Cath Kidston Outlet

Are you in love with the fabulous designs that are sold in Cath Kidston like me? If you love the stuff in the Cath Kidston shops but can't bring yourself to pay the asking price?

I love Cath Kiston, I have two handbags and an iPad cover from there but sometimes I can't justify paying full price for the lovely designs (I do try!). Recently I found out that there is a Cath Kidston Factory Shop just outside of St Neots, about 20 minutes from Cambridge.

There they sell the stock from previous seasons which to me is fine because I just love everything! You can get about 1/3 or more off the original price. That is great for the cute little baby items that they will grow out of so quickly and also you can get great prezzies for family and friends at a reduced price!

I had to share this with you guys!

You see the shop's details and hours of operation here.

Burwash Manor

I have heard about Burwash Manor for a while but was not sure what it was. So when I had some time on a Saturday, I thought I would pop in to check out what it is all about.

Burwash Manor is a collection of buildings where they have many of your favourite local shops, Cuckoo and Providence such as  that can be seen in Cambridge. There is also a grocery shop (including butchers), florist, tearoom and a spa.

They also have some nature walks as well, so you could go for a walk around the estate and relax at the tearoom, it would be the perfect day out!

They also have a new shop, Backstitch, which has all of your sewing needs. The prints of the Cath Kidston feel and the prices seemed very reasonable, pity I was not out looking to work on a craft at the moment with the impending house move.

Looking for a nice but slow day, stop here.

Saving Money on Mobile Phones

Well, our phone contracts were coming up for renewal this year and Jon and I started looking into what we really needed out of a phone and what we did on our phone. Luckily for me, the last few weeks, my phone was on the fritz and I had not been able to make many emails, texts or calls so had to hold out until I could renew my contract. The reason why I say luckily is because it got me to take a look at how not having a phone affected me. It was nice actually.

Anyways, here are some things you should consider when getting a phone:

1. What will you use it for? I decided, I did not need that much data usage because I can link to my home WiFi and work WiFi (which is where I am usually). Otherwise, coffee shops and other places have free WiFi if I really need it. So I turn my mobile data off completely unless I need it. I do however needed to use it to tether my iPad when I am doing homework and not able to get that onto WiFi.
2. I usually text more than anything else and now with apps like Whatsapp and Viber, you can text people back home too. I thought unlimited texts would be good because that is what I do the most.
3. I did not need the top of the line phone, I just needed a good phone. So I have a Macbook, iPod, iPad and so my husband thought after my Blackberry packed up, surely I would go for the iPhone. I could have gotten a Xperia Z1 for £37 per month for 2 years (costing me a total of £888). But instead I bought the Xperia SP for £40 and pay £22 per month for 2 years (costing me a total of £568). My husband's contract came due the month following mine and he got the same phone for free and at £17 per month (£408 for the 2 years). It does all I need it to do and is saving me loads since we are buying a house soon.
4. Shop around. I was able to get a good deal by calling my existing carrier and telling them the offers I have found available to me and they were able to match it.
5. A free phone is never free. Calculate how much it is going to cost you in the long run. Sometimes buying it upfront can be cheaper and then you can be on a SIM only contract.
6. Recycle your old phone. Jon did this and it covered the cost of a couple of months contract for us.
7. My friend Jane is the one in her house that uses internet, calls and texting so she put her husband on a pay as you go phone because he only really texts and receives calls. So not having a contract for one of them saves them money.
8. When I first got here, pay as you go was not as good as a deal as it is today. In fact it can save you money and you are not stuck in a contract.
9. Compare your usage with Bill Monitor to see if you are getting the most out of your contract or can you get something better suited to you.

I hope that you will find these tips helpful.

Kimx

American to Britain

Saving money on clothes

You may already know that I used to work at Sweaty Betty and I think I may have been one of my best customers while I worked there. After I left that job I took a year off from buying any clothes. It has really bought some things to light for me. When I got out of the Air Force, I felt like I did not know how to dress myself because I spent 10 years knowing what I was going to where for work. Here are some tips that I have:

1. Take a look at your current inventory. If you have a lot of clothes, you need to do a clearing out to see what you have and if you can wear it multiple ways. Sort your clothes by pile- keep, donate or trash. I once helped a girl organize her closet. She has 25 pairs of jeans! You can only wear one pair at a time!
2. Make sure that you can wear things with other things. There is no reason to get a super cute pair of shoes if you can only wear them one thing. The more versatile your wardrobe is, the happier you will be and it will also be easier to pack for travel too. I love Gok Wan and his tips! http://scrapbook.channel4.com/experts/gokwan
3. Know your style. I think I learned this late in the game. Once I knew how I liked to portray myself, then it was easier to buy the key items that I needed. I dare not to think about all the clothes I bought on my credit card because I don't have any of it now. I don't think I was as bad as this lady though! http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2546427/How-adding-cost-clothes-curing-shopping-addiction.html
4. Have a one in, one out system. I hardly ever buy clothes now. Maybe it was my year break, it made me realize that I didn't need anything. I will replace items that I cannot fix but I am not buying for buying sake. In fact, I  have conversations with myself on whether I should buy something and 9 times out of 10 I will decide that I don't need it. I still like to pop into Sweaty Betty and see the girls but I can't justify buying new things because I have drawers full of SB clothes.
5. Make do and mend- This is so easy to do. Get that sewing needle out and fix the seams instead of throwing it away. If you don't know what you are doing look it up on You Tube, there is so much out there.
6. If you can't mend it, take it to the professionals. I have had numerous pairs of shoes repaired (my bike pedals are lethal to the soles of some of my shoes) at Timpsons. It costs a fraction of what a new pair would cost me to replace them. 
7. Shop in the sales. There are generally sales in January and August. So shop ahead for what you need.
8. Instead of buying new shirts and what not, sometimes all you need is a scarf to finish off that look.
9. Wear your style, not 'the' style. The fashion industry is just that its an industry. They change back and forth between wedges and stilettos, slightly change the colors that are in fashion and its planned years in advance. Find the items you will wear when its not in fashion and keep that in mind.
10. Children grow out of their clothes so quickly so you can get gently worn clothes either from the FB groups I always mention or charity shops.
11. Here are some tips to make the ones you have last longer.

All the Best

Kimx

American to Britain

Moving house

It is quite cool that I decided to start this trail of posts at this time because many of you are moving house. Not only moving house but moving to England. I am also moving house but I am buying my first house here and getting ready for that but using things that I have learned over the last eight years I have lived here. Can you believe it? I have lived here eight years but really reflecting on the differences and where I can save. I am writing a post about buying a home here as it is very different, so look for that to post sometime this year hopefully! My estate agent thinks so!

Okay back on track. So we are moving home. Here are the things I looked for in a house and am prepping for the move so I thought they may be things you should consider:

1. Location, location, location: I currently live and work in Cambridge. I like the fact that I cycle to work. I know that as Americans we are bred to commute to work but believe you me, it is not the same. In America, if a fender bender occurs, the rest of the traffic proceeds as usual. Here, it comes to a stand still. I used to live in Newmarket and commuted in but it all adds up. I suggest you think about your everyday trip. Its nice to think you might go to Oxford once a month, which is a two hours drive but if you are finding a house that will make this trip an hours drive shorter but your hubby has to drive an hour everyday to suit this (times five!) that doesn't make financial or time management sense. BUT thats just me. The house we bought means I have to cycle 10 minutes more each way (but that is 10 minutes less I have to workout :P)
2. Amenities: Everyone says that they are only going to shop off base in the markets and yada, yada, yada (that's for the Seinfeld fans). Truth is everyone likes comfort and people find comfort in food. The only place to get the mac and cheese how you remember it is the Commissionary. I will be writing a post about how I save money shopping at the grocery store since I no longer have access to the base, but a lot of people still are devoted to the Commissionary. I have told you many times that I have an allergy to milk and soya which means I cannot have processed foods or many of the American favorites like mac and cheese :( Don't worry, it keeps me thin! The point of this point is that you need to think about what you need. For me, I do a big shop either online or once a month in my car at a huge supermarket like Tescos or Sainsbury. The other days I go to the local Co-op or butchers, to get the bits to tie me over. I obviously bank with the local bank and use the local post office (I do not recommend you using one if you have access to an APO box- it costs a fortune to ship to the US!).] You need to think about what you are really going to do. If you like to have a coffee at 11 a.m. and have done so  for 10 years, moving to England is not going to change that. Habits are hard to change and they do not change with the time zones. You know what you do and what you would like to and in the middle is the probably where you can move to. Rome was not built in a day and you cannot change everything you know in a day, I know I have tried! You need to have an idea of what you need today and go off that not what you would like to be. Sorry for the rant but I see this all the time. BTW my new house, Co-op, 5 pubs, bank and post office so good to go!
3. Take this chance to get rid of your junk! I have been selling my stuff on Gumtree, Varagesales, FB groups and giving whatever else on Freecycle. In fact, Saturday I am doing a carboot sale. I don't have a huge sentiment with my crap. There are some stuff that I refuse to give up. Living over here has made me become accustomed to the lack of storage the houses have. Have a jumble sale, donate to charity shops and feel how free it is to let go of things (and put the money aside to buy the things you do need in the new location). In fact, as I am writing this I am waiting on someone to buy my Freeview box.
4. If you get rid of the stuff you do not need, you don't need to get a house big enough to store it in. Okay so we currently live in a 2.5 bedroom, 2 bath, dinging room, living room and conservatory which we could have bought but we choose to move to a 3 bedroom, dining room, living room and one bath. We only need so much space. This allows us to grow and allows me to get rid of unneeded items that I was holding onto fill this house. It cost 3 times as much to run a house here (I will write a post on how to keep you costs down).
5. Go for double glazed always. Look at the EPC ratings this is important. This directly reflects what you pay to run the house. The bases tell you to get something D or above and your utilities will be covered by your allowance. For non-military related, A-D means it is affordable otherwise you could be paying too much to heat your home. The current house we are living in is freezing cold and you can never go wrong with being warm.
6. Do not take a bigger phone contract than you need. I recently went through this. I had a Blackberry and a pay as you go contract. Since we are buying a house I am trying to keep my costs down. So after sadly returning my Xperia Z1 before the cooling off period, I decided I would prefer a phone and contract that was 15 pounds cheaper ($  ). I figured that I would have access to Wifi at home and work and if I needed it its everywhere, Starbucks and more. So why did I need to pay so much? Also the time I have had away from being attached to my phone, has shown me that I don't need it as much as I thought- thank goodness my new phone, Xperia SP, and contract 22 pounds (300 mins, unlimited texts and 500 MB) is on its way!
7. This gets on my nerve a lot- crime. The areas around the bases are very safe when compared to the crime rates in America. However you can look up and see what is going on where here. One make sure you are insured- helped me when my bike was stolen. Although the affluent area we live in has been hit up lately but apparently Dusty (my dog) is a deterrent.
8. Schools- I used to be one of those children that had to ride the school bus for an hour to school and back and no this is not the same story you hear from your grandfather that he had to walk to school 3 miles uphill both ways. My stop was the first and last on the route. I cannot personally agree with parents doing that to their children when it not only takes time away from their homework and other activities. I suggest you live in an area 30 minutes or less BY BUS if you choose to send your children on base. Others will often find that they will be able to walk their children to school. I suggest that children 9 and below go to school off base. It is a  great learning experience, they are ahead (1.5 years) and they will catch your children up. After this point American and European schools four on different skills and different teaching styles. If you think you would like to enroll your children in schools after 9, you need to meet with the head at the school to make a decision. In some cases your children may need to be held back to catch up as they have to meet the requirements for their age range.

At the moment, this is all I can come up with so that you can make a good decision on a house for you and your family.

Kimx

American to Britain

Mill Road Winter Fair

For many years I wanted to go see what the Mill Road Winter Fair. If you don't really know much about Cambridge or this area, what you should know is that this is filled with independent shops. It is also the best place for you to find those Asian ingredients that are so hard to find.

I was not sure what to expect but when I got there, it was busy, the restaurants had food stalls in front and I couldn't resist having a burger from the steakhouse which I didn't know existed (it was great!). There were so many craft stalls so a great place to buy some Christmas gifts. There were choirs and dancing. A real celebration!

They had a parade and it was amasing to see how this community came together to put this on. You often think that Cambridge lacks a sense of community like the villages have but this is proof that it even it exists here.

British Grocery Terms

I am often at the grocery store looking for something for an American recipe and when I can't find it, I ring my husband and ask him what they call it. I thought that you would like to have a list so that you might find what you are looking for.

English                                          American

• Aubergine                                                        Eggplant
• Bicarbonate of Soda                                        Baking Soda
• Fairycakes                                                       Cupcakes
• Courgette                                                        Zucchini
• Jelly                                                                 Jello

Woodbridge

Woodbridge is a lovely town in Suffolk across the river from Sutton Hoo. It is best to tie these two places into one visit for a full day out.

There are a lot of lovely independent shops along the high street that are worth popping in. There are also many buildings that date back to the Tudor era.

The village has great suggestion of how the best wander around and see the sights to see the history, check it out here.

In the Middle Ages, Woodbridge was a very important shipbuilding center. Edward III and Sir Francis Drake both had ships commissioned here.

Its tide mill still runs and is one of only two left in the country.

There also used to be a RAF base here which is where the USAF used to be based. The 79th Fight Squadron was here during the Cold War. There were other squadrons here that were part of the 81st Fight Wing.

Stop by!

Grand Arcade

The Grand Arcade is a great place for shopping and is one of two 'malls' in Cambridge. There is something for everyone and the parking lot 'Grand Arcade/Lion Yard' is connected to it. The Grand Arcade is closest to the centre of town between the two.

It has shops such as:

• John Lewis
• Build-A-Bear
• Hollister
• Links
• Azendi
• Ted Baker
• Phase Eight
• River Island
• Topshop
• The Body Shop
• Ann Summers (lingerie)
• Sports Direct

and more!

They have fashion shows and other events. They recently got a stall that does threading with no appointment needed so you can mix your grooming with your shopping. But this is not for the weak-hearted and it hurts! but the results are great :)

Tipping

Tipping is a topic that comes up often. When do you tip? It can be quite confusing, but one thing you should know is that tipping is not very big in England and the rest of Europe. So you can look at it as saving you money :)

Hopefully this will help you out a bit:

You tip:

• In a restaurant, if there isn't a service charge added to your bill. You can still tip if you would like but it is not expected.
• In a taxi or hairdressers, 10% or to the nearest pound.
• In hotels, only if the chambermaids have done something extra for you.
• A guide or coach driver, £1-2 per person at the end of tour.

You don't tip:

• If a service charge has been added to your bill.
• In a pub, when buying food or drinks. 
• Any time you wouldn't tip in the USA.

Happy Tipping!

If It Is Good Enough For The Queen...

On some goods or services you will see a stamp called the 'Royal Warrant Holders Association'.

This mark is given to individuals or companies who have supplies goods or services to the HM the Queen, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh (Prince Philip- Queen's husband) or HRH The Prince of Wales for at least five years.

A few items that you will see the mark on are:

• Twining Tea
• Champagne Bollinger
• Bulmer Cider
• Carlsberg
• John Lewis
• Norfolk Lavender Trading Company Ltd
• Burberry

If it is good enough for the Queen, then it's good enough for me.

Norwich

Norwich is a great city to visit in East Anglia.

It has some great shopping areas, I particularly like that one you walk through a cemetary. and its located right near Norwich Castle.

It had great attractions such as:
Norwich Cathedral
Norwich Castle
Norwich and Norfolk Festival
Colmans Mustard Shop

It has a lot more to see but definitely worth a day trip!

My friends also tell me its a great place to go clubbing too!

Love Food Hate Waste

Living over here on the economy, it has really caused me to take a look at the way Americans treat food. I have really thrown myself into trying to be frugal and trying not to waste much of anything. The worst thing  I hate is not using up food and having to thrown it in the food waste bin.

If you hate wasting your food as well, Love Food Hate Waste website helps you use up everything before it goes bad. You can calculate the amount of people you want to serve and also look up recipes according to what you are looking use up.

Thankful for the Shopping Hours

I know that the hours of shopping are limited compared to the States but I kind of like it. You see my New Years Resolution was not to buy any clothes. I blog about it on my Green, Crafty & Thrifty Kim blog. I like many other people had to redress my spending habits when I was separating like many people did when the recession hit.

I do my shopping mostly during the week or nip into the grocery store on my way to brownies or on the way home. I have told you about the corner shop that helps me get the items I need for dinner or whatever baking I am doing.

I have enough stuff, you know that storage space is lacking in English homes so I don't have anywhere to keep it all. If I don't have time to do it during the week, I have Saturdays if its something I really need.

I know its a bit controversial but I like that Sundays are limited shopping hours, its a good time to spend with your family which I am sure we can all agree we could use more of.

Also because of the exchange rate, perhaps you will decide too that you have enough and  instead go and experience living here which is something money can't buy.

This is just my personal thought... I think I going to spend my money on experiences and not things, I can't take them with me but through pictures, those experiences last forever.

 

Shopping hours

I often hear a lot of Americans complaining about the shop hours in England. I know as Americans we are used to everything being open 24-7, but perhaps we have got it wrong? I know this will be a provocative thought but listen to my justification...

One thing that occurs to me is that we are just running around like chickens with their heads cut off. I like the limited hours on Sundays for shops to be open. Studies show we are not spending enough time with our children so take advantage of a day of rest. Having limited hours on the shopping means you can still get things done but have the afternoon to spend with the family. If you ask me you should be able to fit in your shopping during the week or on the Saturday. Also the people that shop on Sundays in the shops seem to window shop than actually buy anything.

Then people say that shops aren't open late enough. I used to work in a shop and hardly had any business after 5 p.m. most people stopped in on their lunch. the later the shops are open, the more the owner has to charge in order to pay their staff.

Plus do you really need all that stuff? Over the years I have been living in England, I have slowly noticed myself becoming less attached with the stuff I have. In fact, I think at least once a year I go through my house and have a good clear out. I sell the 'stuff' at a carboot sale and whatever is left goes to charity. It is less stuff in the landfill and in my house and I make a bit of money and so does the charity shop!

First thing I will point out is that in English homes there is not a lot of storage space, I really can't keep it all. Plus it is quite therapeutic. Although the English love to shop as much as the Americans, I know they value their time off. Perhaps this is something we can all learn. Especially with the world in the state it is in, do you really need to buy 'stuff' especially when about 90% of the stuff you buy now will end up in the landfill in six months? Check out the Story of Stuff and see how this affects the world.

Historically Sundays everything was closed, it was a day to go to church and a day of rest. I hope that the UK doesn't go in the way of the States, I like having my Sunday to myself, if I need to get something I will do it in the week. I go to the grocery store after work. If I need to buy something I will do it on Saturday or on my lunch break. I hope that you will change your habits and enjoy the shopping hours instead of despising them. Spend time with your family, go out and experience England.

Thankful for Corner Shops

I did a survey in one of the Facebook groups I belong to see if Americans were using the corner shops (Co-Op, Tesco and other express grocery stores), because I love mine. I do a big grocery shop about once every other week, at least that is what I aim to do. I have my meals planned out in 3 month cycles (see my post on another blog to see what I mean). I think meal planning saves me time and money and also we don't get stuck with the same thing over and over again.

Anyways, sometimes I do find I might need some staple food or to get milk for Jon as I don't drink it and I just find having a shop literally a 2 minute walk quite convenient. I was trying to think back to when I lived in the States if there was anything like this where I lived. I grew up in the mountains of Colorado so it really wasn't feasible and even when I was stationed at Minot AFB, there wasn't any where I could walk to so I could get eggs if I ran out.

Sometimes, I stop at my Co-Op on the way home but if you have been reading my blog long enough, you know that I cycle to am from work. The survey I was talking about showed me that many Americans do not use their corned shop to get those little things but I would like to suggest that perhaps you can think about going there instead of piling the children in the car and driving to either base or the Super Tescos. It gives me a little extra exercise, saves me petrol and time.

Hitchin

Hitchin is a lovely town in Hertfordshire. I go here a couple of times a year because Jon's friends live here. It has easy access to London.

Hitchin is a historic market town. For the location off the train line, I think I am surprised how little it appears to be affected. Its really lovely walking around the town centre and going shopping. It has a mix of independent shops and high street stores. The market is open every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday with a carboot sale in the Sunday.

The market area is dominated by the beautiful St Marys Church which as built over the 14th and 15th centuries. If you visit this church keep your eye out for the Thompson mouse. Robert Thompson was a wood carver and has left his trademark on his work. You will find the mouse in Westminster Abbey, York Minster, 700 churches and Ampleforth College.

Camden

I heard about Camden from my sister-in-law who lived in London for many years and I thought I would head out that way to check it out.

If you are looking for independent shops this is the place you want to go. This is a huge market, the kind you would picture in your head and has over 500 ‘shops’ that range from vintage clothes to lovely crafts. There also cafes mixed with antique shops.

If you get off the tube at Camden town and walk to Chalk Farm underground, you will be able to mingle throughout the stalls.


Definitely worth the visit!

Harrods

Harrods is a world famous department store. It is almost overwhelming and is easy to get lost. The items they sell are high-end but you can go in the sales (December and July) and get a good price. You can also just go there for just the experience.

Harrods began in 1824 and the shop initially burnt down. It was also the first to have an escalator in England in 1898. It is over 5 acres with 7 floors. It also has a dress code policy so please check the website so you aren't turned away.

You can take the tube directly to Harrods and get off at the Knightsbridge station.

Happy Shopping!

Grafton Centre

The Grafton Centre is the other shopping 'mall' in Cambridge. It has a parking lot and and is located right off of Newmarket Road, which makes it easy to find. It has a lot of well known British shops such as Next, New Look, Clarks and Dorothy Perkins. There are also restaurants such as Bella Italia and the Vue cinema.

Outside there is a strip of shops such as The Works (discount bookshop), Kitchen and Things, and the infamous Primark.

I love the charity shops here because I have found really interesting things here that I get compliments on all the time, a dress and fish shaped wine rack.

It is only a brisk five minute walk to the Grand Arcade and the walk is quite nice as it is through Christ's Pieces.