Sad Loss

Unfortunately my family were dealt a tragic blow last Friday with the passing of my Uncle Mick

(photo of Mick with his family taken only July last year)

Whilst we're glad to see him no longer in pain it has all happened so suddenly only discovering his cancer at the end of 2011

There will be some difficult times for everyone dealing with this loss so please bare with me if my comments are not as frequent although I intend to return with happier topics in the next few days

One Man's Trash!

I'm somewhat obsessed passionate about eBay at the moment so thought I'd offer some more tips and advice on making some cash from your unwanted goods!

Firstly many of us like to donate our unwanted goods to charity shops and there are times I still do this (if any item doesn't appear to be selling after repeated listing etc) and I'm sure after a few more months of my manic selling I'll bore of the process and a bag of goodies will head down to my local charity shop but please don't feel guilty about not donating to charity - I think many of us bloggers spend our cash in charity shops so we are doing our bit!

Never assume no one will want to buy what you have to sell! Often I tell people about what I'm making on eBay and they assume it's all designer labels etc but that's not the case! Only recently I made more on a packet of Las Vegas paper coasters purchased from a souvenir shop than this gorgeous chair

Check out this forum link on Money Saving Expert for some amusing reading on things people have managed to sell over the years

My experience with the coasters and chairs leads me on to advising you not to be precious about what you're selling and how much it's worth/you want to earn. 

Of course there are some things that you don't want to see sell for a few pence and you can put a reserve on items in that case but remember you may have paid £25 for the top you've never worn and it may still have the labels in place but far better to earn a few pound than letting it sit in your wardrobe taking up space when you know you'll never wear it!

I often find that the total sales even themselves out in any case!

Just because something doesn't sell in your first listing don't assume it won't next time - keep re-listing, it will sell eventually!

Alternatively look at the unsold items and see if you can gather them together for a group listing. I did this recently with some miscellaneous sewing items which individually hadn't sold for a few weeks and I didn't want to waste my free listings on them so I grouped together and they sold - just remember to adjust postage costs if the weight is going to incur great costs

Many people are making money from eBay these days and there are a wealth of statistics online on what the best end date for your listing is (this can change depending on what you are selling & who your target audience is - see here for more info) although typically it is Sunday so grab a few unwanted items today, list them for 10 days and see how you get on!

Money Saving Expert offer some comprehensive advice on eBay selling here but I hope you've been inspired to get listing - do let me know how you are doing!

Nobodies Perfect!

I bragged about my blank canvas last week but I wanted to share with you the opposite site that is my spare room right now!

I'm allowing the spare room to get somewhat out of hand as I work on de-cluttering and decorating my front room although I do think it's time to get in there and straighten it up a little bit!

My Week

I hope you've all had a fabulous week, here is a round up from including the weekend fun!

I expressed my shock at the price of a few light switch plates and made you all scream "stay away from the electrics"! I asked for your help to save me a few pennies and shared my only sale purchase.

The weekend started early for me on Friday when I was ready to have my kitchen ceiling repaired (finally!) after this debacle although I came home Thursday to find water in my bathroom and this hanging from the ceiling!

What a nightmare! Back on to the letting agent yet again!

Then when they tried to start work on the kitchen ceiling there was more water coming through!!

Stage 1 of the kitchen ceiling is complete and they're returning today to finish off although looking at the repairs I'm not convinced there isn't going to be more problems!

Saturday was one of the typical days of fun with my friend Ben

starting with a trip to Rose's to wish her a Happy Birthday

After tea and cake we headed to The Range to stock up on frames for my front room

and then Homebase

Sunday's painting plans were abandoned when my mum asked if I'd like to join them for lunch. The mere mention of beef casserole and I was sold!

My brother was visiting with my niece and nephew so it was good to catch up with them

All in all another good weekend but I really do need to get on with painting my ceiling!

Blank Canvas

This is how my front room is looking right now and I'm loving it!

The decorating has been hard work but the de-cluttering has been very therapeutic

It's been 2 years since I moved into my flat and my impatience and enthusiasm meant I might not have always done what I really wanted or now own things that are surplus to requirements. This time I've vowed to do things differently, allowing myself time to get things done right (and spread the cost!!) and being realistic about what works with my lifestyle and what I really want

Usually I love clutter around me but it's so nice to return home from work to a blank canvas and knowing that I'm earning some money from items around my home that I no longer want or need has been rewarding

Some things I've discovered along the way...

Just because I like something doesn't mean I need to buy it

Yes the Cath Kidston apron is gorgeous but I've yet to be found wearing one!

One room, draw etc at a time

To avoid boredom or manic eBay overload I've been clearing a section of my front room, photographing & listing the items on eBay and then moving on to the next drawer or cupboard

Be Honest & Realistic

I have sold some things I love but if I haven't used them the past 2 years it was time to get rid. It was a shame to see some lovely craft items go, jewellery or DVDs that I like but if I was never going to use/watch them they were just taking up unnecessary space. I am now left with empty draws which is a wonderful feeling mentally

Make Money

eBay, Amazon and Music Magpie are fantastic sites to earn back some of the money for these unwanted items - eBay especially makes you realise "one man's trash is another man's treasure". It would be vulgar to tell you how much I have earned from eBay this past couple of weeks but let me tell you it was worth the effort and post office trips!

If you haven't already started your January de-clutter I hope this encourages you!

Sale of the Century

I am not one for sale shopping, I always think if I wasn't prepared to pay full price for something then why would I want it just because a few ££'s have been knocked off... although saying that I did pick up a sale bargain last week of these fabulous knives from Maxwell & Williams

A set of knives has been on my "shopping list" for some time and at this reduced price they couldn't not come home with me!

HELP!

Ladies I know we all love our homewares but for a bargain price so I'm asking for your help!

As you know I'm currently in the middle of decorating my front room and I would like an oblong mirrored tissue box - I have found one but it's £49 which seems a little steep to me!

I've tried all the usual places but you never know when you might have missed somewhere - do please let me know if you have any secret sources!

How Much?

The painting in my flat has been done with the exception of the ceiling which I'll tackle at the weekend - next time I mentioned redecorating talk me out of it please!

We all know decorating isn't cheap but I can't believe I've just spent £40 on 4 new plug & light switch plates! 

It's going to be interesting if I decide to change them myself - fingers crossed I don't electrocute myself!

My Week

Tuesday I took Ben to see The Iron Lady for his birthday



It is a fantastic film and Meryl Streep is nothing short of amazing - do try to see it if you get an opportunity!

We in blogland debated whether to let beds breathe or not and I think we all agreed we like to see a bed made but if we can leave it to air a short while that covers all aspects!

I believe a few of you are currently rooting through DVD collections to see what you can send away to Music Magpie! I hope you are all making a few extra pennies to see you through the dark January days.

My niece celebrated her first birthday and received this gorgeous doll from me

and thank you very much for your greetings for her!

Hopefully we all survived Friday 13th and had fabulous weekends?

Mine was quiet with the exception of a further night out Saturday with a group of friends to celebrate Ben's birthday at a local Mexican

Fajitas and Margarita's - my favourite!

Friday The 13th!

We're less than 2 weeks into 2012 and we're hit with the "unlucky" Friday the 13th already!

Are you superstitious about the number 13 and have friggatriskaidekaphobia the fear of this day?

Funnily enough I'd choose 13 as a number over any other probably on the basis no one else would but would I want room no 13 on floor no 13 of a hotel, hmmm I'm not so sure!!

Happy Birthday!

More birthday's this week and a very important one... my niece's 1st birthday!

To Breathe or Not to Breathe....

That is the question!

So tell me:

Do you let your bed breathe or make it before you leave the house?

Returning home from work to see my bed made makes the room feel neat which makes me feel happy so I always ensure it's made before I head to work which seems to be the "right" thing to do according to half of the lifestyle guru's out there. The only problem is the other half say you should let your bed air for at least an hour before making it again

I'm lucky if I have half an hour between waking and walking out the door so what am I to do?!

Happy Birthday!

I would never say this to his face but I wouldn't be without him for the world! 

Music Magpie!

I don't know about you but I very rarely put DVDs on at home and if I do it's a much loved favourite I choose to watch

What with SKY and my regular library rentals there's not often an opportunity to delve into my own collection  and I found space was just being taken up unnecessarily with DVDs that I was unlikely to watch - not to mention that I hadn't watched some of them over the past year!

We've all seen the Music Magpie adverts on TV and inspired by a friend who had successfully used their service I went through my DVD collection as part of de-cluttering my living room

I managed to clear out 39 DVDs (and a few CDs - what with iTunes they are no longer needed) and earned approx £30 in M&S vouchers!

Not bad for items serving no real purpose other than cluttering up my sideboard (which since de-cluttering now has 3 empty draws and 1 empty cupboard!!)

It's such a simple service to use, you enter your items (for info I found most DVDs were 30p each depending on the titles), box them up, print off the FREEPOST labels and take to your post office

All that's left for me to do is surf the M&S website and pick out something nice as treat for me - definitely worth the effort! 

No Peeking!

I don't know about you but whilst everyone mocked Candy Spelling for her numerous gift wrap rooms in the Spelling Mansion I was pretty envious!

And then of course there's images such as this 

In addition to the laundry room I dream of one day a small space to wrap presents and gifts is also on my list but for now I've allocated a small area in the shape of my airing cupboard for such a purpose!

The cupboard is unfortunately pretty much unusable for general storage due to the size of the water tank but it's the perfect length for storing rolls of gift wrap - perfect! and there's just enough space to store wrapped gifts still waiting for Father Christmas to distribute and those destined for birthdays this month.

There are also a few misc items that will make ideal presents and the Chanel bag is storing various tags and things!

Ok it's a long way from the dream room I would love but at least when a present needs to be wrapped I can easily access everything I need!

Ba Bling!

I was lucky enough to receive some lovely jewellery for Christmas from friends and family

The Russian Doll Pandora charm and beaded earrings were from mum and the pineapple studs from Kelly

Did you receive any nice jewellery this year?

Unfortunately I'm still feeling unwell so have spent the past couple of days in bed but I'm hoping to be fighting fit very soon and modelling my bling!

Happy New Year!

Sadly 2012 didn't get off to quite the start I hoped as I've been struck down with a nasty cold and have spent the past 2 days in bed and the pork belly was relegated to the freezer for another evening when I can enjoy properly!

Unfortunately it's back to work tomorrow and I'm disappointed that I haven't been able to work on finishing the painting in the front room but I have managed to remove mirrors and pictures from the walls so it'll be a quick job at the weekend

So for this evening it's a bath and climb into bed with fingers crossed I'll be ready to face a day in the office in the morning!