Home from uni and I had free reign of the kitchen; here's what I cooked up after waking up late. 


BREAKFAST

As a student I tried my best to get my fruit in but a bunch of apples a week couldn't rival a fruit salad. So, after waking up late and it being near to lunch, I whipped up a quick fruit salad with my favourite fruits; nectarine, honeydew melon, strawberries and mango. I alway drizzle over some orange juice as well. This kept me topped up until lunch which, on this day, was only a few hours later. 


LUNCH

I wanted something filling for lunch that would last me through to the evening. I heated up a bread roll along with some of the Quorn Southern Fried Chicken bites which are a real veggie favourites of mine. I put three of these on the hot buttered bread along with some lettuce and a dollop of ketchup; I decided to add this one my dad brought home from Nashville- it added an extra spice but plain ol' tomato ketchup is just as nice. 


TEA

It had been a while since I'd cooked up a stir-fry. To a small wok, I added around a half a tablespoon of sesame oil to a pan which I then heated up before adding carrots, many coloured bell peppers and broccoli (I sometimes add red onion and sugar snap peas are a favourite of mine). Meanwhile, my noodles would be boiling up. Once all cooked, I added my stir-fry sauce to the veggies and served. Like a bad blogger, I'd grown too hungry to wait to take a photo...oops. 


So there was what I ate in a day. I hope you enjoyed this and let me know if you did as I would love to post these more frequently. 

Hope you're doing great,
Sarah x
Unlike the last few summers, I'm staying grounded in the UK this time around. Not only did I just not fancy the hassle of planning a trip abroad but also I wanted to save money this summer. I finished  my first year of university just last week and I now have 3 months to kill before I'm back there. So, while wanting to save as much money as possible, I want to enjoy these next 3 months of freedom. Here are some of the ways I'm going to enjoy this summer while on a budget that may inspire you. 

GREAT WEATHER IS FREE SO ENJOY IT

Yes, I know, it's a British summer. Yet, while it does come with its rainy days, there are always a great few shower-free, beautifully sunny days. So, when the sun's out, I try to make sure I'm making the most of it. Whether that's just sat in the garden with a book on the grass or meeting friends. You might as well enjoy the sun while it lasts. 

CUT DOWN THE EATING OUT

If planning an outing for the day or just sat in the park sun bathing, you may be tempted to pop to the shops for something to eat which could lead to a few cheeky impulse buys. I try to take my lunch with me and, paired with a sunny day, a picnic is a great way to enjoy the sun while minimising costs of eating out. But, I mean, treat yourself to an ice cream of course!



DAY TRIPS > LONG STAYS

I've come to love day trips; I can get enough of a new place in a day to not be bored and, many times, leaving me wanting more and returning in later months. For me, this is a better way of getting more in to your summer and this doesn't have to mean it costs more. With trains and coaches able to take you to many places there and back for a reasonable price, it saves on costs of hotel rooms overnight. 

NOT ALL FUN COSTS

This could include a whole load of things. For example, you don't have to even leave the comfort of your own home to have a fun summer. Catching up on episodes of your favourite TV shows or, like me, trying to read the 30 books you promised yourself you'll make time for this year. These are easy alternatives rainy days spent paying for days out. 

For the drier days, I'd recommend checking your local council's and city council's upcoming events if you're looking for something to do; a lot of these tend to be free and is another way to fill your time. Something like a food festival, while maybe paying for a snack or two, is a fun way to spend a few hours.  

If you like to take in a bit of culture at museums or art galleries, while certain exhibition may require a paid ticket, many local museums and galleries are free entry and may just ask for a small donation if you so wish. This is something I'm definitely going to make more time to do this summer.




This is only a few ways to save money this summer but please don't feel there is nothing to do if you're staying at home trying to save your pennies. Let me know if you're interested in hearing some more ideas for ways to save money this summer. 

Do you have any plans for this summer? I'd love to know!
Hope you're doing great,

Sarah x