Monday 2 September 2013

Budget Pampering


My stock list of essential budget beauty products.

packing for uni in a minimal way has gotten me thinking about the budget products I must have.

For a start everyone has toothpaste. I hope everyone has toothpaste. Anyway, it’s soap and quite strongly alkali in a very similar way to spot cream. Apply a little to each spot and it will dry up, should be cleared in 3 days max. JUST DON’T PICK! If you have a larger ‘issue’ mix a spot of toothpaste with some yogurt and oats and you’ll have an excellent face mask.

Aside from eating your leftover oats they’re great for softening water. Stick some in a sock or straight into your bath it will be a really silky feeling bath and softy soft skin. Rubbing it over your skin will also act as a mild exfoliator. If you need something a bit stronger try Epsom salts, just under £2 in boots. You can mix it with oil or baby lotion or leave it as is, and use just like a regular exfoliant.

Epsom salts are also great for bath soaks or to soak ruff skin. Soaking your feet in Epsom salts once a week or so then giving them a wipe with a rough towel should remove rough skin easily and baby lotion is perfect for after. Baby lotion is a bargain about £1.50 a bottle light and very moisturising it lasts ages and can’t possibly break the bank. Any homemade beauty products which suggest using olive oil or other oils can usually substitute baby loting for a much cheaper version.


Book of the Month September 2013


Prep School Confidential by Kara Taylor has been selected by Katie Waite to be our book of the month for september. 

Check it out on Good Reads before you read it.
Enjoy

Friday 2 August 2013

Summer Dates




I have recently discovered out door cinema. Specifically in London but all over the UK there are pop-up screens for summer. My favorite one I have found is www.popupscreens.co.uk because they have very regular screenings in London with a lot of quirky/ cult movies. I have found loads of companies including www.thelunacinema.com  and www.whereisthenomad.com, these as well as independent cinemas (which you can find at www.independentcinemaoffice.org.uk) I think, make a great intimate date.



With cinemas getting more and more expensive these and be a good alternative. Ranging between £3-£240 this type of cinema creates a great atmosphere to go with your favourite old and new films. The cheapest tend to just be the showing (including headphones to listen on, depending on the area the showing is in) Whilst more expensive luxury brands such as www.hottubcinema.com include a hot tub and champagne for you and friends in their price. Generally the sites have bars and food available at an additional cost however they do often welcome picnicers too.  I would recommend trying to book well in advance as films tend to be much loved classics often including Breakfast Club, Anchorman, Roman Holiday, Mean Girls, Ghost Busters as well as many more really providing something for everyone, that sell out well before the showing.


Now the date element… Boyfriend and I started going out on Bonfire Night whilst watching V For Vendetta so we’re going to see that when pop up screens shows it and I’m going to put together a super cute picnic. 


A picnic, with or without a movie, is always a cute date, even if it starts raining. Firstly I had to get a basket. Does no one have baskets anymore? Evidently. obviously you can just have sandwiches and juice or a shop bought lunch but I'm putting a little something together myself. For my cutesy little hamper I have obtained le generic bottle of red tre romantic. Then for my menu I've planed some tiny little goats cheese tarts,a little rocket salad, literally just rocket with a little lemon juice olive oil and pepper some ham and edam sandwiches, egg and cress sandwiches with perfectly boiled eggs, And finally as a treat I’m making a Victoria sponge. Get some tips from Super Savvy Me on other  excellent out door foods, they also offer some great alternatives to wine in their article Refreshing non-alcoholic summer drinks recipes. Even if you're not going out cooking is fun. My boyfriend and I have also started cooking together, its very cute and fun, inevitably you end up in a rom-com cliche, plus you get to eat after.

Science museum lates are another great date idea. Their over 18s only slightly alcoholic late nights are great fun and very interesting. Other london venues offering late nights for grownups include London Zoo and the Natural History Museum. All with drinks and and special exhibitions they have all the makings of a great date. 

Phonex fringe is also a 
great way to do a fairly low budget date, £20 for 3 acts or £10 for one there are plenty of big and small comedy acts on from the 3rd to the 11th of August itinerary and more details here http://www.phoenixfringe.co.uk/.

Ghost walks, or any other kinds of tour, are also a lot of fun. These work for day time or evening dates ghost walks cold and spooky give the perfect excuse to snuggle up while Harry Potter, Jack the Ripper and Dr Who tours, all popular alternatives give a perfect opportunity to share in a common interest. Good websites for this include LondonDiscoveryTours.co.uk‎ and The London Pass 

I hope these ideas help



Saturday 27 July 2013

Herts Pride


All three of us are volunteering at the Herts Pride in Cassiobury Park, Watford on the 31st August 2013 11.00am-9.00pm. Come by and see all the stalls and entertainment and celebrate love with us.

Ali

Tuesday 23 July 2013

Book of the Month August 2013


This month our book group has decided to read The strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Please join us and check back to see what we think at the end of the month.
Alansy, ali and Bean