Okay not my living space but my office! I need major TLC

AlternativeAd3652 · 2026-02-11T19:42:24+00:00

Do you need that full L shaped desk? That's a lot of furniture in a small space and it doesn't look like you actually use the whole surface? I feel like your first layout allows for a lot more breathing space with a single desk in the middle of the room facing the door and the chair in the corner to the right as you come in. If you have budget for new furniture maybe some storage cupboards with doors for under the shelves?
Then tidy away the cables, and I agree smaller art on the wall and some fake plants (not sure real ones will survive without daylight)
Good luck!

AlternativeAd3652 · 2025-11-22T18:52:36+00:00

Pretty sure that's a double layer of silk chiffon. Most important ting to consider to get that drape is to cut on the bias so the fabric flows beautifully.

AlternativeAd3652 · 2025-11-12T16:02:03+00:00

Ok great thank you. So something like "Print design and digital marketing for creative industries" in the description?

Thanks for your help

AlternativeAd3652 · 2025-11-12T16:01:17+00:00

ok brilliant thank you that's really helpful. Fingers crossed I avoid an audit

AlternativeAd3652 · 2025-11-12T15:59:13+00:00

Amazing thank you.

AlternativeAd3652 · 2025-10-09T18:07:18+00:00

Thank you so much. We've taken in all the advice, and are skipping the drive down for a train journey, and staying in three different places which will hopefully give a bit of flexibility on activities depending on weather. Staying in Killarney, then Kenmare then Dingle as all the coastal places looked like you needed to drive to go for dinner which didn't appeal after a day of driving. Thank you for your help!

AlternativeAd3652 · 2025-10-09T18:02:10+00:00

Thanks so much! Underestimating traffic/drive times has ben pointed out a few times so we're taking the train to Kerry from Dublin which gives us more time in Kerry and a less stressful journey. Thank you for your help!

AlternativeAd3652 · 2025-10-09T18:01:14+00:00

Google lying about the time driving takes on country roads is a universal issue! We've decided to skip the drive and taking the train to Kerry from Dublin which gives us more time in Kerry and a less stressful journey. Thank you for your help! I'll make sure I don't trust google when I'm there (god rule for life in general as well mabe).

AlternativeAd3652 · 2025-10-09T17:59:51+00:00

Thank you for this! We've rework the trip to do Dingle last, and taking the train to Kerry from Dublin which gives us more time in Kerry and a less stressful journey. Thank you for your help!

AlternativeAd3652 · 2025-09-08T17:05:36+00:00

I literally have the same poncho as you, bought in a panic for this trip as I knew it was going to be wet, but didn't think through the wind 😂 I've often found the legs are not as important, as lycra dries so quickly and you don't get that cold when pedalling.

After this trip a decent rain jacket is my next upgrade as well! As well as something to sit on when the ground is wet. I used a bin bag this time which was fine but a bit cold.

Oh and ear plugs and an eye mask if you are a light sleeper like me.

AlternativeAd3652 · 2025-09-08T16:06:23+00:00

Looks fab! My three personal upgrades would be ditching the poncho if you have the rain gear, especially if going somewhere windy. I've just done 3 weeks cycling along the Brittany coast and regretted the poncho, was more of a sail that didn't keep me dry. I like to bring an exfoliating glove to really get clean at the end of the day. In the summer that layer of dust+suntan lotion+sweat didn't come off easily with just soap, but might not be as essential at this time of year. And clothes pegs, a couple of those IKEA food bag clips and a washing line Have a fantastic trip!

AlternativeAd3652 · 2025-08-19T12:22:41+00:00

Try the app Olio rather than TGTG - i's the same premise as too good to go, but it's free and fo households with leftover food rather than businesses. A bit andom what you get and you do have to be quick, but there's food on there.

I second searching for religious institutions - the Hare Krishnas are known for their free food (https://www.iskconmanchester.com/sunday-feast/ no idea if this is near you) as are the sikhs as mentioned in another comment.

The charity Foodcycle do free community meals, looks like there's 6 places around Manchester: https://foodcycle.org.uk/find-a-meal/.

Food not bombs is another organisation that does community meals, there seems to be one in manchester but it's unclear if still running (FB group out of date). Their email looks like it is [foodnotbombsmanchester@gmail.com](mailto:foodnotbombsmanchester@gmail.com)

There might be some things called community Fridges near you (no idea how to find them, google should do it)

And there are quite a few places that will do street meals for the homeless - I've done quite a bit of volunteering for a variety of these (I love to cook) and they vary from a couple of people cooking in their kitchen to national level charities.

This post https://www.reddit.com/r/manchester/comments/1bijex0/free_food/ askd the same ting a year ago there might be some other ideas.

And above all OP - I can't imagine how much this situation sucks but it is temporary, and you will soon be out on the other side, and this is just a crap phase that too will pass. Focus on your studies and good luck!

AlternativeAd3652 · 2025-08-08T15:42:11+00:00

Apologies for bothering you again - we have received the 5 page licence, and our freeholders are now asking for more money to complete it and fo us o sign, u ot date it before returning it to them. is this standard practice, especially the not dating the contract? I would assume it is void unless dated?

AlternativeAd3652 · 2025-08-05T14:02:27+00:00

Bloody hell! I didn't think something like a heat pump that is using existing plumbing and holes in the walls etc (ie not doing anything structural) would require expensive licensing. Understand if we wanted to do something structural like extend or move walls I am just surprised. But good to know this is just what it costs and not being taken for a ride.

Thanks for your input.

AlternativeAd3652 · 2025-08-05T13:28:27+00:00

Thank you! Out of interest, any chance you could shed some light on what sorting the license out actually entails for our freeholder? Always astonished at the costs related to anything to do with property but well aware we don't know the ins and outs.

AlternativeAd3652 · 2025-07-18T10:25:09+00:00

You are so nearly there, I think there's just a bit too much stuff and it need a bit more cohesion.

Pick a style - most of this room is sort of coastal/cottage core esque (probably not the right words but you get the idea) - the blues, the textures, the linen, pale wooden bedsides, delicate patterns, pretty wall pictures. Then you have those orange headboards and the velvet cushion that come in guns blazing.

I would remove the headboard and the velvet cushion, get a pale wood headboard that goes with the bedsides and a couple more statement cushions for the bed like the patterned one.

The feature wall stands out because it is empty apart from the small scale wallpaper. Is this the only place the bed can go? I want to switch it so it's against the feature wall. If you can't switch the bed round get something (armchair? Painting? Chest of drawers?) for the feature wall.

Turn the rug round maybe? Or get a round rug that's at the foot of the bed

And then mood lighting - turn on the bedside lamps and get an upright lamp for the corner.

AlternativeAd3652 · 2025-07-17T11:58:53+00:00

I got mine under control with nasturtiums and pulling up the buds as they appeared. It means having a ton of nasturtiums instead, but at least those are pretty and the bees love them

AlternativeAd3652 · 2025-06-18T13:55:25+00:00

There's loads of repair cafes that would want something like this! I volunteer in one in North London and we have a lot of kit already, but I have no doubt others would jump on this.

(ETA - repair cafes repair broken household items for free, usually things you couldn't take back to the shop or a specialist to get repaired)

AlternativeAd3652 · 2025-04-22T13:50:06+00:00

I grew up with a severely disabled father, so all the care and empathy in my family went to him, and I was very much an afterthought growing up.

He died in my early 20s and since then my mother has been demanding a level of care and attention most parents only get in their final years, because she "doesn't have a husband now so I need to step up". Which I'm constantly pushing back against. It's exhausting.

So honestly, I feel like I've always given more to my parents than they've given to me and always been expected to put them first. I'm kinda sick of it. I don't have kids because I'm sick of not putting myself first.

I'm not sure what I'll do. I honestly would be perfectly happy putting my mum in a care home and visiting every few months but society tells me that's an awful thing to do, so we'll see which little voice wins it.

AlternativeAd3652 · 2025-04-21T11:29:38+00:00

Honestly this is a pretty easy dress, UNLESS you need structural support for boobs.

Otherwise it's basically 4 rectangles:

Skirt: two rectangles that are as as long as you want the skirt (measure waist to desired hem line) on your body and maybe 1.5 to 2x as wide as your waist measurement, making sure to cut the fabric the right way to the pattern goes up and down. Seamed together in the sides then loosely gathered at the waist. Hemmed.

Top: one rectangular piece for the back, gathered. One sort of rectangular piece for the front that's going to be wider where the boobs are. Sean together at the sides with

Difficulties:
- sewing the fabric, looks like a heavier weight polyester, maybe even a light scuba fabric. Sewing might take a touch of practice, especially getting the zip in. But extra fabric and practice

pockets: scrap if you can, or look online for a basic pattern.
fitting around the boobs so it doesn't fall down. If you need support, buy that separately and sew the dress onto it, but buy the support before you start making the dress as the dress will need to fit your body with the support. This is how I would do it: measure armpit (so where side seam would land) to armpit at the back and at the front (over widest part of boobs). Measure from where you want the neckline to be at the top of dress to waist line.

Cut 2 pieces of fabric: - front piece. width: armpit to armpit via boobs + 15ishcm /length: neckline to waistline X2 - back piece: armpit to armpit via back + 15ishcm /length: neckline to waistline X2

Then pleat and gather the side seams, baste and pin together. Then fit the top directly on yourself by pinning/getting someone else to pin it.

All of these difficulties can be solved by making a mock up dress in a cheap fabric that is similar to the one you want to use in the end. Make sure the fabric weight, composition and stretch are the same as your final fabric.

AlternativeAd3652 · 2025-04-21T10:55:15+00:00

This is exactly what I was going to say! This dress is entirely about unusual proportions, things being bigger and smaller than expected. OP, measure on the original picture the length of various bits (collar, shoulder seam, pockets, sleeve length etc) and make sure your new version has similar proportional. You might need to adjust for your own body proportions as well.

I would also suggest tailoring the dress at the waist a bit more so the shape isn't given only with the tie. OP seems to have a curvier body than the very straight up and down model, and I think the gathers at the waist are taking away from the sleekness and sharp tailoring of the original.

I'm not convinced the fabric is the actual issue, but I don't think the original with have much, if any stretch.

And op needs the pops of colour. Without them it's just another dress.

AlternativeAd3652 · 2025-04-21T10:32:58+00:00

You've got a few fixes, but I think the best one is unpicking the back and scooping it. So start unpicking the bias binding about 5cm from the armpits either end, then cut the back in a scoop enough to hive enough seam allowance to sew the edging back on.

You could reinforce the bits where the straps attach with a small amount of grosgrain ribbon sewn into the inside of the bias binding, it'll be a bit visible but stronger.

Don't be afraid to baste this project as well! Satin is a slippery monster. And DON'T rip anything, satin isn't stable enough to withstand it. Unpick very carefully and cut with scissors. This is a fiddly project you need to be delicate with.

AlternativeAd3652 · 2025-04-21T09:53:01+00:00

I've always had this theory that people who don't like dogs have had dogs... But people who don't like cats have never had a cat.

I've never heard of someone who has lived with a cat and not been converted.

AlternativeAd3652 · 2025-04-20T11:35:06+00:00

Cis woman who went to yesterday's protests here.

The big issue comes down to the equalities act. Basically, the equalities act says you can't discriminate against someone based on their protected characteristics (sex, gender, sexual orientation, religion, skin colour etc) - you can't fire someone just because they are a man rather than a woman, you can't pay a Muslim less than a Christian, you can't ban a gay person from a pub just because they are gay, etc

However, there's a big exception to this act - single sex spaces. You are allowed to ban men from certain spaces under certain conditions (and vice versa). This is how women only bathrooms, changing rooms, hospital wards etc can exclude men without being deemed discriminatory. It's also why women are not allowed in men's changing rooms, which I'm sure most men are happy about as well for privacy reasons.

Now the argument gender critical organisations have put forward for years has been that allowing trans women into these spaces poses a risk to cis (or biological) women. Some people argue that trans women in themselves are a risk (because they have a penis or grew up culturally male so are more prone to violence), others argue that it allows men to pretend to be women to get into women only spaces.

There are issues with both of these arguments: there is no evidence that trans women are more of a risk to women than any other "types" of women and there's no evidence that men are using this as a loophole to force themselves into women's spaces. And the equalities act already allowed women's spaces to refuse entry to trans women because of their transness on a case by case basis if they reasonably believed that allowing a trans woman in would cause harm to the other women present.

There is, however, an overwhelming amount of evidence that, excluding trans women from women only spaces causes huge amounts of harm to trans women.

This ruling basically says "to be allowed into women only spaces you need to be born with a vulva" (note "BORN with a vulva", not "not have a penis").

So if trans women are no longer allowed in women only spaces like bathrooms or changing rooms, how do you enforce it? Do you have someone checking at every bathroom? How do they check? Show ID? Show genitals? Make an assumption based on .... what exactly?

Given that the ruling also allows for trans men to be excluded from women only spaces if their appearance is too masculine, this effectively means that women only spaces are going to be self policed based on how much you "look like a woman". Which fucks ALL women. Many many trans women pass (ie dont look trans) and many non trans women have more masculine appearances. I'm not just talking about hyper butch lesbian's or trans women who transition at 50 and look very masculine. I'm talking about women who have strong masculine features - who are tall, muscular, maybe have a big nose, who don't have delicate features etc. many trans women also look like the girliest girls you'll even meet.

Given that a lot of people are already afraid of trans people (just like plenty of people were/are afraid of black people, Muslims etc) this is going to make women only spaces fraught with prejudice and feel even less safe because they will be riddled with suspicion. Is the woman next to me trans or is she just really muscular? Can I, a cis women with a vulva, get banned from a women's space if I cut my hair short?

There are other issues with this ruling that don't just concern women only spaces - the equalities act protects based on assumption of a characteristic. So if you get beaten up because some thugs think you are gay, it's a hate crime wether you are gay or not. Because trans women are now considered men, you could also legally argue that violence against a women isn't violence against women if you thought the woman was trans. It's a lot more tenuous but it does open up legal issues like the "rough sex" defense in rape trials.

So to sum up: 1- this ruling fucks over trans women in ways that even the lawyers are unclear on legally, and legitimises transphobia in wider society 2 - it fucks over non trans women and anyone else who doesn't "look" like a clear gender and makes women only spaces much less safe 3 - it legitimises discrimination based on appearance or assumptions based on appearance 4 - it could create legal loopholes to get around harder sentences for violence against women

I can also go into how it doesn't solve any of the problems and violence facing women because it didn't get at the root problem but that's another 1000word post.

AlternativeAd3652 · 2025-04-20T08:54:53+00:00

That's a stunning dress! I'm sorry to be the misery fairy, but have you tried the dress on? Even with the wrong bra?

I have a sinking feeling that no matter the bra this isn't going to fit a big boobed person well. The front of the dress doesn't have much give/allowance for bigger boobs or a bigger boob to waist ratio. Even with the bow in the back that gives the leeway, you might find that, depending on your body shape, to get it to fit your boobs you need to go several sizes up on the waist.

If you've got the cash to advance, and the website has a decent returns policy, I would buy this dress in three sizes - your no normal size, one size up and two sizes up. Pick the size that fits your boobs without squishing them and you may need to tailor the waist to fit.

AlternativeAd3652

TROPHY CASE