Three tips for throwing a summer party on a budget

Although we currently don't have any wallpaper on the walls, no flooring on the floor and walls missing from our house, we're hoping that we might find the time to throw a little party in the summer to help celebrate becoming homeowners and the fact the boyfriend finally catches up with me and turns 28. We'd love to throw a party in a gorgeous venue in London - a great venue finding service such a Venueseeker offers lots of inspiration and a big variety of venues - but we're on a budget so are having it at home. Here are three tips on how to throw a party without spending an absolute fortune:

Look for deals
Catering can soon add up so keep an eye out for special offers in supermarkets. Some venues also let you do your own catering which is a great way to keep costs down too. There's often deals on alcohol to be had and BOGOF offers on food. A BBQ is a great stress-free way to host a party. There's no slaving over a hot stove for hours, trying to get the timings right. As soon as the summer comes, supermarkets offer great deals on meat.

Become creative
Pinterest is a dream for inspiration - you will get lost for hours upon end. Become an expert at DIY and make all your own decorations. It's a great way to stop costs spiralling out of control and to add your own little stamp to the party. Pick up supplies from craft shops, charity shops and pound shops.

Make your own
You pay a premium for the ease of pre-packaged food so making it your yourself can sometimes cost half the price. Make your own salads, sandwiches and nibbles. If your cupboards are anything like mine, they're already filled with every type of spice you can imagine so use them to create your own rubs for the meats.

Do you have any tips on how to throw a summer party on a budget?

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My gin collection

This past year I have developed an obsession with gin. A BIG obsession. I've been trying to build up my gin collection ready for the big move as I'm desperate to have a gin bar in my dining room. Who needs to buy a sofa when you can have a bar right? Don't you think these gorgeous Kate Spade tumblers* would look perfect on display? I'm on the look out for some more glassware, gin and bar accessories so let me know if you have seen anything nice! This is the gin I've added to my collection so far...

Sipsmith Lemon Drizzle
Exclusive to Marks & Spencer, this citrus gin is delicious. Paired with a bitter lemon tonic or simple slimline tonic, you get bursts of juniper and sweetness with every sip. It makes such a nice change from other gins. Make sure you pour easy on the tonic for the flavour to really shine through.

Sipsmith
This is my all-time favourite - I look for it in every city I go too. I was pleased as pinch to find it in Derry. Made near my work in Chiswick, west London, it always remind me of home and the city I love.  It's an uncomplicated gin without any unusual botanicals that really stand out. Why go all fancy when you can do it this well? It's just a good, solid, fresh gin that is brilliantly smooth  on its own or paired with a tonic.

Ophir
Boasting spices of cardamon, coriander and black pepper, it's a gin that packed full of flavour and offers something a little different. I find the taste too strong in a normal g+t but it perfect in a gin cocktail. It's makes a great gin version of a Bloody Mary.

Two birds
Produced in Leicestershire, this gin only uses five different botanicals. Proving that sometimes simple is best. It has a good strong finish and only needs a little tonic to get the full flavour. Better still, try it neat to appreciate the creaminess. But I love it paired with a ribbon of cucumber and slimline tonic.

Caorunn
I have such a soft spot for Scottish gins and this one gets a thumbs up from me. I love the unusual suggestion of using red apple as a garnish which helps to bring out the blush apple flavours in what is quite a subtle gin. No overpowering notes here. Another gin that only uses five local foraged botanicals, it's made in a small batch and offers memories of the Scottish Highlands - immediately transporting me back.

Do you have any gin suggestions for me?

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Four things I did to have a social life while saving for a house deposit

One of the things I didn't want to happen when I started to save for a house deposit was to be stuck indoors for a year. I love going out, seeing things and eating things and wasn't quite ready to have all that taken away from me. After all, you're only young once right?! So I decided to try and strike a balance between still living life to full and putting away a large chunk of my wages each month. These are a few things that I find helped out a lot...

1. Cineworld unlimited card
This cinema card has been a lifesaver. It costs £17.40 and works out to be a great deal. Cinema tickets are around £9 now in our area and you only have to go twice to get your money back. It also offers 10% off Cineworld snacks and drinks - going up to 25% after the first year - alongside the same discount at Pizza Hut, Chiqutos and Frankie & Bennys. When you're sick of staring at the four walls, it offers great respite and helps you lose yourself for a few hours. We find ourselves seeing films we would never have dreamt of going to see which is a brilliant way to broaden our film knowledge. I really couldn't recommend the card enough.

2. Find free things
We're lucky that we live quite close to London and its filled with endless free museums, exhibitions and just a joy to walk around. I'm sure other big cities in the UK offer free events too. Yes you have to buy a train ticket or pay for petrol to drive there but it doesn't work out much in the grand scheme of things. You get out the house and still have a fun day out with a bit of culture thrown in too. We've spent hours gawking in museums and walked around London admiring the beautiful architecture for hours. When you get peckish, refer to tip number 4!

3. Bring the party to yours (or a friends!)
Instead of going out at the weekend, organise a night in all together. We had a cracking gin night a few weeks ago. Each person bought along a gin, mixer and garnish and when we got a bit peckish we ordered in a cheap pizza. It was one of the best nights I've had for a long time and we were in bed by midnight. You don't have to stay out all hours to have a fun night! Turns out sharing seven bottles of gin makes you sleepy... It wasn't ridiculously cheap but a hell of a lot cheaper than going out for drinks in London. It was great to have a catch up and proved when you're surrounded by good friends, you can really be anyway and it doesn't matter. You don't have to pay through the nose to have a good time.

4. Learn to be savvy when eating out
It's not secret that I love to stuff my face but eating out isn't too purse-friendly. Luckily now there ae endless deals to be had. Keep an eye out for soft launches for new restaurants- this website is great - as they often offer 50% off. Alternatively, many chains now do vouchers. Pizza Express and Prezzo always have pretty decent deals.

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