The Beauty Guidebook ♡

Tuesday, 17 December 2019

HOW TO SAVE MONEY OFF YOUR PHONE BILL

Posted by The Beauty Guidebook IN Misc

If you follow me on Instagram you'll know that I've been obsessed with an app that has helped me save money off my phone bill and I've received loads of DMs asking me what app I've been using. I've replied back each time with detailed responses on how it works so I figured it would be easier to direct everyone to a page highlighting the app benefits and how exactly it works.

It's essentially a cashback program allowing you to earn money off your phone bill. I've been on the app for two months now and both months I've only paid half price for my phone bill, whilst being on a spending ban!

The difference with this and all other cashback sites is the simplicity. You add your cards and let the app do the rest. Once you've added your cards (Mastercard or Visa) you shop as normal, online or in-store, and the app tracks your purchases and your rewards are all saved on the app. So basically it's turning your bank card into a loyalty card and you can still use your loyalty card so it's double the win!

I joined a cashback site once and my bank offers rewards as well (I'm just thinking about all the money I could have saved during my wedding time!) however, you need to go through certain links for the app to work and it's either not convenient when you're out shopping or it often only works when shopping online. You can still use these sites alongside the app and then pay with your card and get double the cashback - how amazing is that!

There's loads of great retailers giving very decent cashback including Primark (really wish I had the app earlier as I did a huge winter wardrobe refresh), Topshop, Morrisons, Argos, Boots (where I collected most of my rewards), Holland and Barrett, The Body Shop, Debenhams, Feelunique and many more retailers that you probably already shop at! They are always updating the retailers that they work with so check the app for the full list of retailers.

You can link as many cards as you like so if you have family members who you know only spend here and there and won't collect much just add their card onto your app. Don't forget to add all your cards to avoid missing out on rewards. Just another tip is to avoid using Paypal when shopping online as I believe it doesn't work with Paypal.

Now you're probably wondering what this app is. It's a free app called Airtime Rewards that works with all major SIM providers. If you'd like to earn up to £1.50 free credit use my promo code when you sign up: Q8TRLA9Y (you also earn extra free credit if you shop within the first week of downloading the app)

The app has been featured on MoneySavingExpert.com and Wired and also has 5 star rating on Trustpilot. You'll basically be paying off your bill without doing anything differently. Remember to be responsible though and not spend unnecessarily for the sake of saving otherwise it's not actually a saving!

Monday, 1 April 2019

TOP 5 TIPS TO KICK START YOUR WEIGHT LOSS JOURNEY

Posted by The Beauty Guidebook IN Lifestyle

Changing your mindset to lose weight and kickstart your fitness journey

Any journey starts off with the right mindset. These are some of the steps I took to kick start my weight-loss journey.

1. Listen to your body
I can't stress this enough. I think this is what helped me stay consistent. There'll be some days where you will want a chocolate bar so treat yo' self. There'll be days where you won't feel like working out so just enjoy a rest day doing what you love. You'll be so much more productive if you go the next day with a fresh mind.

2. Realistic goals
Take one day at a time and set yourself small and realistic goals. If you're looking to lose weight set small milestones and once you achieve those, you'll feel motivated to push yourself further. Remember not to weigh yourself too often as our weight fluctuates based on other factors so it can be really de-motivating. You'll naturally feel changes in your body and make sure to take before and after photos as that is the only way you'll notice small physical changes.

3. Get in those extra steps
Walking throughout the day is a great way to burn extra calories throughout the day. I try walk where I can. In the mornings, instead of taking the bus I get out a little earlier and walk to the station. I try aim for at least 10,000 - 12,000 steps a day. It sounds like a lot of steps but if you're active throughout the day you'll easily achieve this. I'm quite competitive so I'm always trying to beat this score. Working in an office job doesn't help but my Fitbit sends me reminders when I've been sitting for too long. Staying active will help you to burn more calories throughout the day and even during your rest days.

As well as staying active throughout the day, it is important to keep yourself hydrated. I bought two water bottles online that encouraged me to drink more water. I use this one for when I'm at work or at home as the timings remind me to drink enough water throughout the day. I have a larger 2 litre bottle for when I can't be bothered to refill my bottle. Sometimes I trick my mind by using a 1 litre bottle as it makes me feel like I'm drinking less and sometimes I just want to see 2 litres of water in front of me and get through it. Both bottles are pink which is obv a huge bonus!

4. Combine fitness with diet
I made sure to make conscious decisions about what I ate and made smart swaps. Was it perfect? Absolutely not. But start this journey one step at a time and let your mind and body adapt to this new lifestyle - yes, make it a lifestyle not a diet. I wish I was one of those girls who could eat whatever they like without gaining any weight but unfortunately I gain 5 pounds just by looking at a piece of cake. To lose weight you need to be on a calorie deficit, which means you intake less calories than you burn. My Fitbit helped me monitor how many calories my body was burning throughout the day. The app also allows you to track how many calories you are consuming through logging your daily meals.

They say abs are made in the kitchen, however, to maximise results and to generally remain fit it's important to also work out. Different workout styles work for different people so I think it's important to find something that you love then it feels like less of a workout. I prefer weight training over cardio and I saw better results once I started lifting. Set a target on the number of days that you want to work out as it will help you to plan your week and motivate you to stick to it. I think on average 3-5 days a week is a good amount of days to train and see results.

I follow a 'everything in moderation' mindset. If you crave a sweet treat, allow yourself to have it. If you deprive yourself of it you might find yourself constantly thinking about it and then completely fall off the radar. You don't have to let one bad meal or snack ruin the entire days diet. I find this way it helps to not ruin your fitness journey as the 'extra' calories you just consumed might not do much harm to your overall calorie deficit count. You'll do more damage by just eating for the sake of eating just because you feel like you already ruined your diet.

5. Be inspired
Sometimes you just need to find a little motivation to help you kick start your journey. At first I used to just look for inspo on Instagram, whether it be for exercise routines or for the 'perfect' body. It's so motivating to see other girls working hard to achieve their dream body.

Start your journey...
I know these tips seem so simple but it helped me lose 4kg! If you make it into a 'diet' you'll hate the process and trust me when I say, the weight will just bounce back. Making a lifestyle change helped me to achieve results and maintain it - something I've always struggled with. It’s just about figuring out what works for you and remaining consistent. And when you fall off track, just get right back up and keep going. You'll have bad days and that's ok.

Thursday, 14 February 2019

THE ULTIMATE GIFT GUIDE FOR HER

Posted by The Beauty Guidebook IN Lifestyle

I absolutely love buying gifts for close ones. As it is Valentines day I was inspired to put together a gift guide (I won't be celebrating but it might be useful if you do, are having a galentines with your bestie or if you're looking for a mother's day, birthday or anniversary gift that special female in your life).

I like to buy gifts that are a little treat. Something that the recipient will love but may not necessarily pick up for themselves. I've listed below 25 fool-proof gift items that I'd buy as a gift, some of which are my safe go to options time after time when buying gifts. Before you start, take time to understand the person whom you're gifting and I'm certain there's something on the list they'll love

CANDLE

Lighting a candle and hopping into the bath is one of the best ways to unwind after a long day so any girl who receives a nice luxurious candle will very much appreciate it. I don't think you can go wrong with a classic Jo Malone candle. They have a wide range of scents to choose from, all of which smell incredibly amazing. I was recently gifted honeysuckle and davana scented candle which had a perfect combination of fruity smell from the davana, sweetness from the honeysuckle and a hint of wood from the moss. I honestly love all of their scents but some other popular options I'd recommend from the range are Pomegranate Noir, Lime Basil & Mandarin, Peony & Blush Suede and English Pear & Freesia. The complimentary packaging adds to the gifting experience. Want to add that extra special touch? Get it engraved