How to save money on your Christmas shopping! (The easy way!)

I honestly don't know where this year has gone to, but what I do know is it's almost the time of the year where millions of presents across the country are being given and received! As the John Lewis & Coca-Cola adverts have been aired, I feel as though I am allowed to mention it... Christmas is under 50 days away!! And I'm so excited! However, I do know that a big worry at this time of year is always money... my reason for writing this post.

At this time of year, the shops start to get manic with people suddenly thinking 'I need to start my christmas shopping,' especially at the weekends.. So many people I know resort to internet shopping for this reason. Did you know that internet shopping can actually mean you receive money for free?!

It's all down to this website: Top CashBack

Quite a people I know are wary of these sites but there is nothing to worry about.. you simply follow the link to sign up, and before you go to the website you are intending on shopping on, you just write the name of it into the search box. There's only a few websites I know that haven't been registered on there, but you'd rather spend an extra 10 seconds typing in a website name to save you money, wouldn't you?!

Here's how to save money in a couple steps:

• Once you've typed the website name into Top CashBack, press search. You will then be shown the website if it is registered on there.
  
  
  
• If the website is there, then yay! Click 'Cashback' and you will be told what % of your own money you will receive back. 
  
• Click 'Get Cashback Now' and you will be transferred to the site you want, the only difference is that Top CashBack will record how much you have spent and automatically work out the amount you'll get back.
  
• Each site takes a different amount of time to register the money, but for the time being the amount will be in the 'pending' section of your account.
• Once it is confirmed, the retailer will get in contact with this website telling them to pay you! It is all automatically done for you so there's nothing you have to worry about or sort out.
• When the money has been made payable, you can 'pay out' using a number of different methods: Straight into your bank account (which I use), Paypal, or you can get a bit of a bonus if you transfer it into a Love2Shop voucher, Amazon gift certificate and a few others!

And that's it!
Whether you save 40p or £40, every little bit certainly does help! Especially if it means you can save more money than actually going into the shop on the high-street.  Before I signed up to this site I was a bit wary, but after a couple years and hundreds of pounds worth of savings, I haven't looked back! - I've even saved over £40 changing energy providers just going through this website first. So, from buying train tickets, to a domain name for a website, to clothing, see what you can save on!

I hope lots of you manage to save money on things you were going to buy online anyway! Don't forget to let me know how you're getting on.

Happy shopping & saving!

Instagram - Photoaday December ♥

If you follow me on Instagram, during December you may have seen that I decided to partake in  #PhotoadayDecember
Quite often, I give up after a couple of days, but I actually managed to do this one and have started on a January one too! So here is my final version of every day throughout December (minus day 18 and 19, but shhh!)

1.Advent calendar - mine & Liam's, 2.Socks, 3.Handwriting - my sketchbook for uni 4.Ornaments - Tottenham moneybox 5.Hot Drink - Hot Chocolate at uni 6.Something Green - Liam's gorgeous smelling Joop aftershave 7.Candle - Candles I saw whilst with Rachel & Charlotte at Manchester Markets 8.Something Cosy - fluffy slippers...

 

 ...9.Movies - Elf, 10.Tree - our mini tree at uni, 11.Something Homemade - again, sketchbook for deadline at uni, 12.Gifts you've bought - For Rachel & Charlotte,

13.Someone you love - my boyfriend Liam (even if he was dressed up as a pig in blanket!!) 14.Cold - Frozen car windscreen, 15.Hot - the log fire at home which I love love love in the winter months! 16.Family Pet - Misty, our new pup, 17.Snuggly Jumper - New Look, 18.Weather (didn't do) 19.Nibbles (didn't do) 20.Lights - my heart light in my bedroom, 21.Outside your window - love the view overlooking the pool, 22.Stockings - a stocking Liam had made for last Christmas, 23.Tradition - Mum making table decorations for xmas day, few drinks & swapping presents with the neighbour, 24.Pyjamas - snuggly whilst wrapping presents, 25.Presents - on Christmas Eve & Christmas Day...

 

 ...26.Family - my brother, Misty & I on Christmas Day, 27.Relaxation - family relaxing after lunch all full and sleepy, 28.Scarf - new heart scarf for Christmas, 29.Photo of yourself - photo of me before end of year uni party, 30.Something that's made you smile this year - my lovely boyfriend Liam for always being there, the new puppy and of course Christmas this year! 31.12 o'clock - HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

I'm thinking about doing a round up of each month like this...what does everyone think?! If you'd like to take part, or are doing a photoaday task then leave me your links or instagram name to find :)

Boxing Day...Another special day!

I don't know about anyone else, but in the past, Boxing Day used to be a day for just slobbing about, playing with new toys I'd got for Christmas, and trying to fit in any more food in the left over spaces that I could from the day before!

However, since being with Liam, Boxing Day has changed somewhat. I feel kinda bad as I haven't really been with my family on Boxing Day but as I spent Christmas Day at home this time, I didn't think they'd mind too much!

This year was a little different as Liam actually had to work for a couple of hours on Boxing Day morning in ASDA...However, as it was only for 3 hours, I thought I may as well have a look round the sales! And I did actually pick up quite a few things! 

My first stop just so happened to be ASDA, and as I went through Liam's till, I could tell he was like morreeeee clothes?! but he did say the eeyore jumper was cute..bonus!

I picked up this cosy jumper / cardigan for half price in the sale £18 reduced to £9. It gets so cold in the house in Manchester so this will be great!

Then I got this cute jumper reduced to only £3! (Sadly the fleece eeyore bottoms were only in a size 16-18 dammit!-Loved them!)

I also made a trip into Boots and River Island. I can't actually show anyone what I got from Boots as I made some fab purchases, some I know will be put towards birthday and / or christmas presents for people I am sure will be reading this!! ;)

In River Island I bought these two items - a gorgeous skater dress I'd seen full price a while back but couldn't justify the money as I am trying to save! However, at £15 I couldn't resist and may just dress it up and wear it for a wedding I have coming up! 
I also got this gorgeous skirt. I've seen loads of these around but not actually bought one myself. I love the colour and fit, and with a belt too it was such a bargain at just £10!! (I sound like a sales person right now!!-Either that or trying to convince myself I did well!)

I tried to make a trip into New Look to spend a voucher I'd been sent to review a couple of items, but seriously, it was awful in there so went back another day to purchase a few bits (post coming soon!)

After I'd spent enough in town, Liam and I went back to his Mum & Dad's house for Boxing Day dinner which consists of turkey, pork, mash or deep fried chips, and beans (with beetroot on the side) and it is lush!! I've had it now for the past 3 years and it has been amazing every year!

Like I said, this year was a little different, as after that we all went to Aston Villa to watch Spurs play!! I was very spoilt by his family this Christmas as they also treated me to a ticket to that andddd to the panto the next day! Although it was pouring with rain, we had great seats and Tottenham won 4-0 so that was a brilliant end to the day!

Me & Kel

Me & Liam

As you can see we were pretty close - if only I had my SLR camera!

The heart symbol that Gareth Bale does whenever he scores! 

After that, we went back to Liam's to watch the last of the Christmas TV. In the past, Liam's mum always found things on Boxing Day that she had forgotten to give people, so now they make it official by doing 'Boxing Day Presents.' They are only like 1 or 2 pound presents but it just makes it a little more special! These were my little bits from Liam, his sister, her boyfriend and Liam's parents...

As you can see I had a brilliant Christmas and Boxing Day and can't believe it's already over for another year!!

 

What did I get for Christmas? ♥

I love reading everyone's posts of what they got for Christmas (maybe because I'm nosy, but I'm sure other people are too!) - so here goes for mine! I was very spoilt this year so thank you everyone!! 

From my blogger girlies Rachel and Charlotte I got these lovely presents...They know me so well, bubbles, hearts, sparkles and One Direction!

From Liam I got the following, plus a jumper from one of my previous wishlist blogposts even though he said he wouldn't be getting me any clothes..sneaky sneaky! He even got me a poster of Zayn and One Direction's album (who I am seeing in March this year woohoo!!) I love how he always surprises me with presents and always manages a personal present...it might not mean anything to anyone else, but in 3 years we haven't been on a proper Costa Coffee 'date'...even though we've been saying for aaages we would! So he was lovely and got me a giftcard so that we have to go! Cutie! ♥

So...this was the selection of presents I was very kindly given, minus money from my Gran & Nan and a big photography bag from my parents to lug all my kit around! 

My One Direction goodies!

The cute Gingerbread man from Liam's sister that I don't want to eat!

All my jewellery - mostly heart bits - everyone knows exactly what I like!!

One of my favourite presents (I think I'd call it that), was an item I won in a competition in a blog giveaway!! My very own pair of GHDs! And they are amazing and came just in time for Christmas so I was very happy! Thanks to Corrie over at dizzybrunette3.com

As you can see, I was very spoilt and has been the perfect end to 2012! Send me your links of your christmas goodies so I can have a nosy ;)

                                                                      Gina xoxo

Very late birthday post!

So those of you who know me know how useless I am with getting photos up from my camera onto facebook...in fact, it was my birthday on the 10th June and I have only recently uploaded them..oops!

I had a great birthday, just want to say a very late thank you for all the messages, texts and tweets! I was a very lucky girlie and ended up having two birthdays! I went out the night before with Liam and all our friends for a curry and then for drinks in town and then spent the day of my birthday with Liam and family. 

Sorry for the awful quality but this is what I wore out

Dress - Primark

Wedges - New Look

Friends at the curry house just before going out to drink some more!

Me with my two friends who couldn't come to the meal x

Birthday girl! Dress - Jane Norman

So, onto the pics of presents! I have taken a selection of photos as was a very lucky girlie so didn't want to clog up the page! My mum and dad are treating me to a new lens for my camera which I am hopefully getting on Tuesday..soo excited about that!

 Liam spoilt me and as we'd just joined a gym in Manchester he bought me some Adidas trainers to make sure I carried on with my keep fit! (They obviously had to be pink!) I also got Sims3 on DS from him as I am a Sims geek but my laptop is too slow to run the PC game! I didn't want to do too much of a photo overload but he got me the Twilight Saga boxset and my fave present which I had been hinting at wanting / needing it for a long time... this gorgeous dress! He kept telling me I didn't need anymore clothes, which I don't, but he was obviously feeling lovely!

This can be found in other colours from the funkydivaa website here

I got a lovely surprise in the post from Charlotte from Confessions of a Small Town Girl and Rachel from Life of a Sweetaholic..thank you girlies! And have added in presents off a few other friends..as you can see I was well and truly spoilt! I love how Rachel added in the Yankee candles when I said I wanted to try them a while back...they smell amazing!! And Charlotte, thanks for all the heart things (that aren't pictured as I was wearing them haha!)...you know me too well ;)

Off one of my best friends I got a me2u keyring where the heart splits in half and you each keep half of it..so cute! And a voucher for a pamper day..cannot wait!

Again, sorry this is so late but it doesn't mean I don't appreciate everything!

Gina xoxo

What did Santa bring me? Late post!

Hi everyone! I cannot believe that Christmas is all over again for another year (and also that I am writing this post so late..oops!) I was very very spoilt and had such a lovely time. For those of you who don't want to know, stop reading now...but I love finding out what people received for Christmas as I'm a little nosy so I am going to tell you all about my lovely presents! :)

I haven't photographed everything I got..but most of it and I've missed out lots of underwear and PJs and anything I've already begun using as this post is a little late..

Most of my lovely goodies!

Christmas morning I woke up and got all excited seeing a big pile of presents. I was very lucky and got a Joules gilet I wanted off mum and dad, along with a new pair of boots, a cosy chunky cardigan from my brother as well as lots of other bits from all of the family.

Chunky Knit Oversized cardigan from Next

Our cousins came round a bit later with Nan and Granny before I left to go to Liam's house for Christmas lunch mmmm!

Once we had eaten a very yummy Christmas dinner we sat down to watch TV. I find one of the best things about Christmas are the things on TV! We all watched Michael McIntyre's Christmas Comedy Roadshow, laughed a lot and then went to bed after our busy day.

Here are a selection of goodies I got throughout the day:

Black Makeup Bag-Debenhams

Simple Set-Facewipes & moisturiser

Strawberry Body Shop Set

Cath Kidston Manicure Set

Heart Makeup Bag

Vaseline Lips Set-Set of 4 Vaseline pots

Avon Lipglosses

Colourworks Makeup Collection

Lacoste Touch of Pink Gift Set

Glitter Eyeliners

Accessorize Lipglosses

 Cosy Slipper Boots-Debenhams

Spotty Welly Socks

Two Pairs of Heart Slipper Socks

Foot Warmer Socks (everyone knows I get frozen

Heart Socks

 Me2u Special Friend Bear

Heart Handwarmers

Me2u Purse

Dvds- Happy Feet

Remember Me

Leap Year

Spotty Blanket with feet holders!

 Peacocks Strappy Bag

Peacocks Purse

Photo Album filled with lovely photos of memories! 

Heart Toiletry Bag

Pink and silver scarf

As you may have seen in an earlier Christmas wishlist, I wanted this knitted top from New Look and had kind of forgotten about it until I unwrapped it in the mountain of presents from Liam! :)

Last but not least, my main present was a new digital camera...a pink one I have to add! This was totally a surprise as Liam knew I wanted to buy one in the January sales, and I had told him of a couple I liked. However, he'd told me none would have been able to come in time for Christmas so kept telling me to not be disappointed with my presents....have to say, I wasn't! 

Even better, for all us posers, it has a screen on the front so you can see yourself when taking photos... amazing!

As I stayed over at Liam's house on Christmas Day, on Boxing Day it is tradition that the men go to the local football game that is on, and the girls go bowling which I love! As in past years, Liam's parents have found little presents they forgot to give out on Christmas Day, they now do a Boxing Day present which is something around £1-£2. Being the geek I am, I received a Sudoku book (which I love) and Professor Layton from Liam...which is way over the limit but apparently was meant to come for Christmas Day. It is a great game whoever has a DS!-The other presents I have included earlier on in the group shot.

I had such a lovely time, and enjoyed having half the day at home and half the day with my second family! Can't believe all that preparation for the one day was over so quickly!

Hope everyone had a lovely Christmas, thank you so much for all my lovely presents to anyone reading this and hope everyone enjoyed the Christmas period as much as me :)

Lots of love,

Gina xoxo

Hectic Times!

Since my last post all I seem to have been doing is working and sorting things out for Christmas! I feel like a big kid with it being Christmas Eve and me being soo excited! I have finally sorted out presents and they are all wrapped looking pretty under the tree..sooo looking forward to seeing everyone's faces tomorrow opening them! Thank you to everyone that has sent Christmas cards and presents in the post, I will be texting you all tomorrow!

What's more.....tomorrow is the deadline day for my spending ban! I am soo relieved it's over..Cannot actually believe I managed FIVE MONTHS without buying one item of clothing or any accessories for myself...this tells me I really do have too much! - There have been a couple of things I have been eyeing up so if I don't get these for Christmas I may perhaps treat myself with the money that mum and gran bet on me that I wouldn't manage until Christmas! :) 

Even though it is early I am going to make a dash to bed as need a good sleep for my busy day tomorrow and was up at half 4 for work this morning...lovelyyyy! This is the first year that I am going to Liam's for Christmas dinner and spending half the day there with his family...Eeeek excited!!

I hope everyone has a fantastic day tomorrow, gets spoilt rotten and eats and drinks a little too much!! Have fun!

Lots of love,

Gina xoxo

 (These photos are taken from google images)