Joom: a review

Hello there,

Just before Christmas I decided that I was going to start looking for some items in order to create a harry potter Christmas tree, I knew it wasn’t going to be possible that year but wanted to prepare for next Christmas.   Upon scouring the internet for harry potter related items I came across the app called Joom, now I would never normally use these apps as I am always unsure if they are safe or not and after googling for reviews didn’t really find much out, I did however see that there was the option to pay through pay pal and having seen so much that I liked at such an affordable priced decided to but it.  If it wasn’t for the paying through PayPal I would probably have left it but knowing there was added protection there helped.

I spent about £15 and here’s what I got:

25 small organza bags 67p – I wasn’t disappointed in these they look like they did in the picture but I’m not 100% sure that I will use them for the purpose on which I bought but they are still pretty and of decent quality.

 

 

A Harry Potter watch £1.36 – Now I’ll be honest it’s not the best made watch that there is, I would struggle to tell the time on this watch but for £1.36 the quality isn’t bad at all for the actual watch.  The picture on the watch face is blurry but again for the price you can’t be too picky.

 

 

A set of 6 Matt Liquid Lipsticks £4 – when I opened this I was certainly surprised to see the Kylie Jenner labelling on as there was no mention that this was what the product was.  Now I know it’s not real and that is in in fact a fake but decided to swatch the colours on the back of my hand, these were really pretty but when I tried to wash them off stained my skin making me decided that I wouldn’t use them.  They also had a strange odour that again put me off wanting to use them properly.

A pair of Heart Shaped Earrings 43p – I have yet to wear these but they look like the picture.  The only issue I have with them is that they only have small plastic backs that are a real pain to put onto the earing its self but I think they will look so pretty when I do wear them and for 43p I can’t really moan.

Flip phone case £2.64 – I was slightly annoyed when I opened up this package as it wasn’t at all the colour I had expected to receive, but the phone case is of decent quality my phone fits and it does the job that I bought it for.  So other than the colour I am pretty happy with this product.

 

 

 

Harry Potter Wand Keychain 86p – The issue I had with this product is you didn’t know which wand you were buying they just sent one out.  It’s pretty decent quality and will do the job of tree ornament just fine so happy me.

Harry Potter Rowena Ravenclaw lost diadem necklace 94p – This is fairly decent quality.  I wouldn’t wear it out myself but to use on my tree is perfect!

 

 

 

 

 

Platform 9 ¾ key ring 86p – when this came it wasn’t at all what I expected rather than being flat like I had thought it was it came with a clear dome over it.  Brilliant for on my tree though so happy again.

 

 

 

Harry potter liquid luck vial necklace 86p – Again impressed with this item it came and looked just like the picture and will be perfect for my tree.

Tom Riddles Ring 39p – I will use this on my tree but I think I might try and hide it at the back as it is very poorly made but for the price of it I should have known that it wouldn’t look that amazing.

Harry potter themed bangle 86p – I really like this and can’t wait to wear it! It feels a lovely quality and that I could wear it for hours without it being irritating (whether that’s true or not will be tested when I actually wear it)

 

 

 

Deathly Hallows sign neckalce 53p – This again is fine and brilliant for me tree, I can imagine this one is easy for the manufactures to mass make hence the low price.  I also got this on special offer with so much knocked off (its original price was £1)

 

 

 

 

 

Golden snitch necklace 57p – I’m not impressed with this one, although does look like a snitch the quality is very poor, I will use it on my tree but along with the ring will probably be placed near the back.

 

Overall I found my experience with Joom a fairly positive one.  If you don’t mind waiting a fair while for delivery (most of mine took 3 weeks) then have a look, just maybe don’t but and cosmetics from their as who knows what could be in them.  They also have offers on where items are the ‘deal of the hour’ so you get them cheaper.  I have just ordered another batch of items, fingers crossed they all come ok.

Do you recommend anywhere for harry potter products?

 Leigh xx

2018 Goals!

Hello There,

This year I have decided to set myself goals rather than resolutions in the hope that I have more chance of achieving them.  I have also slashed the number of goals that I have given myself again in the hopes I can achieve them.

 
My goals for 2018 are:
 

1)   Save, Save, Save! - I have decided that this year I will take it very serious and save up as much as I can in the hopes that it will help with my dream of moving out! This also means cutting down on my spending which I fully intend to do

 

2)   Raise £1000 for the Alzheimer's society- I decided upon this one after last year’s memory walk hearing so many peoples stories of this horrible disease spurred me on to try and raise even more for them and of course for my grandad who I hope to make super proud!

 

3)   Get Fitter- This is something I say I am going to do every year and every year I fail.  This year though I intend to do everything I can to achieve this as last year I became super unfit and plonked weight on.

 

Fingers crossed I can look back on the 31^st December and feel proud of myself that I have achieved these. 2018 let’s do this!


Leigh x

Bargain shopping.

Hello there,

 Recently I have become obsessed with vlogs of people shopping at bargain stores and the amazing things that can be found in them and being someone who does shop in them a lot thought I would write about it.

I finally, after months of not having the courage to do so, drove to Mansfield and went shopping.  The day was only meant to take us to Poundland and Home bargains but then my sister rang and said she was catching the train to us and asked if she could come home with us so two shops changed into four and we bought a lot of stuff.

Cards 50p/£1, Manicure set £1, Baby Grooming set £1

The first shop we went in was Poundland, I wanted to go to a bigger store because my local one isn’t very big and doesn’t have as greater a variety as the other bigger store that are just that bit further away.  The plan for here was to start on Christmas presents mainly my dad as he loves gardening but once there realised that I wouldn’t actually be able to get anything as the bits that I saw were things he already had or wouldn’t use.  That didn’t deter us from looking around the rest of the shop and we managed to pick up some pretty good bargains including some lovely card that had been reduce to 50p! I have decided recently that I want to move into somewhere of my own and have begun saving up to move out and have been buying little house things and couldn’t resist the wine glasses, at four for £1 you can’t go wrong! They also had slate placemats for £1 each which is what I am wanting for my house but unfortunately all the ones in the store were scratched or chipped so I didn’t get to purchase any.

 

Bath Bomb 59p, Card 59p, Deodorant £1, Pot Noodles 65p Each

The next shop was Home Bargains, I don’t go in here as often as in my local town it is placed a bit more out of the way so you have quite the trek to get there depending on where you’ve parked.  I wanted this shop as a couple of the ladies at work had gotten water bottles from here and they looked amazing! Unfortunately for me I couldn’t find them anywhere so I just purchased a few things, including some super noodles (49p) that were eaten before I took the pictures… ooops!

 

We then ventured to Primark and I just bought some bits for when my friend has her baby.  I haven’t taken pictures as I’m wanting to keep everything a surprise but I was amazed that I could get a teddy with a blanket and a packed of 5 bibs for just over £10.

 

Bin £1.99, Small Photo Album £1.99, Large Photo Album £2.99,
Jar Money box £1.99, Large Storage Box £3.49

The last stop was B&M bargains and we ended up with a trolley, my sister bought loads! I also picked up quite a few items and was particularly pleased to find a new bin as I have been wanting one for my room for a while now.  I also couldn’t resist the photo albums as I absolutely love taking photos and need one to use as an album of the photos from my sister’s wedding. I also really loved there range of money pots the jar ones I have never seen before and thought were really cool but they also had the pot ones that you have to smash for the fraction of the price as the branded ones.

All in all I think it’s safe to say we had a brilliant shopping trip buying things we needed and things we didn’t even realise we wanted!

Leigh x

Buying a DSLR camera...

Hello there

For a long time I have had an interest in photography, from as far as I can remember we’ve always had a camera in the house.  I remember my first ever camera was a Barbie one with a film that had to be developed in it and I loved snapping anything and everything, although we never did get any pictures developed from that, and now my interest has grown.

I at the moment own 3 different cannon and a Fujifilm instax mini 8, the newest addition being a Cannon 100D my first ever DSLR.  Now I’d be lying if I said I knew what I was doing with that thing, it was an impulse buy (second hand from a selling page on Facebook) for me to try and learn how to use before my sister’s wedding. I got to grips with the basics and managed to get some shots that I was quite proud of.

Here are just a few pictures of me getting used to the camera and from the wedding.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’ve signed up to an online photography course but I think I might try and enrol at my local college on a night course as this interest has now turned into a passion and I really want to see if I can get better and who knows even maybe start taking pictures for people?

Leigh x

Poundland Bargins!!

Hello there,

I am a super lover of pound shops and will more often than not make anyone I am with come into them with me when out shopping, and every so often I will find some gems!

On a recent shopping trip to (the dreaded) Meadowhall for another dress shopping day I decided that a nip into the rather large Poundland was needed.  Now I had a few things in mind which I wanted to buy but then on the end of an aisle I saw what I thought was brilliant.

A few people I know are having babies and as my sister is getting married next week we all suspect it won’t be long before I am made into an auntie so when I saw that Poundland had baby shower items I got majorly excited buying them ready for when my sister has a baby.  A few items were bought in Meadowhall and a few from a rather large shop in Scarborough (who also had a good selection of weddingy bits).

This is what I picked up:

  

All the bargains for £10!!

 

Some super cute confetti £1!

24 Milestone cards £1

14 Photobooth props £1

Pin the Dummy on the Baby £1
(I think I might have to get another)

2 Lovely Banners £1
(I definitely need some more of these)

20 pack of napkins £1

20 Pack of Plates £1

20 Pack of Straws £1

 

 

 

 

 

20 Pack of Paper Cups £1

 

24 Pack Cupcake Kit £1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At £1 each I found them to be real bargains and can’t wait to use them! There was other bits too which I am hoping to get a few things of such as a scrapbook, a money bank etc.  I might even challenge myself when the time comes, can I throw a baby shower with all budget £1 or less items? We shall have to wait and see!

 

Leigh x

Looking back on 2016

Hello there,

Well 2016 was an interesting year! There was Brexit, Trump and stars dying left, right and centre.  For me though 2016 was a good year one that I know I’ll enjoy looking back on in years to come!

The biggest thing for me in 2016 was passing my driving test and buying a car, the independence gained from that is just amazing and I can’t wait to go to lots of places in 2017.  But my days was it expensive! Looking back on how much I would have spent on the 50 hours of lessons, two theory tests, the test itself and then the using my instructor’s car it’s crazy! But at least now I don’t have to catch a bus to work anymore woo!!

2016 was a year for birthdays with many of my family celebration special ones this year.

My cousin Hannah turned 21 and we had a lovely time at her house for a special party which was a joint party with my auntie who had turned 50 just a couple of days before my cousins.

My mum turned 50 and me and my sister pulled out all the stops, buying her 50 presents and then taking her out for dinner at an Italian restaurant.

 

 

I turned 21 and my birthday seemed to last weeks! The day before my birthday the lovely people that I work with planned a surprise and gave me gifts with all the children from the different rooms singing happy birthday to me, it was so sweet and I am so grateful for the amazing people that I work with.  Then there was my actual birthday where I didn’t really do much out of the ordinary, I went to work then went to brownies armed with a chocolate cake and then went out for dinner at a carvery that has always been a place I liked to go. The week after saw a big birthday party that I got so stressed out planning but in the end it was lovely and I was surrounded by all my lovely family and friends.  Then there was a trip to London… but more about that later.

One of my work colleague’s also turned 21 and it was lovely going out for a meal to a Chinese and then for a few drinks afterwards, even though I didn’t stay at the club long.

 

We also had the christening of my cousins little boy Oscar.  It was such a lovely day with the sun being our friend and shining the whole time.

Concerts of 2016 consisted of a small but lovely 8.

First up was 5 Seconds of Summer.  This was the first concert id been too with my god mothers daughter and the young leader from brownies and it was also the first time that I had been in the arena since ‘ attack gate’ so I was a little bit apprehensive about going but it was an amazing concert and I loved it.

Next up was Mike Dignam.  This tour was one on a much smaller scale, my heart really went out for Mike as the year previous he had sold out the room in which he played that there was only about 30 people in.  Mike is the nicest guy ever and always makes time at the end to meet all of his fans who are there to support him.  I can’t wait for him to bring some new music out because I know it’ll be amazing!

Then it was The Vamps, regulars on people that I like to go and see but that’s because of how good they are.  I went for cheaper tickets this year as I was saving for a car but the seats were amazing and the stage set up was so good that no matter where you were sat (or stood) you’d be able to see.  I also got to meet two of the supporting bands! Not the band that I had hoped to meet but still I met some pretty cool guys that day.

Fusion Festival is next and it was so fun! I dragged my mum to Liverpool and we had a brilliant time the line-up was amazing and I can’t wait to see who’s playing in 2017.  I did however injure myself in all the excitement of being there and danced a little too much when Busted were on and hurt my knee. Oops!

Jamie Lawson’s tour is next and although I have seen Jamie at various other concerts and really liked him I can’t see that I will be going to his tour again as a lot of his music is quite slow and it was a little bit depressing being there.  His support act Calum Scott was amazing and I was astounded by his voice! He’s definitely one I want to see again.

 

There was Binny’s Big Bash again where it was local bands helping to raise money in memory of a wonderful guy.  It wasn’t as good this year to me as it was also in memory of another person and the music and bands were totally different to the previous years that I had loved so much.

I along with my dad went to see Ross Noble again. He is such a funny guy and I have never laughed so much in my life!

And last but not least was Meadowhall Christmas Live, a wonderful cheap concert that raises money for charity every year.  The line-up was a mazing and made me want to see James Arthur on his own tour and made me fall even more in love with Nathan Sykes. My camera was not my friend at this concert and told me that I had no charge in the battery meaning all the photos that I took are on my cousin’s camera so I don’t have them.

 

Holidays were good in 2016, consisting of a week away in Newquay, a weekend in Liverpool and a couple of days in London.

London was the first holiday in June, a treat for myself for my birthday.  Me and my sister travelled down on the train arriving and going straight to Madame Tussauds, which I was a little bit disappointed in really, I think I prefer Blackpool’s. We then went for a long old walk and ended up near the Thames walking along there and taking pictures of the London eye and then walking towards big ben and the houses of parliament.  We had dinner at the rainforest café which was a pretty cool experience before going to see Wicked, which I absolutely loved! The next day however it all went downhill my anxiety got the better of me and we had to book earlier trains home as I was really not feeling well, much to the anger of pretty much my whole family.

Newquay was certainly interesting, it was the first time in a long time that we had all gone on holiday together and the first time that my sister’s boyfriend and dog had been too. After the agonisingly long journey there we were met by lovely sunshine and wonderful beach at the place we were staying. Happy times! That was until the next day when it started to rain and the roof started leaking in the landing and the whole house was covered in damp! We ended up with no ceiling and leaving early, luckily for us we got a full refund and a few days at home to relax before going back to work.

Liverpool was a fun trip, we went to the fusion festival on Sunday and stayed overnight. We had a lovely stroll around Liverpool going to the Albert docks and to a bit of the city that seemed to be all expensive shops! It was good fun though and by the time we got home me and my mum were shattered!

 I did the Alzheimer's society memory walk this year to raise money and awareness of the people suffering from Alzheimer's all over. it meant a lot to me to do this as my granddad has Alzheimer's and its not very nice watching someone you love slowly fade away.

We also had a Halloween/ bonfire night party this year in which we invited our closest family and friends to our ‘haunted house’ that me and dad had decorated and dressed up in our spookiest of outfits.  It was a lovely party and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.

Christmas this year was another good one despite me being ill on Christmas day and not really wanting to do much.  Not many photos got took on the day but we had fun one Christmas eve having a games night against her fiancée’s family.

So overall 2016 was brilliant and I can’t wait to see what 2017 holds for us.  I just hope it’s as good or better than 2016!

Leigh xx

 

2016 resolutions look back.

Hello there,

31^st December, they day of reflection of the past year. A day where I dig out the resolutions and see just how well I’ve done (or not…), have I achieved the goals I set out to do at the beginning of the year or has 2016 been terrible and I’ve failed on them all? There’s only one way to know and that’s to look back…

1) Do more of what makes me happy- I feel that I have succeeded with this one, I’ve done more for myself this year than I ever had before and I feel really glad that I have spent time working on me and making me happy and not worrying about everyone else for a change, I still feel as though this needs work as I still do a lot to please other people and then I end up feeling rubbish for it.

2) Drink more- I have been hit and miss with this one, I seem to have had stages this year where I’ve drank more and been closer to the recommended daily amount and then something would happen and then I’d be back to hardly drinking anything. So I suppose this isn’t really a success or a failure.

3) Get fitter- The one resolution everyone seems to make and never sticks too! I haven’t even made any attempt this year to get fitter so this is a massive FAIL!! I have decided that next year I actually want to take this seriously though as I have reached a point now where I’m noticing myself putting weight on and becoming out of breath when playing with the children at work and I don’t want to be like that.  I don’t necessarily want to lose weight but I certainly want to be a healthier version of me.

4) Pass my driving test- I did it!! I am so very proud of myself for actually succeeding with this goal as it was the one thing I wanted to do more than anything this year. I’ve been passed just over a month and have still got to gain the confidence of driving to places on my own but I am so happy and can’t wait to see what adventures the New Year brings.

5) Enjoy life- This one I suppose is something that I’m always working towards there are days when I feel on top of the world and love the life I have and others I feel like poop and wish my life was completely different. Enjoying life doesn’t really seem like a goal to me anymore more a constant journey, there’s always things that are going to be upsetting and there’s always going to be uplifting moments it’s the choosing not to dwell on the rubbish and focus on the good, I hope I can do this more going forward.

So here’s to 2017 and hopefully succeeding in new resolutions whatever I choose them to be! Happy New Year and I hope your 2017 is amazing!

Leigh xx