How to be Happy Being Single in the Summer

Hi everyone,

It's summer and lets face it there are couples everywhere but fear not, being single can actually be pretty awesome. I'm going to share with you some things to avoid to ensure you still have fun.

Before we get started a little disclaimer I am not expert and even after reading and following these rules you are still miserable and bitter - I'm sorry! 

1. Couples
I'm not saying avoid all couples, obviously. Some couples are hilarious and positive and bring best out of you. I'm talking about those couples that make you feel like shit, the ones that greet you with sad moon face or talk to you as if you less accomplished in life. No, no, no we don't need that. If they make you feel miserable every time you see them, stop seeing them - done!

2. Exes
It might seem like a good idea at the time, and you might try to convince yourself it wasn't that bad - *sigh* ...Back up! Its like starring in your own version of Groundhog Day, any attempt to continue it is futile. However we're only human, so just remember why it didn't work in the first place.

3. Depressing Single People
If you want to be a dynamic singleton you need to hang out with other sassy singles. Try not to give too much time to those depressing needy people, it could kill your vibe.

4. Internet Dating
The internet may be a fun and amazing way to meet new people, but lets face it - its a little sad too. The fabulous, single, intriguing version of you does not retire from the universe so easily. Don't become a home hermit!

5. Routine
Work, Home, Eat Repeat. Ok so we all fall victim to that pattern but where possible doing different and spend the day with different people. Having variety in your circle of peeps is never going to be a bad thing.

More importantly you should be happy in your own skin and remember to smile 

I hope you enjoyed list of tips for singles at summer, if you've had a different experience or have other tips/rules please share in the comments :)

Thanks,

Faye 

Cool Apps You Should Know

Hi everyone,

I wanted to share with you a few apps that I absolutely love. Like most people I'm slightly obsessed with my phone and tablet, I'm always checking for new apps to try and experiment with.

Being the bargain hunter that I am all these apps are completely free! So without further adieu, here are a few of my very favourite apps that you should have!

Money Tracker
Seriously, this quickly becoming my favourite app for keeping track of my money ins and outs. Using a simple layout it allows you to create folders and categories, so you see where it all goes and where you could make savings! Perfect, right!

Duolingo
Google Translate is great but the long term goal is to speak all those languages yourself. Duolingo is convenient education tool and cost absolutely nothing. And is great if your into travelling or simply just want to learn something new, plus is fun. 

Show Box
This is amazing! I don't always have time to watch latest of Empire or Games of Thrones but using this app its doesn't matter. All the episodes and movies are there in abundance, which of course makes me a very happy bunny. Definitely one of my favourite apps ever!!!

7 Minute
This app has just become part of my daily routine. I really like this app because its not too light and not too ridiculous that I want to give up. I feel this right amount of push for a beginner and you can work it in a way that works for you. 

8 Tracks
This app is basically a collation of different playlist created by other user or yourself. What I really like about it is that it doesn't have those annoying adverts that YouTube has and the more you listen to playlists, it will start to suggest playlist for you. And so far the suggestions have been spot on! A must have app on tablet or phone.

Hope you guys enjoy the apps! I'd love to hear about all of your favourites in the comments down below!

Take care x

Birthday Wishes

Hi everyone,

I should have post this a month ago but you know me; might take a  while but I get there.

Well there goes another year... dam it gets faster every year. As you know birthday's are a time of celebration and thankfulness (well most of the time it is).

Even though our faces are cut off I quite like this picture

Okay so I have a small confusion to make I did not have a party for my birthday... nobody loves me :-( lol only joking, thinking of one next year ;-)

 My birthday was pretty simple it terms of things to do, but it was still special for me. I spent the majority of it with my sister goofing around, eating yummy food and pampering ourselves at a beauty salon. Then meeting up with family in the evening. My sister was quite sweet, although she can a pain sometimes, she went out her way to make me smile :)

Here's a picture with our full faces. Big thanks to her for giving me should a lovey day.

We had a food a at really place called Havet, which is a smart Turkish-Cypriot venue with contemporary styling, serving hot/cold meze and chargrilled fare. For a local place I was pleasantly surprised the food was as good as it was, yet still be a reasonably price.

We went for the King Prawns with spicy rice and Monkfish shish with mixed leaf salad. King Prawns are one of my favourite things to eat, so I knew that was a safe bet. It was delicious, I easy could have eat them all day. But this was my first time trying Monkfish...wow so good. If I was going to go pescetarian this would be definitely be on my shopping list, its meaty, fulling and not too 'fishy'. Also if your easily embarrassed, do not tell them it's your birthday and you have cake, they will play Stevie Wonder, sing and light the candles for you in front of the whole restaurant. I however loved every second of it lol

My most attractive face lol :D

So I welcome my new year. A more grown up me, please please bring me happiness, joy and love, and maybe my future husband pretty please!

Hope you having a good day, take care x

DIY Christmas Gifts

Hey everyone,

As Christmas is fast approaching I thought I'd share a few cheap gift ideas with you, which are perfect if you want to add a personal touch.

DIY T-shirt Scarf:
The first  idea is one I found over the summer but now that its winter, I think it still make a lovely gift. I really like this idea because you really get creative with the colours and styles you use, with t-shirts you already own!

Picture Credit: Ninth and Bird

For more pictures and details of how to make check out Ninth & Bird 

DIY Inspiration Jar:
The next idea is another DIY, this one is super cheap and simple to make. I think this idea is really special because we could all do with some words sometimes to lift our spirits and to put things into prospective.

The idea is you roll up your favourite quotes onto a piece of paper and each day or whenever needed you can take one out and its like a little pieces of inspiration. Top it off with ribbon or label to make it look pretty and your done.

Picture Credit: Google

Painted Mug:
Last idea is another DIY! Well if you want save cash this is how it has to be! I really like one because you don't need a lot, so doesn't cost a lot. 

Just a plain mug (about a £1 or less), Oil based paint pens, Scrap book stickers (if that is the design your going for) and an Oven. Pinterest has plenty of design ideas if you wanted to get a but more jazzy.

Picture Credit: GoodandMessy.com

Depending on what you have lying around at home all these ideas should be less £5, which is pretty cool considering how customised and unique they can be.

I hope these cheap Christmas gift ideas have helped.

Take Care x

Baby Shower Gift Idea - Onesie Bouquet

Hey everyone,

I think there comes a point in every women's life when you walk pass the aisle and this feeling of wonder, joy and love washes over you. Baby grow in hand it seems so easy to imagine the frantic kicking of an excitable child. The cute suits, adorable dresses and fluffy hats have suddenly become a black hole that you can't help but say 'Aww' at.

No guys! This is not an announcement post and I'm not just being broody... well I am bit. But I guess I was caught up in the excitement of new life and the tomorrow. Later this year I will be meeting a few new members of the family, so I thought it would be nice to share a few treasures and ideas. Whether your expecting or perhaps you have a Baby Shower to go to, I hope you find this helpful.

If you're in your 20-30's chances are you have friends that are starting to get married and have families. This is an expensive time in our lives because not only are we trying to start lives and families of our own, but we want to give a nice gift to our friends without breaking the bank.

We'd all like to give gifts that are most importantly useful, but also gifts that will not leave us broke (baby stuff is crazy expensive). But at the same time we don't want to be cheap either as these are good friends. So it time to get creative.

I've seen some very elaborate Nappy Cakes but that seems a but long winded, so I opted for a Baby Shower Onesie Bouquet - which is surprisingly simple to make. This video was nice and easy to follow.

All you need are:

• Flower pot
• Approximately 7 onesies and 9 wash cloths (Bibs, hats and socks can also be used)
• Large popsicle sticks 
• Artificial leaves
• Floral tape

Impress your friends and Mum to be with this cute centerpiece.

Good luck x

Saving Money, Saving Shame

Hi everyone,

As some of you may know I love a bargain and saving money anyway I can, so you can imagine my delight when I came across this competition.

It all about sharing money saving tips! Whether its re-gifting unwanted to gifts or watering down the milk, every little really does count. Its so great to see people who share the same scrimping values I do, not to mention some of them are actually quite funny. 

This is the type of thing I would do for fun so the fact that its a prize draw competition and I could potentially win £1000 - Hack yeah!

I like to encourage you all to join in or if not have a peak at the cool tips posted by someone else. The Rules are super simple just;

1. FOLLOW @covered_mag on Twitter. 
2. WRITE your confession on a piece of paper, with your Twitter handle and the hashtag ‘#savingshame’ 
3. TAKE A PICTURE of you holding your confession
4. TWEET it to @covered_mag before 15:00 BST on Friday, 27 June, 2014.

So come on people let save some cash and have fun!

 Good Luck!

Need Money?

Hey Everyone!

Ahh autumn, the leaves are falling and the winds are blowing! You got to love this time of year its cold enough to wear and hat and scarf but warm enough not to draw for the big winter coat. Oh yeah, I’m a layers fan!

But that’s not what I wanted to talk about, I’m not sure about the rest of you guys but here in the UK things are getting tight, money just isn’t scratching as far as it did before. Plus we’re not far from Christmas :(

So what can I do to get more money? (to be honest I’ve been asking this question since I was a kid) I’m no expert or anything but here are a few ideas.

Selling on Ebay - According to Ebay we are all sitting on £450 worth of unwanted but highly sellable items. *Time to raid the cupboards me thinks*

Piggy bank – yep back to basics! You know when your purse is getting a big bulky from pennies or maybe not buy that coffee on the way to work. Pop your change in your piggy bank, it soon adds up (I’ve been doing this for years!)

Opinions – There are loads of sites that will pay you for doing short surveys – *hey, you’re on the internet anyway might as well* Here is a few I like Toluna , YouGov , Valued Opinions

Car boot sale -  I know what your thinking and no I haven’t lost my mind, their actually quite trendy these day as are charity shops. It’s a great place to find bargains, and there’s always one nearby. However check the weather before hand, have plenty of change and don’t forget to smile!

Banking  - Make sure the money you do have is in the right place, think about ISA’s and various saving accounts *I sound like a grandma! Lol but it’s all good advice*

I hope you guys found that useful, these are the main ideas I could think of but if I discover anything else as always I’ll share :)

Bye x