StudentBeans: Tricks to Make Your Food Last Longer

Today's post is from StudentBeans.com and has some tips on how to save on food waste. The average household throws away £50 worth of food month, not only is this bad for the environment but it is bad for your wallet. Realistically, who has £50 to just throw in the bin? 

Head over to StudentBeans for 18 tricks to make your food last longer!

StyleChi: a New Way to Shop

Today’s post is one that I have kindly been asked to write by StyleChi after trialling their website. StyleChi is very different compared to some of the other websites I have blogged about in the past. It has a wholehost of premium and well-known brands including; AX Paris, Calvin Klein, Steve Madden, Converse, River Island and Melita Rose to name but a few. StyleChi offer these extremely sort after brands at a reduced cost.

Let’s get this out in the open straight away, their products don’t look cheap. Now you are probably thinking that I’ve lost sight of what being ‘skint’ means but actually the creators of StyleChi have come up with a genius way for its users to get the latest trends and most desirable brands for a fraction of the cost and its waaaaay more rewarding than a points card.

StyleChi gives you Chi points for completing various actions which drive down the cost of the items on the site. The more you interact with other members, log in, share your favourite items on facebook and purchase items the more points you earn and the more discounted everything on the site gets. The discount is displayed right next to the original price so you can see how much discount you are getting. There are five levels which are determined by how many points you have as you move through the levels you will be entitled to different offers and larger discounts on items. Collecting points is really easy and you will move up in no time.

One thing I was impressed with is that you don’t pay a premium for getting the discounts. The delivery charge is about average for a clothing website at £3.95 and their recommended retail prices haven’t been inflated so you really are getting a great deal. If you are looking for a specific item it might be worth looking on StyleChi to see if you can get it cheaper. 

I hope you've enjoyed this post, have look through what StyleChi has to offer and start saving on the brands you love today!

Sign up to StyleChi here and don't forget to add me as a friend to get points!

DIY Nail Polish

For this craft all you need is:

• clear nail polish
• eye shadow or pigment
• two pieces of paper
• cocktail stick (optional)

The estimated cost of this craft is £2 but you could easily do this for even cheap or free depending on what ingredients you have. Creating your own nail polish is not only easy but it is an incredibly cheap way to get those really sought after colours for the new season as a fraction of the cost. 

1. Pick the shade(s) that you'd like to use to create your polish
2. If you are using a solid shadow, use a tooth pick to break up the shadow into a fine powder on piece of paper
3. Make a funnel using the other piece of paper and place it in the neck of the clear nail polish bottle
4. Pour the eye shadow into the bottle. The more eye shadow you add, the more pigmented the colour will be
5. Either stir the mixture or place the cap back on the polish and shake like buggery
6. Once it's all mixed in your polish is ready to use

You could add glitter to your mixture as well to make a really unique polish. If you ever get bored with your colour you can always add things at a later date.

Let me know how you get on with your creations on twitter or on my facebook page!

She Likes Clothing: Pick of the Best

If you've been reading my blog since the beginning you will remember this post about She Likes Clothing where I talked about their minimum wage dress. Well since that post they have released two new dresses for this line. All the dresses are under £10.

Each dress from their line is supposed to represent the minimum wage per hour at each age band for the UK. The first is under 16s and costs £3.68, the second is 21+ and costs £6.19 and the final dress represents 18-20 year old's pay and costs £4.98. Each of these dresses comes in a wide range of colours so there is plenty to choose from. Personally I think this is an extremely clever idea and markets this brand well. I also love the design of these dresses because I think they cater to everyone.

She Likes also has some other lovely items such as these:

Regina Galaxy Print Bodycon Mini Skirt - £5

Alix Grey Knot Front Bandeau Maxi Dress - £9.99

Jamie Black T Bar Platform Wedge Shoes - £19.79

Anna Aztec Print Cap Sleeve Midi Dress - £15

Tammy Mocha Jersey Skater Skirt - £5

I love brands that have a lines, it just makes the entire brand more accessible. Not everyone has loads of money to spend on clothing especially when trends are constantly changing.

Have you ever ordered from She Likes Clothing?

Kirstie's Fill Your Home For Free

"Forget free love, this is about loving free"

In Fill Your Home For Free, Kirstie is helping people refurnish their home for next to nothing or completely free. This series is trying to tell people that just because you are on a budget doesn't mean you have to live like a squatter. Although beggars can't be choosers, if you are willing to put the work in then something wonderful can be created and it wont cost you a penny.

20% off 16-25 Railcard + 1/3rd off Family and Friends Railcard

Get 20% off a 16-25 railcard with StudentBeans.com. Just click the logo above!

P.S. If you aren't under 25 you can get a discounted Family and Friends Railcard here

Uni Essentials

Going to university can be an extremely scary time if you don't know what to take with you. Now you've got over your results hangover (high five on your grades) it's time to start thinking about what you are going to take to uni this guide will give you a list of things you should take with some commentary along the way. I'm also including links for where to get items at the cheapest price. Although this post is going to be extremely wordy, there is a surprise for you at the end which I'm sure you will enjoy.

Immediate items

This is going to be all the stuff that needs to be easily accessible so plan for this when you pack:

• Toilet roll - if you are travelling a long way you will be busting for a wee by the time you get there 
• A pen - you might need to sign something when you pick up your keys 
• Door wedge - keep your door and your mind open to new people 
• Tea - we are British, we all love to bond over a cuppa so it would be a lovely way to make friends 
• Coffee - incase you don't like tea... 
• Sugar - if you have it in your drink 
• Biscuits - for your tea of course 
• Some thing to eat on the first night - you'll be knackered and won't want to go to the supermarket, my friend suggested that this will most likely be a Pot Noodle
• Alcohol - this will help you all bond on the first night, might be best to take something you don't mind sharing 
• Shower gel - you will probably want to have a shower once you've done a little bit of unpacking or use it as an excuse to cry because you are home sick already
• PJs - There will probably be a fire alarm, Sod's law

Bedroom stuff

• Duvet/quilt - get a double one even if you have a single bed because you'll probably end up having to share it with someone, whether it be a friend crying because she doesn't know if she should break up with her boyfriend from home or a lovely chap you met at a club
• Pillows 
• Duvet/quilt covers and pillow covers 
• Blanket - I got mine from Primark. Use it for decoration or in case someone stays over or your drunk house mate loses his keys and has to sleep in the kitchen...
• Storage boxes
• Photos - get 60 free prints here
• Posters - you'll probably get most of these at the freshers fair 
• Hot water bottle - freshers flu saviour 
• Desk Lamp - try in a charity shop
• Small rubbish bin 
• Towels

Kitchen Items

You should keep your eye out in charty shops for kitchen items, they are always cheaper than buying from new. Things that you can't get in the charity shop try for in Poundland and Wiko. This set from Dunelm Mill has the whole dinner set shabang and only costs £9.99!

• Toaster bags - don't bother taking a toastie maker, you can also make your own from foil or grease proof paper
• Kettle - you might want one in your room for a late night study session or filling up a hot water bottle because when you are ill going down the corridor is too much
• Small casserole dish
• Frying pan
• Saucepans
• Tin opener
• Bottle opener
• Corkscrew - We came up with some genius (and down right stupid) ways to remove a cork from a bottle, save your self the trouble and just buy one
• Vegetable peeler
• Cheese grater
• Spoons and spatulas
• Microwavable bowl
• Mixing bowl - for party punch of course 
• Measuring jug
• Sieve/coulander
• Knives - I got a lovely knife block from ASDA but I can't find it online :(
• Chopping board
• Kitchen scissors
• T-towels
• Tupperware (chinese containers)
• Sandwich bags
• Cling film
• Tin foil
• Glasses - you will probably end up 'acquiring' some from pubs 
• Shot glasses/egg cups
• Cutlery - you won't need an entire dinner service, just get about 3 of everything
• Plates, bowls, those dish things that are in between being a plate and a bowl - again you wont need to get an 
• Mugs - you'll probably get a lot of these at the Freshers Fair

Documents

• Plastic wallet to keep everything in 
• Passport photos - Take at least four, and keep some on you. Also scan some on to your computer to get quick reproductions for less (especially for ID that doesn't really matter), use this website to take your own and then print them out at a photo shop
• Driving licence (useful ID) 
• National Insurance Number/Card 
• NHS medical card 
• HC2 Certificate (free health care for over 19s) 
• Details of your vaccination history 
• Insurance documents - most halls offer some contents insurance so don't take any out unless you need to
• Confirmation letters of scholarship/bursary 
• Any information from your LEA, the SLC (Student Loans Company) or Student Finance Direct 
• Your unconditional offer from the university 
• Any documents regarding your accommodation 
• Cheque book 
• Bank debit card 
• Paying-in book 
• Bank or building society details 
• Travel discount cards (16-25 Railcard etc) - great for cheap travel home 
• CV and references 
• CRB check - applicant's copy (if required by your course) 
• Exam certificates

Electricals

Please check what you are allowed to take into halls because some unis are very strict about what you can and can't have in your room 

• Extension leads 
• Ethernet cable - some unis give these out for free while others charge for them 
• Printer - it might be worth checking out how much your uni charges for printing, some give free credit to encourage you to use the library 
• USB memory stick  
• Ink 
• Mobile phone - for calling mum and dad and taking lots of lovely photos with, it might be worth finding a decent contract to get onto 
• Batteries 
• Docking station/Speakers - essential for parties

First aid items

• Prescription medication including contraceptives 
• Condoms - you can always restock at the freshers fair and at the union 
• Cheap ibuprofen - you will get freshers flu and you will wish you'd brought some with you because the shop is too far away 
• Cheap paracetamol - you will get a hangover on the second day 
• Cold/flu remedy - again, freshers flu is a bitch 
• Throat lozenges 
• Plasters - for some it might be your first time cooking by yourself, remember that knives are sharp
• Earplugs - for studying

Laundry

• Laundry bag - make sure it is opaque, no one wants to see your dirty pants as you saunter down to the washing machine 
• Drying rack - another thing to look for in charity shops
• Knicker dryer - the most useful bit of kit you will ever own
• Change for the washing machine 
• Coat hangers

Stationery Items

It would be best to get all these bits from Poundland

• Push-pins
• UV pen to mark valuables so if they're stolen and then found again by the police they can be returned to you 
• A4 file paper / notebooks with tear out sheets 
• White paper
• Pens - you will get loads of these at the freshers fair so don't pack many 
• Pencils
• Highlighters 
• Permanent markers - so you can draw on your friends when they pass out 
• Ruler 
• Eraser 
• Sharpener 
• Blu Tack 
• Scissors 
• Sellotape 
• Hole puncher 
• Stapler 
• Staples 
• Paper clips 
• Post-it Notes
• Elastic bands 
• A4 ring binders 
• Lever-arch folders 
• Plastic wallets 
• Envelopes 
• Stamps 
• Calculator - for doing food shopping, or if you are doing maths/stats (well done you!) 
• Duct tape

Other Items

• Gift Cards for supermarkets/drug stores - ask for these as 'going to Uni' presents
• Holdall or weekend bag - for going home 
• Safety pins
• Small sewing kit
• Books - mostly ones relevant to your course, you wont have much time to read anything else
• Musical instrument(s)
• Recipe book - if you have some already then bring some, if not just use this website
• Old school uniform - there will be at least one time that you will need it for fancy dress
• Other fancy dress

Shopping list for the first few days:

• Bread - can be a staple for a multitude of meals 
• Salt / Pepper - steal these from your local food outlet (union, mcdonalds, subway...) 
• Ketchup, mayonnaise/ salad cream - you might want to liberate your local Wetherspoons of these also. 
• Herbs and spices - turns plain baked beans into Italian Baked Bean Bake
• Cooking oil/spray 
• Pot Noodles - or cheaper equivalent 
• Spreads - for your bread 
• Tins - get tinned fruit and veg 
• Cereal 
• Squash - the water might be rank 
• Pasta 
• Rice 
• Washing-up liquid 
• Bin bags 
• Washing powder 
• Sponges 
• Pub golf costume 
• More alcohol 
• More paracetamol

This is why you need to bring a blanket...

A Swiss Army Knife does not double up well as a corkscrew :(

Fancy dress is always the key to a good night out - my face says it all really

Excitement for my uniform and Sambuca with lemonade

Killer Panda? Everyone else had well better costumes!

Sometimes, you just need a permenant marker to draw a cock on someone's beans

Or on someone's face...

And that knicker hanger doubles up as a hat

I hope you have enjoyed this post, let me know which university and course you are doing in the comments below!

The Humble Bundle

I do enjoy playing video games but I would in no way consider myself a gamer, I was, however, intrigued by this concept from an American company called Origin.

Usually Origin sell games at a set price but in their Humble Bundle you can pay whatever you like! The best bit though is that whatever you do decide to pay can go to charity. They are currently supporting Human Rights Campaign, watsi, American Cancer Society, American Red Cross and San Francisco AIDS Foundation so there should be an organisation that you'd love to support. If there isn't then you can choose to give all your money to Origin themselves by way of saying 'thank you' for setting up such a brilliant idea.

Even if you aren't interested yourself, pass this on to someone who would be!