Five days into May already, how did that happen? I can’t start another blog post with an apology for being behind but seriously, I must admit most of my five things under a fiver were last minute impulse buys this time. Not that that makes them any less coveted, or handy, so here goes.
If you’re a G&T drinker you’ll know that Fever Tree tonic really takes it up a notch, so now they’ve started stocking it in my local supermarket I’ve been buying these big bottles to have in. You don’t want to be stuck on a summer Friday evening with no tonic do you? Plus, my mum has just been staying for a few days and she loves a tonic water (straight up, gin-free) so I had to get the good stuff. They do an elderflower version too, which is also good. This bottle was about £1.50 from Morrisons.
The Vaseline (£1) is actually a treat for my nails, which have been splitting and breaking really easily for months now. I was told a tip the other week which is to rub Vaseline into your nails a few times a day to keep them hydrated and encourage them to grow strong. I’ve only been doing it for a few days but can notice the difference already.
Want to know why I’ve got two pots? Well, it’s because I went shopping with my two-year-old daughter, of course, and she has to have her own basket with her own little tin, and it had to be the pink one. This rose version of Vaseline is slightly tinted, which looked great on Flo when she tried it in the car, all over her face, clothes and even the car window! Delightful, but handy and a total bargain.
The Sally Hansen Hard as Nails strengthener (£3.99, Superdrug) really helps too, and it doesn’t chip or flake as easily as a clear polish.
I love roses and usually have fresh flowers in the house so couldn’t resist treating myself to these. A cheap and cheerful pick-me-up at £3.
I’m afraid I’m cheating a little bit with the final purchase, the bunting from US stationery site Minted was bought quite a while ago, so long ago in fact that I’d forgotten how much I paid for it! I just looked it up and it comes up at about £13, but I’m sure it wasn’t that much when I bought it so I’m sticking with it!
It’s made from cardboard circles and is something you could easily make yourself, maybe by covering discs with wrapping paper and stringing them together? Maybe I’ll give that a go myself and report back.
So I may have bent the rules a little, but technically there are six things in this post so I’m letting myself get away with it. I’m loving seeing so many of you join in too. If you’d like to join in, you can either write a blog post about it or just join in with a photo of your five picks on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter.
Just tweet me and let me know you’ve linked up using the hashtag #fiveunder5, add your post to the link up below and please take the time to comment on a few other people’s posts.
Happy shopping in May!
x Julia
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13 Comments
Hayley @hayleyfromhome
May 5, 2016 at 3:41 pmI did not know that tip about vaseline! I’m going to give it a try as my nails have been terrible recently. My twins usually get hold of my Burts Bees lip balm and smear it everywhere, I don’t think they could get into vaseline! I really need to get on board with gin, for elderflower tonic if nothing else, I keep on trying it hoping I’ll be converted! My brother thinks I’ve just got expensive taste and I need to try a posh one 🙂 As nice as that tonic sounds I’d definitely want a bit of alcohol with it 😉 xx
Hayley @hayleyfromhome recently posted…Five Under £5 May
Claire - Life, Love and Dirty Dishes
May 5, 2016 at 5:26 pmI first discovered Sally Hanson before my wedding when I broke a nail. The miracle growth is brilliant. Congrats on your nominations 🙂 #fiverunder5
Claire – Life, Love and Dirty Dishes recently posted…5 Under £5 – May
Emma Lofthouse-Burch
May 5, 2016 at 6:54 pmWhat is it with little ones and lip balm? Both of my boys have a thing about it lol. I love that bunting it is really sweet, I like the idea of making my own too. Well done on your blog nominations, good luck! x
Emma Lofthouse-Burch recently posted…Five under £5 May 2016
Mary
May 5, 2016 at 7:49 pmI agree with you that this has suddenly crept up – I only just got mine finished this eve after remembering the date! No worries, still loving it. My kids love lip balms too and that sounds like a great trick to remember!
I too love fresh flowers in the house and you can’t go wrong these days with how cheap a lovely bunch costs! x #fiveunder5
Mummy here and there
May 5, 2016 at 7:51 pmOh if I go shopping with my son he has to have the same kind of thing that I have. But you can’t beat vasaline can ya. I love the bunting such a fun design X #fiveunder5
Jess Paterson
May 5, 2016 at 8:36 pmLove this feature, which I just discovered through Claire at Life, Love and Dirty Dishes. It’s great to get that little thrill of having found something really cool, beautiful or handy for a bargain price – will try and join in next time! The Vaseline tip is timely as mine are ruined after my gels were taken off a couple of weeks ago. x
Jess Paterson recently posted…How To Speak To A New Mum, When Youâre A Mum
Mini Travellers
May 5, 2016 at 9:04 pmvaseline into nails – who knew! Gotta love the fevertree inclusion too!
Mini Travellers recently posted…Travel Tips – The Fill n Squeeze
Keira @ Dekko Bird
May 7, 2016 at 1:21 pmThat Vaseline tip sounds wonderful! Love to hear about cheap products that work wonders! I am also a fan of Fevertree tonic – it is lovely with gin (obviously!) and dressed with a few blueberries and raspberries!
Regine
May 8, 2016 at 8:01 pmHi Julia,
again: Lovely picks. I am really in love with the bunting. And it is a great inspiration for a DIY. Maybe I will give it a try for the upcoming birthday of my son.
Corinne
May 8, 2016 at 9:53 pmI love love love fever tree products! The bunting is adorable.
Corinne x
Corinne recently posted…NAOBAY Protective Hair Mask
Tracey Williams
May 9, 2016 at 6:07 pmGreat tip about the Vaseline for nails, would never have thought to apply to fingers as well as lips. I love Fever tree tonic water after only discovering it a few months ago. I am not too sure I could drink it on its own though. I will have to look out for it in Morrisons and stock up x
Tracey Williams recently posted…Sunday Photo – A Greek Church
sarah christie
May 9, 2016 at 8:52 pmI just love roses, I usually have a bunch around the house, that is such a pretty colour. I also always have vaseline in the house I cant go to sleep without putting it on my lips I suppose its a habit but I just cant sleep if I haven’t put it on, I get stressed that my lips are dry. Odd I know ! x
sarah christie recently posted…Styling Our Hallway, And Creating A Little Haven
Katie LifeonVistaStreet Haydock
May 11, 2016 at 9:06 pmI agree completely… the bunter was only a fiver when you bought it. My mum swears by Vaseline and uses it on everything – even her lashes!! xXx
Katie LifeonVistaStreet Haydock recently posted…It Started With A Skirt… Five under £5