FabulousSavings.co.uk Blog
Archive for June, 2010
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Jun 30
I never seem to find a pair of sunglasses that suits my big head without making it look bigger. But recently I managed to pick up a Buy One, Get One Free deal round the corner from our office. In my endeavour to find them, I ended up trying on a bunch…which led me to wonder about what other affordable sunglasses might be around. I’ve done some research, and here are my top sunglasses picks, and best of all, they’re all under £50!
Best Sports – Madison DArcs Glasses Set, £29.99 from Evans Cycles
I cycle every day, and I can tell you that even the tiniest spec of dirt blown up into my eye when going 20-25mph will set you back. These glasses give great protection in terms of debris thanks to the wrap-around style, but the removable lenses allow you to change your coverage according to light conditions. These are safe, practical cycling glasses, but you can also use them for things like running, hiking and even water sports.
Best Retro – Dr Geek Clear Glasses, £5.00* from CX LondonEverything geeky is cool again, including these glasses. But I’m sure Britney Spears, Zachary Quinto, Hilary Duff, Daisy Lowe and Jay-Z sporting pairs had nothing to do with it, of course. These specs provide great UV protection but don’t skimp on style. OK, so they may not have the best anti-glare, what with those transparent lenses and all, but they are a helluva fashion statement. Not to mention, they kinda remind us of one of the best kids’ shows ever, Thunderbirds. Remember this guy?!
*Save extra with 10% off for new customers.
Best Fashion – Diamante Effect Arm Sunglasses, £15.00 from Lipsy
Pixie Lott’s recent line for Lipsy is adding to its fashion credo. These sunglasses feature the popular brand’s signature “L” on the side with diamante decoration. And the oversized style has been seen on everyone from WAGs to A-listers and even the odd Z-listed. I like the deep black color of the frames contrasted with the lighter black of the shades themselves. A must for festivals, sunny afternoons and hiding those tell-tale bags.
Best Aviators – Metal Pilot Glasses, £5.00* from New Look
The Wimbledon cameras have zoomed in on Andy Murray’s girlfriend Kim Sears many a time, and she’s always seen in a pair of Aviators. These pilot-style specs come in either brown or black, and feature Category 2 UV protection. If you’ve got a laid-back style and casual look, this model is the perfect finishing touch.
*Save extra with £3.50 standard & £4.95 express flat-rate UK delivery.
Best Elegance – Huntly, £35.00* from Fossil
Modern vintage is a big trend this summer, and these sunglasses blend the best of both. The unique use of colour on the frames continues into the shades, with the graduated lenses providing a chic look. This is a great pair for an upscale day at the races or even a wedding.
*Save extra with free UK postage.
These are my picks for the best sunglasses for under £50. Already have a pair? Twitpic us a shot @fsvouchers!
Filed under: Retail Therapy -
Jun 28
Frugal Fitness Tips – Working Out on a Budget
Comments OffIt’s hard to take advice from someone you don’t know, especially about weight loss. So, before I give you a few of my cheap workout ideas I’m going to give you my number. A sort of symbol of trust:
24
Yes. Currently, my BMI is 24. It’s not the best, true, but since moving here 2 1/2 years ago, I’ve proudly lost over a stone and kept it off – without a gym! And honestly, if I can do it, you can too! It’s all about how you spend the time you have and the resources that are already around you.
Outside
When the sun is shining and the weather is perfect, the world is your gym. The obvious outdoor activities are there, like biking and tennis, but get a little creative. Bring family time into the mix and play a game of Frisbee, tag or go on a nature walk. You won’t even know you’ll be burning (ahem!) around 100 calories an hour. Not too shabby!
Even if you’re just getting into the whole exercise thing, you don’t need a trainer. If running 3 miles is your goal, the Couch-to-5K programme out of the US is ideal. You can even track your progress, search for upcoming races and find other like-minded runners – all for free. Just remember to bring along water to avoid dehydration.
Indoors
Getting stuck indoors doesn’t mean you get to shelf your routine. Check out a few free workout ideas you can do in your home that don’t cost a pound!
- Weights. Use soup cans, heavy jars or really anything that causes a bit of resistance
- Cardio. Get workout videos from the local library or have a video swap with friends
- DANCE PARTY! Definitely my favourite at-home routine, dancing puts a smile on my face and gives me quite the workout. To burn the most calories make sure your moves are exaggerated, and get those knees up to really work the abs.
At The Office
Even a day at the office poses possibilities to sneak in a few moves. Park as far away from the door and always take the stairs. Stay limber by doing neck stretches once an hour or so, and suck in those abs for a secret abdominal workout.
If you live close to work, consider commuting on foot or by bicycle. Not only is this great for the body and budget, but Mother Earth is sure to thank you too!
Splurges
So, we’ve gone over some free ideas, but there are a few items that you shouldn’t be stingy on. If you’re saving up for a workout machine, save a little bit more and buy new. You never know whether that used machine is on its last legs or if it has been recalled without your knowledge. At the very least, do your research before buying cheap exercise equipment.
Getting the proper trainers is also extremely important. An ill-fitting pair of shoes can not only mean sore feet, but bad posture, ruined knees and hurt hips. Keep your body in tip-top shape by getting a quality pair that fit your particular foot size and arch.
I’m definitely still not where I’d like to be, but I’m well on my way to a fitter body without paying the high price. And if that means walking the 23 flights to my flat every day, dancing up a storm while dish washing and switching workout videos with my friends, then bring it on!
What about you? How do you like to keep in shape? I’m always open for suggestions!
Filed under: Wallet Watch -
Jun 25
Fabulous Links: Week of 25/06/2010
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Here are this week’s fabulous finds! Enjoy!- LoveMoney.com - Sometimes banking can be hard on your wallet. In this great post, Jane lists 10 Ways to Beat your Bank.
- LoveMoney.com (again!) – Here is another fabulous post by Jane. This time she explains The Budget: Winners and Losers after the unveiling of the emergency plan.
- Do Away With Debt – Why pay full price for laundry soap when you can make it yourself? Learn how by reading this post on How to Make Laundry Soap Powder at Home.
- Change Your Thoughts – Change Your Life – This is a great post that will encourage you to Push Out of Your Comfort Zone.
Filed under: Retail Therapy -
Jun 24
Your Guide to Buying Cruelty-Free Summer Essentials
Comments OffWhen it comes to stocking up on summer essentials, it can be tempting to nip down to the drugstore and stock up on everything in one go. But did you know that many companies still test on animals? Nowadays it’s completely unnecessary to test products on animals, as is exemplified by the companies that manage to produce top-quality, cruelty-free products.
I’ve done some research and compiled a list of summer must-haves available from cruelty-free brand name products that utilise organic, natural products, and abstain from animal testing. Take a look!
Green People - Sun Tan Lotion: Sun care is an undoubted must for the summer. Green People’s SPF15 lotion is formulated with Edelweiss, Green Tea and avocado, plus water-resistant berry wax. It’s paraben-free and allergy-tested, so even people with sensitive skin prone to eczema can use it.
- Hair Care: If you’re in and out of sea or pool a lot, it’s tempting to over-wash your hair. Green People have some great Intensive Repair conditioner that you can leave in to restore hair’s natural moisture. It leaves your hair soft, and it’s made with organic jojoba, quinoa and vitamin B to keep it healthy. And as well as being affordable at £10.50, it’s a great shampoo not tested on animals.
- Voucher: Get After Sun free when you buy 2 SPF25/15 sunscreen!
- Brow Gel: Everyone can benefit from cruelty free cosmetics, but what classifies as an “essential”? One of my picks is brow gel. Your brows frame the face, and many of us fill in sparse or misshapen brows with a pencil. But cue the warm weather, and all of a sudden they’re melting off! A gel is a great way to set your brows and add some definition to your face without doing much else. Try the Speed Brow Gel, £12.00, to look polished.
- SPF Moisturiser: Protecting your skin from the sun is particularly important on your face, as the skin is most delicate, and more prone to developing wrinkles. The You Rebel tinted moisturizer SPF 15 from Benefit comes complete with Aloe to moisturise, vitamin A to improve elasticity (read: fight wrinkles) and vitamin E to defend skin against free radicals.
- Voucher: FREE delivery on orders of £50 or more!
- SPF Lip Balm: When it comes to sun care, your lips get glossed over all too often. Yet they are incredibly delicate, and prone to burning easily. Hissyfit Lip Service Anti-Aging Lip Balm SPF50+, available at feelunique.com, features shea butter, joboba oil and vitamin E as well as some serious sun protection. The result is smooth, soft lips that are sun kissed the healthy way.
- Deodorant: feelunique.com carries many brands not tested on animals, including Clarins. Their Gentle Roll On Deodorant is great for even sensitive skin, while mineral and plant extracts fight bacteria build-up for odor-free under arms. (Hint – in addition to deodorant, Clarins also makes great cruelty free makeup!)
- Voucher: 10% Off Sun & Tanning Department Orders Over £20!
Shop for these and other natural products in the “Green” section of our website, and check out Peta’s Cruelty-Free Buying Guide to get the scoop on who does and doesn’t test on animals.
From cruelty-free mineral cosmetics to basics like sunblock, you can stock up on all your summer goodies the affordable way with our vouchers.
Do you shop cruelty free?
Filed under: Retail Therapy -
Jun 23
Meet a Blogger: Miss Thrifty of MissThrifty.co.uk
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Ever wonder how your favourite frugal bloggers got to be such money-saving experts?
We’re fortunate that the fabulous (and hilarious) Miss Thrifty took some time to answer a few questions about saving money and blogging. If you don’t follow her on Twitter, find her @Miss_Thrifty.
What’s your name? What do you enjoy? Tell us about yourself.
I’m Miss Thrifty. I enjoy blogging and finding new ways to save a few pennies, so I’ve carved out my perfect blog niche! However I also enjoy some of the finer things in life, such as fashion and delicious food. Fortunately I’ve found that frugal living and designer labels aren’t mutually exclusive, which is a theme that runs through the blog: Miss Thrifty gets a lot of traffic from people searching for cheap Cath Kidston products, and a post about how I found nearly-new Manolo Blahniks in Oxfam is also popular. I am 31 and I live in a little terraced house in Yorkshire with my husband, Jim.
What triggered your move to living frugal? How long ago was this?
This is a loooong story. I chronicled it in a post called Why I love debt, some time ago. The short version: during a hectic couple of weeks in 2005, I left my job, got married and moved to America. My husband went to school there; then we had a three-month honeymoon, which was nice. Came back to the UK in 2006, with a pile of debt. We added to this when my husband set up his own business and bought our first house – ah, those halcyon days of easy credit! And then, erm, we embraced the frugal lifestyle with gusto. Despite the title of the blog post mentioned above, I can’t stand being in debt. It makes me twitchy. Back then our grocery bill for two people for one month was £60; after the debt was all paid off, I raised the bar to £80. Whew – heady days!
How did you get started blogging?
I started blogging in 2005, but didn’t launch Miss Thrifty until 2008. It was just before thrift became trendy again, so at the time I was rather frustrated: I was living a very thrifty lifestyle and putting all sorts of tips, ideas and tricks to use, but none of my friends and family (with the exception of my Frugal Grandma) were the slightest bit interested in hearing about them. The blog provided an outlet, and so it began…
What do you enjoy most about being a frugal blogger?
I love it when readers leave comments and submit their own frugal tips: thrifty living FTW!
I also enjoy telling credit card companies and loan companies, who regularly fill my inbox with requests to advertise on Miss Thrifty, to go get stuffed. Does that sound petty? If it does I don’t care – I get plenty of satisfaction from flipping the virtual bird at these companies.
What are some of your favourite blogs to read?
I read so many personal finance blogs! Every now and then I clear out my RSS reader, but my favourite blogs always find their way back on again. They include Funny About Money, Shopaholly and Insiders View.
Another favourite blog is NieNie Dialogues. Nie is a Republican Mormon mother-of-four living in Utah, so I have nothing in common with her whatsoever, but she inspires me more than any other blogger.
What’s one thing you love to splurge on or have a hard time budgeting?
Oh lawks: I budget everything! I do splurge on my hair though: a colour and cut at one of Harrogate’s posher salons every three months. I like to make a good impression for work and in my experience, nice hair does more for self-confidence than an entire wardrobe of designer clothes. So I guess it’s a cost saving, of sorts (coughs)…
How much on average would you say you save on a (weekly, monthly, or yearly) basis?
It’s difficult to give a straight answer to this one. I run a small business, so my financial affairs aren’t limited to a nice, straightforward employee’s salary. For example I pay a substantial amount into a pension every month, but it is paid through my company rather than out of my personal account, so does it count? Right now the business is growing fast and I’m preferring to put money into it, rather than take money out. So my professional life is going from strength to strength – but if you saw how tiny my monthly paycheck is, you would probably fall off your chair!
That said, last time I was someone’s employee, I saved 60% of my monthly salary. That was when I was supporting my husband as he set up his business and I was paying down a lot of debt as quickly as possible, so there was a lot of drive there, but I guess that if you totted everything up, it would probably be about the same now. I’m still pretty driven.
Filed under: Wallet Watch -
Jun 22
As many of you know, the FabulousSavings.co.uk headquarters are actually based in Toronto, Canada! As the resident office ex-pat (and having just come back from a big UK holiday), I’ve been given the task of putting together a list of quirky differences in language and culture.
Take a look at British vs. Canadian terms and how the Canucks say some of the same things differently….
- Loo - Washroom
- Lift - Escalator
- Anti-clockwise – Counter Clockwise
- Motorway - Highway
- Roundabout - Stop signs
- Manual - Stick Shift (Mind you, most of the cars here are automatic!)
- Boot - Trunk
- Bonnet - Hood
- Fizzy Drink – Pop
- Trousers – Pants
- Pants – Panties
- Trousers - Pants
- Autumn - Fall
- Central Reservation - Median
- Lorry – Truck
- Pavement – Sidewalk
- Windscreen – Windshield
- Petrol – Gas
- Cot - Crib
- Fringe - Bangs
- Flat - Apartment
- Aubergine – Eggplant
- Chips – Fries (Canadian “chips” are our crisps)
- Queue – Line-up
- Wonky/Skeewif - Crooked
Jesse, who does more behind-the-scenes work than writing for the blog, likes to think that we’re the David Furnish to your Elton John. Kind of sweet, eh?
Filed under: In the Office -
Jun 21
Throw Your Own WAG Party!
Comments OffColeen Rooney celebrated England’s first match in style with a party at her Merseyside home. Considering the havoc the Premier League WAGs wreaked in Germany four years ago, this was a low-key night by WAG standards. Among the details of the party?
- 30 guests of close friends & family
- A Mobile Disco entertained guests with music
- 2 impersonators – Sven Goran Erikkson & Fabio Capello look-alikes!
- Burgers & sausages were served – & plenty of beer/champagne
- Coleen rented a marquee to host the bash
Sounds like a good time! One of the reasons Coleen chose not to fly out until later in the tournament is the trouble of travelling with little Kai. If you’ve got small children, watching the game from home is a better option. Throwing a bash like this doesn’t require a WAG budget though – have a look at our cost-cutting options:
Mobile Disco
Coleen rented a mobile disco to provide the guests with tunes, but you can skip this cost altogether by making your own playlist. Our first post on a hosting a World Cup Party pointed you to a few old songs, but the UK charts have caught World Cup fever since then! Check out the nation’s number one “Shout for England” by Dizzee Rascal ft. James Corden, “Waka Waka (Time for Africa) by Shakira, “World in Motion” by New Order and “Don’t Stop Believing” by Journey.
Vuvuzelas
Love it or hate it, the vuvuzela is an integral part of this year’s World Cup. It’s believed to be a musical ancestor of the kudu horn, and has become a staple at every match. While you might not be able to get your hands on the real deal, you can snag smaller (and quieter!) replicas from Monster Parties. Use our Monster Parties vouchers & get 5% off everything you buy.
England Football Fairy Costumefrom Party DelightsDress Up/Impersonators
Apparently the impersonators went down a storm at Coleen’s party, but there was another little dress-up star – Kai! Their 8-month son rocked a replica of Dad’s England strip, and what could be cuter (and cheaper) than letting your little one do the impersonations? Use our Party Delights vouchers to pick up costumes like this England Football Fairy for just £18.99.
Champers
Well, we may not have had much to celebrate on Saturday, but there are still plenty more matches to go. Splurge on some champers with Adnams Cellar & Kitchen vouchers and get free delivery on orders over £125. Alternatively, you can skimp with some sparkling wine starting at just £7.99. You can pick up beer from them, too!
Marquee
Lots of us will struggle getting 30 people into the house, so a gazebo is a great way to compromise. If you only entertain every once and a while, you might want to rent a marquee like Coleen. If you can see yourself regularly having people over, (and with the World Cup, Wimbledon & Silverstone all coming up, you might!), invest in a gazebo like this White Garden Party Gazebo from B&Q, which is on sale for £79.98.
These are a few tips to help you throw a WAG-worthy bash without parting with your pounds. What do you reckon? Do you have any pictures of your parties from the weekend? We want to see!
Filed under: Retail Therapy -
Jun 18
There were some really great posts this week by our favourite frugal bloggers. Check them out!
Miss Thrifty – This post is chock-full of good advice! Read the Top Thrifty Shoe Tips sent in by readers of Miss Thrifty. Good job guys!
- Do Away With Debt – Being frugal can mean different things to different people. Victoria tells us what it means to her in her latest post – What Does Frugal Mean to You?
- LoveMoney.com – With the high cost of roaming charges, using your mobile phone when travelling can be expensive. Learn how to Slash Your Mobile Phone Costs on Holiday by reading this article by Jane Baker.
- LoveMoney.com (again!) – Nobody’s perfect, especially when it comes to spending money. Avoid making a spending mistake again by reading Rachel’s post on The Three Shopping Blunders We All Make.
Filed under: Retail Therapy -
Jun 17
The Three Best:
1. Spain, 1982
Joan Miro’s iconic surrealist masterpiece has gone on to represent more than just the World Cup in ‘82. It’s grown to illustrate the spirit of Espana itself. Good copies of this poster can fetch many hundreds of pounds at auction.
2. Switzerland, 1954
The face on the hapless goalkeeper is especially appropriate considering the insane amount of goals scored in this World Cup won by the Germans. The Group 2 opening round saw the onion bag bulged 41 times alone. In four games.
3. Uruguay, 1930
An Art Deco masterwork, the official poster of the first World Cup is the only one showing goalkeepers any love. Interesting side note: The Americans easily won their group in the opening round – but Italy, Germany, England, Netherlands, Spain didn’t even make the trip.
The Three Worst:
1. Mexico, 1986
Artless, corny and just plain weird, the Mexican poster is an unjust reminder of an amazing World Cup.
2. France, 1998
Like something from the opening credits of ‘Byker Grove’. You’d expect more than juvenile scribblings from a pillar of world culture.
3. Italy, 1990
Again, like the French, you’d think the Italians would deliver something artful. But an MS Paint-drawn soccer field pasted onto an ugly aerial shot of a seemingly burned-out Colosseum? It’s as if the art department forgot the due date and whipped this off on the way to the meeting.
The Two That Can Go Either Way:
1. Mexico, 1970
The ‘MEXICO 70′ is an iconic bit of typeface. But…pink? The football in relief certainly speaks to the design ethos of the time, but…pink?
2. Argentina, 1978
It’s hard to go wrong with surrealist pointillism and the Helvetica font. But something about the smile and the embrace (not to mention the mustache) of the celebrating goalscorer suggests this might be advertising something altogether unrelated to football.
The Honourable Mention:
1. South Africa, 2010As colourful as you’d expect from an African World Cup, this poster is a poignant illustration of how this World Cup is more than just a football tournament, and represents the hopes of a entire people.
Which poster do you love? Which do you hate?
Also, what do you think about that vuvuzela debate?
I don’t think you can buy vuvuzelas at Kitbag.com, but they’ve got all the official team gear you could want. Flags, jerseys, Jabulani (the ball everyone’s talking about)…
We’ve got a Kitbag voucher for free delivery should you find something you fancy.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a game to watch.
Filed under: Retail Therapy -
Jun 17
Georgia May Jagger’s a good old-fashioned home-grown talent. With a Rock ‘n’ Roll legend for a father (Mick Jagger) and a model mum (Jerry Hall), it’s no wonder she’s taking the fashion world by storm. And with contracts for Hudson Jeans and Rimmel as well as a Vogue cover under her belt, Jagger is morphing into today’s “it” girl.
We love her traditionally British, rock-chic look. And with our CX London vouchers, if you’re a first-time customer, you’ll get 10% off! I’ve delved into the style files to bring you some items that resemble outfits Georgia’s worn before. Take a look!
Punk Customized T Shirt Charles of London, £34.00Georgia has regularly been seen out in vibrant, print tees. Something like this pays tongue-in-cheek homage to her Rolling Stones roots, while the bright colour attracts attention wherever you go.
Gold Wet Look Leggings, £15.00Patterned, printed and wet look leggings always look great on Georgia. It must have something do with the supermodel legs! This metallic pair is in keeping with the retro-eighties look that seems to be making its way back into fashion – not that trends matter to Georgia. “My rule is to always wear what I want, even if it’s outrageous…style should always be spur of the moment” she explains.
Silk Shift Dress EStar, £50.00Take a cue from last year’s British Model of the Year with a cute mini-dress or tunic. These are great because they can be dressed up or down so easily, making them a multi-tasking staple in any style maven’s arsenal.
Sequin Beret Beanie Cap (Pink), £10.50Georgia May’s burgeoning career affords her many perks, including front-row seats at some of the hottest fashion shows. Next to sister Lizzie, Georgia sat front and centre at the London Fashion Week wearing a red beanie similar to this.
Great Britain in Gold Vermeil Necklace Me and Zena, £40.00Georgia’s been quoted as being proud of her heritage, particularly her “British teeth”. So show your similar pride in Blighty with this chic necklace. It’s long enough to layer with other jewellery, or it looks fab on its own as an attention-grabbing centrepiece.
False Eye Lashes Stargazer Black Lashes Individual Lashes Reusable, £4.00Her doe-eyes and gapped teeth have drawn many a comparison to Bridgette Bardot, but not without a little help. Add these reusable lashes to the corners of your eye to get a vampy look, and deck out your lips in red lipstick, an admitted favourite of Georgia’s.
I Love London Girls T Shirt, £18.00Show the nation’s capital some love with this printed statement tee. It goes great with just about anything, and epitomizes love for Britain – something Georgia definitely has. She told the Daily Mail, “I do dream that one day I will live in the country and have lots of horses and be like a proper English lady who goes hunting and everything…”.
She already looks like a proper English lady to me. If you love her look too, nab it for less and get 10% off with our CX London vouchers.
Filed under: Retail Therapy
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