Fashion // Charity shop budget OOTD

As payday is nearing but the funds are still low,I thought I would pop into my local charity shop to see what I could find.I've been having a look at people's OOTD/N posts more recently,and I've been really inspired by all of the different body types and fashion styles out there.This Summer I'm really trying to challenge the thoughts about my body and wear things outside my comfort zone,so I was very excited to come across this lovely dress.It was a complete steal at only £6.75 and was originally from Peacocks.It looks like it's barely been worn!

I usually tend to stick to neutral colours and cover up my arms so this is definitely a big fashion step for me! I love the print and the vibrant mustard yellow colour,it has a bit of a 60's feel to it I think,but correct me if I'm wrong.It kind of reminds of the Missoni print that was popular then.This dress also gets a gold star for being amazingly comfortable,it's got just enough stretch in the waist to accommodate food babies and period bloat.

This bag is from Primark and it goes with absolutely everything and it has enough room to store all of my essentials and some not so essentials.It feels really luxurious and well made,despite only being £12.If you're looking for a high quality bag on a budget,I'd definitely head to Primark right now!

I've just styled this dress with some black tights and brogues but I'm really looking for some new ways to wear it.What would you pair it with? 

Beauty // Products I wouldn't repurchase

I have a corner shelf that has all of my toiletries on it,most of which I really love and use religiously.However,there is a dark corner that never gets touched,which is full of products that I have relegated to the back,never to be used again.I hate it when I buy a product and I'm really excited,but it turns out to be really disappointing, that's why I'm glad I don't spend too much money on these things!

I bought Oz Bonatics Major Moisture Shampoo from Poundland, and I was really expecting good results as it seemed like such a good dupe for the more expensive Aussie haircare range,but no luck! It smells really good,kind of like bubblegum,but it left my hair feeling really lank and weighed down.

I'm a big fan of dry shampoos because I get up very early for work,and I can't be bothered to wash my hair in the early hours of the morning.I usually use Batiste which works wonderfully,but I was really interested to see this waterless foam shampoo from Tresemme which I bought from Boots for around the £5 mark.I was willing to pay more because I thought it would give me really similar results to washing my hair,but all that happened is that it smelt slightly fresher.It didn't remove any grease and it left the ends of my hair looking really frizzy.You're supposed to distribute it through the hair and then blast it with a hairdryer,but I formulation is so gloopy that it gets everywhere! I'd stick to traditional dry shampoo.

I can't make my mind up about this Shine Gloss Booster from Bristow's  which I bought from Poundland.It says that it "gives hair a healthy shine" and that it has an "instant visible effect" but it doesn't seem to do anything! It smells quite nice and fresh but I haven't really seen any difference in the glossiness of my hair since using it.Maybe I'm not looking hard enough? Apparently it does protect against breakage, and my hair is looking quite breakage free at the moment,but I doubt that's got anything to do with this product.

I definitely won't be repurchasing these again,and this is a great reminder to myself not to get sucked into all of the buzzwords that promise me the swishy,glossy hair from a L'Oreal Advert.Oh well,I can still dream!

Have you bought any products you're dissapointed with? 

Fashion // Current favourites

I was searching through my wardrobe this morning and amongst the five year old pyjamas and shoes I've never worn,I found all of my current favourites and arranged them so they're easy to get to.My wardrobes aren't very organised but I do like to have them to hand, a kind of organised chaos.Anyway,these are the bits and bobs that I can't stop wearing at the moment!

I can't get over how much I love this dress! It's so comfortable and I love the cut.I can't often find dresses that fit my shape like this,and the vibrant daisy print only adds to it.I have seen a similar dress in Topshop before but I picked this up in Primark and it was only £13.All of the seams appear very sturdy and the zip at the back makes it look much higher end.Well done Primark!

I was a huge My Little Pony fan when I was growing up,as I'm sure any 80's or 90's child was.I loved the bright colours and it definitely fulfilled some dream that I too could have my own ponies (albeit toy ones.) You're never too old to bring some nostalgia to your clothes though and these socks are so adorable.They were £2.50 and they've kept their colour really well.I'm definitely going to pop in and see what other ranges they offer.I know Primark have a big Marvel range out at the moment,so if you're a big comic book fan now looks like your time.

This photo really doesn't do this ring justice,but my Gran generously gave this to me a few weeks ago.She's always worn so many rings that she jingles when she walks,and I love to hear all of her stories about how she got them.I'm not too sure about the back story or what it's made of but I think it's Ruby and possibly Diamonds.I was thinking of going to a Jewellers to see if they would be able to have a look at it.The stone in the middle shines a deep claret red colour in the sun and the little gems around it sparkle too.It's so beautiful and I love that it's always going to have memories of my Gran attached to it. 

Sorry for the wrinkled socks and messy laces,I'm the kind of person that ties up their shoes rushing out of the door and then has to retie them a billion times (I should learn really.) I'm a bit late to the Brogue party,I've seen them around lots before but I never thought to buy a pair.I'm so glad I did! I love how they make any outfit look smart and polished,and these ones from Primark are so comfortable.I picked these up for £12 and I've worn them pretty much every day since.I love to wear them with that red daisy print dress and tights,they're so wearable and go with pretty much anything. I'm still thinking of more ways to wear them though,so I'd love to read any tips or OOTD's you guys have.

So there we go,there are the things I can't be without right now.I've really enjoyed writing a different post,and I think they're might be some more fashion related things on the blog soon.Hopefully I will get used to being in front of the camera!

What are you loving at the moment?

Poundland bargains // Rimmel Glam'eyes Quad Eye shadow review

I love neutral eye colours because they're so versatile and easy to wear.A simple smokey eye is my go to evening make up,but I don't often wear eye shadows because of work, so I don't tend to spend too much! Poundland seem to have lots of Rimmel products on offer at the moment,so I quickly grabbed this Glam'Eyes Quad Eye shadow in Smokey Noir.I could only find this one,but I know that Rimmel do 9 other quads in various shades.

I love the simple fuss free packaging,and that you get four shades for the princely sum of £1!I don't use the applicator they give you as I find it doesn't really help with blending,but the colours go on smoothly and blend well with my Eco Tools brush.There's quite a lot of product in each pan and I have noticed that it does stay on my eyes for a long time,I'd say a good 5 hours so it's well worth it.

 I love that they have a little guide on the back,as I'm terrible at knowing what to put where.Also,it gives you tips on how to achieve subtle or more dramatic eye looks.I was very impressed that there wasn't a lot of fall out onto my face,it stayed put and gave my eyelids a really pretty and subtle colour.I like to use shade 2 for a simple day time look with some black liquid liner.

Shades 2 & 3 aren't very visible from the photo,but they looks lovely on the eye.All of the colours are really wearable and complement each other well.

Shade 1:-  A neutral medium grey perfect for a subtle smokey eye base.

Shade 2:- My favourite of the quad,it's a beautiful dove grey that's buildable for a stronger look

Shade 3 :- A pale shimmery white/grey which is a great highlighter.It doesn't look glittery either,so if you're after a matte finish this is the one.

Shade 4:- A deep black colour which is very pigmented and is wonderful for creating more dramatic looks.

I would really recommend this quad to people who want a fun but effective product that isn't going to cost the Earth.This would be a really good introduction to eye shadows or the smokey eye look because it's easy to use and goes through all of the steps with you.I keep them on for a long time and they don't cause any irritation either,so I imagine this would suit people with sensitive skin or contact lens wearers.I'm definitely going to keep my eyes open to see if Poundland are stocking any more.

What eyeshadows are you wearing at the moment? 

Beauty // Hair care heroes

My hair can be so temperamental sometimes! It's long and wavy so it can often lose it's volume and radiance when it's gets tangly,and if I'm stressed my hair always looks quite dull.I was browsing around Sainsburys and found these really interesting products.They are all under £5 too,so if you're looking for a bargain then I would definitely check them out.I'm all about creating volume and getting some hydration into my hair,so these are perfect for me.

Tresemme 24 hour body shampoo (2 Tresemme products for £7 deal at Sainsburys )

I've had these bottles for a while now,and I haven't really made a dent in them so they're really worth the money.I love shampoos that create lots of suds and this lathers up really well with a fresh "salon" fragrance.I like that it contains proteins and collagen (the same stuff they put in lip fillers I think?) which gives hair a boost.I also find that when I use this shampoo,my hair holds it's blow dried style for longer.What's not to like?

Tresemme 24 hour body conditioner (part of the £7 deal at Sainsburys)

This is a perfect way to end a hair wash.I get a good dollop and work it through the ends of my hair (for extra moisture I leave it on for 5 minutes) and then wash it out.The results are amazing! It doesn't weight my hair down or irritate my scalp and it leaves my hair smelling really fresh and clean.I love that it really nourishes the dry areas without leaving it looking greasy.

V05 Plump it up volumising spritz (£3.89 from Sainsburys)

Carrying on with the volumising theme,I wanted to make sure my hair was still bouncy when I was blow drying it! This spritz has heat protection so it's great if you're constantly using straighteners and hairdryers.It really helps to stop the breakage that you can get from not looking after your hair.There is no residue and it leaves my hair looking really full and healthy.

I would really recommend this products if you have a sensitive scalp as I have found that these don't bother me at all! Also,if you're prone to dry areas,these products will really help you to keep your hair protected and nourished.You know on hair care adverts when the models swish their hair around,it makes me feel like that!It just goes to show that you don't have to spend a fortune to get high quality products.

What hair care products are you using at the moment?

Beauty // Morning Make Up Musthaves

I'm pretty sure that I'd run down to the shops in my pyjamas if I ever ran out of these.I always make sure I've got enough,and because they are all under £5 I often have a couple of back ups lying around in different places.They're not high end products but they're really effective and do the job well.

Wilko refreshing eye drops (£2-£3 from Wilkinsons)

I can't remember exactly how much this lifesaver cost,but I know it's very budget friendly.I'm basically a walking allergy,and these drops are great at making sure that my eyes stop running and they stay clear and bright.They're great to use after a long day too,although I don't use them everyday because it might disturb the natural balance of my eyes.

Sanctuary Spa hand cream (£3 from Boots)

I was lucky enough to receive this in the Sanctuary gift set for Christmas from my lovely husband! My hands get really dry and this formula is rich enough to give my skin day long moisturisation, without leaving a greasy film on my hands.It smells so good too,it's got a lovely sweet and subtle almond fragrance that lasts for hours .I've had it since December and I don't even think I'm halfway through as you don't need much,so this is a great cost effective option.

Maybelline Pure Cover Mineral Concealer (£1 from Poundland)

After trying this out, I went to Poundland to pick up another as it was that amazing! This one is shade 02 (Natural) and is great at hiding the redness I often get around my nose and chin.It's quite a creamy formula too,so it's really moisturising for dry skin.I also love that when you apply it to a breakout it doesn't cake or leave it looking worse than before,it just gives a nice even coverage.

Vaseline Rosy Lips (£2.18 from Boots)

I think I've tried just about every type of Vaseline but this is definitely one of my favourites.It isn't heavily scented but it does have a light rose fragrance which I love.The almond oil helps keep my lips free from cracks and moisturised all day.I often use it so that I have a smooth base to apply lipstick or gloss,but it's great by itself as it gives my lips a beautiful rosy sheen.

I know they're nothing exciting,but I couldn't be without these.They definitely help me feel more put together and polished.I always feel like I'm going to have a good day if I have everything to hand.I'm still trying to scout out more bargains to add to my collection!

What are your must haves?

Poundland bargains // Constance Carroll Compact Refill Powder Review

I've been after a powder to set my make up and stop shine for a while now, as I've just run out of my trusty ELF powder.I decided that seeing as I get most of things I buy from Poundland,I'd see if they have any powders on offer.I found these compacts from Constance Carroll (which is apparently a UK brand,although I've never heard of it.) The only issue I have with Poundland is sometimes there is a lack of shades in cosmetics.There were two shades of this powder,"Roma" which was quite a dark pinkish brown colour and "Saffron Glow" which was more yellow toned.I picked "Saffron Glow" but on checking the Constance Carroll website,I noticed they do lighter and darker shades.It would be great if Poundland started stocking these,so that everyone could try them out!

 I'm not sure about the packaging,I think it looks a little dated,but let's not judge a book by its cover.It seems to have quite a lot of product in it,so hopefully it will last a while.

I can't make my mind up about this powder.It has a nice texture and leaves my skin feeling soft.Also,it offers a sheer coverage so it looks quite natural.I was worried that it would be too yellow toned for my skin,but it blended into problem areas (cheeks and chin) perfectly.The only downsides are  that the powder can get everywhere and it doesn't have the nicest smell.It's got quite a powdery scent and it reminds me a little bit of a perfume my Nan might wear,it's not too overwhelming though.

Here is the final result! Overall I'm pretty happy,if you're after a matte finish then this isn't the powder you're looking for,but it does give a lovely dewy look to the skin.I've also noticed it keeps my make up in place nicely for a good few hours.It's definitely worth having a look at anyway,the store I went to was quite small,so a bigger shop may have a wider variety.

What type of finish do you prefer for your skin? Matte or Dewy?

Mini Haul // Superdrug body sprays review

Superdrug is the only store we have in my town that sells everything beauty and health related.That's why I'm always popping in there to see what they've got to offer.I always like to make sure that I have body sprays to hand because they're great to put in my handbag for a quick freshen up.I don't like to spend too much as I go through them quite quickly,but I noticed that Superdrug were having a Buy One Get One Free offer on their body sprays,so they were 99p for 2.Bargain!

The vibrant cans really caught my eye and there were 7 to choose from;

Minx
Delicious
Crush
Seduce
Sugar
Starlight
Lusty

I find the names quite amusing.They're definitely no Coco Chanel but I think  they're fun and don't take themselves too seriously.You could buy one for every occasion and still have change from £10! Eventually I picked up "Minx" and "Delicious" because the descriptions sounded like the kind of scent I was looking for.

Minx

"Feel utterly feminine and seductive! A bold,flirtatious mix of juicy citrus fruits,with pineapple,jasmine and sweet vanilla notes.Spritz all over your body to leave you feeling fresh and confident." 

This one is my favourite out of the two.It reminds me of a tropical island as it's got a strong Pineapple scent with an lovely underlying floral smell.It isn't too "in your face" so this would be a great scent to wear if you just wanted a light and fruity fragrance.I've been using this one everyday.

Delicious

"Feel absolutely irresistible.A luscious blend of floral and delectable fruity notes.Spritz all over your body to leave you feeling fresh and confident."

This scent is undeniably girly.It's very sweet and sugary but in a subtle way.I have this one in my handbag at the moment,and I find is has a lovely comforting smell,like something familiar.If you're a fan of floral or vanilla fragrances then I would definitely recommend this.You don't need much either,just a little spritz and you're good to go. 

I was surprised at how long these scents lasted! Once I apply them in the morning they last for a good 2 or 3 hours,which is great considering the price.

Another bonus is that they are suitable for Vegetarians and Vegans too.I'm trying to become more aware of Animal testing so I'm happy that these sprays are BUAV approved.The BUAV is the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection and they campaign for the abolition of all animal experiments.Also,they don't harm the Ozone layer as they are CFC free.I would definitely agree that there is "100 happiness guaranteed".I would recommend these to anyone who is after budget friendly and cruelty free fragrances that smell wonderful.

Have you ever tried Superdrug's body sprays? What did you think?

Poundland bargains // Jess Nail Polish Review

I've had a lot of success with nail polishes from Poundland recently, I love that they have a great selection of branded products like Revlon and Sally Hansen.I normally overlook brands I don't recognise but I saw a very inviting stand of Jess nail polishes that had every kind of colour and finish you could want! I've never seen this brand before, but I'm after some bold colours for Spring & Summer,so I picked up two of these polishes for £1 each (of course.)

The packaging is fuss free and clean which is a winner for me,and I like that they have names,polishes always seem a bit more luxurious to me when they have creative names.The beautiful emerald green is called "Brazen" and the vibrant purple is called "Madison".I was worried that they might have been hard to apply being a cheaper product,but I was very impressed.It only took two coats of polish to achieve a nice solid colour and the brush holds just the right amount of product.It also has a very quick drying time which is great for people in a rush.

Madison looks 1000 x nicer on the nails than in the bottle! It's so vibrant and has quite a glossy finish.I did add a little bit of a topcoat but it doesn't need it. 

I will be wearing this so much during the coming months.Brazen means "bold and without shame",so this polish definitely lives up to it's name.It also has a glossy finish too,which I think makes it look a bit more high end.

The next time you're in Poundland,I would definitely recommend having a look at the Jess nail stand.They're cheap and have so much variety to choose from that you could buy one for every day of the week!

Have you ever tried Jess polishes? What do you think?

Freebie // Manuka Doctor Mini Hero Kit review *

I've been hearing so much about Bee venom and Manuka honey and the wonderful effects they can have on your skin! Apparently they have great healing and nourishing properties and even leave your skin looking youthful and glowing.I didn't want to pay the often hefty price tag on these products,so I decided to take advantage of the Mini Hero Kit that the lovely people at Manuka Doctor are giving away for free! It's worth £12.99 and you only have to pay £2.50 P&P so I think that's a pretty good deal.Pick it up here (I'd be quick though, you never know when they're going to take these deals down.)

You get 3 sachets which have enough product in to get 2 or 3 uses each out of them,and I'm really pleased with the results! I did look up the process of how they retrieve the bee venom,and I'm happy to say that it is a humane process.If you'd like to know more then there is more information here.They do advise not to use this product if you are allergic to bee stings.

Manuka Doctor Rejuvinating facial mask

"Pain free natural way of combating wrinkles with purified Bee venom to help promote elasticity"

I applied a thin layer of this after cleansing and left it to soak into my skin for 30 minutes.It really felt like it was working,it reminded me of a nice spa treatment.On application it had a lovely fresh smell and went on really smoothly.I used a damp face cloth to remove the residue and my skin felt so soft and nourished! It also had a nice glow to it,probably from the Bee venom!

Manuka Doctor Skin treatment serum

"High performance natural alternative to significantly improve blemish prone skin"

Honey and it's antibacterial properties have been used in skincare for years,and I can see why.I applied some of this before I went to bed and when I woke up my skin tone did look more even and refreshed.It might take a few more applications to get it looking how I want,but I am impressed with it's results.

Manuka Doctor Targeted wrinkle filler

"In just 30 minutes wrinkles are reduced"

Now I don't know if this is true,because I'm only 22 and I don't have any wrinkles that I can see right now.It did leave my skin looking really plumped out and fresh though.I also noticed it gave my skin a lovely smooth texture which made applying my make up much easier.

They also offer lots of other products for all different kinds of skin conditions.I'd never heard of Manuka Doctor before but after using these samples I think I'll check them out.Their products vary in price from affordable to the more high end,but I'm sure there is something for every budget! I would definitely recommend them.

Have you ever used Bee venom in beauty before?

Discount dining // Tastecard free trial

I've been hearing so many great things about Tastecards that I thought I would check it out for myself.I'm always on a quest to save money,so I opted for a 30 day free trial before I commit myself to paying £79.99 a year.I wasn't too sure what they were to be honest, so I had a browse on their website (here) and it all looks very exciting.

Tastecard is a diners club,where members receive 2 for 1 discounts or 50% off their food bill for presenting their card at the restaurant.I tried booking a meal through their website,and I found the whole process really easy and quick.They have a large directory of restaurants that you can search through, and when you've found the right one for you, just ring up as you normally would and say that you have a Tastecard.It only took about 5 minutes and now I have a lovely meal booked for us on Monday that gives us a 241 meal offer.

I found their website really easy to navigate and you can also have the restaurant details sent to your phone. Great for people like me who have a terrible sense of direction. Tastecard comes across as a very customer friendly and innovative company,which is refreshing!

The only downside is there is some restrictions,but then I can understand that as they still want to run a business after all! You can't use your Tastecard around peak times like Christmas and other holiday events,but if you eat out regularly this would be a great way to save some money.I suppose it's kind of like paying some money up front to ensure discounts in the future,like an investment!

I'll reserve my judgement until next week and I can see it in action.For now though,I'm pretty impressed! I really like the concept and I think it's a great idea to help people have a wonderful experience for less.

Have you ever bought a Tastecard? What do you think of Diners clubs?

The best sites for free samples & links

I am addicted to sample sized products,they're great for popping in my bag or in my suitcase when I travel.Luckily, a lot of companies give away sample sizes so that you can try before you buy! If you know where to look you can save quite a bit of money,I haven't had to buy perfume in ages.To save you the hassle I've put together a list of useful sites I like to use to get freebies.

The samples above are ones that I've had for a few months.I've tried everything except Gucci Guilty (you can still get a sample!) but it does look good. The Clipper teabags always come in handy and the Nicki Minaj perfume is gorgeous,very peachy and floral.I love anything from Palmers and their facial scrub is great at brightening my winter skin,the HASK smoothing shine oil is pretty good too and does a wonderful job at taming flyaways (although I don't use too much,live and learn!)

As samples get snatched up pretty quickly,it's always best to check these sites regularly to make sure you're up to date with what they're giving out.The only frustrating thing is they can take up to 6 weeks or longer to turn up,but I guess we can't complain too much.

http://www.latestfreestuff.co.uk/

This site is really easy to use as it's organised into categories and has an App for both iPhone and Android devices.It's updated daily,and offers a wide range of freebies including perfumes,cleaning products and toiletries.They also  run competitions and offer discount vouchers,so there is a lot to be found on this website.

http://www.magicfreebiesuk.co.uk/

Magic Freebies UK is another site I use pretty often.It's tailored for the UK,which is useful because so many times I've seen a wonderful freebie and not been able to get it! They have had quite a lot of media attention for being a trustworthy and helpful site,so I know I'm always getting a good deal.Freebies are pretty varied,and they have an area of "low spend" freebies where you just pay a small fee or P&P.

MoneySavingExpert Freebies Boards

MoneySavingExpert is the holy grail of frugality.This board is full of dedicated posters informing you of the latest freebies.They keep their posts very up to date,so you hopefully you will be in with more of a chance.There is something for everyone here and the community is so lovely,if you have a question,they are more than willing to help you out.

Here are my top freebie picks right now:

Free Boss Jour Pour Femme Perfume

Free honey & lemon drink from FruitBroo

Free BareMinerals Makeunder voucher & foundation sample

These are the 3 main sites that I use,and I must say they are pretty consistent.They have always delivered reasonably quickly and the products are as described.I think that getting freebies is a great way to save a little money,and it does feel nice when the packet comes through the door!

Have you had any success with freebie sites?