Hello readers the winner drawn at random selected by my young assistant Brandon using names on paper in his summer hat (very technical here at Tilly Towers lol) was
TONI
Congratulations Toni you have won the pretty necklace featured on Celebration Giveaway. If you send me a comment with your full name and postal address I will get it sent off to you tomorrow. Your comment will NOT be published.
Much Love
Claire xx xx xx
Tuesday, 1 July 2014
Saturday, 28 June 2014
Goodnight Peeps
Just a quick one tonight I'm afraid as I am shattered. I'm not sure why as I have done nothing all day lol.I've watched lots of movies with the boys and done some knitting but that's about it. I thought I would share some of our Saturday night selfies instead tonight.
Don't forget to be in with a chance of winning this pretty homemade necklace pop on to yesterdays post Celebration Giveaway and leave a comment with your name so I know who you are and the winner will be announced on Tuesdays post.
Much Love
Claire xx xx xx
Don't forget to be in with a chance of winning this pretty homemade necklace pop on to yesterdays post Celebration Giveaway and leave a comment with your name so I know who you are and the winner will be announced on Tuesdays post.
Much Love
Claire xx xx xx
Friday, 27 June 2014
Celebration Giveaway
Hello readers today I hit a milestone with my blog I had 115 views in 24 hours that is the most I have ever had. Sometime ago I decided I would write this blog for myself and my family as a way of looking back on how we lived our life over the years a journal if you will. If others took an interest in it that was great if not then at least as a family we would have something to look back on in later years. This sudden interest in my little blog has completely taken me by surprise and if im honest a little proud of myself. Im so glad that people are interested in what I have to say and if I can help one person save a few pounds and re-evaluate their spending habits I am very pleased.
To say thank you to you all for stopping by my blog I am going to giveaway one of my handmade necklace designs that I usually sell.
To be in with a chance of winning this pretty necklace simply become a follower if you have not already done so and leave me a comment (on this post) with your favourite frugal tip. This giveaway will run until 8pm on Monday 30th of June when someone will be picked at random. I will announce the winner on Tuesdays blog post. You can enter from anywhere in the world and I will also be covering the postage all I ask is that if you are from outside the UK and you win that you bear in mind it could take a few weeks to get to you.
So there you have it my first ever giveaway thank you and good luck
Much Love
Claire xx xx xx
NOTE as some of my readers are unable to follow on blogger I have decided to change the rules slightly. You do NOT have to be a follower to enter the giveaway simply leave a comment including your name so I know who you are and you will be entered. Of course if you can become a follower then please do so it's always nice to know who drops by.
To say thank you to you all for stopping by my blog I am going to giveaway one of my handmade necklace designs that I usually sell.
To be in with a chance of winning this pretty necklace simply become a follower if you have not already done so and leave me a comment (on this post) with your favourite frugal tip. This giveaway will run until 8pm on Monday 30th of June when someone will be picked at random. I will announce the winner on Tuesdays blog post. You can enter from anywhere in the world and I will also be covering the postage all I ask is that if you are from outside the UK and you win that you bear in mind it could take a few weeks to get to you.
So there you have it my first ever giveaway thank you and good luck
Much Love
Claire xx xx xx
NOTE as some of my readers are unable to follow on blogger I have decided to change the rules slightly. You do NOT have to be a follower to enter the giveaway simply leave a comment including your name so I know who you are and you will be entered. Of course if you can become a follower then please do so it's always nice to know who drops by.
Thursday, 26 June 2014
Expanding My Skills
Hello readers I have been wanting to learn some new skills and improve on some of my already acquired one's for some time. Whilst in town on Tuesday I popped into the craft shop that specializes in papercraft and bead work. I was thrilled to see they have started running some workshops. I had a good chat with the lovely lady in the shop and learned that they run a papercraft workshop every Wednesday from 10.30am-12.30pm for just £3·50 an hour. This is perfect for me as it fits in with the children's school hours (it's difficult to get affordable childcare when 2 of your 3 children are autistic). I can see myself making this a regular activity. Although it's something I enjoy and have dabbled in there is so much more to this that I can learn. It will also come in handy for when I get married as I will be able to do things such as invitations, place cards, seating plans, menus etc myself and as it is a frugal affair making things myself will save me money which can only be a good thing.
The bead workshop is run around you. You let the lady know what day you would like and she works the hours to fit in with you. Again this works out fab for me and whilst I already do a little bead work I generally work with larger beads. She showed me some of her work and readers I was in awe of what I saw. The most beautiful intricate bead work. Next time I go I will take some pictures to show you exactly what I mean. The cost of this workshop varies depending on the materials used but I was told it usually works out between £15-£20 for the day. I am so looking forward to attending these workshops and expanding my skill set :)
My neighbours daughter E is due to have a baby in 17 weeks time and was looking to borrow a sewing machine for a few days so that she could make him a few bits and pieces. I had no idea E knew how to sew but it turns out she has just finished a 2 year college course in textiles. I have had my new sewing machine Sat on the dinning table for a year and a half now and it's never been used. I looked around for someone to give me sewing lessons but could never find anything affordable or some one who could teach me in my own home. E has very kindly offered to teach me to sew in return for borrowing my sewing machine for a week. Readers I can not begin to tell you how excited I am. I have wanted to learn for years now and now not only am I going to learn but it's going be free and in the comfort of my own home. Good things come to those who wait :)
Much Love
Claire xx xx xx
The bead workshop is run around you. You let the lady know what day you would like and she works the hours to fit in with you. Again this works out fab for me and whilst I already do a little bead work I generally work with larger beads. She showed me some of her work and readers I was in awe of what I saw. The most beautiful intricate bead work. Next time I go I will take some pictures to show you exactly what I mean. The cost of this workshop varies depending on the materials used but I was told it usually works out between £15-£20 for the day. I am so looking forward to attending these workshops and expanding my skill set :)
My neighbours daughter E is due to have a baby in 17 weeks time and was looking to borrow a sewing machine for a few days so that she could make him a few bits and pieces. I had no idea E knew how to sew but it turns out she has just finished a 2 year college course in textiles. I have had my new sewing machine Sat on the dinning table for a year and a half now and it's never been used. I looked around for someone to give me sewing lessons but could never find anything affordable or some one who could teach me in my own home. E has very kindly offered to teach me to sew in return for borrowing my sewing machine for a week. Readers I can not begin to tell you how excited I am. I have wanted to learn for years now and now not only am I going to learn but it's going be free and in the comfort of my own home. Good things come to those who wait :)
Much Love
Claire xx xx xx
Wednesday, 25 June 2014
Bargains Galore
Hello readers sorry I've not been about the last few days Lee has been off of work so we have had a nice few days together. If you are a regular reader of mine you will know I am a huge fan of yellow sticker shopping. On Monday we popped to Morrison's in the evening and just at the right time they were doing their final reductions. I got £56.30 of food for just £6.09 and I am so pleased with my buys.
6x snack bags of fruit supposed to be 50p each I paid 9p each
4 activia caramel yogurts supposed to be £2.39 I paid 19p
A pack of pork and stuffing slices supposed to be £1 I paid 9p
A pack of 6 sausage rolls supposed to be £1.75 I paid 15p
A pack of 6 cheese and onion rolls supposed to be £1.75 I paid 15p
6x 2 creme caramel desserts supposed to be £1.49 a pack I paid 9p a pack
3x 25 fresh meatballs supposed to be £4 a pack I paid 99p a pack
6 pork shoulder steaks supposed to be £4 I paid 99p
0.745kg of best beef braising steak supposed to be £6.89 I paid £1.33
4 cheese and bacon grill steaks supposed to be £1.99 I paid 35p
450g of beef steak mince supposed to be £4 I paid 25p
4 chicken breast fillets supposed to be £5 I paid 99p
3x boxes of breaded chicken pops supposed to be £2.19 a pack I paid 55p a pack
On top of the yellow sticker price I received a further £3.93 off of my total due to promotions that were on some of my items at full price. I was surprised but very pleased to see that the promotional savings came off my bill even though the goods were already heavily reduced :)
We went again last night and I got some more yellow sticker goodies. I don't have the original prices or a picture I'm afraid but I thought I would share what I got and what I paid with you.
2 baguettes 5p each
2 cinnamon swirls 9p
2 pecan plaits 9p
5x 5 giant ginger cookies 9p a bag
4x cheese and tomato flatbreads 9p each
2 cooked chicken quarters 45p
7 cooked chicken drumsticks 44p
A box of cooked stuffing 15p
2 boxes of cooked roast potatoes 30p
3 boxes of homemade skin on crisps 9p a box
So for tea we had roast chicken, stuffing, roast potatoes, veg and gravy. Total cost £1.69 (25p for a third of a bag of value frozen veg, and 10p for half a pack of value gravy granules) so worked out at approximately 34p each.
Today we popped into town and had a look in the charity shops where I picked up a few bargains. Here's what I got
A pair of shorts for Ben 50p
A t-shirt for Ben 50p
2 pairs of shorts for Brandon 50p each
2 pairs of jeans for Brandon 50p each
A pair of jeans for Brad £1
A lovely glittery wine glass with fabulous 40 written on it (it is brand new and in a box) for a friend's upcoming 40th birthday £2
A reversible dress (so 2 dresses in one) £3.99
A pair of lovely gold dolly shoes (to go with my dress) £3
So as you can see I've managed to bag myself some really good bargains over the last few days and all things that were needed not wanted well except for the shoes but I won't tell if you don't lol.
Much Love
Claire xx xx xx
This is what I got and a price breakdown
4 activia caramel yogurts supposed to be £2.39 I paid 19p
A pack of pork and stuffing slices supposed to be £1 I paid 9p
A pack of 6 sausage rolls supposed to be £1.75 I paid 15p
A pack of 6 cheese and onion rolls supposed to be £1.75 I paid 15p
6x 2 creme caramel desserts supposed to be £1.49 a pack I paid 9p a pack
3x 25 fresh meatballs supposed to be £4 a pack I paid 99p a pack
6 pork shoulder steaks supposed to be £4 I paid 99p
0.745kg of best beef braising steak supposed to be £6.89 I paid £1.33
4 cheese and bacon grill steaks supposed to be £1.99 I paid 35p
450g of beef steak mince supposed to be £4 I paid 25p
4 chicken breast fillets supposed to be £5 I paid 99p
3x boxes of breaded chicken pops supposed to be £2.19 a pack I paid 55p a pack
On top of the yellow sticker price I received a further £3.93 off of my total due to promotions that were on some of my items at full price. I was surprised but very pleased to see that the promotional savings came off my bill even though the goods were already heavily reduced :)
And here is the evidence (sorry it's upside down lol)
We went again last night and I got some more yellow sticker goodies. I don't have the original prices or a picture I'm afraid but I thought I would share what I got and what I paid with you.
2 baguettes 5p each
2 cinnamon swirls 9p
2 pecan plaits 9p
5x 5 giant ginger cookies 9p a bag
4x cheese and tomato flatbreads 9p each
2 cooked chicken quarters 45p
7 cooked chicken drumsticks 44p
A box of cooked stuffing 15p
2 boxes of cooked roast potatoes 30p
3 boxes of homemade skin on crisps 9p a box
So for tea we had roast chicken, stuffing, roast potatoes, veg and gravy. Total cost £1.69 (25p for a third of a bag of value frozen veg, and 10p for half a pack of value gravy granules) so worked out at approximately 34p each.
Today we popped into town and had a look in the charity shops where I picked up a few bargains. Here's what I got
A pair of shorts for Ben 50p
A t-shirt for Ben 50p
2 pairs of shorts for Brandon 50p each
2 pairs of jeans for Brandon 50p each
A pair of jeans for Brad £1
A lovely glittery wine glass with fabulous 40 written on it (it is brand new and in a box) for a friend's upcoming 40th birthday £2
A reversible dress (so 2 dresses in one) £3.99
A pair of lovely gold dolly shoes (to go with my dress) £3
How lovely are they and just £3
So as you can see I've managed to bag myself some really good bargains over the last few days and all things that were needed not wanted well except for the shoes but I won't tell if you don't lol.
Much Love
Claire xx xx xx
Sunday, 22 June 2014
Another Busy Day
Well I have had another busy day here today. As well as my usual daily routine I have managed to dismantle the trampoline as the jumping bed and enclosure had completely ripped. I have kept the frame and springs and have looked for a new jumping bed to replace the old one and make the trampoline fully functional again. It is a 10ft trampoline and would cost around £150 to replace but with a bit of DIY and some internet searching it is going to cost me £25 to get it up and running again.
Everyone seems to be having BBQ's in this weather and we don't want to miss out. I have a very nice gas BBQ that I bought a few years ago. It has been left out in the elements since last summer and was absolutely filthy dirty and I was not sure it would even still work. I toyed with the idea of throwing it away and getting a new one but decided I would have a go at cleaning it up and seeing if it still worked. Well im glad I did 3 hours of my time, half a bottle of bleach 15p, and a pack of soap pads 15p and my BBQ is clean and working again. 30p in cleaning materials against £100 for a new BBQ is quite a saving and just goes to show that with a bit of hard work and the right materials things can often be saved and their life extended.
Im just waiting for the boys to get home so we can begin our Sunday evening ritual of dinner, baths, homework, school bags packed, and uniform laid out ready for the morning. I have an appointment in Bath tomorrow with my ENT so its going to be a long day for me so an early night tonight for me I think.
Much Love
Claire xx xx xx
Everyone seems to be having BBQ's in this weather and we don't want to miss out. I have a very nice gas BBQ that I bought a few years ago. It has been left out in the elements since last summer and was absolutely filthy dirty and I was not sure it would even still work. I toyed with the idea of throwing it away and getting a new one but decided I would have a go at cleaning it up and seeing if it still worked. Well im glad I did 3 hours of my time, half a bottle of bleach 15p, and a pack of soap pads 15p and my BBQ is clean and working again. 30p in cleaning materials against £100 for a new BBQ is quite a saving and just goes to show that with a bit of hard work and the right materials things can often be saved and their life extended.
Im just waiting for the boys to get home so we can begin our Sunday evening ritual of dinner, baths, homework, school bags packed, and uniform laid out ready for the morning. I have an appointment in Bath tomorrow with my ENT so its going to be a long day for me so an early night tonight for me I think.
Much Love
Claire xx xx xx
Saturday, 21 June 2014
Sports Day And A Weekend Child Free
Hello readers wow yesterday was hot. I am burnt to a crisp and rather sore. It was Brandon's sports day yesterday. I was told it started at 9.30am so decided it was not worth coming home and then going back again so decided I would wait on the field for half an hour. I took the kindle with me so that I could read some more of my book while I waited. Well im glad I did as they told me the wrong time it was 10am that it started so I was sat waiting for an hour. The sports day itself lasted an hour and a half so I was sat out in the sun for two and a half hours. Ouch is the only word to describe how I felt last night lol. Brandon did well he got a 3rd for the flat race and a 3rd for the obstacle race. He came 1st in the egg and spoon race but was disqualified as he held the egg on the spoon the whole time. He was not a happy chap about this lol. As it was held on the junior school field the juniors that had siblings racing were allowed to come and watch so Ben met me there at 10am. I took some squash and cake and in spite of getting burnt we had a lovely morning cheering Brandon and the other children on.
This weekend the eldest two boys are at their dads and Brandon is at respite which means I have an entire weekend child free. This almost never happens and I intend to take full advantage of it. This morning I went for a lovely walk into town to pick up a few bits. I popped into my favourite charity shop (local air ambulance) as they were having a sale. I managed to get Brandon 2 lovely pairs of shorts for 50p each. He desperately needs shorts with this hot weather and he only has a few pairs from last year that still fit him. I also picked up a few of my favourite children's films on VHS. I got monsters inc, The jungle book, and finding Nemo for 10p each. I have been thinking of getting a workout DVD to do at home for a while now. That way if I have a dizzy while working out I can just take myself straight off to bed and take my medication. Also I am unable to use a gym as their insurance will not cover me due to my medical condition. I decided to wait till I saw one in a charity shop for a few pounds rather than paying anything from £10-£20 for a new one. I was delighted to see one today in the sale for just 20p and its a dancey one to which is what I was hoping for. I popped into Morrison's before heading home and picked myself up a few treats for my child free weekend. I got a bottle of cola 45p, a bag of toffees 20p, and a bar of dark chocolate 30p. I know I know last of the big spenders lol but a treat does not have to cost the earth and its nice to treat ourselves once in a while. Well that's my excuse and im sticking to it lol.
When I got home I set about my housework. I tidied up, hovered, saw to the animals, got all the washing done dried and put away, washed up, made a personalised bracelet for my friends birthday present next week, and weeded and turned the soil for my new flower bed. Its amazing what you can get done with no children in the house lol. In a minute im going to set about dismantling the broken parts of the trampoline and see if I can get a good deal on the replacement part I need I will let you know how I get on with that.
Much Love
Claire xx xx xx
This weekend the eldest two boys are at their dads and Brandon is at respite which means I have an entire weekend child free. This almost never happens and I intend to take full advantage of it. This morning I went for a lovely walk into town to pick up a few bits. I popped into my favourite charity shop (local air ambulance) as they were having a sale. I managed to get Brandon 2 lovely pairs of shorts for 50p each. He desperately needs shorts with this hot weather and he only has a few pairs from last year that still fit him. I also picked up a few of my favourite children's films on VHS. I got monsters inc, The jungle book, and finding Nemo for 10p each. I have been thinking of getting a workout DVD to do at home for a while now. That way if I have a dizzy while working out I can just take myself straight off to bed and take my medication. Also I am unable to use a gym as their insurance will not cover me due to my medical condition. I decided to wait till I saw one in a charity shop for a few pounds rather than paying anything from £10-£20 for a new one. I was delighted to see one today in the sale for just 20p and its a dancey one to which is what I was hoping for. I popped into Morrison's before heading home and picked myself up a few treats for my child free weekend. I got a bottle of cola 45p, a bag of toffees 20p, and a bar of dark chocolate 30p. I know I know last of the big spenders lol but a treat does not have to cost the earth and its nice to treat ourselves once in a while. Well that's my excuse and im sticking to it lol.
When I got home I set about my housework. I tidied up, hovered, saw to the animals, got all the washing done dried and put away, washed up, made a personalised bracelet for my friends birthday present next week, and weeded and turned the soil for my new flower bed. Its amazing what you can get done with no children in the house lol. In a minute im going to set about dismantling the broken parts of the trampoline and see if I can get a good deal on the replacement part I need I will let you know how I get on with that.
Much Love
Claire xx xx xx
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