Why I Still Shop Cheap

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Ethical Tshirt

image@weheartit

In the wake of the April 24th Bangladesh factory collapse, I have read so many articles questioning the morals of people who still shop cheap. I have to admit I do shop cheap, especially when it comes to children’s clothes and here is why.

I saw an article on the guardian “Top 10 ethical places to shop for children’s clothes”. A visit to one of the shop uncovers one baby bodysuit for £10 (you can get a set of 5 for £3 in most of the cheap shops). My son usually needs two sets of clothes everyday. One to wear to  his minders place and another in his bag just in case he needs a change. Bibs on one of the ethical sites is going for £7.99 while a simple T-shirt is sold for a whopping £21. To cloth my son for a day from one of these shop would cost me a whopping £144 (bodysuit, socks, t-shirt, trouser, bib and spare clothes in bag). His weekly attire would cost £432; minus shoes. According to a UK survey, on average, babies wear an item just 12 times. Baby clothes are also designed to be worn over a three months span hence the size labelling 3-6 months, 6-9 months etc.  In this current economic climate to ask a parent to spend £432 on clothes every 3 months is not practical.

I totally agree that we need to hold the CEO’s of these companies accountable. Many of the directors of these companies know that there is a lot of corruption in developing countries. Sometimes brought on by poverty and most times by greed. They need to ensure that when dealing with contractors and such they don’t just accept a piece of paper. Go with your own engineers. Make sure that you care about your foreign workers in the same manner you would care about the workers in your country. Stop looking only at the bottom line.

Some of the comments on these articles are that – we should stop buying clothes that are manufactured in these developing countries. For one thing, the price/label of a piece of clothing is not at all indicative of the working conditions of its manufacturer. In Prato, Italy, Chinese immigrants were found to be working in garment factories for as little as €2 an hour. Also, killing the manufacturing trade in developing countries is not going to help. These workers need the money to survive. Most developing countries do not have a benefit or government aid system. If they don’t work they don’t eat simple. Taking people on an ethical guilt trip doesn’t help. We would all love to by that ethical t-shirt for £21 but sadly not everyone can. My desire to spend my money wisely is definitely not the problem. Greed is.

Summer Worries – Hot Pants or Wedding

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Summer worries@shelovestorant

When planning my summer holiday, I thought my greatest worry would be which hot pants to wear or which sandals would be stable enough to push a buggy in. I didn’t anticipate that my great summer worry would be if I was married or not.

Yep I can see you doing the maths, She blogged about being married – I thought she was married. Well so did I. And here comes the long story. I got married in a church back home. Bach home churches can apply for a license to conduct marriages and issue a certificate in the way the Church of England would do. After the ceremony you are issued two certificates. One for you and the second to submit at your local government registry for their own record. Which we did and have pictures of swearing the oath at the registry.

In other to plan this summer holiday we need to get a visa and the embassy in questions requires our marriage certificate to be authenticated by the our High Commission. Turns out the High Commission have a policy not to authenticate certificates from churches as there is literally a church on every street in Africa. I do sympathize with them, however it is the same government that is giving these churches authority to conduct ceremonies and issuing them personalised marriage certificates and to make matters worse the local registry can’t find their record. Yep they still haven’t heard of computers every thing is written down somewhere in a great book (which we filled out and signed 3 years ago) which they are still trying to locate.

So we are battling a classic third world problem - government departments with several conflicting policy, missing records and no one that can be held to account except the invisible “oga at the top”. Everyone keeps saying blame the system,  it is the system,  as if the system isn’t being run by someone  - it’s an invisible hand of power wielding it out on us all.

I am now left wondering am I married or not. Funny enough my marriage certificate is recognised by the UK government. I have been trying to get this sorted for over two weeks and It’s just so annoying.

Anyway as the saying goes “every disappointment is a blessing” at least now I am single in some countries, I can upgrade on the husband front :-) .  I can plan another wedding.  This would probably be the wedding of my dreams since the first one was almost totally out of my control. #SummerWedding who is in?

Image credit for the amazing J’Aton Coutu dress

Help! My Son is Afraid of Leaves

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LO@shelovestorant

LO@shelovestorant

I am having a case of working mum guilt – I don’t do enough outdoor activities with my son. Imagine my horror when I discovered that my son is afraid of leaves. How did this happen? How many trips to the park have we missed ?

Last week I took my son to the urgent care centre because he had been vomiting (another one of those trips where they do absolutely nothing and ask you what you think is wrong ). We had a two and half hour wait before we would be seen so I decided to wait in the park beside the clinic as it was a sunny day.

On the way to the park LO let out a freakish scream when we passed by the hedges. When we got to the park he refused walk on the grass and would only walk on paved ground. Now even when we drive by trees with leaves, he starts to scream. I feel so guilty about this. I grew up on a farm I ran among cattle (so to speak), harvested corn, played with rabbits and chased wild rats. You would often find me at the top of a tree. I once fell down from a mango tree when a lizard crawled over my hand. I was stung by a bee on the way down (Had a concussion for two days though aliens where coming to kill my mum). I still have a phobia for lizards till this day. Such was the drama of my growing up years. For my son to now be afraid of leaves is an absolute disgrace :( .

I hereby make a pledge to LO – Dear LO I promise to take you to the park every weekend except when I have to cook or get the groceries or I am too tired after a long week at work or it’s too cold or……… Sod it your dad would take you. Just Kidding would take you my baby together we would fight this fear.

Review – E45 Body Lotion

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e45 Nourish and RestoreI was sent a box of 2 full size E45 lotions and some samples by BzzAgent UK. I was very sceptical about trying it because I have extremely dry skin.

I never knew I had dry skin until I moved to the UK. I tried every over the counter dry skin cream and lotion including E45 to no avail. I had to go to my GP to get a specialist cream and that’s what I have been using ever since. I have never considered using anything else.

I didn’t particularly like the thickness of the cream I was using (although it was working it took a lot of rubbing to get it into the skin) so I tried the lotion. However, when I used the lotion it didn’t work as well as the cream and I started to itch. So when I was selected to try E45 Nourish and Restore. I was very sceptical. DH who also has dry skin refused to try it. He also banned me from trying it on LO who has dry skin and is presently using Oilatum junior and aqueous cream as a soap substitute.

I started the course on the 8th of April and to my surprise it really worked despite it being a lotion. I have been expecting the itch to return but nope –  no itch. It really comes in handy on those mornings when I can’t make it to the bathroom and I have to do a “rub and shine” ;) in other to be at work on time. It feels so light and is absorbed into the skin so quickly. It doesn’t feel sticky even when I don’t have a bath. When DH saw that it was working for me he decided to try it. He was also surprised that it worked. He has now taken the two bottles I was sent and declared ownership.

You don’t have to take my word for it you can order a free sample here and give it a try. I would also love to hear from anyone who has tried this in the past and it didn’t work only to try it now and have a change of heart.

PS – Having a bath is highly recommended *winks*

Baby Summer WishList

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Baby Summer Wish List

As the sun shines brighter and my holiday draws closer.  I have been scouting my usually hunts for summer clothes for LO.  This season pale pastel colours are all the range.  I also have a thing for stripes. So here my faves for now.

Twin pack strip shirts £5 at Mataland. I am quite happy to buy really cheap clothes for summer because the season is so short and by next summer LO would definitely have outgrown them.

Stone Jean Shorts also from Mataland. What is summer without legs.

Clogs for playing in the rain, £3 at Mataland.

Footbed Sandals £6 also from Mataland (Just received their catalogue in the post)

Geek T-Shirt – Mataland £3 they also have the Nerd one. You know how I love to matchy matchy. I have a similar Geek Tee so this is a must have for LO.

Now for my more vain finds

Found those lovely blue loafers at Zara. Cant find them in stock anymore :-( .

Blue drawstring jeans also from Zara

Denim shorts with suspenders Zara £14.99. I can picture LO in this with a straw hat or papa’s cap and a classic white linen shirt.

Pink strip and Blue check shirts Both £10.99 at Zara.

Casual leather basket ball boots £17.99 at Zara

And Finally Check shirts from Next £9.00

Sunglasses For Spring & Summer

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designer sunglasses trends

designer sunglasses@shelovestorant

We’ve officially entered the spring and summer season, and that means that, as usual, we are about to be inundated with fashion advice from all corners. Catalogues, fashion blogs, billboards, television ads, shop windows, and even our friends *winks* will all be displaying the latest warm weather styles, and we’ll all be tempted to do a bit of a wardrobe update. But really, the clothes usually take care of themselves. It’s the accessories that can get tricky. My hubby recently travelled back home where it so warm and sunny, so I have been browsing sunglasses.

In particular, trends in spring and summer sunglasses can be a bit difficult to read or pick up on. In fact, not everyone is even able to take advantage of these accessory trends, depending on eyecare needs (I wear prescription lenses). But whether you typically avoid sunglasses altogether, pop in your acuvue contact lenses  so you can free up your eyes for sunglasses, or even opt for prescription sunglass lenses, these trends exist, and sometimes they’re the most enjoyable ones to take advantage of. Along those lines, here are 5 fun and fashionable trends in sunglasses for spring and summer of 2013 (Yep I am in with the fashion blogs :-) ).

1. Bold Stripes

One of the most noticeable accessory trends on spring and summer fashion runways was boldly striped frames on sunglasses. High-end designers like D&G displayed just about every combination of colour imaginable in these striped frames, which tend to go on oversized frames with dark lenses.

2. White Frames

For a somewhat retro look this spring and summer, you might be able to have some fun with some all-white sunglasses frames. Typically contrasted with dark lenses, these glasses come in all different shapes and sizes, but absolutely display a bold and confident sense of fashion.

3. Round Glasses

In the past few years, summer sunglasses have trended toward blockier, more angled shapes. This spring and summer, however, you can certainly expect to see some round frames out and about, and this too evokes a sort of vintage, retro feel. Round frames certainly don’t work for everybody, but if you’re looking for a more unique and noticeable option this is a trend to consider.

4. All-Black

Not exactly a surprise, all-black sunglasses are once again making the rounds in spring and summer fashion. Perhaps the most traditional look for a pair of sunglasses, black frames with black lenses will always be stylish. Plus they go with everything.

5. Colourful Lenses

Finally, if you want to have a bit more fun with your spring and summer glasses selection, consider coloured lenses. Whether it’s a fading neutral colour combination, or something a bit brighter such as a pink or blue lens, there are plenty of options out there worth considering. Particularly in a beach environment, these lenses can be very enjoyable in the summer.

Well, I am off to tour the web and find some glasses I can actually afford. Would keep you posted on my spring/summer finds. BrB.

Multitasking Challenge

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working mum
As a working mum, my weekends are down to a precision art. With a list of chores that would make any domestic goddess green with envy. I have to multi task to get everything done in time or else I wouldn’t get any rest. Here is a snap shot of my list

- Sort out 4 loads of washing (whites, coloured, blacks and wools) the key to this is starting the whites and coloured early so that by the time the wools are washed (they take the longest to dry and we don’t own a drier and we live in a flat so no hanging space) the whites and coloured are dried making way for the wools to dry all weekend.

- Organise the meals for the week. I am not really a fan of cooking. I do love food but the process of getting it ready and out there isn’t my favourite chore. Truth be told I prefer cleaning to cooking. My approach to cooking is fast and convenient (cooking things that are easy from scratch). If you know anything about cooking African food, you would know this is almost an impossible mission. Every meal has two have 2 types of meat, vegetables washed and chopped to precision size. Different types of fish – dried, fresh, blended etc. There is also LO’s food and fruit pots to be prepared & labelled for the week. Over the weekend I cook in bulk so I don’t need to prepare anything from scratch during the week as most days I get home by 7.10pm.

– House cleaning. Weekend is the time to give every room a complete wipe down. DH also chips in buy drying the washing, taking out the bins, cleaning the bathroom and generally keeping LO busy while I get on with it.

So when I was sent this multitasking test by open education I was so sure I was the ideal candidate for it . However, my score was below average :-( . I am not sure if it’s because I was playing it during my break at work and I gave it all but 2 minutes (diminished attention span). I would try again during a less stressful period and update the post. Do have a play and let me know how it goes.

I have also included some articles below which show that multi tasking isn’t such a good idea so maybe there is a silver lining behind my low score *winks*

PS. I tried to embed the game on my blog don’t know why it didn’t work. While trying to find out what was wrong I accidentally published the post before it was ready as well. Apologies to everyone who got the unfinished version.

Related articles

Spring Cleaning

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scattered wardrope

my messed up wardrobe

In the last couple of years, I have worked my way through a few sizes. Going from a size 4 when I came to this country (yep I was seriously under weight) cue in McDonalds, KFC and chinese coupled with the life of a student I shot to a 6 then to an 8 after marriage, 10 after child-birth and now back to an 8 with folds. A real yoyo experience. It took me a while to accept that I would never get back to a 6 so I have decided to sort out my wardrobe. Out with the old and in with the new. I would like to create a capsule wardrobe consisting of only clothes I actually wear. Like most girls I have over 10 pairs of jeans but I only ever wear 2. This spring I aim to get rid of the remaining 8+ and all the other clothes in my wardrobe I can’t actually fit in to. I am also one of those people whose feet never recovered from child-birth so I have a box of shoes some where that I still can’t wear except someone invents foot reduction surgery.

I hope this spring clean is successful because in the past I have tried to do it but ended up getting too sentimental about my heap. Amongst the stuff I feel so sad parting with are my choir uniforms. Most of them are a size 6 and even though I could still squeeze into them when I was a slim 8 now I am a big 8 (tummy not yet completely flat) the clothes feel a bit tight. The thought of having to start getting them all over again is so discouraging; black suit, grey suit, brown suits, white suit not to mention the shirts the list is endless.

This time around I have decided to sell the lot may be the money incentive would motivate me to actually do it. My usual hunts where eBay and preloved I sold some of my sons old stuff there. I have just discovered that music magpie sell clothes. I didn’t know you could actually sell clothes on their site I used to think they just sold old CD’s (apparently this is a new feature). They give you an instant quote and you can decide if you want to sell or not, cutting out all the hassle of bidding. You know what you are getting from the start. I am off to hunt for some treasure and give it a try. New clothes I can smell you already. Would let you know how it goes.

I Told You So

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There are four words everyone hates to be told by their spouse – I told you so. However it’s so hard not to say those words when they ring so true. During our pre-marriage counselling we were warned about the pit falls of pointing fingers, keeping scores and the need to always be right. I think DH was asleep during this particular session as he never admits to being wrong so on a rear occasion when he does, it deserves to be documented for the sake of posterity (nope I am not keeping scores *winks* I am better than that).

You know how when its one season you totally forget what the other seasons feel like. When its winter you forget warmth and sunshine. That is what happened when we went duvet shopping last winter. DH proclaimed that nothing else would do but a 30 tog duvet. I tried to convince him to get a dual duvet made for both seasons or buy a lesser tog and dress warm to bed so when it summer or spring we would not need to get another duvet. He said he would rather buy two duvet one for summer and one for winter. While this may seem like a brilliant plan squashing a 30 tog duvet into the wardrobe isn’t an easy task. So out went the plan. Besides it was winter at the time so we didn’t really dwell on it.

John Lewis Isla Throw, TealJohn Lewis Roma Throws , Catkin

Now a little sunshine is upon us the 30 tog duvet is way too hot. Despite opening the window through the night I still wake up drenched in sweat. DH has finally admitted defeat. We need a spring/summer duvet. I am now scouting the internet looking for a suitable duvet. However,when a shopaholic goes online she loses focus. Why not get bedspreads, throws and other accessories give the bedroom a spring make over. You know how much I love matching stuff. You see darling being wrong is going to cost you. So whats the moral of this story you might ask? Never admit to being wrong :-) .

PS. DH totally hates throws. He says they have no practical use than to sit at the foot of a bed. Who cares I am getting one any way.

Journey Planner

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Keep Calm and Carry on

image@weheartit

There is nothing more British than the ability to keep calm and carry on. The ability to reduce a potential meltdown to a grunt and a letter is impeccable. As a girl of African descent, I am dramatic by nature *winks* however, since moving to the UK I have gradually become less expressive and very monosyllabic. I have perfected my “no eye contact” on the train and become great at not speaking to people. However when it comes to the underground or train services in general we are not quite good at keeping calm or carrying on when things go wrong. I am not sure if it’s the exorbitant amount of money we pay for the service or the fact that we are in such a hurry to get home and put our feet up after a hard day at work.

I was listening to one of Dara O’Briain’s comedy clips on YouTube last week. In it he made a joke about the london bombing, he said when most Londoners heard the announcement that there was no service on the underground due to a bomb the first thought that crossed most people’s minds was how they where going to get home and how inconveniencing it would be to their journey. At first, I almost wrote it off as a tasteless joke but on second thoughts I realised it was a true observation.

I know I have been guilty of thinking only of the inconvenience to my journey when I hear that announcement on the underground that there are delays due to a person under the train. I have though how selfish it is that people choose to be “under the train” during rush hour. I know I am not alone in these thoughts as I have heard people at the station voice similar opinions. Recently I watched a show on BBC about train services – Keeping Britain Moving. One of the customer service attendants spoke about how she sold a ticket to a guy who walked straight onto the tracks. The last thing he did was buy  a ticket from her and ask how she was doing. He had a smile on his face as he purchased his ticket. His parents came to see her as they wanted to see the last person he spoke to before he walked onto the tracks. She had tears in her eyes as she spoke about it and so did I listening to the story.

Now whenever I hear that there has been a person under the train. I don’t think of the inconvenience to my journey but the person who felt they were at such a cross-road with no way out but to end it all. I think about the family they left behind who have to bear the pain of losing a loved on, wondering what drove them to the brink and I thank God for the family I have waiting at home for me. No rush I say to my self, you would still get home tonight. Keep Calm and Carry On.