I am THE WORST at saving money, there I said it. It's sad to think I am so bad at it yet I am A LOT better then I used to be. I'm moving house next week plus doing driving lessons to get a car - with a holiday/festival and shopping addiction - it's hard being me and my bank balance. Here is how I am learning:
1. Send things back or walk away: I used to be pretty bad at returning items I've ordered or bought if I didn't like them and I usually left them with tags on until I sold them. Then I went through a phase of ordering myself things as a weight motivation and convincing myself once I lost weight they would be a great reward AND they would look much better. ( spoiler alert this has never happened and I usually don't like the item once it fits). Now I send things back if they don't look right or if I'm not 100% sure, I have to be 110% sure I love it if I keep it with the aim as a weight loss treat. I tend to see something in a shop and then put it down and walk away, if I can walk away fine, it's not true love and I don't truly want it. If I get (mild)palpitations about someone else owning it ( that actually happens....anyone else?) then I just may get it but only after I have a big inner battle about wants and needs.
2. Budgeting, I write out my wage each month and then knock off things like rent, bills to see what I have left, then I account for food, a shopping limit...( it's nice to think I have one...even if I always go over it) and what's left for spares. If I account for a shopping budget and keep an eye on what I've spent so far so I know when I am reaching the end of it I have to really think about buying something else.
3. Don't buy things because they are cheap, before going on holiday I was in H&M and saw a t-shirt dress for £8 and I thought 1- this is perfect for the beach 2- SO CHEAP. I picked it up instantly, knowing I didn't have much money I then though...will I really wear this again? what will it go with? I ended up putting it down because that super cheap £8 can build up after a few times and really I didn't need it.
4. Remember what you are saving for, maybe put pictures on your phone or around the house to help remind you so when you feel bad about not getting that lipstick you can feel better about that new ride or house you'll be getting. I actually get really excited when I think I have saved now as it means I am closer to new goals.
5. Find something to distract you, late night shopper? read a book or go for a run instead of browsing topshop or ASOS.
6. If you have a bad shopping addiction you are trying to curb or saving up for something maybe open a new bank account. I was really struggling to save money to buy art supplies and start an art career so I opened a lloyds account and transfered some money each month. When I bought something I knew how much I had so I couldn't over spend.
What are your tips and tricks?
Ciao x
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(all these photos have been taken from Emma, please check out her post for even more photos!)
A while back Jemma asked a couple of us bloggers from the previous #nwbloggersmeetup if we would like to meet up again but this time with the assistance of santanders new app Kitti.
Not only is it named well but this app is really handy for organising events with friends, basically you can start a fund and invite your friends to join in. So we started one for a nice meal and drinks and each of us put in how much we wanted to spend. There is a small fee for adding money, something like 35p each time but that's not too bad. Jemma then got a card and pin that we used on the night - super easy! We actually had some money left over we had to ask the waiter after we paid to let us tip him it all!
So I got to see Katy, Jemma, Holly, Sarah (for the first time!), Emma again and we all picked to go to smugglers cove in liverpool. I was so excited as it all looked delicious and the place looked amazing with awesome decor. The service was excellent (props to poor Eddy who had to put up with us!) and the food was delicious - FYI I had the chicken and rum pate which you can see above and a chicken burger. Only problem was me and Katy were facing a giant window and pretty much couldn't see anyones faces if we looked that way! The drinks were delicious and some of us (... maaaaybe me and Jem more than others....) enjoyed a few more then we should have on a school night.
Overall it was a lovely night and I can't wait to see the girls again! I would definitely use the Kitti app again as well it was really handy for paying and knowing how much you had to spend! you can also see what I wore here.
Have you tried it out yet?
Ciao x
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I've been a massive fan of Garth Nix Old Kingdom series since my early teenage years and I don't know why it took me a while to pick up Clariel if I'm honest. If you like fantasy then this is for you - if you haven't read the other books in the series don't worry! Though I do feel having read the others first I had a greater understanding of it all. This isn't a prequel but a story of a character far before Sabriel & Lirael, the old kingdom trilogies main characters.
Clariel is a teenager who knows what she wants in life, she just wants so spend it in the forest but when her parents take her to the city she will do anything to get back there. As part of her schooling Clariel must do charter lessons and unexpectedly gets her involved in something far bigger than herself. Clariel must choose between the life she has always wanted and the inheritance that is calling her.
I wasn't disappointed by this book at all, as per usual it had a great storyline and you really feel for Clariel as she battles with her head and her heart. Nix has a really easy writing that is great to follow and offers great descriptions of scenes and characters so you get a great visual in your head. I really recommend reading all the books from the series!
have you read any of these before?
Ciao
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Here's some of the songs I've got on my running playlist to help get me through:
1. Secaina Hudson - I ain't with you.
2. Disclosure - Holding on
3. Lunchmoney Lewis - Bills
4. Ella Eyre - Together
5. Petite Meller - Baby Love
6. Jimmy Napes - Keep you to myself
7. Gorgon city - Imagination
8. Klyne - paralyzed
9. Flume & Chet Faker -Drop the game
10. Rudimental (Ft Will Heard) - I will for love
11. Prides - Messiah
What are your favourite songs to run to?
Ciao x
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A while back I ordered some brushes for my mates birthday and couldn't resist treating myself and trying out some Zoeva lipsticks( you can't ever have enough right?!). I picked the shade melting kisses;this is described as a warm mellow pink, I have no idea why it's come out so coral in the photograph! I suppose it is kind of like a corally pink.
Those of you packaging nuts may be pleased to know this has magnetic closing, I know how us bloggers love a good bit of magnet in our lipsticks. The overall look is quite simple which personally I like, it's glossy and I kinda feel like it looks a little..bulky? if that makes sense.
It's not as smooth and soft as the topshop lipsticks but it still is good and the colour pay off isn't to shabby either. It cost around 8.50 euro's which I suppose is fair enough but I think there are better high street lipsticks out there which are easier to get hold of like Topshop and Rimmel. I will enjoy using this but I'm I think I'll stick to getting more brushes from Zoeva for now.
Have you tried one of these?
Ciao x
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Last weekend I went to London to see Taylor Swift ( if you're jealous -you should be she was amazing...#sorrynotsorry) and I was almost equally as excited to go into lush. I read and researched the store... I'm not crazy I just had some a lot of free time at work. 3 floors of lush goodness and heaps of products not available in Manchester. Yes, I was excited.
My number one priority was getting my hands on the comforter shower jel, I really wanted a couple but just couldn't afford it right now so stuck to one... all the more reason to go back though! I will admit the store wasn't as huge and massive as in my dreams ( isn't that always the case?) but it was amazing, there was a lot to look at and being a saturday + empty stomach I wasn't quite up for scanning every inch and asking the staff to show me some new goodies.
I did however pick up the frozen bath bomb - Did you know Lush had a frozen themed bath bomb?! I didn't and I am so freakin excited to us this next month in my new bath! -It is a Oxford St. exclusive and if I love it another reason to go back. ( do I really need another reason?) It's got quite a strong smell but I think I will look past that and just let it gooo... ( I had to okay don't judge!)
The next I picked up was the Lush Yoga bomb, which I thought would be good for calming - perfect for when you are moving house! It's also got a really nice scent to it!
The last bath bomb I got was the may day bath bomb which was brought out to help badgers, I've always wanted to pick this up and was a little too late in Manchester.
Lastly I got the tooth fairy tooth powder, which I saw from Helen's video and thought it sounded interesting and also good for travelling. I wasn't overly in love with the snow fairy product but then again I haven't used it for a long time so may need to retry to fall in love.
I will have reviews of each product coming up over the next two months so keep your eyes peeled!
What are you favourite lush products or lust haves?!
Ciao
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The amount of Topshop lipsticks I own is quickly creeping up, at £8 a go they are an absolute bargain. I think the quality of these guys matches even MAC at times. Deliciously soft and creamy these definitely don't dry your lips out and colour pay out is pretty darn good.
The other day I had a look in the Topshop make up section and noticed a few new lipsticks and was like ohhhmygod, this one was initially sold out but thankfully Liverpool had one left. It's a gorgeous pinky rose shade, not far off MACs plumful and estee lauders rebellious rose.
I am still waiting for Topshop to bring back my beloved beatnik so I can stock up but I think this one will tide me over till then!
What's your favourite Topshop lipstick?
Ciao x
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