Pre- children and all that – the word ‘vouchers’ didn’t really grab my attention, I was more of a saw it, liked it, buy it girl. When I look back in my childhood, I remember my mother having countless vouchers in her purse and going shopping with her was not something that I looked forward to every week.
Being dragged around town by your parents when you’re 16 years old is never cool… specially when you’re with a voucher wielding mother who doesn’t care if she holds up the queue for 5 minutes or not, as long as she gets 10 pence off that box of Alpen. But, of course, now, I’ve grown up, I have kids, and I welcome any kind of money saving scheme, after all every penny counts, and I get that slight feeling of satisfaction knowing that I saved a little bit of money (Note to my husband: Yes, believe it or not, I do try to save money).
The days of voucher collecting are diminishing and over the past 10 years, on-line shopping has become more and more popular. Fabulous sites such as Voucher Hub is a great resource of on-line vouchers and discounts. All you have to do is search for the voucher you need and Voucher Hub will do the rest for you.
If you’re web savvy like myself, I’m sure you don’t need instructions on how to search for a discount on their site, but if you’re a little bit unsure on how everything works, then have no fear, here is a very straight forward video tutorial on how to grab that bargain! Or if you really don’t fancy their on-line service, then they also have printable vouchers for you to use on selected outlets.
Of course, I can’t write a post about shopping without including a wishlist, so here are just some items that I’m drooling over lately and if you have the same taste as I have then grab them now and use the discounts available.
For £300 it's over my budget, but a girl can dream ^_^
Debenhams - Ultimo Couture Multi Coloured Feather Maxi Dress
Apple 17in MacBook Pro
Additions Direct – Apple 17in MacBook Pro
Bourjois Limited Edition 2009 Vintage Blush
ASOS - Bourjois Limited Edition 2009 Vintage Blush
Too Faced Insurance Policy Kit
ASOS – Too Faced Insurance Policy Kit
So there you go, did I get you excited about using vouchers? You can also follow Voucher Hub on Twitter, Facebook or receive a weekly email featuring the best voucher codes by signing up for their newsletters.
Go forth and save some moolah! 
Vouchers powered by VoucherHub.com
OK, its been a few weeks since I posted a ‘wishlist’ so here are some goodies that made me feel all fluffy inside 
<3 Necklace $20.00 – Shanalogic
Camera Ring $8.00 - Shanalogic
The White Rabbit Bracelet $65.00 - Shanalogic
A quote that suited my mood today:
“Power corrupts. Knowledge is power. Study hard. Be evil.”
Currently loving:
Another great example of Paloma’s vintage savoir faire. Who knew that airport shopping can be so cool!
Image credits: JOHN SWANNELL – Telegraph
My busy and stressful week was rewarded by a lovely day out with my daughter over the weekend. I’m sad to say that now that she’s growing up so quick, we hardly get the time to spend ‘girlie’ times together, so any bonding time is precious. Now that she’s reaching the ‘teen’ stage I’m glad that she hasn’t changed drastically… yet, and we’re still able to enjoy each others company. However, playing house and dolls had been replaced by shopping trips and meals out, but we don’t mind so much… like mother like daughter I guess! 
Sam's Chop House Leeds
Firstly was lunch at Sam’s Chop House, Leeds. A great place with a vintage Victorian feel, I’ve always been a fan of the ‘ye olde look places and was pretty impressed with the décor and atmosphere.
The combination of bringing traditional British food and adding a modern twist gives the menu an interesting look. The Crispy Corned Beef Hash Cake that took 10 days to make particularly caught my attention and I’m sure that MrB would have also appreciated the Home-made Pork Pie too. Must take him there next time.
To begin, I had the seared salmon with pickled cucumber, artichoke purée & artichoke crisps, finished with a bitter lemon & herb dressing. I’ve never had artichoke before so I was curious of what it would taste like. Also having cooked my own salmon dish a few weeks ago I wanted to see their own version with the purée.
My starter came in a nice presentation I actually felt a little guilty to ruin all the pretty arrangement. The salmon was cooked to perfection, the concoction of the fish, artichoke crisp, puree and the tang of the dressing made this starter a little piece of heaven. Though I could have done with a bigger piece of salmon. But I guess I’m just greedy 
For the entrée, I went for a medium rare 28-day aged Yorkshire Rib-eye steak. Served with a miniature cottage pie, bacon bubble & squeak & finished with a red wine & pink peppercorn sauce. Again, the presentation was nice and I loved the miniature pie, the steak was cooked to my liking but found the bacon in the bubble and squeak very dry and tasteless. It was almost like chewing gravel, a little disappointing but I’ve eaten worse dishes and this certainly was not one of them. So, I guess I can be forgiving after I’ve picked off all the dried bacon I can say that my main was excellent.
Of course we can’t go on a girlie lunch without ordering desserts, even though Ellie and I were bursting at the seams 
. I decided on the White Chocolate & Raspberry Cheesecake with a McVitie’s Digestive Biscuit base finished with fresh raspberries & raspberry coulis. Impressive presentation but the cheesecake itself was not the best I’ve had in comparison to MrBs creations. It was rather sugary and soft, not like an original New York Cheesecake where I cake itself is firm but melt in the mouth.
To sum it all up, I was impressed with the whole setting, meal and service, we both enjoyed our lunch and of course spending time with each other over good food and a glass of Coca Cola 
and the best thing of all is looking forward to the shopping day that we had ahead. 
Fillet of Scottish salmon
Rib eye steak with pink peppercorn sauce
White Chocolate & Raspberry Cheesecake
The fruits of our labour after spending 4 hours in Leeds town centre. 
Nautical stripe star top
Nautical stripe star top
Nautical Stripe Top (Jane Norman)
Stud split sleeve cowl neck top
Stud split sleeve neck top – Jane Norman
Lovely to know that I have something in common with my daughter, for that age and the rate they grow it’s pretty hard to find something that interests both of us. But Ellie and I both agree on the cuteness of Momiji. We’re both have a small collection hopefully growing in to something really big
I think it has become more of a competition because she never fails to mention that she has more than me. So you can just imagine the excitement when we found out that they have some great Momiji dolls at Cadeaux, and it was obviously rude not to bring some back home.
Momiji mug - Hank loves it too *^_^*
Love coffee x
She likes Dexy's midnight runners
My girl
Something to make you smile and feel lucky to be blessed with a daughter.
Just before Christmas I’ve been drooling over some WeLoveKaoru goodies. OMG, their stuff are just amazing. I secretly hid my obession until I found a fellow lovely who obsess on teacups like I do. So, I guess I can come out of the closet now and admit, that yes, I’m a freaking teacup and saucer lover.
I’m even thinking of getting a display cabinet where I can showcase my new found obsession, no it’s not the same as those people who love plates. I’ve never understood that, but hey, each to their own.
Maybe I’m getting too old and feel the need to collect dinnerware, but recently I’ve been admiring well made ceramic goodies, and sometimes find my self getting excited when I pass Wedgwood I just have to take a look and admire their shiny well made porcelain tea sets . MrB understands my obsession and over the years he has learnt how to tolerate it, well, I guess he has to.
Here are a few of my faves, I specially the last two, it’s soooo me. So girls, anyone for tea? It sure tastes nicer in these.
