With Mother’s Day fast approaching and it being #MarchMeetTheMaker month on Instagram, I figured that there’s no better time for me to put together a blog post featuring some of my favourite local makers and Etsy shops.
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There are savings to be had by shopping online, but there are even bigger savings to be made when you know how to tap into special discounts and deals. Here are three easy ways to save money on products that you already want to buy – by simply letting the offers come to you..!
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When you need to invest in big ticket items, such as appliances, sofas, electronics & even cars, it can take a big chunk of money out of your monthly budget. Here are some helpful hacks to cut costs when you’re next shopping for those expensive items…
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With Black Friday approaching at the end of this week, and many sales already in progress, it can be tempting to succumb to those deals. You might end up spending more than you intended to (and just before Christmas too) when a deal sounds too good to miss but Black Friday isn’t the only way you can get a bargain on furniture…
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If you’re wondering what to get your youngsters for Christmas this year, or are planning to donate to a charity Christmas gift appeal, I’ve put together a wonderful collection of fun and educational gifts for all ages – from toddlers to teens. Plus, you can win a kids’ microscope kit in my festive giveaway so read on to enter…
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I sometimes just get the urge to shop. Even as a wannabe-minimalist and thrifty gal (whose job relies on it!) it is sometimes just too hard to resist the lure of the high street. If you’re trying to stash the cash (like me) but sometimes just get the urge to shop (also like me) here are 5 things you can do instead to satisfy that urge to shop while still saving money…
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If you’ve never bought from an auction house before it’s a fun, action-packed second-hand shopping experience that could save you ££s so here’s how to start buying at auctions without – & here’s the best bit – leaving the comfort of your own home…!
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So you’re coming to the end of the summer and it’s time to put those tees away for another year. Just a sec… why don’t you give your t-shirts a new lease of life by upcycling them for autumn? Here are four easy ways to revamp your summer wardrobe for the new season…
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Have you heard about the Etsy Design Awards? If not, I would urge you to check it out today. The list of finalists has been announced and the winners will be chosen in September. It’s a great way to discover new sellers, and here’s what I found when I browsed the shortlisted businesses in the ‘Inventive Decor’ category…
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If you’re planning a party for adults (or for teens too, I guess!) why not make it a Bob Ross themed event? Think curly hair, canvases and happy little trees and you’ve got the beginnings of an epic painting party that’ll stretch your creative skills and have you giggling for hours. Here’s how to do it on a budget…
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Father’s Day is just around the corner on the 16th June so I thought I’d put together a gift guide of slightly different presents for dad that you might not have though of before, including sweet treats, personalised goodies and on trend tech…
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If you’ve been getting into a pickle with your spending in recent years, it’s not your fault. The ways in which we’re encouraged to shop these days has changed SO much that it’s no surprise we’re struggling. Discount codes, saved baskets, flash sales, online-only, virtual products, and one-click ordering makes the shopping process fast, impulsive and, sometimes, mindless. Which is why I’ve looked back at the ways we used to shop pre-internet to discover some lessons that we can use today to take control of our shopping habits…
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Straight off the back of Mother’s Day, let’s chat about Father’s Day! Let’s face it, when it comes to buying your dad a gift, you probably need to think a bit more out of the box than a traditional tie. But don’t panic – Father’s Day isn’t until 16th June, so you’ve got plenty of time to make some plans. What are some affordable alternatives for Father’s Day this year? Here are 7 gift ideas for your favourite fella…
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Here are 3 easy projects you can DIY for Mother’s Day using upcycled items you may already have at home, including a tote bag, slogan tee and pamper hamper…
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I know you want to get something special for your mum this Mother’s Day, and what could be better than a handmade gift that you’ve sourced or commissioned yourself? That’s where Etsy comes in!
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Here’s some of the personalised and retro gifts I’ve picked up for my husband this year, and I hope they’ll help you get your gift list in order too…
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If you’re looking for a truly unique gift this Christmas, you’ve got to go handmade. Etsy is a great marketplace to find items that have been crafted by artisans and creatives so that’s where I’ve been shopping this year. Here are some festive gift ideas for all members of the family…
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Having a fantastic winter wardrobe doesn’t have to cost an arm and leg or include countless new pieces of clothing. By adding just a few extra pieces you’ll be able to sail through the season looking effortlessly cool. Here are the three things you need to get you through the winter without breaking the bank…
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Did you know that the average cost of a Christmas stocking adds up to over £70? Sounds like a lot doesn’t it? That’s why I jumped at the chance to cut this cost by half and share the results of my Christmas stocking haul with you today. Plus, you can win all the items in my retro stocking in my giveaway below so read on to enter the competition…
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Fellwalker Alfred Wainwright once said “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.” Seeing as the Met Office have said that the UK has experienced more weather extremes (both hot and cold) in recent years, I’ve decided to prepare myself for a nippy winter ahead. Here’s what you need to stay cosy in the cold…
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Autumn’s here and the new season fashion has hit the shops. If you’re bewildered by the selection, I hear you! I had a quick whizz around the stores and have concluded that A/W18 fashion can be grouped into a few textures/patterns so here’s how to get the look for less this year…
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It’s the little light that fills us all with dread. Today, an inkjet printer might be cheap to buy, but it almost seems cheaper to throw it away and buy a new one that to put in new ink cartridges! Printers can have a thirst that is downright scary, particularly if you use your for printing out photos or artwork with any kind of regularity – here’s some tips for making your ink cartridges last longer…
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Did you know that housewarming gifts have a meaning behind them? Just like anniversary gifts, the present wrap up to congratulate a friend on their new home can have a significant meaning. So here are some ideas for housewarming presents that combine those customs alongside a handy gift or tasty treat…
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Whether you’re looking for interesting homewares, personalised gifts, handmade fashion or unique art, the best way to find something special is by buying from makers, artists and microbusinesses. Want to know where to find such creative folk? Read on to find out where and why to buy from the people who dedicate their lives to […]
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When it comes to exercising, there are a lot of excuses that you can find to avoid your daily workout, but your sportswear being too uncomfortable shouldn’t be one of them. If you’ve spent any time doing workouts in the past, you know how important it is that whatever you choose to wear is comfortable, […]
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Eye-wear can be expensive, can’t it? I’ve winced at the price of prescription glasses many times! But this year been I’ve searching for ways to cut costs on my frames, prescription sunglasses and contact lenses. Read on to hear about the bargains I discovered online…
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If you’re looking for a meaningful present for a special occasion – or just a treat for yourself – you can’t go far wrong with a piece of handmade jewellery. Here’s what happened when I unwrapped a surprise gift…
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If you want to revamp your home on a tight budget here are some ways to shop savvy and get the best deals on retro homewares. Plus, you could be in with a chance of winning a super-cool on-trend belly basket in my giveaway so read on to enter..!
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Yes, you may have been rather disorganised and got into the Christmas spirit too early this year – but even if you haven’t done all your present shopping, there’s no need to panic. The Christmas countdown is well and truly on, and with just a couple more shopping days until the big day itself, there’s […]
Read MoreWith temperatures falling drastically, there is no way one can ignore pulling out their warmest clothes including coats, sweaters, gloves, socks, and hats. But it’s no surprise if you spot your teenager hanging out in freezing weather in just a hoodie – sometimes paired with shorts. In fact, the more you tell them to cover up […]
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Okay, I admit it. I’ve not bought a single Christmas gift for my husband yet. I’m guessing that next week will be a busy one for me as I scramble around to fill that stocking. You would imagine your husband is one of the easiest persons to shop for, but it might take longer to decide […]
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This year, I’m planning to treat my family and friends to some meaningful gifts. Sure, I could head out onto the high street and get sucked into all the hustle and bustle of buying presents on a grand scale. But often this results in me not quite finding the ideal gifts for the people I […]
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Looking for ideas to decorate your home this Christmas to get into the festive spirit? I’ve been doing my research (early, of course!) and I found some fantastic tips from Personalised Gifts Shop. They’ve compiled a list of the biggest and best Christmas decorations trends this year and I can’t wait to share them with you. It’s […]
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Pusheen the cat started life as an internet sensation, and has quickly become the head of a soft toy empire in her own right. As one of the world’s most famous internet cats, people love Pusheen cat soft toys because of her love of junk food, her slightly chubby physique, and her passion for lazing […]
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Have you heard about the candle that shoppers going wild about this summer? It’s a budget version of the Jo Malone ‘Pomegranate Nioir’ scented candle and it’s available – wait for it – in Aldi. But how good can this low-cost replica really be? Of course, as a thrifty blogger, it’s down to me to […]
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Okay, I admit it – I’ve been browsing the summer sales. Every year I try to resist, but when I see those footwear bargains start pinging up in my browser, I get easily distracted from work and start to shop. But if you knew what kind of deals I’d found, I’m sure you’d be doing […]
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It can be hard to find a unique gift for “the man who has everything” but don’t fret – I have the solution. Personalised gifts. I don’t just mean something with your dad’s name on it, I mean choosing all the elements of the design to create a truly unique gift. From shirts to socks, and […]
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With Easter fast approaching, my thoughts have turned to chocolate eggs and rabbit-shaped iced biscuits. I love making marshmallow ‘nests’ with my niece and nephew, and an Easter cheesecake is a must in our household. But this year, I thought I’d consider some Easter gifts that are more than just edible treats. I’d love to […]
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Yes, I still have an advent calendar every year, even at my age. I’ve had chocolate calendars to countdown the days until Christmas for as long as I can remember. And I probably had a printed cardboard calendar even before then. I love opening a door every day, bring me one step closer to the […]
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I’m not even going to say the ‘C’ word yet but I know that many of you are already planning – and buying – your seasonal gifts. In fact, I’m heading out to the high street tomorrow to gather some stocking fillers myself so I know that (if you’re at all like me) you’re already […]
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I have some very exciting – and much anticipated – news to tell you today. The latest novel from award-winning writer Amanda Addison has finally landed on Kindles all around the country. An Amsterdam Affair was launched on Amazon on Thursday and I’ve been lucky enough to interview Amanda to find out her inspiration behind the novel and […]
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With the England game about to kick off in the Euros this afternoon (and almost everyone I know bunking off work to watch it!) I knew I couldn’t let today pass me by without at least a mention of the big game. I think this year’s tournament has been the most anticipated and most exciting […]
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It may be Tuesday Shoesday but today I’m doing things a bit differently. Instead of focusing on beautiful shoes and fabulous bargains, I’ve decided to check out that ‘other’ all-important accessory instead: the handbag. It’s equally as important as shoes – you probably don’t ever leave the house without it – and it can have […]
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Last month I wrote about the reasons why I’ve recently made the switch to living a cruelty-free life. I’ve since written about homemade beauty as an alternative to bought products and the animal-friendly products I used to prepare for the UK Blog Awards. Today I’m looking at products that I already use and the cosmetics I’m currently […]
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Can you believe that Fashion Targets Breast Cancer has already been running for 20 years?! I remember being a teenager when this ground-breaking campaign first launched – where have those years gone? Nonetheless the 2016 campaign has launched and is celebrating 20 years as the nation’s most powerful fashion movement.Running until the end of May, the campaign calls […]
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In case you didn’t already hear me bleating on about it on Twitter – I’m going to the UK Blog Awards! So basically, you’ll be treated to lots of preparation posts on the blog this week, showing you exactly what dress and accessories I’m going to wear, the make-up and skincare I’m using and, today, you’re going […]
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I’m excited to share a fun project I’ve been playing around with this week. Yes, I’ve been designing my own clothing. I’ve been spending time picking out my favourite photos and choosing my ultimate ‘girl boss’ quotes in order to make a few designs of my own. And that’s because I’ve just discovered a new […]
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When you’ve not got much time and Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, the quickest and easiest option is to shop for gifts online. But that doesn’t have to mean you’re not putting any thought or effort into choosing a treat for your favourite person. Oh no, there are plenty of simply gorgeous gifts online that […]
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If you want to show someone special that you care about them this Valentine’s Day but know that you won’t be able to make it to the shops before the weekend, I’ve got the solution for you. No, it’s not too late to order a personalised Valentine’s card online because I’ve found a great website […]
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January feels really long this year, why is that? Even though it’s not been particularly cold or especially dark this year, I’ve still felt like January has been a bit ‘meh’. Nothing bad has happened, I’ve not had a tough month, it’s just a bit… hmm. It’s at this time of year that I start […]
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It’s that time of year again – gift guide time! I know you’ll all be shopping for presents this week (I know I am!) and if you’re not already ‘all shopped out’ after Black Friday and Cyber Monday, I’m sure you’ll appreciate a few ideas I’m sharing today. First up is a gift for everyone […]
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When I shared tips for taking care of cats during the autumn and winter earlier this week I had a great response and my attention turned to other pets in the family. I thought about the animals we care for who are ‘outside’ pets; in our family we have chickens and guinea pigs, and other […]
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Okay, okay, I know it’s October, but when Debenhams got in touch to see if I wanted to join in with their blogger Secret Santa challenge, I started to get really excited about Christmas. You see, the best part about Christmas for me is giving to others; whether that’s gifts, food or time, and it’s what makes […]
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I know that Spring is traditionally the season of new beginnings but I think that autumn holds some of the same magic too. Starting in September, specifically on the 23rd this year, autumn is the ideal time to start a new project or try out something new. There’s a sense of optimism in the air, everything […]
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As London Fashion Week draws to a close this seems like the perfect time to talk about new season trends for Autumn 2015. I’m taking inspiration from the catwalk to compile this list of essential looks although (as always!) it was the shoes that caught my eye rather than the clothes. Here is a selection of […]
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It may not seem like it from reading my blog but I rarely treat myself to new clothing. Honestly, almost everything I buy I end up writing about so you can probably tell from my blog that I’ve only got about three new dresses this year (though I make up for this with shoes). I’m […]
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Now that we are well into the swing of June I can confidently say that summer is here. While the weather may not always be perfect, the season is undoubtedly the most anticipated of the year. It’s when most of us take a well-earned holiday, many of us finish our exams and lots of us […]
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After sharing photos of Sian’s beautiful Daisy caravan with you yesterday (and the fabulous vintage party package giveaway – check it out here!) I felt a strong urge to hang out in my own caravan and enjoy the lovely weather.So when I finished work yesterday, I took brewed up a cuppa and took myself outside […]
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Okay, I know it’s not a traditional time of year to be shopping for Christmas accessories but right now is precisely the best time of year to purchase a new Christmas tree. And that’s exactly what I’ve done this week! Yes, my brand new Christmas tree was delivered yesterday and I’m so pleased with the […]
Read MoreClothing and fashion have always been lucrative markets and, despite a dip in high street sales here in the UK, the online clothing trade has remained fairly buoyant. And it seems that more and more people are realising that they too could be part of this online market. If you love fashion magazines, enjoy researching the […]
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Designer clothes are not cheap but many women are willing to pay a high price for them in the name of fashion. Designer prices for ladies clothing vary with the different brands though there are factors that influence the cost of these clothes; if the garment is handmade or has embellishments it will cost more. […]
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Even though I only picked up a handful of goodies in the sales this year, I think you’ll agree that my husband has got a great deal with his bargain purchase: a new coat from House of Fraser. It’s been literally years since he got a new coat and even though he already has a […]
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We all know how stressful Christmas shopping can be. You’ve got so many people to buy for in so little time and worst of all, the shops are so full that you have to battle your way through in order to get it all done. It’s no wonder you might not have had a chance […]
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How are you getting on with your festive shopping? After a full day of high street shopping, a second day of trawling the internet and a final day of visiting the shops in the local village, I think I have pretty-much finished my Christmas shopping. I am delighted, as there is usually a last-minute rush on […]
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If you’re as crazy about your pets as I am about my cats you’ll understand why I feel the need to share this information with you today. Okay, okay, I know I’ve already bought Christmas stockings for my cats and I’ve shared a festive gift guide for pets a couple of weeks ago, but that was […]
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Anyone who follows my Instagram account will know how much I love my cats. Yes, Cookie and Muffin are practically my children and I adore them from their velvet noses to the tip of their fluffy tails. So today I thought it would be fitting to put together a little Christmas gift guide for your […]
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As customers, we always want to make sure we get the best deals possible when making a purchase, especially when we spend a large amount of money. But how exactly should you go about becoming a more empowered customer? The initiative called ‘Better Choices: Better Deals’ was launched by the Department for Business, Innovation & […]
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Have you noticed that the days are already feeling shorter just by the evenings being slightly darker than usual? I’ve actually felt more rushed than usual in my work, and I feel like it’s taking up all of my day and I just don’t have the time to relax in the evenings. I know this […]
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I’ve never been into a Hollister shop before. I know some of you will be regular shoppers and this whole blog post will be old news to you but for me, my visit to the Cambridge store was an adventure in terms of marketing and retail display. I’d never even seen the exterior of a […]
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It’s called The Caravan Trail and you can imagine how excited I was when I first stumbled upon the website after spotting a link on Twitter last week. It’s a website full of gorgeous homewares, with beautifully decorated crockery, pretty teapots and picnic items. And most importantly, there are caravan patterns everywhere! I ogled the ‘Festival’ […]
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