Hello. It had to be done, this mane is driving me potty. Hate it hanging around my face, in my eyes, makes me feel grubby. Gotta come off.
I bought the colour yesterday from Savers, I checked the prices in Superdrug and thought they were a bit expensive. I was right, cheaper in Savers. This is not a permanent colour, it will eventually fade with washing.
Right, before I go, maybe our readers can help with this. Rebecca asks, has anyone got any good money saving tips for a frugal Christmas. I can't suggest much apart from home made presents, because I don't spend any money on Christmas, it is banned in my house. So maybe you good ladies and gents can suggest how Christmas needn't break the bank. What do you do to keep the cost down? Thank you for joining in.
Thanks for popping by, enjoy the rest of your Sunday, we'll catch up soon.
Toodle pip
Looks fab, bright and beautiful, just like you x
ReplyDeleteThis year I'm making my own Christmas decorations. I've already started making decorative hearts inspired from a post I saw here on your blog. I collected lots of red fabric from summer dresses and clothes given to me for crafts from friends and family. For my tree, I'll ask a neighbour if they are pruning any of their big pine trees and I'll make a small tree from this. I'll place it in a decorated container and then add my home made decorations. For dinner we will have chicken and ham with the usual roast potatoes, carrots and sprouts followed by home made chocolate cake. We live in Turkey on the Bodrum peninsula and life here is simple and even though thee is no Christmas rush or Christmas music in the shops we still enjoy Christmas and our neighbours wish us a Happy Christmas with a smile on Christmas day! If you want, you can read about my simple but rewarding life here: http://adjustingmyfocusagain.blogspot.com.tr/
ReplyDeleteI love it, it looks fab.
ReplyDeleteSome thoughts for Rebecca:
ReplyDelete-Decorations: use what you have, refurbish as needed. Hit the second hand shops first for any identified needs for decorations, around here, there are rows upon rows of holiday items at the second hand shops. Make some decorations as well, upcycyling items
-Gifts: make what you can, limit your list to immediate family (SO, children, your parents, perhaps a god child or 2). For actual gifts, after making what you can, check out the second hand shops-I often see new with tags items for sale there. For your own children: one to wear, one to read, one is a treat. Stockings? fill with small, practical sundries, a nice piece of chocolate (I always do chocolate coins), a blood orange. Did out your coupons/vouchers: can you top up with any items from a shop?
-holiday meal: eat at HOME! do a pot luck, or if only feeding your immediate family, think of more economical ingredients: traditionally, we have had ham at Christmas (also a cheap meat) but this year, I have set aside a free, 21 lb frozen turkey and have earmarked it for Xmas. Sides will be: mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetetable to be determined. Homemade Xmas cookies for dessert.
-cards: I stopped sending them a few years ago, haven't missed them, and sending them out, paying for them was becoming a stresser. Perhaps send them only to long distance relatives you won't see, esp of an older generation, who would appreciate a card more than the younger set (IME).
-holiday outfit: check what you already have in the closet first. ANY dressy top over pants/skirt will do. If you have nothing suitable, shop second hand, or borrow from a friend.
HTH
Oh dear...... you were robbed. Still it will fade (in time).
ReplyDeleteOf course you are anonymous.
DeletePS Illona, hair is great, fun and a bargain. Win, win, win.
how rude did your mum never tell you if you have nothing nice to say say nothing
Deletetessa
Best to ignore people like Anonymous. They get off on sucking the joy out of life and trying to bring people down. The worst thing for them is to be totally ignored. Ilona's lovely hair colour will obviously fade in time, but Anonymous will still be unhappy and resentful about their own life.
DeleteOh my! Just realised it WILL fade in time...to a fab pink! Cool.
Deleteive knitted stockings and even knitted a farm for my grandson.set a price limit on presents,look out for deals.i buy selection boxes and calendars when they are on offer for £1.by a few bits every week before xmas to spread the cost.make yr own cakes,nibbles,etc.buy xmas things like decorations and crackers in sales after xmas and put away til xmas.only buy food that youl eat.we arent keen on turkey so i always buy chicken and it is cheaper.
ReplyDeleteIlona, pleased you went red in hair colour - fabulous.
ReplyDeleteRebecca - one simple rule: don't spend what you can't afford. Explain to family and friends 'my budget is £..' and that's it. The credit card bills will arrive in January and you'll be thinking 'how much??' Don't do it. I stopped this nonsense about 7 years ago, only 'under a fiver' presents for Christmas lunch visitors. I haven't sent cards either for about 7 years, giving the amount of them and postage instead to a chosen charity; people understand my reasoning. So, don't be embarrassed to say, 'no can't do that'. I can't offer advice for small children presents but others may help. Good luck. Amanda
I love it and suits your personality. Nothing boring about you. x
ReplyDeleteRe-Christmas. Bake/Cook from scratch, don't fall for all that over priced party food. Limit presents and card sending. I only send cards to people I will not see over the festive season. Family secret Santa, so if you have guests they don't have to buy for everyone. Don't buy all those chocolates too early as they have a habit of disappearing (blush) or we get far too many given. Don't over cater. Don't buy presents too early either - start the week before Christmas so there is not the temptation to buy too much or go OTT. I literally do my present shopping a few days before, wrap them and forget about it. If I start too early I buy way to much because I see things and get tempted (so and so would love that).
Love the colour! :)
ReplyDeleteLove the new hair colour and what a confident smile you have - lovely photo :)
ReplyDeletelooking great good choice
ReplyDeletetessa
We use a few favorite years old decorations, send a few cards, found at thrift shops, to people I know enjoy getting them, like my 90 year old uncle. The only gift buying I do is chocolate for my spouse and for my 90 year old uncle.
ReplyDeleteI'll make a vegetarian crock pot stew with Southern cornbread and a sweet potato pie, that will be Christmas dinner with plenty to freeze.
Love the new bright hair color!
Hi Ilona, looking good.
ReplyDeleteOn Christmas , we don't have small children but have always been provident. Most gifts have been home made and as a family ( extended) we made the decision to not give presents too each other a few years ago. One of the things we do, is have older people with learning difficulties and a carer come to us for lunch and a few hours after. I started this when I found out the exorbitant price they would have to pay to go to a mediocre restaurant plus taxi fare about 4 years ago. They love it and one of them doesn't even get up from the table before he asks if he can come next year. we live providently and cook from scratch , so we can do this. My SIL always makes us a pudding which we cook. love Christmas
The thing about Christmas is to savouring the opportunity for closeness with loved ones rather than spending money. That is all xx
ReplyDeleteMy daughter(twenty something) has had red hair just like yours. She always maintains she started the trend at college. So you are definitely trendy.
ReplyDeleteAs regards Christmas, we always have around a dozen for xmas dinner. Each year we take turns to buy the turkey and everyone brings bits and bobs.
As we host the dinner we get to keep the left overs, some do go back with others, but these keep us going for a few days.
We have a christmas "chest" (a large cardboard box!) in which all the special plates etc, for Christmas dinner and the decs are kept so no spend there.
These might not help this year but can perhaps help in future years.
Unfortunately the card list keeps getting smaller, so we treasure the cards we can still send.
This year I have cut right back on buying presents and all the school aged children in our extended family have a selection box. Presents of toys are reserved for the toddlers. Adult nieces and nephews will get either a bottle of wine, tin of chocolates or box of biscuits. Grandchildren have presents but we set a price and don't go over this. Youngest grandchild wanted a wooden train set so have bought secondhand on eBay, as new is very expensive and at 2 yrs old they won't notice the difference. I think everyone welcomes biscuits, wine or chocolates and it avoids giving something they dislike and hours of searching around the shops.Majority of my shopping is online as it often works out cheaper than the stores. hth
ReplyDeleteMy partner and I ask each other what we would like for Christmas (nothing stupidly expensive)and stick to that, apart from perhaps a couple of inexpensive stocking fillers. After all, what is the point of spending good money on something someone doesn't actually want or need? My close friends and I do the same with each other and have a limit on the price of the gift (why put so much financial pressure on the people you love?).
ReplyDeletesome of my extended family is quite large, some have kids and some don't, so instead of a single person having to buy for lots of kids it was decided to put names in a hat and everyone picks one other person to buy for, it works out more fairly. I have bought charity shop toys for kids in the past, make clothes. Now I only buy for very close adults and 2 children. we are realistic about what we would like and dont waste money for the sake of it.
ReplyDeleteI have a big extended family so we do Secret Santa for the adults. I use the same artificial tree and decorations I have had for years. I carefully fold wrapping paper for reuse. Send e-cards as they are free. It is just one day: only buy the food you will actually eat. Spend only what you can afford on presents for your family - it is the thought that counts. If you can make presents cheaply then great. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteJane
Love that colour, you look amazing. I'm having a very tight Christmas too Rebecca so I suggested a secret Santa at work and for my family. Budget £5! We are looking forward to the challenge and will be good fun. We are having our Christmas dinner together so that's enough really.
ReplyDeleteYour hair looks great. It suits your fun personality. I'm always amazed that you can do such a nice job cutting your own hair, particularly on the back which is so hard to see.
ReplyDeleteEveryone has a lot of good Christmas tips for Rebecca. Personally I like church rummage sales for Christmas decorations and even gifts.
Great job on your hair and the best thing is, you love it and are having fun with it! JanF
ReplyDeleteDepending on your tolerance level, you can cut back on the gifts and have a treasure hunt. Looking for fewer presents takes more time and energy for the recipients, although you may not have the energy to clean up afterwards.
ReplyDeleteThe only present I gave my Mom for the last few years of her life was a letter telling her what she had meant to me that year, what I had used that she taught me, what I remembered best about being with her. Older parents don't really need things.
We have a tradition of giving one food present that the person likes. Every year Santa brings me black olives, a cheap filler present, but always appreciated.
For families, a board game such as Clue would suffice when it's balanced out with some munchies.
Although probably too late in the year, I shop year round for every gift giving occasion. I once managed to buy my husband a cashmere sweater with the price reduced from $78 to $3.45 at a thrift store. Out of print cookbooks can be had reasonably at thrift stores, and a true cook will always appreciate one that's been "loved."
Hope your holidays are happy.
Queen Victoria
Wish I could cut my own hair. You are bold with the colour but it suits you.
ReplyDeleteNice hair cut! And, with that colour they shouldn`t run you over in the streets on dull winter days, lol. They can see you coming a mile off.
ReplyDeleteI love that colour your hair looks fab. I don't do a frugal Christmas I'm glad to say. I have a pot of money for Christmas and I spend it every last bit lol. Things I don't do however are go into debt and waste anything. I've not bought new decs for years but I always have a massive real tree. Pressies are mainly for my grandkids now and just small bits for everyone else. I love Christmas and I don't begrudge a penny we spend on it.
ReplyDeleteNice job on your hair. I spent $25 on mine since I was lazy on Thursday and had my stylist wash it as well. It was my vacation day. Also asked how much it would cost for putting some color back into my hair..$75! Not going to happen!
ReplyDeleteAs for me and shopping for Christmas, I find good deals where I can get more discounts if possible. Making your own is good but takes time. I am a photographer and I spend time and a bit of money to make my own calendars and give them as gifts. One friend didn't want a calendar so I don't give her much....that's what I like to give, especially if it's something personalized....photos from my area. Oh well, cannot please everyone. Shopping throughout the year helps too. Hubby and I still figuring out what we are getting each other. He's hard to buy for. It's hard to choose when we have want we need. Happy week, Ilona!
Christmas - Decide how much you can afford to spend - CASH - no credit cards.
ReplyDeleteI bought my tree years ago at an after Christmas sale, so I got a very expensive tree for what I could afford. Same way with decorations and lights; at the end of the season everything is taken down and carefully boxed and stored away for the next year.
Judy
Gifts are tokens of love, so they don't have to be expensive just thoughtful. I've given baked goods, jams and jellies I've made, embroidered tea towels, pot holders, knitted hand warmers, quilted afghans, mugs with exotic teas, hot chocolate mixes and coffees. For children, books are real big on my gift-giving list and because I sew, novelty fabric pajamas.
Christmas dinner is a family affair where whomever is hosting provides the meat dish and everyone else brings sides and desserts. The table groans from all the good food and there is a lot of laughter and love. There is no gift exchange, we are there to enjoy each others company.
My best tip is to avoid any magazines/newspaper articles/TV shows etc about decorating your house for Christmas, cooking fancy, elaborate new dishes, buying special clothes or party foods...... If you don't see it you won't hanker after it or feel that you are missing out by not having it. Then you can concentrate on the things YOU really value for your own Christmas Day
ReplyDeleteoh I so agree with this! Keep it simple but meaningful for you and yours
DeleteI love your hair cut and the colour! I have had more or less the same hair cut for all my life, and my natural colour, too. Now I am going grey, and I start thinking about colouring. I wish I had the courage to use the wonderful red you did, but maybe I´ll start a bit more cautiously so I don´t shock my family too much!
ReplyDeleteI am amazed at how well you cut your own hair, well done! Colour - such fun!!! SueM
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't dare go that red Ilona but very cheery on a dull day x
ReplyDeleteTips for Christmas...... Don't spend money you haven't got, so don't load up your credit card thinking you'll pay it off in the new year, it will be OK...it won't...as there's always something else to take your money ....start 2017 free of credit card/loan debt, you'll feel great. It's a retail race for the shops just to make as much money as possible from us, mostly plastic cr*p that's come in on a container ship from China. They play on Christmas to get in as much as possible (it's their best time of year), that's why the shops are all dressed up, products everywhere to catch your eye. Keep telling yourself that and remember it is only "two" days tops. Check out all the great tips on here and then in January you'll be the one in charge of your money not them and your credit card. Rae x
P.s. Personally I'd much rather save my money and spend it going on a nice holiday somewhere to experience life and new places.
Happy hair!
ReplyDeleteRuth xx
Hi Ilona,
ReplyDeleteabsolutely LOVING the red!! In terms of keeping my spending down at Christmas, I make homemade pressies where I can and then for anything I have to buy my nephew showed me an app for my ipad where you can look up the prices of things online and check where to buy it cheapest - it's addictive and very interesting to see how the prices vary.
All the best.
Every year now I go to a local fair and buy a particular ladys felt items that she makes, she handsews houses xmas trees, snowmen, robins etc, and makes a few new items to the range each year. they are sold for charity and are lovely, I have bought her three new ones this year and are so much more lovely than the 4.99 plastic efforts of Wyevale that I used to occasionally buy. Less cards this year and hand them out if poss rather than posting. same tree with a couple of new things each year and stuff kids have made. Big roast dinner, but save leftovers and cater to fads so stuff isn't wasted. Not over eat and have stopped buying the tins of chocs as inevitably get given one anyway. put a limit on pressies and kids do amazon wishlists. not decorate every room, just the lounge, hallway and porch. No lights outside now, as I never saw them anyway, they were mostly for other people to enjoy I found but I paid for electricity. not much else really. Oh and love your hair you cut it well. Julie T
ReplyDeleteforgot to say the obvious - Enjoy Christmas! Go somewhere you will remember for free; a walk in a forest or coast, put on a party but everyone must bring something,play silly games, enjoy the carol concert, nativity, or pantomine. Lots of local groups do these events for free or very cheap. You could also consider volunteering at a homeless shelter or charity and serve a xmas dinner, you might get to eat with them aswell, it's what you make it, what does it mean to you?
ReplyDeleteHi Ilona
ReplyDeleteI love your haircut and the colour is fabulous. I stopped celebrating Christmas many years ago as I came to loathe and detest the commercial rip-off that it had become. I will spend the Christmas holiday quietly at home with my partner, three cats and some nice food. For me, that's quality time together and I'm so looking forward to it.
Kind regards
Julia
Bright and breezy is your hair. I have cut mine in the past but as it is straight it shows every sloping angle. I let mine go for years without a cut (actually have been to have it cut once this year as I look very dishevelled). Think of Boudicca (but mine is dark and I think she had red hair). I always say I ought to join a Bronze Age reenactment group as I would fit in a treat. When I have to go somewhere like the hospital (very, very often), I either wear one of my better hats (a woolly one from my deceased Uncle) or I do wash it but try and slick it down so no one can see my baldy bits - I'm kidding myself really as I have no eyebrows.
ReplyDeleteKeep being bright. Natalie
I am letting my hair go gray naturally, but if I was to colour it I think your hot red is fab!! I love Christmas because of the Christian meaning but hate the commercial part. We do homemade presents, things found at the thrift store and homemade gift-cards e.g. 100 hugs, wash the car or cut the hedge, a picnic by the sea etc. The children enjoy making the gift cards for people too. Pam in Norway
ReplyDeleteHi Ilona, not been here for a while, not been too well of late, age creeping in thing I think. The hair cut looks good, you have been that colour before I think?? As for christmas, living alone I dont have any big worry, I have no grandchildren and my own 3 are grown up in their 50s and all live away. theboys give a small cheque to and daughter in N/Zealand does get a parcel with M&S things and odd little things. I do give small gifts to a few elderly friends who struggle but to eek out my funds I buy a few weeks before the big rush starts a little here and there makes it easier for my purse. I am sure a little treat of home cooked cookies also goes down well. Decorations I have had since my children were small kids, some that they made when we were living on our own with very little money I will never part with, such memories. Christmas lunch for me will be a normal lunch, no big deal, As long as I have enough food in to feed the stray cats that I have at my door each evening I am happy. Happy Chrismas Everyone.
ReplyDeleteDanneke xx
I've seen red in poundland up here worth a look if you pass one.
ReplyDeleteHi, I have been grey since very young and in my earlier years I coloured and often bright red until I decided that I tired of the grey roots needing to be redone and also I didn't like the chemicals I was using and have just been grey, fortunately my grey is light in colour and all the same colour so it has a shiny appearance.
ReplyDeleteAs for Christmas I found it is easier to go with the family 'flow', this year my three children will be in different parts of the country and one who lives in the US. Will travel to see one a few days before Christmas as two of the grandchildren have birthdays a few days before Christmas so will be with them for their birthdays and then travel six hours to be with the youngest who is holidaying at the beach. This is the first Christmas I have never been in my home town but if I want to see my family then I must go to them which is fine.
Another thing not on topic at the bottom of the comments page is a project 'free things I have found, or been given, or I have asked for'. I used to enjoy reading this part of your blog when you added things to it, as I too enjoy been given things I can use or finding things on my daily walks. Please feel free to continue adding to it as I think it is years since you added to it.
Regards
Melinda
Ilona, your lovely smile with your new hair says it all! You like it and it is neat, tidy and out of your face. I admire your ability to cut your own hair. Here is one Anonymous who cheers you on. Mary Jane in Canada.
ReplyDeleteI volunteer for a charity shop and the charity has a christmas raffle - £1 tickets. I put them in christmas cards as my pressies. you never know who might win!
ReplyDeleteA long time ago, we decided we would only give gifts within the immediate family. When the children were small, we settled on 3 gifts each (for the Three Wise Men). Since I don't have grandchildren, we still do the 3 gifts. One nice thing, especially with kids, is that when you have the 3 gifts, you know you're done. No temptation to buy more. About 15 years ago, I added a new twist: a budget for each person. The presents have varied from one big present and two little trinkets to all 3 of about the same value, and everything in between. About half the time, I come in under budget, but I don't feel compelled to spend the rest of the money on another gift. Our adult kids give one present to each other. If we had grandchildren--and it doesn't look like we are going to--we would re-think this. I like drawing names.
ReplyDeleteI always make a point of giving my DS--who likes the best of everything--at least one used gift. Once, a set of good kitchen knives bought on eBay for $27. Many used books. I never buy new books anymore, even for gifts, and most of what I read comes from the public library.
I haven't found that people always appreciate handmade gifts. However, homemade consumables, like food, usually are a hit. Especially jam, for some reason. I don't give to extended family anymore, but that's what I found. I do not give to friends, neighbors or co-workers. If they give me a gift, I say Thank You.
I don't decorate much, but we use the same stuff over and over.
Should have added, we also contribute to charity all year round, but especially at Christmas. My favorite charities are Union Gospel Mission, which serves homeless and addicted men, the Salvation Army, Samaritan's Purse and Wounded Warrior Project.
ReplyDeleteMaxine - aka mikemax