would be interested to try the food and also discover some of Berlin's gems including its beautiful architecture.

Vienna

Again, another beautiful city which I have always wanted to visit-looking at pictures it seems to be full of beautiful buildings and lots of history-my favourite kind of place! Again, it is definitely within reach only being a few hours away and hopefully one day we will make a visit.

  

New York

 I am pretty desperate to visit New York and I always have been-especially since a certain favourite show of mine started 5 years ago! When I think of New York, I always think of Home Alone 2 and it's a dream of mine (and probably everyone elses!) to visit NY at Christmas. However, with it costing £700+ it's not something I have ever really made the effort to save up for, really I should! Michael is not particularly interested in going but hopefully one day I will be walking down Times Square and strolling through the Upper East Side. 

Montreal, Canada

 Another place I would LOVE love love to visit. I always thought the flight time was like 10 hours but after research was happy to discover that some flights only take around 6-7 hours. That is doable, I think. Montreal's beautiful buildings astound me...plus CANADIAN MAPLE SYRUP. Say no more.

Helsinki

Finland looks like an awesome place to visit and Helsinki is only a 3 hour flight from London. Of course, it is a cold place to visit but the thought of snuggling up walking through pretty squares like this...is a nice romantic thought :)

Sicily

I just love Italy. Being part Italian (my Grandad was from southern Italy), I feel very drawn to the country. As I have mentioned a squillion times, Michael and I are going to Florence and Rome in August. We have also visited Verona and the Lakes in previous years but last on my list to visit in Italy is Sicily-I mean just look at it! It's so picturesque. *sigh*

Where would you go?

xoxo

p.s: I do not own any of these pictures

Cheryl...buys stuff!

Well thankfully today I feel a whole lot better :) I think getting it out is always the best form of therapy for me whether that is through this blog or talking to others. The heat is horrible though, I have always been more of a winter girl and whenever it gets this warm I just turn into ultra grumpy Cheryl! I am so glad that I have a week off soon and also that the summer holidays are more within sight. I have been trying out new hairstyles because due to the weather, I just can't wear my hair down. However I HAVE used the new heatwave as an excuse to get new clothes because of course, my summer wardrobe needs updating each year ;) I am not one to follow trends to be honest, if anything I wear things that were popular a few years ago and buy them cheaply on Ebay. I got this majorly cute Hello Kitty dress (world's biggest HK fan here, hiya!) for ridiculously cheap on Ebay and I love it because not only is it nautical but the Hello Kitty 'ness' is quite subtle-as much as I love the HK I am a bit hesistant to wear it all over me at the age of 25. 

I also bought this lovely white/black polka dot skirt from New Look using a 20% off code and I love it but I also don't have much to go with it yet (possibly another excuse to get some t-shirts...). However I found this Blondie t-shirt at the back of my wardrobe, way back from my teenage years, thankfully it still fit and I think it works with this skirt don't you?

I may also be purchasing a few items from a new lovely gift website I found called dotcomgift shop. They have some really kitsch and unusual items for really reasonable prices. I definitely recommend having a look-I especially love these pink retro alarm clocks :)

I am looking forward to the weekend now and especially Eurovision! I have ordered in some cocktails (ready made lol) from Tesco's so I can have a bit of a drinky to belatedly celebrate my new job. Take care everyone xoxo

Cheryl...reflects on life

Today is one of those days

I just feel so unmotivated and low.

All day I have had to paint on a smile when all I wanted to do was cry.

What is wrong with me? Is it just the heat?

Who knows, maybe I am just over-tired and with work being so busy I just feel like curling into a ball for a while.

As soon as I got home I let it out and after reassurance from my mum and lovely snuggles from Michael I felt a bit better.

I know I should be happy right now-I have a new job which is something I have been aiming for, for so long.

But I guess depression works in mysterious ways. It likes to hit you between the eyes when you're feeling strong.

Maybe it's change?

I don't think my depression and anxiety like change very much, it allows it to breed.

But I WANT change and the only way I can deal with it is just to 'get on with it'.

I said I didn't like that phrase when it's used regarding depression but sometimes I guess it is relevant. I have to keep moving on

because ultimately it will be good for me.

My mind is a constant balance between the rational and irrational and sadly the latter normally wins.

What gets me through these days is the fact that they don't

occur ALL the time, they are getting less frequent and

I have more good days than bad. I am grateful for that.

I am so thankful for my holiday soon, it is much needed and I cannot wait to just sit on the beach without a care for the week.

I must must not let this feeling overcome me.

Sure, I can let it out but that will be that, if I let it linger then I am letting it win. However if I let it pass and focus on what is really positive then it's ME who is winning.

xoxo

Cheryl's guide to frugalness: Part 1

So as Mr Cheryl and I are both teaching assistants, we don't exactly bring in a hefty sum of money each month (I can't even pay off my student loan but maybe that is a good thing?) However we make enough to get by and whilst right now we cannot afford to rent our own place (when a London flat costs £300-£400 a week can you blame us), we are happy living at home with my mum. We have been living together for many a year now and I in particular have grown to be rather a frugal and thrifty young lady. Michael loves the deals but lets face it, us girls know how to find a bargain and save money. Whilst I make enough money each month to pay rent and bills and treat myself to a few nice things (hello weekly takeaway) I still have to be very economical when it comes to every day living and I thought over the next few weeks I would share with you all the ways in which I save money in every day life. Before you know it you will be as frightfully frugal as I am.....

ONLINE GROCERY SHOPPING IS A BEAUTIFUL THING  ...

 Buying your food shop online is a beautiful thing and I don't know what I did before it was invented all those years ago (erm, went to the shop?) and whilst it may be considered lazy, it also has major plus points where saving money is concerned. Before I decide who to shop with (Michael and I do our food shop fortnightly plus a few mini shops) I browse around the main 3 supermarkets and see which has the best deals that week. Shopping online means that you can see the deals instantly without having to trawl through shelves-the computer can do it all for you! Another benefit of shopping online apart from the obvious removal of lugging and sweating is that you don't get tempted by all the pretty things that supermarkets carefully place in your eye view...things that are nice but you DON'T REALLY NEED. Most supermarket websites now have a 'favourites tab' so you can just buy what you normally buy without browsing too much and gettting tempted. The only thing Michael and I don't buy online (we do buy veg and don't normally have a problem) is meat such as chicken and beef as you can never fully guarantee its freshness unless you see it yourself. We buy bulk meals such as ingredients to make a two day pasta and only what we really need. Lastly, before buying my shop I ALWAYS check to see if there is a voucher code I can use and more often than not I can get some money off (every little helps, sorry had to).

THE CINEMA IS A WASTE OF WONGA UNLESS IT'S A SPECIAL OCCASION

Ask anyone who knows me and they will say what a cinema buff I used to be. Hell, I used to own a Cineworld Unlimited card back in the days when it cost £11 a year and when I was a student I would visit at least once a week, even if it was a crappy film. However these were the days when going to the cinema was borderline expensive but just about justifiable. Now, in an age where it costs £10+ to see a film I just REFUSE to do it. Why? Because more often than not, you are stuck with a big head in your view and someone with their smelly feet up behind you and it ruins the whole experience. Now, I only go unless it's a film I REALLY REALLY want to see (American Pie for example) and I can get a discount ticket. Nowadays, with it taking less than 4 months for a DVD to be released, I really do recommend waiting just to save some cash. Often I can get the Blu-Ray of a film for less than the ticket entrance price. I can watch that DVD over and over, from the comfort of my sofa, with my own food and no disruptions. I also often buy cheap DVDS on amazon.co.uk or play.com from markerplace sellers for a fraction of the cost. I also often use a company called Zoverstocks where they sell films for such a tiny amount it's ridiculous and whilst the delivery is quite slow, the copies are almost always good and I have saved serious cash.

 EBAY THE LIFE OUT OF EVERYTHING

Don't get me wrong, I have had some horrible Ebay experiences in the past. Dresses with pieces of material hanging off, smelly clothes, broken items...the lot. However that is only a handful of times from almost 10 years of usage. I would probably recommend as a money saver to ALWAYS LOOK ON EBAY for almost anything...except for something like a phone/camera. I buy lots of my clothes on Ebay, it is a risk there is no denying but I have had many great experiences of getting a dress that is £40 in the shops for just 99p. The key is looking and researching-search for common mis-spellings and you would be suprised at what you find...for example searching 'vintaeg' instead of 'vintage' and so on. I get gifts on Ebay as well as clothes...cards, accessories, DVD's...my rules are, the person must have strong positive feedback and that has to be spread across a reasonable amount of time. Also, I always pay with Paypal for protection. If you stick to this and you bid carefully (my key time is 30 seconds before, my most maximum bid) then you could really save on retail prices.

xoxo




More in a few days...hope you are busy getting frugal my lovelies!!

'Those we love don't go away, they walk beside us every day'

Unfortunately, bereavement is such a taboo subject, still in today's society, and something which isn't really talked about much-especially regarding children and young people. Bereavement can effect anybody, from the young to the old and I know from my own experience that without help and support it is impossible to cope with. It truely feels like a tidal wave which drowns every part of you. People deal with grief and bereavement in different ways and I don't think anyone has the right to say that someone who perhaps doesn't appear to be grieving on the outside, isn't hurting on the inside. Likewise, those who deal openly with grief shouldn't be judged either.

I first truely felt bereavement at the age of 13. Something I couldn't and still can't come to terms with is, is how someone can be there one minute and just gone the next. I have made sure since that day that I have treasured every moment with my loved ones, created memories and made sure that every day is valued. Losing my grandparents, I suffered in a way where I became a recluse-I took a lot of my grief out on myself. In the sense that I just didn't want to open up, I felt like my body and my mind were giving up and I didn't see the point in anything-school, hobbies, looking after myself. I didn't care about anything other than me and my mum being safe. I remember a time when I visited my doctor and finally opened up to him about how I couldn't cope. This was me as a 14 or 15 year old saying that I hated life and I couldn't cope with my grief. I was told that I needed to 'get over it' which is a phrase that angers me greatly whenever it is used.

Losing someone you love is something you will never get 'over' but it is something that you learn to live with, even if it doesn't come easy. Even almost 12 years on, I still find it hard talking out loud about my grandparents and I still cry if I ever think deeply about them or I hear a song that reminds me of them. Grieving after such a long time isn't a weakness and you should never be made to feel like it is. It only becomes debilitating when you don't allow yourself to live the life that you deserve. I didn't allow myself to do that for such a long time, it is only recently in the past 5 or 6 years that I have been able to cope with my grief and to laugh and be happy.

Something I am passionate about is getting more help out there for children and teenagers who are suffering from bereavement. I know that when I was young I would have to loved to have known that there was a service or a place I could go to talk to other people my age who had suffered a loss and could understand. Of course, counsellors can listen and be kind but being able to share and talk with someone who totally relates to your pain can lift a great weight off your shoulders. I was lucky that I have my mum to turn to but I often think that if I didn't have her, what would I have done? 

One of the hardest things about bereavement, I feel, is seeing how the world just 'goes on' despite the fact there is someone who has left the world that means so much to you. It made me angry to think, why is everyone just going on with their business? Don't they care? Also, when grieving, the massive sense of guilt that you feel can be so overwhealming. Why didn't I do more? Why didn't I say I love you more often? So many questions which ultimately and painfully, cannot be answered. The only way to cope is to hold on to someone you love and trust and keep moving forward day by day. Something I have come to learn is that living your life is not betraying the people that have left you. In fact, I often feel like I am doing it FOR them, I am experiencing things that they would have WANTED me to and in a sense, as they are genetically part of me, they are still alive in many ways...that is what keeps me going 

xoxo