A Book a Week - February

So I know I posted the other day about why I blog and how I don't make any money from this blog - but then I had a thought.  Seeing I link to Amazon for the books that I read and review, why not be affiliated with them, and then if anyone does go there or buy the book, I can earn dollars towards books myself!  So if you do want to buy one of the books I have looked at, please click on the picture at the right.....thankyou!

1. This months first book is A Whole World of Trouble (2003) by Helen Chappell.  Set in Oysterback in America's south,  second-hand dealer Carrie Hudson is suddenly dragged back after 20 years away when her mother unexpectedly dies  - she's killed by an alligator while traveling in Florida. Seriously! Her quick visit becomes a long stay when her 'two bricks short of a load' brother Wayne  gets into a fight with airport security while trying to bring his mother's ashes home, and they're impounded as evidence. Carrie has to wait around Oysterback, reluctantly catching up with old high school classmates, boyfriends, her mother's old flames and her disapproving sister, Earlene.  It's quite a funny story of  sister's who don't like each other finally reaching an understanding, with a bit of romance and crime thrown it, and it was also a bit of an education into southern slang and sayings.
Not a bad read, and a bit different for me - 7/10
A thrift shop book for me (20 cents), but you can find it at  the publishers, Simon & Schuster from $16, (or click the picture at right).

2. My second book this month was the non-fiction Honeycomb Kids (2012) by Aussie small farmer, bee keeper, speaker and author Anna M Campbell. 'A parenting book for the 21st century' it has ideas for raising resilient, capable kids while looking at ways the whole family can be greener, more connected to the earth, happier and healthier.  At the end of each chapter (such as 'Building Hope and Resilience', The kitchen Garden' and 'Money can't buy you love') there is a page or so of 'Thought launchers and conversations starters' to help you get going.  I LOVE this book.  Every parent, aunt, uncle, teacher or grandparent should read it.  

A definite 10/10.  And I even bought it new ($27.95) from Anna's website, Honeycomb Valley,  The site is worth the visit to learn more about her farm, or to buy bamboo toothbrushes or honey, like I did! (I kept the nice note Anna sent me too).

Now to some chick-lit.  the Thrift store was having a 50 cent sale on large paperbacks, so I grabbed the next two books.

3. The first is No Strings Attached (2007) by Claire Dowling.  Set in Ireland,  Judy and Barry are about to be married when Barry's childhood friend Lenny arrives from Australia to play the part of best man.  Lenny's free and single lifestyle leaves Barry wanting, and he takes off to France the day before the wedding. Judy blames Lenny, while falling in bed with him - no strings attached, of course.  Meanwhile her Americanized brother breaks up with his phyco girlfriend to get back with Judy's best friend, and her parents house is set on fire. I enjoyed this book, despite it's subtle mantra of 'play the field' before you settle down - my husband was my first serious boyfriend!  It's a cute, typical Irish chick lit book, complete with the eccentric family, close knit group of girlfriends, and everyday girl type of heroine.
A 7/10. You can find it here.

4. Keeping Mum (2009) by Kate Lawson sees widow and mother of two teenage 'left the nest' boys Cass single and happy, working restoring furniture for her antique shop in a small English town, and singing in the local choir for fun.  Her mother, married to a much younger man, is worried about her and continually sets her up with men - usually unsuitable ones.  Cass's old school 'friend' Fiona moves into town with her partner, Andy, and soon has Cass spying on him for her, sure he's having an affair.  On a choir trip to Cyprus things start to go haywire, and Andy and Cass are thrown together while Fiona is making her own fun elsewhere. There are a few hurdles, a family secret and a happy ending, and all in all an enjoyable read.  I did find both the title and the cover description misleading, however, as really Cass's mum only moves in for a while to escape her renovation, and is really quite helpful.
8/10.

My total this month     - $30.95
My January Total -       $ 1.70
My total year to date  - $32.65    

Which means I only have $19.35 left for books for the next 10 months, or 1.93 a month. Can I do it?  Of course I could visit the library, but I am also trying to build up my own library of books......roll on Mother's Day!

Deb xx

Wardrobe Update - The Reveal - Autumn Capsule Wardrobe

Wow, what a busy week!  I cleaned out my closet, listed lots on ebay (and made abut $300 if I don't count the horse gear I sold) and worked out my 'capsule' wardrobe.
This was last week (plus another half metre of my husband's hanging space on the other side of the walk in robe):

before

This is now:

After (blurry, sorry)

       

And it fits into two suitcases!

Working from my 1930s plan I set out last week, this is the list of what was suggested and what I have for Autumn/Spring wear - not really vintage, but often a vintage feel and often thrifted. You'll see the colour scheme is black, white, grey, brown and orange. (I have put what each item cost me in brackets).


The Wardrobe

Dresses
Suggested:
2 cotton, for summer street wear
4 rayon, 3 fair quality, one inexpensive house dress
1 wool dress
1 rayon party dress

Actual:
2 cotton dresses (black and white, 1 bought new 2011, 1 op shop 2011 total - $50)
2 rayon work dresses (black and white and leopard print, 1 new this year, sale $20, 1 op shop $2)
1 rayon party dress (op shop this year, $2)
1 pair long pants (black, op shop last year $2)
1 pair long wide leg silky pants (brown, new this year, sale $5)
1 pair 3/4 pant (grey, new last year, sale $10)
1 pair shorts (black, this summer, $30)

    

     

  

Other (buy every other year)

Suggested:
1 wool skirt
1 sweater
1 blouse
1 smock (to wear over dresses while at home)

Actual:
I wool skirt (gored, lined, brown, thrifted last year $2)
1 orange short sleeve cardigan (new this year, sale $35)
1 Short sleeve silver sweater (thrifted this year $2)
1 gold knit shrug (new 2010, $30)
2 blouses (I black with white spots, one leopard print, both new 2011, $20)
1 orange knit top with bow (thrifted last year, $2)
3 T-shirts - black, leopard, orange sleeveless (various total $20)

       

Shoes

Suggested:
2 pairs medium quality street shoes
1 pair medium quality dress shoes
1 pair evening slippers, every other year
1 pair inexpensive white shoes
Rubbers/sand shoes 1 pair every other year
House slippers

Actual:

2 pairs medium quality street shoes (one brown, one grey, new 2012 sale $30 total)
1 pair medium quality dress shoes (leopard print wedges, new this year, sale $20)
1 pair good dress shoes (black peep toes, new in 2011, $120)
1 pair evening slippers (silver and bag, shoes new 2011 and vintage bag total $50)
1 pair inexpensive sandals (orange, new this year, sale $12)
I pair dressy flats (gold thongs, gifted)
Sand shoes (orange,new this year $15)
Pair orthopaedic thongs (black, not shown, new, $35)

      

 

 

Accessories :

Suggested
3 handbags at $1 each (or fewer and better)

3 pairs gloves, 1 leather, 2 fabric
Umbrella, every other year
3 handbags at $1 each (or fewer and better)
4 felt hats, two heavy, two light
3 pairs gloves, 1 leather, 2 fabric
handkerchiefs, dozen per year

Actual
2 satchell bags (new, orange, Myer sale $70, black thrifted $5)
1 large handbag(vintage, snake skin, bought 2010, thrifted $5)
1 evening bag (vintage, black, bought 2010, $10)
2 small bags with straps (1 gold, vintage, 1 leopard print, bought 2009 total $20)
1 tiny evening bag (vintage, silver, bought 2012, $15)
1 Umbrella (black, not shown)
2 sun hats (1 black wide brim, 1 orange narrow brim, one new this year, sale $15)
1 beret (new, black, this year sale, $20)

   

 

Underwear

Suggested:
2 under-vests, rayon or knitted
3 knit rayon bloomers
2 panties, 1 rayon, 1 silk
4 slips, 3 rayon, 1 silk
2 corsets or girdles
3 brassières
3 nightgowns, 1 cotton, 1 rayon, 1 cotton flannel
Flannel bathrobe (every 3 yrs.)
Rayon kimono, every other year
20 pairs medium silk stockings


Underwear Actual - (won't show these!)
2 pairs body shapers ($40)
2 slips, (1 black 1 white, vintage, op shop $3)
6 brassières (2011, 2012 total $200)
2 nightgowns, 1 cotton, 1 rayon (gifts)
Cotton kimono (vintage, op shop $5)
6 pairs stockings/pantihose (op shop new in packets $10 and gift)


Need to unpack coats from storage for winter - suggested:

Medium quality fur-trimmed coat, every 3 years
Wool spring coat, every other year
Raincoat, every 3 years


Need to buy:
Comfy Black dres/swork shoes (the pair I have hurt my feet, for dress only) - estimated $160
Another hat/beret - estimated $20
dozen handkerchiefs - estimated $20
stockings as needed- estimated $20
slippers (gift)

Would love:
30s style suit
Felt hat
Black wool skirt

In total my wardrobe has cost me about $902 , that is $232 for clothes, $258 for underwear, $252 for shoes and $160 for accessories.  Not bad really. Under $1,000!

I worked out last week that my budget would be $3,400 for the year in 2013 (with $850 for personal care).  That means you could expect to spend about $284 for clothes per month (and $70.85 for personal care). I think I am doing pretty well on my budget, don't you think. I may be able to afford that suit after all!

Next I have to go through my stored winter clothes. Our winter here is short, only about two months (June , July), so we don't need many warmer clothes.  I had a suede jacket and boots my first few years here, but I haven't bother to update these lately.

Deb xx