Frugal February was about cutting out all non essential spending.

I found this to be a really positive exercise. For the first time, in a long time, I had money left in the bank when payday rolled around again. It felt so good that I am tempted to try and match it this month by following the same rules.

I will be doing some shopping though, I need to buy cleanser, moisturiser and mascara but when it comes to the mascara I've decided to try Boots Lash Adapt. I've read some really good reviews about it and it's half the price of the one I have been using (see, still got my frugal head on).

At the end of the month I have wedding reception to attend, it has a black and white dress code so I will be buying a frock for that. In fact you can help me decide what to wear here. I'm rather leaning towards the Oasis rope print shift dress, what do you think?

Hope you're all having a great week, despite the dreadful weather!

Have you noticed these little rings popping up? Above the knuckle rings, or memory rings as they are sometimes known.

They add a little something unexpected, just a hint of something. Subtle, cute. I like.

This simple thin band came from Wired Jewellery. It's simplicity delights me ♥
You like?

Frugal February has got me a wonderin'... just how much do I spend a year on Clothes, shoes and accessories? £300, £500, £1,000, more? I Googled it but the results varied between £250 to over £1,000.

In January alone I purchased four jumpers, a cardigan, a dress, a shirt, a pair of ballet pumps, a pair of gloves, two bags and a scarf. This seems a lot when written down, I haven't ever kept a tally but I think I should.

I'll be adding a page so that I can keep track over the course of 2012 (I'll be keeping the total spent to myself until the end of the year). Will this figure scare me? I fully expect that it will.

How much do you think you spend on clothes each month? Do you have a budget or no clue at all?

I'm intrigued to know.

Essential spending only. Just three little words, to which I've applied three simple rules.

Use existing products.
My moisturiser, cleanser and favourite mascara ran out, and although these could be seen as an 'essential', I decided that it was time to use all the samples I have, items from Glossybox and travel size items. I'm actually rather enjoying seeing the stock diminish but that's just my inner neat freak.

Make a list and stick to it.
I pop to the supermarket on a daily basis to buy ingredients required for supper but often buy a magazine or treat of some kind. I've banned myself from doing this and to help I write a list, including my lunches for the week - if its not written down it ain't getting in (to my basket).

Avoid temptation.
I've unsubscribed to emails from high street retailers (I wonder if they've noticed the dip in sales). It has stopped my lunchtime browsing and I've avoided going into the town centre as I am physically unable to just window shop.

All of these things could be applied year round really. I think with a little planning a lot of hidden expenditure could be avoided. Taking lunches to work for example and writing a shopping list, it takes a few minutes but saves £'s.

Have you been taking part? How do you cut back?

Check out how everyone else has been getting on during Frugal February.

Love

I have been tagged by Sophie and I have to admit that being tagged always makes me feel loved. Thanks Sophie!

First, you paste in these instructions:
1) You must post 11 random things about yourself
2) Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post
3) Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer
4) Go to their blog and tell them you've tagged them
5) No stuff about 'you're tagged if you're reading this' - legitimately tag people.

So 11 Random things about me…
1) I always go up stairs two at a time
2) I collect charity pin badges
3) I have a love/hate relationship with bananas
4) I developed a taste for olives at the age of 35
5) When I was 11 crushed my finger whilst closing a door and nearly lost the top of it
6) If I don't get some time on my own everyday I start to go a little crazy
7) I really dislike the word 'moist'
8) I think I should have been born in the 1950's
9) I love notebooks
10) I am a bit of a SciFi fan...
11) I actually quite like the smell of manure

Here are Sophie’s questions for me to answer:

1) What happened on your favourite/most memorable day?
We went to Lords Cricket Ground and watched England vs Sri Lanka. It was a surprise 30th Birthday present for OH. After the game I organised to meet up with some of his best mates for a curry on Brick Lane. It was such a cool day.

2) What is your least favourite colour and why?
Pale colours in general. They're boring, almost non-colours.

3) What don’t you like eating and why?
Mushrooms. The texture - yuck. That said I quite like the flavour so mushroom soup is fine.

4) Who is your celebrity twin?
I found this website ages ago and it matched me with Alyson Hannigan. Try it, its's fun.

5) Do you have a surprising skill, what is it?
I really don't think I have any...

6) What place in the world would you most like to visit?
Bali. It's always been a dream destination but reading Eat, Pray, Love cemented it for me.

7) What is the best or worst bit of advice you have received?
Don't avoid a conversation because it's difficult.

8) What is your favourite snack?
I go through phases, at the moment its celery.

9) What would you like to change about the world, if anything?
I'd like to see less hate and intolerance.

10) Dogs or cats? Or neither?
Cats! I love my two little purring friends.

11) If you were to change your first name, what would you call yourself?
Eva, it means 'life'

Here are my questions for the people I tag to answer:
(I have to admit I cheated on some of these and googled 'random questions to ask people'. Google has an answer for everything)
1) What song always makes you happy when you hear it?
2) What movie would you most like to be in and why?
3) If you were a Disney character who would you be and why?
4) Do you have any nicknames?
5) What one thing would you take with you on a deserted island?
6) Who would you snog, marry and kill?
7) What do you miss the most from your childhood?
8) How do you spend a typical Sunday?
9) What three celebrities would you most like to invite to dinner?
10) Name 3 things you cannot live without?
11) What did you want to grow up to be when you were a kid?

I am tagging: Sherin, Beth, Dawn, Bre, The Girl, Sarah, Harriet, Cat, Anita, Val. Please join in if you wish, but if it's not your thing, don't worry I won't be offended.

If I wasn't taking part in Frugal February I would most definitely be purchasing one of these KG, Kurt Geiger, Juliette bracelets.

*sigh*