This time of year can be expensive and have two more birthdays to think about as we lead up to Christmas.
WOULD AN EMPTY BOX DO!
What I tend, as talked about before, is I do a budget for each person and then have an idea of what they would like to get for birthdays and Christmas.
Christmas is going to be different this year, with lockdown and many shops being closed, so looks like Online Shopping is gonna be the theme this year.
What I tend to do is look all round an online shop and see what offers there are and see if they have a clearance sale. Stores like ASOS, Amazon and Very do, and you can get some really good clothes in these sections, of many online shops.
I do save my change and it has been a life saver, and I would encourage everyone to do that as, Rob Brydon says, “Every bit goes a long way”.
There are cashback sites too, but be aware some charge a fee, to use their services. Yet my bank Halifax do a cashback scheme too. Never used it as it on how much you have actually spent, which is told to you.
Be aware of scams, as this time of year they will crop up. Take no notice of any emails saying they are from HMRC and you are owned a refund or rebate. Complete nonsense. They would never send an email, but will be a written letter in the post.
I am going to add an Amazon video below of some gift sets available from Amazon this Christmas and other items that would bee great as gifts too. However, still do your maths, as they can be cheaper online or in store. It all depends on the product, and time of year.
There is a whole week sale on Amazon, as it is Black Friday week, finishes on the 30th November at midnight:
So more to come next week, and have a wondeful weekend, and my Tea and Biscuits post will be up tomorrow morning too.
If you wish to be kept posted of my blogs, then please choose the follow button below.
This week I am talking about changes in life and getting rid of the things that no longer spark joy.
Yes Kon Marie, this is dedicated to you, as I see what you set out to achieve. This was to help people to gain a spark in their life again and that inspires me no end.
This does include getting rid of friends too. If they make you feel self conscious by trying to put you down in front of people, who nit pick and slag you off behind your back, just get rid and let them stay in their unkind mess.
I am so done with that, like you would not believe. I can not believe the amount of shit I have had to deal with this year, and I bet they do feel smug about it.
I have written a post on my fictional blog The West London Girl, which hits on about this kind of thing, for those who pretend to be there for you, when they are not (check it out below):
I don’t mind people not liking me, as you can not please everyone. It the case of “Like it or lump it”, and let them decide if they want to be a good friend or not, but make it clear,
“If you like me great then be it, if not get the fuck away if not”. I find when people do this, it is time wasting and they are just using you, to get a kick out of their lives and it is really about their own insecurities not yours, and have no benefit to people, so I leave them where I found them and continue on growing myself and learning from people like these.
I see my friends as family. I always have, even when we don’t see each other that much, I just like those like me, like to hang out, chat, have a laugh and look forward to seeing all of them time.
With materialistic things, I go by how it makes me feel and if I feel like it is going to depress me, I get rid of it. The same as friendship. It is the best way. Example if I see a picture of people that I know are not nice, I don’t give it the time of day.
If there are people always on at you, then they must like you, as to keep picking on someone who means not harm to them, I must be dong something right for them to do so.
Nevertheless, it can take its toll and they do mean for you to cry and in my changes of life I did almost become the worse version of myself but I grew out o it, moved on and now am doing the thing I love out of this world, being in love again with a wonderful man, writing professionally and creating new books and songs.
I do write this kind of blog on my site: Everyone Can Build a Castle, but wanted to share this on this site, as my everyday living is, facing challenges aswell as fashion, beauty, skincare and shopping tips and advice. Please see the video I created below:
So if there is something in your everyday life that is bringing you down, then it is time for change and for something new.
Please check out my JustGiving page. I am raising money for a charity called, Tommy’s, they support and raise awareness of stillbirths and premature births. Please check out my page below:
I love buying new clothes this time of year, and I have bought some lovely items from TU items from Sainsbury’s, TK Maxx and Amazon.
The one item I love is a good collection of jumpers for the Autumn and Winter, and I don’t do plain clothes often, as they have to have a logo on it, patterned or have sparkles on on them.
YES THAT’S THE KIND OF GIRL I AM!
However these jumpers above are lovely to wear and I have bought two of these in different colours. I have created two videos sharing the items I have bought, from Amazon and so check these out, AND BE ADDING MORE:
I have purchased a Grey and Black Be Kind jumper, a Black one from TK Maxx, and other sweaters too, which are easy to wear and are great for those cosy winter days.
What you should do to help make sure you add to your Winter and Autumn Wardrobe, rather than buying an item that doesn’t go with any of your clothes, is to see what Autumn and Winter fashion you already have, create a few outfits and then take a note of what you would like to include and buy.
Develop a vision board or a folder that I have created, which I am going to show again one day. It’s in my old home Epsom, but I love putting this folder together and looking through it as it does give me a loads of inspiration.
Check out my Pinterest Pins:
Now Amazon and other retail stores, love normal persons who are fashion experts, to promote their items. I have now become an influencer myself, by buying items from such stores, and remember to use Amazon site to show the different looks of fashion you have and bought from stores, either online or on the high street and add a review of items purchased, and other retail social media sites. Often stores will give you credit for doing so and have competitions, to encourage regular customers to write a review.
Then customers can then ask you questions about goods bought.
What retailer want yo to do is GRAB OTHER CUSTOMER’S ATTENTION!
What I love about retail stores, those that sell clothes online aswell as on the high street, you can create lists of items you wish to buy and store them, for you to go back to.
Now we are coming up to Christmas what you can do is a wish list, which I always did as a kid at Christmas time and can now with the wonders of the internet, is to create one on Amazon and share it with family and friends, so they know what to buy you and your kids.
You can create a baby shower wish list, Wedding gift list and ask your kids to write one down of fashion and other items, so you an then create a list for each child and other members, and then it is all there.
I HAVE LINKED ONE BELOW NOT FOR YOU TO BUY ME ANYTHING BUT AS A EXAMPLE!
As with buying items, do still have a budget and shop around, and now if a retailer doesn’t have a wish list option you can create a favourite selection list, and again go back to it and share it, either by email, Pinterest or via Social media such as Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
The item I am looking to add is another pair of jeans as I do see this as a staple item and can be dressed up or down, and if worn with a blazer, can really make a casual look, LOOK Tailored.
I have more Amazon Look Book Hauls coming, and I have also showed some of the Amazon Christmas Jumpers for 2020, so check out this video on my Youtube channel BELOW:
Then you have the classic white shirt, and I have added one to my Amazon Recommended list, and I have to say that Sainsbury’s TU range is brilliant too, and check out this outfit put together, which I am wearing today.
In the above photo, The vest top is from Uniglo, Jumper from TK Maxx, Skirt from Sainsbury’s TU range and tights and trainers from Amazon.
The tights are from a retailer called Amazing Health Ltd, and trainers are from Ferlern Direct.
When it comes to buying clothes I do have a clear out, and going to do the same this year, once I go and get my clothes in my old home in Epsom, as there are many items I have not worn and can be donated or sold, online.
A great way to build your clothes and to create a fund for purchasing clothes is to sell some online, and I will be definitely be doing this at some point, and donating items too.
So I hope you enjoyed this post, I will be writing more fashion blogs and be doing some Christmas gifts for 2020.
Many thanks for reading,
Carrie X
P.S: There are some more links and videos I would like to share below:
Here is another Amazon Look Book Haul of some bits I have purchased and that I Iove so far.
The tops you see like the red one at the beginning of this video above, which is red with Polka dots, are great tops, that I am going to buy more as they fit nicely and shows you off and is easy to wear.
There are also some sweaters included and I have different colours, one in Mauroon and another in a Baige colour. They wash really well, and no the colour doesn’t run and should be done up to a 40 degrees or under wash.
One of my tops though did come with holes in, but not too obvious so I have still worn it, but do check before you through packaging away, just in case.
Many thanks for reading,
Carrie X
Please share by or like by pressing the options below:
Hello and welcome to another post. I haven’t done this type of post on this site for a while, so thought that it is about time I did.
I love sharing my love for music, as it has always been a part of my life. So in this post I am Celebrating My Favourite Music.
Since the beginning Autumn and Winter I have gotten back into music and there are two that have hit my heart and I love to bits, and no lie I sent two to a record company and I am very proud of them. One has been used to advertise a supermarket chain’s Christmas Advert.
The First song I love is one called The First Time and has been recorded by Rod Stewart and the other is song called, Give a Little Love. These are now on Youtube and I am very proud of them.
I know I won’t be believed by some people, but it is true and I have written more, which I hope to also be produced as well.
A song that has helped me this year, is a song called, Now That You Love me, but was originally called, “Everyone and you love me”, which was recorded by, Wendy Moten, along with some other hits too.
I wonder if there will be another charity single?
I would love there to be, but it is recording it, as we are in another lockdown, thanks to Boris Johnson, however it is possible and I would love to see it.
Music would not be music if it didn’t mean anything and a song should come from the heart aswell as your head, and the song I have played this year, which was not written by me, is a song by Chas and Dave, called, “There is no pleasing you”, which at the time was ringing true.
So I am going to lay down again, now writing this post and listening to music, which is like my ritual every morning. That is the joy of music, you can use it for many purposes, and can use it to start your day ahead and like I do at night, use it to help you wind down to go to sleep.
Many thanks for reading,
Carrie X
P.S: Please see below a link to my JustGiving page, as I am raising money towards a charity called, Tommy’s, who support and raise awareness of Stillbirths and Premature births:
In this weeks Meal Idea I am sharing a simple shopping meal, which is Chicken thighs, Salad Potatoes and Coleslaw.
Yes food does not have to be complicated but is something you look forward to and again does not take ages to do.
I cooked the Chicken Thighs in the oven and cooked off 4 of them for 45 minutes on 190 fan oven, so I had a dinner already there for me, with potatoes already cooked and going to make this into a quick potato salad, and that is todays meal done aswell.
Items once again are from Tescos and with some other bits purchased for Breakfast and snacks my total shop was £10.92.
I also treated myself some bits in Marks and Spencers, and they do box of hot chocolate sachets, which are really nice for £2.60, a cheaper box of Earl Grey Tea Bags (half the price compared to Twinnings) and a bag of crisps, costing me £3.40.
It doesn’t have to be loads, but a bit at a time goes a long way and in my case I have enough chicken for a weeks worth of meals and has made me save a lot.
Here is a picture of all the items I bought from Tesco below:
I am also working with Amazon this year and Boots and have done few videos now showing some fashion, toiletries and Skincare, so check these blog posts below:
I am also raising money for the charity, Tommy’s to raise money to help families who have experience Stillbirths and Premature births. If you would like to make a contribution then please click on the link to my JustGiving page:
Hello and yes it soon will be a season to be Jolly.
It is forever getting closer, and no even I haven’t got my Christmas prezzies yet and so don’t feel like I am super organized, because I am not.
I feel like boycotting Christmas cards, as I never send them out on time.
Anyway, I am going to do an Amazon Weekly Christmas video as we get closer to Christmas, so fear not as we will ALL get it ready, even if it means shopping on Christmas Eve.
I love buying new pieces of fashion for Christmas, but on a budget and yes, you should keep doing that, but you can save loads.
I would say is to create a wish list for Christmas, and then you have all your gifts lined up ready to order.
So I will post my Meal Ideas post and my Amazon Haul Look Book post, as well this week again, to give you more ideas of what to buy for Christmas 2020.
Many thanks for reading,
Carrie X
P.S: Please check out my JustGiving page I have set up this year to raise money for a charity called Tommy’s. Many thanks in advance if you wish to make a contributes:
Hello and welcome to another post. So if you see my new Youtube video, below you’ll know that I love my toiletries and skincare products. There is no lie on that, but buying certain products like shower gels, scrubs and moisturisers, in bulk and from Boots building up points using, a Boots Card, can save you so much.
TK Maxx is my other favourite, and they do some skincare goodies too, along with some clothes, bags, sun glasses, scarfs, diaries and notebooks, and some good kitchenware products.
I still do a list of things I would like to buy and set a budget, and go through what I need aswell as want, and keeping stock on beauty products saves me from running out, and I would like to create some Christmas hampers with such products, which watching Youtube is a great gift for someone.
Also you will start getting coupons from Boots and you can use these also which I am going to do, and get some of their No.7 products too.
So check out this video below to see the products I have for these two stores, to see what bargains, and products you can find:
If you do have a Boots Card, then you can also pick up, their magazine for free, otherwise you have to pay for it, and they do often have coupons in there too.
They will be doing their 3 for 2 offers, but do you maths first, and to clarify, it is items of the same value normally, and will have their gift sets on offer too.
So, check them out along with TK Maxx, as their gift sets will be on offer to, if not already, soon, and I will be back with another Shopping ideas next week, and if haven’t read my previous posts, then click below,
I am also raising money for a charity called, Tommy’s, who raise money for those families who have experienced, Stillbirths and Premature Births, giving support and raising awareness. So if you would like to make a contribution, then please click on the link below:
This is my first Tea and Biscuits blog where I will be sharing some different parts of my life and for a general sharing of my lifestyle, being a full time writer and a mum. Plus I am soon to be a wife again.
I love a good book because it takes you to another world and I just bought my son some real classics, James and the Giant Peach, Charlottes Web, Little Monsters by David Walliams and You Can’t Take An Elephant on the Bus.
I wrote many stories as a kid that turned into books and I write books where even I don’t know what is going to happen next, and I do write a blog post on Bloglovin about writing books and blogs (see link): (add link)
The book BFG is about a little girl who meets a friendly giant, as you think of them as scary but the little girl and the giant become bestfriends. Roald Dahl wrote the book and based the little girl in the book, on his Grand Daughter who became a famous model, Sophie Dahl.
The BFG is a classic and we even had this read to us at Primary school, and I would love to get Henry a copy of this book too. They will never go out of fashion and can be passed down to generations to come.
A book is someone’s imagination made into words and pictures and takes you away for a bit from the real world.
I would love to know what books you’d like to read as a kid and you still love today.
You can leave a comment below.
Before I leave this blog post I want to tell you about the charity I am raising money for this year, which is called Tommy’s, who support and raise awareness for those who have experienced Stillbirths and Premature births, and do wonders for those families like myself who’s son is now 7 years old but was born premature at 31 weeks.
To make contribution, please click the link below:
I have also created an advert, sharing all my topics and sites I like to wrote a blog on, so click on the video below to watch:
Many thanks for reading,
Carrie X
P.S: I have teamed up with Amazon this year their various goodies this Christmas 2020 and my first video is their Top of the Range Advent Calendars (see below):
Please share by or like by pressing the options below:
Hello and welcome to another everyday living post.
In this post I am writing a review about the wonderful Joan Rivers, who partly wrote a book called, A Diary Of A Mad Diva.
Joan was a famous Jewish American comedian, and was world famous. I wish she had shared more of her stories, and would like to get another book of hers called A Piece Of Work.
In this book A Diary Of A Mad Diva, she shares her story of her life being a mother and Grandma and a high profile celebrity. She talks about going to many celebrities parties and charity fundraisers and meeting other celebrities and you knew if she liked them, she would take a fond jab at them.
Part of the book though was written not by Joan, because she did die before finishing the book and so her daughter, Melissa, had carried it on.
They had a rocky relationship as her daughter produced the show, Fashion Police, which I loved watching, with Kelly Osbourne. She was so funny, and I love the story she tells about catching Heather Mills buying real fur, after she campaigned against it, storming through Jennifer Lopez head offices, putting leaflets in peoples faces.
I bet if Joan called have sent Heather a Christmas Card it would have been a picture of Heather wearing a dog collar and a sheep’s skin coat saying “I love all animals, especially when it comes to their coats”.
I am so sad that her book wasn’t all written by Joan as the bits you know she did write are superb, funny and taking the piss out of those you knew weren’t like their image often showed on camera and also would like all comedians took the piss out of herself, as being a Jewish lady, she knew she wasn’t overly religious as she would point out the floors in this aswell, in a humorous fashion.
I have partnered with Tommy’s who support and raise awareness of Stillbirths and Premature births, and is a very traumatic event that can change many families lives. I you wish to make a contribution, please click in the link below, my JustGiving Page:
If you would like to read my other posts featured within my advert of Carries Blog Network (see below):
Many thanks for reading,
Carrie X
P.S: I am working with Amazon this Christmas as they have some fantastic gifts, advent calendars, decorations and stocking fillers for everyone you love, and here is my first video sharing the top most popular Advent Calendars this year at Amazon at Christmas 2020:
Please share by or like by pressing the options below:
Carries Versatile Fashion 