10 Things To Do This Weekend That Won't Cost You A Penny

As I get older, I find myself spending more and more weekends at home to save money. I have so many outgoings and things to save up for, so sacrifices have to be made in order to do so. But that doesn't mean your weekends have to be boring! Here are a list of my favourite things to do that won't cost you a penny.

1. Exercise

I find it difficult to find the time to exercise during the week because of work, especially at this time of year when the days are shorter. Working out is the last thing on my mind after a long day, all I want to do is go home and relax on the couch! So for me, weekends are the perfect time to get some exercise in. You don't have to go to expensive classes or the gym, there are plenty of videos on you tube (Jillian Michaels is my favourite) and several apps you can download for your phone. I love starting my weekend off with a yoga session- it makes me feel so refreshed and ready for the day.

2. Have a clear out

If you're not a clean freak you probably won't find this task enjoyable, but I love a good clear out! It's the perfect way to pass the time if you are spending a weekend at home but want to do something productive. I like to have a clear out every few months; it's amazing how much clutter you collect and it saves time in the long run if you make the effort to do it on a regular basis.

3. Get around to all the tasks on your To Do list

I would be lost without To Do lists, I am an unorganised mess without them! There always seem to be so many things I never get around to doing and I know I'm not the only one. I get so much satisfaction getting through all my tasks!

4. Explore your city

You would be surprised at how many things you can do in your city or town that are free. I live in Glasgow and many museums and galleries are completely free and have different exhibitions on all the time. You could discover your local farmers market, spend an afternoon in the park or spend a day wandering and discovering new places to go to when you DO have money.

5. Learn a new skill
What have you always wanted to learn? Whatever it may be, it is a fun and productive way to spend your free time that costs nothing. There is so much information out there on the internet and tutorials on you tube  -whether it be learning a new language, working on your cooking skills or getting to grips with HTML (bloggers will understand), there's no excuse not to expand your knowledge.

6.Catch up with your favourite blogs

I could easily spend hours reading my most loved blogs and discovering new ones. I often find that because I blog myself, I don't have the time to read blogs like I used to as most of my spare time is spent creating content for my own!

7. Cook a lovely meal

I love cooking, but during the week I normally stick to cooking meals that are quick and easy t0 prepare. But if you have hours to spare, there are so many incredible meals you could make! So this one isn't technically free, but it does cost a lot less than eating out. One of my favourite ways to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon is preparing a Sunday roast with my boyfriend, it's so much fun and tastes delicious! If I do say so myself.

8.Enjoy some 'me' time

I think it's really important to make time and completely switch off from the world and it's every day stresses. It's crazy to think that younger generations will never know a world without the internet, smart phones and iPads. So avoid social media for a few hours by reading a book, treating yourself to a night of pampering or spend some quality time with your pet. You will feel so much better for it.

9. Have a Netflix binge

I think most people have a subscription to Netflix now; I love it for the selection of tv series more than the movies and I could easily lose many enjoyable hours watching my favourite shows. Grab some blankets, your favourite person and some yummy snacks and your weekend is sorted! I'm currently watching The Office, American Horror Story, Parks and Recreation and Buffy the Vampire Slayer (I'm a 90's teen at heart).

10. Sleep in!

The best thing about the weekend that won't cost you a penny? Spending as much time in bed as you like! It's the best feeling in the world not having to hit the snooze button.

How do you like to spend your weekends when you are trying to save money?

The Sheep Lined Suede Coat

Say hello to my new coat! I've been excited about showing it off since I got it and with the temperature dropping over the last few weeks, I've had the chance to wear it every single day.

This Sheep Lined Suedette Coat (£90) is my first purchase from Ark, and as soon as I spotted it online I snapped it up straight away. I am actually quite surprised that I found a coat so soon as I usually spend months looking for the perfect one for Autumn/Winter. I've seen similar coats in Topshop and River Island but they just don't compare to this one. The lining makes it cosy and warm, and the fit is just so flattering. Coats like this are a classic and never go out of style, which is good as you can guarantee it will still look great in years to come. I am quite hard to please when it comes to coats, but I'm so pleased with my new investment!

I teamed my new coat with this Denim A-Line Skirt (£39) from Urban Outfitters and my Stripe Ribbed Turtle Neck Top (£22) from Warehouse, which I think looks adorable. A-line skirts are my favourite right now, I always seem to get into a bad habit of loving a specific look and then before you know it, I have several skirts of the same style! First world problems, huh?

 What do you think of this coat? I'd love to know what you think in the comments.

The Four Lipsticks I'll Be Wearing All Autumn

As soon as the seasons change, so do the colours on my lips. One of my favourite things about Autumn is getting to wear my most loved lipsticks again that really complement the season. I have always favoured bolder lip colours over nudes as they make such a statement and look so flattering against my dark hair and pale skin. With that being said, I thought I would share with you all my favourite lipsticks that I'll be wearing over the next few months.

MAC Lipstick in Heroine (£15.50)

This is a very adventurous and eye catching shade that won't appeal to everyone, but I think it's really wearable and pretty as it has the slightest hint of pink, just with a little more edge. This is the only matte formula I own from the brand, it glides on to the lips effortlessly without any tugging and has a lovely creamy consistency which surprised me. I always keep my outfit quite plain and the rest of my make up minimal when I wear this so that the lipstick is the main focus of my look. It's such a unique colour and I just love how it brings out my brown eyes too.

NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Dragon Girl (£19.00)

You can't beat a classic red lip, it's sexy, glamorous and looks good all year round. I got Dragon Girl as a birthday present back in April and it's been my most worn lip product ever since. The lip pencil formula is designed to allow the precision of a lip pencil and applies effortlessly over the lips, leaving a matte and long wearing finish. I like to apply some lip balm over the top just to keep my lips moisturised because my lips get so dry and chapped this time of year. It's the perfect shade of red for me and I love how it instantly boosts my complexion! I'd actually like to get my hands on a few more of these as this is the only one I have currently.

MAC Lipstick in Rebel (£15.50)

Even though this is not my most worn shade, it's definitely my absolute favourite to wear at this time of year. It's pretty daring and for someone that prefers a more natural look, but if you love bold shades that make a statement, Rebel is the one for you. I first purchased Rebel around this time last year when I was looking for the perfect A/W shade and I've been obsessed with it ever since. It's a gorgeous deep purple shade with hints of berry, which really stands out against my fair skin. The formula is very creamy so it does tend to fade fairly quickly, especially if you are eating or drinking, but I still love it and the finish is just beautiful. 

Clinique Chubby Stick Intense Moisturising Lip Colour Balm in Roomiest Rose (£17)

I really like these crayon style lip products and this one from Clinique is a firm favourite. Roomiest Rose is a super lovely and wearable bright pinky-red shade that is perfect for every day wear. It's definitely the least striking of the bunch, which makes it perfect for days when I'm going for a more natural look but still want my lips to stand out.  I love how moisturised these Chubby Sticks leave my lips; they make them look and feel so soft and nourished. 

What do you think of these shades?

My Favourite Things About Autumn

Autumn is officially here and I have to say, I couldn't be more pleased! Autumn is my favourite time of year, and here's a few reasons why...

Cosy nights in

When it's cold and dark outside, there is nothing I love more than snuggling up on the couch with a blanket, my boyfriend and my cat - it's so cosy! I would much rather be inside in the evenings at this time of year than outside in the freezing cold. I love lighting some scented candles and spending my evenings catching up and re-watching some of my favourite tv series and getting lost in the books that have been on my reading list for months.

Fashion

This is probably my favourite thing about this time of year. I have always preferred Autumn/Winter style over Spring and Summer, I just think it's easier to look more stylish and chic wearing lots of layers! I always spend so much money on updating my wardrobe as soon as it starts to get colder; I'm currently obsessed with A-line skirts, chunky grey knits, roll neck jumpers and anything suede. I also recently purchased my A/W coat which I can't wait to blog about,so keep your eyes peeled for an upcoming post on that.

Bold lips and nails

Just like fashion, I much prefer darker lip colours and nail polishes that complement the season. MAC Rebel is my favourite lip shade to wear as it creates such a dramatic look. I also love to wear my most loved Essie nail polishes, Bahama Mama and Fifth Avenue, at this time of year too. 

Copious amounts of hot chocolate

Hot chocolate is my favourite drink in Autumn, I love grabbing one for the train home after a long day of shopping in town, and experimenting with different flavours at home. Last year I made coconut, Nutella and orange which were all delicious!

Long walks
During the daytime, I try to spend as much time outside as I can as I just love going for long walks, wether it be in the park or just wandering up and down all the lovely tree lined streets with a hot drink in hand. I think most cities in Europe are their most beautiful in Autumn and Glasgow is no exception. There's nothing prettier than all the bright orange and yellow leaves scattered all over the ground!

What are your favourite things about Autumn?

Falling for Mustard and Suede

Mustard is a colour that I've never had much of in my wardrobe (I think this might be my first piece actually) but it's the perfect colour for Autumn, so when I spotted this Ribbed Roll Neck Top from Urban Outfitters I snapped it up! It's so comfortable and effortlessly stylish, I couldn't quite believe it only cost £19 as clothes from Urban Outfitters can be more on the pricey side.

I wore this outfit last week on  a day trip to Edinburgh. I teamed it with my trusty Zara bag, Dr Martens and new black suede skirt. I think this might be my favourite skirt of all time, which is a pretty big statement to make! The shape and fit are just so flattering and it goes perfectly with so many other tops and shoes in my wardrobe. 

What do you think of this outfit?

The New Autumn Wardrobe Staples

It's that time of year again when I spend more money than I'd like to admit on filling my wardrobe with new pieces for the autumn and winter months. I am so over summer and have never been the biggest lover of summer style, so I'm more than happy with the recent change in the weather.

If you read my blog regularly, you will know that I was in Amsterdam recently for my boyfriends birthday. Despite treating myself to several new outfits for our trip, I only managed to shoot one outfit post while I was there due to the weather. It was very wet with downpours of rain, but thankfully it stayed dry long enough for me to get these shots!

I have been wanting a denim borg western jacket for months, so when I spotted this cute one in Topshop I just had to have it! My trip to Amsterdam was my chance to wear it out properly for the first time, it's beautifully warm and cosy lining is so comfortable and is the ideal jacket for the colder months ahead. Priced at £58, it's not the most affordable jacket but I know I will get so much wear out of it as it goes with everything in my wardrobe.

I teamed my new jacket with a grey crop top that I picked up in the states a few months ago, and my new high waisted black suede skirt from Urban Outfitters. The best thing about this skirt is that it can be worn casual like in the outfit above, or can be more dressed up depending on the occasion. It's certainly made the perfect addition to my wardrobe. 

What do you think of this outfit?

Amsterdam Photo Diary

It's been far too long since I last updated and I can only apologise! As you can see I am just back from my first trip to Amsterdam, it was my boyfriends 30th and I wanted to surprise him with a present that he would never forget. We have always talked about going so I treated us to three days in the picturesque city.

Amsterdam has to be one of my favourite cities; it has lots of character, the people are so friendly and it has a much more relaxed vibe compared to the other cities in Europe I've been to. I didn't take as many photos as I normally do when I go on a city break, it rained most of the time we were there but it didn't stop us from doing all the things we wanted to do. We spent our time there exploring the city by foot, wandering up and down the pretty streets and taking it all in. We also squeezed in a visit to the Van Gogh museum and decided to live like the locals and cycle too which was fun.

We stayed in the most adorable Airbnb apartment in De Pijp, a lovely neighbourhood in the south of the city that is full of locals and has the best selection of restaurants, cafes and bars I've ever seen!  We really were spoilt for choice. A lot of cheese, Dutch pancakes and wine were consumed during our time there. If you are going to Amsterdam and staying in De Pijp I recommend checking out Omelegg, United Pancakes and CT Coffee and Coconuts for a delicious breakfast or brunch, and Boca's, The Butcher and Paper Planes for dinner.

It was a much needed and relaxing city break. I've had a serious case of the holiday blues since I've been home!

Have you been to Amsterdam?