Actually learning something now I blog all this. Makes me wish I’d done this in the past but looking back I didn’t need to as I purchased magazines and dvds with it all in. Also I didn’t have time.
If normal life comes back I can use all this information as I probably won’t have this amount of spare time.
It is all here for you too if you want it.
Some of the Shopping links are turning out to be good and you can get repeat purchases every year.
January
Noticing the amount of people moaning about dry January I came up with the idea of ‘Not so dry January’.
This will be developed more in this years January Slimming Calendar as the nerd discovered it was only a psyop anyway.
It means you don’t have to live off vegan food and green gloop, you can just do January like all the other months.
Discovered I lost weight drinking in moderation, eating crisps and ready meals, but that supplements and health powders do work you just don’t have to make them into gloopy smoothies if you don’t like them.
I worked out a formula where if you drink in moderation throughout christmas you don’t need to detox.
Not sure if you need to detox anyway if you aren’t an alcoholic?
Developments on detox Knowledge in 2025
On a detox packet I discovered Seasonal detoxing.
Decided to do this.
Also discovered detox is for everyone and clear our systems out of all types of toxin; they aren’t just for drug or alcohol addicts; it is more about clearing out waste that is trapped in our bodies from anything we consume not just alcohol.
If the thought of not drinking in cold British winter time makes you feel down I tried out a Spring and Summer detox last year.
Have to say felt more comfortable with these seasons and you can plan your detox around holidays or weddings when you will want a drink.
As I did both ~ just did a two week detox each time which was less boring.)
As I’m doing the slimming calendar worked this out just in time to try it out.
Your Sindy Ballet Camp Not So Dry January FormulaPublished bysaphire black
Also discovered tinned food and by the end of the year I am a tinned food convert.
calories-in-food-and-drink-options
Tinned green beans are a fast tasty and filling snack after exercise, they give you the nutrition you need without the problems people moan about associated with raw vegetables.
Tinned Grapefruit is easier to eat than fresh grapefruit halves. It also supports the countries that tin them.
Started throwing online parties every weekend, like the ones people did in the 70’s; just in their living rooms. They are actually fun and it means you can drink alcohol, eat snacks and ready meals and still loose weight.
TV Find
Film Finds:
The Awakening is a 1980 supernatural horror film directed by Mike Newell in his directorial debut and starring Charlton Heston, Susannah York, and Stephanie Zimbalist. The film follows an archeologist whose daughter becomes possessed by an ancient Egyptian queen. It is the third film version of Bram Stoker‘s 1903 novel The Jewel of Seven Stars, following the 1970 television adaptation as The Curse of the Mummy for the TV series Mystery and Imagination, and the 1971 theatrical film by Hammer, Blood from the Mummy’s Tomb (in which Ahmed Osman also appeared).
Hadn’t seen either of these films before so new ones to add to Weekend TV.
Plot
As dawn breaks, a young woman is found dead on the banks of the River Thames. The film follows the day experienced by two unconnected London couples: a young man and a club hostess; and a woman coping with a teething baby and a frustrated husband who has been on a drunken night out with his friend.
February
I moved Pinterest TV to WordPress TV which is excessive ad free
The introduction of Calendar Kitty
Advent Calendar Review 2024
Decided I liked Benefit Advent Calendar better than No7 Advent Calendar
Benefit mascara and eyeliner are my new Loreal. Worth a try if you were struggling like me and know what I mean.
Realised you need to opt for a calendar where every single product suits you personally to get your moneysworth out of it.
I did make some discoveries from Benefit and I purchased it mainly for the basket.
March
Film Find :
Discovered this film, really enjoyed it, featuring next March.
I knew this story but enjoyed this portrayal.
Portman very much has the face and the temperment to be starring in historical costume dramas, but — as an American — those roles are relatively few and far between. ‘The Other Boleyn Girl’ is one of her few efforts in the genre, and it’s a relatively forgettable slog. Still, she’s acquits herself well, playing Henry VIII’s second wife, Anne Boleyn, in a film that tracks her pursuit of the king behind the back of her sister Mary (Scarlett Johansson). One of the most famous historical figures of her era, Anne has been played by many actresses, but Portman offers a refreshingly different take. On the surface, she’s seductive and devious, but Portman never lets the audience forget how young, inexperienced, and naive this young women thrust into the political intrigue of the royal court truly is.
This was one of the timeline films/tv about The British Monarchy that ran on WordPress TV in 2025.
April
Discovering you, ‘can’ get products from the calendars
Easter
We actually celebrated Easter for the first time since being children.
We always went for days out at Easter but never celebrated it.
Easter is a new tradition for us now.
Needs planning if you do it or want to start doing it as the dates change every year.
(I’ve started noting Calendar Dates for your diary to help you get organised with parties)
May
Discovered 50’s American food for the 50’s party after the previous year struggling with English 50’s food.
Film Find:
Hadn’t seen this film before.
Think it is brilliant and really well made on all levels.
Sweet Dreams is a 1985 American biographical drama film which tells the story of country music singer Patsy Cline.
The film was directed by Karel Reisz, written by Robert Getchell, and stars Jessica Lange, Ed Harris, Ann Wedgeworth, David Clennon, James Staley, Gary Basaraba, John Goodman, and P. J. Soles.
The film was nominated for Academy Award for Best Actress (Jessica Lange). For all the musical sequences, Lange lip-synced to the original Patsy Cline recordings. The soundtrack was released in September 1985.
Discovered Charcuterie:
The 50’s party ended up being really good partly due to learning this.
We have aperitif every weekend now.
June
Film Find :
A portrait of the rise and fall of the New York real estate monarch who ruled with the cold-hearted style that earned her the title – The Queen of Mean.
I worked at the bottom of the holiday industry for a while before going into teaching; it is tough and you have to be tough to work in it especially if you are a woman.
She obviously had ambition and wanted to get to the top.
Women aren’t allowed to be like her anymore due to cancel culture and woke.
Got loads of opinions about this but obviously can’t air them anymore.
Suppose she went too far with the playing cards but most people like nice hotels if they have the choice.
Getting into Aperitif
Tried Kir Royale at German Night and loved it.
Also discovered Riesling again and loved that too.
Aquired Tequila Rose for Spanish Evening.
Really popular and nice Liqueur.
It gets you merrily tipsy without realising, tastes lovely.
We really got into food from around the world during summer.
Film Finds :
Learnt the history of Cromwell.
Brilliant Film.
I didn’t particularly like the ending but it depends what your opinions are I suppose.
I think popular opinion is it shouldn’t of gone that far however you felt.
It is history though.
I didn’t learn this at school or had forgotten so enjoyed learning about history; this formed a popular series of films and tv programs about British Royal history in 2025 on WordPress TV.
A group of ten people, strangers to one another, arrive at a hotel deep in the Iranian desert, located adjacent to the ruins of Persepolis, 200 miles from civilization. The guests quickly discover that their host is mysteriously absent. He calls himself U.N. Owen (“unknown”) and is someone none of them knows. At dinner, they notice a display of figurines: the Ten Little Indians, representing a section of the doggerel in each of their suites. Via a tape recording, their host accuses each of them of being responsible for the deaths of certain people and of having escaped justice.
I’m an Agatha Christie fan so really enjoyed this film. I may of seen it before but can’t remember.
An affair between a married American insurance executive and a British divorcee does not run entirely smoothly. His back problems rather cramp his style, yet they continue with the relationship and rent a flat for their liaisons. However, he finds that combining parenthood, marriage and career with an affair can takes its toll.
Saw this film before and loved it. Finally found it again in 2025. Know the name now.
Henry VIII and His Six Wives is a 1972 British historical drama film directed by Waris Hussein, adapted from the 1970 miniseries, The Six Wives of Henry VIII. Keith Michell, who plays Henry VIII in the TV series, reprised his role. His six wives are portrayed by Frances Cuka, Charlotte Rampling, Jane Asher, Jenny Bos, Lynne Frederick, and Barbara Leigh-Hunt. Donald Pleasence portrays Thomas Cromwell and Bernard Hepton portrays Archbishop Thomas Cranmer.
Rediscovered this film which focusses on the whole of Henry the eighths wives.
Brilliant.
Discovered a lot of French entertainment I really enjoyed
In fact have to load the whole weekend up watched a lot of it and really enjoyed.
July
Discovered you can do a detox anytime of year if Dry January doesn’t work for you.
August
Discovered Keratase
This is what they term a game changer product in hairstyling.
Tried out some starters and now we have Aperitif every Friday and Sunday
September
Film Finds:
Rented Shutter Island off You Tube
Watched it for the first time, really enjoyed the rental experience. Felt like going to see a film at the cinema. We had a really good chat after it ~ great fun.
Excellent film on a whole.
Academy Award® winning† director MARTIN SCORSESE once again teams up with LEONARDO DICAPRIO in this spine-chilling thriller that critics say “sizzles with so much suspense that it’s hot to the touch.”** When U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels (DiCaprio) arrives at the asylum for the criminally insane on Shutter Island, what starts as a routine investigation quickly takes a sinister turn. As the investigation unfolds and Teddy uncovers more shocking and terrifying truths about the island, he learns there are some places that never let you go. **Peter Travers, ROLLING STONE.”
To purchase or rent off You Tube.
Discovered Essie false nail effect nailvarnish
October
Started Doing Sponsored Projects
They aren’t real and the money goes through to the links, but they work and focus your mind to get results.
Film Fashion
Found this dress style and realised I had a chance of Altering dresses myself.
November
Discovered Citrus boosts Seratonin in English Winter Time
Discovered Morphe Pallets
The return of pink lipsticks
Discovered I had seamstress skills
Film Find:
Blakula
Great discovery for our household as the nerd hadn’t seen it and loved it.
In 1780, African prince Mamuwalde goes to Transylvania to seek the help of Count Dracula in suppressing the slave trade. Dracula refuses, however, and insults Mamuwalde by making a pass at his wife, Luva. After a scuffle with Dracula’s minions, Mamuwalde is bitten by Dracula and transformed into a vampire while dead. Dracula then curses him with the name “Blacula” and imprisons him in a sealed coffin in a crypt hidden beneath his castle while leaving Luva with Blacula to die in the chamber.
December
Launched a new Fashion WordPress Blog
Decided to photograph my dress alterations and load them into this blog.
Will continue this after the festivities ~ might give you some ideas if you like sewing at home too.
Wish I’d started doing this sooner, think it was because I never had any spare time.
Film Find:
Discovered this film for the first time and loved it.
As I’m ruled by Venus I like romantic films and literature.
Not for everone but if you are like me this launched ladies night films ~ as I receive them will load my choices up here.
(I don’t make any money ~ any money goes through to the links ~ just making things nice till covid goes.)
I don’t write reviews as I missed out on A level English; have started learning the classics and am considering studying A level English in the future.
A yellow Christmas
I’ve done pink christmas and fluffy white christmas but never yellow christmas.
It has changed how I think.
Again this is obviously not for everyone but popping a bit of yellow around the room and using lemon scented products definately lifts the darkness of winter in cold countries.
If you don’t suffer from sad it sounds a bit mad lol!!!
But if you do give it a try ~ anything is worth a try if you are like me.
Have to say citrus scent is worth a try for everyone as it is so zesty but particularly for fragrancing kitchens.
I’ve also converted to yellow nailvarnish which is a bit way out for me.
If you feel a bit sad you could just look at your nailvarnish, get a mood boost and no one would guess what you were doing lol!!!
This matches watermelon red lipstick which is more orangey if you don’t suit red like me.
Then you use yellow and black eyeshadow.
Sure that will be on sale somewhere; it is just finding the supplier and getting it posted out.
Conclusion
If you missed any of these films but fancy a watch ~ just note the month and look for it in easy Access Post on Pinterest.
Need to work on this more so isn’t perfect yet, alternatively put a request in the WordPress search engine ~ you should find it then.
Have to say there is so much choice now I tend to stay with the weekly recommendations which are often more than enough.
This isn’t a buisness account so there are hardly any adverts.
It only takes one click to get through to WordPress TV
I pay for my WordPress so it is completely Ad Free apart from ads I make myself with no commission.
I do my makeup like the model below now.
This shows how bored I have been during Covid lol!!!
Have to say it has done me good and kept me going ~ hope it has helped you too; that is the point of going public with it.
Have a Great New Years Eve
Saphire
SAPHIRE LIFESTYLE BLOG 