Outfit of the Week: January #4

 Monday

Dress: Forever 21

T-shirt: Primark

Boots: New Look

Necklace: Primark

Tuesday

Blouse: New Look

Cardigan: New Look

Jeans: River Island

Boots: New Look

Necklace: Primark

 Wednesday

Dress: Primark

Blazer: Quiz

Necklace: Primark

Boots: New Look 

Thursday

T Shirt: Primark

Blazer: Quiz

Jeans: River Island

Necklace: Forever 21

Boots: New Look

Friday

Dress: New Look

Necklace: eBay

Boots: New Look

Decorating Must Have: Bruzz Nail Brush

Bruzz Hygienic Nail Brush

£9.99

I'm not a nail brush sort of person. In fact I didn't see the point of them until I had to decorate my new house. Then I was so thankful to have a Bruzz nail brush in my life, especially after seeing the mess made by a bog standard nail brush. Growing up I've always seen my Dad and Grandad using a nail brush when they're washing their hands but that's because they've been out in the garden or in the garage working on cars. I don't do messy, hard work so didn't know what all the fuss was about.

The Bruzz Nail Brush - the most hygienic nail brush in the world- is a redesign on the ordinary nail brush. The bristles are enclosed within the brush and are made out of silicone. It's pink so instantly looks better and is designed to limit spray, be gentle to the nails and be more hygienic. When I was in the midst of decorating and spent the best part of a fortnight covered in gloss, paint, no more nails and filler along with using sand paper and masking tape my nails took a bit of a battering. I didn't think I'd ever get them clean until I realised I had this little tool hidden away in my nail product stash. It did the job without being too harsh and best of all without spraying water and soap everywhere.

Now I must admit I don't use this on a daily basis. My nails don't need it but it's a handy little thing to have when you've got falsies on! I've always found long fake nails tend to get a bit grubby underneath and this is a handy, quite gentle option for keeping them clean.

Quick Money Saving Tips

January often brings a bit of gloom as we are all getting back to normal after the excitement of the Christmas holidays and new year fun. Don’t they feel like so long ago? There is a reason we have the phrase ‘January blues’! One thing that I like to do to cheer myself up is to shop. It can be tricky when you don’t have much money spare, though. Bring on pay day! So I also like to look for ways that I can save money and be more savvy. Who doesn’t, right? So here are some of the best ways that you can be more savvy in 2016.

Get Cashback on Your Purchases

A great way to shop, particularly online, is by using cashback sites or a cashback credit card. so if you buy through them, as the name suggest, you will get cashback. It is great for large purchases and things that you need to buy anyway Why not get a little money back for something you are buying anyway?

Use Voucher Code & Comparison Websites

There are so many great money saving codes that you can find online, through voucher code websites. I don’t always shop online, but when I do, I make sure I look for a voucher code that will work for my purchase.
There are a lot of comparison websites out there too. You can compare prices for things like insurance, and flights, even your food shopping. Make sure that you check these out whenever you need to buy. I have used a comparison site for my food shopping before, and it was so interesting. You can see what your shop would cost in all of the different supermarkets. Being savvy, is all about looking to pay less for the things you need to guy anyway.

Grow Your Own

I am by no means the best at this, but growing some of your own fruit and veg can save you a lot of money. It is a bit of an investment to start with, but after a while, it will pay off. If you don’t have a large garden or a garden at all, look at things that you could grow indoors. There are a lot of options for growing foods indoors. Think along the lines of herbs or mushrooms. If you use herbs a lot in cooking, it will save you money. Fresh herbs can be a lot of money when you buy them regularly. Again, why should you be paying more for something when you don’t have to?

Don’t Buy Bottled Water

Are you one of the people that buy a new bottle of water every time you go to the shops? This is just wasting money. It might not be much each time, but it could add up to over £50 a month. Get a reusable bottle and it will save you money. This works for things like coffee when you are out and about. Brew your own at home and take it with you. The mark up on drinks is quite staggering. So if you’re being savvy, you should avoid spending on unnecessary things.

Primark Haul: January 2016

Has anyone else gone into their Primark recently and been a little bit disappointed? Perhaps it's because I've got wardrobes bulging full and don't need anymore clothes. I felt like there was racks and racks of the same thing and nothing caught my eye. Having not been in Primark since before Christmas, when most purchases were for other people, I expected to buy a few more things. I'm happy with my very monochrome purchases though...

Hello Weekend Lounge Jumper

£7

Lace Sleeve Dress

£13

Slim Bow Pumps

£5

French False Nails £1 each

Exfoliating Gloves £1

Wish, Want, Need: Redcandy

Every room in our house is finally redecorated and most of the big things have been bought (apart from that tumble dryer that we keep talking about!) Now all the hard work is out the way I'm excited to carry on with the fun part - accessorising! I'm always on the hunt for something extra to finish off a room and make it feel a bit more homey. Red Candy has got it spot on. With a tagline like Shut Up Beige you know you're going to find something fun inside.

Koziol Silk Wall Clock, Banksy Balloon Print, Metallic Champagne Glasses

With the living room in mind I was instantly drawn to the huge wall clock. We've got statement wall paper and we need something neutral with no pattern and I feel like this fits the bill. As for the Banksy print, there's one of these in our town and it quickly became my favourite. Simple and perfect. Our wine glass collection is finally growing but we're lacking in posh glasses. What are we meant to drink from if something special happens!? No more excuses needed.

Shake Multi Photo Frame, Sun jar in pink, Wild and Wolf Copper Phone

I've just had nearly 200 photos printed and not enough photo frames to put them in. I could see this multi frame filling a wall in our hallway or bedroom. There's too many options. As for the sun jar there's no practical or valid reason. Do you need one though!? Lastly is a bloggers cliche. Right now we've got ugly, boring, plain phones in the living room and the kitchen. This Wild and Wolf phone however is anything but ugly. In reality it wouldn't go with anything in my living room but maybe I could compromise and go for a silver one?

Have you bought anything from Red Candy? Is your decor a shut up Beige sort of house?

Outfits of the Week: January #3

 Monday

Came: New Look

Cardigan: New Look

Skirt: Matalan

Belt: Primark

Boots: New Look

Tuesday

Cardigan: George @ Asda

Dress: Primark

Necklace: Primark

Boots: Quiz

 Wednesday

Top: Primark

Vest Top: Forever 21

Jeans: River Island

Necklace: Primark

Boots: New Look

Thursday

Dress: New Look

Long Sleeve T-shirt: Primark

Boots: New Look

Necklace: Forever 21

Friday

Dress: New Look

Blazer: Quiz

Boots: New Look

Hair: BaByliss Wave Envy

Quiz & Boots Sale Haul

Anyone else still sorting through their sale purchases? I bought these things ages ago and have only just managed to find time and daylight to take these pictures! My Quiz Clothing order seemed to take a very long time to arrive but thankfully I love everything. Nothing was a huge bargain (like the New Look sale!) but all 3 things seem to be new season and good quality. As for my Boots order I was a bit too late to hop on their website and missed lots of the popular items. 

Brown Quilted Boots

£19.99 (down from £39.99)

Black and White Stripe Shirt Dress

£14.99 (down from £22.99)

Black Blazer

£19.99

Lee Stafford Hair Growth Treatment

£8.49 each (3 for 2)

Emporio Armani Diamonds Rose Gift Set

£24.66 (was £37)

Home Happenings: Looking for a New Look

Make a Feature Wall

Making a feature wall can be a wonderful way to give your house a cool new look. It can give a room a whole new lease of life, and all you have to do is decorate a wall. Amazing, right? Here are some tips for creating your very own feature wall:

• Decide what you will use to make the wall. You can use paint, wallpaper, and other things to get the look you desire.
• Use stencils and wall stickers to help you create the look you want.
• Hire a painter and decorator if you’re not confident doing this yourself.
• Find pictures to take inspiration from.
• Make sure the wall suits your personality.
• Pick the right wall for the job; it should be large and blank. It shouldn’t have a window or a door of any kind!

Find Unique Vintage/Handmade Shops

Unique vintage and handmade shops give you the opportunity to find a ton of original items that nobody else will have. If you love this kind of look in your home and want to add some mystery, this is a great way to do so. You can even order them online, from places like www.iansnow.com. Avoid buying from places everybody buys from, and you’ll achieve a lovely unique look in your home.

Make Some Things Yourself

Why not get your crafty hat on and make some things yourself? You can make your own artwork, vases, storage, and so much more. There are tutorials online, workshops you can attend, and other ways to get creative. You know absolutely nobody else will have these things, as you’ve made them yourself.

Make Sure it Suits Your Personality

Your house should suit your personality. The minimal white look can look awesome, but if that isn't suited to your personality, it’s not going to speak to you in the same way. If you prefer a bit of colour and texture, make sure you include it.

Add Lots of Texture

Whether you’ve gone for a minimal look or something more out there, adding lots of texture is a good idea. It stops your home from looking two dimensional and adds even more interest. Your goal should be to make your guests want to feel their way around your home when they enter. You don’t necessarily have to cover the walls in faux fur, but you should make an effort to include texture where possible.

Giving your house a cool new look doesn’t have to feel like a chore or work. You can have lots of fun with it providing you set out to suit your personality and find some unique treasures. If you have some ideas yourself, feel free to leave a comment below.

Fitness Friday: Getting Back Into It

I completely went off track before Christmas. I went from exercising regularly and being conscious of what I was eating to no workouts and eating sweeties, chocolate and crisps galore. I feel like it's easily done especially with my birthday and Christmas thrown into the mix. But New Year is definitely a good time to get back on the bandwagon and sort out my lifestyle. I've enjoyed searching for new workouts and giving something different a go. MyFitnessPal has been perfect for keeping track of my food and I finally feel like I'm getting back into it. So if you're in the same situation as me and you're looking for some at home workouts look no further. These had me sweating and feeling the difference!

Do have any favourite fitness Youtubers? Or an alternative to MyFitnessPal?

Can Students And Organisation Go Hand In Hand?

I may no longer be a student, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t remember what student life is like. My time at uni was some of the best of my life; I made amazing friends, had some fantastic experiences and learnt a lot. However, one area that I  could have improved on was my organisation, like most students. Since graduating from university, I’ve learnt a lot about organisation and how important it is. So I thought that in case, you’re struggling with organisation, I would share a few tips. Believe it or not, being organised at uni is much easier than you would think.

Invest in a planner

First and foremost, invest in a planner. With smartphones and tablets, the idea of using a diary to keep track of your daily life might seem old fashioned but it’s extremely helpful. Using a diary will help you to keep track of what classes you have when, as well as the various assignments you have to do. You can also use it to keep track of meetings with your tutor, as well as any extra lectures you have.

The best planner to opt for is an A5 sized one, as it won’t be too big or heavy to carry around in your bag. There are plenty of options to choose from when it comes to diaries. The best ones, however, are academic journals, as these run from September to September and have been specially made for students. You can use your planner to keep track of everything, from semester start dates to house inspections.

Write to-do lists

Student life is extremely busy. From attending lectures and social activities to keeping on top of assignments, you probably have a lot to think about. To make all the things that you have to do easier to keep on top of, write to-do lists and tick off each thing as you go. As well as writing daily to-do lists that include things like ‘wash clothes’, you should also keep lists of important tasks.

For example, when it comes to the end of a semester you need to start thinking about how you and your belongings will get home. If you plan on using a student storage company to ship your belongings, you’ll need to book them in advance. It’s things like this that need to be planned, but without a to-do list are easy to forget.

Keep your bedroom tidy

Last but not least, always keep your room tidy. It’s no secret that most student bedrooms end up in a mess - don’t let yours be one of them. Not only will you struggle to be organised if you have no idea where anything is, but you’ll also find it hard to keep on top of your workload. It’s impossible to work efficiently in a messy space, as it’s too easy to get distracted. So it’s essential that you keep your room tidy.

The good news is that keeping your student bedroom tidy doesn’t have to be difficult. Stacking crates are ideal for keeping your bedroom tidy; these can be stacked in the corner of the room or placed under the bed. A chest placed at the end of the bed could also be an excellent way to keep your bedroom tidy, as can storage that hangs over the back of your door. When it comes to keeping your bedroom tidy, you might have to get creative with the storage, but it is possible.

Spa Day, Prosecco & Animal Faces

January is the month for relaxation and detoxing and mine kicked off properly with a spa day the first weekend after being back to work. It was one of my best friend's birthdays and her boyfriend booked the spa as a surprise. We managed to convince her she was going to an ariel ropes course so when we turned into the spa's driveway there was a look of relief and delight on her face.

We were the only people in the spa so it was nice to relax, gossip and snack while each person got their treatment. I went for a massage which I definitely needed. I was a little bit disappointed that the girl spoke through my whole massage. I wasn't able to properly relax. What do you prefer, silence or a little chat?

The afternoon was spent in the hot tub with a few bottles of prosecco after the amazing salad lunch (and delicious cheesecake).  Before long we were heading back to my house to get ourselves ready for a night of more drinking, dancing and singing.

Did anyone else get the funny face mats for Christmas? They seemed to take over Facebook at Christmas time. I got the animal ones and they're hilarious! That, along with my selfie props and selfie stick kept us busy at night. 

Have you had any girly nights since the festivities or are you determined to have a dry month?

Looking Stylish on the Slopes

The weather finally got a bit colder recently, after a relatively mild winter. While I'm not desperate for it to be cold all the time, it does mean one thing. We had a little bit of snow in the UK, but on the continent, you'll find a lot more. Even over there, the snow was delayed. People hoping to ski over winter didn't always get what they expected. But now there's plenty of snow, so it's the perfect time to take a post-Christmas ski break. Whether you go for a weekend or longer, you need to look stylish while you're on the slopes. Here are my tips for fashionable skiwear.

Start with Fashionable Base Layers

When it's below freezing outside, you need to wrap up well. The best way to keep warm is to have lots of layers. And each one should look great, so you still look chic when you take one off. Having a thermal base layer is an excellent idea. It will keep you cosy and they can still look fashionable once you get inside and strip off your jacket. You'll be happy sitting by a fire in your thermals if you choose some stylish ones. You can find designer thermal base layers at S'No Queen. You should like your thermal layers enough to want to show them off. Then you can spend more time après-skiing than skiing!

Get Some Stylish Headgear

If you're planning to head out on the slopes (not compulsory for a ski trip!), there's one thing you should know. You need to wear a helmet. You might think that you're fine without one. But you'll notice that all the experienced skiers are wearing one. They might not be the most fashionable accessory, but they protect your noggin. It's better to look a bit foolish than to crack your head open. Not to worry, though, because you can find more stylish choices. Some helmets look sleek and will give you an air of expertise out on the slopes. Just remember that safety is more important than fashion in this case.

All About the Après-ski

You need to try and be as practical as you can if you plan on skiing, snowboarding or doing any other sports. But once you're off the slopes, it's a fashion free-for-all. You can make up for having to wear a helmet but getting out a snazzy headband or a chic pair of fluffy earmuffs. Settle in by your hotel's fire with some schnapps and you can show off your winter fashion for real. Get some snuggly faux-furs on in the form of a vest or a furry hat. Knitwear is always hit, especially if you can afford to get a beautiful cashmere jumper or something similar. And once you can take off your ski boots, you can get on your cosy, but maybe slightly less snow-practical, boots.

Going on a ski trip gives you lots of opportunities to pose on the slopes. Just make sure you're not too busy strutting that you forget to pay attention to your surroundings!

NOTD: Snowflake

Inspired by the snow that seems to have taken over much of the UK I dug out Kensington Church Street by Nails Inc (which is better known as Snowflake). Paired with Ciate's Chinchilla I had the perfect wintery looking nails. The icy blue-grey seems to describe my weather better than the glittery sequins on my accent nail. Even though I'm in the very North of Scotland I'm feeling envious of all the snow that's appearing across Instagram and Twitter. It just looks like an ice rink outside my window, barely any snow in sight.

If you want to get your hands on Nails Inc's Kensington Church Street you'll have to be quick. The limited edition nail polish from last Christmas is back but it won't be around long. In fact you might even manage to get it on sale.  

Have you got lots of the white stuff? Enough to build an Olaf?

Outfits of the Week: January #2

  Monday

Dress: HM

Boots: New Look

Necklace: Primark

Tuesday

Dress: New Look

Cardigan: New Look

Boots: New Look

Belt: Primark

Watch: Michael Kors

Bracelets: Jomi Jewellery and Pandora

Wednesday

Blouse: Primark

Vest Top: Forever 21

Skirt: New Look

Boots: New Look

 Thursday

Dress: Primark

Boots: Quiz

Necklace: Primark

Friday

Blouse: Primark

Vest Top: Forever 21

Skirt: HM

Boots: Quiz