How to save money when attending multiple weddings

Attending weddings is a delightful pleasure for most people – the ability to witness two people that you love and care about exchange vows and pledge to spend their lives together is truly an honour! An, erm, awfully expensive honour at times! Now, it is obvious that the highest cost is usually heaped upon the bride and groom (or their families!), being a wedding guest can be unexpectedly pricey.

While attending one wedding can be costly, attending two, three or more (even 11 in one year, according to this article in the Telegraph!) can be seriously crippling for the pocket book. According to a 2013 Guardian article, the average cost of attending a wedding is 377 pounds per person!

If you (and potentially your spouse) are attempting to keep your credit score high (unsure about the state of your credit score? Naughty! Do an Experian credit check here), your savings account full and your budgets on track each month, attending three weddings in one year can set a couple back 2000 pounds. Multiply that cost by two or three years in a row, and you will have put a major dent in your savings planning and potentially delayed a home purchase – or even your own wedding. Also remember to check out sites such as DealsDaddy and look out for discount codes online.

Images source

While the costs can double, triple or quadruple depending on how many nuptial celebrations you are attending in one year, there are a few ways that you can save money when faced with multiple wedding invitations. Here is a brief list that you might find helpful when planning your social calendar over the next year.

• Buy a great, versatile dress – A beautiful, high quality dress that works across multiple seasons will serve you very well. Choose a neutral (yet flattering) colour and a fabric that you can wear in both the summer and the winter.
• Accessorize like mad! If you are invited to four weddings in one year, you should know that these photos will be shared across social media – you don’t want to be caught in the same dress detailed above multiple times! Buy a few lovely scarfs, a blazer, some cute shoes, a pretty cardigan and other versatile pieces that you can add to your dress and style it look wonderful and unique for every wedding you attend.
• Buy gifts in bulk – Attending three weddings and want to give the young couple some art or a household appliance? Look for items that you can buy in bulk and get a deal on – this works best if the couples do not know eachother!
• Book your travel in advance – Make sure that you book your flights and train travel in advance – nothing can add up more quickly that last minute travel. Booking your travel at the last minute can often amount to throwing money in the loo.

Attending weddings is a joy – a costly joy, but a joy nonetheless. Do you have any suggestions on how to save money when attending multiple weddings in one year? Leave your comments and tips in the comment section below.

*guest post

BIKINI BODIES: STYLES THAT BEST SUIT PEAR SHAPES

When someone utters the word 'Bikini' to me I almost break out into a sweat. There is absolutely no way that I was ever created to wear a bikini, not with my generous share of bosoms anyway! So when Blossom Lingerie sent me their interactive guide to finding the best bikini style for pear shaped body shapes, I thought nothing to lose, lets have a look. Take a look at the Blossom Lingerie website to see the full interactive guide.

So, if you have what is described as being a 'pear shaped body', you will carry more weight below the waist, meaning that your hips and thighs are much wider than your torso and possibly your shoulders. By following the right guides, you can accentuate your good bits, hide your not-so-good bits, and will end up looking and feeling absolutely gorgeous.

Apparently, a great way to lengthen your body is to wear what is called a tasselled bikini top that is longer in the middle.  Now I am not one to keep up with fashion, but anything with tassels is going to have my cats swinging from it and in this area no thank you. However, jokes aside, the angles of the tassels on a bikini top like this are said to create vertical curves that will complement your natural body shape. It is also said that this type of design will also draw out your stomach whilst lengthening your body. This boho look is in at the moment, and you have the added bonus of being able to play around with patterns and colours t your hearts content. Choose a clean-skirted brief that rests below the largest part of your thighs to best show off your smaller waist.

What type of Bikini are you comfortable in?

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A dress fit for a Queen

This month has been quite a busy social one for me with weddings and birthdays to be celebrated.  I am one of those people who can't wear the same dress twice, more so when it is an event to be celebrated with a similar group of friends.  Thankfully House of Fraser were on hand to help me out with my little predicament and with these two fabulous dresses from the plus size dresses range.

The Dorothy Perkins Leaf Print Sateen Fit And Flare Dress is shown on the left is currently on sale here for just £20 and it is an absolute bargain.  When wearing it, there is a zip which runs the length of the back, it has a rounded collar, short sleeves and is Fit and Flare designed meaning that it pulls the waist with a ribbon is and is really flattering.  I really love the leaf design which also uses the colours blue and yellow and can, therefore, be accessorised really easily.

The Black and white floral Samya Pleated Botanical Print Dress is again a dress I absolutely adore.  As with the first dress, it is again a fit-and-flare style dress featuring a belted waist and box pleated skirt making it really flattering. It uses a back zip fastener, has a rounded collar and is also sleeveless.  

As a black and white dress, it can be as dressed up as casually worn as you find comfortable.

With both dresses what I found is the sizing was almost spot on.  Having the belted waist meant I could pull them in at the sides where they were both slightly too big and it then lifted the dresses so they didn't just hang.  When I am buying a dress, for me it is all about fitting around the chest area because if it doesn't fit there, then it can really make an outfit look horrendous.

I am not usually a fan of zips on the back of dresses because of the coldness against the skin, but with these two, I didn't notice them throughout either day of wearing them, nor did I feel overly hot and bothered.

My favourite of the two dresses is the first one.  It fits much more snugly, it is fairly bright and cheerful and I loved the detail on the hem, which I feel complimented the dress.

Have you seen any dresses you have really liked of late?

Hen Night Outfit Choices

I am going to one of my closes friends Hen nights in a few days time and choosing something to wear has been quite tricky, mainly due to the activities of the night (which I can't reveal as she reads my blog).  That said, I have narrowed it down to a choice of two dresses and either black tights with chunky boots or a pair of chunky sandals.

Option One

Hen Night outfit 1 by beautyqueenuk 

I absolutely love this dress which I found on eBay with the accessories coming from TK Maxx by way clutch bag along with some of the jewellery. The final items are the Boots, cardigan and tights which are from New Look and are in the sale.  The total outfit costing just £150

Option Two

I have a bit of a thing for floral dresses, quite out of character as I usually like things to be quite plain so I can dress them up with accessories.

Hen night outfit 2 by beautyqueenuk

So the dress is again from New Look and costs just £17.99 which is such a bargain with again the tights and cardigan from the first outfit.  The chunky sandals which I really love because they are not too high (I have flat feet) and look great with tights are from Jones Bootmaker where again there is a great sale and these cost £20.  The finals items are the cross body bag which is made by Osprey and costs £30 from TKMaxx an a white bangle bracelet which I own and it comes from Forever21 and I paid £5.

I am yet to decide which outfit I am going to wear, but would love to know your thoughts!

This post contains a paid for link but all words are my own.

Psyche Fashion

It's wedding season right now and looking for a dress which is suitable can be an absolute nightmare.  I have spent weeks searching and researching sites online to look for something that I like and want to wear and it comes down to two things. 1 - The dresses I like are only in a size 6 or 2 - The dresses I like are too big and I haven't got the time, strength or energy to have it altered to fit.

One site I did come across in my search is Pysche Fashion, one which immediately had me singing 'Let's get ready to rumble' by Ant and Dec and is actually based in Middlesborough but does sell their clothing world wide through their website and it gets even better, they have a sale on! The sale will start on August 1 and run throughout the month of August. The code is good for 10% off all Sale Items! The only way to get the secret code is to visit the Psyche website via your mobile device (cell phone, tablet, etc.) and it will show up on the homepage! So out the window went shopping for a dress to wear for a wedding. 

If you like your designer labels and the big designers, then Pysche probably has everything you are looking for from Ralph Lauren, Armani, Hugo Boss, Michael Kors, Lulu Guinness, Versace, Tom Ford and so on, literally there is so much to discover and lust over I had to hide my bank cards.  Pysche cater for men, children and women and not just for clothes, you will find watches, shoes, handbags, cufflinks, underwear to name just a few and here are some of my favourite items which I came across:

As you can see, I haven't just chosen items for me, there are also some for the Mister which I think he would like especially the Skull T-shirt which seems to be a running theme for his clothing right now and the Hugo Boss shirt, which is just stunning would be great for work or going out in.  

As for me, well I have fallen in love with the Daisy Jewellery which you might have seen me pinning over on Pinterest and no list would be right without a handbag and in this case it is from one of my favourite designers Ted Baker, not only is this handbag pink (winning) but I really love the chain detail of the handles which continues onto the bag as a pattern.  I also think every beauty blogger I know loves lipstick and I love the Lulu Guinness lipstick keyring, it is a bit quirky but I love it and finally some snakeskin print trainers which would look fab with some skinny jeans and an oversized jumper, one of my favourite items to own and something I need more of.

Have you heard of Psyche?  Have you ever bought from them before?

*Written in collaboration with Psyche.

How to Rock Swimwear this Summer

Whatever your shape or size there's guaranteed to a swimsuit or bikini to suit you. It's funny how, the minute the sun comes out, we all dread getting into our swimwear that summer - we hit the gym, jump on the wii fit, go out for more runs and try to eat healthier, just to look that little bit better on the beach and by the pool. There are certain tricks you can use however that will help transform your body, highlight your best bits and hide the ones you aren't so keen on, without upping the fitness routine. So how do you do that with swimwear? Read on and take a look:

Boyish and Slim Figures

If you want to create curves, go for a padded bikini top. You can also add the illusion of being slightly wider than you are by wearing horizontal stripes. You'll also find that you can wear pretty much any type of swimwear thanks to your fantastic figure, be it a string bikini or a cut out swimming costume. You may find it hard to believe but a cut out swimming costume can actually create curves thanks to the way in which it's cut, so don't shy away from them.

Big Bust

If you have a large bust, you need a costume that offers plenty of support. Whether that's in an underwired bikini, or a costume or tankini with built in support, is up to you, but you need to have your assets under control so to speak. Halternecks are great for this, but you can get away with wearing any style of neck if the support is right. If you want to create the illusion of smaller breasts, wear a lighter colour on your bottom half and a darker colour on top.

Large Stomachs

Many women are conscious of their tummies, particularly after having children, but the key is to disguise it. Buy a swimsuit with added support in the stomach area to help cinch you in where you need it, and consider one with ruching around the tummy or prints, both of which will help to disguise what's going on under your swimming cossie. George at ASDA's swimwear offers some great choices to help ladies who'd prefer to keep their tummy underwraps, including the Bodysculpt Mixed Animal Print Swimsuit and the Spot Ruche Swimsuit. Both of which are just what ladies with insecurities about their tummies need to feel confident on the beach this summer.

Pear Shaped

If you're bigger on the hips than you are on your bust, try a costume that is darker on the bottom than on the top. This will give the perception that you are in fact smaller on your bottom half than you are. You might also find that a chevron style print will work equally as well when worn all over the costume.

If all else fails of course there are some amazing cover ups that are just perfect for the beach and around the pool available to buy from George at ASDA and on the high street, so, no matter what, you'll end up feeling confident in your swimwear this year.


**Sp

Top UK Music Festivals 2014

The UK comes alive though the summer with some amazing music festivals. There are the biggies like Glastonbury, along with the less well known ones, offering music to suit all tastes. So grab your tent, pack your maxi dresses and head off to one of the great festivals around the UK this year. Why not take a look at what's on to find your favourite:

V Festival

Held at two locations in the UK, Hylands Park in Chelmsford and Weston Park in Staffordshire, over the weekend of the 16th and 17th of August 2014, this is a massive concert featuring huge names and a great atmosphere. Expect to see Justin Timberlake, The Killers, Lily Allen, Ed Sheeran, Paolo Nutini, Example, Bastille, Kaiser Chiefs, Manic Street Preachers, Blondie, Rizzle Kicks and so many more. It's a real mix of music genres with old favourites and great new bands and singers sharing the stage. A brilliant weekend full of music and dancing.

Accommodation wise, there are so many options. From yurts to beautiful old gypsy caravans, stunning American style Airstreem caravans and wooden huts, to exotic Bedouin tents and Luxury Emperor Suite tents, to colourful village style accommodation, you'll find the perfect accommodation choice for you.

Wireless Festival

Another festival held in two locations over two dates, the Wireless Festival is now in its eleventh year and still going strong. Featuring the best pop, rock and dance acts combined with a great festival atmosphere. You'll find a festival village here featuring a huge beer garden, food stalls and chill out zones. You can't camp here but as the festivals are held in London and Birmingham, you'll have no problem getting in and out of town thanks to the readily available transport and hotels.

The line-up this year features acts like Kanye West, Pharrell Williams, Drake, Rudimental, Knife Party, Bruno Mars, Outkast, Salt n Pepa and Ellie Goulding. You'll find it In Finsbuy Park in London and Perry Park in Birmingham on the 4th, 5th and 6th of July 2014.

Racing Rocks

Rockington Motor Speedway will play host to Racing Rocks on the 17th and 18th of May this year. It’s an eclectic music mix, including folk, country, rock and cover bands, combined with a beer festival, where you'll find 40 hand crafted beers and ciders. There’s also a food fayre including cookery demonstrations as well as street vendors and artisan foods and, of course, plenty of motorsport action. It's a two day extravaganza that's great for rock and racing fans.

With lots of hotels and B&B's in the surrounding area and even a free prebookable campsite, there are plenty of opportunities to stay and enjoy the whole weekend of the festival.

Festivals are of course a great excuse to buy some of the great maxi dresses at George and rock that festival style. Also popular this year are dungarees, bright patterns, teeny shorts, comfy sandals, Aztec ponchos, pretty playsuits, flowery cover ups, big sunglasses, pinafore style dresses - and don't forget to pack your wellies too. Get ready to rock, dance and party in style!

**Guest Post

Rare London | Clothes I Simply Can’t Live Without

When I was tagged to take part in this competition by Kate whose entry you can see here  - Clothes I simply cannot live without, it really did give me something to think about.  I am sure you all have clothes that you cannot live without and I would love you all to tell me what they are in the comment section below. 

Rare London have this fabulous competition which you can enter to showcase your favourite piece, and in doing so, you could be in with a chance of winning a £200.00 voucher!  with that in mind, this is my favourite dress

I am sure most of you will agree that every wardrobe needs a black dress, and I found this extract on the birth of the LBD facinating

Perhaps more than any other piece of clothing, the little black dress is, women have been told, the essential, the one that will take you practically anywhere. And perhaps more than any other designer, Coco Chanel was the one who made it ubiquitous. She did not invent the concept, of course, but according to Coco Chanel: The Legend and the Life (by Justine Picardine, $40, amazon.com), “the little black dress was not formally identified as the shape of the future until 1926, when American Vogue published a drawing of a Chanel design.… It was an apparently simple yet elegant sheath, in black crêpe de Chine, with long, narrow sleeves, worn with a string of white pearls; and Vogue proved to be correct in the prediction that it would become a uniform.…”  and you can read more about this HERE

So, for me a LDB is simply a must have item of clothing and one I couldn't live without.   I do happen to have 4 or 5 differently styled ones as you can see from the photograph below

From that selection there is one of them that I wear more than any other which is this one:

Source

It comes from the Junarose collection on ASOS and I got it in the sale for just £13 reduced from £22 and the reason why I love it so much is because it is just one of those items that I can dress down and wear it daily when I am going to work or if I have a meeting I can add a jacket to it to make it look a little bit smarter.  

Then if I am going out in an evening I can accessorise it a lot more and make it look really fabulous be it with jewellery, my going out bag and a variety of other items of clothing that I own, including my favourite pair of shoes, shown below.

I am not one of those people who keeps up very well with the latest fashion trend, I envy those of you who do and continue to look fabulous, but for me, being comfortable in what I am wearing matters a lot more and it gives me confidence knowing that I actually look really good in something that to the naked eye might look a bit plain, but with a little bit of effort can look totally fabulous.

If you would like to enter this great competition with Rare London, you can do here and you will also find all guidelines too.

As this competition states that I need to tag three of you, I nominate

Kimberley @kimberleyj77

Keeley @phatcupcake

and finally Louise @Staceysmum84

This competition Ends April 30th and if you have entered, please let me know in the comments so I can come and have a look.

The Dos and Don’ts of Leggings

Leggings were a big deal in the 80s, then the 90s, and again in the 00s. It is now 2014 and it seems this particular item is going nowhere. There have been some interesting incarnations of the legging, some more appealing than others, but however you wear them, you have to admit that, when done right, they look great as well as being comfortable. Despite the fact that leggings have been around for a good few decades, there are still those that commit big fashion crimes when wearing them, so here are the basic dos and don'ts of wearing leggings: 

As tights

It is perfectly acceptable to wear leggings as a substitute for tights, they are much cosier in the winter, and less see through if you’re rocking a short skirt. If you choose to do this however, make sure you are wearing boots or other foot covering footwear, as being cut off at the ankle does nothing for the legs, even on the loftiest of supermodels. If you are wearing your leggings in the place of tights, you should shop around and try and find a pair with invisible seams so they really look like thick tights even up close. For really cold days why not invest in a pair of thermal leggings complete with fluffy inners to keep your pins extra toasty?

As trousers

The nation is split as to whether leggings should be worn as trousers with most believing that if you are going to do this you need to wear a long top that covers at least the top half of your bum. An absolute must if you are going for leggings in the place of trousers however, is that you buy a quality pair that are big enough. The least attractive thing in the world is a pair of leggings that have worn through or are being stretched too much over a derriere so that your whole bottom can be seen through the fabric. Have a look at George at ASDA's range of leggings for some good quality thick pairs.

For the gym

Leggings are great gym-wear as they are stretchy, absorbent, comfortable and available in different lengths. Originally most popular with aerobics goers, they are not used by weight lifters and runners as the training attire of choice. Team your leggings with an oversized t-shirt for a practical yet stylish workout outfit that won’t let you down at that critical moment. Leggings are especially good for those who are new to exercise and don’t want to fork out on expensive gear until they have decided whether it’s really for them. As you progress you can look into purchasing special sports leggings or yoga pants. 

Leggings are one of the most versatile items of clothing you could own, easily transitioning from day to night depending on how you wear them. What other item of clothing could both be worn to the gym for a workout, or with a tunic dress of an evening for cocktails? Leggings are 100% here to stay, so now’s a great time to invest.

Do you wear leggings?

**This is a sponsored post

The Radiant Orchid Challenge!

When challenged to find an outfit for £60 to celebrate Pantones colour of the year being ‘Radiant Orchid’ I readily agreed but wow what a challenge it turned out to be.  For those of you who are not aware what the colour Radiant Orchid looks like, here it is:

Described as follows "Radiant Orchid blooms with confidence and magical warmth that intrigues the eye and sparks the imagination. It is an expressive, creative and embracing purple—one that draws you in with its beguiling charm. A captivating harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones, Radiant Orchid emanates great joy, love and health".

So off I went in search of an outfit that I could purchase to celebrate this colour, I thought it would be easy because a lot of stores now have their spring items coming into stores, but oh how wrong was I when it came to finding something that might represent that above.  For hours I wondered up and down Oxford Street, went to Westfield before finally finding this:

Yes I managed to find a dress which I think suits the Radiant Orchid theme and it was priced at £13 which was at least a start, but an outfit is more than one item. So, as I have an event coming up in a few weeks time I decided that this dress would be the outfit for said occasion but I needed things to go with it and this is what I bought for the rest of the outfit.

Shoes which cost £10, Bracelet and necklace £8 from local boutique, Bag £29.50 from Marks and Spencer and the nail polish and tights are my own and all of that came to £60.50 and I have a lovely black cardigan which works really well should I get a little chilly.

One of the reasons I decided I would quite like this challenge is because I love black clothes, my Husband will tell you all that my wardrobe and drawers contain items that are mainly black with bits of blue and purple thrown here there, so predominantly darker colours which I am more comfortable with.  So, now was a good a time as any to inject some colour into my wardrobe, even if it does have black accessories.

Have you bought anything that could be classed as Radiant Orchid?

**SP

Dress 2 Party

Proms, graduation balls, end of year party all require one thing - a dress or I should say ‘the dress‘, probably the second most important dress that you will ever buy, besides your wedding dress.  I remember shopping for my Prom and Graduation Ball dresses and the choice was so limited that my friends and I all used to choose between one or two shops and each dress would be similar, rather than unique.

Dress 2 Party is a fantastic site that I have come across, it is the leading UK Stockist for Sherri Hill Dresses and ranging in size 0-18 there are over 500 dresses to choose from, whether you want something that is short, mid-length, full length or even an evening gown, the choice is so wide and varied that there is something for everyone, for every occasion and for every style you might be looking for, plus some that you are not.   Also on hand are expert tailors who can alter your dress should it need to be shortened, taken in, let out and so on, something I have always found difficult to find when shopping for dresses.

Here are just some of the fantastic dresses:

If you are like me and are never sure what style suits you, what shape the dress should be, what colour dress you should wear, how long or short it should be, then the staff at the both the London or Cheshire Boutiques are on hand to help you with those choices. Helpfully both boutiques are open seven days a week and if like me you find it hard to find something during the week and want to do it an evening, then all you need to do is book an appointment to see someone.  If you happen to find the perfect dress online, Dress 2 Party ship both nationally and internationally with further information found online.

So are you still looking for that perfect dress and haven’t yet found it? Dress 2 Party might just have the one dress you have been searching for!




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Herra Hair Perfume & Giveaway

Last week I attended my very first event with Bloggers Love in Leicester Square here in London and with me was the very lovely Claire from Pinkchickclaire. At the event we were lucky enough to meet a lot of really lovely people from some fantastic brands, some better known than others and many who have been going for just a few months.

The brand I am mentioning today is Herra whose story you can read about in the main website. Herra produce a product called Herra Protect Hair Perfume which is exactly what it states it is, a perfume for your hair, yes really. Now I am sure we are all massive fans of perfume, have a huge collection and more often than not when spritzing ourselves will spray some in the air and walk through it, thus perfume hits the hair, well I was told not to do that by my hairdresser because it dries your hair out.

Before I got my hands on it, Herra has featured in many publications and magazines including Vogue and it is beginning to get quite a following in the world of celebrities.

Herra say...
'Herra Protect Hair Perfume is an innovative product created by the joint expertise of London's finest hair talents and a leading fragrance expert. A revolutionary product with weightless, protecting and hydrating ingredients accompanied with the Herra epsilon signature fragrance.'

One thing I love about products is their packaging, if it catches my attention, I am more likely to want to know more about it and find out what it is and Herra does just that. packaged inside this sleek black box with gold writing, the bottle itself is just as sleek and stylish and the right size for putting in my handbag.  

I do as much as I can to look after my hair, I get it cut regularly, I shampoo, I condition and I use treatments when my hair is in need of it. One thing about living in London is that washing and conditioning my hair is fine, but wandering around all day amongst smog, pollution and other irritants (such as people smoking) can make my hair smell and make me paranoid and if I am going to an important meeting, I don't want to smell like I have been sat in a smoking shed all day, I want to smell good. So I have been putting Herra to the test and admittedly I did thing it was a bit of a fad and not something I would really use, as good as it sounds, but I will admit I was wrong and have used it a lot more than I thought and everyone in my office have also been spritzed and sprayed and are equally impressed, the boys not so much, but you cant have everything.

Herra has three main components to protect, moisturise and to add fragrance:

• PROTECT - Sunflower extract protects the structure of the hair. It helps provide protection against UV and can prevent colour fade, whilst olive fruit extract is rich in antioxidants that help shield the hair against pollution and free radicals.
• MOISTURISE - Glycerin helps provide ample hydration and seals in moisture, without weighing down the hair.
• FRAGRANCE - The Herra signature fragrance is a blend of the finest key notes creating a fresh modern, uplifting experience that appeals to all.  Ingredients include: Italian bergamot, loquat fruit, midnight orchid, rose, white jasmine, mimosa, heliotrope, lily, vanilla, tonka bean, sandalwood and musk.

For me the scent is something i have to like to use a product and I love the scent of this, I find it quite uplifting and a mixture of being fruity and floral, neither one being more dominant than the other, it simply works and I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Herra Protect Hair Perfume is available from Herra Hair Care at £24.99 (50ml) and I have one to give-away thanks to those lovely people at Herra, to enter into the draw all you need to do is complete the form below and a 50ml bottle could be winging its way to you very soon and naturally I would love to know what you think to it should you win:



a Rafflecopter giveaway

This is a UK only giveaway, please ensure you are at 16 years of age or have parental permission because I will need your address to send the prize too.  All entries will be checked before the winner is announced.