Monthly Archives: October 2019

Beauty from Within with ION8*

14th October 2019
Water Bottle [gifted]

If you’ve read any of my more recent posts you’ll know I’m determined to overhaul my woeful skincare routine and get myself in to good habits. Of course, it’s not just what you put on to the outside that matters…one of the key components to glowing skin is staying hydrated, and this is where I fall down big time.

I drink plenty throughout the day, but it’s all caffeine and never water. I’m trying to change this as much as I am trying to change my laziness at removing makeup and finding a small, portable and environmentally friendly water bottle I can carry with me everywhere was a good starting point.

This 350ml leakproof water bottle from ION8 (£10.99) fits the bill nicely. It also comes in a 500ml size for £11.99 but I find the smaller bottle more practical; it fits in my handbag and therefore I’m more likely to include it in my daily essentials. The bottles come in several gorgeous pastel shades, and would make great gifts come the festive season.

It’s a pretty little bottle too, with it’s frosted finish and smooth opening mechanism that then locks tight when you’re done drinking. I’ve been using this for the last couple of weeks and I’d say I’ve remembered to fill it/drink from it 75% of the time- from someone that is usually found necking a can of pepsi max every couple of hours this is quite big progress; luckily we have a water cooler at work too so I can get easy re-fills throughout the day.

Does anyone have any tips for drinking more water? Leave them in the comments below.

Posted in accessories, healthy living

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Managing Your Debt: The Good and Bad*

11th October 2019
Image by Nattanan Kanchanaprat from Pixabay

Debt is the kind of word that induces unease and worry, but that doesn’t have to be the case all the time, nor a reason to avoid thinking about it. Debt can be good as well as bad, and it is how you manage your debt that is important; the key is knowing how.

There are 3 questions you need to ask before you even consider taking on any debt:

What’s the Difference Between Good and Bad Debt?

Good debt can be summed up as necessary, good value and easily within your financial limits. This kind of debt gets you what you need but can’t afford right now without pushing you beyond your capabilities. The best example is a student loan, but you might also consider a mortgage or car financing if you need a vehicle to get to work. Take a look at https://www.bordercityautos.co.uk/finance.php for more information. 

Bad debt is pretty much the opposite in that it is debt you don’t need and can’t afford. Taking out a payday loan to finance a holiday is a perfect example of getting into unnecessary debt that will quickly spiral out of control. Bad debt may also impact your credit rating, especially if you fail to make repayments on time. Getting out of debt with bad credit is tough which is why you should always make sure that you can afford your debt before you accept it.

Can You Afford Your Debt?

While it can be tempting to push right up against your financial limits, you must resist. You must be able to make every repayment on time and if you can’t do this comfortably, you may struggle in the future. 

Drawing up a budget that includes all your expenses will help you to work out how much spare cash you have each month. It might seem contradictory, but you need to have spare funds in order to be able to afford a debt – this is how you will repay it. However, you might also consider that if you are taking on a debt to avoid another monthly cost, you may have a little more flexibility. 

Can You Avoid Debt?

Naturally, the best option for most things is to try and avoid debt. If you can save up for something and wait, you absolutely should. The best ways to save are to reduce your current costs, automate your savings and find ways to earn a little extra on the side. 

If you can’t save up in time, it might be worth investigating other forms of funding. For example, crowdfunding has become an ever more popular way for people to access funds, particularly for charitable causes or business startups. 

If you absolutely need to take on debt, you should always thing carefully about the best form of debt and make sure that it is an affordable option for you. Looking into 0% credit cards is one option but you may also be able to remortgage if you are a homeowner. If you are in any doubt, you should speak to an independent financial advisor to see which options are available to you.

Posted in finance

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World Mental Health Day

10th October 2019

It’s world mental health day and I wouldn’t be where I am now without people pushing me to admit it when I wasn’t ok. Check in on those around you, let them know you care and that you have concerns. If you aren’t convinced, ask twice. Make sure everyone knows that it’s ok not to be ok.
My journey has shaped me beyond all recognition and I’m not afraid to talk about it. Too many people still are, it’s time to drop the stigma. It’s time to talk.

This blog has seen me through my best times, and my worst times. Without having this space to share my journey, and at times let of steam I don’t know where I would be.

If you’re struggling and don’t know where to turn here are some easy to access resources for anyone in the UK:

Samaritans
MIND
BEAT (eating disorders)
NHS list of helplines and websites

Posted in life stuff, lifestyle, recovery

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The September Degustabox*

07th October 2019
September’s Degustabox (gifted) bought it a selection of products with a family sharing & home cooking theme. My photos have once again fallen foul of poor lighting; all suggestions welcome, but the contents of this box combined makes it one of my favourite boxes I’ve ever received and I was eager to get stuck in.

Bob and I cook with garlic ALL of the time and rely on products like this to make the process easier. We love the very lazy range of products and this garlic paste is fantastic for adding big burst of flavour to our favourite dishes without any faff.

We haven’t tried this Zhoug Pesto from Epicure yet, but it sounds super interesting. I think we’ll try it as a marinade for some chicken rather than as a pasta sauce as the spicy flavours make me think this will work quite well- I’ll report back on the result!

It’s years since I last made a risotto and Bob isn’t a big fan so I’m still working on convincing him to let me make one. In the past I’ve made mostly vegetarian risottos so if anyone has any good recipes for meat based ones I would love to see them.

I was very happy to see these CHUM fruit bites appear in a box again as I loved these last time but I’m yet to see them in any shops local to me. These are vegan friendly and full of all natural ingredients with a delicious flavour and great texture. 15% of profits are also donated to wildaid.org to help save some of our chums in the wild.

I’ve always loved Milkybar Buttons, right from when I was a small child. I often pick up a pack of these when I’m feeling nostalgic and it’s good to see them still going strong. What was your favourite childhood treat?

I love me some snack bars! Boka bars have become a snack staple in this house after I first discovered them through Degusta box. The Chocomallow are especially delicious and all of the flavours in the range score green on the traffic light ratings.
I hadn’t tried the Alpen protein bars before, I’ve always liked the Alpen range but found they weren’t especially filling. These new protein packed bars negate that problem and these have become a work day staple.

Bob was very excited to see thee Hartley’s jelly pots in this month’s box. These were his favourite childhood treat and the three pack didn’t last long, and has now become a much requested addition to our weekly shop (along with some ice cream and sprinkles for a truly nostalgic pudding!)

I love Lucozade Zero, especially the pink lemonade flavour served icy cold. These have got me through the last two weeks of having a chest infection, when nothing else has quite appealed…talk about well timed!

Finally we have a terrible photo of a totally not terrible product! Eisberg alcohol free sparkling rosé is a fruity and refreshing treat for non-drinkers/designated drivers and boasts just 33 calories per serving. I’ll be stocking up on this for the festive season as we plan to host plenty.

Let me know if you’ve tried any of these products and what you thought in the comments.


If you’re new to Degustabox, it’s a monthly food subscription box that gives you the chance to try new and exciting products on the market whilst providing amazing value for money.
On a month by month basis the box costs £12.99 (with a discount for longer subscriptions) but the contents are generally worth far more than this as you can see if you do the maths.


If you’re persuaded to give Degustabox a go (and really, you should) you can claim a brilliant £5.00 off of your first box (making it just £7.99!) by entering the code XOQGC at the checkout. It’s been a pleasure to work with the brand regularly over the last couple of years and it’s without a doubt something that I will continue to purchase long after our partnership ends. I love the monthly surprise and excitement as well as the chance to discover products I’d otherwise pass up on the supermarket shelves.

Posted in food, review

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Christmas Shopping Made Easy*

05th October 2019
Photo by freestocks.org on Unsplash

Doesn’t the year just fly by? Each one seems to go faster and faster; no sooner is one Christmas over and done with we all start counting down to the next… and when you hit double figures in days until the season to be jolly, you might well start to quietly panic.

Christmas gift buying is a challenge. Not only is it a major financial undertaking, but it can also be really stressful coming up with ideas of what to get people. You need to show them that you care and that you have thought of them, but there can be a danger of overthinking about it and not being able to commit to a gift and making a rash panic buying decision at the last minute.

There are a few ways that you can make life easier for yourself when it comes to gift buying. Whether you are looking for British Jewellery, clothes, or beautiful ornaments, there are ways to buy these things with less stress weighing on your mind.

Start Earlier In The Year

The earlier you start buying all of your Christmas gifts, the earlier you will be finished. Believe it or not, the best time to start buying gifts is in January. During the January sales, many retailers need to clear through all of their excess stock. They will be playing a game of dual purpose when it comes to setting out their sales. Firstly, they want to clear through any remaining inventory so that they can make way for the next seasons stock. Secondly, during the quietest time of the year for retail, they need to get as much money in the back as possible. With the end of the tax year looming, they need their balance sheet to look good. Enticing people to buy at markdown prices is often the only way they can do this when people have such empty pockets. This is a time when you can get some of the best deals of the year. 

If you fail during the January sales, fear not. The summer sales are normally a chance for retailers to make space for their Christmas stock. You will see some genuine bargains during this time. 

Buy An Experience

Memories are worth much more than gifts. If you want to give a gift that will be treasured, give somebody a memory instead. Why not pay for a ride on a hot air balloon? Or even take them away for a weekend relaxing in a spa? Try and cover every base; the more attention to detail you can add to the gift, the better. So, pick out where you will eat when you take them there, work out how they will get there, have a full itinerary ready so that they don’t have to think.

Give Handmade Gifts

If you want to show someone that you care why not make them something that is well thought out and creative. You have the skills, devote a bit of time to making them a piece of artwork or jewellery. They will appreciate the effort that you have put in. .

Posted in christmas

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