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Thanks, Ellie xxx

Freebies week 2

This week has been another great week for freebies, I challenged myself again to see how many I could get Monday - Friday, maybe I could have done more if I wasn't full of cold and I didn't get 2 blog posts in like I hoped but hey ho I got free chocolate again so no complaints here.

I didn't get the free Easter egg from Thornton's with o2 priorities that went way too quick before I even got chance to get to town, but you win some and loose some. Not to mention the receipt that ended up in a mix up because I used my coupon at self-service. Always better to use it at the till for future reference as you have to sit and wait. So I would have tested the Shopmium referral credit I got from referring mike but because I don't have the receipt it didn't go to plan. Never mind ey?!

Back to the positives look at the free stuff I got! Looks great when you put it in a picture all together and look I got the Volvic sugar free drinks from Shopmium picked up the right ones this time not the normal ones haha.

Free Primula cheese spread from Shopmium.

If you read my blog post last week I talked about an app call Shopmium which I got a free lindt bunny from. If you didn't see my post click here and it will take you to my post. This app gives you cash back for items you buy in their offers. Currently the Primula soft cheese is on offer for free so go grab yours now and don't forget your free bunny using my referral code 😉

1. Download the free Shopmium app on your iPhone or Android smartphone: https://www.shopmium.com/uk/download

2. Open the app and sign up with my code: KMKMKMCY

3. Enjoy your Lindt Gold Bunny!

Free Emmi Caffe Latte Skinny Iced coffee's from CheckOutSmart.

For any of you following my facebook page or twitter I posted this one up when I found it, CheckOutSmart gave these away for free but they where only available for a short amount of time so follow my page and I will keep adding freebies when I get chance. Again my previous post tells you all about the app CheckOutSmart.

Sorry I am reusing my photo from last week standing in for the 2 packs of 5 Cadbury's crème eggs which I forgot to photograph before they ended up in the recycling. They where great for our easter egg hunt.

The free Crème Eggs where from another Cash Back App called Clicksnap. This is the website Quidco's version of a cashback app, usually they are similar offers so I don't use it much however this time it was only on Clicksnap. Quidco is a great cashback website I got £80 back from my o2 contract just for clicking through their website! It was a great payout as it came 6 months after I got my contract (so they knew I wasn't missing bills).

Sign up to Quidco here and sign in using Quidco on the Clicksnap app to use their cashback app but also don't forget to check out their offers online when you do any shopping online. There's nothing like doing your shopping as normal then weeks or months later getting a nice extra payout to treat yourself.

Free New Covent Garden Soup using a £1 coupon and they are on offer for £1 at asda (also morrisons too).

If you go onto money saving expert they often have coupons. Click here as this is where I found the coupon I thought it was only right to include the link. However here is a direct link to the website to get a New Covent Garden Soup coupon, if you click 'Find out more' a pop up should appear for you to fill your details out and be emailed a coupon.

When you print coupons they come through a secure printing program called Valassis so don't be surprised when it asks you to install the programme. It won't print properly unless you do that, but if you do have any problems I emailed them in the past and they helped me no problem.

That's it this week for my freebies, I hope you enjoyed reading and hope you take advantage of some of the freebies. Talk to you soon, Ellie xxx

Freebies

Freebies 3rd-9th April

Today I thought I'd write a blog post nice and early, in between looking after my 15 month old who is currently coming down with a cold and a little bit clingy poor little man. He was so upset first thing this morning got me up at 5.45am which sounds bad but compared to 4am that's a sleep in. Anyway enough about that, what I came here to write about was how to get freebies.

I used to get a lot of freebies but got out of the habit but this week I thought right lets go for it see how many I can get and explain how it works for anyone who wants to know. I haven't explored the world of coupons this week as I didn't get round to it but hopefully I will cover that next Tuesday. Also I was thinking of posting the offers on my social media pages ie Facebook and Twitter to give you a chance of getting them too :) Just to clarify the reason there is 2 of some items is because Mike (my other half) kindly agreed to get the freebies too with my help of course.

Birdseye Chicken Chargrills from CheckOutSmart (App)

The first place I started at is an old favourite App that you can download on your smartphone called CheckOutSmart but what is great is you can also use it online at https://www.checkoutsmart.com/
This is a cash back app where you buy the product on offer, then upload your receipt to prove you have got the item, usually this only takes a few minutes. They then check your uploaded receipt and credit your account. You have a £5 limit for withdrawal so you can't withdraw the money to paypal or your bank till you get past £5 and anything under £20 gets a 5% charge on withdrawal so usually I save it till I get past £20 and look forward to a nice payout unless I'm desperate for the money.

Amstel Bier from CheckOutSmart also with a competition on which is great if your a comper like me ;)

First step is to have a look at the offers, For example the Birdseye chicken was only available to buy at Asda to be accepted for the cashback but it varies from offer to offer. Then do your shopping, always write a list and always double check the product is the correct product as weights can be different or small things for example I bought a Volvic Touch of fruit drink thinking it was a freebie and didn't realise I should have got the sugar free one! You live and you learn but try not to make my silly mistake :P

 Little Dish Chickpea Pop rice cakes for Harry from CheckOutSmart

You can save yourself money using cashback apps/websites not just from the freebies but they offer discounts on products too, I try not to get these unless its a product I would buy normally or it makes it really cheap that I want to try the item. Like earlier in the week I got some more rice cakes but got 50p back which made them half price. These are great for harry to snack on. There was quite a few more freebies on both CheckOutSmart and Shopmium (I'll talk about Shopmium soon) but I didn't see the point in getting them, but currently there is cider and more baby food plus a few others.

Lindt Gold Bunnies (100g) Free via Shopmium referral code

Shopmium is just like CheckOutSmart its an App where you get free and discount offers. Its a similar process only you have to scan the barcode of your product. This did error for me the first time but worked out fine after another try. After that I took a picture of the receipt and it didn't quite register on the app so I had to go to My Purchases and added a photo again just to be on the safe side. They processed my claim the next day and my £3 I had paid was sent straight to my paypal account (again you can use your bank if you want). Great service despite the errors!

Here’s what to do:

1. Download the free Shopmium app on your iPhone or Android smartphone: https://www.shopmium.com/uk/download

2. Open the app and sign up with my code: KMKMKMCY

3. Enjoy your Lindt Gold Bunny!

Free Creme Egg from o2 Priorities

If your network is o2 definitely get the o2 Priorities app, not only do you get freebies (get them fast as its a limited number) but you also get offers and competitions. You check the offer, go to the store it says its available at and then get your code while your at the till, they enter it in and you walk away with a freebie!

Next week I will be back with more freebies and hopefully more ways of getting free stuff. If you have any questions or more advice feel free to comment below and in the mean time I will post the freebies/deals on social media as I get them. Thanks for reading. Ellie :) xxx

My best and most magical win so far

I love to enter competitions so I thought I'd write about my best win. It was 2014 I had been obsessively entering competitions in order to avoid thinking about my life and the breakdown that is why I left my job. I thought like you I'd never win much these things are all fixed, how wrong was I. It turns out enter more competitions, get more entries, make more effort and you can become a winner.

I was checking my email not expecting much but I had received an email from closer. Inside it said you are the possible winner of tickets to warner bros studios summer screenings of harry potter. Now anyone that knows me will know I am obsessed with harry potter, if I'm ill or tired any excuse and harry potter is on the tv. This was a simple competition to enter, just a click to win competition where you enter your email daily to enter.

Love this quote :)

The email said to respond within 7 days in order to claim my prize tickets which I did immediately. Then I waited to hear something and wouldn't let myself believe I'd won them until I actually got the tickets but at the same time my anxiety was kicking in. I phoned my dad in a panic as the date the tickets where for was in a weeks time and I needed money to hire a car. Luckily my dad knew I needed a break and helped me out but that's definitely a reason why you should always check the terms and conditions.

The big day came, I had the tickets once they'd sent them again and they printed out correctly. We had booked a car last minute and went to find the car hire place getting lost on the way and more panic about being late as we needed to drive from Yorkshire to near London. For anyone who doesn't know how far that is its almost 200 miles and takes 3 hours that's if you don't hit traffic. It was amazing to be driving again and in a much more powerful car then my old Renault clio.

On the wooden bridge.

Once we arrived safely at our destination we where running a bit later then we'd planned, my anxiety was in full force and in a panic we hurried through the crowds and got in the queue to go in. At that moment it was too late to go back outside then I realised I'd left my phone in the car. All sorts went through my mind about having an excess to pay on the car if it was broken into. I soon forgot about it armed with my camera happily snapping as I went.

I will get to Hogwarts one way

Or another.... ;)

We walked through the door to the great hall, we got to stand next to hagrid's hut and the potions class, we walked past the front gates. Always wanted to try butter beer and our free tickets included trying a small glass each (mike didn't mind it, I wasn't so keen) and I rode a broom (yes I was a natural haha). That wasn't even the best bit we then walked down diagon alley and into the final room where I'd have liked a bit more time to take everything in especially as I stood in front of a big model of Hogwarts! It was so amazing it takes your breath away and I definitely had a lump in my throat.

Me in front of Hogwarts

Unfortunately we couldn't stay and explore everything as long as we would have liked because we didn't know what time it was and we had to be in the lobby to watch the screening of Harry Potter and the order of the phoenix. It turned out we had time to sit and relax in the end and get out food that was included. A hot dog, popcorn/sweets and a drink. The hotdog was awful and the popcorn was burnt but it still doesn't ruin my memory of such a great day. They had problems setting up the film but the host was funny and I remember her saying down the mic 'just building the tention'.

The Knight Bus will take me surely?!

There was so much for us to see that day I could barely take it all in. I'd love to win tickets and go again one day and I love the films even more from that day knowing how much creativity went into them and that I got to watch one where it was made. If you love harry potter like me and ever get the chance to go I'd definitely recommend it just remember to take me with you haha just kidding. Hope you enjoyed reading my story. Ellie xxx

Powerful memories

Today is the first day for months since I've had a few hours away from Harry, a belated birthday treat thanks to my friend Mel. We had planned McDonalds and bowling because I'm obsessed with their McDonalds monopoly. Its definitely not helping the waistline! Well we had that and then Mel suggested a place that sells just desserts, I didn't take much convincing I wanted to check it out.

So lovely and sickly.... Completely stuffed think I need to detox now 😉

Its amazing how a few hours can help you recharge and just feel better to not have to constantly worry or be too tired to do anything was nice. I felt happy on the way home I really appreciated what I had just because I hadn't seen Harry for a few hours. I enjoyed myself a lot but I have to admit I missed putting him to bed. Luckily Mike was super daddy, played with him until he got tired and then gave plenty of cuddles until eventually he was fast asleep in the cot even doing my job of laying next to the cot just for reassurance.

On the way home Abba came on and I all of a sudden felt like my mum was watching over me. I had powerful memories of listening to Abba's album on repeat in the car with mum, beks and mims (my 2 younger sisters). I'm sure I remember us all singing along to it while in Cornwall when it was just the 4 of us. It was Chiquitita by Abba and the words really spoke to me, I forgot how much I love singing along to Abba, its like a guilty pleasure haha.

My favourite bit;

'Chiquitita, you and I know
How the heartaches come and they go and the scars they're leaving
You'll be dancing once again and the pain will end
You will have no time for grieving
Chiquitita, you and I cry
But the sun is still in the sky and shining above you
Let me hear you sing once more like you did before
Sing a new song, Chiquitita'

Powerful lyrics and such a powerful voice!

https://youtu.be/p4QqMKe3rwY

I almost felt like my mum was talking to me, I don't know about any of you but I like to believe the ones we loose that we love are watching over us and sending us little messages to help us stay strong. I almost started to crying but I felt so much stronger like she willing me on, I mean this was the first song as I turned the radio on for my journey home. Maybe its just a really powerful memory but I for one will be playing a lot more music around Harry! 💓

Loving the poppies at City of Culture while back in Hull today :)

Mothers day birthday

Yesterday was mothers day and my birthday. Running up to the day I found it hard to get excited or even plan anything as its almost 8 years this year since my mum passed away. Understandable I haven't been looking forward to this day, especially as one of my early memories is from when mothers day fell on my birthday. I remember swapping presents with my mum and finding it funny, I think I was 6 the first time. It was great being able to give my mum a present in return receiving one myself it was like a mini Christmas just for me and my mum.

 My amazing mum 💜

Its strange how many times that memory has popped into my head this last few weeks everytime I've seen an advert or competition saying mothers day 26th March. Its hard when your mum is no longer with you. I know I haven't wrote a blog post for a while but when I haven't been busy I've been deep in thought about both my mum and my brother Mike. I found myself looking at old photos thinking I'm now 2 years older then Mike was almost 10 years ago when he passed away. It was such a strange feeling to look at his photos and realise how young he was. Last time I was younger then he was and thought I still had time to live up to his accomplishments, he did so much in a short time travelling with his job.

My hero big brother 😊

The point of this post is for me to realise what I do have and use the memories and the drive to make them both proud, sort my health out and follow my dreams. I'm so tired of putting everything off and making my moods yo-yo. I can make my own luck right?!

I'm so grateful for what I do have now. This year we live somewhere miles better with a lot more places to take Harry to explore. I've been so lucky with my comping this last 2 months. I've learnt so much about comping and money saving in general. I just need to remember to have faith in myself and somehow find an energy reserve! If anyone has any tips on how to find more energy while chasing a 15 month old please comment below 😉

On Saturday we had a picnic for my birthday it was lovely day, nice and sunny. Harry loved running around on the westwood chasing a ball and playing. Its the simple things in life that make all the difference in the world. Even though I was up from a silly time on my birthday/mothers day, and loads during the night, I have to say being a mum is amazing seeing him go from a small little baby to running around chasing a wall. Best love in the world. Here's to more adventures as the weather gets better and sharing them with you guys. Thanks for reading 😍 Ellie xxx

Harry enjoying a sausage roll at his first ever picnic.

Squirrel's homemade burger with Cypriot New Potatoes

I have always loved making homemade burgers, my mum and dad both made them for me growing up. Its been a while since I've made some so when the I came across a challenge to write a recipe using Cypriot New Potatoes I thought it would be a great idea to cook them in my air fryer. 

Ideal for dipping if cut long ways and perfect to go with homemade burger, garlic yoghurt and a spicy salsa. The big test would be if my 13 month old son would eat it. He didn't have the sauce/salsa but loved the Cypriot New Potatoes and homemade burger.

Spicy salsa, Cypriot New Potatoes, Homemade burger and garlic dip.

Here's what I started with after my trip to tesco. A couple of things where already in my cupboard.

Squirrel's homemade burgers

Ingredients

500g mince beef

1 Onion

1tbsp light soy sauce

1tsp mixed herbs

half a tea spoon of salt and pepper

1 egg

Approx 100g of bread (can be dry/old bread for bread crumbs)

Method

Put the bread into a blender to make into bread crumbs. Dice the onion into small pieces. Put the mince, onion, bread crumbs, soy sauce, mixed herbs, salt and pepper in a bowl together and give a good mix.

Next beat the egg in a cup with a fork, then add it to the bowl. Mix together with a spoon or fork but you might find it easier to mix the meat into one piece using your hands.

Next mould the meat into burgers, I recommend not to do them too thick because its harder to cook the middle bit but the size doesn't matter just the bigger the burger the longer the cooking time. So I did some smaller ones for harry :)

Next its time to cook the burgers! Yey! But first lets get those yummy potatoes on!

Cypriot New Potatoes 

Cypriot New Potatoes are available in Tesco stores nationwide.

To go with my burgers I bought a 750g bag. I cut them in half down the long side of the potato and then again into quarter or each half into 3 depending on the size of the potato.

It was then time to wash/dry the potatoes ready for the air fryer.

Next I poured 1 tbsp of oil all over the potatoes and put it on for 40 minutes.

Spicy Salsa

Ingredients

6 tomatoes

1 pepper

1 onion

1 red chili pepper

1tsp mixed herbs

splash vinegar

half a tsp of salt and pepper

Method

First chop up the tomatoes, pepper and onion . Then finely dice the chili pepper. Cook the onion in a pan with a little bit of oil just until it softens then add the rest giving it a good stir. Cook for about 10 minutes or until the tomotoes and peppers soften on a medium heat. Stiring regularly.

Garlic Dip

Ingredients

200ml natural yoghurt

1 clove garlic

hand full of chives

salt and pepper to taste

Method

Finally dice the garlic. Add enough salt to the garlic to be able to crush it with the side of the knife. Keep crushing until the garlic and salt resemble a paste.

Slowly add the yogurt to the garlic paste. Finely chop the chives and stir into the mixture.

Add pepper to taste and salt if needed.

The verdict

We all loved it! The salsa complimented the garlic sauce on the burger and the Cypriot New Potatoes where great for dipping and just so yummy. My son couldn't get enough of them. I'll definitely have to do some more!

Yummy yummy Scrummy!

Harry enjoyed peas and sweetcorn with his tea in the interest of getting his 5 a day into him ;) Oh and he doesn't know how to nod yet lol

#CypriotNewPotatoes

Money, Body and Mind challenge update

The running has taken a back seat for now so lets call the start of February as Take Two! I went as planned for my second run it went well even though I was very achy from my first run. I went to the beck this time hoping for more level ground. Thankfully it was much better then the woods. One big thing I noticed about my second run is I didn't need my inhaler big improvement so definitely motivation to carry on. The last time I went was a week ago on Tuesday 24th January. That day I forgot to re-download the mp3 track so just kind of guessed with the amount of running oops. Hey I guess I'm not doing as bad as I thought in 2017 so far 3 runs is better then none!

Left: Wed 18th, Right: Tue 24th.

I'm hoping over the year I'll see a difference. Fingers crossed tomorrow goes as planned. Over and out, Ellie xxx

2017 Aims, Wishlist and a very dry January

I've been meaning to write a post about 2017 Aims and my wishlist for a while but I've not had chance or the energy. Last 2 weeks Harry has been ill and before that constant teething so I don't think I've slept properly in 2017 at all ok over exaturation but close enough. Forget the amount of times I've ran up and down the stairs when he's screaming his head off. That's got to burn some calories right? Tomorrow we go into February and so far as usual 2017 isn't going to plan. Time to get back on track hopefully, there's still 11 months left so here goes nothing!

Time to talk about my aims for 2017. I've already talked about my Money, Body and Mind challenge in my last post and a little bit about my aims for this year in my first ever blog post. To remind myself about what I want to do this year to and to keep myself motivated I have done a colourful poster to put on the wall. Kept it simple and eye catching.

Doing well for that bottom one as you know (I did this before I started blogging) but I'm going to try do more posts more regurarly. The Gryffindor hoodie is one the other half ordered for me months ago that doesn't fit and I love a cosy new hoodie.

I've also made one for my prize wishlist. If you don't know me I like to enter competitions well you could say I'm addicted to it but I love to have fun at the same time not just entering your run of the mill entry form competitions but creative ones with photos or making/baking things. I'm trying my best to make more effort with these types as so far January has been so so dry for prizes. Not one prize this year at all, no reason that can't change.

I don't expect to win all these just 1 or 2 would be nice. Its just good to have a list to search for instead of randomly entering competitions which is what I do when I'm far too tired. Now to set up google alert for my wishlist. Fingers crossed 😉

Money, Body and Mind challenge

Money, Body and Mind challenge

My aim in 2017 is not just to diet or just try and save but try to improve on my health and money at the same time. Hopefully my mind will follow suit if I feel clearer in those areas. Oh and I'm working on some bits to organise my mind at the same ie bullet journal. I'm unbelievable scatty and forget to do stuff all the time. I guess being a sleep deprived parent doesn't help.

On to my grand scheme so the first part 'Money'
I need to learn to save!
Challenge: Save £1000 by December 1st 2017
Aim: Create a plan to save £1000

At the start of January I decided I wanted to save £1000 by the 1st of December. I’ve never been good at saving or had enough money to save never mind £1000. Why not though? Things can change. Right? I can change!
I needed a plan. I looked on the internet and came across a spreadsheet screenshot. Of course why not I’m obsessed with spreadsheets of all kind at the moment. That’s when Harry isn’t keeping us up all night. I wrote my own plan and it didn’t take as long as I thought.

There you have it my plan! I used the SUM formula (in the right photo) in column B as well as C. I put amounts in as I saw fit, putting less in January knowing I would have less money but made up for it in other weeks. If you wanted you could just divide the amount your aiming for by the weeks and use that.

Next its time for the body challenge!

Challenge: Couch to 5k

Aim: The aim of Couch to 5k is to get you to run 5k or 20 minutes in 9 weeks

This is a free on the nhs website, you can get the app or download the podcasts as listen to them in your headphones.

My motivation behind this is so I can take part in a colour run in July with my 2 younger sisters. I've always wanted to go on a colour run but why not have fun with my sisters at the same time fulfilling my aim to spend more time with family and have more adventures. Oh and there is the added bonus of finally getting fit for once in my life. Anyway I will track my journey on here and hopefully that will give me a boost :)

First run attempt

I'm sat here contemplating my plans of starting coach to 5k. Yes I'm incredibly unfit and i plan on running in public with my son in the pushchair hmmm it could be a disaster. Then again I really want to prove to myself I can do this. I can loose weight and get fit! Right wish me luck! (before first run)

Just come back from my run. Well I've done shopping, fed Harry, had lunch with the OH and talked his ear off along the way. How did it go? Well it was tough I'm not going to deny it part of me wanted to give up but I was determined to prove I can do this.

I walked to the other side of the town towards a wooded area thinking about my wobbly bits and red beetroot face the less people the better. I started down the track towards the woods. It was steeper then I remembered. To start with going up the I ran as much as I could manage, at least running for a bit every time she said run. I have to admit I needed my inhaler a few times. In the end I turned back and went back and forth down the flatter bit. Definitely a wiser idea!

Each 60 second run slowly got easier and the last one I managed to run the whole 60 seconds. So proud of myself I feel really energized! Can't wait to update you on Wednesday on my second attempt at week 1 of coach to 5k 😃

People must have thought I was crazy running with a pram. Haha but it did my arms too. I'm aching all over today especially my shins and legs. I've learned a few things. I will have to leave harry with mike after this week, I need better clothes, shoes and head phones that don't fall out my ears. Fingers crossed for a better nights sleep tonight ready for tomorrow eek :P

Lets make 2017 fantastic

We are just going into the new year and I thought I would start a blog. I don’t know exactly what to start writing about, I have a few ideas from money saving tips, competitions to enter, recipes and a bit about my life. Of course if anyone has any advice or suggestions I will be happy to listen.

My name is Ellie, I’m from Yorkshire in the UK. I’ve always struggled to fit in just feeling out of place no matter where I am in life. Like Bridget Jones I always manage to do something daft or I miss read a situation and put my foot in it. I’ve finally decided that enough is enough I’ll be myself and hopefully those that love me will stick around despite me being crazy and weird at the best of times.

 This is me! See crazy?! Haha!

A few weeks ago I went out to the shop for something for tea and a few bits. It was windy, dark and raining hard, the back end of a storm was battling hard against my car as I ran into Sainsbury’s, I quickly got some cash and jumped back into the car to get fish and chips for tea. Trying to hurry as the wind and rain flung my car door open I started to hear an alarm go off, thinking it was my car alarm I pressed the button to lock my car. Nothing happened the alarm was still going off. My car is my dads old car so I phoned my dad in a panic worrying that the rain had broken my car alarm. He never had this happen before so I had no choice but to drive home with the alarm going off and wait for the rain to stop. A few hours later after getting my son to bed I went to check my car, hoping the problem had sorted itself. I opened the car door and thought strange the noise is fading and coming more from the door area. I had a look and then I saw my rape alarm from my keys trapped between the chair and the car door. See I told you I’m as daft as a brush, everyone found it hilarious. I was just happy it wasn’t my car. Needless to say the rape alarm isn’t on my car keys anymore!

2016 was definitely an interesting journey, learning to be a new mum and struggling to adjust to the endless sleepless nights was fun and challenging all in one. At times I’ve wanted to scream and then there is the other times when my son Harry does amazing things and gives me the cheekiest little smile that melts your heart. Its certainly been a year of extreme highs and lows. I’ve moved out of the small 2 bedroom flat that was driving me mad and moved into a house in a better area.

This is Harry on his new bike from Christmas, my little cutie :)

2017 I’ve decided to set this blog up to motivate myself and to share my journey. My main aim is to have a much healthier lifestyle with money/diet and concentrate on the good things instead of the bad. I want to do more creative things, cook more and have a lot of adventures big and small. I hope anyone reading this can join in and also share their experiences. Lots of love Ellie xxx