In or out what will you decide? | Lets talk

For those of you who live in the UK I am sure you are very aware of the huge decision that is upon most of us over the age of 18 in the UK, whether or not to leave the EU. If you are like me and not really sure and have spent a lot of time researching before taking the time to vote on the 23rd of June. With so many people out these lost and confused with what to vote for, and with a recent survey ran by My Voucher Codes for the opinions of students on the topic at hand. With a lot of students concerned with the outcome of leaving the EU and what it will do to their lives as students. Being a student myself I have been considering what I will vote for for a while now and after hearing a talk from Boris Johnson in my local town about the EU and why we need to leave and after reading so many articles about why we need to leave I was even more confused than ever. With the results written up by The Independent I decided to share with you lot the concerns of the students polled and also let you know what my own personal opinion is, although this isn't something I would usually write about with it being an important topic and current I thought I would give it ago. 

Some of the top worries of students about leaving the EU are:

1. Harder to travel around Europe - 64%
2. Harder to gain work in Europe - 49%
3. Effect on employment post-university - 46%
4. Loss of education funding from EU grants - 45%
5. Harder to study in Europe - 41%
6. Rise in loans interest rates - 38%
7. Harder for UK and European universities to collaborate - 28%
8. European students facing higher fees in the UK - 17%
9. Issues for EU nationals currently studying in UK - 15%
10. Less protection for workers’ rights - 13%

After reading up on the subject myself I will be voting remain and this is due to many reasons the first being the fact I feel like the UK is more secure in the EU as it where we've been for so long and the EU protects on many things like workers rights and wages. According to EU Referedum

"Average real wages could be nearly 3% lower than if we remained in the EU, which would amount to a reduction of £800 a year for someone working full time on the average wage."

Which to me is a real scary thing which could happen to us, along with the fact we risk the possibility of losing up to 50 trading contracts which are already in place! 

I would love to know what you are thinking of voting and what your reasons are, I just wanted to disclaim there is obviously reasons for both sides and my opinion does not mean it is right or wrong one. I hope you enjoyed my attempt at being serious for once. 

May Degustabox Review | Food

Happy Friday lovelies, and it's a Bank Holiday too you lucky lot! It's that time of the month again where I bring you the latest Degustabox review, if you haven't heard of the Degustabox before it's a subscription box where yummy food gets sent to your door every month basically! For £12.99 a month you get lots of product which always costs more than the box itself and it's a great way to try new and interesting foods as well as getting something fun through the mail! Because you've read this post you get an amazing £6.00 discount off your first box with code BLDEG15 so for just £6.99 you can a whole range of amazing products yay. If you want to read Aprils review check it out here. 

 Brioche Pasquier – Croissants
I am total fiend for Croissants so this is the most perfect thing I could of received within a box, these are great for snacks on the go and for breakfast in the morning. Eat then cold or warm them up the choice is yours! 

Jack Daniels – Honey BBQ Glaze
The perfect accomplice for any steak or burger, and my other half has fallen in love with it. Although it's not my thing I know a lot of my friends enjoy this with their food so a perfect barbecue glaze sauce from Jack Daniels, what more can you ask for?

Pechkeks – Misfortune Cookies
When I saw these I was interested to see what was inside and these are fortune cookies but with a misfortune inside and the cookies themselves are black, I got a message in mine about having my dreams destroyed as you do. I love these as opposed to a fortune cookie as the dark sense of humour cracks me up and is totally me all over! 

Garofalo – Fusilli
I can hands down say this is my favourite pasta of all time, I buy it often and I enjoy it because of the shapes it comes in, the cooking time and the overall taste. I find it more appealing than general pasta, I love to pop the pasta in a bake and it tastes even more yummy and has an awesome texture to it. Would recommend 100% to any fellow pasta lovers out there. 

Kallo Milk Chocolate Corn Cakes & Yogurt Rice Topped Cakes:
At first I was a little apprehensive about trying these but as soon as I saw the word chocolate I was riiiight in there. These are great snacks and full of goodness to get you through to lunch time (anyone know the struggles?) perfect desk treat or even good for breakfast!

Beloved Dates- Date Nectar
Although I am not a huge fan of honey I was drawn to the packaging of this and also how much it looks like honey, I passed it on to my boyfriend who eats just about anything and he said it's great and tastes just like honey! So anyone looking for a natural alternative I think you've found your guy (or honey) 

Cranes Cider: 
It's that time in the box where alcohol makes an appearance and although I hate cider my friends were more than happy to try these out for me. Although the flavours got a thumbs down from them but that might possibly be because they're beer drinkers so if you're a cider fan, totally give this ago for yourself!

Mrs Crimbles – Gluten Free Cookies
When I saw these in the packaging I had no idea what they were at all until I opened them up and found that they are actually cookies! They're gluten free so a perfect treat for anyone who can't eat gluten! Although I wasn't a huge fan of them, my other half loved them!

Pommegreat- Pomegranate Juice: 
Totally not a thing for me as I hate Pomegranates but a perfect thing to have in the fridge for when you have guests to stay (or if you like it yourself obviously drink it) it's a super cool looking drink and the packaging is fun and eye catching!

Wonderful- Pistachios & Almonds: 
I have tried these previous and they're amazing, these are adorable treat sized bags so perfect for on the go or a break time snack. I love the packaging of these as they are fun and colourful and draw your attention and you can also get the pistachios in a variety of fun flavours!

What would you most like out of this box? 

Ensuring you get your FULL housing deposit back!

Ensuring you get your housing deposit back in full

It’s the end of your student letting period and it’s time to move out. When you leave, you’ll have the opportunity to get your initial deposit back.

Providing you don’t damage anything, you should be able to get back the full amount. However, there are a few conditions that’ll help keep hassle to a minimum. Here are some tips from Newcastle based lettings agency letslivehere to ensure you get your deposit back.

Take inventory

When you first move in, pay close attention to the inventory you should be given by your landlord or agent. Take pictures of the property. When it’s time to move out, check the items in the inventory are all in good working order and replace them if necessary. Your property should be returned in as close to its original state as possible to match the original photos.

Fittings

You may be surprised to learn that your landlord is not responsible for lightbulbs and other minor maintenance items like smoke alarm batteries. When it’s time to leave, ensure you replace any broken light bulbs and put a new battery in the smoke alarm so that they’re in the same condition as when you left it.

Cleaning

Once it’s time to move out, you’ll need to do the most extensive clean you’ve done so far on your property to return it to its original condition. You’ll need to wash the following areas:

• Skirting boards.
• Doors.
• Window frames.
• Sockets and switches.
• Inside and outside of any appliances you leave in the property.
• Inside and outside of cupboards — pay particular attention to the back of cupboards which can attract dirt over time and go unnoticed.
• Sanitise bathrooms and kitchens with anti-bacterial solutions.
• Clean all worktops and countertops.
• Clean and polish all woodwork and surfaces in the kitchen, bedrooms and living rooms.
• Sweep and wash all floors.

Consider a pre-move landlord check

It isn’t uncommon for tenants to invite a landlord to their premises for an early inspection to point out anything they’re unhappy with. This gives you time to fix things before you move out so they can’t subtract from your deposit.

Fight off damp

While dampness is often not your fault, you should still try and combat it at all costs. Use a dehumidifier if your landlord will provide one or try and leave the heating on for an hour a day. Don’t leave washing in unventilated rooms and clean any damp patches with diluted bleach or a fungicidal wash.

3 Health Hacks Every Woman Should Know! | Hacks

It’s no secret that eating healthily, exercising and caring for yourself is essential if you want to keep your wellbeing in check. However, while you might think you’ve got it sussed, here are three health hacks you’re probably going to want to try.

1. Delay your period to suit you

While it’s part of being a woman, getting your period can sometimes be an inconvenience. Whether you’re attending a wedding, sitting an exam or going on holiday, mother nature has the potential to ruin your plans. So that you’re not caught out, you could delay your period to suit you. For example, you could use period delay tablets such as norethisterone. Containing a synthetic version of the female hormone progesterone, it works to stop your womb lining from shedding and can delay your period for up to 17 days. To be effective, norethisterone needs to be taken three days before your period is due, and it should be taken three times a day for each day you want to delay it. It’s important to note that this treatment is not a form of contraception, so an alternative form of birth control may be needed. If you’re interesting in learning more about norethisterone and delaying your period, you should speak to your GP or consult an online pharmacy for advice.

2. Up your water intake for better skin

It’s no secret that drinking plenty of water is a must. In fact, it’s recommended that you drink between six and eight glasses every day to stay hydrated and alert. Aside from keeping you healthy, upping your water intake can improve your skin. Failing to get your daily dose of fluids can leave your skin dry and your complexion lacklustre. So, to keep your skin looking its best, make sure you drink up.

3. Adjust your posture to boost your mood

Although sitting up straight is a key part of keeping your back health in tiptop condition, adjusting your posture can also have an impact on how you’re feeling. Whether you’re slumped in your chair at work or you’re sat awkwardly on the sofa at home, simply making the effort to improve your posture could significantly boost your mood. Sitting up properly increases the levels of certain mood-enhancing hormones in your body, such as dopamine and serotonin, and reduces the production of the stress hormone cortisol, leaving you feeling happier and more relaxed.

By using these tricks to delay your period, improve your skin and boost your mood, you should find it easier to remain in control of your health and happiness.

* Guest Post

3 Things To Think About When Buying A Car! | Lifestyle

The process of purchasing a vehicle can be lengthy and sometimes confusing. So that you’re able to make an informed decision, keep reading. Here are three things you should think about before buying a car.

1. Your budget

Buying a car could be one of the most expensive purchases you’ll ever make and it’s important that you determine a budget for yourself first. You should take your time to assess how much you can afford to spend. As well as the upfront price of the vehicle, you'll need to think about running costs. For example, you should factor in fuel costs, road tax and insurance. Some vehicles are considerably more expensive to run than others. As a general rule, highly efficient cars with smaller engines are the cheapest to keep on the roads. So that you can keep your cover costs down as much as possible, you could use a broker website such as www.chill.ie to secure yourself a competitive deal.

2. What model you’re looking for

Before you start visiting car showrooms, it might help if you have an idea of the type of vehicle you’re looking for. With so many different makes and models to choose from, you may struggle to make a decision if you haven’t thought about this first, and you could even risk ending up with a car that isn’t right for you and your needs. To narrow down your search, you could take to the internet and carry out your own research. It might help to read reviews and check out vehicle specifications first. Once you've got a clear vision of what you want, you should be able to find your ideal car.

3. What you’ll be using it for

So that you pick the right car for you, it’s important to ask yourself what you’ll be using it for. Whether you plan on using it to take you to and from the office everyday or you just need transport to get your little ones to school during the week, it’s vital that you give this some thought. For example, while a cool-looking sports car may be suitable for one person, a people carrier style vehicle may be more fitting for a family. From how many doors the car has to the size of the boot, it’s crucial that you establish what your needs are before you buy.

Bearing these three issues in mind should help you find the perfect car for you.

*Guest Post

#NSW With Euroffice: Getting into writing for a career! | Lifestyle

As most of you may know this week is National Stationery Week and between this blog and my main blog I decided to share with you some amazing stationery related pieces. Today the post is all about getting into career writing with the help of an Euroffice. A lot of bloggers have the end goal of becoming a full time blogger if not working in some form of writing job, this includes me. Euroffice has shared some of their tips which are amazing for helping those wanting to get into writing as a career. I have decided to share a range of their tips along with my own tips to help you get into writing.

• Have an employable degree!

Media is the second most employable degree *yay*, so having this in your corner may back you up when it comes to wanting to do writing for a career.

• Show off some of your work online

Treat your blog/website as an online portfolio and get it on your CV to share your work with the world, employers will be impressed by well put together websites.  

• Tailor your CV for that job

If it is a writing gig it is important to fill your CV with previous work which you've done, there's no point in filling it with retail as it won't be important to them. 

• Start off working for free

Similar to most jobs it's always a good way to get experience is by working for free and getting your name out there, this will help people know who you are as well as possibly working with you in the future. 

If you are interested in reading Euroffice's guide check it out here!

April Degustabox Review | Food

Hey all, how are you doing? Today I am bringing you something which is very close to my heart and that is food. As a student we are known for only eating takeaways and cheap foods because of our budget but I am here today to talk to you about a box I have recently come across which I think you will all LOVE. It's a box full of gorgeous food items from chocolate to amazing sauces to make food and even some unique and fun drinks for you to try. This box is called the Degustabox and the idea of the box is to introduce you to some new products you may not have tried before to incorporate them into your everyday life. The box comes in at £12.99 including delivery and the contents in the box always exceed that amount, which you can't argue with. I thought I'd share with you what I got in my box this month and hopefully it will inspire some of you to get tryin' these awesome boxes. 

Canderel Sugarly: 
The first item which caught my eye was this amazing sweeter which is a similar consistency to sugar but with 0 calories. According to the information with the product it is the perfect way to maintain a healthy lifestyle without compromising the flavour. I personally cannot wait to try this on top of my pancakes!

Price: £3.00

Milkybar Milk and Crunch and Smarties Sharing Block: 
Who can say no to chocolate right? I love Milkybar and am so excited by their new flavour and it's something a little bit different from the plain white chocolate as much as I do LOVE their classic bar. I love the fact that this comes in mini bars as once I start eating chocolate I can't stop. With the smarties bar I have tried this before and I loved it so I am happy that I get to try it again. A normal chocolate bar with mini smarties inside, win!

Prices: £1.00/£1.20 

Levi Roots- Jerk Sauce!
My boyfriend was super excited when he saw this packet in the box as he loves any new sauces to try with chicken. I am not a fan on the other hand as I don't eat chicken but the fact that it says it's hot and perfect with chicken won him straight over.

Price: £1.00

Rejuvenation Water: 
Although this again wasn't my cup of tea with the health benefits of this water my boyfriend was very happy to help me out and drink this. Although I do plan on picking up a different flavour myself because the benefits stated have persuaded me. With building a natural resilience to stress, depression and anxiety, it seems like a win all round!

Price £1.99 

Popchips: 
This isn't the first time the amazing work from Popchips has been featured on my blog, they have made a few appearances before with their their lighter ways to snack. Full of flavour and less of the bad stuff which fried crisps have. Popchips have introduced two limited edition flavours which both sound devine.

Price £1.99 

Bebeto: 
The perfect sweet selection for those vegetarians and vegans in your life! Being a vegetarian it is often hard to find sweets which don't taste like cardboard as most of them do. But I have to admit these are SO nice and they also are reduced in sugar and are made from fruit juice, so you can feel good about having a little treat!

Price: £1.99 

Pimms:
With the weather picking up *touch wood* it's the perfect time to crack out the pimms, I am not a huge fan of cider but the unique and fun flavours which pimms create always sway me. According to the bottle it is best served with friends and ice, so I'll bare that in mind before cracking mine open!

Price: £2.29 

Veetee Rice: 
I have previously tried a selection of these gorgeous rices with so many varieties and so simple to make how can you say no. The box came with two flavours one which is pictured and the other is Basmati which is the usual rice I use. On their website they have a load of suggestions for their yummy rice too!

Price: £1.49 / £1.29 

Parle: 
The final items in the box were Rusks and Parle G biscuits out of the box these were the two things I haven't heard of before. Perfect companions for tea and full of goodness why would you say no to these beauties? Also another bonus is the amazing price tag which comes with them!

Price: Parle G 25p and Rusks 89p  

Total =20.46 

To trial the Degustabox yourself I have an amazing discount code for £6.00 off your first box using the code: BLDEG15