Resolve Version 2 - The Revisit

At the beginning of the month I set about doing some more resolving which you can revisit via this link Being all grown up and everything I decided to revisit it for myself and see how well I got on.

#1: to see more people - I most certainly did do that! I met up with people for walks, for coffee, for general chitchat, and to go to the cinema, which ties in nicely to resolving number 2.

#2: to finally get to the cinema - by fulfilling number 1, I successfully achieved this! I met up with Debs and we saw How to be Single which I absolutely loved. It was funny and light, there was lots of fashion inspiration and fringe (bangs) envy, and New York looked all kinds of cool and dreamy. Yay to cinema. More to come!

#3: to be better at making a decent lunch - Ummm, can I say kind of? I really did do my very best and made a really decent attempt but there were still a couple of days when laziness won out and it was a toast up whatever is in the cupboard even if it's two hot cross buns kind of moment. File this one in the 'ongoing' folder I think.

#4: to apply the same to dinners - This one was better, definitely better. Even when Dave was away for a week I had a really good dinner every night, that usually involved either veggies or salad on the side. Woop! It's somehow easier to be more organised about dinners than lunches, what's that all about I wonder?

#5: to get through series 5 of Buffy - Waaaaaahhhhh why didn't anyone tell me that this was the series where I would basically cry like a big baby at every episode? So. Much. Sadness. Even now just thinking about it gives me a lump in my throat. I'm well on my way into series 6 now which will only leave one more series before the end. I can't imagine how I'll fill my spare moments when it's all over...

#6: to go somewhere I haven't been in my local area - this one is for the did not achieve folder. As per usual, all kinds of life stuff got in the way, such as a massive greenhouse re-building project that took up most of our spare weekends...less said about that the better! Hopefully I will get to do this in April. I have got somewhere in mind, it's just finding the time to actually get there.

5 out of 6 isn't too bad. And to be honest, the above are all resolves that I'll be working on throughout the year/rest of my life - well maybe not watching Buffy as clearly that would just be crazy times...

Resolve - version 2

I'm still trying to figure out where February went. It definitely happened, I know that from the calendar, but all I remember from the month was an endless cycle of work, dog walk, eat, sleep, repeat. I hardly saw anyone or went anywhere, and frankly that is pretty sucky. Hence I'm back with some more resolving for 2016. Let's do this thing, March! 

In no particular order, I resolve:

- to make more of an effort to see people. I'm looking at all of you that I've hardly seen this year. I'm sorry, I'm rubbish. I'm busy, but rubbish! I'll be in touch to make some dates with you lovely lot, see you soon! 

- to finally get to the cinema to see a film. I said I wanted to do more of that in 2016 and so far I've seen...um...what have I seen? I'm not even sure I have seen anything. Epic fail. Get thee to a cinema, lady! 

- to be better at making a decent lunch. February was the month of eating whatever I could find in the cupboards and sometimes that was a couple of crumpets with Nutella that fill up no-one. Time to be more organised and make the lunch box a delicious and filling place to be. 

- to apply the same as above to dinners. There's been a few times this month where we've given into the takeaway easiness and it's not always been great or enjoyable. Home cooked meals rule. Be more organised is my March rule. 

- to get through series 5 of Buffy (I know, grown up problems or what?!) I have this anxiety that Netflix will suddenly decide enough is enough and take it away. And I'm so invested, I NEED to watch it to the very end or I will sulk. Big style. And I don't do that hardly ever so when I do it's not very pretty at all. 

- to go somewhere I haven't been before in my local area. I love me an adventure and I definitely love discovering new places. And March feels more like Spring which means blue skies and sunny days and I always want to be outside for them. Oooh where shall we go? Feel free to leave any suggestions below! 

More resolving. For a girl who had no plans to make resolutions I seem to be doing a pretty good job of sneaking them in here and there. How are your resolutions going? Have you added in any new ones? 

Use it or lose it

When I made my not a new years resolution at the beginning of the year my main purpose was to get my finances sorted out. It's not had the best start, I will admit, mainly due to a slight disagreement with the tax man over me having two part time jobs (come on, I can't be the only one with this situation in the crazy world of zero hour contracts, however I digress) and losing a big bulk of my salary to said tax man (see? He is not a nice man at all). Petty arguments aside however, one thing I decided in pursuit of financial happiness was to use up everything I already have before buying new. As luck would have it, I had quite the stash. Which might of course explain the financial unhappiness in the first place, ahem...anyway, moving swiftly on, here's my progress report so far.

The losers: I've not had to lose to many things so far - maybe two. The first one was a teeny tiny eye cream, which I tried, and my eyes started watering and feeling slightly burny which is never a good thing, so that one went straight into the bin. I think the other one had slightly gone off, it definitely felt off anyway, so that one hit the bin too. So far, all the rest are proving to be enjoyable discoveries, and there is something hugely satisfying about reaching the end of a product and feeling accomplished. Yes! Used that one right up!

Lotions and Potions: I'm still using up some of my miniature products from the Christmas beauty extravaganza. I only cracked open my first full size shower gel at the beginning of this month, so the way I'm going, I think it will be around May before I need to buy any new stuff. Especially with the current Lush one that I am using which never seems to go down - bonus. It is alarmingly bright yellow though...plus I got even more for my birthday and my Ma gave me some of her Christmas stash too. It's like an endless supply!

Makeup: I firmly believe that most makeup lasts forever. Seriously, have you ever used up an entire lipstick? It's a challenge I have yet to accomplish. I have been known to hit pan before with a face powder but my current one is yet another everlasting one, or so it seems. With the extra goodies that came in the beauty advent calendar I think it will be a long while before I have to buy anything new in this department.

Clothes: this is a bit of a tricky category as sadly things will inevitably become battered looking or break and will need to be replaced. The philosophy here is similar to the use it or lose it, or more like wear it or lose it. I've been doing a big sort out of my wardrobe and am gradually eliminating pieces that don't feel like me anymore - where I have won out is that I haven't rushed out to replace it with something shiny and new. Instead I am only allowing myself to buy clothes as and when needed.

Like socks. I needed new socks. Necessary purchase therefore allowed to buy. I also had to replace one pair of pyjama bottoms, and I treated myself to a funky jumper in the sale that cost £7. To have reached almost the end of two months and only bought those clothing items is like some kind of miracle for me. 

How am I feeling? Surprisingly chipper. I'm enjoying 'shopping my stash' as they call it on the internet, and I'm loving finding ways to wear the things I have in slightly different ways to introduce variety into my wardrobe. Don't get me wrong, it's not all plain sailing. I did some very drool-worthy moments whilst window shopping on Sunday and I can't help but sneak a few looks onto ASOS for my Style Inspo board on Pinterest, but the window shopping is where it's staying. I am super determined to make this right*, no matter what obstacles might be thrown in my way (I'm looking at you little brown booties with a hole in the sole!).

*unless I win the lottery**, in which case I'll be getting spendy, just because I can!  

**this is unlikely to happen. Not just because of the ridiculous odds, but also because I rarely remember to buy a ticket...

I might do another update in a couple of months. Just to let you know how it's all going. I might even have had to buy a shower gel by then, how rude!

Resolve

People don't really like to talk about money, do they? It's one of those weird subjects that make people all uncomfortable and shifty. I've never really been like that, and to be honest it's a subject I've had to be quite open about as often I have had to say no to things due to not having much of it - the money thing. But in order to talk about my one resolution for 2016 I have to talk about money, but in a very general, non-specific way. Don't worry, I won't make it uncomfortable reading. 

My one resolution, you see, is to sort out my finances. No grand plans or schemes, or setting myself up for challenges that I will undoubtedly fail - Year of Craft: EPIC FAIL. Reading Challenge of 50 books in one year: fail (by a narrow margin, I made it to 47!) I long ago stopped resolving to no longer swear (language, Timothy!) or to stop biting my nails, and I know absolutely and utterly that the whole 'I will exercise more' and 'go to the gym' are never going to be phrases I will live by. Be real, be realistic. The finances need sorting and a-sorted they will be. 

I won't go into the how much (how little!) cos no-one needs to know that sorry tale, but here's a few things I've done so far (2 days in and counting) to help me along the way to money contentment:

• Methodically hitting the unsubscribe button on all fashion/beauty/gift/any other online shopping platform - if I don't know that Dorothy Perkins have a 40% discount code I won't feel that it would be rude not to partake in such bargainous offers...
• Asked Santa for all the beauty products to see me forward into many months of 2016 before needing to buy anything for myself (good thinking, Batman!)...
• Worked out a little plan in my head for a monthly budget and plan to do my very bestest to stick by it...
• Did one last shopping splurge of hitting the sales with Tee. We both found bargains and are already enjoying our purchases. Revisiting my current wardrobe is the fashion trend for 2016 round these parts...

I have other plans that are in my head of what else I would like to do but they'll be staying in my head as it's probably the best place for them. 

If you're a friend that I socialise with reading this, you should know that I may say no to things, but not because I'm being unsociable - I'm working on my resolution. Don't be offended if I only buy a coffee if we meet up instead of a lunch. Please don't be offended if I simply say no - it's not a forever plan...but it has to start somewhere. 

Resolve is firm. Willpower is strong. Free stuff can be fun! Here we go then...