Showing posts with label charity shop. Show all posts
Showing posts with label charity shop. Show all posts

Our Random Day Out

Do you ever get those days where you wake up and just feel like going out somewhere, anywhere. Well, on Monday my Hubby certainty did because after Midge was dropped off, myself and Little A found ourselves running behind Daddy for a train to Truro. The reason for this spur of the moment trip turned out to be for the sole purpose of going to a sports store for replacement goal gloves. Hmm..

On the train having a snack

I'm actually really glad I braved the boredom because we found my brother a really cool Christmas gift and Midge some new school shoes (can you believe her shoes only lasted a month? It's not even half term yet!) all this came to just under £10. Oh yes, hubby did get his replacement gloves (which he would not have needed had somebody not stolen his other ones..) just in case you were wondering.

We bought a few bits from some charity shops too which is my favourite past time. Midge got a Mermaid Barbie for £1, Little A saw Patrick from Sponge Bob sitting on a shelf so we bought him for £1.50. Jay bought me a great laze-about-the-house jumper- it's got The Breakfast Club on it; my favourite film!

We had some yummy chips in the town square before doing a bit more browsing to waste the time. We tied the whole trip in with picking the children up from school so it worked really well for us.

Truro Cathedral

The best things about these trips are that I always feel a little closer to my Husband. I also love how happy Little A gets when he sees his 'choo choo' so sweet! I'm hoping to have a lot more spontaneous trips in the near future.

Cupcake Mumma

A-Z Challenge: U

U is for Urges

Here are some of the urges I have experienced recently:

I have felt the urge to laugh at my daughter when she pulls that really stupid face before she bursts into a fit of fake tears and tantrums. I don't laugh (okay I do, but only when I'm in the kitchen and she's sat sulking in the lounge..) Seriously, how can you not laugh at a fake crying, tantrum throwing pudgy little face? It's sort of cute no?

I have felt the urge to punch the living hell out my husband for snoring in my ear hole several times this week already. He snores like a train and that is no exaggeration! I will say though that instead of performing some violent act on him he got moved to the sofa instead *insert big grin*

I have felt the urge to shove scooters and bicycle bells up places that don't see any sunshine. I despise the constant ringing of bells (stationary can I just add) being rung by teens hanging out on street corners and the juniors speeding by on their scooters running over feet and seemingly not even noticing...

* I am in a good mood today I promise*

I have also had the urge to throw things at my TV during Jeremy Kyle, This Morning and yet another episode of Max and bloody Ruby (Little A loves it so who am I to stop him watching it? Besides, he's poorly so wins all battles at the moment!)

I think that's enough urges for today. Have you had any 'urges' to do, go, see anything recently?

CupcakeMumma

Does Being Thrifty Always Make You Happy?

Recently things have been getting on top of me. Money things. Last year I didn't really feel it so much. I was loving bargains and thrifty finds but with the pinch of the pennies, watching what you're spending is becoming a right old bore!

Finding a bargain has to be justified. I used to find something in a charity shop and feel pleased as punch but now that has all changed. I just seem to have to justify everything to myself! Even at 50p! I know what people are thinking, 'but you're planning a wedding, you're going to feel the pennies pinching'. Not so my friend. Okay so there are bigger things like paying for the reception and our hotel suite that we are facing but truth be told there are so many gifted people in both sides of our family, and some very generous people too so our wedding is going to be a beautiful day made even more so by knowing that so many people have spent time, money, effort even all 3 to help us.

It's the other things that get to my budget much like everyone else. The South West has one of the highest water rates, I'm on one of the best gas and electricity boards but still find myself totally paranoid as those little digital numbers dwindle down. Then there's the checkout..anyone else slightly recoil upon waiting for the 'final total' to be read out?

I know I am most definitely not alone. I'm sure given the option we would all like a little more to play with. It's not that I'm broke. I am still better off than a lot of people out there. I don't have to imagine that because I know. For a start I'm not queueing up in need of food kindly being donated week in and week out by generous shoppers.

I just wish I could be happier with my thrifty finds again! I follow a lot of frugal bloggers who love what they do. Maybe it is that I haven't fully adapted to this way of living? Perhaps I'm still a little attached to the more frivolous lifestyle? I have bought some new things recently but these have been bought second hand, locally and on payment plan. The best way for new laptops and phones!

I think it's that in this society it seems almost insane to not spend money. There's always something to 'have'. I'm really not one for jumping on the gadget bandwaggon. I'm not saying I don't lust over an Iphone now and then but do i really want one? Not really. I can't think of anything worse than a Kindle, many people claim to read so much more but what is really the difference? A gadget on your lap or a book on your lap..no I'm sorry I'm not getting it! As long as I can text and have a fully functioning lappy I am a happy woman!

Anyway, I seem to have gone off on a tangent slightly. I'm going to leave you with some images of past finds, more in the hope of making me feel better than anything else. Go head and indulge lovely readers.
Cupcake Mumma
Here comes the justifying voice 'Why do you need a plush chicken for goodness sake Hannah? I mean what will it do!? Sit there, look pretty, not be lonely...she was only a pound! (and she wasn't lonely but don't tell OH)
£2 I'm sure a lot of people have these type of books in their house? £2 probably better spent considering I haven't really tried out much from this book! Oops..
These are immense. They hang in my bedroom and were from the charity shop. Justification: Art!
A quid for this beautiful dream catcher (brand new, handmade nobody else's nightmares coming free)  
Overlook the grumpy muffin and focus on the sleeping bag. £1.99 it's huge and does have a nice teddy design. That is a thrifty find where baby items are concerned.
Hello Kitty toy found, still boxed in the charity shop. We gave this to Little Miss for Christmas as it really was a great find. I think it cost £2.50. Think of me what you will.

NO Child Born To Starve


What a good life we all lead. I can go to my local store when my cupboard is a little bare and stock up on the essentials we need, even if it's just to see us through to the end of week shop.
But not everyone is that lucky. In many countries a mother can be as far as 20km away from the nearest medical centre or food store that can provide help for her extremely hungry and unwell children.

I've read a couple of blogs recently namely Rosie Scribble and The Syders are the most recent that spring to mind about UNICEF and the hard work they do to help families and communities in the poorest countries, the furthest out places to get food, emergency aid, nets to protect from mosquito's, help to deliver babies and vaccinations plus so, so much more much like many other charities out there that also do this work.

With this in mind, and it being very near Christmas I checked out UNICEF's  online shop where there are a variety of gifts you can buy for loved ones and friends with the money being donated to this good cause.

For example, you could purchase a pack of greetings cards for the season of goodwill and this would buy 5 children porridge with added nutrients and vitamins to help with, and prevent, malnutrition or provide 7,000 pencils to help children write and draw.
2 packs of cards could help protect 5 children from Measles, a disease which still kills 400,000 children world wide by giving them a much needed vaccination. Something which in this country is a routine part of our medical health from birth.

There are many other gifts on this site including Inspired Gifts. These range from helping to deliver a baby (a kit providing the essentials needed to being a child into this world with no complications) this costs £23.50 You can provide a malnourished child a months supply of peanut paste which is packed with essential protein to help them recover. This is also £23.50.

The gift I have chosen to give is this: Magic Milk It was really hard choosing something as everything is so badly needed but I felt more drawn to this, perhaps being that i am a mother to a 10 month old who has a plentiful supply of milk, why shouldn't every child? 

Therapeutic milk is a milk-based powder for treatment of severe child malnutrition. It's used in emergency feeding centres, refugee camps and hospitals in regions where food security is affected by famine, drought and crop failure. This milk formula includes added vegetable fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals and makes the chance of a child's survival a lot higher so I felt good for giving this gift. This cost me just 12.99. If I could give more I would, but UNICEF is not going anywhere and I think I'd also like to make this a Christmas tradition where my family give someone, somewhere a chance of life every year.


https://shop.unicef.org.uk/

30 Day Declutter:

I've been making good preogress with my 30 declutter challenge, i'm really surprised at how much stuff I have that is either useless to me but could be so useful to someone else or is simply broken and not much use to anyone!!
I've had fun sorting through some things. Today I did out both the children's toy boxes so tomorrow one can be moved upstairs freeing up some room in the lounge (which is definitely needed) I got rid of a baby bouncer and some baby clothes to Other Halves sister who is due her 4th little bundle at the beginning of the new year, very exciting! Little Miss even helped me sort through her box which surprised me, a couple of months ago she would be screaming at me to not give these toys away but  even managed to part with her broken Tardis this evening by putting it in the recycling bag. She'll be happy at Christmas though with room to place all her new toys. 
Tomorrow will involve a couple of trips to various charity shops as currently I have 2 bags (more to come tonight I feel), a play kitchen that isn't used, an old baby bath seat which is too dangerous now Little Man can sit up unaided, and also a pink draw shelf which has been loitering in my landing for half a year now-not good!
  1. Arsenal wash bag
  2. Baby inflatable bath
  3. 0-3 month coat
  4. Mr men cushion
  5. 1 nail polish (unused)
  6. Unopened swim nappy-too big for one too small for the other
  7. Subject dividers
  8. 10 children's books we never read (we have SO many as well)
  9. Oven glove
  10. Football book
  11. 2 pairs of trousers that no longer fit Little Miss
  12. Slippers
  13. Packet of shower rings
  14. Unused deodorant-popped into a box for those in need
  15. 21 baby clothes that no longer fit
  16. Bag of clothes passed on to family
  17. 1 massive sleeping bag which we will never use
  18. Broken mirror (broke a week ago finally being discarded)
  19. Left over week old birthday cake removed from fridge (yeah I'm counting this, how gross! That's what happens when you get 2!)
  20. Picnic cups passed to me (relatives De junking their house in other words!!)
  21. Pink curtains that won't be used
  22. 4 kids magazines recycled from months ago
  23. 2 New! magazines recycled from months ago
  24. Old Argos catalogue recycled
  25. Baby play mat
  26. Baby bouncer passed on to sister in law
So, counting up everything there individually (bar the bag of baby clothes passed on as too many little bits) I have now got rid of:
60/90 items!!
And there is so much more to do, I'll go over 90 I reckon!!
Iceland bag will be the official 'donating bag' i think!

This Is Dedication:

I'm poorly yet still Blogging. I'm sure everyone does it but it makes me feel special so meh, I'll feel special!
As promised I wanted to share my finds from yesterdays little Charity shop hunt, so here we are:

A children's book for 30p another Xmas pressie
My 'nothing special' fruit bowl but it's nice!
I think this frame will look nice in my bathroom. Very 'Cornwall'
So here's the lovely tiger for Little Mans pressie
The Framed seaside picture is not a recent find but it's something I really like and thought I'd share. I got more Christmas shopping done today and excluding my dear Other Half we only have 4 people left to buy for and only one (my dear Pops) has left me completely stumped (and then there's presents to Daddy from Little Miss and Man...Ideas on a postcard please!)

Which reminds me. My parents went off to Devon last weekend and as I have mentioned before here I am an avid collector of postcards. My Mum very thoughtfully brought back a selection of postcards from her trip but this one stands out as my favourite and as such will be framed for my ever growing 'Cupcake Kitchen'

 Off now to feel sorry for myself. All the best.