A Lifestyle, Grooming And Technology Blog


With Black Friday just around the corner, loads of retailers have already kicked off their cyber events early. It can be tricky to know where to find the best deals so I thought I'd pull together a list of the hottest offers available right now, most of which end on Sunday. I've even included the discount codes too.. easy peasy! OK here we go..

Fashion

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  • ASOS - 20% off everything (Code: WIN20)
  • Urban Outfitters - 40% off selected items (Code: PREVIEW40)
  • Clarks - 20% off full price items (Code BLACK20)
  • All Saints - 30% off everything 
  • Whistles - 25% off everything 
  • Adidas - 30% off everything (Code: BLACKFRIDAY)
  • Office Shoes - 20% off everything (Code: SHINE)
  • Timberland - 30% off selected items (Code PROMO30)
  • GAP - 40% off full price items (Code BFGAP)
  • Clarks Outlet - 20% off everything (Code: BLACK20)
  • H&M - Up to 40% off shoes & accessories
  • Hobbs - 30% off everything (Code: TREATTIME30)
  • Topman - Up to 50% off selected items
  • Reiss - Up to 30% off Outlet
  • River Island - Up to 40% off selected items
  • Sweaty Betty - 20% off everything (Code: BLACK20)
  • Jack Wills - Up to 50% off with at least 25% off everything 
  • Jack Wills Outlet - 30% off Everything (Code BF30)
  • Kurt Geiger - 20% off Everything 
  • Dorothy Perkins - Up to 50% off selected items
  • Burton - Up to 50% off selected items
  • Topshop - Up to 50% off selected items
  • Joules - Up to 50% off selected items
  • Superdry - 20% off knitwear
  • Ted Baker - 30% off selected items 
  • Selfridges - 20% off selected items (Code SELFCCE)
  • French Connection - Up to 50% off selected items

Grooming & Skincare

Live Now

  • Kiehl's - 20% off everything (Code: VIP20)



Apple has morphed into one of the biggest corporations on the planet. To show this in plain English, the company has sold more than 250 million units this year alone. It makes an estimated £4,540 per second and has an overall value of £850bn. There is no doubt Apple is one of the kings of modern day tech companies.  However, for its all successes, Apple does bring out duds.

From iPhones to iPads and Macs, glitches render them useless and they have to go back. The question is: does a refurbishment deserve a second chance?   Here are the factors which say, overwhelmingly, that they do:

The Price

A normal Apple product will almost certainly cost a couple of hundred dollars. The new iPhone X is set to retail at just under £1,000. Now, an average person can’t and won’t spend that amount on a single item. Still, it doesn’t mean that nearly 40% of the market isn’t attracted to Apple products, and that is a conservative estimate.

So, how does one find a way to cut the price without taking a risk? The answer is you go online and buy a former dud with a new lease of life. There are accounts of people saving £500 from following this tip.

The Trust

A 10 to 20% price drop may not cut the mustard. It’s not hard to see why when 10% reduces the cost of new iPhone to £900. Yippy! However, one thing that does swing it for customers is the trust and reputation of the brand.

Plenty of refurbished products are sold on apple.com itself. When it comes from the people behind the product, it is impossible not to be trusting. Also, numerous vendors have an agreement directly with Apple or their partners. If you buy a refurbished Mac from such a store, they have to adhere to the same standards.

The Warranty

Some manufacturers don't provide the same benefits for refurbished products. Unfortunate as it is, the reduction in price means buyers tend not to care until there is an issue. At Apple, there is usually a one year warranty on all products which covers it for 12 months. And, there are longer warranties depending on the type of agreement.

With regards to a second-hand product, this is a silver lining because you won’t be liable for repair costs. Sure, the product may break down after a year, but you can’t account for wear and tear.

The Originality

Samsung is another major player in the game. On the whole, it makes £6,500 per second, nearly £2,000 more than Apple. It even creates microchips which are used in Apple products. However, at the moment, it doesn’t have the same uniqueness. Android has its benefits yet people love Steve Jobs for his ingenuity and designs.

When they have an Apple product, even a refurb, they have something different. The facts that it’s covered by a warranty and cheaper than the retail price are bonuses.

 In conclusion, refurbished products from Apple are well worth the risk.


I've been following Jim Chapman for quite some time now over on his YouTube channel and had been following the hype surrounding the release of his book. So can you imagine my surprise when I was sent a signed copy...that's right signed! I usually get a bit miffed that YouTubers can just publish a book without necessarily having the talent, but Jim Chapman genuinely has the talent! The book contains 147 facts or "things" as Jim refers to them as.

If you're someone who's not that into facts I'm sure you'll still love this book. Don't assume it's a boring read. It's actually written in a very chatty, down to earth way and includes lots of Jim's personal stories which were often really funny! This book is a unique blend of fun, factual and autobiography! I wondered how the fun sciencey facts and personal twists would work, but it certainly does! I found myself getting excited about what I was reading and wanting to learn more, which would be perfect for younger audiences.

My favourite thing about Jim's book is the way that he manages to make huge, scary things feel just as matter of fact and easy to talk about as the smaller things which he discusses. My favourite Thing comes in pretty early at Thing 18, in the section titled 'You and 'you' are totally different things'. Jim discusses how the way that we perceive ourselves is often super clouded and how none of us really give ourselves enough credit for how brilliant we really are. He reminds us all that 'Billions of years of adjustments and tweaks have led to the evolution of the perfect vessel whose only purpose is to pass on genes and keep the fragile bit that is really you safe.'

Basically, what's on the inside is the important bit. Remember that.

You can pick up 147 Things from Amazon 



I'm a massive fan of homeware, candles inparticular. Autumn is a great time of year to revamp your living room or bedroom with some new accessories to get you through to the colder months. I think of homeware as a more excusable spend than clothing. Though I can't exactly put my finger on why. Perhaps because I'm unlikely to wear something every single day but I will see it in my home everyday...Homeware shopping = totally justified. Here's a few of items that I've added to my wishlist over the past few weeks..

House plants are quickly becoming an addiction for me and what better way to display them than this Cutout Hanging Gold Planter from UO. It's about 12.5cm in diameter so it's ideal to get younger plants off to a great start. As I said candles are quite an obsession for me and this Sage & Fig Jar from UO is the perfect Autumn scent. They're hand-poured in Virginia, USA and you certainly pay for the privilege but trust me when I say the smell is incredible.

Hanging Planter | Sage & Fin Candle | Printed Duvet Set | Pumpkin Jar Candle | Ceramic Table Lamp | Brass Wine Rack

Autumn weather calls for new bedding. This Printed Duvet Set from UO is actually covered with orange lips, but at first sight I thought it looked like autumn leaves so that's totally acceptable right? Maybe..

What says Autumn anything more than Pumpkins? I know i know candle overload on this post but you were warned! This Jar Candle from Anthropologie smells like autumn baking and the iridescent jar is pretty incredible too.

As the evenings get darker over the next few weeks adding a new lamp to your bedroom seems like a must right? This Ceramic Table Lamp from West Elm sure isn't cheap but really fits with the grey theme I've got going on right now. It's also got a solid wood base so it's a quality addition to the home - worth the price tag!

Last but not least this Brass Wine Rack is just awesome. Whether you've got a growing wine collection or just don't want to get your bottles on the kitchen side (like me!) then a wine rack is a great option for the kitchen or lounge. This Brass one from Anthropologie  is sturdy and holds up to 5 bottles. Plenty... right? Better order two.

So that's what's hit my Autumn wish list recently, which ones are your favourites? What are you most looking forward to about Autumn?









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