TIPS + TRICKS | HOW TO SAVE MONEY ON BUYING FOOD

Hello everyone! Does anyone else always feel as if the majority of their money ends up being spent on food? Well i was starting to feel this way too, when in fact there are so many great ways to actually save yourself money yet still eat the same as you would normally (well maybe with a couple of differences). Ever since trying out different ways to save money on food, i have learnt a bunch of tips and tricks on how to do so. With that in mind for today's instalment i thought i would do something a little different and share with you some of the tricks, that i have found have worked for me in the long run...

1. download the app or visit the mySupermarket site on your phone

By looking on the mySupermarket site you can search for your favourite items, to see what is what price where (or what is on offer similar from a different store or brand). You can even scan the bar code of an item and it will automatically search it for. 

2. write a shopping list

If you write a shopping list before you go shopping you are more likely to not forget anything you need or not pick up something you already have enough of, because you simply couldn't remember if you already had one in the cupboard or the fridge at home.

3. write your list according to a meal plan

By writing your shopping list to accommodate your meal plan is a great way on you not picking up those extra unnecessary purchases, this is also another great way to stay organised/be prepared for the week ahead.  

4. never go food shopping when hungry

Never ever go food shopping when you are hungry, if you are hungry your brain is going to make you want to pick up anything and everything. Doing this is such a waste of food because once you have eaten, you will have forgotten about everything else and you are more likely to waste food.

5. set yourself a budget

If you set yourself a food budget and stick to it, only allowing yourself to use that money for buying food with you are more likely not to over-spend. Another great tip for budgeting is to test different stores weekly, seeing which one ends up being the best value for money for what you are getting.

6. pick up certain items for less 

Rather than opting for picking up certain items whilst on your food shop, pick items up that you know are less expensive from places such as Home Bargains or Poundland. Some items can be almost £3 in the supermarket, but only retail for £1 and under at those places.

7. make your own version of a take-away/eating out meal

By buying the ingredients and making your favourite take-way or eating out meal at home, you are saving yourself so much money (even though eating out is nice once in a while but the cost can add up). The price of one course at a restaurant can be the same price if not more than it would cost you to make for between 6 and 8 people, which is crazy when you think about it!

 8. budget your breakfast

By budgeting on breakfast foods you can save yourself a fortune, opt for breakfasts that you can get a week or mores worth out of such as porridge oats or cereals. You can even pick up oats-so-simple boxes containing 8 sachets for 8 breakfasts for just £1, costing you just 12.5p per day which is a bargain.

9. stock up on your favourites when on offer

If there is a certain item that you buy every single week, such as toilet paper, washing detergents, etc (including the longer life alpro products) stock up on them when they are on a good special offer. Yes this is costing you a little more at that specific time but in the long run you are going to have saved a lot more, than if you hadn't done as the item will be full price again.

10. buy frozen fruit/vegetables

Buying frozen fruit and veggies is such a saving in more ways than one, not only are they less expensive but the product will last you a lot longer and is less likely to go off than it would if you had bought it fresh. Also by having a frozen version you can take out as much or as little as you need at a time, for example for the longest time i always used to pick up sweetcorn in a tin at around 80p a time and now i opt for a large bag which lasts for ages for just under £2, taking out as much as i need for whatever i am using it for.  

Check out the mySupermarket site for current offers HERE...

xo.

THE TIPS I SWEAR BY FOR SELF-LOVE | BEAUTY + LIFESTYLE

Hello everyone! It can be so easy at times to completely focus all of your time and energy on other people and other things, things that aren't you or necessarily for you. With that in mind for today's post i thought i would do something a little different, by different i mean i thought i would share with you some of the tips i swear by for self-love. Self-care/self-love is so important for any human being for so many reasons but mainly for your frame of mind, especially if you tend to be an over-thinker (which was totally me) until i discovered so many ways to not only switch off but also on how to be so much more relaxed and be a lot less anxious about anything and everything. I don't think anyone with anxiety will ever be fully cured and i honestly think everyone has it and deals with it differently but at the end of the day we can't let it beat us or define us as people...

1. take a break from the internet (mainly social-media)

2. go for a walk (this helps to not only get exercise but also clears your head)

3. listen to your favourite music/songs

4. have a netflix/movie/tv show day now and again

5. light/buy your favourite scent of candle (this helps to feel calm)

6. take a bath with a bath bomb or aromatherapy oils

7. get a diffuser with a relaxing oil scent

8. read a book of your favourite genre or re-read a favourite book

9. treat yourself to a few new things (either makeup, clothes or accessories)

10. cook or bake your favourite meal/food

11. set yourself a routine, allowing time everyday for yourself

12. dress for you and only you

13. don't let people dictate to you or walk all over you

14. get yourself or give yourself a mani/pedi

15. do a face mask

16. get at least 8 hours of sleep a night

17. drink plenty of fluids

18. but limit your intake of caffeine

19. invest in a calming scented body lotion (i use the lush sleepy lotion before bed)

20. tidy room/house = tidy mind

21. don't take things to heart or take things too serious when there is no need

22. wear as much or as little makeup as you like

23. eating healthy 6 out of 7 days a week (always allow yourself that one treat or day)

24. read/learn what other people find useful when it comes to self-love tips

25. always believe that you are good enough!

xo.

TIPS + TRICKS | HOW TO STAY STYLISH FOR LESS

Hello everyone! Staying "on-trend"/up to date on style could be seriously costly, but it honestly doesn't have to be that way at all and there are so many ways to stay stylish for less money. This doesn't just count for clothing, style is more than just clothes it is also accessories, lifestyle choices and beauty. With that in mind for today's post, i thought i would share with you some of my tips and tricks on how to stay stylish on a budget...

1. swap designer labels for high-street pieces

You might think you are getting the best by spending the extra cash on a designer bag or clothing, yet you might be surprised what you can get on the high-street or online for a lot less. If you are a lover of designer handbags, then a way to get your hands on something super similar is by shopping on shein. This is where i picked up my "chanel boy bag" dupe from and the quality of the bags are really good for the price point. 

2. wait until there is a discount code or sale

When it comes to shopping online the best thing to usually do is wait it out, especially until there is a discount code or the item comes on sale. Clothing sites which have so many affordable versions of on trend pieces such as Boohoo, MissGuided and PrettyLittleThing have discount codes available weekly if not daily. This way you can pick up some items you have your eye one and save money by doing so.

3. save money on having your nails done by diy'ing them at home

Having a manicure/acrylics/gel nails every couple of weeks or once a month can quickly become costly at around £30 a time, save yourself money by giving yourself a manicure at home. Whether that be simply painting them, or adding your own acrylics which are simple to apply and can be picked up from as little as £1 from Primark (they are my favourites). Even if you like to get creative with nail art, watch tutorials or search Pinterest for easy step by step guides on how to re-create it on your own nails.

4. choose drugstore makeup over high-end makeup

When it comes to makeup i do love a good high-end product but there are definitely a lot of drugstore products that i love even more, especially when it comes to foundations. Wearing high-end makeup every single day can become costly, especially because you are going through things quicker so swap out your high-end foundation/concealer for everyday use and limit using high-end to weekends/special occasions. 

5. choose pieces that will go with multiple things

If you are going to invest in something, make sure before buying it is something that is going to go with more than one thing. There is no point in wasting your money on something you can wear only once, or with only one outfit. One of my favourite things to do is wear a simple outfit and switch up the way it looks with a different jacket, coat, cardigan and shoes. 

6. style your hair different

Another really easy step to look put together/stylish is to put in a little more effort when it comes to your hair, you could be wearing a simple pair of jeans and top but look really put together with a really easy to do hairstyle. My favourite thing to do is a easy DIY salon looking blow-dry at home, which i mentioned in a recent beauty hacks i swear by post. I also love doing voluminous waves, which can be super quick and easy to do by placing your hair in a high pony-tail and curling as you normally would before removing the hair-tie. 

7. how to afford luxury fragrances

Smelling good is sometimes as good if not the perfect way to finish off a stylish look and perfume can be super expensive, but there are ways to dodge the cost. A great tip is to shop/search for designer fragrance dupes from places such as Next, M&S, Primark and New Look for a lot less. Other great ways are to try out a fragrance subscription service or even shop duty free/sales. 

8. make your old clothes new again

Another great way to switch up some of your current wardrobe pieces is to do a little DIY on them, whether that be adding rips to a plain pair of jeans or making them into shorts. There are so many great step by step ways on how to DIY your clothing/accessories on Pinterest, which you would be surprised at how simple they are to do. If DIY isn't really your thing, you can also add things to an existing outfit such as a belt.

Catch up on my previous tips + tricks post HERE...

xo.

WAYS TO SWITCH UP YOUR EVERYDAY MAKEUP ROUTINE

Hello everyone! We all have those moments when we get stunk in a rut, especially when it comes to our everyday makeup routine and we tend to just keep doing the same thing over and over again. That being said applying makeup should always be fun and never seem as if it is a chore, keeping that in mind for today's post i thought i would share with you some great ways to switch up your everyday makeup routine...

1. look through all the products in your makeup collection

It is super easy to just reach for your most recently purchased makeup items, but then all of your other products get pushed aside and forgotten about. By looking through your collection once in a while will make you see what other products you used to love reaching for, to encourage you to reach for them again.

2. have a makeup de-clutter
That being said sometimes you can get into a makeup rut because you are slightly overwhelmed with the amount of products in your collection, when that occurs it is always good to have a good makeup de-clutter and rid yourself of any products you dislike or don't want to hang onto anymore.

3. dedicate a drawer or makeup make to your everyday essentials

Something i did a lot and still often do, is to dedicate a drawer from my acrylic storage to some everyday essentials of mine and to avoid getting into that rut again switch the products up/around each month. This is also a great way to save time searching through your collection/makeup bag, especially if you are in a hurry!

4. try out some new-in makeup products

It is so easy to just say oh this is my favourite product i am not going to bother trying out anything new, but this is in fact when you get fed up of something. Be adventurous and try something from the new-in section, you never know something could become your new go-to everyday makeup item.

5. switch up the order of application if something isn't working right

Doing your makeup every single day the same way as if you are on auto-pilot can get super boring quick, even if every single product you are using is still working well for you there is still a simple step to help switch things up. Simply switch up the order in which you apply your makeup, even if it is just one or two steps.

6. upgrade your tools/appliances 

Sometimes switching up your makeup products isn't always necessary, something simple like switching up or upgrading your tools and appliances can do just the trick. Treat yourself to a new well lit makeup mirror, some new brushes or new storage. Having great lighting makes such a huge difference to the way your makeup ends up looking and makeup storage is a great way to stay organised (clear view, clear mind).

7. wear what makes you feel happy/confident 

It is easy to follow someone else/or a trend and say you love something just because they do, which in fact that certain product/look doesn't work well for you. Makeup should always be fun and you should always wear your makeup the way you like to wear it, what type of look makes you feel happy and confident in yourself.

8. skip non-essential products if you are pinched for time

In an everyday makeup routine it can either go one of two ways, stick to the bare essentials or go all out and reach for everything and put it on your face. That being said if you are in a rush and pinched for time, skip the non-essential steps such as winged eyeliner or a technical eyeshadow look which isn't necessary all of the time. Also if you are anything like me and still when it comes to winged eyeliner, it probably takes me ten minutes per eye as i still struggle with getting them even looking often!

9. nail your skincare routine

The way your everyday makeup looks can be improved a huge amount, simply by making sure you nail your skincare routine/application. Making sure your skin is super hydrated and prepped for makeup, will make your makeup look and last a lot better as it has the perfect base for everything to be applied on top of it. Even adding an extra face mask into an evening a week, will make all the difference.

10. turn your everyday makeup from simple to glam in seconds
Maybe you are headed straight from work or school to something a little more dressy. A couple of great quick and easy fixes for transforming your makeup look from simple to glam in seconds, are to apply a little more highlighter to the areas you usually would and also to glam a simple face of makeup up, add a bolder lip choice like a red for example.

11. be comfortable when applying your makeup
One of the most important things for me when doing my makeup everyday is to make sure i am sitting down comfortably, i like to sit on my chair at my dressing table and either watch TV or listen to music by doing this it makes it a lot more enjoyable than being sat in silence. We have also all been there before, when you sit on the floor then realise you can't get up because your feet/legs have gone to sleep. 

12. experiment with products in your collection
Finally is a step that will inject some fun back into your makeup routine and that is to experiment with the products in your collection. Something as simple as mixing two or three lipsticks together to create the perfect shade, especially when you dislike a product by itself but mixed with another product it could work well.

Catch up on my recent updated brow-routine post HERE...

xo.

BUDGET BEAUTY WEEK: TIPS & TRICKS TO SAVE MONEY

Hello everyone and welcome back to another instalment of "budget beauty" week! Being the complete makeup collector/hoarder/self-diagnosed addict that i am, i am always looking for new makeup/existing makeup that i want to try but through it all there is always one rule i stick by and that is finding the best deal/way to save money before i buy. With that being said i have discovered so many different ways to save money when buying beauty or anything in general, so i thought why not share some of those tips and tricks.

1. always search on google for the cheapest seller/what is on offer where.

2. take advantage on things you want to try if on a 3for2 or buy one get one 1/2 off offer.

3. want fancy nails quick but don't want to spend £30+ pick some up and do them yourself.

4. try the affordable makeup dupes before the high-end product.

5. take advantage if something is on offer by stocking up, such as picking up two/three toothpastes at a time because when you come to re-purchase next time the item could be back to full price.

6. use less of a product that you already own, you might be using more than needed.

7. play the waiting game, wait until the next set of offers are released.

8. sign up to brand newsletters/emails, as they very often send discount codes/offers.

9. take advantage of loyalty cards such as superdrug, boots etc, as points make prizes.

10. pick up free beauty samples, i have a tips and tricks post on samples here.

11. love having tinted eyebrows but don't want to spend £7+ every month? buy the eylure dybrow kit for the same price, do it yourself at home and you will get 12+ uses out of the one box.

12. buy try me samples such as smashbox or benefit from boots, before investing in the full size.

13. buy higher end makeup from blogger/instagram sales or depop.

14. take advantage of sale/offer days, such as thursday's on superdrug.com for beautycard members, as well as black friday/boxing day and end of season sales.

15. ask for more high-end beauty/makeup items for christmas and birthdays.

16. sell your un-used and un-wanted products or do a swap with a family member/friend.

17. add something to your basket and keep it there, 9 times out of 10 the brand will send you an email stating that the product is still in your basket and they will offer a discount code.

18. running low on your favourite "tubed" product, make a small cut at the top to get the remaining product out therefore you are not wasting anything.

19. return your empty containers to stores such as mac and lush to receive free products.

20. go on a spending ban for a month, that might seem hard as first but it is a great way to stop yourself from buying something for the sake of it.

Catch up on yesterdays budget beauty week post HERE...

xo.