A Little Lush Haul

Hi, I popped to Lush recently and even though I have an insane stash of Lush products already I gave in and picked up a few bits. I think I did well only picking up three products as there was so many new things to try with the Mother's day and Easter collections to tempt me.

I can't help but pick out products that are somewhat colour coordinating. I'm yet to try any of the dipped bath bombs so I'm looking forward to trying Over and Over. I picked up big blue which is an all time favourite and one I don't think I've ever reviewed on the blog. Ups-A-Daisy was too pretty to not pick up.

Ups-A-Daisy Bath Bomb
Part of the mothers day collection with spring vibes is this pretty flower shaped bath bomb. It's a mixture of herbal and citrus scents, I can't wait to see how pretty this one is in the bath.

Big Blue Bath Bomb
This is one of the most softening bath bombs I've every used. It contains a mixture of sea salt and seaweed, it's not for everyone but I personally love it. 

Over and Over Bath Bomb 
What makes this bath bomb so different is the dipped coating of Fair Trade Organic Cocoa Butter on top. This bath bomb smells amazing with a very strong sweet citrus scent which is a favourite of mine. I can't wait to see what's hiding inside.

What have you been trying from Lush's recent collections?

Sam

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10 Saving Tips From A Lifetime Saver

Hi, I’ve always saved my money. I don’t know why but from a young age when I started getting money for my birthday I might have bought something small but the rest would go into my saving account. I should really thank my parents for setting me up a saving account in the first place. I have a thing for watching the numbers grow higher and higher, I get way more pleasure from that than spending it. I spend money, I'm just picky about what I spend my money on and I'm always looking for a bargain.

10 Tips For Saving Money

Get A Savings Account

Online banking makes saving so easy. Open up an account and simply move any money left over at the end of the month, this is a great way to build savings.

Budget

With bills and rent it can be quite easy to find your money disappearing. In order to save you need to budget your money to allow for there to be something left at the end of the month to put away.

Set Saving Goals

Motivation is the key to saving, having a goal amount and setting a time limit will help you reach your saving goals. You could use a visual saving chart to watch your money grow.

Have a Loose Change Tin

Having a special place to store cash is great as you'll appreciate and associate the physical act of saving as a positive action. The tin should preferably be one that you can't dip into easily.

Pay With Cash In Store

This is a great tip to stick to a budget while out shopping, by withdrawing your spending budget for the trip and having to physically hand over money you'll make better choices about your spending.

Always Look For Discounts

If you are making a purchase no matter how big or small always do a voucher check. I always check for in store vouchers if I know I'm heading on a shopping trip. Alternatively a quick look online normally reveals a code for shopping online even if it's only a free postage code it's still money saved.

Do You Need It?

One of my key saving tips is to think about a purchase and decide if you really need that item. Chances are you've got something very similar at home already. If you decide you must have it that's fine but make sure you are getting the best price possible.

Pay Outright

Anything that incurs a fee for paying in monthly installments I have always payed in full so I don't have to pay the added interest. When you look at something like car insurance this makes quite a big difference.

Bulk Buy On Offers

Buying expensive items like shampoo while they're on great deals saves lots of money in the long run. If something is half price I buy double the amount of product so it will last me twice as long. 

Use Store Loyalty Cards
Delay shopping for some items until you can get money back via bonus on loyalty cards. Around Christmas is a good time because you'll likely need to spend the money anyway but you can build rewards and get money back to spend at a later date.

I hope these tips are helpful and have inspired you to maybe set a saving goal. Small changes to your spending will all add up before you know it.

Do you enjoy saving? Do you have any tips you would add?

Sam

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Reading Roundup | March

Hi, I've got my book reviews for the last month to share today. I feel like my reading has slowed down a lot but I'm still keeping on target with my reading challenge so it's not all bad. I've got some bulky books lined up I want to read so I'll have to try and make more time to keep on track.
 

Reading Challenge 9/35

Beautiful Broken Things

Author - Sara Barnard

Page Count - 322

First Published - 2016
 

This book marks the end of me reading YA for a little while. I don't remember why I choose to read this book as the blurb doesn't really say much but I think sometimes it's best to go into a book blind. The book features depression which seems to be a very common theme within YA at the moment. I don't think this is a bad thing as it's a subject that need to be talked about.

Beautiful broken things is the story of friendship between teenage girls. In this case what happens when two life long friends gain a third friend and the pressure it can put on the original friendship. The story is set from the perspective of Caddy, showing her changing feelings towards her life long friendship with Rosie and her uncertainty of the new arrival Suzanne.

I'm on the fence with this book, I neither loved or hated it. It's so hard to explain why without giving away the story but as with most books that are set in the mundane something crazy happens that just makes the story unrealistic, either that or I was a really boring teenager.

The Girl On The Train

Author - Paula Hawkins

Page Count - 316

First Published - 2015

I'm not a big fan of psychological thrillers and that is probably the reason why books such as this one I still haven't been tempted to pick up. I was gifted this book for my Birthday and so I had no reason not to finally read it.

Rachel catches the same train every day, it stops at the same signal where she can look in on a family. She fantasizes about their perfect life and wishes that she could be that happy. Until one day when she sees something that changes everything. She is then given the opportunity to emerge herself in their reality.

This is a story about depression, loss, jealousy and ownership. The book is written from the perspectives of three different woman Rachel the alcoholic, Anna the liar and Megan the cheat. Chapters change from perspective and time throughout the story. I'm happy to say that while the ending was a little predictable I hadn't guessed it so that was refreshing.

The Silver Linings Playbook

Author - Matthew Quick

Page Count - 289

First Published - 2012

This is one of those I want to watch the film but want to read the book first situations. I'm a big fan of Jennifer Lawrence as an actress so I was instantly drawn to the story. It's another book that features mental health.

Pat Peoples has just returned home from a stay in a psychiatric hospital. How long and why he went there in the first place are things Pat has forgotten. Pat believes in silver linings and that one day soon apart time with his wife Nikki will end. He meets Tiffany a women with her own problems who befriends Pat.

The book is set from Pat's perspective and written in an almost diary entry way. The book overall is a bit repetitive in theme with a few moments where there are advancements in Pats memory triggered by finding items or through conversations with his family and friends. I'm really looking forward to watching the film adaptation as I feel that the chemistry between the characters will be better portrayed from a different perspective.
 

What have you been reading?

Sam

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Monthly Mini Goals | April

Hi, We’re already into the fourth month of the year scary. I’m not complaining though because the weather seems to finally be getting a little warmer and it’s filling me with motivation to get some home renovations underway. I don’t have anything planned for the month ahead but I’m sure life will end up being busy.

Goals for April

• Buy some flowers/Plants
• Start decorating our living room
• Finish Pokémon Sun
• Have a day trip
• Go to the cinemas
• Start selling unwanted clothes
• Try a new hair style
• Finish three books to stay on target
• Drive somewhere new
• Try a new recipe

I think April needs to be the month we finally get our home renovation underway as we’ve now been home owners since September and not much has changed. By accident the outside of the house has taken priority but the changes we’ve made have made the house so much more usable.

I hate driving, I don’t mind doing the everyday commute to work because it’s a route I know well but the second I have to deviate I get so much anxiety. I want to push myself to get over this by going a different route every now and again and to try and drive to more new places. I want April to be a month of trying new things so I’d like to find a seasonal recipe and try some styles my hair because I’m so lazy with it.

I love having something to look forward to and at the moment I don’t have anything planned so I need to fix this. I’m going to start by organising a day out somewhere local and then looking into a little holiday for later in the year.

Have a great month, have you got anything planned?

Sam

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March In Review

Hi, Wow March was a busy month. With both my birthday and Mother’s day there’s been lots to celebrate and time has just run away with me when it comes to blogging. I love these monthly posts because it makes me look back and reflect on all the good things that have happened and I realise just how much I’ve done.

Goals for March 6 /10

• Enjoy my birthday
• Eat sushi
• Do something creative
• Enjoy blogging
• Spend more time outdoors
• Sell some of my unwanted things
• Learn a new skill
• Have an internet free day
• Plan something to look forward too
• Catch a party Pikachu on Pokémon Go

The month started with my Birthday rolling around and me turning 28, which is a little scary. I spent two days in York enjoying eating and drinking too much to celebrate. We discovered a new bar called ‘The Stone Roses’ which is now our favourite and we’ll be heading back next time we’re in York.

My friend is a Disney fanatic so he prebooked Beauty and the Beast tickets ages ago for us to see the film on release day. I loved every minute of it and even though you know the story I was captivated right until the very end, I don’t have a bad word to say about it. We had lunch at Zizzi’s where I got the most delicious pizza.

Last weekend me, the sis and our mum headed into Leeds for a day of girly fun. We started on the Prosecco a little too early but had an awesome day enjoying the sun and doing a little shopping. I picked up a few bits from Lush that I can’t wait to try.

For the month ahead I need to look into Ebay and start selling my old clothes. I also need to start a creative project and I’ve got a whole house that needs decorating so I’m going to be kept busy.

Have you seen Beauty and the Beast yet? Anything fun happen this month?

Sam 

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5 Tips For Stopping Nail Biting

Hi, Today I’m talking about my bad habit of nail biting and how I plan to stop it for good. I love nail polish and I’d love to have long elegant nails I can paint in all the colours of the rainbow but unfortunately my nails are gross and I prefer not to draw attention to them. I don’t think I have the best nail bed shape to begin with so I don’t think my nails will ever be perfect but I’m going to challenge myself to grow them.

Tips for Stopping Nail Biting

Stopping The Action
Nail biting is a habit and with me an unconscious one, I bite my nails while I’m watching films or generally not paying full attention to my actions. The key to stopping a habit is recognizing it and actively making an effort to alter your behavior surrounding the trigger. Once you’ve made some progress the reward of longer nails should spur you on to continue with your new good behavior.

Deterrents
If you require a further reminder to not bite your nails why not invest in some of the nail polish with the deterring taste. Alternatively you can wear a pair of cotton gloves. This one might sound strange but you won't bite your nails after a few times of getting fluff in your mouth.

Strengthen Nails
Once you’ve mastered stopping nail biting you need to give your nails a helping hand with growing strong so they can stay nice and long. This can be done with products and with a healthy diet. Using a clear strengthening polish is a great way to support nail growth and may aid in stopping the nail biting. Nails are made up of keratin which the human body produces, by eating healthy foods you can boost the production of keratin.

Work Towards A Goal
I’m sure a lot of people set out to grow their nails for weddings etc. I’m going to set a target date and photograph my nail growth to record how well (or badly) I do with my challenge and I’ll report back with my progress. I’d love to have long nails by the time I go on a hen do in May, a few months should do it.

Reward Yourself
The biggest reward will be your new long nails but there's no harm in buying a little treat to make the most of your good efforts. Buy a new nail polish or something which compliments your hard work.

So there are my tips for stopping nail biting, wish me luck because I am going to need it. I'm looking forward to all the pretty nail polishes I can wear during the summer.

Are you a nail biter?
Sam

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Lush Review | Fizzbanger Bath Bomb

Hi, Today I've got a little review of the Fizzbanger bath bomb which was one of a few bath bombs I picked up from the Lush Oxford store way too long ago. This is one of the simplest looking bath bombs I've picked up in a long time but it didn't disappoint.

Fizzbanger Bath Bomb

The bath bomb contains a mixture of Cinnamon Leaf Oil, Petitgrain Oil and Ylang Ylang Oil. Designed to create a fun and relaxing bath that smells reminiscent of apple pie. With most Lush bath bombs there is a surprise waiting inside with the added blue pigment which turns the water from bright yellow to the most vibrant green which made me think of lime jelly. There's an extra little surprise but I won't spoil that bit if you do try this bomb.

This bath bomb also contains popping candy which send it swirling round the bath tub creating blue tails of bubbles as it goes. While it is not that most showy option from Lush it is a really lovely bath bomb. It smells really fresh and fruity and the colour was so pretty. I would really love to use this bath bomb again in the future.

 Have you tried the Lush Fizzbanger bath bomb?

Sam

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