If you bought a new flat or house, you’re going to have to be the discount diva of all things.  Trust us, we’ve been there.  Although we can’t budget our way through everything, there is one essential you can snag delicious deals on: kitchenware. And we are talking deep discounts on cookware, cutlery, tableware and much more.

To really save, get sets.  If you’re stumped as to what sets to buy, let us do the money-saving selecting:

Discount Cookware

You definitely need a stainless steel five-piece saucepan set and you can get one by Denby for £95 (RRP: £195). Including saucepans, a milk pan and a steamer insert, you can cook a divine meal, with a generous side of savings.

Discount Cutlery

A 16-piece stainless steal cutlery set is another must-have. Relish has a great cutlery set for just £29.50 (RRP: £59). Along with the dreamy discount, your set comes with four table forks, four table knifes, four dessert spoons and four teaspoons.

Discount Dinnerware

To dine in style and savour the savings, check out Azure’s 16-piece dinner set for £145.50 (RRP: £194). This gorgeous set fills up your kitchen cabinets with four dinner plates, four tea plates, four cereal/soup bowls and four small mugs.

Discount Wine Glasses

To toast your new flat or home, pour a little wine into Denby’s China White Wine Glasses, box of two for £19.50 (RRP: £26). After all, you deserve a little pampering for all of your penny pinching and with the money you saved, you can really splurge on a nice wine.

By Christina Caicedo

There’s no doubt that life can be stressful. Whether it’s the stresses of university, work or motherhood, we’re all in need of some pampering sometimes to help rejuvenate. And there’s no better way to do it than visiting a day spa. Here at Chiconomise, we’ve found some great 2 for 1 offers on pampering days. So you can treat yourself and a friend, or loved one (even a great gift idea) to a luxury pampering day, for a great price.

Bannatyne have so many great deals at the moment, but we think this 2 for 1 day at just £59 is the best value. This package includes full access to the spas facilities all day for you and your desired other; these include, the pool, stream room, sauna, Jacuzzi and gym. There are also classes available for you to take part in, including Pilates, Boxercise and Aerobics. Most spas also home Tennis and Squash courts, as well as a relaxation room. This deal also includes a back, neck and shoulder massage, or an Elemis facial. Your treatment will then be finished off with a relaxing scalp massage. Additional treatments are also available to book on the day at discounted rates (specialised treatments are also available for men). Your voucher is valid from Monday to Sunday for ten months, and is available to use at a range of Bannatyne spas across the UK (check before booking).

If you would prefer a spa experience in London’s west end, then we have just the thing. Purity Spa (situated within The Hilton Hotel, Park Lane) is offering a 2 for 1 deal on pampering sessions, for just £50. The price includes three treatments for you and a friend, or a loved one, and a glass of champagne. Treatments include a back, neck and shoulder massage, as well as a mini manicure and pedicure. This experience is available to book Monday to Friday, and the voucher is valid for six months after purchase.

By Joanne Mason

Most of us are looking for ways to update our sweet-smelling fragrance collection. At chiconomise towers, we only consider two things when it comes to a new fragrance: scent and savings. So, instead of blowing your money away on the traditional spray fragrance, save and blow fragrance-scented bubbles from Maison Francis Kurkdjian. Theses scented bubbles put perkiness into smelling pretty, especially on not-so pretty days like today. Now let’s get ready to go budget with scented bubbles.

Maison Francis Kurkdjian Les bulles d’Agathe come in four sweet scents, Pear, Cold Mint, Cut herbs and Violet. For only £15 at Liberty, you can envelop yourself in beautifully scented bubbles. (Remember the fun we had with bubbles as kids?) Compared to the price of most fragrances, around £40, we consider Les bulles d’Agathe a (dare we say) cheap fragrance. Apart from the price, the quality of these delicious scented bubbles is definitely not cheap.

A few months ago, we got a chance to sample these bubble wonders. Yet we weren’t sure how they would work exactly. You can’t whip them out on the tube or on the bus for a fragrance touch-up. Since we were all coming into the office half-awake and trying to look half-decent (due to the launch of theDailyChic.com), we picked up a bottle of Maison Francis Kurkdjian Les bulles d’Agathe from the beauty box. After blowing the bubbles into the air and walking into them, we smelled lovely and felt more lively.

Also, there were no bubble-shaped fragrance stains on our clothes (like the ones you get with most fragrances). We each put a bottle in our bags and away we went to our press events. A little afraid the bottle would leak, we kept checking our bags. And there were no leaks at all.

As for touch-ups, one of our writers uses the bubble wand to dab the fragrance on her neck and wrists. So if you’re looking for an on-trend tone, blow a little child-like perkiness à la Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s fragrance-scented bubbles.

By Christina Caicedo

Strolling through the counters and dipping into the testers, we’ve felt the pangs of wanting to look pretty for less. Yet wearing all the beauty trends means having less in your wallet. Well, chiconomistas, we think you can wear all of fall’s 2010 trends for make-up  and get them at a discount. How? Leave that to us and we’ll leave you spoilt in savings:

Budget Beauty for Trendy Tips: Blue, purple and red are a must for trendy tips for fall 2010. And it’s must to get them at a delicious discount. Spoil your tips in shade choice with e.l.f.’s nail varnishes, £1.50. Try Dark Navy, Plum and Cranberry.

Budget Beauty for Smiling-Eyes Shadows: To get that all-eyes-on me look, you need some sexy eyeshadow. We are picking purple and blue eyeshadow palettes, the fall beauty trends, for our peepers. A few weeks ago we did a post on making your own trendy eyeshadow palette. But this time, we want discounts on our desired brands. To make the perfect  purple eye, smooth on Lancome’s Colour Design Eye Shadow in Amethyst Glory, £6.50 (RRP: £12). Apply it to the corners and in the crease and for the middle use Pearly Pink. For the inner eye, use a lighter shade, such as Urban Decay Loose Pigment Eyeshadow in X, £4.95 (RRP: £11.50). Remember, gorgeous shadow means a gradient of colour.

Or be the blue belle of fall with Avon’s Luxe Lace True Colour Eyeshadow Quad in Lace Hues, £8, available on October 28 at avonshop.co.uk. The stunning shades, and the easy-to-use steps on the box, will have you looking sultry in no time. And at only £8, this is a chicono-must.

Budget Beauty for Lust-After Lips: Fall’s pout is a lot like this season’s colours: orange and red. Make your lips memorable in Christian Dior’s Dior Addict Lip Colour in Rose Lust and Orange Gipsy, £16.95 (RRP: £21.50).

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By Christina Caicedo

It’s getting harder for chiconomistas to get their tunes at a discount. With virus-ridden mp3 files on music-sharing sites and iTunes’ prices, a lot of us are saying, iTune out. To jam on the cheap, open your ears and close your purses to Spotify, a free music-listening site.

Spotify is a free music library, boasting over 10 million tunes and growing. Unlike iTunes or other music-sharing sites, you don’t download music, you simply log in to your account and listen to any song you like for free. So there’s no waiting for downloads or a serious dent in your hard drive. It’s free music listening made light.

Right now, Spotify has an Open package, where you can listen to free songs for up to 20 hours per month. Included in this package: millions of free tracks to choose from,  music sharing with your friends and importing your fave tunes to your Spotify playlist.

So what’s the catch? Well, with this free music-listening site comes the occasional ad. (Spotify uses ads to pay the artists whose music you are feeding your ears with for free.)  If you want to skip them, we recommend going for Unlimited or Premium packages.

For just £4.99 per month , the Unlimited package gives you rock-around-the-clock access to Spotify, sans the ads or time limits. Yes, you can have a music library for less. Imagine, over 10 million songs for under a fiver. You also get to share your tunes and import your own collection, too.

Now for the Premium package, the chiconomise fave, you get the same features as the Unlimited package and more easy-access listening. You can have Spotify on your mobile, better sound quality, exclusive content  (i.e. you get to listen to new albums before their release dates) and they’ll sync your fave playlists so you can listen to them offline. Music listening is no longer a luxury! At £9.99, you get tons of music for around the price of an album.

Money-savvy music, indeed.

By Christina Caicedo

Being the beauty fanatics that we are, we’re prepared to pay professionals good money to give our appearance some extra TLC, whether it’s a hair-moisturising treatment at the salon, or a rejuvenating facial at the spa. But did you know there’s a cheaper and easier way to boost your beauty?

That’s right, chiconomistas, there’s something out there that will help you fix your beauty quibbles for a fraction of the price you’d pay a professional: beauty supplements. With the average price of a pack being less than a fiver and celebs like Jennifer Aniston and Gwyneth Paltrow swearing by the power of supplements, this is one item we can’t afford not to try!

As the autumn weather is stating to take its toll on your body, now’s the perfect time to take your beauty regime up a notch with some saviour supplements. For strong nails and luscious locks, try Boots Skin Hair and Nails Capsules for just £3.99. With evening primrose oil and biotin, this supplement helps to build proteins in hair and nails, making them stronger and healthier.

Alternatively if its glowing blemish-free skin you’re after, opt for Boots Alternatives Acne Relief at just £4. Not just for the treatment of acne, this herbal supplement uses a host of skin-saving goodies, such as burdock root, to help fight skin imperfections

With Boots currently offering 3 for 2 across selected vitamins, complementary medicines and herbal products, now’s a great time to give supplements a try.

Already take beauty supplements? Got any supplement success stories you want to share? Let us know in the forum or in the comments below.

By Kat Ramsingh

We all know the theatre can be expensive, and the enjoyment of the show can sometimes be replaced with a burning sensation (that’s the burning hole in your wallet).  Wouldn’t it be great to enjoy the theatre at a lower cost? Of course, it would!

Here at chiconomise towers, we’ve found some great online offers on theatre tickets, available for top London shows! These websites are great to buy tickets for a birthday treat, or even if you just fancy a last-minute night out. We’ve found discount websites, which include savings on some of the most popular shows of the moment, including Oliver, Wicked and many more.
Wicked is one of the West End’s most celebrated and mesmerising shows of the moment. You can enjoy the magic for as little as £20 each (for circle seats). (We found this great deal at uktickets.)  If the show is not enough for you, you can also add a pre-theatre, two-course meal to your booking for just £11 each. This option will be presented once you have chosen your desired tickets.

If Wicked isn’t your thing, here are some alternative offers on London shows:
Oliver: £20.99 for balcony seats. Hurry, this offer ends 22^nd October.
Chicago: Make this a meal deal for just £29.50 each. (Tickets are for the upper circle and dinner is at The Langley).
Blood Brothers: £10 tickets for best available seat.  (Many more £10 tickets at www.lastminute.com. )
The above are just an example of the great deals on offer. The sites have many other London shows to choose from, all at great (discounted) prices. So you can eat, drink, and enjoy an amazing show!

By Joanne Mason

Keeping with our serious savings roll in the summer, we decided to delve deeper in delicious discounts. This time, we are going to work our magic on a designer workwear outfit. And yes, we aimed to spend less than £500 and to save double that. So let’s get started on the savings:

The Shoes (photo: left):  Jil Sander’s Leather Slingback Pumps at £103.25 (RRP: £295), need we say more? Wear these wonderful work shoes and bask in your savings. (Buy now as they are a budget babe must-have.)

Savour the savings: £191.75

The Top: Great for under a suit jacket, Calvin Klein’s Kingsley satin-jersey top, £76.63 (RRP: £255.43), gives a silver, sleek city look. You can definitely work it in this designer workwear staple.

Savour the savings: £178.80

The Skirt: To bring out the silver, don a dark blue skirt à la Adam. This paneled pencil skirt, £64.50 (RRP: £215), has a stitched detail to give shape and structure.  Getting it for less quells that designer lust.

Savour the savings: £150.50

The Necklace:  Kenneth Jay Lane’s Stone-Embellished necklace, £22.50 (RRP: £75) adds another smoky, silvery tone to our designer workwear outfit. Because, we all need a little budget bling.

Savour the savings: £52.50

The Jacket: Last for less is Calvin Klein’s Grey Melange Jacket, £191 (RRP: £635). More Calvin Klein clothes?  Yes, it’s all part of our mission to make designer more discount.

Savour the savings: £444

Total Spent on the Designer Workwear Outfit: £457.88

Total Savings to Savour: £1017.05

Note: Prices and availability may change.

By Christina Caicedo

While we would love to have a great designer homeware piece (or maybe even two in our homes), we so don’t love paying its designer price. Well, we’ve got a little treat to quell those designer homeware desires: a Paul Smith Evian Limited Edition Collectable Bottle, £12, 1L.

Now, you’re probably thinking, A glass water bottle? How is that discount designer homeware?

It’s made of glass and can hold 1L and its design is made by Paul Smith, after all. So instead of chugging and then chucking this water bottle, keep it. To make this bottle into a piece of discount designer homeware, all you need is a little imagination.

We at chiconomise HQ have been using this bottle as a vase for our favourite flowers to give our desks a bit of designer flare. Some of our writers use it as water pitcher for dinner parties.

One of writers uses it to hold perfume oil and reed sticks. (You can get Coley & Gill Incense Sticks, 40 per pack, for just a £1 at Poundland.) Now you have a gorgeous Paul Smith-designed room freshener for just £13.  (Ahh, the sweet smell of savings, something we never tire of.) Compare that to Paul Smith’s blown brandy glass at £50 and you will feel pleased as punch at this chic bottle.

This is discount designer homeware with definite potential. And we would love to hear how you use your Paul Smith Evian Water Bottle. Let’s us know in the comments or on the forum.

By Sarah Malter

Because the weather has jumped from summer to autumn, we’ve been pulling out the wool jumpers and trousers from retirement.  No Indian summer for us.  But what’s more, you may have noticed little holes in your autumn clothes. And that means one thing we label-loving chiconomistas all fear: clothes moths.

Now before you have visions of moths eating your Moschino, there are many ways you can moth proof your pretty designer pieces. Forget moth balls, we are talking about wallet-friendly, sweet-smelling moth repellents that’ll save you from the cost having to replace your clothes (and possibly your sanity). Because next on the hit list might be that silk jumpsuit.

Defend the Drawer: If you insist on leaving your clothes in the drawer, moth proof it by popping in some  Cedarwood Anti Moth Mini Drawer Sachets, six for £4.85.  Clothes moths loathe cedarwood. And because these sachets last for six months, you’ll be happy not to see moths or any holes for a while. Available both online and in store at John Lewis.

If you Love it, Bag it: Take your lovely labels and seal them in safety with an Anti-Moth Sweater Bag at John Lewis, six for £6.50, especially if you have cardigans or other clothes made of wool. Lined with the refreshing scent of lavendar (which is another moth repellent), your designer clothes will smell divine. Or to bag it on a budget, put your clothes in a Vacuum-Sealed Storage Bag from Poundland, £1 for one bag, and toss in a cedarwood sachet.

Close the Closet: Moths love dark spaces and your closet is the perfect place for those little buggers, loaded with designer delights to eat. Make sure you moth proof your wardrobe (i.e. take it off the menu) by hanging a Himalaya Lavendar Anti-Moth Hanging Sachet/Wool Protector from John Lewis, three for £3.50.

Let ‘em have it with the Lavendar: Last month, we did a post in our Spend Vs. Save page on oil burners.  Since clothes moths don’t like lavendar, you could put a few drops of moth-repelling lavendar oil from the Body Shop, £3.50, in your budget oil burner from Poundland, £1.  (You can get 100 tealights for £2 at John Lewis.)  Put one near the wardrobe or wherever you think the moths are coming from, a window or door perhaps. Send them packing and make your home smell sweet.

But if you think you might have a major moth problem, it might be worth it to get a professional to come in.

By Christina Caicedo

No matter how money-savvy we chiconomistas are, there are some things that we do expect to pay extra for. Well now, you don’t have to, as we have discovered that there are hidden market gems all over the country for anything you want.

We’ve looked into it here at chiconomise towers and depending on what you want, there’s a market that specializes in it. You can get anything from vintage fashion to fresh seafood at prices that make you happy because you can still afford those perfect shoes you saw.

If you’re going to go to a market to get something particular then it’s best to do your research so you’re not disappointed. Here’s a small run down as to what you can get where. If you’re a food lover then you’re going to need to visit Borough market or if you’re in Edinburgh, their farmers’ market can’t be missed. You can also get fresh oysters, meats, olive oils, duck eggs and breads.

For all of you who love the smell of fresh flowers in your home, you will know that they can rack up a large bill. For a cheaper alternative, you can buy flowers from a selection of stalls at the Columbia Road flower market and keep your home looking perfect.

One of the main reasons people go to markets is to look for a signature vintage piece of fashion or collectable. If this is what gets you up at the crack of dawn on a Sunday, then you need to make your way to Alfies in Marylebone. Most of the pieces they sell are either antiques or one-off vintage pieces that you won’t see anyone else with. So rest assured your fashion can’t be stolen.

By Hannah Vickers

Okay, so it may seem a little early to be thinking about Christmas just yet, but the fact is it’s only about three and a half months away. Selfridges have recently launched their Christmas department, with Harrods following shortly after. So whether you’re an early bird Christmas shopper or a last-minute dasher, Christmas ideas will be bombarding you left, right and centre in due course.

That’s where chiconomise comes in. Here are some websites for you to check out, where gifts are imaginative, and most importantly purse savvy!! We loved them, and hopefully you will too. Get buying early to avoid the dreaded Christmas rush… ‘Tis the season to be jolly after all!

Fancy dress costumes

Every little girl wants to be a fairy or, a cowgirl, and every boy (including those older than 20!) wants to be Batman. You can make that wish come true with a fancy dress costume. Party delights is a great website, and costumes start at around £15.00, and the range is extremely extensive, so you’re going to find something they’ll love. My favourite has got to be the adorable plum pixie outfit in purple at just £17.99.

Sites for those special Christmas presents:

www.black.co.uk- Great for luxury homeware. Use the promotional code ‘handb’ to receive a 30% discount. Offer ends on September 30.
www.zavvi.com- For those DVDs, books, and games, all at low prices.
www.buyagift.co.uk- Excellent for low-priced experience days (spa days from just £15).
www.fragrancedirect.co.uk- perfumes, aftershaves, and hair care products for less, with up to 40% off.

By Joanne Mason