One of my favorite feelings is finding new treasures like this. I often visit my favorite charity shops when I've had a stressful morning at work. This particular day was full of some pretty useful finds and I couldn't help but share them. This particular shop has everything from home-wares, books, bags, clothes, children's toys, crafts, and some unique collectibles. 

The entire haul cost me $20. That's all. Pretty cool, huh?

The first item I found was this blue hand towel for $1. I noticed it was great quality from a good brand and I don't have many in my cupboard so I was very pleased. My shopping had got off to a great start. 

Measuring cups always come in handy and I have been on the hunt for a new one. They're handy for measuring stock or just keeping utensils I'm using off the counter. Another $1 bargain. 

These two vases were just too cute to leave behind. I've been wanting to change up my decor a bit and these will be perfect. I might pick up some peonies to pop in them on my dining table. The blue one was only $1 and the pink was $2. 

I live in t-shirts during the week and have been getting bored or my wardrobe lately. A $3 bargain will suit me nicely, especially since grey goes with everything. I also spotted my favorite find of the day which was these ankle boots that were a mere $2! I couldn't believe my luck. They're a size too big but that's nothing a pair of extra socks can't fix. I desperately needed some boots that could withstand a little rain as I walked into work during the winter. My prayers have been answered!

I came across two gorgeously warm jumpers that were only $5 each. I've worn both since and they're are going to serve me well this winter. I will surely endeavor to pick up a few more of these as autumn grows colder. You can't tell me it's impossible to find good quality clothes at a charity shop.


So that was my $20 charity haul! Not a bad effort right? I got lucky on this trip and am so happy with what I was able to find. I should have my own TV show for this stuff, really.

Have you had any great finds lately?
Steph x.

Charity Shop Haul + Why They're Pretty Cool Places!

I've seemed to have made my blog very budget-friendly recently (and why not I say) and I'm excited to continue that trend by talking about one of my favorite new hobbies: 

DISCOVERING GEMS AT CHARITY SHOPS 

I know what you're thinking, and no you don't have to go digging through piles of old clothes in order to find precious items. Sometimes I visit my favorite stops and find bugger all. But then others I leave feeling like I discovered a treasure mine. If you pay close enough attention to whats scattered on the shelves you never know what you'll find. 

It's also the one of the only kinds of shopping that actually gives back to the community, as well as the environment. You're basically recycling old, unwanted items and donating to charity all in one. And you get to take home some beautiful stuff!

And you wanna talk about saving money? This haul only cost me $12. 

The gorgeous pink-flower jar was the first find of the day. It was just too pretty to leave behind and I knew there would be a lovely spot in the house for it (now a sugar jar looking very precious next to my blue coffee one.) 

I always love looking in the children's book section for some reason. Mainly for a bit of nostalgia and hoping to find some old favorites. I don't know how I was expected to walk away from some Disney classics and a Little Golden Book of The Jungle Book that is in perfect condition. I'm not gonna lie to you, I want my children to have their own library by the time they're born, so these will probably end up with them in a few years time. 

I was just about to leave the store when I felt I should take a look at the miscellaneous section. Nothing, nothing, and then I turned around and gasped as I saw these glorious fawn bookends! I've been searching shops (both old and new) for something like this and now I finally found one.  

And how could I resist a Mickey Mouse decoration for 50 cents? Great addition to my decorations this year!

When you think about it, anyone can go to a mall or shop online and buy the same exact purse as you. And even though it could be a very lovely purse, it's probably one of one thousand out there at that moment. Charity stores are filled with items that tell a story and you'll find beautiful things that no one else will have. Or even items to pass on to the next generation, like my Little Golden Books. 

I would always recommend making a visit to your local charity shop, just for the fun of it. You could end up making a difference and finding something beautiful too. 

Do you love charity shops too? What's the best purchase you even made?

Steph x.  

Home-Ware Haul #2!

As you'll soon learn, I've still been having a lot of fun picking up bits and pieces each week for my future flat. And since I'm on a budget, I've learned to be savvy with my purchases and haven't spent more than $20 each time I shopped. 

I've found that it pays to do your research on specific items you want. Also, never look past the gems in clearance departments! I'll be showing you some of the things I've found that barely put a dent in my wallet, yet are still super-stylish or practical. I'll be doing a full blog post on budget tips in the future!

I'm still focusing most of my efforts on getting the kitchen set up. I think that's the area I'm looking forward to most in my own flat. There have been a few times lately where I've wanted to cook, or just needed breakfast, but the kitchen was already occupied. You all know how obsessed with food I am, so let me tell you, this girl really needs her own kitchen!

You're gonna have to get used to me rambling on about house-related things, I'm obsessed!

Grey Bath Mat $14

I'm so happy with this! We currently have the yellow version of this one and it's so soft and comfy on your feet that I wanted they grey one for my own bathroom. I managed to get it for half price, so I didn't need to splurge on it. It seems silly, but I'm excited for when I get to finally use this.


Blue Bowls $2.50 each

Not gonna lie, one of the reasons I bought these is because they will look great in food photography! But we did need a few more bowls up our sleeve and I really love the color of these ones. They're a little bigger than your everyday ones, so I can use them for entertaining (or a generous dessert serving...)


3x Blue Bathroom organizers $1 each

I feel like this is something people often forget about when setting up a home. I'm not a fan of mess either, so I thought these will come in real handy. I'll be doing the same for the kitchen cabinets as well.


2 x Wooden Spoons $2 each

Because if there's one thing I have learned, it's that you can never have enough of these!


Set of 3 Stainless Steel Bowls $10

These are just my favorite to bake with and they take up a lot less room that ceramic bowls. I thought this set would be a great starter for my cooking days.

Black and Gold Mountain Print $3

I fell for this print quickly, and as soon as I saw the clearance price I knew I had to have it. These kinds of neutral prints are really great to have for any room. Plus I feel like I want any and all of my future homes to be full of art.


White Ceramic Jar $2

Couldn't pass up this bargain. I'm on Pinterest far too often and a lot of the styled kitchens have simple jars on the counter-top next to wooden chopping boards, and it just looks really cute. I'm not sure what I'll put in here, but it should bring my kitchen together nicely.

Black Wire Basket $6

These are definitely another style trend right now and I have been eyeing them up. They look really cool as fruit bowls, for hand-towels in the bathroom, or for dog toys. Managed to get this one on sale too!


Baking Tray $5

I actually found this one on sale at the supermarket and couldn't pass it up! It's non-stick and will be perfect for almost anything. Some muffin tins for healthy cupcakes will be next on my list.

Palm Tree Print $4

As someone who loves the sight of anything tropical themed, I had to have this one! Not to mention the fact that blue is my favorite color and the whole thing reminds me of Hawaii. Steve and me are off there in a few months, so it might be a nice way of remembering our holiday.



I think I'm doing pretty well so far! There's still lots to get organised, but we have time. I definitely don't think you need to spend a tonne of money on household items, or even have to sacrifice how you want a room to look. There's always a way to make it work.

Let me know if you want me to keep doing these home-ware hauls! I'm sure there will be tonnes more bargains for me to show you.

Do you have any budget decorating tips?
Steph x.

My First Home-Ware Haul!

Hello, Everyone! 

 I went on a little shopping expedition the other day and found a few little gems that I really wanted to share on my blog. I actually still live at home with my family, mostly to save money and there's never been a reason for me to move out. But since meeting Steve and us practicing what it would be like living together (quite successfully I might add) it's become a goal of mine for the next year to finally get our own place. 

I've always wanted to set up a home and have fun decorating. Recently we've been going through some storage and organizing what items we already have, or don't. There's now a long list of things that we will need before moving in and it's a list we are planning on chipping away at over the coming months. While we are still saving for our trip to Hawaii, we think it's a smart idea to get prepared now, rather than having to buy everything at once later. 

I've been dying to go out and starting purchasing a couple of things, and I am so happy with my finds. This entire haul only cost me $28 in total since almost all of it came from the clearance section. My mother not only taught me how to run a house, but to also hunt down those bargains. I think she taught me well!

Bed Cushion $5

How cute is this? I thought it was a nice neutral design that we could use in our bedroom. Plus, it has a removable cover so I can wash it easily or replace it later. 

Measuring Cup + Spatula $3-$2

The room in a house that needs the most stuff is always the kitchen. This is especially true with me because I love baking and cooking a lot. Measuring cups are super-useful to have around and this one has three different types of measurements labelled on it (great for those online recipes.) I use these wider spatulas most since they're so good for flipping pancakes and eggs. I'm gonna pick up another one later as back-up. 

Side Plates $2 each

These caught my eye and I just had to have them. When it comes time to decorate, I think I would like to try mimic some of the homely Scandinavian rooms you see on Pinterest. These plates just fit with that vision. And who says your first flat can't be filled with stylish things? 

Set of 4 Glasses $4

I initially walked past these, but came back because they were too good of a price to leave. My boyfriend loves his whisky and I thought that these would be a nice size for that kind of drink. They would even be perfect if you wanted a little bit of orange juice with breakfast.


Gold LIVE Letters $5

As soon as I saw these I thought they would look awesome on mantle-piece. It's nice and simple, plus it has holes at the back so you can hook them onto the wall if you like. It'll be fun getting little decorative pieces like this. 

There you go, the first of many (I'm sure) home-ware hauls. I do love this stuff and I'm definitely someone who has learned how to make a tight budget work. I'm really excited about what the future holds and I think I'm going to love the process of setting up my first home!

What advice do you have for setting up a new place?

Steph x. 

September Favorites!

Hello, Everyone! 

I know I don't usually put out a monthly favorites, but there are quite a few goodies I picked up in the States that I haven't had the chance to share with you yet. Most of these items have been with me throughout September and I've used them almost everyday. We all love sharing what we love, right? They all range from lifestyle, to beauty, and even a music favorite. It's been a good month!

Hermione Granger Wand

Isn't it beautiful!? When we visited Universal Studios Hollywood, the first thing we did (because I dragged my family there) was visit Hogsmeade. I loved every second of being there and I could have blown all of my spending money in Honeydukes. I didn't get the chance to go into Olivanders, but I did find another store beside the Jurassic Park ride that was full of amazing Harry Potter merch. After looking at the selection of wands, I knew Hermione's was the one I wanted most and I love it! The only other wand I own is Snape's and this is only making me want to start a collection.

Demeter Fragrance Library

"Blueberry" 

I've heard so much hype around this brand and I remember Carrie Hope Fletcher raving about different scents in a video. While we were in Honolulu, I ducked into Wallgreens to stocked up on makeup I can't get at home and I came across this counter. I was so happy! I spent ages smelling all the fun types of scents they have and decided to get the blueberry one. It just stuck out to me as something I could wear that's uplifting and perfect for Spring. I've been wearing it all month long and I'm still in love with it.

Essie Nail Polish

"Cabana Boy"

Having painted nails is one of my favorite ways to feel amazing. Essie always has the prettiest shades and I found this little beauty at T.J.Maxx. I'm a big fan of pastel shades for my nails, and this pale lavender color is exactly what I've been looking for. It has a really pretty shimmer to it too, which makes me think of it as a mermaid color whenever I wear it.

Kat Von D Shade + Light Blush 
"Bonnie + Clyde"

This is another little beauty I picked up for a bargain at T.J.Maxx. Blushes are one of my favorite items to shop for and I'm so glad I found this one. Being such a great brand, the pigmentation and quality of this blush is amazing. The idea is to use the lighter shade right on your cheek, then the darker shade towards your ear. It always comes out really pretty and it's been my go-to blush all month long. 

Skintimate Shaving Foam
"Raspberry Rain"

Whenever I visit the US, I always grab myself a new can of this stuff. It's the best shaving cream I have ever used and it breaks my heart that I can't get it in New Zealand! It's so silky and moisturizing, which we all know is important. And with vitamin E and olive butter in there formula, no wonder it feels nice! Their scents are always lovely too.


Original Source Shower Gel
"Grapefruit"

This has been a big favorite of mine for a while now, but I've never had the chance to share it. This is the shower gel I use at the gym and it has the most heavenly scent ever! It says grapefruit, but for me it's more like sour candy which is my favorite. After I've had a long workout and I'm super-sweaty, this is just perfect for feeling clean and happy again. It's like a post-workout treat!



NYX HD Studio Finishing Powder

I think this is one of those beauty items that has been floating around the blogging world. I was in desperate need of a new powder and NYX is a brand I naturally gravitate towards. Being a loose powder, it was a little awkward to use at first. But I have the hang of it now and have been reaching for it everyday. It's the perfect finishing touch to your makeup, and gives you a great boost of confidence!

Alice in Wonderland Mug

One thing that I was desperate to buy at Disneyland was a new mug. I need coffee with me at all times when I'm at home, so of course I collect mugs for a hobby. I've seen this one floating around Instagram for ages and it immediately caught my attention. Alice in Wonderland is one of my favorite tales, and every part of it at Disneyland was beautiful. Ever since I got home it's been my regular coffee mug and I love it!


New Gym Beauty Bag 

Finally a bag that describes me perfectly! Well, blog should be in there somewhere, but other than that this is spot on! I found it at T.J.Maxx in Hawaii and just had to have it. I bring it to the gym with me now, because it's the perfect size to hold all of my makeup brushes and favorite Naked Palette.


 Song: Let Me Love You ft. Justin Bieber, DJ Snake.

This has pretty much been on replay for me through August and September. I was watching a Lexlos vlog on YouTube and Carlos kept playing the song over again. It got stuck in my head, so I quickly found it on Spotify and it's been my go-to song since! It's pretty great for listening to at the gym as well. Always gets me in a good mood : )


Book: Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas 

If you've been following my blog, you'll know that I'm a massive reading fan, but have struggled with a reading rut for a while now. I tried getting into Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard, but that just wasn't for me. I've had the fourth book in the Throne of Glass series on my shelf for a couple of months (I bought it on sale) and thought it would be perfect to help me get back into reading. I know the characters in this book are gonna break me, but it's so worth it!



Those are all of my favorites from September. I'm so happy with what I managed to pick up, especially since I don't get to shop all that often.

Let me know what some of your favorites have been this month!
Steph x.

Seattle Shopping Haul!

I don't often spoil myself when I'm out shopping, but whenever we come on holiday to the US I usually hit the shops to revamp my wardrobe. Me and my Mum had the day to ourselves, so we decided to see what bargains we could find in stores we don't have back home. Both of us came away really happy with what we got and it was nice to have a girly shopping day. They're the best!

I really was on a budget and managed to get everything for about $100. Considering some of the brands are Guess and Kat Von D, I think that's pretty good! Proves that you don't have to spend a fortune to spoil yourself. We all deserve it every once in a while, right? Here's what I picked up: 

Forever 21

Hustle Active Tank $9.90

Red Ballet Flats $10.99

 F21 has a really great range of affordable fitness wear and there were quite a few tanks I could have happily bought along side this one. I say the word "hustle" a lot to myself at the gym to stay motivated, so this one called out to me as soon as I spotted it. It's made of a light material and has big open sides that will be great for keeping me cool during my workouts. 

I couldn't resist these flats either. Red is such a great color to add to a plain outfit. I really needed some new shoes for spring, and these will be perfect! It's awesome that I got them on sale too.

T.J. Maxx

Jockey Sports Bra $14.99

Bozzolo Tanks (Grey & Black) $4.99 Each

 Essie Nail Polish Cabana Boy $3.99

Milani Brow + Eye Liner in Dark Brown $2.99

Milani Ultrafine Liquid Eye Liner in Black $2.99

Kat Von D Shade + Light Blush, "Bonnie + Clyde" $6.99

Kat Von D Blush Shade + Light, "Hansel + Gretel" $6.99

 The Kat Von D makeup was my first find and I got so excited about it. I don't have the budget for Sephora this year, so to find high-quality made so cheap is awesome. The pigmentation on them is phenomenal. I'm in need of new liquid eyeliner, and Milani is one of my favorite brands so I had to give these a go. Essie nail polish is $20 back home and I've been wanting a nice nude color too (score!) I'm trying to revamp my wardrobe and I thought these cute/simple tanks were perfect. Such a great haul!

Ross Dress For Less
Guess Navy High Tops $29.99

Mum and I had our doubts about this store, but it was amazing! I was ready to spend all my money on Betsy Johnson handbags. We hit the shoe section first, which was full of so many amazing brands. I spotted these ones by Guess and fell in love straight away. I knew I just had to have them, especially since I wouldn't even know where I could get them at home. At first I couldn't find my size, but then spotted these in another section and I didn't let go of them until I got to the counter!

So, that's my shopping haul from Seattle! I'm pretty happy with my bargain finds and I'm sure it will all help in having a bit more fun with fashion this spring. 

What are some of your favorite places to shop? 

Steph x.

Coconut Lane Haul + Discount!

Hello Everyone!

Coconut Lane is a relatively new brand that have brought out some really cool designs. They make everything from prints to jewelry, and even Christmas cards. It took me a while to pick out what I wanted to buy because everything is so cute! I'm keeping an eye on them, because I have a feeling they will bring out even more awesome stuff. Check out their website here (Note: If you love Mean Girls, they have some great stuff for you!)

Moon and Star Necklace

Necklaces are the pieces of jewelry I tend to wear most, so when I saw this I couldn't resist buying it. It's very cute and understated, which is exactly my style. I was really happy that they had the longer chain for it as well, which looks lovely over a casual tee or a dress. I know I will get a lot of use out of this one. 

Arrow Ring 

I've been wearing rings more and more on a daily basis now, and I have a feeling I will be reaching for this one quite a lot. I love that you can adjust the size of it too, so you can wear it on any finger you like. I'm trying to wear more gold jewelry too, but you can get this in silver or rose gold as well!

Stay Classy Wall Art  

For an aspiring #GIRLBOSS, I thought this would be a perfect addition to my room. It pretty much sums up my attitude to life at the moment! You can buy these both framed or just the print. This is definitely going behind my desk somewhere so I can see it while I work. 

Discount time!
If you like anything on the website, then just use the code "marvelsteph20" to get 20% off! Their shipping is really fast, even if you live at the bottom of the world like me!

Do you guys have a favorite online shop? Let me know!
Steph x.

Bloglovin' - MarvelSteph

Twitter - @MarvelSteph91

Instagram - @marvelsteph
 Pinterest - marvelsteph

Beauty and Skincare Haul: feelunique

Hello Everyone!

 I've been doing really well with my fitness lately so I thought I would treat myself to some online shopping. I've been meaning to place an order on Feel Unique for a while now, especially since they can ship some brands that aren't available in New Zealand. I've been dying to try products from the Zoella Beauty range for ages now, especially since she has brought out new products. 

Anyway, here's what I bought:

Zoella Beauty Creamy Madly Dreamy Body Lotion
Firstly, can we talk about how gorgeous the packaging is? The rose gold writing is the perfect touch. I really needed a new body lotion and since this one has all the good stuff in it (Vitamin E, Aloe and Shea butter) I thought it would be perfect. It also smells incredible, almost like a comforting scent that helps you relax. I have a feeling that I will be repurchasing this!

Zoella Beauty Foam Sweet Foam Cleansing Shower Gel 
A girl can always use a new shower gel right? I'm currently running out of my Body Shop soap, and since this one is lovely and fruity it will be so nice to use now that the weather is getting warmer. I can't even explain how great the scent is...if you love blueberries this one's for you!


Zoella Beauty Candy Cream Softening Body Lotion
I know, I bought two body lotions. Please don't judge me. To be fair though, this one has little exfoliating beads in it so I probably won't use this one as much. I'm pretty sure this one has the same scent as the above shower gel, which makes me happy because it's so good. I love how bright and happy the packaging is too.

Fleur de Force Lip Gloss #30 Starlight 
I'm not the biggest fan of lip glosses, but I've recently decided to give them another go. Fleur has some really gorgeous colors, so I decided to go for this nice bright pink one. It's such a universal color for a lot of my lipsticks and I am bound to wear this  all through Spring and Summer.

Tanya Burr Cosmetics Lip Gloss Lunch Date
I'm saving my personal favorite until last. I was so blown away by the packaging of this one, it is honestly stunning. If I saw someone pull this out of their handbag I would think that it was quite expensive. The pigmentation is amazing and I can't wait to wear this one!

Freebies 
Who doesn't love free stuff? I was pretty happy to see that there was a free sample of the Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream, simple because Zoella has raved about it. I also got a Perfecting Concealer from Nude by Nature, which is useful considering I'm on the hunt for a new concealer.  

 Just as a side note, I would definitely recommend buying from Feel Unique. They quite often have sales or deals on (I actually got 3 for 2 on Zoella products!) and their shipping was really quick. Considering that I live close to the bottom of the world, I value this kind of service. Thanks guys!

Have you guys tried any YouTuber beauty products? Let me know if you have any favorites!

Until next time x. 

Bloglovin' - MarvelSteph

Twitter - @MarvelSteph91

Instagram - @marvelsteph
 Pinterest - marvelsteph

Mini Shopping Haul!

Hello Everyone!

So my Mum had to go on a two day business trip this week, so to cheer her up I decided to take her out shopping for the day. Neither of us had the biggest budget, but we still picked up a few bits and pieces each. Here's what I picked up:

Australis Contouring and Highlighting Kit -Medium 

 I'm completely new to contouring and had no idea what products to even go for (there is a serious gap in the market here!) but i stumbled upon this kit and it's made me feel a lot better about my amateur-ness. I LOVE the packaging and mirror is ginormous which is great for me, since my eyesight is shocking. This was also really affordable ($21.50) and I got the Contour tool for free. Can't wait to give this a go!

Australis Liquid Eyeliner  

I've been having trouble with my current liquid eyeliner so I decided to go for this style of application to see if it would make things easier. And I was right! I tried it as soon as I got home and it's super easy. The swatch I put on my hand also lasted ages and dried quickly, so I have a feeling this will become a staple for me. 

Kikki-K Travel Case 

You all know I can't resist a stationary store, and I absolutely adore this one. I picked up this case (which was on sale for, yay!) that is supposed to be for an Ipad but I thought it would be perfect for storing my new graphics tablet. It's a perfect fit and I can even keep my drawing book in there too. Here's their website if you want to take an gander - Kikki-K 

Typo Headphones  

I seem to be going through so many sets of headphones lately! I blame my poorly positioned socket in my laptop for destroying the cables. Anyway, how cute are these? I found them on sale for $10, and I've bought headphones from Typo before so I knew they would be good.

And that's about it! How was your weekend? 

x.

Bloglovin' - MarvelSteph

Twitter - @MarvelSteph91

Instagram - @marvelsteph
 Pinterest - marvelsteph