Earrings Storage

If you follow me on Instagram you would have seen me post this baby a few days ago. I have been searching for the perfect way to store my earrings for some time now, as I always lose one or I forget what I have, or they generally just go astray. I think I finally may have come up with an easy, compact and dust free way to store my earrings! This beautiful Copper Glass Box is from H&M and I just adore it. It's £9.99 and you can find it HERE. I've teamed it up with these beautiful recycled earring cards which are mini enough to store a lot in one box. I bought a pack of 50 for £4.59, but they also offer them in 20's and for the die-hard earring collector, in packs of 100. They also come in white but I love the recycled card effect. You can find these HERE. This beautiful box now sits proudly on top of my chest of drawers looking super swish. I'm so pleased with it and hopefully I'll be able to find all my earrings now!

How do you store your earrings?

Meet my new kitten!

Eeek! Meet my beautiful new kitten! I've been dying to show you all for ages but she started off a little camera shy but now she loves her picture being taken. We've named her Penny, and she's an adorable fluffy ball of playful fun. We got her at 9 weeks old and she wouldn't come near us for the first two days as she was having a little bit of a hard time adjusting to her new home. After that she was running around like a maniac and now at 15 weeks old she's a cheeky little monkey! My instagram and snapchat is just now filled with cat related things. She gets a little bit jealous when my boyfriend is round but once she has me all to herself again she's super happy. She's just so adorable!

A Collective Boots, Accessorize and Superdrug Haul

Ohhh I went shopping. I told myself I wouldn't but I did it anyway! I popped into town to buy a kimono and came back with these. I really should learn to focus on what I go into town for...

So I finally bought Indeed Hydraluron's Moisture Booster. Now this is an absolute bargain alert at the moment! Boots have this at a third off, and the kind lady behind the counter informed me there was also a £5 off voucher in the Boots magazine, and she proceeded to cut it out for me at the counter. This retails normally at £25, so to get it for around £13.. dreamy. I HAD to buy. Had to. I'm going to test it for a month and review it after that (even though it has been reviewed to death, I'm going to add one more to the collection.) If you are thinking of trying this, now is definitely the time to, I don't think it will ever be any cheaper!

I also popped into Accessorize and bought some earrings. I have a habit of losing earrings so for me, the cheaper the better. I'm really into my semi-precious gems at the moment and I think these worked out at £2 each after discount. I also picked up the bracelet as I quite like that matte gold style jewellery, and I don't have any chunky bracelets. This was £4 after discount.

In Superdrug, I bought my usual pair of eyelashes as Ardell are by far the best brand I have come across so far. I also picked up these two MUA Luxe Velvet Lip Lacquers in Halycon (left) and Tranquillity. I previously bought a red version of this and loved it, and these two didn't have testers out so I just bought both, obviously. They are only £3 each so I've justified it in my head as a bargain. Would you like some swatches of these? Let me know!

I also picked up the new Tresemme Renewal hair and scalp tonic. I've thought it might be nice to try a bit of scalp TLC, and this is a leave in product. This normally retails at £5.49, but was on offer for just £2.73. Would any of you like a review of this product? 

Two days later and I'm still feeling rather pleased with myself for these purchases. Money well spent! 

Have you tried any of these products? What did you think of them?

My Current Skincare Routine

Theses posts are quite popular at the moment, and I do find them quite interesting myself. I'm going to talk through my current skincare routine, with products I'm using at the moment (maybe not all at once though!). So lets get straight into it with my eye make-up remover; The Body Shop's Waterproof Camomile Eye Make-up Remover. I really hate getting water in my eyes so I tend to like to remove my eye makeup before cleansing or washing - and this does a great job. I put a blob on two cotton pads, hold them over my eyes and the make-up simply melts away. Wonderful. In the way of cleansing, I've recently discovered Foaming Lovely and Porefectly clean by Along Came Betty. I interchange these depending on how my skin is feeling, but Foaming lovely leaves me feeling squeaky clean whilst Porefectly Clean leaves my skin feeling so soft and really helps to prevent any dry patches. You can a review on the Foaming Lovely face wash HERE. After cleansing I move onto toning and I use the The Body Shop Nutriganics Toner, which makes me skin feel so firm and also removes any make-up or cleanser that I missed.

In the way of face masks, I use an array and tend not to stick to the same one. I really like the Montagne Juenesse sachets, but for days when my skin needs a little bit more I use Laidbare For Richer For Porer, which sorts out my large pores and oily skin. Its also a little bit of a scrub so helps to remove any dead skin off my face. I'm planning to write a full review on this product soon.

30 Ways To Save £1

(source)

Hello friends! Moneysupermarket are holding a competition to win £1000. I'm all for saving money so I thought I would throw in my tips for saving up! If they receive over 1000 ways to save, the money gets doubled! Get involved!

Here's my tips for saving:

1. Before buying anything on the Internet, always search for voucher codes for a % off or free delivery. Chances are there is a code knocking around!

2. Use websites such as quidco or top cashback to get money back on purchases - sometimes you get money for just walking into some shops!

3. Follow 10 ways to have more money as as student without working on facebook. I'm no longer a student, and I still use it. They post lots of price glitches for everything from food to to printers. Find them HERE

4. Always ask for a receipt when buying ANYTHING, and keep them all in an envelope. At the end of each month you can go through your receipts and see what you wasted money on, and how you can save next month by cutting out these things.

5. Sign up for every advantage card or points card that you can. They might be a pain to carry around in your purse but the chances are the day you don't have it you'll need it, and that could be points to give you money!

6. Drawing out money in cash for particular things like shopping, or nights out, can help you not overspend.

7. Keep change jars - for any amount you like. I like to keep a jar for 1ps and 2ps, and another for silvers. Put any spare change you have or find in these jars - it adds up super fast. Change them up at the bank rather than a machine, because you don't have to pay a percentage cut.

8. Regularly scout 99p and pound stores for everything because you can pick up some amazing bargains at the fraction of the regular price.

9. When food shopping, always check out the reduced isle sections, where you can find some great bargains. You can freeze them and you often get them for half the price.

10. If you live in a town that has a greengrocers, farm shops or markets, do check them out. Smaller companies have smaller overheads so you can often get fruit and veg at a really good price.

11. Websites like Approved Foods are fantastic - you can get some amazing bargains on there. These websites are especially great for students as you can seriously bulk buy on there. If you live with other people, all buy together so you only pay the one postage.

12. If you are on a budget and thinking about trying a new product, research the hell out of it and read tons of reviews, to find swatches or pictures etc. That way you can really decide if it is for you without wasting money.

13. If you have a credit card that tempts you - put it in a Tupperware, fill it up with water, and freeze it.  When you get tempted to spend, you have to take it out of the freezer, and wait for it to melt. This gives you a lot of time to decide whether you really need that impulse buy.

14. If you also have the restraint you can get a credit card that offers cashback on purchases - to avoid interest charges you have to pay these off in full every month. You can get a reasonable amount of money back if you have the self control not to overspend.

15. If you are a student, use student discount! Always ask if shops offer student discount, use student codes online, when buying Apple products use student discounts, and when buying MAC makeup, if you qualify, get a student pro account!

16. When shopping and you see offers such as 3 for 2, ask yourself - do you REALLY need other items? Can you REALLY afford them? And if you say no, then don't buy it. Sometimes these offers seem great but are just used to suck you in and convince you to spend more than you actually intended.

17. Set up an online savings account - I recently did, and its the best thing ever. You don't get a debit card for it so you can't use it unless you transfer the money across, and some can take up to 4 days to clear. Its a great way to save for something.

18. Use websites such as freecycle, gumtree and local buy and sell facebook pages for your town. You can get so many free items or items very cheap.

19. Bootfairs and charity shops are amazing too - you can pick up so many bargains at a great price!

20. Bootfairs are also perfect for selling your unwanted items without having to worry about ebay or postage fees.

21. If you do sell on eBay, wait until they have free listing days. Then you only pay a cut if you sell. Offer collection too to save on postage costs, and then you can have cash in hand too to save on the paypal cut!

22. Writing lists when going shopping are great for budgeting - then you can stick to it and not get tempted!

23. If you get tempted anyway, online food shop. That way you cut out all the impulse buys, and often replacements for your chosen items can be more expensive than what you originally chose.

24. If you have a taste for designer items - flash sale websites like Cocosa or SecretSales have amazing collections at seriously cut prices.

25. If you buy off eBay, set yourself a price limit and don't go over it. Its really easy to get caught up in a bidding war and pay much more for something than you intended to.

26. Always carry a plastic bag in your handbag. A lot of shops now charge for bags and if you nip into one quickly, you won't get caught out. 5p every now and again all adds up!

27. Don't be afraid to regularly check your bank account, its good to keep track of your money, even if you don't have much of it.

28. Save a little bit each month if you have bills like car insurance. That way you can pay it in one go and save yourself money - its cheaper!

29. When buying clothes, keep the receipt and the tag on until you decide to wear it. That way, if you change your mind, you can take it back instead of wasting money.

30. Never be too proud to accept freebies off anybody. Its so rare to get anything for free now - so when those opportunities come round - take them!

What are your money saving tips?

30 Day Shred Day 1 - 5

 (source)

Soooo I've seen the 30 day shred and decided to give it a go. I thought I would write about my experience with it as I've heard lots of mixed things about it - people saying its really hard, and others saying it wasn't too bad. I'm mixing it with a slightly healthier diet than normal. I'm cutting my diet coke intake down to no more than one glass a day - and trying to up my water intake as I've gotten really slack with this recently and been drinking a larger amount of caffeine than normal.

I've also been really slack with my exercise for a while now recently - I have an exercises bike but I haven't used it since January, and I haven't been to the gym since summer last year, so my fitness is most likely in a bit of a state. I'd also like to point out that I have absolutely ZERO core and upper body strength - so I'm hoping this will really help me work on that.

Because of all these factors - I was really dreading day one. I lot of people had told me how awful it would be - but actually, after finishing day 1 workout, I didn't feel as dreadful as I thought I would. I actually found the strength and toning a lot easier than the cardio - and I would definitely recommend a sports bra as ouch :( There were points where it feels a little tougher - about 10 minutes I definitely started to feel it, and then at about 20 minutes I really started to feel it, especially in my legs! The last exercise, is a killer by the way, I have nowhere near enough core strength for that (yet)!

Weight wise - I used 1kg weights, because I have absolutely no strength in my arms, and anything higher would literally destroy me. As I progress I may invest in some stronger weights, but for now, I'm sticking with these, and they were effective enough!

First thing I noticed when I woke up, was a little ache in some muscles - my core, inner thighs and a little bit on my arms. Not enough to be actual pain to prevent me from doing things though! So I completed day 2 - very much similiar points as day 1, except I noticed I was already a little more flexible with my core muscles and managed a lot of the stomach exercises a lot easier than yesterday. I found the arm toning a lot harder today though for some reason.

I woke up and my legs hurt soooo badly, in particular just one! day 3 was very much like day 2, except arm toning is getting a lot easier. I also have been two days without any caffeine!

Honey Glazed Pork With a Dukkah Crust

I really should start using my nice camera for food pictures, they never seem look as good on a camera phone!

Following the positivity on my last foodie post, I'm thinking about making this a more regular thing. Today I made Pork, glazed with honey and soy sauce, and topped with a smoked passion chilli dukka.

What is Dukkah?

Lunch Under 500 Calories: Spinach, Ham and Cheese Warm Flatbread

Hello! I'm trying to be a little healthier lately and so I'm keeping a little food diary, and sharing with you all the tasty things I've found. I always struggle with lunch especially where I'm so busy, I tend to pick up things that are quick and easy. Even shop bought healthy things are not always as healthy as they seem, and often exceed 600 calories without even blinking. Depending on how you like to eat your calories will depend on when you have your biggest meal, but I like to have a lunch with an average amount, so this comes in at just under 500 calories.

Instead of a loaf of bread I used flatbread, warmed in the oven and folded in half. They are quite large so you could actually use just half if you didn't want a lot of carb. I put loads of raw spinach in it, as I love the taste, and some wafer thin ham, as its a little lighter on calories and sat fat. I used Laughing Cow Extra Light cheese triangles, as they come in at only 20 calories a triangle, and they don't taste any different. I used two because I wanted it extra cheesy, but of course one would be enough. I added a teaspoon of wholegrain mustard for some extra flavour - I think this would be lovely with Dijon too!

I adapted this recipe off this version I found on Pinterest, you can find it HERE

If you are on Pinterest and would like to check out my boards (wink) you can find me HERE

7 Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Mother's day is coming up, so I've been looking around at gift ideas. For me Mother's day is a time to remind your mum how much you apreciate her, even when you don't show it. If  your mum is anything like mine she's a superhero and has served as your best friend, your bank manager, your chef, your cleaner...all those things that we take for granted from time to time. It is also a reminder that spring is on its way, so I very much like to combine the two and have pretty, lovely spring related items to give to your mum. I've had a little look on the interwebs and chosen seven things for seven types of mothers that suit all budgets.

Tulip Re-Usable Bubble Bar, £5.25, Lush / For the mum who likes to pamper

Every blogger I think has tried a Lush bubble bar at some point, I know I had the Magic Wand at christmas, and it was lovely. They've got a couple out for mother's day/easter at the moment, but this was my favourite as its bright and pretty. Its a combo of cocoa and bergamot for a fresh scent to deeply moisturise - perfect for a pamper (or six)

A Beauty Christmas Present Post

Everyone loves to share what they got for christmas...I'm no different! Trying to keep it beauty related in this post though...

Please click HERE to read my post on my amazing bbloggers secret santa gift!

(warning - picture heavy post)

Lush magic wand bubble bar / Lush Snow Fairy Shower Gel / Lush gift card

Bbloggers Secret Santa - My Present

So it's christmas eve and I wanted to save my bbloggers secret santa post for this day.. and I can honestly say I am well and truly delighted with what my amazing blogger sent me! The thing that I find really sweet is that they have really looked through my blog and found gifts to suit me - and managed it spot on. So here's what I got, and I'd like to say thank you to my secret santa for all of these gifts!

DIY Christmas: Cinammon Candles

Who doesn't love some DIY at christmas?

Cinnamon candles not only look great, but if you choose a vanilla candle you get a fantastic smell of vanilla and cinnamon when it burns.

I got my dried cinnamon sticks from an florist that sells on ebay as my local florist didn't have them this year, but they were actually cheaper, and you can buy them in various sizes. I bought 50 8cm sticks for £2.75, and you can find the seller HERE

Christmas Wishlist

Lush's Mrs Frosty Gift set / YSL Touche Eclat & Lux Mascara Set / The Little Paris Kitchen by Rachel Khoo

The Fall / Smashbox Step by Step Contour Kit / Ted Baker Large Cosmetic Purse / Dior Brush Set 2012

Just a few things I've been eyeing up recently..

What are you putting on your list this christmas?

22nd Birthday Haul

So on the 17th I turned 22, and heres a quick post on my little birthday present haul! I had a lovely day and felt very spoilt, and enjoyed actually having a day off work and uni and spending time with friends and family. My favourite birthday presents..

Baylis & Harding Body Care kit - I looove the smell of this, its floral and sweet so just the sort of scent I like! I will use the body cream and shower gel, but I can't imagine I will use the soap.

The Budget Series: Halloween Sugar Skull Make-up

Hello! So I've already had my Halloween celebrations - a little bit early, but I tend to do the weekend rather than the actual day if it doesn't fall on a weekend. So this year I'm actually quite poor so I didn't have the money to fork out on something expensive, and went for the Mexican Day of the Dead sugar skull. Apparently its quite a popular look this year with a DIY tutorial in Company magazine, but they're quite individual designs so its good fun to experiment and create your own look.

Photographs apart from the first one are courtesy of my friend Joanna, I took all my Halloween pics on a disposable (tradition is tradition) and I haven't had it developed yet!

Another Wishlist

Seeing as its my birthday soon, and I turn the big 22, I've been asked what I'd like to get this year so I've been having a good old think about it. I would actually like some new clothes but I've been struggling to even find anything decent in the shops so most of it is beauty related, with some gorgeous jewellery thrown in...so here's the big 22nd birthday wishlist!

Smashbox Classic Photo Finish Primer, £25, Boots/Debenhams/any smashbox retailer

because...

I had this once a long, long time ago, when it came in square bottles, and it was beautiful. I've never really found another foundation primer that matches up so well to this, its perfect!

Real Techniques Stippling Brush, £11.99, Boots/any RT retailer

because...

Vintage hair: 1940's Curls

Vintage hair - something so well known, and some people seem to have the knack for it..I'm not one of those people. As you know if you read the post, I recently went to The Chap Olympiad, and you can find that post here, and I wanted a good hairstyle for the event. I had such a struggle with it that I thought I'd share it with you all in case anyone else experiences the same as me.

Okay so first of all, I was aiming for a 30's-40's-50's look, so generally the set brushed out curls rolled under - or whatever I could get that was close to that. I should point out my hair is really bad at holding a strong curl, and I kinda forgot this until I tried to curl it..

Influences/styles I liked..

The Chap Olympiad 2012

The Chap Olympiad - A yearly event of vintage mixed with sporting events, run by the Chap Magazine. I will say it now - possibly the greatest event I have attended. I am already planning next years outfit!


The Chap Olympiad 2012 from twobytwo video on Vimeo.


The event takes place over two days - I went on the Sunday. Saturday was the busier day but Sunday was equally as fantastic.

This is a particularly image heavy post - apologies!

Going to graduation..

 Hello! I'm very happy to announce that on the 10th of July I graduated with a BA (hons) 2:1 in Photography!

It was a very busy and stressful day, but enjoyable, and luckily the weather held out for it.

A slightly picture heavy post but thats what its about!

ACTA London Protest

I went to the ACTA protest in London on the 11th. For those who don't know ACTA its quite an important threat to our freedom on the internet, which will definitely affect everyone, including us bloggers. Originally conspired without public knowledge its aims are to enforce copyright but in extreme ways which will result in internet censorship and violation of our privacy. Its quite important, and to everyone who thinks it wont effect them should think again - because it will.

I am the worlds most unorganised person and so I'm going to share some others images (ironically will be illegal under ACTA) and show the fun that went on.

All the photos below are from TechFleece which includes more information on the event and the inspiring speech from a main speaker.