learning to drive – Jessica G Allen

Winter Favourites! // 2016-2017

As stated previously, due to the fact that I am poor, my favourites tend to be seasonal, rather than monthly, like many of my blogging buddies. But that’s okay! It just means they’re meatier and chock full of stuff that I’m going to peer pressure you into buying! (Kidding)

So, here are my 2016-17 Winter Favourites!

Fashion

Blanket Scarf – Primark

I got this scarf for Christmas and I honestly have worn it every single day since. It’s so cozy and soft, and is perfect for when the heating at work packs up and when I’m too tired to function.

Box Jumpers – New Look

One of these jumpers was featured in my Winter OOTD post from Blogmas 2016, and I actually have three of these. One in black, one mint and one dusky pink and I am obsessed. They are so cheap, easy to wear and style and so comfy for the cold days. I honestly really hope these come back next winter too.

Dressing Gown – Tesco

Another Christmas goodie, this time from Mum. It was her personal mission to find me a new dressing gown that I liked for Christmas (I’m v fussy). And safe to say she did well. This dressing gown is honestly the softest, cosiest thing I’ve ever felt, it fits perfectly and the hood even has little bobble ears on. What more could you possibly ask for?

Beauty

Supercat Liquid Eyeliner Supercat Liquid Eyeliner – Soap and Glory

Once again, a Christmas gifted item. I was absolutely not expecting this one from a family friend, but they did so well with it. A proper review will be coming soon,as I’ve been meaning to write one since Christmas Day, but you’ll already know that it’s a favourite!

iDivine Eyeshadow Palette in ‘All Night Long’ – Sleek

I wasn’t into eyeshadow at all until I purchased my Revolution 12 Days of Christmas Box on Black Friday last year, but since then I’ve had a bit of a spend on more drugstore palettes, including this one. The colours are beautiful and blend and match so well and the pigmentation of them is incredible value for money.

Brightside Bubble Bar – LUSH

Yes, I’m still raving about this bloody bubble bar. And yes, I did get three for Christmas (and another for my birthday this week…). What can I say? I’m a citrus lover.

Music

Bad Behaviour – The Maine

I’ve loved The Maine for about four years now (wow) and even though my emo phase has somewhat passed, this band never will. I’m seeing them live for the second time in a few weeks (March at the Electric Ballroom, Camden) and I couldn’t be more excited, especially for the upcoming album Lovely, Little, Lonely. Everything this band makes makes me happy, and they’re like a warm hug to my emotions.

Last Cigarrette – Darwin Deez

I discovered this song while listening to The Hannah Witton Show at work, and it just grabbed me, you know? It’s one of those songs that makes me want to dance and sing to in the car and I don’t know. It’s just catchy. Go listen.

Night People – You Me at Six

I first listened to the Night People single when it was released in the autumn and found it good, but not enough to be really excited. It was only when I found out that YMAS are doing a UK tour (which I am going to!!) in the Spring that I decided maybe I should listen to their latest album. And I honestly love it. Every song is awesome, and YMAS are one of the bands that I think only get better.

Other

The Hannah Witton Show – FUBAR Radio

What gets me through those long, dark days stuck in the office, you ask? Well, here’s your answer. I got into Hannah’s content after finding her YouTube channel, and resolutely identifying with everything she stands for. When I found out she hosted a podcast/radio show every week that I could listen to FOR FREE, I got even more obsessed. Every one of Hannah’s radio episodes are absolute gold, and you’re never left bored.If you’re a fan of sex jokes, rudeness and familiar YouTube faces, check this out!

Driving!!

So, as some of you may know (and some of you may not) I passed my driving test at the start of December. Yessssssss. Being able to drive my little Edna (my KA) around just us two, blaring the ‘tunes and generally being awesome… it’s a good feeling. And also not having to get lifts all the time is nice.

So there you go, my Winter Favourites. Honestly, the past couple of months have been very up and down, life-wise, and I’m so excited to get into spring as there are some really exciting things coming up.

What were your favourites from over Christmas and New Year, and are any of yours the same as mine? Let me know! And I’ll see you again at the end of the week for a special birthday post! Thanks!

Jess x

How to Save Money in 2017! // Life Hacks

Hi! I’m back! And better than ever (ish). And better yet, I’m back with a post that might be able to help some of you lot with your resolutions (if you’re still steadfastly running towards them at full speed, of course).

If one of your New Year goals/resolutions was to save money (which is one of mine, and I struggle daily not to spend my money on ridiculous crap like More Blankets and my 47th Pair of Pyjamas or something), then I’m here to help!

1. Create a Savings Account/Method

Simple, but effective. If you’re one of those people that tells yourself “I can keep it in my current account, I promise I wont touch it”, you are wrong, and that is a lie. You will touch that money you were supposed to save, and regret it.

My solution is to, simply, create a savings account. It’s not difficult, and if you connect it up to your current account then transfers can be made easily and quickly with no fuss.

Alternatively, if you’re younger and don’t have a bank account, or access to a savings account, my advice would be to create a place to put your savings that you can’t touch except for emergencies. This reduces the risk of ‘dipping into’ your savings for things that you “need” like more lipstick and another packet of Mini Eggs (of which I am guilty).

Something like a lockable money-box (and giving someone else a key) or even giving your money that you want to save to a parent or guardian to save for you could be foolproof.

2. Save STRAIGHT AWAY

This is something I’ve recently learnt to do, and it is to save your money as soon as you get it. If you get paid at the end of the month, don’t wait until the end of the next month to transfer it over to your savings. I’ve witnessed so many people get to the end of the month, and panic, because they literally have like 12p in the bank, and no way out.

When you get money, put it safely away as soon as you get it. That way, if you run out of money, you can dip into your savings if needed, but then you don’t feel invincible with all this money, that ideally you haven’t got. Then, linking back to the first point, if you put your savings in a secure place that takes time and effort to get into, then you’ll think twice about touching your savings when you really shouldn’t be. (Also, seeing that number in the savings account get high is a REALLY good feeling).

3. Have a Copper Can

This is one of my favourite tips of all time, ever. In 2010, my Dad bought me a money-box. It was really cute and helpful for 12 year old me to put my coins in, but there was a catch: it didn’t open. The only way in, was through the money-in gap, or to smash it open. So I saved. And saved and saved. The only things that went into it were coppers (1 and 2ps) and 5ps.

A few weeks ago, with the money-box full to bursting, I smashed it open with a hammer, and took the proceeds to one of those ‘count-my’change machine. I’d managed to save up around a tenner. Might not seem like much, especially as it was over about 7 years, but to have this little amount constantly growing on my windowsill could be the difference between eating for two weeks for some people. So, before you chuck away that penny, think twice, and put it in a jar.

4. Make a Monthly Budget

Might be obvious, but I never did this. If you know how much you ought to be earning a month on average (e.g. without overtime or extra money coming in), write it down. Then write down your necessary outgoings (so for me, it’s things like car insurance, petrol, my phone contract, etc). This could also include things like your regular outgoings, like gym memberships, or subscription box subscriptions.

This will allow you to see what you need to spend on, what you don’t need to spend on, and then might also help you keep track of your spending.

5. Pack Your Lunch and Drinks

Carry water with you at all times. Put a bottle in your car, and one in your bag (and gym bag!) and keep them full. This will stop you having to buy drinks and bottles when you’re out and about.

If you regularly buy lunch from school, college, or work (or near work), then pack your lunches the night before (you could even get them ready a few days before), to stop you nipping to the shop for biscuits (guilty), or to Subway for lunch.

It might not be great for your ‘healthy eating’ resolution, but even keeping a chocolate bar, packet of crisps or cereal bar in your bag (or car) could be make the difference of spending £1 on something from the shop every day (and think: that could save £365 over the year!)

6. Take Part in Savings Challenges

There are tonnes of saving challenges online, just Google it! Things like the No Spend Challenge No Spend Challenge, the 52 Weeks Challenge and the Penny A Day Challenge.

Little things that you could take part in, along with friends and family who also want to save money this year (or you could even join money-saving and budgeting groups on Facebook and pages on Pinterest for inspiration. These methods are ready-made and fool-proof to helping you save – maybe more – than you could have hoped!

7. Keep Your Receipts

As fiddly and annoying as this one is (annoying especially when your mum constantly tells you to), keep your receipts. Not only will this help remind you of the stupid shit you bought (did you really need that NERF gun?), but it will also help you keep track of where your money is going, and where you may need to excercise more control.

If at the end of the month, you’re sifting through one million and one Starbucks receipts, or ten million receipts with the word ‘CARRIER BAG – O.5p’ on them, then its time to reevaluate your life choices a bit.

Have a special box, tin or drawer, just to keep your receipts in, and go through it every so often (especially if you use cash on the regular! Online bank statements make looking at your expenses easier these days).

And there we go. My top tips for saving money in 2017. I hope they were (somewhat) helpful and that you (maybe) learnt some new tips that you didn’t before. Here’s to saving money in 2017, to make 2018 and the years after even better!

Let me know what your saving goals and resolutions are for this year, and how you’re planning on staying on track. Also let me know if you’d like to see any other money-saving tips and tricks in the comments! Til next time,

Jess x

Tips on Learning to Drive // Blogmas Day 10

I was so hoping that I’d get to write this post this weekend, and I’m about to tell you why…

I passed my driving test!!! Yesss! Result!! Thank you, thank you, enough of the applause…Continue reading “Tips on Learning to Drive // Blogmas Day 10”