I'm a student myself so without having a steady income it's hard to go out and purchase everything you want, or everything you tell yourself you 'need'. I'm going to share with you a few tips on how to save your money, but still look good. These following tips are suitable for everyone (even for boys), money wise tactics that I have learnt because I myself went through a crazy shopping phase and it does get pretty addictive.
○ Quality
This is something that I had to learn by myself, mostly because I never would have listened to my parents when it came to fashion. The sooner you realise it's not the amount of stuff you have, but what matters is how good the quality of what you do have is. When you buy cheap items of clothing you get sucked into thinking you're not spending a lot but in reality you'll spend more money buying more cheap things than if you were to invest in something pricey.
○ Sale
Never just purchase something because it is on sale; the fact the price is significantly lower can cloud your judgement on whether you like something or not. Although you'd think always shopping on the sale rack would be good on your bank account it can have the opposite effect. It's pointless spending money on an item if you're hardly going to use it. You should only ever purchase something if you're 100% sure that you love it and will wear it.
○ Investment
It's always going to work out better if you invest in basics; this ensures that they will (hopefully) last for a long time. so don't go splashing out on staple items which will go out of fashion in a few months. Especially when you're on a budget, you need to prioritise what is a necessity and what isn't.
○ Splurge
If your account can take it then definitely splurge on an item; prior to this I recommend you plan wisely what it is that you want. You should research into it; read reviews, watch youtube videos on this item you want to purchase. When spending a lot of money on something whether it's a bag or shoes whatever it may be you want to know you're getting your money's worth.
○ Sell
There are so many different ways that you can make money online now (to fund your future shopping). With choices from Depop to eBay you have different ways to advertise items you no longer want and can make money from it. After all the quote does say another man's trash is another man's treasure.
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Can you think of anything better than waking up in the morning and everything being perfect (looks wise). Let's not lose sight that what's inside matters more than appearance but let's also be realistic that our looks do affect how we are so trying to look your best isn't a sin. Here I'm going to suggest some things you can do before sleep to help you look your utmost best in the morning.
○ Remove Makeup
You have to ensure that your skin is thoroughly cleansed; a good consistent skin care regime will help you to do this. Pre-cleanse and then cleanse again to be sure that every bit of grime has been lifted from the skin. Clogged pores lead to acne, wrinkles and damage the skin as the makeup and grime won't allow it to breath. Do not just rely on makeup wipes as these do not remove makeup completely but just the layer on top, deep cleanse. So make sure to remove all of your makeup before bed, your skin will thank you.
○ Castor Oil
If you're looking to grow your lashes and brows then applying castor oil religiously of a night will aid in thicker hairs growing back (which is something everyone seems to strive for nowadays). Castor oil has great health benefits but is often underlooked due to its sticky thick consistency. It's great for hair loss so this theory could be applied in regards to your brows and lashes. As well as aiding in the growth, Castor Oil nourishes hair strands and follicles. If you're someone who uses makeup frequently then you know especially with lashes, they can get very weak and dry so by doing this you're adding back moisture and making the hairs healthy.
○ Exfoliate
This is a must, I do it every night before bed, then shower and moistures (next point). I find that exfoliating your skin, be it with a body scrub or dry body brushing, does not only improve the texture but the overall tone. Your skin will look better, as you know exfoliation removes dead skin cells, so you're taking off that layer of dead skin which would otherwise lead to flaky dry skin and a dull complexion. For daily exfoliation especially on the face don't use anything too abrasive try chemical exfoliators, but for the body I recommend using a body brush (that's a whole different post in itself).
○ Moisturise
It makes sense after exfoliating and cleansing your skin you need to add back all the goodness. Moisturising is essential as you do not want your skin to feel tight, dry and uncomfortable as this could damage it and even lead to wrinkles. When your skin isn't moisturised it's left weaker and less effective, so to keep it subtle slap it on all over your body and wake up with the softest healthiest skin ever. Using a serum as well as moisturising on your face will help add double the moisture. Don't forget to add foot cream too; as your feet tend to get pretty dry it doesn't hurt to keep them in good condition too. With the warmer days coming up, sandals will probably be your go-to footwear so ensure your feet are looking their best. Hands. Don't forget to moisturise hands. Just moisturise your whole body head to toe.
○ Spot Treatment
This is for those that suffer from acne or just the occasional spot either on your face or body. Applying a good quality spot treatment should help dry out and reduce inflammation. My go-to spot treatment is Grease Lightning from Lush. I hear good things about Sudocrem and how it combats spots but personally for me it never worked. Another great spot treatment is Asprin; dissolve aspirin with a tiny amount of water and apply onto the areas of concern.
○ Lip Balm
Like the skin on your face and body, your lips also need to be kept soft and subtle. When you have dehydrated dry lips it can be extremely uncomfortable as in most cases they crack and start to peel. Prevention is better than cure with dry chapped lips, as it takes a while to get them back into a healthy state so apply An intensive lip balm or multipurpose cream to help avoid all of this. If you already have chapped lips then looking for a medicated product should do the trick.
Above all else you must sleep well; you need to have your sleeping routine down to a T (I know it's easier said than done).
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○ Remove Makeup
You have to ensure that your skin is thoroughly cleansed; a good consistent skin care regime will help you to do this. Pre-cleanse and then cleanse again to be sure that every bit of grime has been lifted from the skin. Clogged pores lead to acne, wrinkles and damage the skin as the makeup and grime won't allow it to breath. Do not just rely on makeup wipes as these do not remove makeup completely but just the layer on top, deep cleanse. So make sure to remove all of your makeup before bed, your skin will thank you.
○ Castor Oil
If you're looking to grow your lashes and brows then applying castor oil religiously of a night will aid in thicker hairs growing back (which is something everyone seems to strive for nowadays). Castor oil has great health benefits but is often underlooked due to its sticky thick consistency. It's great for hair loss so this theory could be applied in regards to your brows and lashes. As well as aiding in the growth, Castor Oil nourishes hair strands and follicles. If you're someone who uses makeup frequently then you know especially with lashes, they can get very weak and dry so by doing this you're adding back moisture and making the hairs healthy.
○ Exfoliate
This is a must, I do it every night before bed, then shower and moistures (next point). I find that exfoliating your skin, be it with a body scrub or dry body brushing, does not only improve the texture but the overall tone. Your skin will look better, as you know exfoliation removes dead skin cells, so you're taking off that layer of dead skin which would otherwise lead to flaky dry skin and a dull complexion. For daily exfoliation especially on the face don't use anything too abrasive try chemical exfoliators, but for the body I recommend using a body brush (that's a whole different post in itself).
○ Moisturise
It makes sense after exfoliating and cleansing your skin you need to add back all the goodness. Moisturising is essential as you do not want your skin to feel tight, dry and uncomfortable as this could damage it and even lead to wrinkles. When your skin isn't moisturised it's left weaker and less effective, so to keep it subtle slap it on all over your body and wake up with the softest healthiest skin ever. Using a serum as well as moisturising on your face will help add double the moisture. Don't forget to add foot cream too; as your feet tend to get pretty dry it doesn't hurt to keep them in good condition too. With the warmer days coming up, sandals will probably be your go-to footwear so ensure your feet are looking their best. Hands. Don't forget to moisturise hands. Just moisturise your whole body head to toe.
○ Spot Treatment
This is for those that suffer from acne or just the occasional spot either on your face or body. Applying a good quality spot treatment should help dry out and reduce inflammation. My go-to spot treatment is Grease Lightning from Lush. I hear good things about Sudocrem and how it combats spots but personally for me it never worked. Another great spot treatment is Asprin; dissolve aspirin with a tiny amount of water and apply onto the areas of concern.
○ Lip Balm
Like the skin on your face and body, your lips also need to be kept soft and subtle. When you have dehydrated dry lips it can be extremely uncomfortable as in most cases they crack and start to peel. Prevention is better than cure with dry chapped lips, as it takes a while to get them back into a healthy state so apply An intensive lip balm or multipurpose cream to help avoid all of this. If you already have chapped lips then looking for a medicated product should do the trick.
Above all else you must sleep well; you need to have your sleeping routine down to a T (I know it's easier said than done).
x
'I'll start on Monday', that's the lie I tell myself when it comes to working out and jumping on the fitspo bandwagon. So I figured I'd do this on a Sunday that way I'm one step ahead. Today I'll be talking about different ways to get motivated. I know personally I will be really into going to the gym and eating super clean but after a while, I lose motivation and the slightest thing can take me off track. These are different things I will do in order to get myself back on track.
○ Old Photos
I'll find myself thinking back to the last time I went to the gym and weeks, some cases months will have passed by. Times like that I'd look at old photographs of myself. This motivates me because I realise how far I've dropped down and what I need to do to get back to it. I think of what I used to do at that time; what foods I'd eat, how often I exercised, what I did, how much I slept and try to recreate all that.
○ Moodboard
Whether you decide to do is the old fashion way or creating a mood board on Pinterest this is a great way to motivate you. Seeing all these different images will make you want to 'look the same' and will hopefully make you want to work out even more. I'll usually have images off Tumblr, Instagram etc. and look at them when I feel unmotivated.
○ Sports Luxe
Having cute workout clothes will help more than you realise; you'll be more willing to dress up and get on the move. You'll feel better when you look better in the gym. For me, I like to keep my clothes minimalistic but I LOVE to buy new basics to change into every time, its kind of a bad habit. A cool pair of trainers (or two) also help in the motivation department.
○ Fun Food
Make healthy recipes fun. Do this by trying different things, researching different recipes. Try adding a type of vegetable that you've never thought of putting in a smooth and see how it goes. The key is to enjoy playing with creating new and healthy foods. through my research of healthier foods, I discovered quinoa and it's now my favourite thing to make. It can be incorporated in salads, a substitute for rice there's endless things you can do with it. So do some research and discover new exciting foods and recipes. I'm going to be doing fun healthy (and sometimes indulgent) recipes to help you with this.
○ Why
Remember why you started all of this; be it to lose weight or just lead a healthier life. Remember that this isn't just a fad diet its a lifestyle and embrace it. You'll reap what you sow, so put your hardest into anything you do to get the results you desire. Just always always always remind yourself of why you began and that itself should be enough motivation for you.
I really do hope that this has helped you in some way because I know myself how hard it is to get back up and feel motivated after such a long time.
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Whether you want to declutter your wardrobe down to the basics or just start from scratch, I am certain that this post will come in handy. When looking to build the basics in your wardrobe, the main thing is to think of how everything can work together before incorporating statement pieces and how an item can be dressed up or down is crucial.
Delving in the world of fashion is pretty daunting; clothing shops tend to have everything everywhere, so it's pretty hard to keep your head straight whilst trying to figure out what you really need to have. I am going to go through a few wardrobe staples you will need, so get your pen and paper ready!
Delving in the world of fashion is pretty daunting; clothing shops tend to have everything everywhere, so it's pretty hard to keep your head straight whilst trying to figure out what you really need to have. I am going to go through a few wardrobe staples you will need, so get your pen and paper ready!
Kind of an obvious, this piece can be dressed up or down. I love this because it's an item that will never go out of style. Wear it with a figure hugging skirt or boyfriend jeans it's the perfect upper base for any style. It's one of those items that you really do need to have in your wardrobe. You can get different variations of the white tee; different cuts materials graphics but I prefer mine to be a plain crisp white cotton t-shirt. Of course, I'm talking about the white tee, but you can also get grey or black and the same would apply for that.
○ The Little Black Dress
LBD's are suitable for any occasion; they can be worn in the office for work giving a classy, sophisticated vibe but they can also be transitioned into an evening out attire. Depending on the cut and fit of your LBD you can find an LBD for any occasion, a midi sleeveless figure-hugging LBD can be worn on nights out or as a day dress. It solely depends on your preference; once you find what you like the most grab it because it's a timeless classic piece that will most definitely come in handy.
○ The Ballet Flats
Ballet flats scream chic and comfort; you can still have a dressy outfit and finish it off with a cute pair of flats such as the Charlotte Olympia flats. You can also keep this super casual with a pair of loafer/moccasin style flats. I prefer my flats to be basic and usually stick to black or nude as these are colours I know I'll be able to incorporate in my wardrobe. So when you pick your flats make sure to keep the same thing in mind.
○ The Slip On Trainer
It's only recently that this trend has made it into people's essentials category. I personally used to associate slip on shoes with young children (you know avoiding the whole shoe lace situation) but now I am hooked onto my van slip ons. They are comfortable enough to walk miles in but still give your outfit that cool vibe. Black would make any outfit sleeker, but if you're feeling daring then a bold print would be a perfect way to make a statement without going OTT.
○ The Striped Top
This, for me especially, is a must have. There's just something about a striped top which just says I tried but not too hard. Add an effortless vibe to any outfit by simply throwing on a striped top. Black bottoms are perfect combined with it. Material matters with striped clothing items. If you're wearing bottoms such as boyfriend or skinny jeans then going for a structured top is ideal and if going for a more structured bottom then you can afford to go loose and casual on top as this balances an outfit. A subtle 'statement' item which still has the ability to mix well with everything in your wardrobe.
○ The Classic Tailored Pants
Every girl needs a basic pair of tailored trousers; the cut is down to personal preference but I don't think anyone would go wrong with a pair of high waisted slim leg pair. Dressed up or down they can be worn to work on weekdays paired with a blouse and flats/pumps or throw on a t-shirt for a laid-back style for weekends or days off.
Although I have spoken about flats are staples there is no escaping the necessity of a good pair of heels. A neutral hue can take you from the office to club with no problem. In different styles and cuts, your wardrobe is never fully complete without a pair of courts you can wear to dress an outfit up or dress it down.
○ Denim Jeans
No matter what cut you prefer or colour (although I suggest classic denim colours for your basics) jeans are a must have in everyone's wardrobe. The foundation to any outfit, dress up or down, heels or flats whatever suits you and your personal style. My preference would be skinny, high waisted, high rise or boyfriend fit. Once you discover what cut and fit suits your body shape be sure to pick them up in black and white and blue, you'll be set in the jean department for a long time.
It's worth investing in basic items in your wardrobe as you will ideally want them to last you for a very long time. I prefer investing in expensive basics rather than splashing out on a statement top or coat that I will only wear for a short amount of time. There is a lot more that could be added onto the basics; such as a basic shopper black bag, structured city bag, leather jacket, but once you start with what I have suggested above you'll be set to continue building onto it all.
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