Cruising Away

You’ve got lots of options for travel this summer. You can hit the road (traffic) take to the skies (delayed/cancelled flights) or you can leave land behind and sail away on the high seas. Cruises can be one of the most relaxing ways to reach your destination. They’re fun, all-inclusive, and at the end of the day you can honestly claim that getting there really was half the fun. Make sure to indulge in these activities while you’re floating on a boat to paradise.   

Entertainment: Cruise ship entertainment can best be described as a combination of Las Vegas spectical, Broadway-caliber performances, and summer camp adventure. Most cruise ships have everything from musicals to hypmatists to poolside relay races that are sure to please everyone in the family.

Eat: Cruise ships are notorious for their buffets. When else can you have salad, salmon, eggs Benedict, steak, and waffles all in the same meal? Kick your diet out the door for a few days and take advantage of all the edible delights that the cruise line has to offer.

Nothing at All: Who needs a  schedule when you’re on vacation? Rather than planning all of your cruise activities to keep you busy during every minute of every day, be sure to set aside some time to do nothing at all. Take a nap in your cabin, read a book by the pool, or just wander around the ship at your leisure and check out the sights. Look into travel companies like LowCostCruising, Thomson, and DFDS Seaways for mid-summer deals that can have you sailing away in no time.  

See all LowCostCruising, Thomson, and DFDS Seaways Vouchers

Dana Robinson

 

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I Do

If you’re planning to take vows in the near future, you’re probably knee-deep in details surrounding the ceremony and reception. There are a million decisions to be made, not the least of which includes choosing a venue, a caterer, a florist, and the most important part…a gown! But there are many budgetary concerns to keep in mind as you plan your big day. Here are a few ways to keep costs under control.  

The Guests: That Facebook friend of yours who you only met once at your cousin’s wedding last year probably doesn’t need to be invited to your big day. Keeping your guest list in check and only inviting close family and friends can not only save you money, but it can also help keep the ceremony and reception more intimate.

Find the Deal: There are a number of retailers out there that are offering great deals on all things wedding. Here are our top five picks:

Wedding Favors: Until 30 June you can get 25% off all orders over £200 (code: 25JUNE) at Confetti.

Wedding Cakes: For a limited time you can receive a 5% discount off all orders at Pamper Cakes (code: FRIEND5).

Bridal Party Accessories: You can get 5% off any purchase at Swagger & Swoon, including scarves, ties, cufflinks, and more (code: NSALE.) But the deal only lasts for a limited time.

Bridesmaids Dresses: Until 10 July you can receive up to 60% off during The Sale at Bhs.

Flowers: Until 30 June you can receive a 7% discount on orders over £25 at Interflora (code: JUNE4604).

See all Confetti, Pamper Cakes, Swagger & Swoon, Bhs, and Interflora Vouchers.

Dana Robinson

 

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Pregnant…and Fabulous!

Pregnancy can be uncomfortable to say the least, but being pregnant during the summer months is the absolute worst. Take your basic morning sickness, swollen ankles, and general aches and pains, and add hot, humid weather that just won’t quit. The result is a woman who would rather stay in bed with the air conditioner on full blast then leave the house.

While there are very few things that can make you feel like your pre-pregnancy self, there are some ways to ensure that you’re as comfortable as possible, whether you’re in the comfort of your own home or strolling about town.  

Comfortable Clothing: Being comfortable is perhaps your No. 1 consideration when shopping for clothes, and luckily there are many comfy and stylish options to choose from. Check out retailers like Bumps, Mama-la-Mode, and Fun Mum for cool, fashionable clothes that will have you feeling like a trendy mom-to-be in no time.

Take a Load off: There’s no reason to feel like you need to be superwoman, especially when you’re in the latter stages of pregnancy. Once it becomes difficult for you to get around, don’t fight your inclination to slow it down. Your body is taking on an awful lot of extra stress, and when it tells you to take a load off, you probably should.   

See all  Bumps, Mama-la-Mode, and Fun Mum Vouchers

Dana Robinson

 

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Food for Thought

We all need to eat; therefore we all need to buy food. And a food budget for a large family can be pretty tough on your wallet. Here are a few ways to cut food costs down while still maintaining a healthy diet.

Freeze It: If you spot a good deal at the grocery on meat, cheese, or bread, don’t be afraid to stock up. Can’t eat it all before it goes bad? Nonsense. Store enough product in the fridge to use when you need it, and then keep the rest in the freezer. Just make sure that the items you store are sealed tightly in foil or freezer-safe bags to prevent freezer burn.   

Buy in Season: Buying produce when it’s out of season can be terribly pricy, so it’s best to time your purchases according to the season. Use the summer months to enjoy seasonal fresh produce that will be available at the lowest prices of the year. You can even save more money on produce if you purchase at retailers like Tesco Groceries and Sainsbury’s. For a limited time Sainsbury’s is offering free delivery on grocery orders over £100 on certain days of the week.

Grow Your Own: Granted, local weather may not be ideal to grow tropical fruits like bananas or papayas, but you can reduce your grocery bill by growing some of your own food. Try planting an apple tree or a plum tree, or perhaps even try your hand at tomatoes and cucumbers. And if you can’t manage to get your fruit or vegetable plants to produce, don’t despair. There’s always the option of an indoor herb garden.

See all Tesco Groceries and Sainsbury’s Vouchers

Dana Robinson

 

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