Best Date Nights on a Budget

If you are looking to have a fantastic date night with your loved one, but looking to save your hard earned cash, we have you covered. Here are some great date night ideas that will not only be fun and entertaining, but will keep you financially afloat.

Wine or Beer Tasting

Search online for local breweries or vineyards that offer tours of their establishments – its likely that they will offer tastings as well to entice you to purchasing their product. Places such as Meantime Brewing offer 2 hours of educational – and tasty – fun for you and your significant other. This is a great double date idea as well!

Volunteer Together

For those seeking to give back to the community but want to still spend quality time together, opt in to volunteer. This can be walking the dogs at a local pet shelter or cleaning up litter along a canal – anything that allows you to bond with your loved one on a whole other level. Volunteering is absolutely free, is life giving, and a great way to spend the day with a like-minded person.

Go to the Zoo

The zoo isn’t just for children; adults can enjoy the animal kingdom as well! Admission is often at a very low cost, but can offer hours of fun and a bit of exercise for you and your date.

Check out the Town

Depending on what city you live in, there will always be something going on. From a free skate night at a rink, to a festival happening at city centre, enjoy the free activities that may be offered to you. Check out your city’s website for a list of things going on, and embrace what makes your town special!

Homemade Happy Hour

Who says you need to hit up a bar to enjoy great alcohol and company? Host happy hour from the comfort of your home. Search online for a new drink recipe (This strawberry daiquiri is a great place to start) and test out your mixology skills as bartender for the evening. Out of alcohol?  Order bottles from Hungry House and have them delivered to your door within an hour, and get your drink on!

Game Night

A great idea for a couple or a bit more adventurous as a double date, hosting a game night is a terrific way to have some friendly competition all while enjoying each other’s company. Have your date and friends bring over whatever game they have to offer some variety, or head over Amazon to peruse their never-ending list of board games.

Christmas 2015 Prep

I know it's only October but one of my favorite time of year is coming. 

Christmas! 

Although I love Christmas it can be expensive and now that we have Blake 

who was born 9 days before Christmas it's not only going to be an expensive time of year

but it's going to be pretty hectic which means that I have to be on the ball when it comes to everything Christmas.

Our budget for each person has already be sorted and Blake's presents have all been purchased 

and I have started putting money aside each week for everyone else's gifts that we will need to be brought.

We don't have to worry about cards this year as we brought a few boxes in the sales a few years ago so they should last us a few more years yet. 

As for decorations we will need to buy new ones this in exempt of our little elf door and mistletoe as we got rid of the Christmas tree and decoration's last Christmas. 

Our tree was basically falling apart so had to chuck it out and we had it for a good few years so not worried. 

We will need to get new tree decorations as well this is because the baubles were glass ones which obviously aren't suitable with a child around.

Wrapping paper I am in two minds about I have a feeling we made need to purchase more but will wrap presents up in advance to make sure that we don't run out on Christmas eve. 

For food we don't know yet about what we will be doing for Christmas day or boxing day yet but am planning to budget for some Christmas food to have in just in case. 

Plus we just have to have mince pies in our home right? 

As for other Christmas prep I am coming up with some exciting things for Blake mainly to do in the countdown to Christmas.  I am thinking of doing a Christmas eve box and trip to Santa has to be done but am pinning more 

ideas of things we can get up to.  

I'd love to know what traditions you get up to? 

comment below. 

Derma V10 Body Butter

On Friday I told you about a budget stretch mark oil I have been using. 

Today I am sharing with you a body butter that I am in love with by the same 

lovely brand Derma V10. 

I first came across this body butter well over 6 years ago when I was over at my Nan's 

as it is one of her go to products for keeping your skin moisturised and smelling fab. 

When I moved to Leighton Buzzard I found that our local Wilko sold it and whenever my Nan came over she

would buy a pot or two. I also brought a pot on one occasion and loved it. 

I had actually forgotten all about this body butter as I've been trying out other brands 

for quiet awhile including The Body Shop Body Butters. 

When I was sent this item with a few other goodies I was thrilled as it will get me into using it 

again. 

The Derma V10 Body Butters are just as good as The Body Shop's ones if not better. 

The range comes in 8 wonderful different fragrances so that you can find one to suit you. 

I've found the Coconut Body Butter is thick, creamy and indulgent and glides onto your skin,

keeping you deeply moisturised, nourished and protected.

Its great applied daily after your bath or shower and smells good enough to eat.

I love that I also no longer need to wear perfume as the scent lasts all day long too. 

I am a huge fan especially as this is a great product for feeling a bit of luxury during pregnancy but saving the £s in process. 

Another great thing is the price at £1 for a 220ml pot whats not to love. 

Have you ever tried Derma V10 Body Butters? 

The Great British Budget

It's time to take charge of your money and join me

during February for the Great British Budget Campaign. 

I have taken part in the campaign aimed to get people like you

and me to start budgeting! 

A recent study has shown that two thirds of people in the UK fail to budget.

So if your struggling to make ends meet in the run up to pay day or if you have something

special you want to save up for,than sorting out a budget can make sure that 

your money goes more further.

I decided to get involved as although me and the hubby do budget I know there

are further ways to make our money last longer. 

I mean do we really need to go to the supermarket every evening? 

Do we really need that magazine or that bar of Chocolate? 

Nope, so for February my aim is to cut down on

unnecessary spending and as our anniversary is coming up

next week to enjoy budget celebrations. 

By signing up to the Great British Budget challenge you’ll be sent tips, updates and stories

to keep you motivated. 

 You can even join in with the twitter photo challenge  (see below) which gives you a chance to win £50 high street vouchers. 

Ways to celebrate your Anniversary

On February 4th 2014 me and Stuart will have been married for two wonderful years. 

We married in a local church and then had a reception at a hall not too far away. 

We had a 4 o clock wedding, with approx 50 friends and family members and 

then a lovely meal and then the snow decided to come making

people leave before the evening had really begun. 

Still we had a wonderful day as it was about us making our vows and

spending the rest of our life together. 

I have decided to compile a list of ideas for celebrating your anniversary 

whether you have been together 1 year or for 50 years. 

1. Write an anniversary letter 

this year I am going to give my hubby a personal letter 

2. Bake an anniversary cake together

I love this idea we can have this as dessert instead of having one when we have a meal out

3. Have a meal out at your favourite restaurant and dress up 

of course the frugal bit of this would be that you order a starter and a main

or just a main to save you £'s and still have a good time. 

4. Have a 2 meals for £x meal deal thing

We will most likely do this for valentines this year however it's a fab

idea if you want to save more £'s instead of going out. 

Most supermarkets do these deals in the past we have got them 

from Tesco, Morrison, Marks and Spencer and Waitrose.

5. Do joint gifts

This year for cotton we are doing a joint gift which after

our anniversary I'll show you.

6. Enjoy a lovely breakfast together 

Make something that you don't normally have that often 

such as scrambled eggs and salmon or pancakes. 

7. Go out for coffee and cake

If your a fan of Costa or Starbucks why not enjoy a mid morning or afternoon

coffee and cake. 

8. Go for an evening walk and watch the sunset

I love the idea of going to a lake we have in our area for a walk and seeing the sun setting.

9. Recreate your first date

10. Play your first dance song

11. Go through your wedding album together

12. Have an annual wedding anniversary photo of you both 

13. If you can afford to go away for the week/weekend or evening just for the night

14. Go and see a show at the theatre 

I hope you like my ideas if you can think of anymore I would love to know :)

Betrousse Absolutely Fabulous Box

 Last week I was excited to receive the new Betrousse Beauty Box. 

I have spent the last couple of days trying out the products that was in this lovely box. 

You can buy the box here for £19 however the contents of the box are worth a whopping £119. 

As you can see the items are as usual wrapped in lovely pink tissue paper. 

I love receiving beauty products from brands I've not heard of or 

never tried so it was fab to see such a lovely range

of items. 

The box contains the following Items: 

- Duck Island Shampoo 

- Organic Surge facial wash

- Spa Find Inch-wrap firming gel

 -Leor facial exfoliate creme 

- Helenere 24 hour cream 

- Helenere Intensive Serum 

Helenere Intensive Serum

The Intensive Serum, £32 for 15ml is my least favourite item in the box. 

This is because in general I'm not that keen on face Serum's. 

I did however give the Serum a try and did find my skin to 

feel smooth and soft after applying and I did like that it 

is suitable for all skin types. 

The Serum has a complex of Edelweiss extract and

prevents a loss of moisture in your skin and is ideal for day/night nourishment. 

Helenere 24 hour Cream

The 24 hour cream retails at £30 for 30ml and is a moisturising cream 

with protective properties based on a pure and exclusive complex of extract of Edelweiss. 

The 24 hour cream leaves skin feeling fresh and enhances make up. 

I applied this after giving myself a mini facial over the weekend and 

found that it absorbs into your skin pretty fast leaving it smooth and soft. 

Duck Island Sensuous Shampoo

The Duck Island Sensuous Shampoo, £14.98 for 250ml is a luxury product

that I found from reading on other bloggers posts is used in some hotel chains. 

I love the cute little duck on the packaging and that it is in a pump bottle

which for me is a plus when it comes to high end products. 

The shampoo has such a lovely and refreshing scent and is easy to 

lather, after use my hair felt lovely and silky smooth.

Organic Surge Pure and Clean Facial Wash

The product I was most looking forward to using! 

The Organic Surge facial wash, £5.49 for 200ml 

is brand I have heard of but never tried before. 

I use a facial wash every day so was very happy to try out this one

that is new to me. 

The facial wash has 100% natural foaming action which rinses away

make up and impurities without stripping your skin of its natural moisture. 

I love this product, it smells so fresh and kept my skin so silky soft

and I can from time to time suffer from sensitive skin so it's 

really ideal for me. 

Spa Find Sculpted Silhouette Inch-wrap Firming Gel

I was also very excited about this product.

The Inch-wrap firming gel, £25.30 for 250ml contains a Iso-Slim Complex, a combination of natural slimming and fat-burning agents Caffeine, Carnitine and Spirulina,

 blended with Soy Isoflavones skin is tightened and lifted,

 and cellulite is visibly reduced with the aid of natural Ivy Extract, Dead Sea Minerals

 and Hyaluronic Acid, known as the key to the fountain of youth.

The gel has a pleasant scent and absorbs into your skin pretty quickly

 and has loads of benefits I have mainly tried this on my thighs but

am going to give this a go on my tummy area and arms too. 

Leor Facial Exfoliate Creme

A product I had mixed thoughts on before trying. 

The Facial exfoliate creme £11 for 100gr contains smooth pumice to 

gently exfoliate your face and neck area by removing dead skin cells. 

Before using I thought it maybe will turn out to be just another facial exfoliate 

but I liked that it is lavender scented. 

After use well my opinion is different, after use my skin felt so

smooth and fresh and I generally felt very relaxed due to the 

lovely lavender scent.  It's a product that is ideal when I 

have my weekly facial/pamper sessions as it makes me feel so

relaxed and makes my skin feel so good. 

Christmas Prep 2013

Christmas is fast approaching with under 7 weeks to go.

I say the same every year where has the time gone?! 

So here is my Christmas Prep for 2013 and on how we have managed to keep 

a budget and stick to it! 

 This year we are buying for : 

- My Mum 

- My Nan

- My Grandma

- My Sister 

- Stuart's Mum 

- Stuart's Mum's partner

- Stuart's Dad

- Our two nephews Finn and Micah 

- and the two people we were given with our families round robin

who are my Sister in Law and Stuart's Sister in Law. 

Which totals to £120 

For each other we are spending for £40 each this year rather than £50 

which makes our Christmas Budget this year 

= £200

For cards, wrapping paper, gift labels and decorations 

we have a budget of £10 

We also have quite a few birthdays so close to Christmas 

- My Nan's

- My Father In Laws

- My Sisters 

How we have made it cheaper this year! 

- I have won a few items which have come in useful for gifts for my Mum and Grandma

- I received a £50 Amazon giftcard which has helped a lot

- I shopped in Primark for my Sister in law and Nan so saved £s on some lovely items

- I found a rucksack in Aldi for £5 rather than spending £12 for one on Amazon as a gift 

for my hubby.

- We've not needed to buy any labels this year but have got a pack of 50 Christmas Cards

in Card Factory for £1.99. 

- For wrapping paper we have got some from Primark for £2 for 2 roles which should last us.

- The only decorations we will probably get this year is a poinsettia for the window

sill but to be honest we may not even bother to save us a couple of £s or so.