My secret talent is bargain hunting! Now I love supporting handmade etsy stores, and local businesses, but sometimes the price just doesnt justify the item.
If I see something I just have to have, unless it's mega special and I know I can't leave without it, I have a system.
* eBay. Most things I love can be found second-hand on eBay, for far cheaper than their RRP. Always havee a quick search before committing to new, unless you're happy paying out for it. I've found cushion covers for £2 each, when in large stores they've been £7-15 for one pillow.
* Gumtree. I'm not a huge fan of the second-hand local selling site, but I have come across a few bargains from people moving house and wanting to get rid of furniture quickly. Just be careful how to arrange payment, and check electrical items work before handing over cash!
* Facebook selling pages. These are fab, especially when they're local and you can collect for free or have it delivered for a couple of pounds. It's also great when people you know are selling things - you often end up getting them for free ;)
* Avoid labels. I'm not mad about labels at all, whether its for clothing (although I love my Fat Face and Saltrock items!), or anything else, and when it comes to home-wears, I prefer value over brand names. I treated myself to a few items from the home range at NEXT when we first had the kitchen done, but most of the rest are all generic versions of popular brand items. I originally bought a lightbox for £50 for my kitchen - I love them, and think they're so versatile for occasions and look adorable. But then I found that The Range were stocking them for £10....!!! No brainer ;)
Primark's home range is amazing, and if you haven't ventured into the aisles of candles, throws and decor, I suggest you get your butt in gear! The great thing about their range is that's it's constantly being updated. They have seasonal themes, but in between they tend to update their shelves every month or so. You'd expect bad quality from the cheaper end stores, but even their Home range is up there with other budget home ranges such as B&M and the new New Look home range.
Their range has caused one issue, though. I am obsessed with bedding. Over winter, we slept in their super warm extra thick cotton sets, through summer, the thinner, pastel shades are a welcome change.
The great thing is that they display the sets in store, so you can see what matches. As I write this post, the current range is a bohemian hippy style, with camper van prints and spirograph style patterns.
Here are a few images from the themes in our home....
Our smallest spare room is a future nursery, so the theme has always been fun, childish and uni-sex. The theme was based on Primark's last summer season range - flamingos, pineapples and pastels.
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| Mint frames and sunshine box - Primark Cloud shelves - Tiger House frames - The Range |
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| Day Bed - IKEA Bed set - Primark Pineapple cushion - Primark Flamingo cushions - Primark |
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| Ice cream lamp - a lovely little company LOVE letters - The Range Wooden Owl - The Range Strawberry jewellery box - Tiger Box frames - Primark Flamingo mug - Primark |
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| Frames - Primark Glitter paper and buttons - Hobbycraft |
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| ARIZONA and NEVADA silhouettes |
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| Primark summer theme |
I also love the George at Home, from Asda. I still find lots of their items on the pricey side, but they too do some great seasonal items, and when I was in my 'stag and deer' obsessed phase, they definitely helped curb the appeal by supplying more than enough items to keep me happy! (They also do cheap Yankee tarts, if you're like me and love them!)
After I've been to Primark, I always head to The Range and B&M. B&M is a monthly/fortnightly trip because we don't live overly close (20min drive, as opposed to 2 min drive to The Range), and it's not on our travel route to anywhere, so we have to make an effort to go there. B&M is my guilty pleasure for kitchenware - they sell the cutest mason jars, and those kitsch, shabby chic homely items that you always see on Pinterest and Instagram but have no idea where to buy. We bought two sets of mason jar glasses before Christmas and everyone loved them for their mulled wine, complete with cinnamon stick and orange slice.
B&M also do great imitation items. I say that because I often find versions of things in there that I see in places like Dunelm Mill and Next, but for half the price. This little candle holder is ceramic. I almost bought one from Next that was an electric version, with a bulb inside, but for a fraction of the cost (this one was £6.99), we get to burn our favourite Yankee candles and it looks just as sweet.
My other secret is the 'all or nothing' deorating rule.
It's almost Christmas, and you love the Nordic, tartan theme. It's everywhere, so you buy the curtains, the rug, the throws, the cushion covers.
You have a choice. After Christmas you pack them away and only dig them out again next year, or you keep them up all year without the decorations that make it christmassy. But you have to commit. If you're going to do the latter, then you can justify spending more for more durable products, but if you're only getting it out for 6-8 weeks of the year, then my advice is to keep it cheap.
Be sensible, frugal and realistic - do you need to spend £32 on a kettle when theres one just as pretty, that does the same job, but without the brand name on the side for £10?
Let me know your secrets!
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