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Showing posts with label boots. Show all posts
Showing posts with label boots. Show all posts

Friday, 6 December 2013

Advantage cards and vouchers

Today I am going to be talking about points/advantage cards, as well as the use of vouchers within stores and how I think it's a great idea and can benefit everyone.

The cards I am currently using to collect points on are the Nectar card, COSTA coffee card, Tesco clubcard, Superdrug beautycard and the Boots advantage card. In case you don't know what these are, you basically hand these cards in everytime you make a purchase and points will be added to the cards. Once you're points build up you can use them to shop or get money off a product. 

Now I am a mother every penny helps and I find these cards really benefit me. I try to let my points build up over a year and save them for the Christmas period when I know money will be tighter. I've never gone out of my way to buy things from these shops just to receive points because if you can get it cheaper elsewhere you'll be spending more to receive just a few pence in points. I still shop around and look for the best prices, and use these cards only as and when I am shopping in these stores.


Sainsburys and Tesco offer vouchers as an incentive to purchase certain items. They look at patterns of what you are buying and give you vouchers suited to your needs. I sometimes even receive money off vouchers when I spend a certain amount. With these two stores being my local supermarkets, and the place I would go to get my weekly shop and Alexander's nappies/milk/food etc. I find this another great way to save a bit of extra money.


Another thing I have got into recently is checking the boxes of empty products before throwing them away. You'll find that on most baby products there will be a money off voucher enticing you to try another product from their range. As I am trying to give Alexander a varied diet and let him try new foods all the time, these are things I would have bought anyway, and so it's a great way to save a few extra pennies. 

Do you use points cards in Supermarkets? A lot of people feel like their privacy is at risk with these cards, how do you feel about this? Are you someone who likes to save every penny where possible? 

Thank you for reading 

Niki 



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Tuesday, 19 November 2013

Autumn/winter essentials- Boots, wellies, socks and tights

Hi everyone. Over the next couple of weeks I thought I would do a few posts on what are my Autumn/winter essentials this year. Part one I will show you the boots, wellies, socks and tights I have this year to get me through these cold months.

Shoe zone- £11.99

Primark- £6

Stompers- £10

Asda 'tickled pink' last year- £18

Primark- £1.50 each

Primark- £3 (pack of three) £2 black tights 

Thanks for reading 

Niki 

Wednesday, 16 October 2013

My current skincare routine

Hello everyone. Today I am back to my regular posts and to start with I am going to show you what I am currently using to take my make up off and wash my face.

This is the No7 soft and soothed gentle cleanser and toner. I love both of these products as they are really light on my face and don't leave my skin feeling greasy. My skin is quite sensitive and I tend to get red blotches when using certain products but these two do not create problems in either of these areas and leave my face feeling really clean.

The Boots essentials cucumber eye make-up remover gel is the first product I use in my cleansing routine and I find this product makes it really easy to remove my mascara. The product is for all skin types (I would usually go for something for sensitive skin) and I have loved it. I think the Boots cucumber range are still on offer (3 for 2) and I definitely recommend you try them.

The facial wash is again from this range. It does not contain any harsh ingredients which means it can be used everyday. I tend to use this every other day. I would not use this to remove make-up, but find it is a great product to use after the cleansing routine to get any last bits off and make you feel more refreshed and cleansed. 

The final part of my current routine is the Boots essentials moisturising cream. I apply this last thing at night and first thing in the morning and am so far really enjoying it. I find that the cucumber makes it really cooling and refreshing for my face and I love the scent of it.

What are you currently using? Can you recommend any products I should try?

Niki 

Tuesday, 1 October 2013

Make up and beauty haul

Hi everyone. Once again, I haven't been able to control myself in Boots and Superdrug and the result is a big haul of make up. In my little book of 'what I've seen on blogs and want to try', I had quite a few things listed and thought I'd treat myself. Enjoy! 


Beauty UK posh palette no.1 Eden- £5.99 

Rimmel wake me up foundation ivory- £8.99

Seventeen berry crush lip stain- £5.99

Seventeen brow sculpting pencil natural brown- £3.99

Rimmel gentle eye make up remover- £3.89

Sally Hansen lip inflation sheer blush- £1 (poundshop)

Beauty UK prime fx foundation primer- £4.99 

Miss Sporty perfect colour lipstick read my lips- £1.99

Beauty UK posh pout corally incorrect- £2.49

MUA clear mascara (shade one)- £1 

MUA eye shadow shade 17 matt- £1

MUA mosaic blush english rose- £2.49

NYC expert last lip colour love my latte- £1.99

Collection deluxe lipstick Talullah- £2.49

MUA extreme curl mascara black- £2

NYC kohl brow pencil dark brown- £2.89

imPRESS press-on manicure call my agent- £7.99

Primark blush brush- £1.50

Original source shea butter and honey shower gel- £1

Primark lipstick bright pink- £1

Primark volume boost mascara- £1

Real techniques stippling brush- £11.99

Natural collection blushed cheeks peach melba- £1.99

Collection illuminating touch brightening concealer naked- £3.99

Let me know what you've been loving recently so it can go into my wish list for next time I'm shopping. I will come back to these things in a few weeks to let you know what I think of them. 

Niki 

Sunday, 22 September 2013

Autumn wish list

Like many of you, I spend a lot of my spare time swooning over clothes online, putting them into my virtual basket and hoping some kind stranger will find that basket and treat me. I find that at this time of year, it's much easier to curl up on the settee with a cup of hot chocolate and shop, rather than go out. Whilst trawling through many clothes on many websites, I stumbled upon the Whistles department of John Lewis.  Whilst there, I couldn't take my eyes off the gorgeous Autumn/Winter clothing that they have recently stocked. After much deliberation, I selected a few pieces that I think you may fall in love with just as much as I have. 


The first piece that immediately jumped out was this jumper. I find most jumpers quite boring, but this for me is completely different. Not only is the colour gorgeous and perfect to brighten up cold days, but the lace detailing on the shoulder gives it more of a playful, edgy look. 
Take a look at the Valentina lace jumper here

Sticking to the same theme, I adore this jumper with the black body and the camel sleeves. The ribbed effect makes this jumper look a lot more elegant whilst the length is great for hiding your bum. 
Take a look at the Ivy colour block ribbed knit jumper here

Finally in my selection of jumpers is this long, red, Angora one. I love to wear a pop of colour in Autumn/Winter and this is perfect. The length will once again hide problem areas and the slits either side give it that extra bit of style. 
You can see the Devon longline angora knitted jumper here

Onto coats next and this is my favourite. I love a good coat which you can throw over every outfit and look stylish. I went for a navy coat to try and stay away from the black that everyone wears at this time of year. I think this coat screams fashionable whilst looking cosy and warm. 
Here you can find the Lexi double breasted coat.

Who doesn't love a classic khaki parka? The faux fur lining makes the coat look so comfortable and the classic detailing and the structure of the coat makes it a piece that everyone could wear, and a definite must for everyone's wardrobe. 
You can find the Bobby casual parka coat here

Evening wear next and I couldn't resist this dress. The bright colour is once again something that appeals to me, as is the straight, structured shape of the dress and the longer sleeves. With it being so vibrant, you wouldn't need many accessories with this piece, and it can be taken from summer to winter by simple adding some thick tights and ankle boots. 
Here you can find the long sleeved sculptured dress.

This is one of those great day to night dresses. You could go to the office during the day, and by simply changing your make up and adding heels and chunky accessories it becomes an evening dress. The neckline is really flattering to all shapes, and the long sleeves mean that if you're like me and hate your arms, you can cover them without having to add a cardigan or shrug. 
Take a look at the snake print jersey dress here

I've been looking high and low for the perfect 'go with everything' ankle boots and I think I may have found them. These are grey suede (not your usual black or brown ankle boot) and have a small block heel, meaning you can wear them all day and night without aching feet. 
You can find the Lucille ankle boots here

Being a mother and a mother to be means I need a big bag. Baby wipes, hospital notes and everything but the kitchen sink tends to go in there. I am someone who likes to keep my handbag simple, and most of the time stick to black. I love the shape of this bag, the gold buckle and the added style the comes with the croc effect.
You can find the Mock croc shoulder handbag here

In contrast to the above bag, on the rare occasion that I'm out without Alexander in the evening, I tend to carry a little bag and only pack the essentials. I think clutch bags are great for evenings out and I think, like a statement necklace, they add something extra to a plain outfit. I like that this bag also has a longer strap so you can easily change it from a clutch to a shoulder bag. The front pocket is great for storing your phone or keys so that you have easy access to them too.
You can find the Stevie double croc clutch handbag here


Autumn and Winter for me are all about comfort. All of the things I have chosen above have both style and comfort, meaning you don't have to sacrifice looking good for being warm. There are so many more great pieces on the website, and I'd love to know what your favourites are. 

Thank you for reading 

Niki 

Sunday, 8 September 2013

August Empties

Hey guys. Here is a long overdue empties post. I didn't use up many products last month but I thought I would share with you the few I did and my opinions on them.

For Christmas I received the Boots extracts fairtrade cranberry set. As I have so many of these products I only just got round to using it recently. The body butter had a really thick consistency and I loved slathering it on after a bath or shower. My skin was really smooth and smelt delicious afterwards and I definitely feel it has made a lasting difference to the look and feel of my skin

One of my favourite products to use is a body scrub as I love the awake, refreshed feeling it gives to your body. This smelt gorgeous and the smell remained on my skin after washing the scrub off. I am hoping that they sell these products in boots separately and that they weren't a one off Christmas gift set as I would definitely buy this and the above body butter again

There's not very much to say about a deodorant except that I liked the natural smell of it as I don't enjoying overbearing, flowery smells in deodorant and have already bought another one

The body wash I received in this gift set wasn't as impressive as the other two products. I didn't feel that the smell lasted very long and I felt it was quite drying to the skin. I prefer a body wash that adds moisture to the skin at the same time

This is the Natural Collection blush in pink cloud. I really like this blush as it is not too pigmented, meaning it gives quite a natural glow to my skin. I have already purchased another of these blushes and intend to try some more shades in the future 

The MUA cover and conceal concealer is a very lightweight formula but I feel that it was quite good at covering my dark circles. While it's not the best concealer I've ever used, it was definitely not the worst. I probably won't buy this again as I have a million concealers to get through before purchasing more. However, I'd recommend it to a first time make up user looking for a cheap concealer for their make up collection

This is the simple kind to skin replenishing rich moisturiser and you'll probably see this feature on my blog a lot. I get through bottle after bottle of this as I feel it really works wonders for my skin and doesn't react with the sensitivity of my skin. A must have product for those with sensitive skin who don't want to use chemicals on their face.

I hope you enjoyed my empties post. Link yours below for me to go and have a nosey at the things you've been loving and hating. Thanks for reading

Niki