Working from home full time leads people to think that I can pop out whenever I like shopping – unfortunately that couldn’t be further from the truth. Juggling being a single mom, running a house and being the sole breadwinner means that I rarely get guilt free time to go shopping. Instead I rely heavily on online shopping – I love the convenience of being able to order what I want, when I want.

Another big plus for internet shopping is that you can search for the best price; and with Groupon Coupons that saving can go even further. I absolutely love Sephora – it won’t be long until someone needs to ban me from that site, I could literally spend all my money there! – and it’s great knowing that there are coupons for such big brands.

Savings on big beauty brands at Sephora is a great way for trying out new trends and stocking up on beauty brand favourites.

Groupon coupons isn’t about saving a few pennies off a tube of toothpaste, it’s about real significant savings on brands we all know and love. Look at this way: more savings means more money left over for even more shopping… Perfect!

This is a collaborative post.

Thanks to someone’s eager beaver Facebook post earlier today, I now know that there are only fifteen Fridays between now and Christmas, eek! When it comes to Christmas gifts, I have to admit I’m a complete and utter control freak – I HAVE to start shopping as early as May; I find it’s so much easier to spread the cost and get everything I need by buying early.

Cost for most people is a big factor when it comes to Christmas shopping – I like to know that I’m getting a good deal. Groupon Goods is a tried and tested destination for some of the top brands at amazingly discounted prices. The must have kitchen gadgets to designer fragrances, there’s something for everyone and they’ve even got your ‘organized mom’ back with bulk battery packs – meaning no disappointed faces come Christmas morning when you can’t remember if the latest gift under the tree needs AA or AAA.

Whether you’re nearly finished (guilty as charged!), just started or can’t bear to think about Christmas shopping until at least the beginning of December – heading to Groupon will not only be a one stop shop for all your Christmas gift needs but will also help to minimize the damage to your bank balance.

This is a collaborative post.

We’re fortunate enough to have the opportunity to travel a lot and that means making sure everything at home is taken care of while we’re away; from asking Mother Dearest to make sure the fridge is stocked for our return to picking up parcels – I spend a lot of time before an upcoming trip planning so that I can relax and we can enjoy our time away. The last thing I ever want is a case of FOBA… Fear of being away!

Smart Homes by Panasonic is a wireless monitoring system for the home that can be set up in minutes and allows you to keep an eye on your house while you’re away – yes you read right, while you’re sunning yourself on a beach sipping mojitos you can check in with you phone and see how your herbs on the windowsill in the kitchen are doing or if you’re like me and know they’ll be dead (Because every plant I touch literally dies, forget green – I’ve got black fingers!!) you can check on you home and make sure everything is as you left it.

Even though I’m use to travelling a lot and being away from home for sometimes lengthy periods there’s always that niggling fear that one day I’ll return home to find we’ve been burgled, with the Panasonic Smart Home I could literally be anywhere in the world and have peace of mind that our home is safe.

The easy to install system uses wireless technology and is fully customizable to suit both your house and needs and you can be up and running in next to no time.

Nothing beats getting on a plane and heading out to a new adventure and with Panasonic Smart Home there’s no chance of FOMA making an appearance in my holiday wardrobe.

This is a collaborative post

As much as I miss having Boo around, I love back to school – it’s that time of the year when the sun is still just about shining and you’ve got renewed energy (I think that may have something to do with being able to finish a cup of tea without having to microwave it at least twice!). I also find this time of year makes me look at my routine to make sure I’m getting the most and best out of the day.

Some of you may have ben aware that I was diagnosed with bacterial pneumonia shortly after returning from our summer in Spain – talk about holiday blues! So it’s only now, after a seven-week break from the gym that I’m ready to head back to Everyone Active Westcroft. Most people find returning to the gym after a break pretty daunting and whilst I still have a few PT sessions with the lovely Nick left, the wide range of timetabled group exercises available to book on the timetable are perfect for easing myself back in and building back up to my 3-4 exercise sessions per week. From spin (a girls worst, but a bum’s best friend) to boxing – literally the best way to work and punch out a tough week -there is something for everyone and the group environment is great for when you’re struggling to finish the standing climb or set of burpees!Plus the easy online booking facility means that if I’m feeling guilty about *that* biscuit I mindlessly munch then I can easily redeem myself by booking onto a class using the app.

This autumn you can fall into fitness at Everyone Active Westcroft with a £1 joining fee, so there’s no excuses for carving out a few well-needed hours for yourself each week. So whilst it’s may be another week or so until I’m treated to the pain that is the watt bike with Nick, I’m looking forward to getting my sweat on with a couple of classes this week..

Disclosure: I’ve been given complimentary membership and personal training sessions.

What if by online shopping you could be doing good? Well With So Just Shop you can. So Just Shop allows you to buy directly from women-led artisans throughout the world; discovering their unique beautiful products whilst learning their stories.

Jennifer, the founder of So Just Shop sent me this beautifully handmade Badala silk cushion; it was made by a group of single mothers in Kenya, working to provide for their children’s education. In Africa when a woman is abandoned or widowed and left with children, she has few options. By making these products woman have an opportunity to earn a decent living – instead of turning to begging or worse. Badala translates from Swahili to mean Instead… By giving these women an alternative, you give them empowerment.

I love the fact that each piece is unique and I would never have been able to buy this without So Just Shop, being the platform for these women to showcase and sell their products to an international marketplace.

Each product ordered from So Just Shop comes with the story behind the women who’ve made it. I love this concept – it really allows us as the consumer to connect with the whole process of the product.

Jewellery, bags, baby clothes, homewares and gifts – the list is constantly growing of the products available to shop – with convenient payment and delivery it couldn’t be easier.

I wouldn’t go as far to say I’m saving the world one online purchase at a time, however So Just Shop allows us to contribute to the continuing empowerment of women by giving them the platform to be independent.

Shopping with a purpose… surely that makes it guilt free right?

Disclosure: I was gifted the Badala cushion from So Just Shop.