CABBAGE OR CARTIER?

We’re living in unprecedented times.  There is scarcely anyone who is untouched by the current harsh economic situation and we are all having to do our bit to tighten our belts and budgets and try to save what little we can to protect our very uncertain futures.  If one was to read every dark head line it would be all to easy to be drawn into a sea of depression and the one thing I belive we all need right now is the confidence in ourselves that all will come good – though clearly from what the experts say,  not for some considerable time.  What we all need is the right balance between realisim and optimism.  And whilst we can’t all kid ourselves that this weekend ours will be the winning lottery ticket, what is life if only to wake up worrying?  It takes a strong spririt to keep smiling when the chips are down, and sadly today in this economic gloom we don’t have the camaraderie that is so often evident in the wake of wars and disasters -  not that we need any more of them.

So just how do we get that balance?  We will all have our money saving tips – the ultimate thick and hearty vegetable soup that feeds your family for less than the cost of a  frozen pizza, the walk to work or bus ride rather than the sneaky cab journey or drive in the car, and if you are lucky,  a weekend away rather than a week in the sun.  But if all we do is just save – if we can of course – than what of the retail industry?  How will our shops surivive?  How will business grow?  How do we cut down and expand at the same time?  Isn’t that what the dieting industry has made its money in since time began?  Perhaps the answer to the whole economic situation is the same is the recipe for the perfect calorie free chocolate brownie!!

I suppose the answer is all about balance – work hard but remember to play too and have lots of treats.  They needn’t all be big ones – curling up with a good book, watching your favourite soap with a take away, looking forward to Strictly or X factor at the weekend.  And all you harsh TV critics out there, just remember what fun these programmes can be if you treats for you are very few and far between.

So do you carve a pumpkin or go to Prada?  Eat cabbage or drool over the Cartier website – be a hippy or dream of Hermes?  I know how my spirits can be lifted be the touch of sumptous velvet or the sight of  a stunning painting, and a flash of vibrant print amongst the grey gloom can quicken my pace like no amount of sweating at the gym.   My grandmother who lived to 94 said she would rather miss a meal than not have a bunch of flowers in the house – and she had lived through two world wars and that remark wasn’t made lightly.  I think she had absolutely the right idea.

marigold xx