Thrifty Tips for Christmas

Hello! Since it's Christmas Eve (eek!), I wanted to put together some last minute tips for those of you who aren't quite organised yet. Every year, my family and I make use of some simple tips and tricks to save money and make Christmas run a little smoother:

1. Use old Christmas cards as labels
One way to stop myself hoarding Christmas cards is to use last year's cards as labels. It's a great tip when you end up spending Christmas Eve wrapping only to realise you didn't buy any labels for your gifts. I cut the picture from the front of the card out, write my message on the back, hole punch a hole and thread a ribbon through. I can then add this to my present as a thrifty label which is personal and Christmassy!

2. Keep the drains fat free!
It may be a slightly odd topic, but keeping your drains free of fat can really make a difference over Christmas. We have always poured our fat into a separate beaker to ensure that our drains don't get clogged up and nasty - the end result isn't an attractive photo as you can see above, but it works! Yorkshire Water have released a much easier way of doing this and importantly it's free! You can pick up an EkoFunnel from local Sainsburys or a Fat Trap from Waitrose if you're lucky enough to live in Yorkshire. Richard Flint* points out that "it only takes a couple of extra seconds to get rid of products like fat by putting it in the bin" but will save Yorkshire Water millions - and yourself a few quid too!

3. Create a Christmas wreath
A few years ago, I visited Wicken Fen, where I created a wreath base out of wicker - you can make these yourself or even buy the base. Then, every year, all I need to do is add some decorations using fresh plants, fruit and berries. This year, I used offcuts from our Christmas tree, oranges, berries and chillies. It's completely eco friendly, gives you the chance to be creative and doesn't cost a penny!

4. Add scratchcards to cheap crackers
Everyone knows that the inside of crackers are normally full of rubbish. Rather than another plastic toy which will end up in the bin by the end of night, my Mum adds a scratchcard to each cracker. Normally at least one person will win some money and it's certainly more exciting as we all race to see if we have won a million - now, wouldn't that be a lovely Christmas present?

What thrifty tips do you use this Christmas? Will you be using any of my tips today?

Jess

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Afternoon Tea at Ox Pasture Hall

Hello! After a brief break with an outfit post, I have one final part of my stay at Ox Pasture Hall* to share with you all - the Afternoon Tea. If you can't afford the time or funds to stay the night at Ox Pasture Hall, the afternoon tea is a delicious way to experience the location and food here on the outskirts of Scarborough:

Our Afternoon Tea was served in the lounge area in front of a crackling open fire. It was toasty and cosy; the perfect setting for tea, sandwiches and cake. We poured ourselves some Taylors of Harrogate tea and dived into the sandwiches. We were particularly impressed by the selection and quality - the savory element to an afternoon tea is often overlooked and these were excellent. There was beef and horseradish, smoked salmon and finally cream cheese and cucumber sandwiches cut into perfect triangles. The bread was tasty and the fillings were well balanced; one meat, one fish and one vegetable option meant that there was something for almost all tastes.

Next, we moved onto the scones. Yorkshire is my favourite place for a generously sized and well baked scone and these did not disappoint. The clotted cream was perfect, and served in an adorable tiny teacup, and the tiny jars of jam were very cute. Finally, it was time for the cakes. I always regret leaving my favourite part of afternoon tea til the end, as I am normally getting full by this point! The sweet selection of our meal included a shortbread biscuit, which was buttery, crumbly and perfect with our tea. It also comprised of two cakes; one sponge, covered in buttercream and dried raspberry, which was as tasty as it was pretty, and another lemon cheesecake, which is one of my favourite cakes. Finally, my favourite cake was actually the teeny tiny raspberry 'pastry cup,' which was filled with tart jam and a sweet soft meringue topping. It was the perfect balance of sweet and tartness and something which I haven't tried at an afternoon tea before. The cakes change daily, so no two afternoon teas are the same, but the selection was so varied and carefully thought through, it is certain to appeal to all afternoon tea lovers!

All in all, the Ox Pasture Hall afternoon tea is a wonderful experience (and a hundred times better than the disappointing Mad Hatter's Afternoon Tea from the Cedar Court Grand which I reviewed a few weeks earlier). It's a great way to visit the hotel either as part of a luxury weekend away or to escape daily life for a few hours and enjoy some Yorkshire tea and delicious food in beautiful surroundings.

Jess

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OOTD: Mist on the Moors

Today I wanted to break up my recent spate of lifestyle posts by sharing an outfit post (particularly because there are more travel posts coming!) I snapped up this cami dress in the Topshop sale and love these atmospheric misty shots taken at Ox Pasture Hall:

Dress: Topshop. Necklace: New Look. Cardigan: Vintage (York Does Vintage). Boots: Asos.

Fur collar: Primark.

I love this scenery - if only I could take outfit posts in such fantastic locations every day! As soon as I spotted this loose fitted cami dress in the Topshop Summer sale, it headed straight for my basket. Although I wasn't too sold on the shape of it, I adored the William Morris style print and luckily I now love the fit too. It's a sort of swing style, but isn't too unflattering thanks to its delicate straps and neckline. The button detail on the top part of the dress is really cute and the length ensures that the looser shape round the waist looks fashionable rather than unflattering.

The colours are certainly pinker than the website image, but I always carefully read comments on Topshop's website before I buy and this had warned me of this. For the colder weather, I teemed it with my cosy mustard cardigan - a favourite vintage bargain of mine. The bright colour goes well with a surprising amount of my wardrobe and I think it brings out the colour and pattern of the dress. The material is thick and cosy; I always find vintage clothing much sturdier and warmer and it was perfect for the chilly day.

I couldn't resist adding my most-worn statement necklace from New Look. Since this, I've unfortunately managed to break it so I'm now on the look out for a stunning replacement. I'm lazy with my accessorizing, so this statement necklace really was a must have. However, I've also been loving a new accessory - my fur collar. I unbuttoned it from my red Primark coat and have been wearing it as a scarf almost non-stop. I'm obsessed with fur (fake, of course!) this winter and this stole adds some warmth, glamour and general fluffiness to my daily outfits.

What are you loving this Winter? Do you work your Summer sale items into your Winter wardrobe like I do?

Jess

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