There has been a lot of debate over the price increase of both first and second class stamps in the UK this week. This is something that we cannot avoid and will sadly make posting letters, cards and all other forms of correspondence that bit more expensive.
As a letter writer, I send lots of letters on a regular basis to my penpals and often stock up on stamps once a month. I always buy my stamps in books of either 6 or 12 at the till and usually alongside other purchases. So I don’t really think of the cost when doing so, as it’s a relatively cheap expenditure.
Although the price is increasing, it doesn’t mean we will stop using the service, we have little alternative. I do often find myself disheartened by the fact first class doesn’t always meet a first class service.
For me the sad part is, stamps once cost a fraction of the price they do now, the fact the price has increased quite so, like a lot of things means living is so much more expensive than it ever has been.
First class rises from 46p to 60p and second class rises from 36p to 50p.
This Sunday we decided to head to our first car boot sale of 2012, with the weather on our side we knew it was too good of a chance to miss. The lure of a field full of second-hand stalls always outweighs the perils of getting up so early on a weekend.
Although car boot season isn’t quite in full swing just yet, there was a good chance of unearthing a bargain or two. The field wasn’t at its usual summer capacity but on occasions like this it gives you that little bit of extra time per stall, meaning you aren’t going to miss or overlook something.
This year I am trying to adapt a new attitude to my buying, my main aim is to only buy the stuff I have a real purpose and space for, and restraining on those of the mad whimsical variety.
Steiff Bear 20p
I’ve always had a desire to own a real Steiff bear, that elusive yellow tag and button is a sure sign of a good thing, and when I spotted this tiny fella in a box full of tat, I couldn’t help but feel a little excited. The stallholder didn’t really have much of her stall organized, instead everything was scattered over several boxes on the floor, which may be why he was hidden amongst the other soft toys.
He’s a real traditional bear, and the fact he’s small means he doesn’t take up too much room. And of course his Merci sweater ties in perfectly well with my love affair with all things Paris. After a bit of a rummage online, I’ve found these bears usually cost anything between £12-£30.
Ladybird Books 20p each
I’m a Ladybird girl through and through, I’ve had Ladybird books in my life for as long as I can remember so I am always on the lookout for ones to add to my collection. The stallholder had a pile of these, I left behind some titles I wasn’t so familiar with, but quickly snapped up the ones that appealed to me the most.
They add to my growing collection well, and are in perfect condition, which is quite something considering there age. The stallholder joked that we would have plenty of bedtime reading, but for me it’s the collecting part that attracts me the most and of course these books are so beautifully bind together, each cover so enticing.
Total Spend: £2.40
♥
Whilst in Paris, we headed to Disneyland to spend two days in what can only be described as a fairy tale from start to end. From the moment we stepped down Main Street USA I knew we were in for a real treat. The attention to every single detail is something to be so greatly admired.
It was when I caught my first glimpse of the Sleeping Beauty Castle the magic began. This is a place I have dreamt of visiting my entire life, and fallen in love with so many times via my television set, the cinema and in books.
Disney has always been a huge part of my life; I grew up in Minnie Mouse sweaters and longed to be part of my own Disney adventure. I slept with a stuffed Mickey Mouse and I was hooked on every big promo release. The bottom line is I’m a dreamer and this may be why I have never grown out of Disney.
My main highlights included seeing Boo’s door from Monster Inc, a film that in my opinion is one of Pixar’s best.
The thrill seeking rides of course added to the experience, I braved Space Mountain: Mission 2. I don’t know what I quite let myself in for when it came to the Tower of Terror. The whole set up and notion of eeriness took over, it sure was the scariest ride I’ve been on in quite some time.
When it comes to enjoyment, I can’t help but be drawn towards the gentle nature of carousels and teacups! Of course I’m a big kid at heart and the pure thrill of sitting in one of the Mad Hatter’s giant sized tea cups was enough to enchant me.
The Once Upon a Dream Parade was the absolute icing on the cake for me, I loved seeing all of the characters of my childhood, and the whole atmosphere it created. Of course Toy Story will always hold a special place in my life, so I loved seeing all the toys come alive!
As a little girl, I always had this fascination with the Princesses, and even now I often find myself wishing away. When the Princesses emerged down the street arm in arm with their Princes, I almost had to pinch myself, for the beauty they showed off and gowns they wore really did make for something truly special.
The elusive autograph signing was quite the challenge in itself, almost like child paparazzi, I couldn’t help but feel excited when I would spot crowds gathered around an infamous character.
I did get to meet one special character indeed. For he was the gentle mouse I had always imagined him to be, and of course a real cutie!
Mickey Mouse I will always love you.
♥
I’ve just got home from my whirlwind trip to Paris, and if there is one place where romance lives it has to be Paris.
The Mr asked me to marry him at the very top of the Eiffel Tower and of course I said yes without a second of a doubt.
The tower was so beautiful and although I’m not scared of heights, it’s hard not to feel a little shaky as you go up in the lift. It was when we reached the final level that I began taking a few photos as the Mr, so I thought, stood behind me...
And then it all happened so quickly. The moment he called my name, it was totally unexpected, I remember turning around and being completely shocked when I saw he was down on one knee, for a moment I thought he had actually collapsed! But then I saw the small black box in his hand and that is when he asked me the most important question of my life.
My natural shyness overcame me as people began saying congratulations, but nothing a glass of champagne couldn’t cure. The whole day seems like a fairy tale, the sun was shining, and as we emerged down from the tower we walked hand in hand through Paris, to capture the sights.
I knew this was a day we would only get to live once, so every single moment of it was so deeply precious.
♥
I’m off to Paris tomorrow! It’s been a dream of mine to visit for as long as I can remember, I have always had this fascination and desire to visit the most beautiful and famous city one day.
& a detour to Disneyland, a place where my heart so warmly lies. I’m a very lucky girl indeed.
See you all in a week’s time
♥
One of a woman’s best kept secret is her size. It’s rude to ask and more so a miracle if something actually fits without a dash to the fitting rooms. I’ve actually known girls cut size tags out of their clothing, all to hide that elusive digit on their pants.
Weight is a bit of a secretive one really, no one likes to talk about it and certainly nobody likes to admit the fact they’ve gone up a dress size. Well I’m breaking all the rules...
I’ve been anything from a size ten to a size fourteen over the past five years, my average size has always been a twelve. Over the past year I have found myself reach a fourteen again, be it that bit more indulgence here and there.
I am a naturally very self-conscious person. I wouldn’t outright say weight troubles me the most, though it does trouble me. So for the first time in my life, I actually feel like I have come to a point where I want to lose some weight. The goal being to work towards a healthier lifestyle and in turn find that bit of confidence I have always been searching for in my life.
Surely being happy and healthy come as a given.
I have countlessly gone on diets in the past, I spent my teenage years obsessing over my weight, pretending to exercise, telling myself I have to lose weight because of ‘x’ reason, by a certain date and guess what? It never happened. All of those reasons and time scales now, were all of ridiculous.
And all that time I forgot about me, whether I actually mattered. The fact we only get one body makes it all the more reason why I’m doing this for me and me alone.
♥
I’m a total sucker for a gimmick, and this could be quite a dangerous one at that.
When I saw the promotional adverts for this product, I knew I had to get my hands on it. Growing up with a teenage brother and living with a man means I’ve always been exposed to male hygiene. Lynx has got to be at the top when I think of male products on the market right now, which man hasn’t worn Lynx at some point in their lives?
I must admit my Impulse body sprays never quite carried off the same vibe as that much desired Lynx Effect. A product predominantly targeted at men, strictly off limits to girls, bring out a female-only limited edition version. You know it’s very clever marketing in my opinion, because we all want what we can’t have, and for a brand to have established such a strong following over the years, we now can have a tiny piece of a very male-dominated brand.
The spray itself is notably feminine with a lovely female scent to it, and the vibrant dashes of pink on the classic Lynx bottle are a sure sign it’s a girls only can. God forbid a man actually purchasing this one by mistake!
What a total catch!
♥
