Money Supermarket’s Big Night In – Recessionistas unite!

I was asked by MoneySupermarket.com to hold a Big Night In as a blogger challenge. Nights out can be really expensive, especially in London where you don’t get much change from a tenner for a cocktail!

The challenge was to spend £50 on a night in for me and my friends to prove that you can have fun without breaking the bank. You can read all about the competition here The competition has now finished.

I decided to stick to the ‘recessionista’ theme and hold a fashion and beauty swap shop: everyone had a wardrobe and cosmetics clear out and brought things they no longer wanted with them. Then we piled it all up and had a rummage through. The old saying is true: one girl’s trash really is another girl’s treasure! I got a Clinique moisturiser that was too rich for my friend’s skin but will be perfect for my thirsty skin…along with tons of dresses and tops. I love the idea of a swap shop: you get the same buzz you get from buying something new, but without having to spend any money. It’s a free wardrobe refresh!

Obviously swap shopping is thirsty work, so I provided fashion-themed cocktails (The cocktail menu is above: Christopher Kane-d anyone?)

There were also sweet treats in the form of (hand-decorated by us!) cupcakes with fashion icon logos and every other food had to be a pun: Donut-ella Versace, Pizza Pilotto, Jimmy Shoo Pastry… so much fun!

I also painted nails as another pampering treat while we watched fashion related films: The September Issue and The Devil Wears Prada.

The whole day was so much fun and everyone had a ball, we definitely proved to ourselves that you don’t need to go out to have a laugh. I really recommend a swap shop evening if money is a bit tight (or you’re having one of those ‘I HATE EVERYTHING I OWN’ months!)

Thanks for the challenge, Money Supermarket!

Lex