It's a deal, it's a steal...

Well hello my pretties...
I trust your weekend has treated you well?  I have to admit I've been feeling a bit under the weather (bloody tonsils) but I've refused to let my sniffles and general lack of energy get the better of me.  Oh, no.  Instead, I've been doing what us frugal Northerners do best - indulging in a bit of a bargain hunt - and boy has it given me a boost!  This week I've been...

The drawer is supposed to be squiffy. Honest...

FREECYCLING!
Or rather, spending my Wednesday evening putting together a desk I picked up gratis from the website with my mate - in exchange for food and wine, of course.  And, believe you me, sans instructions, it proved more challenging than the Crystal Maze.  You see - free entertainment with your free furniture.  What's not to like?

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Hey good lookin'...

UPCYCLING!
Oh yes... and I finally finished my funky book case!  WOOO HOOO!

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Welcome to the cheap seats

CAR BOOTING!
I've flexed my bargain-hunting muscles a tad further today and picked up a couple of bar stools from a car boot in Wimbledon for the princely sum of £1.50.  For the pair.  Yes, REALLY.  The sad thing is, if the market had been closer to home, I could have got myself four dining table chairs for a tenner, but the taxi home would have negated any cash saved on such a price.  But that doesn't mean I can't keep my eyes peeled for boot sales in Walthy...

So yes, I am feeling rather pleased with myself.  But don't get me wrong - such frugality comes at a price.  I dread to think how many hours went into that bookcase, and getting my desk together took a lot of perseverance - and tea.  As for the bar stools?  Well, they need a lick of paint and a bit of upholstering, but after all the funny looks I got as I transported them across London via train, tube and bus, that is the least of my worries.  But I can't wait to see my latest bargain once it's been tarted up - and the faces of my guests when I tell them the stool they are perched on cost all of 75p...

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