Tuesday, July 29, 2014

It's just a phase...!

So I'm going through a phase.  My girls have apparently noticed a pattern with me and it goes like this:  I get very enthusiastic about something, a project or a lifestyle change, and I get a little manic and very enthusiastic with it all.  For a while.  It never lasts (hence my grudging acceptance of the word "phase"....) and I NEVER LEARN FROM IT.  I'm consistent I'll give myself that.

I have often defended myself, to me a phase is never wasted, never pointless, I've learned something from every one, even if I haven't maintained the new improved Wendy, and automatically reverted to the lazier, more wasteful, more stressed me.  Every time!

But I've been thinking about this.  My phases have become repetitive over the years, which must mean they're not phases, they're just stages!  One example is cooking from scratch - I've done this on and off for years and years.  When I have the time I cook, when I don't, I don't.

Then there's de-cluttering.  I blummin' hate mess but a minimalist I am not and never ever will be.  And like cooking, on and off I have a big de-clutter, tidy up and organise.  When I have the time I keep things organised, when I don't, I don't.

Being frugal and thrifty...  One of my most regular, most faithful phases that puts the fear of God into Robbie and the girls because I can be VERY ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT THIS ONE.  When I have the time I write lists, trawl the internet, markets, car booties and charity shops, and tighten the Hannah budget belt like a pro.  When I have the time I save money, when I don't, I don't.

Now, one of the points of this Blog was for me to record my progress with some of the above (as I was going through a phase at the time...!)  So I am preparing.  I am organising.  I am gearing up...  Because I am DETERMINED that when I go back to work next month, when I go back to being busy with work and my Degree, my home life will run like clockwork.  Oh yes.  That's right.  3 phases on the go at once...  Run and hide girls!

So, first a wardrobe overhaul.  I have half of a small wardrobe, two drawers and a couple of storage boxes.  Not a lot.
So, the clothes I do have need to be worth keeping, and here's where honest opinions are welcomed.  If something doesn't suit me it's a goner.

Pink shift dress.  £2 from  the CASE charity shop.
Think I like it...!
 

Flouncy number from eBay.  Bit low cut (primark vest top'll fix that).  £2.50 from eBay.
No idea when I'd wear it.  So far it's only outing has been to see Blondie - my dress and I loved that little trip yes we did!  


This is a keeper, these are my "What'll I wear today?  Oh I know, my cream trousers that are a bugger to iron but go with anything!" 


Next - get organised.  Getting there.  That's one drawer of paperwork and three shelves done.  Theory being that when I go back to work everything is bang up to date and I'll just need to keep on top of it rather than constantly spend time looking for things or repeating stuff.  Which I do a lot.





And then there's organsing my routine.  I love myself a good self-help book that actually gives you sensible suggestions.  Did the "1 week to personal success" exercise way back in 2006 and it was actually quite good.  May well do it again.  Never a bad thing to consciously root out the rubbish in your life to make space for TIME.... the stuff of dreams!




Frugal and Thrifty.  Easy just now as I'm on holiday!  £1.50 for the most beautiful deep purple Gladioli.  I love flowers, positively lift the spirits donchya think?


And we played Monopoly last night.  And I won.  For the VERY FIRST TIME.  
So very proud of myself and very smug at my cleverness.

The board before I put hotels on Park Lane and Mayfair.  Oh yes!



And what else have I been doing that's quite literally going to change my life?  I've cleaned out my Email and Facebook.  Took me hours but omiword what a difference it's already made.  I get at least 50 work related emails a day and only because my address has been passed onto any Tom Dick or Harry that wants to sell me a fax machine, sanitise my keyboard or sell me a sandpit.  No more!  I sat one night and unsubscribed to literally hundreds of sites, and since then I'm lucky if I've had 3 emails a day.  I can't quite believe the difference this one small act has made actually.  It's so nice to have a tidy Inbox!

As for Facebook...  Small is beautiful is all I can say.  A condensed version of the original, with only a handful of relevant sites "liked", and the odd, negative "friend" discreetly unfollowed, and now I can check it once at night in just five minutes, and it's enjoyable because it's stuff I want to read.  Again, life changing!  Both of these things now neat and tidy and relevant.  Happy days!

So, if all goes to plan I will now have more time for the things I love.  Like these three things for example:

Eldest all dressed up for a job interview.  Poor love tried jogging last week and has ended up with very painful tendonitis in both her ankles.  Can barely walk and is in agony.  Good little Mummy rubbed Arnica oil on them before the very important interview that I REALLY hopes she rocks.

And she was so grateful she willingly and happily let me take a pic of her in her new interview outfit.  Not.


Millie.  Dark and mysterious and very difficult to get a decent pic of!  She's in there honest, see, eyes!


That's right Belle, stay there looking all arty while I take a quick pic....


No, take a picture of my face, go on, I'm gorgeous!


 If anybody has any hints or tips for saving time, saving money, and making life a bit easier, please let me know!

Be back soon!

Wendy x





18 comments:

  1. Sorry no hints and or tips from me. I am the worst on decluttering and all the other things you talked about. I pretty just much wing it every day!! You have a black cat too, just as dark and mysterious as my boy Tex. Does this make us witches because we have black cats? Sure hope so! Oscar would love Belle, so arty on the mat and so dam cute. Like all your outfits, just wing it Wendy!!

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    1. Well you're no use to me at all then Sue! Just as well you make me laugh and we have the same taste in pets then... And I don't want to wing it, I want to serenely float along on an tidy de-cluttered cloud! x

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  2. I'm no use to you either - my house is a bomb site, I have far too much stuff, and my filing system is non-existent! Being reasonably frugal and cooking, I can do (though I get sick to death of the latter!) and I would say keep all the clothing pieces you've shown us, they are lovely. See? No help whatsoever! But I admire your efforts, and wish your daughter good lucks with her interview. And I can say ahhhhh! at gorgeous mysterious Millie and posing Belle! xxx

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    1. Not you too Curtise! And here I was hoping for words of wisdom! Not to worry, the pet appreciation makes up for it! x

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  3. No tips whatsoever, I'm the world's worst for organisational skills, i just scribble lists and work through them each week.
    Love the animal photos, that pink dress is gorgeous and I hope your daughter is pain free and did well at her interview. xxx

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    1. Thanks Vix, Eldest is getting called back for a 2nd interview so fingers crossed. No tips from you either? Am losing bloggy hope...! x

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  4. My advice is to enjoy clutter, never organise your life, and never throw anything away. It's worked for me!

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    1. Funny, that's my husband's life motto as well...!

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  5. Advice? Good God, I couldn't! I'm writing this surrounded by all kinds of detritis! I write a list twice a year (Christmas and holidays only) my own family are appalled by my approach to life i.e throw yourself at it, forget things but always remember wine - your organisational skills are very impressive though and keep all of your outfits, they are gorgeous, I hope your daughter got the job * fingers crossed* your pets are very well behaved super models, they are beautiful x x x

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    1. Lol, sounds pretty organised to me and maybe that's my problem... Not had wine for a few days, that'd probably help me care a bit less! x

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  6. Love the photos of Belle ... she's gorgeous :0)
    I think you should be the one giving organisational tips ... sounds like you've got it all under control.
    xx

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    1. I'm like a swan, all calm and unflustered on top but flapping and a mess underneath! Belle may be gorgeous but she's a grumpy so and so today...! x

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  7. Hi Wendy. Thanks for visiting my blog. I like what you're doing here. Your blog is a nice mix of fashion, travel and culture. You're going on my Bloglovin feed!

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    1. Thank you! Mutual Blog respect coming your way too, very interesting and great reading. Will be checking in regularly!

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  8. I love that first dress! I'm also trying to clear out my wardrobe. It's a monumental task. I'm guilty of having things from 25 years ago and never wearing them! xx

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    1. Wow, good on ya! Wish I'd kept things over the years that I often regret throwing out, bet it's a treasure trove! x

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  9. I keep one journal, notebook and list all my to dos in it, from garden, house, things to do at the front, things to buy at the back, everything gets put down and I try and whizz through it once every couple of days to cross out and add stuff in, when I read what ive got to do it puts it back into my mind, and I maybe work on some bits, put 1/2 done or a note to say what ive done next to the item. it means I don't keep everything in my head all the time and it calms me. I also have a Filofax with everyones dates, social things if they tell me, appointments for drs, dentists etc, birthdays, trips, any paperwork relating to these goes at the front so I can find it easily.

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  10. Sounds very organised Julie and that's exactly what I need! At the moment I keep different notebooks and lists for different things, you've inspired me to give your idea a try. Thanks for commenting! x

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