Have you got a Sparks Card?

"Have you got a Sparks Card?" one of my many rehearsed lines I have to say to every customer at work but infact it may seem annoying being asked a million and one questions, I'm actually doing you a favour. A Sparks Card, as well as many other loyalty cards, are THE best excuse to go shopping and I swear by them so I'm going to show you the collection I have and why they are brilliant to have.

Sparks Card

This card is relatively new, being introduced just before Christmas, this isn't just any loyalty card, it's a M&S loyalty card (see what I did there?) Simply pick one up from any store and register it online. From there, you get asked questions based on your lifestyle, this gives it the insight on what you would be likely to spend your money on using it. You pick a charity too, which with every transaction a fraction of the prices goes to your selected charity. Then you get to select from a series of discounts that only you will get by using your shiny new Sparks Card. I must admit, the food ones are the best! {currently they have 20% off sandwiches!*} You get 1 point for every 10p you spend and the more points you get the more advantages you unlock including invites to M&S events and shows! Points definitely make prizes.

Boots Advantage Card

Ok, so I'm sure this has been around for as long as I can remember. My mum and sister always had one and it's only this year I've decided to own one myself. You can order one online and it gets sent to you within a week {i think}. With an Advantage Card you get 4 points for every £1 you spend and you also get emails updated you on the latest offers. Sometimes they have promotions on where you earn triple points if you buy a certain product or you get money off if you purchase using your advantage card. The best thing about this is your points convert into money so I think 100 points means you have £1 to spend on there which is perfect if your short on cash or in a rush! So technically your spending out on your favourite foundation and geting money back. Amazing or what?

Superdrug Health + Beauty Card

This is extremely similar to the Boots card but it's got a shiny mirror! Sorry, vain moment. You can pick up one instore to get started and they even register it for you. With a Health and Beauty card, again it's every 100 points you earn it's £1 to spend but it's only 1 point for every £1 you spend. You get promotional offers online and instore, right now it's 100 points when you spend £10 on hair products, and we can't ever have enough hair products right?* Also, by being a member you automatically get free delivery on all online orders, we ALL love free delivery! You get exclusive birthday treats and sometimes exclusive prices for cardholders. Being a VIP has perks.

Costa Coffee Club

Who doesn't love a pricey coffee or hot chocolate every now and again? If you get a Coffee Club card instore you and get your moneys worth and more. For every £1 you spend you get 5 points {which isn't hard} and every point is worth a penny. You get exclusive access to offers and promotions before everyone else and if you get the app or check online it will even tell you what you can afford with the amount of points you had gained so far, which is handy instead of guessing. I think everyone deserves a free coffee sometimes, especially if it was a Monday Morning!

B&Q

This was a total impulse pick-up from when I was redecorating my bedroom but it's actually pretty handy! As a joining offer you get a voucher for £5 off a £50 shop, which if you know you're doing a big shop is worth having, then from there you will get emailed different offers and rewards such as 10% off, a special promotion on paint, free home delivery etc etc. It also comes with a key fob too so you don't have to go through 100 cards to try and find the club card. 

So, that's my stash of cards, honestly they are worth the hassle of bulking up your purse so the next time a shop assistant asks you, don't roll your eyes either ask for one or proudly hand it over. You'll be thankful for it when you want to save money for a new outfit!!

Happy Shopping!

Katie x

*any offers i mention was valid on 18/04/16. i cannot guarantee they will work after.

The Sweater Weather Tag

Favourite Candle Scent?

I've always wanted to have a candle in my room but I get so paranoid that i will completely forget that they are burning and I'll leave them and I'll come back and my room is no more so for that reason I don't currently own one. But my favourite smells this season are anything that isn't over-powering like vanilla, apple and cinnamon or any winter berries. Because of this, I've decided to invest in a Glade Plug-In. Don't ask me why I never thought of this before because it's completely safe and idiot proof so I won't set my home on fire. I am yet to find one I like and let's hope it doesn't give me a headache or burn the inside of my nose when I sniff it, that's always a bonus!



Coffee, Tea or Hot Chocolate?

I am a heavy tea drink alllll year around (PG Tips Enthusiast, milky, no sugar!) but when it comes to this time of year nothing beats a Hot Chocolate from Costa in one of thier Christmas takeaway cups. What other way is there to put a smile on my face on a miserable day than to see a Robin, A Snowman or Santa keeping my favourite drink warm? I also have a tendency to collect them ...


What's the best Fall memory you have?

I don't think I have a particular memory but the whole feeling of when it gets to October and you know as soon as Halloween is out the way, it's Bonfire Night then a week later the Christmas Lights switch on in my city and it's tradition that everyone gathers together and goes. (eventhough i was gutted to miss it this year!) September to December honestly goes so fast too right? I remember when I was at school it only felt like yesterday that I was starting a new year and then bam there I was making paper snowflakes and practising for the Nativity!

What is your favourite book you are reading (have read) this Fall?

I must admit since I left school I am not a big reader, it did put me off a little but I do love a feel good, light-hearted winter warmer to get me going and the other day my mum was given a few books that she brought home and this one in particular caught my eye.


It's called A Snowflake In My Hand, written by Samantha Mooney. It's a pretty old book I think it was first published in the 80's but as it says on the front it's "a book for cat lovers and lovers of life itself" it's timeless. If you know me I am cat obsessed (i have two of my own; Phil and Lily) and even though it's not good to judge a book by it's cover I couldn't resist how cute the cat was! In a nutshell it's about a woman called Samantha telling us her stories and memories of working in a Animal Medical Centre, you meet all sorts of characters (mainly animals) but honestly it's so adorable and an easy relatable read. I haven't finished it yet but I just know I'll be sat in the corner happy crying by the end.

What make-up look do you prefer; Dark Lips or Winged Eyeliner?

So, most days I attempt to do winged eyeliner and I do love it but I'm more known for my lips, if you look on my Instagram or Twitter, I'm always wearing a lip shade and even in work my manager looks at me strange if I haven't got any on but for some reason I have never owned a dark lip. Sure, I had a burgundy red lipstick but that's how dark it goes and I guess it's because I've never found one that I like or that is pigmanted enough to look good. I know Mac does beautiful colours but honestly, I'm intimidated to go into a store and I'm hesitant buying make-up products online so I've just never bought one. Maybe one day I will pluck up the courage to buy a Mac lip because I'm obsessed with Make-up Tutorials and girls on Instagram rocking the darker shades.
But anyway, I choose winged eyeliner ... haha!

Best Fragrance for Fall?

Honestly, I tend to wear what I feel like at the time, it has nothing to do with the weather but I do find because of Christmas parties etc. There is an overpowering use of Chanel No.5 esque scents polluting the air rather than fruity fragrances. I was given the "Strictly Fabulous" perfume from Avon and this resembles the "elegance" or words to that effect of Chanel perfumes which I must admit I have been wearing but otherwise I use Beyonce Heat Mrs Carter World Tour Limited edition but I'm devastated it's been discontinued so I'm looking for a new perfume more suited to me. The struggle.



Favourite Thanksgiving Food?


In the UK we do not celebrate Thanksgiving but I think by the sounds of it, I would very much enjoy the celebration. Turkey is one of the few meats I actually like, I'm not a meat lover, I love Stuffing. I also hear they have mashed potato instead of roast potatoes? That's music to my ears (or food to my stomach) because it sounds incredible. The only downside is I don't like gravy .. Go ahead, judge me. But this is the closest I'm getting to a Turkey dinner at the moment!



What is Autumn weather like where you live?

Well if today is anything to go by, extremely indecisive! I was woken up at 6am to gailforce winds and rain slamming against my window then by 9am there was a blue sky and sunshine BUT it was still raining. English weather in a nutshell right there. I can't completely complain sometimes we get that dry crisp coldness where you can wrap up warm and you're happy about it but realistically 90% of time, don't count on you umbrella surviving the down pour!

Most Worn Sweater?

This year, the jumper I've been living in is a Nanny State plain grey mens jumper with denim blue panels on the elbows and shoulders. It's not even mine, but I wear it to death it's so comfortable so sorry friend of my brother's, you left it in my sights and now you have lost it forever, mwuhaha!

 

However when it gets to the end of November, it's inevitable my green Mickey and Minnie Mouse jumper will take over my body. Oversized knitted jumpers are the one, guys.

 

Must-Have Nail Polish This Fall?

I'm really sad because last year I ran out of my favourite Barry M burgundy shade and I haven't had a chance to invest in the new one yet but that is my number 1 polish, however, I got this nail polish from Boots and the colour is absolutely beautiful! It's from the Colour Carnival collection by Seventeen in Purple Shimmer and it's such good quality. I think I paid £1.99 for it and you literally only need 1 coat to cover your nails and you're good to go! 

For laziness, Primark also have a selection of Autumn/Winter/Christmassy false nails for £1 so these will also be making an appearance real soon.

Football Games or Jumping in Leaf Piles?

Well, this is a very Americanised question isn't it?! Football games in the UK are not enjoyable to watch you don't have a Pep Rally or anything high school esque, it's literally kicking a ball around and people get very worked up and stressed over it. As for jumping in a pile of leaves, if you did that in England there is a 99% chance a muddy puddle will be underneath, again not fun! So I can't say either will give me much enjoyment haha! Joys of Britain.

Skinny Jeans or Leggings?

I have an arguement for both. Skinny jeans are great when it's a crisp dry winter's day with cute knee-high boots and a duffle coat. However, leggings are perfect any other time, because there's nothing worse than when it's pouring down with rain and you're wearing jeans and they stick to your legs and makes you colder, or if you fall in snow and the dye seeps through to your bum (trust me it happens!) and then you struggle to get them off, just no! At least with leggings you can peel them off and that's it. Plus comfiness and laziness is priority.

Combat Boots or Uggs?

This makes me laugh because my mum hates Uggs, she says they are the abbreviation of "ugly" but you can't deny the comfiness they bring! However, combat boots are my favourite things because you know your feet are going to stay dry and warm and you can wear them with anything so it has to be Combat boots for my (and my mum's) sanity.

Is Pumpkin Spice worth the hype?

Straight answer; I wouldn't know. I don't like coffee so I steer clear of it even with the temptation of looking like a typical white girl with my Starbucks, but to give it credit, it does add to the stereotypical, commercialised Autumn/Winter feel and I can't complain with that.

Favourite Fall TV show?

Every year there are 3 shows that come on at the same time every year and if you're British you know Christmas is coming. First of all, The X Factor. The auditions start at the end of the summer and the Live final is 2 weeks before Christmas. It is your official countdown.

Alongside that is Strictly Come Dancing, a bunch of local Celebrities learn to dance Ballroom and Latin with professionals and perform every week to compete for the Glitter ball trophy. Every year both fight for ratings but I must admit, Strictly has it over X Factor because I think TXF is getting a bit tired and repetitive, and I'm a sucker for sparkles and sequins! 

Last but not least, I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here, the perfect show to watch celebrities suffer in a jungle! It's great TV especially when they have to eat a Kangaroo's private part.

What Song Really Gets You In The Fall Spirit?

Final Question! The song that gives me that warm, snuggly, Christmassy feeling is The Christmas Song. This sounds completely cliche and obvious but the first line just makes me imagine that I'm in my living room with a blanket, drinking hot chocolate just being all cosy. "Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire" I challenge anyone to not get that warm tingle in your stomach everytime you hear that line. It's just perfect.

The Season of Strictly, Snowman Cups and Soggy Bottoms.

I cannot tell you how excited I am that Autumn is upon us, this is a sentence that usually you'd never hear me say. I hate the brisk cold mixed with that horrid drizzle and would rather be sunning it up in Mexico to be honest. But being born and bread in England we tend to have non existent Summer's anyway so as I've gotten older the more I've grown to appreciate this time of year.

Eventhough I'm only 20 and should be living the young and reckless lifestyle, for me, nothing satisfies me more than coming home after a long shift, getting into my pajamas, grasping a nice warm mug of tea and watching TV.

Speaking of TV, A/W is my favourite time of year for TV shows. The return of Strictly and The X Factor just screams Christmas and also watching The Great British Bake-Off, I mean who doesn't love a good discussion about 'soggy bottoms'?

Fashion in the Autumn is also so effortless, chuck on an oversized jumper, leggings and knee high boots and you're good to go. Simple but chic.

Halloween and Christmas; Well need I say more? The over-the-top commercialised holidays just adds to the excitement. (Although I do work in retail and we celebrate it at least 4 months in advance!) My favourite part is when my Pumpkin Spiced Latte comes in a snowman cup.

Also, everything just smells so much better?! Or maybe I've just inhaled too many scented candles.

I mean obviously it's not all idealistic, as I'm typing, the wind is banging against the windows and this past week it's been pouring down with rain non-stop but being snuggled up in the warm at night just makes it all that bit more bearable, right?

What are your favourite things about Autumn?