I feel like I am SO late with my post this month- August already feels like a lifetime ago. Last month’s Degustbox (gifted) had a back to school/on the go themed and was packed full of portable snacks and treats. As ever, some brief thoughts on each product below, if you want more detailed reviews of any of them just let me know.
My cousin’s little girl absolutely loves these jelly pouches from jelly-squeeze. They have no added sugar or sweeteners and are mess free making them perfect for lunch boxes. They are even suitable for vegans! KitKats are so under-rated in my book. They are one of my favourite chocolate treats, it was always such a great day at school when you found one minus any wafer! These KitKat senses bring a grown up twist to the classic. Neither of these were flavours I’d choose in a shop as a rule, but both were really yummy and the perfect size for little indulge with a cup of tea.
The child in me loved these snacks from Fruit Bowl. Yoghurt coated fruit is one of my favourite treats (yeah, I’m a bit odd) and both the raisins and the strawberries were swiftly inhaled. The Unicorn fruit flakes have jumped on to a trend bandwagon here, but are a tasty little snack nevertheless and all of these are ideal for chucking in a school bag, or handbag for snacking on the go.I’ve never really been able to stomach protein mikshake type drinks (too many memories of nutritional supplement drinks in my past) so I passed on this, but for those who are in to that kind of thing this one packs some serious health credentials. 22g of protein, no added sugar and low in fat…I’d be interested to hear other people’s thoughts. I loved these teas from Pure Leaf, especially the green tea with jasmine which has long been a favourite of mine. I passed the Gunpowder Green tea on to my grandad as he’s a big fan and it got a thumbs up from him (both thumbs, actually). Made with all natural ingredients, these look lovely sat in the kitchen too.
How cute are these little pots of peanut butter from Manilife? Pre-portion and roasted to perfection, I love these! The crunchy one is amazing in crumpets FYI…and the smooth is amazing on, well, everything! Nutella fans may also enjoy the Nuttvia Hazelnut spread- it’s pretty delicious for something that has 97% less sugar than other leading brands, and it also boasts being palm oil free so you can eat it with a clear conscience both health wise and planet wise!I don’t really like fruit flavoured chocolate so the dark chocolate raspberry almond dips from Mighty Fine weren’t quite my cup of tea. They also come in a plain dark chocolate variety which I’d be eager to try, and I love the concept of a healthy but indulgent snack that’s perfect for busy lifestyles.
Attack a Snak Nachos looked to be a bit of a gimmick on first inspection, but on delving deeper they are a pretty good idea. Perfect for post-school munchies, or a pre-dinner snack for grown ups, these might be a novelty but I’m all for it.
A childhood staple; Heinz Beef Ravioli (which sadly arrived dented). I’ve loved this since I was a kid and it’s still one of my comfort foods now, for a quick and easy lunch you can’t go wrong.
Since we got engaged I’ve gone from being pretty much tee-total to enjoying a drink on a fairly regular basis. Wine isn’t really my thing, but this pale rosé from Blossom Hill is light enough for my palate to handle, and it’s lovely with some diet lemonade, ice and strawberries.
In this month’s box there was also a voucher to pick up some Strings and Things Cheeseshapes from the folks that bought you Cheesestrings. Unfortunately Pablo shredded the voucher (along with several other letters and pieces of paper) so I didn’t get to try this…I also haven’t seen them in local shops yet, but I’m all for a novelty so watch this space!
If you’re new to Degustabox, it’s a monthly food subscription box that gives you the chance to try new and exciting products on the market whilst providing amazing value for money. On a month by month basis the box costs £12.99 (with a discount for longer subscriptions) but the contents are generally worth far more than this as you can see if you do the maths.
It’s been a pleasure to work with the brand regularly over the last couple of years and it’s without a doubt something that I will continue to purchase long after our partnership ends. I love the monthly surprise and excitement as well as the chance to discover products I’d otherwise pass up on the supermarket shelves.
Bad credit can cause you a lot of problems, from being turned down for a mortgage to struggling to get a phone contract. There are lots of ways you can rebuild your credit score and deal with bad credit, and alternative methods of borrowing if your credit score is too low for traditional loans.
Open A New Credit Account
It might seem like the last thing you need, but with poor credit you need a credit account to start rebuilding your score. Avoiding credit cards can make it harder to rebuild your credit score, whereas using one card sensibly can establish a good payment history and get you on the path to better credit.
A low credit score will of course make it hard to get approved for a new card, but there are options. Remember, each application affects your score, so don’t apply for too many cards in one go. Avoid subprime credit cards with high interest rates and high fees as you could easily end up in more debt. Avoid prepaid credit cards too as they don’t report to credit bureaus, so won’t help your credit score.
You could rebuild your credit history with a credit builder card. These cards are designed for those with poor credit, with low credit limits and high interest rates. If you get one of these cards pay off the balance every month to prove you’re creditworthy. Make sure you pay it off though, as the high interest rates could lend you in even more debt.
Bad Credit Loans
If you need to borrow money but have bad credit it can be hard to get a loan. However, there are loan options designed to help those with poor credit. Just be aware they will usually have much higher interest rates.
You may be able to get a secured loan. This means your loan is secured against a high value property like your car or your home, which the lender can use to repay the loan if you miss payments. These loans are high risk as the lender can repossess your property if you don’t pay.
If you have a friend or family member with good credit who is willing to help, you could try for a guarantor loan, like a guarantor loan from *Buddy Loans*. This means that if you miss a payment, your guarantor will be expected to pay what you owe.
A peer to peer loan may also be an option. Instead of borrowing through a bank or building society apply to an individual lender on a peer to peer lending site. You may be able to borrow more, with a lower interest rate.
Build Better Credit Habits
Be realistic and honest with yourself about how you got into bad credit in the first place. What bad habits caused the problem? Stop putting things on your credit card that you can’t afford. Pay off more than the minimum payment amount and never skip a repayment. Pay credit card bills on time, and if you can, in full.
Pay On Time
Payment history is a very important part of rebuilding credit. Even if it’s not credit, missed payments can end up on your credit report. Whether it’s a library fine or the electric bill, pay on time. Many businesses use collection agencies to chase late payments. If this happens, the late payment ends up on your credit record and can damage it even further.
Paying bills on time, like the phone bill or your internet shows your lenders that you are capable of paying on time and managing your finances. If you can’t pay on time for whatever reason, contact your lender. They want your money, so it’s in their best interests to work with you to make sure you can afford to pay them. They may be able to help you or be willing to rearrange payment dates to make sure you can pay. This can still go on your credit score, but it looks far better than a CCJ or a default.
Get On The Electoral Register
Putting your name on the electoral register is one of the easiest and fastest ways to improve your credit rating. If you’re not already on it, register to vote now, either online or by post. If you’re worried about the council selling on your data, opt out of the open electoral register, which can be used for marketing.
Credit reference agencies may use the full register, which can be a factor in your score. Being on the register can also speed up applications, as a lender can also use to check your ID and address to confirm you are who you say you are.
If you’re not eligible to vote in the UK and so can’t be on the electoral roll, you should send Equifax, TransUnion and Experian proof of UK residency. This could be utility bills or a UK driving licence or something like this. The agency can then add a note to verify your right to live in the UK. If you’re a foreign national but allowed to vote in local elections, you can be registered on the electoral roll as normal.
Check Your File
Check your credit file annually or before making any large application. If there are mistakes, even minor ones like a wrong address, they can have an impact on your score. Check your whole file, and report any errors to get them corrected.
Is your credit score linked to someone else’s? If you’ve had a joint account with a spouse, family member or house, your credit ratings are linked. If the other person has a poor credit score, this can damage yours. You’ll be financially linked if you have a joint mortgage, joint loan or joint bank account. In some cases, utility bills with both your names on can also link your finances. This should only happen if the company is sure you’re a couple, for example, your bills come addressed to Mr and Mrs. If you split up, or move out, notify the credit references to unlink your finances. Remember, you won’t be able to do this is you still have an open joint account or an outstanding debt you’re both liable for.
Keep an eye out for anything that looks fraudulent. If you can see anything you don’t think was you, for example, credit card applications you didn’t make contact the credit reference agency immediately.
If you’re in the UK, try and check your credit report with the three agencies; Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. Thanks to GDPR laws, you can now access your credit report for free.
Try To Avoid Moving A Lot
Having the same address for a long time makes you look more stable, and seeing lots of addresses changes over a short period can make a lender uncomfortable. If possible, try to limit how often you move home.
Don’t Use All Your Credit
Don’t always automatically borrow the maximum amount. If for example, you have a limit of £2000 on your credit card, don’t max it out. If you’re using only £1000 of your limit, you’re using only half of your credit utilisation, which looks much better to potential lenders. Try and keep your credit utilisation at 25% or less.
Beware Of Credit Repair
Some firms advertise that they can repair your credit rating. Most of these companies will just obtain your credit file and advise on improvements. You can get your report yourself, and shouldn’t pay a company to do this. You also don’t need to pay for advice. There are many free debt advice services to help you get back on track.
Check Old Accounts
Check for old accounts that show on your credit report. An old mobile phone contract with an old address, for example, could still be listed as active on your credit file. Having an old address on an active account can impact ID checks, as you’ll show as having multiple addresses. If you can see old addresses, update them as soon as you can.
Check Your Files After A Rejection
If you’ve been rejected for a credit application, check your file before you apply anywhere else. If you immediately apply elsewhere, you can get into a rejection spiral, where the multiple searches on your account cause the rejections.
If you get rejected, check the files immediately. You may be able to spot the problem yourself, and correct it before you apply again somewhere else. Using elgigibty guides can help you avoid rejections too, as you can be more sure of getting approved before making an application.
Being smart about how you use your credit, and being responsible about borrowing can help you to rebuild even the worst credit score. Be patient, as it can take time, but stick at it to clear any negatives on your credit file. Stay on top of your credit report so you’re aware of any problems, and work hard not to repeat your past credit mistakes.
One of the things I hate most about wearing perfume is the fact it wears off (on me at least) by half way through the day. This is made worse by the fact I’m currently loving a budget perfume from Lidl- whilst I love the scent, it just doesn’t have much staying power. I carry enough in my handbag on a daily basis without needing to add in a full sized perfume bottle so up until now I’ve just been putting up with a fading scent, then I was introduced to PortaScent*.
PortaScent is a neat little atomiser and my new handbag essential. It carries an impressive 120 sprays of perfume and features pump to fill technology which means there is no risk of spills when filling up (great for someone as spill prone as me!) It is also leakproof and approved for air travel for carry on luggage making it perfect for packing on holiday when you don’t want to use up precious case space with scent.
PortaScent costs £7.99 and comes in several glorious colours. I hate to mention the C-Word in September but as well as treating yourself, they’d make awesome little stocking fillers or secret santa gifts!
Any tips for making fragrance last longer welcome, and also I’d love to know what your favourite perfume is?
It’s been a while since a new watch made it’s way in to my collection, and much like my taste in jewellery, I have found my wrist wear wish list now features chic and minimal pieces rather than bold statement design.
Enter this beautiful piece of design by EverSwiss, courtesy of watchshop.com who stock the full range. The small crystals embedded in the mother of pearl dial of this watch add just enough pizzaz whilst remaining effortlessly chic (in direct contrast to it’s owner) and it’s mesh stainless steel casing is fully adjustable to fit even my child-like wrists.
Despite being around since 1960 EverSwiss are a new to me brand, and one I am absolutely loving. The quality of this piece is outstanding and it’s clear that they know what they’re doing when it comes to creating classic styles with fashionable design.
I think this is definitely a sign I am growing up, although I’m yet to progress past the stage of wanting outrageously sparkly shoes for my wedding….one day!
Over the last year or two I’ve definitely noticed my tastes changing, whereas twenty-something me was all in to the rainbow of tights and statement jewellery, these days I’m more about muted tones and subtle pieces that go with everything.
A lot of my jewellery no longer fits the bill and I’ve had my magpie eyes peeled for some new, more grown up additions. The folks at Sacet came to my rescue and sent out a couple of items from their vast collection, and they couldn’t have got my style more spot on.
I’ve always found bracelets tricky as no matter what’s going on with my weight my wrists remain stupidly small. I really struggle to find a bracelet or bangle that doesn’t fall down over my hand so I was delighted that this subtle beauty was the perfect size. I’ve been wearing this daily since it arrived and I don’t envisage getting tired of it any time soon.
Earrings are another tricky one for me as I have quite a few piercings in my left ear and anything too big really doesn’t look right. I keep thinking I ought to give up on my piercings now I’m in my thirties but I’m not quite ready to let go yet, so in the mean time, delicate stud earrings like these that I can wear in any of my lobe piercings are a winner. Again, these have become a near permanent fixture in my daily wearings and they make me feel that little bit more grown up and sophisticated.
Bonus peek at the Sapphire nestled in my engagement ring!
Sacet jewellery focuses on exclusive luxury at inclusive prices. Everything is ethically crafted and you’ll find pieces to suit all tastes and all budgets- it’s not all about the minimalism, there are some serious statement pieces on the site and I’m pretty sure I’ve found a necklace and some earrings to add to the wedding inspiration board…check out Sacet’s seriously gorgeous instagram for a better idea of what they do.
What’s your jewellery style? Have you found your tastes have changed as you get older?
