Saturday morning shopping

I was in town (Derby) at 9:50am bright and early, fresh as a daisy (After I eventually managed to wash out the oil from my hair, thanks to yesterday's spa day), early bird catching its worm, sorta thing. 

Its 3 days before myself and 2 friends depart for Marbella and I frantically hit the shops searching for things I "may have forgotten" 

I wanted a book, euros and then just seeing what else there was. Well I came back with these beauties (and more... but I've already packed them. oops) 

Holland and Barrett have a buy one get one half price sale on so I got my favourite Thai Chilli Rice Crackers (two, ofcourse) they're great for snacking, High Protein and Fibre Muesli (for snacking with soya milk - the best plant protein there is btw), Centrum, because I'm clever so Centrum is clever so its going to be good (I needed some new A-Z's and it says that it has a combination of vitamins to increase metabolism! - tick), then I went a bit macho woman and got some PhD Woman (nicely put men) Support and Recovery toning bar (the protein in it comes from soya everything - what was I saying about soya? and they're 93 calories - take after a workout and Bob is probably not your uncle).

Boots Anyone who knows me know that I can go a little chicken jalfrezi in Boots and today was no different. I went to the Clinique counter, they had an offer of buy 3 items and get £7.50 worth of points on your Boots card! Now I am always swayed by Operant Conditioning so I was sold! I even got a free gift worth £50! containing mascara, lip gloss, nail polish, nail file, my favourite eye cream and a moisture surge cream, all in a cute travel bag. Awhh. So I bought a  jumbo Clarifying Lotion, a Mild Facial Soap and a Lipstick in #11 - a beautiful coral. I handed over nearly £60, he handed over a £50 free gift and £7.50 worth of points. I think I got a bargain there... Now what to spend my £25 worth of points on... 

Waterstones Ahh my dreams are always in Waterstones. Not actually. But as well all know I love my classics. I've read more Jane Austen than she actually wrote and laughed at Oscar Wilde's witty banter, we shall call him Dave. Anyway... today I have bought Anna Karenina, Leo Tolstoy (I know I will love it because I love Kiera Knightly... loose connection but I just know, now just how to get through its 1000 pages) and Villette, Charlotte Brontë - about a woman who goes to work in a boarding school with unruly girls and falls in love with an English teacher... That sounds like a school I know... 

Happy Shopping!

RHS x

Music Review #2 - Tyler Ward

Ok, so I'll admit that I do like Katy Perry's new one "Roar", is it? But as I searched it on YouTube this beauty came up (the one on the right has the voice of an angel) - Tyler Ward singing an acoustic version. AND WOW. its very good.

He has a lot of acoustic songs on YouTube but this is by far my favourite, however "The Other Side" is very good also.

His sultry and melodic voice make the music irresistible and refreshing.

Short and sweet... beautiful.

RHS x 

In which I am completely pampered

"Don't fall asleep. Ruth, do NOT fall asleep" - my thoughts as I received my rose cocoon massage listening to sweet string music and inhaling the incredible fragrance of rose and lime. 

I said the same to myself as I received my scalp massage which was so incredibly blissful I definitely fell asleep.

It had been planned for months, my mother and I to go on a spa day two days before I went away and the day finally arrived. 

The place is Owl House Day Spa in Diseworth, Derbyshire - and oh how incredible. We were greeted by a stunning entrance hall and pleasant receptionists who showed us to the "Owl Nest Cafe" (aw) where we were offered herbal tea and fruit juices (no coffee! - no caffeine allowed I can imagine!). We filled in a long consultation form that asked us everything from whether we were depressed, excited or had a headache to why we were at the spa. 

'Powder room'

We were given a robe and slippers for the day and had an hour to kill before our first treatment (oh there was plenty to do), we found a quiet room (all beautifully labelled on the doors), there are several where you can relax and wait for your treatment and read a magazine (where we enjoyed a glass of champagne and a slice of cake, yum), or there is a courtyard with a hot tub and day beds (they were my favourite!). An hour later we were taken to our first treatment. Rasul. 

A.K.A. "Pig In Mud" - 

We had our bikinis on and we scrubbed ourselves with a mixture of sugars and essential oils (a lot of scrub! - we just kept slathering!) and were left in a herbal steam chamber (looked like an alton towers ride by the look of the chairs!) for 20 minutes then we showered to remove all the oils and my skin still feels incredible and soft. 

I find it very hard to relax and the chilled out atmosphere displayed by all staff was so refreshing and made it very easy for you to unwind and relax. 

We then had separate treatments, I had a rose cocoon where I was smothered in rose oil (smelt like an English country garden!) and wrapped in the cloths for half an hour whilst I received my head and scalp massage where rose oil was massaged into my scalp (great if you have any scalp issues like dermatitis or dandruff!). I was then "brought round" (I definitely felt like I'd been hypnotised!) with a tissue sprayed with lime oil -mmmm. 

Wear a bikini and avoid mirrors! 

Afternoon Tea Time! We sat out in the courtyard and enjoyed salmon and cucumber, ham and mustard and brie and cranberry sandwiches followed by scones, brownie and lemon cake. All washed down with a cup of tea and raspberry and rose water 

It was then time to leave - we had no idea what time it was because we took our watches off and the spa is strict on 'no clocks anywhere' - we'd been five hours! - where it had gone I do not know! 

We left the spa feeling happily rejuvenated and would love to go back to use the hot tub, relive the Rasul experience and try another treatment - and just enjoy lying on the day beds reading. 

The spa caters for everyone from mums to be (there was a very-ready-to-be mummy there) to hen parties. I know where I'll be going for my next birthday treat!

Happy relaxing

RHS x

Fitness Thursday #2 - How I lost 1 inch from my tummy!

Start = 26.5 inches

12:40 Ok, so I may have gone a little bit crazy, more so than I ever was. But I thought out of the kindness of my own heart, I'd try it so you wouldn't have to. 

The idea came to me in a dream, no really - it was after I had discovered there are 103 calories in one shot of Sambuca (Sambuca demand fallssssss...). Yes really and seeing as I had two of them in (rather) quick succession and four glasses of vino (and have woken up feeling very grateful that I am clearly very loved by someone up there as I have no kind of ailment) I decided I was going to hit the gym hard today. That later, but now I am wrapped in cling film. 

moment of truth...

Oh yes my angels, I have wrapped my torso in cling film - there is a new craze, admittedly with specialised kit blah but Livestrong say cling film works just as well (I think it would be better to go for a run with it on, but I'm currently out injured so I can't do that). So I've decided to stand for an hour with cling film wrapped round me - but ah! not just cling film, I have slathered on Fat Girl Slim and when I say slathered I mean potentially £5 worth! - This had better work. I then wrapped my tummy in about five layers of cling film (nothing special just Sainsbury's own good quality stuff). 

13:00 So my starting measurement was 26.5 inches, its been 20 minutes and when I first put it on it felt like a warm hug (awww) but now (I think thanks to the peppermint in the cream) its quite cold and tingly! 

13:30 So its 10 minutes before I take the cling film off and I have had a few air gaps appear... hmm... is that a good sign? 

13:45 Ive taken it off... and I am amazed - now I really didn't think this would work, I thought maybe if I had a bigger waist it would work better but I have lost an INCH off my waist. There was no tightening of the tape (because I wanted to see if it would actually work!) and I am amazed! Imagine what it could do if you went to the gym in it! The inches would fall off! (and potentially so would the cling film thanks to the sweat it would produce but add a lycra top to keep it in place!) 

I can imagine it would also work very well for arms and legs!

Your amazing fairy Godmother...

Finish = 25.5 inches

RHS x 

Confessions of a Marriott Waitress

I've not had my letter inviting me to a tea party to celebrate my Marriott anniversary yet, its a new manager so I'll let her off, but its my third year working for Marriott. I'm incredible I know. 

It was only a month after my last GCSE and I became a waitress. I cried on my first shift. Haha, no really I did. I can't fully remember why but a chef probably shouted at me and I probably got an order wrong. I say probably because these things happen often "No Madame, you definitely ordered a medium steak, it says so on the cheque..."

So in three years I have witnessed the great to the down right crazy, oh and several restaurant managers. Each new one with bigger and bolder goals than the last, unfortunately most would find it difficult to organise a hug in a brothel. However, the current one seems to be doing the best out of the several hundred I have seen. 

So, the guests, wow we get some oddballs - I've been asked to make a red wine spritzer, thats red wine with lemonade, so basically high treason and accountable for death. I had to ask twice whether he wanted me to actually mix the two, he did... sacrilege. 

I've spilt red wine over a man's shirt - he refused to help me hand out the drinks to a large table, downright rude, so I had to offer him our free dry cleaning service, which he refused but throughout the night continued to say "careful, she's back!" every time I served the table.

I've served Swiss guests and told them extremely confidently that the Sea Bream is a river fish and they completely fell for it, so did I till I realised what I had said 3 hours later... Not my finest hour. 

The list is massive on all things I've witnessed, done wrong or assisted in doing wrong. I've ripped up a sign that said "Linconshire sausages", its "LincoLnshire sausages", I've now thrown away approximately five free lap dancing tickets that keep appearing in the bar (whoever keeps putting them there, stop, I had an angry mummy slam one on the bar after her three year old daughter asked why a naked lady was on the front of the ticket) - this really has confused me because the ticket says that last entries are at 3:30am, the bar closes at 4am and then the place closes at 5:30am... what happens in that hour and a half... or do I not want to know? I still have one in my bag for evidence, if anyone wants it... 

I've seen a string of associates (thats other waiters and waitresses in Marriott speak) enter and leave, some just moving departments for very unknown reasons, some for very known reasons.

Ofcourse, ever since I was 18 and started working behind the bar I have have some very interesting comments come my way from guests. Before I was 18 I wasn't allowed to serve large groups of male golfers on my own (no girl wanted to!), they're a rare breed aren't they. I've been asked several times what nationality I am; "British", I reply, "Don't lie", I've recieved back on two occasions - erm, rude, not lying. I've heard a fellow waitress of a similar skin colour be asked if her uncle is Robert Mugabe - to which she laughed, I'd have thrown a steak knife. Anyway, a few weeks ago it was a very quiet Monday evening to which I was informed I had to keep the bar open late because a few residents were returning and expected me to serve them. I knew who it was, I served them a month before and I didn't return home till 4:30am. This one male was very interested in the cellars of the place, so I said if they ordered champagne they can see them - I thought that was fair, so they ordered. Anyway, we returned from the cellar (a few others came) and a very seedy man said "was it through her back doors?" - doors, plural?!- ew. Then as I was innocently restocking the fridges I heard: "I bet you wouldn't mind waking up next to her" - to which I replied "last orders". 

I can definitely see there being a #2 to this story... 

Be good

RHS x

Classics #2 Oscar Wilde

 If I had a "My Life In Books" column in Elle Magazine, this book would be no.1 on my list. I thought "Don't I look cool buying an Oscar Wilde book in a massive old fashioned Waterstones... I'll never read this". Oh how I was wrong. I didn't realise Oscar Wilde was homosexual. Did anyone else? I mean I've seen the bit in The Inbetweeners where everyone accuses Neil's dad of being gay and he protests saying he was married for several years, then Will mentions that "Oscar Wilde was married" - That probably should have given it away. Nevertheless, Oscar Wilde was gay and this book has hints all the way through it. The book was published several times and the final in 1891. He was accused in 1895 of "acts of gross indecency with another male person"and was sentenced to two years imprisonment and hard labour. Ok, so it was illegal to be gay in those days (Oscar Wilde was Irish, he was sentenced at the Old Bailey, England) and this book is very risqué for the 1890's - there isn't one kiss in Jane Austen novels but this was potentially the 50 shades of the time. 

 The book is about an artist (Basil) who paints a portrait of Dorian Gray - Basil's friend loves it so much he insists that it should be sold but Basil is having none of it... why?... because he is clearly in love with Dorian Gray and wants to keep the painting for himself... yeah. I won't quote anything out of the book but the first chapter was enough to have me hooked. The best bit is that with the Penguin Classics there are notes at the back which display what Wilde had first written and was taken out - some you can see why. The book was used against Wilde in this trial as you can tell somethings are his own thoughts and when someones wife enters it is clear he is potentially talking about his own wife... 

 Anyway I have just got to the part where Dorian Gray is engaged - poor Basil- I will quote this (just as a taster!) - Wilde here is talking about Basil - "A strange sense of loss came over him. He felt that Dorian Gray would never again be to him all that he had been in the past" - shocking, I know. 

 This isn't a boring Jane Austen novel and it is one of very few of Oscar Wilde's - its free on iBooks - so I highly reccomend it - I want to write down every quote that one character in particular says... This is my favourite:

"Never marry Dorian. Men marry because they are tired and women because they are curious - both are dissapointed" - ahh and people ask why I'm not getting married. 

Beautiful,

RHS x 

Reminiscing

I got Twitter because someone I "liked" at the time had it and it seemed like a great idea because he never used Facebook (as a 15 year old...). 

I have been through over 3 years worth of Tweets - seen the most depressing tweets ever, sitting my GCSE's, getting into Sixth Form, dealing with boys at school, the amount of injuries I have had (more than the number of exams I've taken!), seen success (and failures... read on...), getting into University, my first nights out, first shifts at work and meeting some crazy mental people (friends?) and overall I can say my Twitter history is very fruitful and has been very interesting to look through!

You should look at yours!! 

So my first Tweet was:

I was clearly using Twitter like Facebook...

Enjoy...

I had a boyfriend?!

Wow I was philosophical at 17

"effing hilar" enough said

Oh how times have changed

HAHAHAHAAH - I can't hack Newcastle!

Preach it

There I go again... Nice quote though!

Everyone tried this ;)

After I ran the Derby 10k for C.R.Y. - Yep, I'm an athlete. Try to be anyway...

No, really... they get me weak at the knees. 

A quote from my sixth form head teacher - really. 

Legend

"TAM" ?!

Oooooh.... who was?!

Standard crazyness

"could"... "get it" - men. 

Still do - still excellent

Revision FREAK

Told you things changed...

Ahh another "athletic" tweet - after I cycled from London to Derbyshire with a team for Sport Relief

Still needs to be sorted out

Idea now has a H at the end...

The awful news of £9000 a year

haha

GIRL POWER!

This tweet I retweeted keeps filling my head!

Ahh the latest work blunder

Have fun looking back at your own tweets!

RHS x

The Sunday Communiqué #1

Mascaras - the good, the bad and the very ugly and overpriced... 

I have an abundance of mascaras - that I have collected over the years - very naughty as mascaras should be thrown out every three months! - but I have gathered together my favourites and some that have left me very disappointed... 

The L'Oreal Classics: L'Oreal has never failed to supply good mascaras, my favourite is Lash Architect in Waterproof but they're stopped selling it. However the second best thing is the Lash Architect 4D in Waterproof - forget your false lashes, with a quick curl this mascara makes your lashes look incredible and they stay all night (invest in a good mascara remover! I use Botanics All Bright Eye Make-up Remover). I was swanning through boots yesterday to go and purchase L'Oreal Telescopic mascara only to realise L'Oreal cosmetics in Boots is two for £14! - So I bought Telescopic and Double Extension Renewal which has a white mascara to lengthen lashes and a black mascara to curl and add definition - I love them both - however they are both more of a day time mascara where as Lash Architect 4D is a night-time heavier long lasting mascara. 

YSL: YSL Shocking is a very good mascara - I need more and was devastated when it ran out - however it is on the pricey side at around £23 in House of Fraser, however it was well worth it and very much acted like the Lash Architect however gave a softer finish. It curls lashes and holds them in place and separates at the same time. 

No.7 Intense Volume: this is my bottom lash mascara - yep, forget Clinique's overpriced bottom lash mascara this one is just as good at adding definition to bottom lashes without making them clogged - it isn't a very good top lash mascara as it just leaves lashes looking thick and limp. 

Seventeen Peep Show: This was bought as a bit of a "Help I just need a good day mascara that isn't expensive" thing - and I have to say at about £5 it is my trusty go-to - I wear it for less extravagant occasions like going to work or days out (so long as it doesn't rain! - there is no waterproof alternative!) 

The Body Shop Super Volume Mascara: aka doesn't do what it says on the tin. I was very disappointed with this mascara as it did add volume but you could barely see your lashes, it didn't curl or lengthen and my lashes stayed very straight. However, with a good curl this mascara is very good for when wearing a smoky eye just to add a bit of definition. 

RHS x

Chronicles of the Gym #1

My usual Saturday morning consists of awaking rather early having porridge and getting ready for the gym. 

Nothing unusual about that. 

I arrive at the gym and its surprisingly busy - I'm guessing everyone (like me) has returned from their holidays and has piled on the pounds. 

Anyway - usually on a saturday morning the weights section is dominated by the bulkier boys of the gym - today was no different. I'm talking vest that would hide more if they weren't worn, tracksuit bottoms to show the Calvin's and trainers that probably cost £3,000 but are awful for the gym, Great. Not really great... they stare at themselves in the mirror so much they wouldn't notice Mila Kunis walk in naked. 

I had finished my 40 minutes of cross-training and headed to the weights section - dripping with exercise juices (its the nicest way) - I clearly have put the pounds on because I never normally get that hot - the fat was melting (haha)

So I found myself a mat and started an NTC 15 minute ab workout - they clearly thought I couldn't hear as I potentially looked "in the zone" as I sang a few lines of "Pon De Replay" (if anyone needs entertainment whilst in the gym - hire me - I'm hilarious) - They started talking about girls - "This is interesting I thought..." (its not eavesdropping if they're talking is louder than Rihanna)

"Girls are most attractive when they're sweaty in the gym" 

"No mate, who wants a sweaty girl"

"So true mate, what if you end up going home with them"

"They'd be all nasty"

- sorry... finding a girl in the gym and taking them home at 10am - what? 

"At least you know they'd be good in bed"

- at this point I turned up my music and went into the weight machine section. 

But I couldn't stop thinking about what I'd heard - If a girl doesn't sweat in the gym they're attractive but awful in bed... 

I am not commenting at all... 

Hopefully next saturday they will be in the gym for me to hear how they got on "girl catching" in the gym. 

happy sweating 

RHS x

I have officially fallen in love...

The beautiful La Rochelle

He's 6ft, blonde, blue eyes, worthy of my standards of physique...

HA, joke.... 


I've falled in Love with the west of France... 

Its taken nearly 20 years and about 24 trips to the same part of the country. 

The west coast; Around La Rochelle, Cognac, Royan - the dessert chef at work says La Rochelle is the best town in France and he's French. 

I have finally learnt to love France. 

Who could not love a week of great cheese, amazing wine, beautiful coastline, cheap La Roche-Posay (seriously get yourself to France for amazing skincare), hot weather and a lifeguard every 4ft on the beach. I promise, I didn't pretend to drown once...


I used to dislike France because it started to get cold there - like a British summer the weather can be very unpredictable - but even more so. Two years ago we were sunbathing at 10am because there was torrential rain due at 1pm and then we were back out sunbathing at 3pm for the rest of the day - very odd. 

But the last week has been nothing but burning sunshine and I'm glad I am over the age of unaccompanied travel because I am no longer of a British heritage and more Northern African and no longer related to my mother - Thanks Piz Buin! 

We know a large French family who we lunch with at least once during our stay - they own an island within a river in Cognac - I know, we are very lucky (its 20 minutes away from the Grey Goose distillery!), and this time we were treated to Charente melon, lemon marinated sardines on toast, the biggest pieces of fillet steak you have ever seen (there were 12 altogether for 15 people!),  homemade chips and the best green beans, followed by a lot of cheese, tarts and cakes, coffee and chocolate, all washed down with fantastic wine- oh and a few sips of the best Cognac - and company! - even if my French is a bit rusty, if not, non-existant. 

Note to self - learn French (repeat every year till you actually do) 

Outside the Grey Goose distillery

So I have bought a 400ml bottle of La Roche-Posay Physiological Micellar Solution  which is £11 in Boots for 200ml and I got a 400ml bottle for €11(about £9.50 - bargain!), I've put on about six pounds, my hair has grown from the sun, I've been back 24 hours and have spent a ridiculous amount shopping and burnt about 600 calories in the gym. I know. 

So, in a week it will be Summer Holiday Part 2 as two friends and I depart for Spain (thats after we have got to our friends house in Surrey - which means taking the underground. HAHA - will we ever get to spain?!) 

If you've been "dragged" to the same place for your summer holidays with your family don't hate it! Love it! - atleast you're spending time with your family and these times will definately be the ones to look back on

Bon voyage mes petites chéries

See, I can speak French... a bit... 

RHS x

Music Review #1 - Lady Gaga and Iggy Azalea

  Approximately 30 seconds after I posted about my holiday prep I decided it was time to complete and potentially review my summer playlist. I tend to go for two playlists - depending on my mood - one which is more Daughter and Jessie Ware and one which is more David Guetta and Beyoncé.

  So I merrily log onto iTunes and something catched my eye. The white background, the oddly painted face, the easy to recognise nose and eyes of Lady Gaga - you're not telling me she's back? Oh yes my children, she is back and which avngence by the sound of the single "Applause".

  The album is "ARTPOP" and the release date isn't until 11th November, remembrance day, interesting Gaga. But the single is available to download now.

  Its stil Gaga but there is something different about it - as the Adams family intro makes you think and with the opening line of "I stand here waiting for you to bang he gong" you know its different.

  She then shows her true colours (if you will excuse the terrible pun) when the chorus beings with "I live for the applause" - being repeated over and over. Overall the YouTube likes say it all at over 129,000 likes and only 14,000 dislikes (still a lot of dislikes!) - but I am very much a like.
  She's been having some good and bad press recently but shes headlining at iTunes festival on September 1st in London - normal. Now this (only just in from MTV) she's doing a DUET WITH CHER, you heard me right - any "Believe" fans will LOVE this and I have to say I am loving it - there aren't really any official audios so  have a search on YouTube to have a listen to some previews but its looking more Cher ft. Gaga rather than Gaga ft. Cher - YES CHER!

Anyway, after a bumpy ride for Gaga including a naked V magazine shoot, buying MJ's clothes, doing a "non-promo" here (basically telling people not to buy her single - very odd indeed, but a very good technique), and feuds with Katy Perry as her release date and "Applause" release date now clash (Applause was leaked so the release date is earlier than expected)... It doesn't take the shine away from the fact that GAGA IS BACK! 

I give it 3.5/5 bravo Gargs.

Now onto Miss Azalea - the lyrics to "Work" are absolutely amazing.

  My favourite line to be exact is "Valley girls giving blow jobs for Louboutins, whatcha call that? - head over heels?" - another bravo is in order.

  I had seen the official video on MTV and liked it, kind of, but then when I saw her perform on BINTM on a table infront of Elle McPherson I was like "I need this in my life - and my workout" it is such a good motivator to workout to and the varying tempos and dynamics make it a great club tune, I am definitely requesting it next time I am out.
  She has recently released "Bounce" but I am definitely not sure if I like that - its quite Nicki Minaj and Ke$ha - but a fail and I can see that hitting clubs too.

  But by far "Work" is my favourite - the video is pretty amazing too - as she struts across a desert (sorry, walks a mile in her Louboutins) in Empire State heels. 

4/5 go Iggy iggy iggy! oi oi.... ohhhhh dear.

Hope you enjoy them as much as me!

RHS x

And so, I begin my holiday prep

I have finished work, had a great nights sleep and completed my daily 15 minute abdominal routine. Therefore, there is only two things left to do - go on holiday and of course, prep. 

This isn't your standard night out prep, this is full on "I'm going on holiday, I need the world to know" prep. Like a Strawberry Pavolova on a night out but an M&S Strawberry Pavlova for holiday. 

This is big - the girls are with me. 

I will be jet setting to the beautiful South-West coast of France for my 20th Summer there (and potentially my 25th time there) and prep gets more complex every time!

So here is what I shall be starting as soon as I have completed my daily 15-minute panic.

Starting with my face I shall be applying my mud mask (these are incredible and are basically clay which help to dry your skin and deep cleanse your pores - which is great to avoid getting spots from hot weather - best applied after a shower when your pores are open) 

Then because I have large pores on my face I shall use a Boots Tea Tree and Witch Hazel Nose Pore Strip to give the pores around my nose an extra clean and remove any blackheads or grease - nice. 

In the shower I shall be using a VO5 Hot Oil which you place in a mug of very hot water and apply before shampooing - it makes hair silky soft and very easy to handle. 

I will then be giving my legs and bum a very good scrub with Fat Girl Scrub (this isn't just for fat people! its great for smoothing and removing any dead skin - use before shaving but be careful not to be too abrasive) 

I use Boots Smooth Care Shave Gel Sensitive as it is the best I have found - even out of the branded gels and I use Wilkinson Sword Hydro Razor - I have heard the new Venus Razor with Olay is very good too! 

Out of the shower I shall apply Fat Girl Slim which will help to even my skin even more for photo ready legs!  

Then, its time for wax, wax, wax - really there is nothing to be scared of - we don't want a Miranda on 'Sex and the City' moment do we? - that was embarrassing! - it doesn't hurt one tiny bit - I've tried many home waxing kits for 'delicate areas' and this Jolen Salon Formula Microwave Wax is the gentlest I have used - I do have quite a high pain threshold when it comes to these sorts of things! - but a bikini wax at a salon is usually only around £7-£12 if you want to have an expert have a go first! - A day before you go use Skin Doctors Ingrow Go formula to remove any stubbornness! - enjoy! 

Mani and Pedi time! WOOHOO 

I recently did a post on 'Newspaper Nails' if you fancy something more arty - I have also written in this blog about how to remove cuticles safely.

I have Boots Soothing Gel Foot Mask which is incredible: remove any previous nail varnish, soak your feet in hot bubbly water, dry and apply a thick layer of the mask, leave to dry for 10 minutes then soak off again, dry feet and paint nails! 

I am going to use my very hard wearing Essie in Snap Happy #244 for my toes and then just a coat of Boots Base Coat and a coat of Boots Top Coat for my nails as finger nails get chipped very easily on holiday - I have spoilt many a £20 mani by going away! - so settle for a shiny coat to add a bit of something to your nails! 

Then just as I start to get very excited about 10pm I will apply a good helping of Fat Girl Slim Sleep which Bliss have to very kindly added lavender too and it smells delicious! - smoothing and soothing all in one. Ahhhhhhh 

So, beauty aside, I have downloaded the latest issue of Vogue onto my iPad (£2.99 on the iPad but £3.99 from a shop), downloaded The Picture of Dorian Grey - Oscar Wilde and made a summer playlist - which is potentially too embarassing to share with you... but to stop you guessing it includes 'Superstar' by Jamelia - classic

and also 'Work' by Iggy Azalea - amazing.

I have put my favourite TV programmes on to record: 'Hotel Hell' with Gordon Ramsay and 'Britain and Ireland's Next Top Model' - because I want Sarah to win! 

And don't forget to watch Mo Farah run in the 5,000m final on Friday at 5:15pm (6:15pm if you're in France, like me) if you listen hard enough you will probably hear me screaming at the TV. 

If you're going away anywhere, enjoy and don't forget your prep!

Love

RHS x

How To: save money the easy way

I wasn't going to write this post because I thought everything I was planning on writing in it everyone will have already heard of, but then a friend told me she hadn't heard of half of my ideas or ways that I save money. So the post was back on!

As a student I am always looking for easy ways to save money (and make money!). I have also included some codes for you to get FREE STUFF!

Yes. FREE. 

1. Save The Student

This is a great website full of loads of information on how to save money, budget and where to get student finance. It also gives you lots of ways to save money in store and online. They currently have a deal for you to get a FREE SUBWAY and a drink. Sign up to their newsletter and they handpick deals to send to you via a weekly email full of lots of offers they have found. I recently signed up to receive a FREE ELEMIS lip balm (other offers have included free chocolate, money off codes) 

2. Student Beans

This is my favourite student website because it has the most offers online and they are constantly being updated as they are found and it also gives you ways for you to earn money through product testing and answering surveys. Their current offers include FREE PEPSI MAX, FREE CADBURYS CRISPELLO and a THREE NIGHTS GLAMPING offer. This website also sends out a weekly newspaper. They also have Twitter for you to keep up to date that way too.


 

3. Save small change. 

Here is my piggy bank. I call him fat pig - why? - because I'm a waitress and instead of spending the tips i receive on chocolate when I leave work I save it all. I recently counted it all (find money bags at your local Post Office) and had £265 from just over a year! - That paid for a return flight to spain and nearly £100 spending money! - Even if you don't receive any tips, saving pennies and 5ps when your purse is getting a little on the heavy side will soon add up to a good amount! (even if it adds up to £10 over two months, thats several drinks on a night out!) 






4. Graze

I get Graze boxes. They send you a box of four snack pots straight to your door as often as you wish (from nuts to brownies!) I have received seven now and have only paid for three (and I got money off them!).
Use this code to get you a FREE GRAZE BOX: V5MLD3GD (this will require you to enter your bank details)
Use this code to get you a FREE GRAZE BOX: QNYZL63 (this will require you to have another email address and another bank account) 
If you do this all the right way (requires a bit of skill) when they send you your box you will receive a leaflet with a free box code in - use this again! - or give it to your friends and you will receieve £1 off your next box. 
REMEMBER: to cancel your boxes if you don't want to pay for them - this is good because they usually offer you a cheap box or another one free! - Thanks, Graze. 
Start here

5. Don't knock Aldi

I had friends who definitely turned their noses up when I said I was going to have a look round Aldi - They were green with envy when I returned! I got a lot of chicken (freeze!) for cheaper than you would in a supermarket and its all British AND free range! (unlike the basics chicken). They do free range eggs for half the price than in supermarkets. They're fruit and veg lasts a lot longer and is a lot cheaper. They also do different branded 'Pringles' and dips which are a lot cheaper than the original brands. There is a fresh bakery, fresh meat, smoked salmon!, milk, cheese, tea (ETC).

And if you must shop in supermarkets, shop later on - the amount you can get when things have been reduced is amazing! - M&S are very good at this (bread for 25p! - freeze in batches).

6. Don't have all your eggs in one basket 

Admitted, this isn't the EASIEST way to save money, but its a VERY easy way to save money, it just requires time. By this I mean don't just have ONE bank account, look around for different current accounts and savings accounts, ISA's and bonds - even if they only offer a tiny amount of interest - its better than having it lying in a bank with no interest! - empty your piggy bank and start an instant access savings account! 
The Money Advice Service is a very good way to compare banks and offers!

7. The obvious

These are the very obvious ways to save money but people often overlook the

m! - get an NUS card (if you're a student, they also do them for people who work for the NHS) and ask if you can use it EVERYWHERE - even at Takeaways. Get a Lovefilm account (I have managed to get three months free using different bank accounts - ask your parents kindly if you can use their card details but MAKE SURE YOU CANCEL IT!). Then, when you're done playing the Lovefilm system get several months free of Netflix! Student Beans currently has an offer where they give you £20 Topshop/Topman vouchers when a new customer signs up to Lovefilm. Get a railcard! - this will save you a lot. A LOT. some student bank accounts give away free railcards and NUS cards (I got a free NUS card from Lloyds TSB student account!) 


Happy saving!

RHS x