Hello and welcome it is Monday once again, and I have decided that I would make these blogs, Shopping ideas a weekly post.
As we are in another Lockdown and it getting nearer to Christmas, it is time if you haven’t started already to start thinking about when to buy those festive gifts.
I am going to film my Amazon haul today, and show you some items I have purchased, as Amazon is my main go to online shop, because if I can’t get what I want in the high street I will look on there and many items can workout to be cheaper aswell.
The one thing I like to do, if I see items on Amazon, but I don’t want to buy them yet, I will either put it into my, “Save for later” list or into my Wish List, which you can create, and create different ones.
The one gift I would suggest to buy if they are into fashion is these tops I bought and they are easy wearing, stylish and wash really well.
I have these three different colours and I love them and are priced from £17.99, and they are so nice that I will be purchasing a few more at some point.
They do a good collection of good footwear too, and these are great type,
Some of the retailers which sell these types of trainers, do have half sizes and so it is the case of looking through. They are very comfortable, and if you know someone who would like these types of trainers, they would make great gift for someone.
You can also buy bulk items like body sprays, toilet rolls and food items, but do your maths first as some items it isn’t worth it.
There are some good books to read aswell and have ordered quite a few and I will be filming a few book reviews, and also you can get many gift sets too, which can be a lot less on Amazon compared to the high street.
So be sensible, do a budget and do your maths.
Many thanks for reading,
Carrie X
Please share by or like by pressing the options below:
A day does not go by when I am not playing music, it has been life and there are those songs that I can play everyday or every year that will speak wonders to me. It is Sunday night and I am doing what I love to, listening to some good heart felt songs, to end the day a peacefully as it has started.
I even play songs that I called “Sunday songs” not because they were written on a Sunday, but takes me back to when I was a kid and my dad would play his records before he would venture over to Chelsea and then we would meet him there later.
Music that speaks wonders lasts forever and being someone who has written songs, it not about just about the tune or the lyrics but about the whole thing, and how it makes you feel when you play it.
I just played the Paul McCartney song Once Upon a long ago, and was one of my dads songs he would play, and it spoke wonders of all the things you would dream about as a kid and about good luck charms, and tells a story.
That is why I love music, because like writing a book you can put your own meaning to it and becomes personal to you, even ones you didn’t write but those that make you feel good each day, or helps remove your troubles each day and I hope to write more music songs of myself in the future to help others through my music, to feel the same.
If music was stopped I would be lost as it would feel like someone taking a limb from me. Songs become a part of your life, like certain films do.
It also is my kind of self care, as it does calm me down, aswell as the new love in my life and the same with comedy, which I love also, is a great source if medicine that was ever created and is forever revolving.
I would like to know what one track do you love to play and why?
Mine aswell as the Paul McCartney song above, is the one I am playing now, called “Somewhere out there” which was written for a Disney film and was written by Kerry Hilson, and is still played today and yes even when there are those around you, that don’t love you, there is still someone out there who does.
So as it is coming to the end of another weekend, why not if you aren’t a sleep yet put on your favourite tunes to have a good rest until it all becomes crazy again tomorrow.
Many thanks for reading,
Carrie X
Please share by or like by pressing the options below:
Now if you can’t get out this Christmas then remember to curse our Prime Minister, because it looks like we all may be shopping online, but remember to send him Selfie with your mates saying “Nothings going to stop me from socialising at Christmas, it being only once a year”.
I predict that this will continue to the actual big day, not that I have a crystal ball, but I just can see it, and so thank God for the internet.
WHAT WOULD WE DO WITHOUT IT!
If it wasn’t for the internet, it would be empty boxes all round, but hey “It’s the thought that counts”, and is going to be a different kind of Christmas should the Lockdown be continuing up until Christmas day.
People love to socialise around Christmas time, but now are going to be limited, so does that mean no Work Christmas parties, no pantomimes, no Christmas Top of The Pops or many Christmas specials being filmed?
I bet the Queen is happy that her speech is often done at Sandringham, as she won’t be able get through London herself soon, due to the endless road works.
What about the Turkey? And no not the country, but the bird that is eaten in most households this time off year, will we need to hunt one alive and kill it ourselves. Well that is what Gordon Ramsey does each year, and looks like most households may do, too.
The plus side it, less traffic going into London, but hold it, guess what’s coming, a new one way system, starting from Hyde Park Corner through to Marble Arch, down Oxford Street, and will have to go all that way around to get to Regents Street and Green Park, which means buses will be diverted and have to change their route too.
It look like we may have to swim in the Thames to get anywhere, should this continue.
BOY IT MAKES MY BLOOD BOIL, WHEN YOU THINK LONDON COULDN’T GET AN MORE CRAZY WITH PROTESTS, CLIMATE CHANGERS TAPING THEMSELVES TO A BUS TO GET A FREE RIDE. IT IS AMAZING WHAT PEOPLE WILL DO TO GET THINGS FREE THESE DAYS!
Brexit looks like it has been long forgotten due to COVID, and sadly no Christmas choirs this year.
I would like to go to a Christmas market, but I bet they will be off this year too, and so I would suggest you begin, if not already to do some Christmas shopping, yes online, as online stores are going to be on high demand and may crash during this lockdown.
There is a reason why Boris Johnson is a vegetarian and never eats Turkey, because it effects him socialising and feels uncomfortable around birds.
They usually put an Ice Rink near the London Museums in South Kensington, near the Southbank and around the Strand. Hyde park always has, A Winter Wonderland, through Christmas, but yep, looks like these won’t be happening either.
So what will there be to do. I am going to find my collection of my favourite Christmas films, have hot chocolate with cream and marshmallows, with the love of my life and our Children.
Many thanks for reading,
Carrie X
P.S: Please remember I am raising money for the charity Tommy’s via JustGiving, where all donations made will go directly to the charity (please see link below)they support families who have experience Stillbirths and Premature births too:
This time of is always a busy time of the year, as I have a lot of birthdays, leading up to the big day. This year I want to make homemade gifts or hampers. I will usually begin to save up points on my store cards, such Boots, Paperchase, My Nectar Card and others.
I will also start to put money on gift cards, to get gifts. I do it this way because it helps make sure I have set aside money for the festive cheer, and I am not out of pocket. I also set a budget for each gift and an overall budget.
The one thing I hate is when you buy a gift for someone and they say “Oh that’s lovely I have been wanting one of those” Only to see that they have not worn it or used it, if it a new kitchen appliance or a piece of clothing.
So I stick with giving a gift card or a homemade gift.
The person I love to watch about budgeting on shopping and finance is a lady who I mention a lot in many of my blog posts, Jordan Paige, FunCheapOrFree She makes it so straight-forward and easy, and love watching her Youtube videos.
I plan Christmas way ahead of time, the one thing I have never been able to do ahead of time is bloody Christmas cards. It doesn’t matter that I have all gifts by the 1st December, but every year I say “I am going to get the ahead of Christmas card making and writing”, and have I? No!
Always budget when it comes to birthdays too, and Jordan Paige, does an envelope system where by you have an envelope for everyone in your family, you put the name of child or adult at the top along with the budget amount, and put in that amount inside, then as you spend the money you subtract it from the budget amount at the top and then as you buy you put the receipt of the item or items in the envelope to keep track of what you have spent so far, and you don’t go over budget.
My birthdays begin at this time from the beginning of September all the way up to December and so yes, budget time is very well required and needed.
I do have the same budget for each person, accept for my son and for my other children in my family, as I will extend the budget amount, but for the adults in the family it will be the same amount.
I plan my sons birthday way ahead of time, and this year I bought him some new books, as I often do this at Christmas time, as stores will often start their sales on books around this time of year, and further on as we get nearer to Christmas.
I do like to set a theme for my gift buying each year, so the children in my family have something different. I like to also include experiences, like one year I bought my gorgeous nieces a Giraffe feeding experience at Chessington, as I was working for the company who sold the tickets for Chessington World of Adventures, and I got free tickets to go in, so gave them these too.
Some employers will have discounted schemes like if you work for Merlin Entertainments, any of the forces and hotel chains, usually give staff discounts on a site called Perks at Work, where you can earn points as you use this site as they are linked to many retailers, and on sites like Virgin Experiences and Red Letter Days.
Of course with COVID we don’t know if there will be anymore lockdowns, but it doesn’t mean planning for birthdays aswell as Christmas should stop, as it is still possible to buy online, just once again set a budget, and one you know you can stick to.
If you are doing “Secret Santa” which is where you are given a person to buy a Christmas gift for and they have your name too, and then you buy them a gift up for example up to a fiver, I always say if you know it is for a woman, you can’t go wrong with a scented candle, which I am going to buy for my Nieces and one of my friends, who was like a sister to me when I lived on a housing estate called Peabody, Kelly to celebrate her life.
For boys and men, books, alcohol (if they drink), a book voucher or cufflinks, if they wear a suit and a jacket.
I have bought some items from Amazon which would be great as gifts and yes a haul as I have promised in my other blogs is coming, I just have so much I want to blog about, that it has taken a back seat, but not for much longer. If I don’t film it today it will be done tomorrow.
So be wise when shopping, make sure you buy from legitimate retailers online as many scams will be forming as we buy birthday gifts and get closer to Christmas, and if you still want to shop in the high streets, keep your belongings on you and put purses at the bottom of your bag, no putting money in back pockets as there will be pickpockets out there, and yes that includes you Boris Johnson, as I know you don’t like socialising hence the lockdown.
bImage by The Guardian
Before end this blog I want one thing answered for me, I just can’t get if COVID is a flu how comes all stores ran out of toilet paper? if someone can discuss this with me and have a logical answer, do get in touch. You can leave a comment below.
Just another quick note which I nearly forgot to add. Each year if you haven’t been following my blogs, I like to raise money for a good cause each year, and to celebrate my sons 7th Christmas and to support families who have had Stillbirths and premature births I am raising money for the charity Tommy’s who do a brilliant job in supporting families who have gone through such a traumatic event in their lives.
Please see link to my JustGiving page if you would like to make a donation. Many thanks in advance if you do and enjoy the weekend!
Hello its me once again, and I am going to do these weekly either by blog or by Youtube video and is some meal ideas which are cost effective and quick and easy, and yes I am going to do an Amazon haul I have not forgotten, there is just so much I want to share of my everyday living, but going to tempt to video that tomorrow, so will be up either tomorrow Saturday or Sunday, this coming weekend.
I also have a book review coming too and I going to do a Youtube video called Tea and Biscuits each week and I talk about all areas of my life and what is coming on this site and others I write on too, plus I am going to for my parenting blog is choose a children’s book to read, as I have written many children’s book too and like sharing other people’s children’s books aswell: https://theparentingadventurestipsandtricks.wordpress.com/
In this meal idea I am sharing a favourite and yes it is comfort food, which people used to curse when you said that, and was told “You shouldn’t eat for comfort” however I love comfort food and as like Joey would probably say in friends “I’m a comfort eater and I like it”.
I had Pasta (bows and loved these as they bring memories back of when my nan would make the most tasty macaroni and cheese) and I had pasta with Bacon, Garlic and Tomato sauce and I loved it. Okay so I cheated a little as I have made my own sauce in the passed, but to save myself time bought sauce that should last me for a few dinners as we move towards the weekend, as I have some leftover in the jar, which will be more than enough.
Anything that saves me time and money I am all for.
I had on me about £4.90 and the total cost of my shopping I bought, which included a baguette and a box of Porridge sachets, £3.98 purchased from Tescos, and the money left over which was 90p, I used to get myself can of body spray from Boots, for 75p and help build up my Boots points and like to have a can of body spray in all of my bags.
I paid for all these bits with my loose change that I have been saving and has saved me a lot of money, as one of my financial goals this year was to build enough change so I wouldn’t need to touch the money in my bank account all of the time and it has helped but also going to begin to do the other way I like to save and that’s is putting some cash on gift cards.
I love to do this every time Christmas comes along, because it is cash already paid, its just the case of buying gifts and bits for when the festive period gets closer, and I don’t have to worry that I won’t have enough, or I will buy items using my Very account, which also saves me money too.
If there are stores that you regularly shop at then having a points card can be worth it, but I stopped using my Tesco Clubcard as I found that I wasn’t saving that much at all and so wasn’t worth it.
Boots cards are brilliant because you get back the pounds you have paid on them and some store cards like Paperchase, when you have spent a certain amount in the store using your points card you get a lot discounts on top.
My moto is always shop sensibly, keep tabs on what you buy (so keep the receipt) and always have a list in mind before you go in, which I stand by as we can often be lost in sales and bargains not realising we have gone over our budget and now don’t have enough for the next shop you do.
My other moto I have is, be wise and stay safe this Christmas as there are many scams this time of the year too, so if something looks to good to be true it usually is, and when you see items like Buy One and Get One Free or 3 for 2 offers, do the maths as often it isn’t worth it, and can save money buying other brands of the same item at a even cheaper price.
Anyway I am going to get on with other bits I plan to do today and will see you again tomorrow.
Many thanks for reading,
Carrie X
Please share by or like by pressing the options below:
So this week has felt very long with school being back and my son as lovely he can be decided that he would have two meltdowns, one only being his first day and on Thursday.
So this morning at about 8:30am I just thought “I know I should get up, but sod it I’m going back to bed” only to hear “You gone back to bed?”, “What is that a crime or is this unusual to you, because you like to get up at 5am?”
Excuse me…
Parenting, working and travelling is tiring, and what, “So I am not allowed to be tired, what do you really want to wait until I am dead, where you’ll still be saying, “Its time to get up now?””
We all get tired and you just need that extra time, so I say fuck it, excuse my language, but lay in and have that time, who really feels that they have the right to say otherwise, we aren’t ever going to be remembered for the time we got up, but for living and so Sometimes you just have to say sod it I am going back to bed, and there ain’t nothing you can do about it.
I am up now, listening to some tunes and boy oh boy am I so thankful for my music as I have always used it as a way for communicating, especially when someone has pissed me off, and find it a way of sharing my feelings, without causing confrontation, even though I do get “Your shouting and how can you hear with your headphones on?”
I am like “Well first of all, you spoke to me and secondly I don’t want to” And it makes me want to get a great big speaker and blast it out, and say “Well you moan about my headphones and I want to listen to my music, so this is now my new option, either leave me be or your ears will get it instead”.
I have rarely had a chance before to have a lie in, so have done so this passed week, and no I don’t eel like I have wasted a day like I used to, as I can still catch up by going to bed late, as I find when I do this I sleep a whole lot better.
Lets face it there isn’t any lie in police, they have enough to worry about than arresting people for sleeping in, as being a working mum there is so much to do, that having an extra hours sleep is often required and no I am not going to apologise for that. As Bon Jovi, the bad I will always like to see in concert no matter what financial situation I am in, “It’s my life, its not older never” and if it is going to stop me from being cranky then so be it I’ll do it everyday from now on.
So if you wish to have an extra bit of sleep then I say go for it, and you can always deal with errands and chores on another day.
Many thanks for reading,
Carrie X
Please share by or like by pressing the options below:
Yes my desk is a mess, but is real. It gets like this when I have my head down and working
In a day in my life, I live by the motto now, its not how much you can do, but what the day may bring, and being a blog writer and I have written books too, I always as soon as I get up, whilst I have my breakfast and my first cup of tea of the day, get on with writing.
This is now my life and I love it. It is something I have dreamed of doing, and last year I vouched to myself that I would do writing of my blogs and books full time, and I am praying more good things will come my way, so I can keep my writing and my dream of doing it professionally going.
I am not one who is military when it comes to getting stuff time, and continuously worried about time, I leave that to my mother, who would kill over if she didn’t have a watch and know every second of the day.
I never go on time, yes I do write a schedule but I am not strict about it and do whatever I can and the joy of writing is you can do it anytime. I do also have time away from it, and will take a shower, watch a bit of Youtube or lay quietly listening to music.
I like to take my time and not rush around. I hate doing that.
I have also found that I don’t binge eat so much now but if I want a biscuit or a chocolate bar, I am no longer strict with this either. If I wanted to meet Hitler when it came to dieting I’d rather say
“Listen Rudolf if I want a biscuit I’ll have one thanks and no, you won’t be getting one, get your own”.
I am going to sound like an advert now, and so I don’t get done for copywrite their are other brands available, but as Rob Brydon says from Gavin and Stacey and the show, Would I Lie To You and Philip Glenister, who was in Ashes and Ashes, Life On Mars and Mad Dogs, and soon to be in Mum&Me with Robert Glenister, who has been in Only Fools and Horses as a character called Miles, The Hustle and The Sweeney, you can’t beat a bourbon biscuit or a custard cream or a Hob Nob, or as the character I made up called Heather McVitie, you can’t beat a digestive with chocolate or without it.
I suppose you are wondering who she is, you’ll see her soon on the BBC, and know Micheal McIntyre, you won’t nick her mobile phone and text all her mates saying she eats anything because no she doesn’t and is a well respected woman, of the realm.
Mum&Me will be on TV in the new year.
Even the Queen likes her biscuits, with a cup of yes what I love, Earl Grey Tea. Not saying that PG tips is to be denid but if I had to choose one, it would be the lovely tea bag Earl Grey, that she owns.
Another part of my day is to sit back with a good book. There are three I am reading at the moment, “Lessons I’ve learned” by David Jason, and you should all know who he is. Del Boy, “He who dares wins”, a book called “A Million Dollar Blog”, which unlike many books it doesn’t make writing a blog complicated and actually is the best encouraging book about blog writing that I have read so far and a book called “Stick With It”, which I took out from the library. Ok yeah probably doesn’t beat a Kindle but least it won’t crash unlike having a physical book in your hand, and loose the page you were on. This book is about building step ladders, which I have been arguing with as I have been reading it, as visualising it that way, makes it seem to far a step to reach your dreams, and about visualisation doesn’t work, but then it contradicts itself a lot, so not been impressed so far, but I will keep on reading it, as I hate not finishing a book, and I do like to read other people’s ideas of how to make your dreams into reality.
Any how as it is now another day ahead, I am going to get on and do the other things I have planned for today, and going to be filming a Youtube video, so once this is up I will let you know.
Please have a fantastic day, and there will be another blog on this site tomorrow.
Many thanks or reading,
Carrie X
Please share by or like by pressing the options below:
Okay so I am not saying this is going to be a five star restaurant cuisine, but I try to buy food that is going to make a few meals for the week, to save myself time and energy. I don’t like to spend hours cooking, it isn’t who I am. I like to have food that I can dish up there and then, and enjoy.
As I got good feedback from my meal ideas blogs, I decided I am going to do these each week. Please check out my post I wrote two days ago:
The food that I bought to make the above meal has helped me save money and to change it up, I made myself a chicken salad, with chips, and have enough to have for today, for lunch or dinner, for the next few days.
ITS HOW I ROLL!
Once I have used up the wraps, if I still have enough I am going to make another favourite meal, a lovely Chicken Curry. I know as one supermarket says “You just can’t beat it” AND THAT IS TRUE.
I do change my meals depending on the season, and drinks I like to have too. I love having boiled bacon, which is also a money saver and can be made for many different meals. I did try to go more gluten free and vegan, not to be trendy to see if it can make a difference to your health, but I saw no difference and I love meat, sorry for those who read this are vegetarian or vegan, but it’s true.
BRING ME THE MEAT OR MISS PIGGY SHE’D DO
Soups are another thing I like to have this time of the year, and yes I have often made my own and can be used for a number of days and stored in the freezer once made. I do like Winter soups, like Carrot and Coriander, winter vegetable soup and leek and potato.
So I am now going to have a cup of coffee or if I can a hot chocolate, and will be blogging again soon.
Amazon haul coming. Watch this space.
Many thanks for reading,
Carrie X
Please share by or like by pressing the options below:
When you shop always go in with a list in mind but I do find when i jot it down helps me stay within budget and stops impulse buys.
Even if it is a Bogoff (buy one and get one free) do your maths and calculate it to help to see if it really is a good deal.
One idea to help you with shopping go through prices by making a list on their online shop and don’t check out open it up and see how you can have the same item but for even cheaper. I say this because not all deals or prices are the same in the store and don’t always have all the different brands of that food, so compare as you shop.
Certain deals are seasonal such a tubs of heroes, quality street and roses, and it is better to get them now as often prices will go up on these as we get nearer to Christmas. Gift sets will now begin to be on sale, but again do your maths before purchasing.
It is better to buy your turkey in December rather than now along with potatoes and vegetables.
If you make your own Christmas cake like my nan used to then bake this if you are traditional at the end of November and keep adding brandy to it, but not too much.
Booze if you like a drink at Christmas, buy in December. Baileys and advocate can go off once opened, baileys is made with cream, but an alternative cheaper item is Irish Cream which is the same it’s a different brand. Advocate is made with eggs and so keep in mind and write down when it was opened.
Beers and lagers, will even have sales now, and that includes ciders aswell. Spirits like vodka, archers, Jack Daniels and Bacardi last forever.
Go through before shopping on what food you already have and the same with drink. Soft drinks like coca cola for example are on sale all year round, juices buy the cartains either individual or family size as they last a lot longer than fresh and often less sugar.
So when shopping be wise and see how much you can save with each shop you do, and a haul is coming soon.
Many thanks for reading,
Carrie X
Please share by or like by pressing the options below:
So if someone said to me I’d love a designer body, I’d say why has Armani gone out of business?
I have not always liked myself but when I do feel low I prefer a nice pair of trainers, shoes or clothes and have gotten over wanting a nip and a tuck.
Shoes from newlook
I love these above because they are very glitzy and easy to walk in, but would I buy a designer pair?
If the same price perhaps, but would I choose having a nose job over these?
No! I know people like designer and it is nice to treat yourself but I would never go out of my way to buy designer over high street.
I am happy to shop at Primark just avoid the one in Oxford Street towards Marble Arch as they purposely shut their tills at about 8pm rather than 10pm when they are supposed to close.
Newlook do a lovely range of clothing and footwear, and prefer to buy in store rather than online.
Is wanting a designer body going too far?
In some ways, as it is extreme. Having any kind of medical procedure done can be risky, but I do know what it is like not to be happy within yourself.
There other ways such as skincare to help make you feel better (please see my evening face creams below).
My face cream I use in the evenings
There are many different products and if you watch Trinny London she gives some brilliant tips on looking after your skin rather than having a face lift, and if you want a cosmetic procedure that can help you be happy with yourself then shows you want it entiles.
You can still be younger as I do still look about 16 and that’s not gloating it’s true but now I no longer get ID’d when going to a pub or bar, in thinking about this, I am now slightly worried.
Dressing yourself correctly that awakens you to be youthful still and feel good about yourself is the key to help you.
Amazon do a load of lovely fashion items that I will do a haul very soon of some great finds I have found.
You can shop on a budget still when buying in store or online by having a list of wishful items and if aren’t able to buy items in one go, buying a piece of new clothing as you go can help you save just as much.
Always check when they have their sales. High street, August and September when they will put their summer clothes up for sale, before Christmas as they will put their winter stuff on sale and put their Christmas party clothes up on the rails. March and April, getting rid of winter clothes in replacement for their summer clothes.
So be happy and do what makes you be happy, but designer is not always the best way to go, so choose wisely and you will be surprise how much you can still have a fashion item and save at the same time.
Many thanks for reading,
Carrie x
Please share by or like by pressing the options below:
:format(jpeg)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/53406849/shutterstock_69483754.0.jpg)
Carries Versatile Fashion 