Sunday Summary #56

Another week has come and gone. The light is starting to draw out, which means spring is on its way! Horray. Feels like so long since the summer ended. Its been pretty cold again this week, warming slightly this weekend and the sun has even made an appearance. I love how much happier you feel when the sun is shining. I didn't spend much this week as I was planning my Valentine's meal and sorting out birthday presents for next week. Its one of my brother's and my oldest youngest brother's girlfriends birthdays. Its been so hard to think of things after Christmas. My brother just got an iPhone so he asked me for a case and an iTunes voucher as he's always downloading music so that was easy. The girlfriend was hard as she's not as girlie as me so I can't cheat and buy her make-up. I had a brainwave on Saturday to buy her a travel guide as they're going away in the summer and my boyfriend found a huge mug as she loves coffee and hot chocolate.  As a family we bought her a go karting experience so finally all birthdays are done until June (I think!). I spent Tuesday evening at my boyfriend's for his Dad's birthday. We got a Chinese takeaway on the way home from work and I got the most amazing chocolate cake from Marks and Spencer's. Honestly their cakes are insane. I adore their food as you certainly get what you pay for. Their prices aren't too high and when the quality is so good it justifies the slightly higher price of a supermarket. I definitely got good girlfriend points for the cake as it went down a storm. Having Chinese on Tuesday meant we didn't want it again Thursday so opted for a three course home cooked meal. I wasn't too excited on Thursday despite decorating the dining room the previous evening as I was rushed off my feet at work. It wasn't until I was on my way home that I felt excited. We had a prawn cocktail for starter as we both love them. My boyfriend wanted steak so I had salmon and I got gastro chips, green beans and carrot, garlic mushrooms and mushrooms we fried in butter (naughty but heavenly). I got a cheesecake for dessert but we got the fondue out and we were so stuffed after a few fondue bites. My boyfriend doesn't like salmon so it was so nice of him to prepare it and cook it for me even when I insisted I'd do it. My lovely gentleman was very naughty as we agreed one tiny present, and he surprised me with a beautiful bunch of roses and a Me To You ornament (well over budget). It was so unexpected and I hadn't seen it yet so it was a huge surprise. I can't wait to have my own house with an ornament cabinet for all my treasures. I think it'll be amazing to have a collection you can look at and remember who got you what and when for.
We had a chilled evening in last night with a massive Dominoes order. The dough balls they do are SO good and I love their potato wedges. We started the Lord Of The Rings boxset last Sunday but I fell asleep halfway through so we watched what I'd missed and the rest followed by Toy Story 2. I am so excited to watch Toy Story 3, it could be my favourite of the three. We woke to a beautiful sunny day this morning and then we went to see This is 40 at the cinema. It was funnier than I expected but I hope my life at 40 isn't like that! There is one truly hilarious scene where they get room service...there was a trailer for a film called Side Effects that I can't wait to see. It stars Rooney Mara, Channing Tatum and Jude Law (babes!) and looks like its about a new drug affecting a Rooney's character and getting her into trouble. I originally thought it was the follow up to The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo as Rooney was the first you saw. I haven't got to the cinema much lately but there's not been anything much on so really looking forward to getting back into it.

River Island satchel £35 (ASOS)

I have wanted a satchel for years but I'm so fussy none have ever been bought. When I saw this I really liked it and being from ASOS knew it would be easy to return if I didn't like it after all. I literally gasped when I opened the box. I'm not a nude girl but there's something about this, I love the detail and the contrast between smooth and texture. I'm anxious it might rub on my thigh and get that awful dark mark but I'll try to walk more with it in my elbow than on my shoulder. This bag is so big too, I'll be able to fit loads in.  

 River Island "love makes the world go round" bangle £6

I made a cheeky order on River Island as my bag browsing led to me finding some jewellery I just had to own. I really like this types of bangles but some can be so expensive so I thought this was a great alternative.

River Island Anchor ring £3

An anchor ring was obviously going to be mine. I love this little one so much. 

River Island Luck & Hope rings £4

More rings. I used to always go for big statement rings but am swaying more towards little ones recently. 

 River Island Heart thumb ring £2 

Bit of a long story but when my Mum got her first full time adult job pay packet she bought herself a gold ring with four hearts in a row, two up and two down and she gave it to me when I was little. I've treasured it and its so special but I've never seen anything remotely like it. I won't wear this as a thumb ring but on my fingers. Its the most similar I've ever found so I just had to buy it!

My only purchase this week was for these! I only bought these two colours and went back the next day for the green and pink ones have sold out. I'll get them I'm sure. Mine were 2 for £6 in Superdrug and usually £3.99 each. Boots won't have them for a while yet so Superdrug is the place to go!

 My wonderful boyfriend spoilt me on Valentine's :) 

I'm working more hours again this week so I've definitely got the Monday blues tonight. Sigh, its all money in the pot. Me and my boyfriend are thinking of our summer holiday destination so that's getting me excited and it seems Spring may just be starting to creep in. 

Hope you've all had good weeks 

Valentine's Day Ideas: Loved Up

It's just under a week now until Valentine's Day and I have so many ideas for inexpensive and wonderful ways to spend it with your loved one I just had to share. I don't buy into the whole thing of spending money to make someone feel special. I prefer memories and little momentos of an occasion as opposed to a big fancy gift.

These are my favourite ways to treat your Valentine without spending ridiculous amounts of money.

A card is priceless. There are so many designs and content to pick from you'll be spoilt for choice. I love cards as you can keep them forever and they mean so much because it was picked by your loved one for you. My boyfriend is a gem and always takes great care choosing cards for me because he knows how much I love to receive them.

Next up is sweet treats. There is no end of goodies to choose from. I even saw a giant gingerbread bear in Greggs today with a pink iced heart, so cute! If you have time you could bake your own treats such as heart shaped biscuits or pink iced buns/cupcakes. The shops are full of treats particularly bakery sections. 

 I found the chocolate heart lollipop in Marks and Spencers for £1. They also have little bags of love themed sweets such as jelly hearts or pink white chocolates. The heart of Cadburys chocolate were £1 in Asda and Love Hearts are around 50p a packet. My boyfriend gave me a 'Dream Girl' love heart when we first went out as friends (I didn't realise he liked me ha) so they're special to me now and I'll be putting these into a bowl for our evening in :)

Going for a meal out is always nice but on Valentine's I prefer a quiet meal for two in the comfort of my own home. Plus it'll cost less to eat in whether you cook a meal from scratch, buy ready made food or order in. Marks and Spencer are doing their "Dine in for 2 for £10" deal again and most supermarkets do multi buy offers on their selection of ready meals. Me and my boyfriend are getting a chinese takeaway like we did last year as that's what we both fancy but the options are endless. For afters I'll be getting my fondue kit out. All you need is chocolate (Cadburys Dairy Milk or Galaxy is nicest) with marshmallows, fruit, biscuits and wafers.

Another alternative for food although this is more appropriate for lunchtime because of the weather and time of year is a picnic in a park or on the beach. Now February can be rather cold so it would need to be a mild day with no rain or snow forecast which could be a lot to ask of England! I've never done one but an indoors picnic sounds romantic. All you'll need is a space to lay out your rug and then you can have whatever food you like. 

If you get home from work before your loved one you could run them a candlelit bubble bath, leave a trail of rose petals to the dining room where you've laid the table or to their card/present. 

My boyfriend surprised me with a bunch of roses last year which was my favourite part of Valentine's apart from him obviously! There'll be no end of flowers available and every girl loves flowers right?!

On the Wednesday night I'll be laying my dining room table ready for our romantic meal as we're getting our takeaway together from work so I won't have time when we get home on Thursday, I'll be using the following

 rose petals £1 poundland, love single red rose 99p card factory 

 glitter hearts on sticks £1 poundland, heart doilies £1 asda

 heart napkins asda (last years) red felt coasters asda (last years)

red heart confetti £1.50 m&s, heart crystals (christmas present, but suspect it was the range), red heart ballons asda (last years)

 This was my table last year. The candles in the holder were lit and we had the chinese on the middle mats. I scattered the confetti I had and put some chocolate ladybugs out too. Theres no right or wrong way of laying a table, just place what you need where you need it and then place the extra around. Candles would usually sit in the middle but because the chinese cartons were going there and our arms would be moving over it I didn't want any burns. 

So that's it. Valentine's Day doesn't have to cost much but you can still have a romantic time. All I want to do is be with my boyfriend so it doesn't matter what we do. Most people will be at work so will be limited for their evening options like us. Hopefully this will give you some ideas :)

Hope you have a lovely Valentine's!

*images with purple background, and bottom two, are my own, all others are from weheartit

Valentine's Day Single Ideas

I've only had one wonderful Valentine's Day (last year) so I know all about how it can feel as the day approaches and arrives. I'd always wish I had someone special to pick a card for and seeing the red and pink aisles of love and little gifts for a loved one made me envious.

I don't fully buy into the day as I think love should be an every moment thing not once a year effort. I really enjoyed my single years but couldn't resist the excitement of romance, red roses and doing something on the day. If anything Valentine's Day excites me less now that I'm with my boyfriend which is rather odd but probably down to the fact we are very loved up and aren't going out of our way for a special day. 

When I was thinking up a post about inexpensive but wonderful ideas for those in love I thought of all my single Valentine's Days and thought I would share some ideas of what to do. 

Some of my favourite Valentine's have been spent with my friends. A memorable one was spent with my favourite people: two girls and three boys. We were inseparable in sixth form and it made perfect sense to go on a friends triple date. The boys all got us a rose each too and it was at Pizza Hut. It doesn't matter where you eat, you'll have a great time with your best friends. 

A more recent Valentine's was spent with my friend having a girlie sleepover, a pamper session, a DVD with pizza and nibbles and then hours of girlie duvet talk and laughter. Nothing can beat a night in with your bestest. 

Another alternative with friends could be drinks at your favourite pub, a night at the cinema or ordering a takeaway and watching a film on the sofa. 

And if you're looking for love you could arrange a night out with friends to meet new people or find a speed dating night.

I spent my last single Valentine's Day at work and then in the evening, watching tv and tidying my room. The boy I called boyfriend at the time didn't bother to see me, letting me down at the last minute. So the only other option is to ignore the whole thing altogether and certainly don't waste your time on someone who isn't worth yours. 

*images from weheartit.com