1) With our trip to New York fast approaching Miss Frugal has been wanting to watch more and more YouTube videos about everything from the flight to the sights and the food to the shopping. I’m taking advantage of every minute she wants to spend with me because I know that, at 14, it might not last too much longer so we’ve been watching YouTube instead of reading guidebooks like I remember doing about places we were travelling too when I was younger. Not only are we having fun spending time together watching them, we’re saving money on guidebooks (it’s OK, that’s not the frugal link to this one) and I am totally learning how to apply makeup seeing as lots of the shopping videos feature make-up hauls and tutorials.
I’ve learned more than I ever need to know about contouring and eyebrow perfecting and I also discovered a brand of under eye concealer that comes up time and time again as a ‘beauty favourite’ – Maybelline Instant Anti Age Eye Eraser which is £7.99 on Amazon. I already had this and was a huge fan but not being a beauty expert I didn’t really feel comfortable recommending it. Now that I can see I’m not the only one who loves it then I thought I’d mention it as it’s much cheaper than it’s big brand counterparts. I bought mine when Maybelline was buy one, get one half price in Boots a while ago so it was an even bigger bargain.
2) I used the leftover roast chicken we had from lunch on Sunday to make chicken stock and a chicken and lemon risotto for tea on Monday night which was amazing. I’ll try and blog the recipe for you but I think I might have to make it again first as it was a bit of an experiment that went well rather than following any sort of plan for the meal.
It’s getting harder to make a chicken last over a few meals now that the kids are a bit older with bigger appetites but I’m pleased with the two good sized meals for us all and the chicken stock I now have in the freezer.
3) We’re at the time of year where Mr Frugal is reading into everything I say looking for ideas on what to buy me for my Birthday – I only have to look at something in a shop before he’s all over it asking if I want it. It’s a lovely thought but I’ve asked him not to bother with a present for me this year as I’m already conscious about the cost of New York next month. We’ve decided that he’s going to cook me a nice meal (I suspect a takeaway menu will be involved) and then we’ll spend a nice night watching TV. I’ve also agreed the same with the kids for Mothers Day this year, I’d rather they did something nice like Miss Frugal did last year than spend their pocketmoney on me.
4) Soup has been my staple lunch this week with the first few days being a gorgeous leek and potato soup and the rest of the week’s lunch has been my spicy sweet potato and butternut squash soup.
I’ve been using my Sistema soup containers to store the soup in because I love that I can easily pop them in the microwave to heat them up and use them as bowls too.
5) I’m struggling to sleep a little bit at the moment so I’ve made myself some homemade sleep spray that I’m hoping will help me relax – it’s a mix of water, witch hazel and lavender essential oil so I’ll report back if it works. If it does it will be amazing as it cost literally pennies to make and I’d pay a fortune for a good night’s sleep right now.
As always, we’d love you to join in with us by sharing what frugal and thrifty things you’ve been up to this week – whether it’s an Instagram picture (#5frugalthings), a blog post or even a video. Just add your link to the linky at the bottom of this post.
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I’m linking up with this Cass, Emma and Becky in this week’s ‘Five Fabulously Frugal things I’ve done this week’ linky.
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ooh will have to hunt out the Maybelline! I've been spending loads on building work in my house this week – am feeling quite desperate for a more frugal week!
I think I need that eye eraser I have such dark circles at the moment!
Wonderful as always! I hope you get some sleep soon.
Sleep deprivation is awful. Hope you get some sleep soon.
I cannot wait to hear all about your New York trip
So if you are having trouble sleeping..there is a really lovely lavender night cream in Aldi at the moment. They sent me some to trial its just £3.99 for a tub. It smells lovely and not just helps you sleep but add much moisture during the night:-) Theres a pic on my instagram account.
Fresh stock is amazing and full of health benefits too. I have to buy larger chickens now to stretch the meat. I bet you can not wait for New York!
New York sounds so exciting. I’m sure there are so many sights to see you won’t need to spend too much money. I’m not sure Miss Frugal would agree with me!
One of the absolute best things we did when we went to New York was go on a pizza tour! Ate different kinds of pizza, learned all about the neighborhoods around them and just a general history of pizza. Was well worth the price. Also walking the Highline, checking out street fairs (ask at your hotel), museums are free (they are more than happy to take their suggested admission donation). Also using the app Open Table helped us find great places to eat that were near our location and had a table available.
I have chicken stock envy… despite several attempts I've never managed to make anything that actually works! Also, I might be painting myself as a bit of a culinary mess, which I'm actually not, but I've been banned from making soup in my house. Maybe I can reintroduce it on the quiet with your recipe and see if there are any protests? 🙂
Hope you'll do a tips post for New York when you get back- I'm going in May and busy researching too 🙂 I always buy a lonely planet guide; I feel lost without them, especially when it comes to finding good places to eat!
Love the sound of the sleep spray! Do you just spray it on your pillow? I already have some lavender oil, might give it a go…
Oh Cass we are so in the same place right now! I have never once worried about my eyebrows but I'm becoming a bit of a perfectionist now my daughter has enlightened me to what's not only possible, but vital before I come into contact with any of her friends. And how did I live without contour…!?
I'd definitely be interested to know how the spray works! Just had my own butternut squash soup for lunch – I need to try yours next….
Hope you both have a really fabulous time in New York, so exciting. Hopefully my husband might be up for some cooking on Mothers' Day – currently I'm bracing myself for the "all must attend" Beavers and Cubs church service.
I love to make chicken stock – it always tastes so nice! looks delicious!
I love those Sistema containers too!
Sounds like New York is going to be lots of fun and I can't wait to hear all about it 😀
I love fresh stock, it's just so much better than cubes. That sleep spray sounds interesting but I can't deal with lavender as it gives me headaches, I wonder if I could substitute that?