Those who know me know that spots are just not something I suffer with, my skin has always been pretty clear with the odd little spot occasionally popping up when I haven't removed my makeup properly. I have always enjoyed skincare so this may be why!

Recently I was looking at my spending habits and realised that I spend an awful lot on skincare. My all time favourite Lancome moisturiser is £40, which I have always thought was so expensive, but what once was a treat purchase has turned into a daily moisturiser for me. I decided to change this. I had got a sample of a Clinique moisturiser in my Glamour magazine so I started to use this once my other had run out. After a few days my forehead was covered in bumps and I was developing huge spots, which is something I never experienced before and assumed that this product didn't agree with me.

The next time I was in town I headed for The Body Shop to try something cheaper. I picked up the vitamin E range as it was closest to my beloved moisturiser. I picked up the face wash, moisturising day cream and the toner as well as an eye cream. Over the next few weeks my skin was getting bumpier, it was a complete mystery to me as to why this could be happening. My skin is quite sensitive  but I've never never broken out before.

After what feels like months of looking I found that all of these products contain wheat! Who would have thought that putting wheat on my face would have this reaction? and that it was even present in these products at all. Ultimately I contacted Lancome who make the cream I use and I was informed that this product doesn't contain wheat and nor did the Simple face wash I have been using from Christmas gifts. So I have bit the bullet and ordered my old skin care in as if it isn't broke, why fix it.

Whilst waiting for my new products to come in I have just used water on my face and the bumps are almost gone, although my face is now very dry! I have a box full of mini's, samples and products I have brought to try as some point so I am going through all of these and gifting those I can't use to friends and family.

Have you ever experienced anything like this? I would love to know

Hannah x

Being coeliac awareness week and being a huge bargain hunter I thought I would share with you all the discounts on free from food I have been emailed or seen online for this week! As who can't resist a bargain!

Just a heads up with these discount codes. I wasn't asked by anyone to advertise these so I may be asked to remove these if they are not correct (although they are all directly from the companies, mainly through twitter) and do not know how long they will be valid or if the offer is still running!

Honeybuns Bakery - Use AWARE15 to get 10% off on orders over £25. Valid until 31st May

9 bar - Buy two cases and get the third free. Valid until 17th May 

Freego Food - Use code SAVE10 to get £10 off orders of £30

                        Use code SAVE20 to get £15 off orders of £40

                        Use code SAVE20 to get £20 off orders of £50. Valid until 21st May

Nakd bars - 20% 35g nudies. Valid until 18th May

Sponge Ltd - Use Code GFBABY8 to get £8 off gluten free baby sponges - This week only

Goodness Direct - FIRST shop only £5 off a £50 or more spend 32234Z8Q. Valid until 3rd August

Love at First Bake - Free UK delivery when you use code COELIAC

There is only a few here but as I find more I will add to this list!

Hannah x

Nectar is arguably the most versatile loyalty card on the market currently, I know we all love our Tesco club card but some features of the Nectar Card are pretty awesome too.

My particular favourite is the Eshops feature, which is even better when you have the nectar app as they often run a bonus 250 points when you buy from an Eshop offer which you can activate to your card.

I know many people do not favour the nectar card as 1 point is 1/2p but I think it is quite reasonable as many places do not offer a loyalty scheme at all! I also find many shops I purchase from online have double and even triple points on purchases which can really add up and you would not receive this otherwise.

Using nectar Eshops could not be any more simple, all you do is visit their site and search to see if the shop you're purchasing from is there, it most often is. You then click on that site icon, enter your nectar card number in the box and then it takes you to the website where you can shop to your heart content.

When you come to check out you will not see any difference in the checkout process as I believe the nectar site tracks your spending through cookies, but I could be wrong. You'll see the points added to your account but this can take up to 30 days.

You can even sign your card up to your ebay account where you receive 1 point for very £1 spent. As I am a frequent online shopper I absolutely love this feature!

Places that I shop the most which are affiliated with nectar are:

• Boohoo
• Debenhams 
• The Body Shop
• Ted Baker
• Crew
• Filofax
• ASOS
• Next 
• Dominos
• Avon

There are over 500 retailers to choose between and I do use many more, just these are my favourites. So next time you are online shopping I would really recommend checking if they are nectar Eshop before you check out!

Hannah x 

What's better than a big bag of popcorn and a film. Now don't get me wrong snuggling on the sofa with a film, snacks/takeaway and a candle cannot be beaten. But what about that new film you are dying to see? This is where our new best friend comes in. A Cineworld Unlimited Card.

Image sourced from cineworld website.

James loves seeing films in the cinema as they come out and I must say I have become slightly converted too and with the unlimited card I would argue this actually makes going out to see films cheaper than staying in, obviously depending on how often you go. 

For £16.40 a month you get to go to an unlimited amount of films, hence the card's name. But on top of that you get 10% off your food and drinks and the longer you have the card the better deals you get. 

Cineworld is known as the cheaper of the two cinemas in my area and an adult ticket typically costs £7.97 before 5pm and £9.14 after if booked online through an account. If you buy your ticket at the cinema or do not want to create and account the ticket are 10% more expensive. This means if you see two films in a month you have already saved using your card.

Whats the catch? I hear you all ask, well the biggest catch is that the minimum is 12 month contract. However I know I make more of an effort to see films because of the card. Also I've found overall money is saved even if I go once one month, because I normally find the month after we go three or four times, and sometimes you're better off looking at the grand scheme for money saving. 

Now this is the bit that really excites me, coupons! Cineworld email out coupons all the time, which also do not exclude weekend visits, however they have your name on them so they cannot be transferred. So on Saturday I got a free regular drink and popcorn! and James has had one for free drinks in the past too. 

So if your into watching films or like going out for a date night without the big cost I would recommend giving the Cineworld Unlimited card a go!

Hannah x

A couple of weeks ago I went on a coupon shop and never had time to write a post on it but the day has come, unfortunately I also didn't get around to taking some pictures before eating everything so a collage will have to do, Sorry!

The first shop I went to was Pets At Home, I had a coupon for £1 off cat food which was soon to expire so I picked up some treats by Wagg, these treats are soft crunchy treats (if that makes sense?). One of my cats has very little teeth so this is perfect for her! They were £1 which means they were completely free!

I then went to Tesco, I picked up the Innocent Veg Pot which Was half price to £1.95 and I had a £2 off coupon. I also brought a two bags of gluten free bagels which were £2.30 but I had a £1 coupon for each from the Free From Show! I also had a £2.11 price promise.

My Price Break Down:

• Wagg Prrr's Treats - Free
• Inncocent Veg Pot - 5p overage
• Udis Gluten Free Bagels x 2 - 2.60 
• Tesco £2.11Price Promise

Total for shopping after coupons: 44p

That means I got a retail price of £9.50 for 44p after coupons and offers that is a 95% saving!

Hannah x

Saving money can be hard at the best of times, and with increasing costs it gets even harder. Here is a couple of tips and tricks I like to use!

Money Box
This may sound funny but all the pennies I find loose in my bags and pockets I put into a money box. Once it is full you won't believe how much is in there! Just pop that in the bank and I put it into my savings as it is money I otherwise would never knew I had so I won't miss it in my savings.

Putting Money into savings on pay day
I know this is harder for some people but as I do not own a house I have a high amount of disposable income because I have little bills, so half of my wages go into savings on payday. I know this is not possible for everyone but moving a set amount into your savings on pay day means that you won't spend it on thing you don't really need! I also put the 'left over' money if there is any into my savings the day before pay day so I doth spend that as well!

Its not a deal if you won't use it
It's great if something is of offer or reduced to clear, but if you don't use that item regularly, don't kid yourself, you won't use it, and this is just a waste.


Hunt around when shopping
You rarely need to pay full price for anything, use coupons, discount codes and shop around, if you are willing to wait you can always find a better deal.

Poundshops
I am a fan of high end makeup but I do use drugstore makeup and nail polishes too! These can be found in the pound shops, you guessed it for £1! In the past I have found Rimmel, OPI, China Glaze, Maybelline, Revlon plus many more! I also pick up so craft and home things in pound shops. But watch out some products are not a good deal!


Hannah x

Today I wanted to give my thoughts on days out and in particular eating and drinking whilst out. This weekend I went to see Wicked (Which was AMAZING) and then the others walked over the O2, which I didn't do again as I hated it the first time!

Being as thrifty as I am (or cheap as some people may think) I was shocked at paying £18.50 for 5 bottles of water and two bags of sweets! So that made me think what sort of meals and refreshments I could do on a budget but still be on the go friendly and this is what I came up with.

Cinema/shows
I know some places won't let you take in your own food but some do and this is what I would pack for James and I

• 500ml bottles of fizz - 2 for £2 in ASDA and Waitrose but this offer circulates all supermarkets, then using 70p off on shopitize 
• Tesco Everyday Value midget Gems - 27p (other supermarkets do similar) 
• Popcorn is about £1 in most shops, just pick between your preference/ what's on offer. 

Total - £2.57

The average price of this in a cinema or show would be £15-£20 so that is a huge saving. And I would recommend throwing the midget gems in the popcorn bag and mix it up! YUM!

All Day Events
All day events can be tricky as you do not know what type of weather or seating there is other than the cafe, so to play it safe I always pick easy eating on the go items.

• Seabrook Crinkle Cut Crisps (6 pack) - Free with shopitize app 
• The same bottles of fizz as before 
• evian 500ml water bottles x6 - £1.80 after cash back from Checkoutsmart (you can buy basics but I enjoy this brands soft taste) 
• Bagels with Cream Cheese and Salmon x4
• Udis gluten free bagels 50p after coupon from free from show and in store offer.
• Cream Cheese 75p for basics
• Basics Smoked salmon trimmings for £1.69
• Frubes (James loves these!) 80p in ASDA after topcashback offer.
• Fruit from my garden

Total - £ 7.24

The best thing about this is we are bound to have left overs as there is only two of us but this could feed up to four. 

Evening Snacks (quiz night Suitable)
I am part of a drama group and when we do events such as quiz nights we do have a bar but we also welcome people to bring their own if they want. This is what I would take

• Kettle Chips 150g - £2.20 each but are 3 for 2 plus 70p off on Shopitize 
• Blossom Hill White Zinfandel £7 but £1 off with Shopitize
• Blossom Hill Californian Red - £5 but £1 off with shopitize 
• Basics peanuts - 70p 

Total - £14.40 

This is to cater for 6 people so that is only £2.40 per person! 

As you all know I really enjoy my coffees so this allows room in my budget to visit a Starbucks or a costa whilst out!

Hannah x

Enjoy getting the most out of a product? Me too! As I have been more and more conscious on what I am spending I have found some products which can be used for other uses! Here are my top 5:

Red Lip Stick

I am a lover of a red lip and have many red lipsticks, but did you know they are also great for cleaning up silver. Just put some lipstick on a tissue and give your sliver a little scrub! And hey presto clean Jewellery!

Lip Balm

Keeping in with the lip product theme I use lip balm (preferably one in a tub) to rub on my heels and toes to stop new shoes pinching or rubbing. This is something I always have in my handbag too so quick and easy on the go!

Floristry Ribbon

OK, so this one may not be in everyone houses, I trained as a florist for a short while before realising some flowers give me headaches! However I do still enjoy making arrangements when I have the time! But Floristry ribbon is as cheap as chips, Pick up a couple of rolls and you can use it to wrap gifts, prizes for raffles and even for kids crafts. You can choose how wide you want it just by ripping down the middle and it's really strong!

Magazines/Newspapers and old maps

As a crafter once you have read your favourite mag why not put it in your craft stash, either to use as background paper, to cut out embellishments or why not just keep your surfaces safe from the mess you're about to create! Maps also look great as wrapping paper, as does some left over wallpapers, then stick some of that floristry ribbon on top!

Lemons

Once you have finished with that little piece of lemon in your drink why not blitz it up with some water (or white vinegar if something is really dirty!). Lemon juice is great as a cleaner, and this does not waste the rind either! You can even get out some of that newspaper you've saved and your glass will shine!

Hannah x 

 

It is fair to say that I love a bargain, freebie, sample, coupon, loyalty card or anything were I can get something for less, try before I buy or getting the most out of my money. As we all try to save money here and there I thought I would start a series of small money saving tips and deals I have found! Hence Money Saving Monday! This week I will start with my views and tips on samples and coupons.

Samples
Many manufactures give out samples on their websites or on Facebook or through other companies. My biggest tip is don't become a sample hoarder. If you have never had a dishwasher why apply for dishwasher tablet samples? If it is not something you will use or something someone you know will appreciate don't apply for one, otherwise people who do what to try these products will not be able to get their hands on them!

I find most of my samples through Facebook, from online shopping/Tesco groceries online or googling for a product I am interested in to see if they are freely giving away samples. I know many people contact companies for samples but I do not tend to do this. I also would recommend supersavvyme, they give away many samples and useful ones at that!

Here is a quick look at the samples I have received recently, as you see they are all on the same vain as these are products I am interested and potentially would buy!

Coupons
Coupons are great! Yes my family think it's funny but I don't mind, I enjoy using coupons. My first bit of advice is don't watch Extreme couponing and think 'yeah! Everything is gonna be free' This just does not work in the UK and those who do manage this are more than likely buying things they really don't want/need which is again a waste!

Watch out though, sometimes the non brand item still may be cheaper even with a coupon, just look when you think you are savvy shopping! I tend to use coupons combined with a deal or to get speciality items also to try branded products. Or if the coupon makes the price comparable to the own brand equivalent I'll give the product a go.

For example this week I brought 2 John West Infusions pots in Sainsbury's they were on offer from £1.50 down to £1 and I had two 50p off coupons. This meant I got flavoured Tuna for 50p a pot, a really good deal! (These were done on two separate days, if there is a product and I got my boyfriend to print the second coupon!).

As I am gluten free I do not take advantage of as many coupons as others could. However I do get some great deals.

Where I find coupons: 99% of my coupons are found online either through google, emails or Facebook, I have also received some in the past from companies when I have been dissatisfied by a product, but only contact companies if you have a real complaint or issue. I also received some in the post and recently from going to to a free from show!

I would also recommend cash back websites and apps! But I will talk about these more later. 

How do you save money?

Hananh x

I have a new love in my life... Coupons! I have been hunting them down and looking for the best deals. There is no way I could large shops with tons of them, it would take way too long, but picking the bits up little by little I have made some successful savings. BUT remember its not a saving if it is not something you would not normally use!

Yesterday I went to Sainsburys to pick up a couple bits so here is a break down of what I got and Prices:

• John West Steam Pot - £2.69
• Shape peach and passionfruit yoghurts x2 - £1.50 each 

Total cost - £5.69

Of course I had a few coupons for this and there was some offers too, so these were what I had for savings:

• Sainsburys Brand match from previous shop - £1.32
• Sainsburys Brand match from previous shop - £1.00
• coupon £1 off any two shape yoghurts - £1.00
• Coupon £1 off any steam pot - £1.00
• Two for £2 on shape yoghurts - £0.50

Total of coupons/savings - £4.82

This meant that I got £5.69 worth of goods for a mear 87p! That 9p an item. As you will know I can't eat couscous but this was brought for my dad to try and from the machine I got another 50p steam pots and double nectar points on fuel, which is handy because I need to fill up! 

Why not give it a go

Hannah x 

This month I have been successful at using up some more little bits and pieces in my beauty collection, I have found this process very therapeutic surprisingly! Each time I use something up I throw it into my little basket and watching the basket fill up is very rewarding!

So this month I have used up:


Lancome - Bi Facil
Yet again I have used up another one of this and I am beginning to really enjoy this product, I have still been using it all over my face to remove makeup before I start to wash my face, it is very effective in removing makeup and I have found it makes washing my face much much quicker! Always a plus when you are tired!


Lancome - Hydra Zen Nuit
This is a sample size of the product which came in a reduced christmas gift set, this is not too thick unlike other night cream which have been too heavy even for my dry skin. I found that this product was not oily like many night creams I have tried, which lead me to use normal face creams at night, but this may have just converted me!

l'oreal - Elnett
What can I say this product is my favourite hairspray, it holds and doesn't look crispy, it is also easy to hold and spray, which was in issue I had with tresemme, although I love their formula I like to buy the largest bottles and I found it hard to hold. The other advantage of the elnett is that the spray gives an even light mist and covers well.

Sainsburys - Extra strong nail polish remover
This nail polish is pretty cheap and takes polish off in a single wipe (unless it's glitter, nothing gets glitter off easy!) I find that I don't have to scrub my nails for ages and I feel this means my nails do not get as damaged as they do when I use other polish removers. It does take a little while to get glitter off but if you hold the saturated cotton round onto your nail for a few seconds, I find that does the trick!

Lush Snow fairy shower gel and The Body Shop raspberry shower gel
Sorry I forgot to take photos again! Shower gel is very hard to remember to take out the bathroom and not just throw! But I used up another small bottle of snow fairy as well as The body shop raspberry shower gel which was taken out my stash to use up now they have made it permanent!


I didn't use up as much as I did last month, I haven't had much time for baths and moisturising so I will woking on using all those bits up!

What have you used up?

Hannah x

As I have been on a Money Challenge I have actually used more up because I'm not drifting from new product to new product. Its been good for my purse as well as my lack of storage space!

This month I have been into baths, so I have used up quite a few lush bits! I tend to break bubble bars etc into three or four pieces, this allows more baths and I still find that there is more than enough bubbles or oils in the bath to give a lovely bath.


Out of my Lush collection I have used up:

• The Christmas Penguin bubble bar
• The comforter bubble bar 
• Bombardino
• Snow Fairy Shower gel (this bottle I accidentally binned!)

I Then used up a mini of a Ted Baker body butter, which I must have got three years ago and never opened, this was a whipped butter and sunk into the skin very quickly to leave a non greasy soft feeling skin, the way a body butter should be!

This mini bi-facil by Lancome was used as an all over makeup remover because I wash my face after, i figured it would be ok, It does really cut through the makeup, leaving minimal makeup on the skin ready to wash my face. I am not one to use these type of products typically but if you are into this kind of thing this is the best one I have tried and used for it purpose it did remove waterproof eye make-up with ease. 

I also used up a non brand shower gel I just use to clean my brushes!

The last item I have used up is my favourite face wash, since finding this three years ago I have not used another, and not even wanted to! The gentle facial wash is not too harsh on the skin but it removes every last scrap of makeup and the second application leaves my face squeaky clean!

Hannah x

We are half way through my Four week money challenge!

I have realised that some budgets I set are not realistic, I've come to realise I have a small addiction to my Starbucks and it is not something I am willing to give up!

This week I have found I would have over spent my coffee budget if I wasn't treated to a couple, however I have not got any clothes yet so surely that makes it better right?


So this week:

• I spent £7.85 in Starbucks
• I spent £1.20 on Makeup - This included a Body Shop brush and Body shop mascara (using a gif card)
• I also brought mothers day presents but I am yet to know if these gifts will be shared or not so I won't account that just yet.

Total spent this week: £9.05

Remaining budgeting money

• Makeup/skincare - £14.30
• Bath Products - £9.05
• Clothes  - £50
• Starbucks - £16.90

Used up:

This week I used up a travel size of the Lancome eye makeup remover, I actually used it all over my face to remove the bulk of my makeup before using a face wash. I would not go out and buy this product because I am essentially using it as a glorified makeup wipe, nevertheless I do have two more which I will use in the same way. They tend to come in a set with a mascara and eyeliner for the price of the mascara and I enjoy the mascara and  eyeliner so its a good freebie, just not worth the money to buy alone for me. 

I also used up an airwick candle which was in a vanilla sent and couple of lush bubble bars, including the comforter but for obvious reasons the empties of theses cannot be photographed! 

I also have a mini of a Ted Baker body butter with one more use in it, so that just missed being featured this week! 

Hannah x 

Sorry it's Monday and not Sunday! I have been super busy. But I'm back with the update after my first week of budgeting!

This week was not too bad considering I knew that this week was the week I would need to stock up on bits that I don't purchase often however I did spend more than I thought I would, here is the break down:

• I spent £15.25 in Starbucks on four drinks! (I'm now certain this will be over budget by the end of the month!
• I spent £9.50 on Makeup - This included a brush set on offer for £6 that I just couldn't pass up, a bottle of nail plush remover and a Glamour magazine, does that count as beauty?
• I spent £10.95 on lush goods , a couple of bath bombs and a lovely smelling soap. I didn't really need the soap but it was limited edition, oops, this is a big less than I would have normally got though!
• I then got a £15 gift card for a friends birthday.
• I also spent £6.95 at a lunch out with my friend.

Total spent this week: £57.64

Remaining budgeting money

• Makeup/skincare - £15.50
• Bath Products - £9.05
• Clothes  - £50
• Starbucks - £24.75

I feel I would be cheating if I didn't tell you if I received any items through the week, This week I was in the pound shop with my family so my Dad kindly paid for the few items I picked up with his bits because there was a huge line for the tills. In this trip I found two more china glaze crackles, Sinful colours polishes and Sally Hansen nail strips (wish I got more of these, AMAZING)

This week has been a success in using up my hoards of products though! I have used up three items this week and I am very pleased with this.

These products are a sample of Lancome Mascara, Lush Snow Fairy shower gel and a bottle of dry shampoo.

Lets hope next week is better!

Hannah x 

Shopping makes us feel good, yes? but most of you must get the same feeling I get when I see my bank statement at the end of the month! The I spent how much where! syndrome, as I like to call it.

Image From www.bubblews.com

So this month (a.k.a my financial month, pay day to pay day) I am going on a challenge. I am not going cold turkey on beauty products etc. because firstly I know things that I don't stock pile like nail polish remover and makeup wipes will run out this month and also I know if I say no more makeup I will only want it even more!

This goes the same for any other areas in my life, if I can't have my weekly Starbucks I crave it more!


For the first month of this challenge I am setting loose goals because I really do not know how well I will do at this, and I don't want to kick myself for not being perfect, after all this is a working progress and won't be perfect in the first month!

Both My Sisters Birthday and Mothers day fall into this month so I do not want to set a budget for these, but I do want this to fall into my overall budget.


I am attempting not spend any more than:

• £25 on makeup and skin care, this is a scary thought to me because my favourite foundation is £27 and my favourite day and night cream are £39 each! Although I do know they will not be running out soon and I consider them splurge items!
• £50 on clothes, (this one depends on where/if  I go shopping as to how hard to keep).
• £20 on bath products (this won't be every month , I'm just running low on bath bombs).
• £40 on Starbucks (I always buy my sister and mum one too otherwise this budget would be half that). 

I know some of these budgets may seem large to some but cutting down slowly will make it easier to stick to!

As well as this budgeting I am aiming to use up my hoards of products, who needs 30 bottles of shower gel with matching body butters anyway! I need to get into the habit of realising it is only a good deal if you are going to get through it all!

I will keep you updated on my progress every Sunday I don't actually get paid till the 20th but because this month I have spent a lot on going away and gifts (for others as well as myself) so I am going to count the next week and a half into the budget.

Ideally I do not want to spend any more than £250 this month overall including essentials, but we will see how it goes...

Hannah x

Yesterday I nipped into town and did a little shopping whilst my sister and her friend were watching a show. Recently I have been on a kick of watching peoples cheap makeup finds, so I wanted to find some for myself!

I first went into boots, where everything was on three for two, my Mum picked up some bits and I picked up two bottles of dry shampoo and combining with Mum's purchases meant one of the bottles were free!

I don't tend to be picky over the different smells they do, so i just pick up the first ones I see.


I then went to check out the MUA stand in Superdrug, here I picked up one of the caviar nail sets in the shade Pisces which is, turquoise, pink and silver, this was £3. I then got the 'pistachio ice cream' nail polish for £1 (bargain!), which as you would imagine is a light almost mint green colour this means I'll be using the recommended nail polish for the caviar  (not that it should make any difference!)

Then I saw the 2true stand, I normally avoid these types of stands and I have no real reason as to why,  perhaps I'm just a bit snobby at times and think these products will be crap! Either way this pink polish in shade 6 spoke to me, it is also limited edition which made me need it even more and at £1.99 if it doesn't work how I want it to I won't cry! I also picked up some shades for my sister

I then went into poundland after being seeing so many budget bloggers finding some really good products. I would have got more but the lady working in there insisted on trying to tidy the shelves as I was trying to look, but there was so much I didn't know where to start!

I only picked up a couple of items but I fully intend on going back to get some more bits. But what I did get hold of was some China Glaze nail crackle nail polishes. I ended up buying a couple for my sister and one for myself, I already have many OPI ones that my boyfriend got me a couple of years back so I was excited to find the China Glaze versions, I got Charlotte a white and a blue because she does not own any crackles, and I got myself Latticed Lilac.

Where is your favourite place to find beauty bargains?

Hannah x