So I decided to start a scrap book as mentioned in this post, and here is my first
monthly post on January's outcome.
It feels a bit weird to be posting about January when it's March tomorrow... but seeing as I had the idea a bit late, I didn't want to just skip a month, so here it is anyway!

Admittedly it's not the most exciting layout, as I'm still new to this whole scrapbooking thing, but I enjoyed making it :D
I prefer the first page, as it seems to bond together more than the second page, but ahwell!
I think that adding more little collected items, such as tickets, receipts and more layers will allow the whole page to have more of an impact, so this is how I will try to work with the other months :)

Details:

What do you think of my first attempt?

I'm looking forward to see how my style will change, and I really enjoyed putting
my month down in such a creative way :)

I've only had this blog since July, so seven months overall, but I've been an avid onlooker of fashion and lifestyle bloggers for at least three years!
They have been inspiring to read as a reader and a fellow blogger, and I have developed my favourites a long the way.

Lily Melrose  //  llymlrs.com

Lily was the first ever proper blogger that I came across and lovedShe has a very laid back, and grunge edge to her style, and loves a good monochrome look, which suits my style down to a tee, so I instantly felt like her blog was right for me.
I've probably been a fan of her site for atleast four years, and found her back when I was obsessed with LookBook.nu, and she had long hair!
She now has a very successful Youtube channel aswell, and has also become my favourite female Youtuber!
I just really love how much effort she puts into her videos. blog and photographs, and just always looks so effortlessly stylish and her work being professional and thought through.

Coury Combs  //  fancytreehouse.blogspot.co.uk

FancyTreeHouse was another blog that I found early on in my obsession of online fashion blogs, and I also found her on LookBook.nu
I think I found her around the same time as I found Lily, and have stuck by her as a fan for that amount of time.
Her blog is a lot more Lifestyle based than fashion, with her clothes featuring within the lifestyle posts, instead of being the focus.
A huge part of her blog is documenting her growing family, including her adorable little daughter, who I feel like I've kind of seen growing up... if that's not weird haha.
She is one of those people, that I kind of see myself in. Or maybe just a version of myself I would like to be.
Her life seem so beautiful and laid back, full of pretty little things, where that be in her house, things she makes or where she goes, and I absolutely love her style to bits!
I know for definite that I will be a reader for a long long time to come, as it is just so much fun to read about her life.

Zoe  //  zoelondon.me

ZoeLondon is more of a recent blog find for me, only finding he about four months ago?
Like a lot of people, I was drawn in by her ridiculously awesome hair, and then realised how much of an inspiring person and blogger she is.
Her blog is a lot more varied, ranging from Fashion, music, hair, food and so much more!
I think my favourite thing about her blog is how much advice she gives.
She regularly gives out very helpful advice around everyday situations, life goals, hair, and the blogging world.
She's stands out quite a bit in the traditional mainstream style that most bloggers follow and it's refreshing and inspiring to see.

I think that it is always good to have people that you look up to in whatever you are doing, as long as you are not outright copying them.
I feel that even thought I am big fans of all of these blogs, that I take inspiration from them, for my own blog, but put a personal spin on my overall look and feel of my blog, as well as the content that I create.


Who are your favourite bloggers?

In yesterdays post, I mentioned that I had recently found an old unused scrapbook, and wanted to jump on the scrapbooking bandwagon!
I though I'd do a little individual post on this, to explain how I want to go about it, and as I go along I can keep you updated on its progression :)

So the scrapbook itself is this beautiful vintage flowered one, which I'm pretty sure I got for my 18th birthday?.. so it has only been waiting to be used for... 5 years, oops!

But I am finally getting round to doing it!
I'm planing on making it into a 2015 scrapbook, so that it can hold everything inside that I get up to this year. This way I'm hoping it will motivate me a bit more to put stuff in it, if I have some sort of schedule, and if I end up enjoying the process and keeping to it, who knows, maybe I could keep a scrapbook for every year to come!
This would be a pretty damn good keepsake for the future and to look back on!

So far I've only done the kind of 'intro page'
It's not the most interesting layout or design, but it is surprisingly difficult when faced with a big bit of blank paper! It really reminded me of the Uni days and having a new sketchbook!
The first page is so clean and daunting haha

I'm going to lay it out so that each double spread page is a month.
So you will turn over the intro page, and see January spread over the two pages, then turn and see February, and so on!
I guess that some months might be more packed and filled than others, but I will just have to wing it as I go along :)

I've been collecting patterns and found little words and shapes from magazines, and the many many many craft magazines that my mum has.
I'm hoping that this will give me loads of materials to work from so that I can make the pages super colourful and interesting.
I also plan on collecting receipts, tickets, and any little keepsakes, like photographs, napkins and anything really that could evoke memories and act as a little extra something to put on the pages!,

I'm really excited to see how I get on, and am looking forward to being creative with my hands, as well as digitally on this blog to document my life in various ways :D

Now I need to catch up a bit, as January is already gone!
Go go go!

So this week has been a bit too filled with work for my liking!
As it was half term, there was loads of extra hours going at my work, so I ended up doing six whole days in a row... and only having Monday off.
There were a few times where I regretted that, and wanted to run away, but it's all apart of that saving up to move out idea!

1// As Monday was my only day off, and Dayle also had it off, we decided to go to a shop called Costco with his Nan and Grandad.

Now if you don't know what Costco is, you will probably love it!

It's basically a massive warehouse where you can buy loads of things in bulk and for a quite a bit cheaper.

And there is also loads of little freebie food stools dotted around, and a cheap little cafe at the end!

Hot dog and refillable drink for £1.50?!

YARP!

It was a nice little chilled out day and it was lovely to get to know Dayles Nan and Grandad a little more :)

I also found an old scrapbook that I had in my cupboard, so thought that I would start one up!
So far I've only done the front page, so I need to get cracking on, but I'm really excited for it :D

2// Tuesday was pancake day, which is one of my favourite things ever because I am sad and love pancakes wayyyy to much!
We did the classic eat no dinner and have as many pancakes as you can.
Of course I went for Lemon and sugar, with some strawberries and raspberries thrown in!
Yum!

The rest of the week was spent at work during the day, and hanging out with family and Dayle during the evenings :)
The best way in my opinion!

 For Christmas I got a lush gift of three bath products, and I have blogged about the other two, so here is the final review after my bath last night!

Twilight: Watch the night unfold.
Aesthetically, the bath bomb is so pretty!
It's pink,with little spots of yellow, and risen shapes of moons and stars. Adorable!
I have a bad sense of smell AND a cold at the moment, so unfortunately I couldn't tell you how it smells. But I'm sure, like all Lush products, it smells amazing.

The contrast in the colours is so nice to watch!

This is definitely my favourite one of the three products I tried.

The colours are so beautiful, and it made the water so soft and nice for my skin!

Having purple water was really relaxing and made me super content and happy :D

Now that I've ran out of my little Lush present I'm a bit sad.
I really enjoyed looking forward having baths that were a little bit more exciting and
colourful than usual!
I think I will be making a trip to Lush very soon!

Just a little round up of my valentines, not for bragging purposes because that's not what I'm about!
It's more for personal reasons, so that I can have a little look back at it in the future :)

What I made the boy!

What he got me! :)

:) 

And here's to many more!

Introducing my cousin to Nando's, with Jamie and Dayle  //  Went to see Kingsman, and it was AMAZING

Valentines gift from Dayle :D
Cute little pastel flowers, and a punny card :')
(We both got each other pun cards, because we are too in synch haha)
He also made me dinner, but I was too excited and forgot to take photos

Sunday morning pancakes for breakfast :)
Nom!

I'm pretty sure that everyone has heard of valentines day, and that everyone is pretty divided by it.
Personally I've never been against it, and I've never been super excited and planning for it either, if I'm in a relationship then it's all good, and if I'm not then I'm not bothered.
This year, I am very much in a lovely relationship (Soppy-ness; Check!) and it is our first valentines together so we are kinda making an effort  :)
As I work on Saturdays, we are making it a long weekend kinda thing, to make up for the lack of seeing each other on the actual day, and I'm really looking forward to it!

(I'm getting back to the point, don't worry..)
I know that a lot of people can be against valentines day as a holiday, whether that be because they are single, don't believe in it or dislike the consumerism / money making side of it, but I think that it should still be appreciated in a way.
So what if you are single? or don't believe in it, it is just a day, and why not take the time to make someone happy, even if you see it as completely separate from valentines day, and just a random act.
Spend the day with your mum, or nan, or siblings, and show your love in a family way, or even your cat! (This was totally me last year) or why not just treat yourself, I'm sure you deserve it!
Love comes in many forms, and showing appreciation for the people you love can get lost in the hectic everyday schedules and stresses of life, so why not see valentines as a reminder to look to those who you love and show them?

So It's a yes from me for valentines.
I'm not going to buy any useless things, or spend money on the many thing on the seasonal valentines isles, but I'm going to spend time with the people I love, and make hand gifts to show how I care, instead of throwing money at something and not necessarily thinking about it that much.

And I think that this is the way that valentines day should be; being thoughtful, and slowing down to appreciate the love that you have.

I've mentioned it quite a few times on the blog, but I am seriously trying to save money.

I have so much desire to move out of my parents house (Because I feel ready, not for any bad reasons) that I haven't been shopping properly at all in 2015, which is quite a bit thing for me haha.
There are a few things that have been keeping me on the right track, and stopping me from spending my hard earned cash too much, and saving it instead, and I thought that I would share them with you as a little blogging tips kind of post!

Tip 1:  

Online Banking

For me this is a must!
I have an online banking account, and within this I have a savings account.
And I use this to my advantage to tempt me away from spending!
I limit what money is in my current account, which can be taken out on my card to as little as I can, and put everything else in my online savings account.
This may seem a little bit scary, almost giving yourself no back up, but it really stops me from spending money when I'm out, as I'm not sure how much I have in the card account, so I don't want to go into my overdraft.
As well as not being able to spend it on my card, being able to see that online savings account, is a real motivator, as when it grows, I feel satisfied with my scrimping, and also excited as I draw closer to my goal! It definitely kicks my mind out of temptation!

Tip 2:  

Say no to eating out

Now I'm not saying COMPLETELY, because we all need a good dose of Nando's every now and then, but what I mean is on a small daily basis scale,
Avoid buying a coffee or drink everyday, or a cake, or buying your lunch.
All of these little things will very quickly add up into quite a large amount of money, and because it is spent in little doses, you don't always notice!
Make a concious effort to take something from home, or if you know you are going to leave the town soon, eat lunch when you get home. Take a bottle of water or squash you made at home with you, so your not tempted to buy some fizzy drink!
Not only will it save you money, but it will probably help you be healthier too!

Tip 3:  

Recycle and Reuse!

Recycling could be perceived in quite a number of different ways.
But I'm going to specify it to clothes.
As someone who is very interested in fashion and clothes and everything pretty that I can wear, The temptation to go and buy loads of clothes when I get paid is very very big.
I've always been quite frivolous with my money, and just buying clothes without really thinking, but since the idea of saving to move out has become my main money priority, I've completely changed my opinion on this.
I see all of the clothes I own as a bit of a waste of money now. especially the ones I don't wear much.
I wish I could time travel back and tell myself to just save it!
But obviously that's not possible, so to make up for it, instead of buying new clothes, I am searching through my wardrobes and digging out some oldies that I can treat as if they are new.
Tricking myself into thinking I've got new clothes is kind of working haha, for now anyway!

Tip 4:  

Have a clear out

Everyone has things in their room that they have forgotten about, don't use or don't need anymore.
So instead of leaving them to collect dust and take up room, why not sell them and get more money?!
It makes complete sense and sounds quite simple, but it is one of those things that takes up more time than you think.
We are all tempted by the easiness of tidying and giving things away for free, but if you really put the effort in you could definitely gain some extra cash!

Tip 5:  

Ebay!

This coincides with the point above.

This things you don't want? Ebay.
Those old clothes that don't fit? Ebay.
Uni Books? Ebay.
The list really is endless, if you don't want it, I bet you someone on Ebay will!

It's free to sign up and you can get 20 free listings a month, with only 10% of the final sales taken from Ebay, which is barely anything.
I really advise you to give it a go, you don't really have much to lose!

So there we go, my five tips on saving money!

I hope that this is helpful for some people, and inspires you to put away your hard earned money rather than spending it!

How do you save your money?
I'd love to hear your tips! :)