Friday 16 July 2010

I'll Be Back.... Pinky Promise!

Recessionistas!!

It's a been a good long while - blame my trip to Australia & work which has been consuming me in every form (time, life in general & even body mass!).  But know that there's a lot of work going on behind the scenes (or in my brain) and my blog will be up and running - bigger and better - in all it's glory very soon!

In the meantime come and join me on Twitter as I'm back on my Twitter game and letting you all know about the best deals to bring uber happiness into your life and keep your purse strings (and wallet strings) content!! See you in Twitterville xoxo

www.twitter.com/metsthrifty

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Tuesday 20 April 2010

The Return from Oz...

G'day bloggers & bloggettes!

You would have noticed that my last post was back in FEBRUARY! Why I hear you ask?? Because I was lucky enough to be given the last-minute opportunity of a lifetime to be sent to fabulous Sydney, Australia for work!! What was initially a 2 week business trip turned into 4 a week trip and finally ended after a VERY LONG 6 weeks!!! Definately a lucky Sheila :-) It wasn't all surfers, kolas & kangaroos, I was up to my eyeballs in work and really couldn't commit to my blog.. I apologise big time.

BUT i'm back on UK soil now and I will really try to get myself up to speed with what's really good for my recessionistas & let you all know ASAP!! I for one am flat out broke from that trip due to my excessive spending on clothes & shoes - slap on the hand for me but there were too many things that i couldn't resist... I ended up buying another suitcase... ooops!  My broke-assness will be giving me more motivation to find some recession busting activities & past-times in this glorious sunny weather!

In the meantime enjoy some of my fab Oz pics... these are the typical touristy pics of the Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, Koala & Kangaroo & Bondi Beach but trust me I did so much more! & I might blog on that randomly as I go through my hundreds of pics!

x x Mets Thrifty x x x


Tuesday 2 February 2010

FREE live music event at Rich Mix, Shoreditch TONIGHT


TONIGHT (Wednesday 2 February) V.inspired.com / Lake of Stars and Malawi Festival (run by volunteers) will be launching its first FREE residency down at Rich Mix in Shoreditch.  Live music will be provided by Ninja Tune's Andreya Triana who will be peforming an exclusive acoustic set with support from Nick Mulvey (Portico Quartet).  There will also be  DJ sets from First World Records and Hang the DJ crew.

Shop for some funky fashion at market stalls from Malawian fashion label MIA Fashion and Brazilian charity Bottletop.  For those feeling thristy/peckish, there will be 2for1 on selected drinks at the bar and good grub for under £5 in the cafe.

For guaranteed entry email: will@lakeofstars.org although I'm pretty sure you'll be able to just turn up at your leisure.

Date: Wednesday 2 February (that's today people!)
Time: Starts at 6pm, live music from 8pm
Venue: Rich Mix, 35 - 47 Bethnal Green Road, London, E1 6LA

P.S Whilst at Rich Mix, be sure to check out the venue's Cuban photography exhibition AND don't forget Rich Mix also has initimate cinema screenings and being Wednesday you can take advantage of Orange 2for1.

Enjoy! Mets Thrifty x X x

Sunday 31 January 2010

GBK Love in a Bun


Recessionistas, if you after a bit of love in a bun, Gourmet Burger Kitchen are offering 2 burgers/salads & fries for only £12. Definately a pre-cinema or gourmet-take-out date don't you think?  To get hold of the e-voucher, you'll need to join the GBK gang HERE and your voucher will drop right into your virtual mailbox.

Validity: Sundays-Thursdays 31 January - 28 February. 1 voucher per 2 people.
Venues: Nationwide - including take-away (yay!)

Half Price Cuts & Colours at TONI&GUY

Ladies and Gents, one month into the year and I bet your haircolour has gone a bit lacklustre and the volume already gone limp... right? Yep, that's the stress of being back at work and having no time to maintain your sexy do's! Well fear not, with Valentines day only 2 weeks away, this is the perfect opportunity for you to jazz up your mop and get it looking super sexy on a recessionistas budget.

This coming Sunday (7 February 2010), TONI&GUY will be holding its SUPER SUNDAY, offering half price cuts and colours with its top stylists and technicians at its TONI&GUY Academy in Central London.  This is all in aid of the TONI&GUY Charitable Foundation where all proceeds will be going to the TONI&GUY Children's Hospital Ward, The Variety Club Children's Hospital and King's College Hospital, London - so all for a great cause.

Spaces are very limited so be quick!

How: Call 020 7836 0606 NOW to book your appointment
When: Sunday 7 February 2010
Time: 11am - 4pm
Venue:  TONI&GUY Academy, 71-75 New Oxford St, London WC1A 1DG

Enjoy! Mets Thrifty x X x

Thursday 21 January 2010

ASK weekend set menu is back!



Photo: The ASK classics set menu looks couldn't-go-wrong-tasty

It's back but for two weekends only!!! ASK's weekend set menu offering diners a 3 course meal at a recession-busting £12!!! Doesn't it look tasty?! Now I gotta love this one because I've had no time to do ANYTHING after work let alone take advantage of my new year restaurant deals which don't always include Friday's or Saturdays!

Download your voucher HERE (and don't forget to read all T's & C's)

Validity: Friday 22 January - Sunday 24 January & Friday 29 January - Sunday 31 January.

Be quick! I'm pretty sure all ASK restaurants nationwide will be packed this and next weekend LOL! x X x

Wahanda Mobdeals - be quick!

Photos: Wahanda

On Monday, health*beauty*happiness website Wahanda launched its ingenious Mobdeals. These are one day only special deals which offer significant savings on the normal price which is fantastic news for us recessionistas! Mobdeal prices are exclusive to Wahanda and in order to take advantage of these deals, there is a minimum threshold of the number of deals that Wahanda must sell (varies per deal). If the deal doesn't pass the threshold, no-one will take advantage BUT the number is so relatively low that the Mobdeal always 'tips' and you can monitor the number of deals sold as it's clearly displayed on the website! Basically, it's all about telling your friends, family, blog & Twitter followers and spreading the word so everyone can take advantage. Deals are only available for 24 hours and they are well and truly gone after this time frame (trust me, I found out the hard way).  You will receive a voucher valid for 6 months from the date of purchase to redeem at your leisure making these perfect presents too!

Mobdeals will range from massages, facials, spa days, haircuts, manicures, yoga, Pilates classes and MORE! Here are some of the fabulous deals that have been and gone:
Monday - £15 haircut from Fordham Soho (normal price £47)
Tuesday - 1 hour massage or facial for £20 (normal price... £70) <-- my fave to date!!
Wednesday - £10 for 2 Powerplate sessions (normal price £40)

Yeh I know I have fallen by the wayside again! I got a press release through on Monday but my day-job has left me with no time on my hands to blog earlier.. don't hate me too much though for missing on these because I am Tweeting deals & updating on Twitter on a daily basis (follow me HERE). And if it makes you feel any better, I majorly missed out on Tuesday's massage deal which is a FAIL on my part - should've booked whilst at work because I forgot when I got home... grrr :-(

If these recessionista savvy deals were not enough to tempt you (which they should be!), Wahanda will be donating £1 from each Mobdeal sale to charity:water which provides clean and safe water to communities that need it!! Even more incentive to purchase!

How many more excuses do you need?? Visit the Wahanda Mobdeal website HERE and purchase your money saving spa/beauty/health deal NOW!!!!! It's a new year but with just over half way through the month, I am already in desperate need of a spa retreat or massage!

Today's Mobdeal: Treat yourself to a luxurious spa day at the CityPoint Club London which includes a welcome drink, 30 minute massage and full use of spa and health facilities (30 metre pool, plunge whirpool, sauna, steamroom & fitness facilities). Sounds lush, I've got to buy this one to make up for Tuesday's loss!
x x Mets Thrifty x x

Monday 18 January 2010

Jumblist Massive - Tuesday 19 January


Photo: The Bounce Effect

Thanks to my girl over at Sack The Stylist for bringing this one to my attention!

TOMORROW (Tuesday 19th January) is the Bounce JUMBLIST MASSIVE. London's biggest charity jumble sale and music MASH UP! Wooooiiiiii! What will they be selling I hear you cry... well how about brand new Urban Outfitter garments from crazy thick knits, hoodies, gloves, scarves you name it all for the brrrr cold outside (samples) or even get hold of some bikinis and shorts (end of season) all BRAND NEW stock! There will be other high street clothes to get your hands on and of course 2nd hand goods. Not just clothing, there will be accessories, bric and brac, CDs, shoes and books!!! Waaaaahhhhh! Oh and the BEST BIT? Errrr there are NO PRICES so YOU decide how much you want to buy something for.... errr hello could this get any better??? Oh actually how about live music and DJ's from Warrior One and Rhys Adams, a bar selling all types of delicious refreshments AND the fact that all proceeds go towards Bounce fun projects for kids?!

FREE ENTRY recessionistas! What's your excuse??

Date: Tuesday 19 January
Time: 6-11pm
Venue: The Phoenix (downstairs) 37 Cavendish Square - 2 mins from Oxford Circus, just turn right off Oxford Street after H&M and before Zara.

For more information check out the Bounce blog HERE

See y'all there! x Mets Thrifty x

Friday 15 January 2010

Hermes Sample Sale - Saturday 16 January


Photo: Hermes
Courtesy of my girl over at Sack the Stylist, top fashionista/recessionista tip-off is the Hermes Sample Sale! (by the way you really need to follow my girl's blog!)  Last day is SATURDAY 16 JANUARY so either get there early to get the best picks of what is remaining OR get there later in the afternoon where they'll slash prices to get rid of everything.  Personally I prefer to go later in the afternoon. Yeh it's a bit of a mess and you'll find it hard to find your size but last year I went to the Reiss Sample Sale on the last day and bought a gorgeous gold sporty luxe jacket which got slashed to only £35 as I was searching for my size!!!!

Date: Saturday 16th January
Time: 10am - 6pm
Venue: The Music Room, 26 South Molten Lane, W1

FREE ENTRY!

x Mets Thrifty x

Vauxhall Ice Skate: Thursday 28 January


Woop!!! I just got my 2 FREE tickets for the Vauxhall Ice Skate on Thursday 28 January... Err what's this about I here you say?

"... excape to an enchanted evening of frozen fairy tales, celebrity DJs guests, and a scattering of top UK designers strutting their stuff at a central London location as Vauxhaull Motors brings you Vauxhall Ice Skate"

Paloma Faith, Coco Sumner and HEADLINER Mr Hudson will be providing the choooons... Ohhh I can't wait to get my skates on this sounds soooo fun!!!!! I haven't managed to get the time to visit any of the outdoor skating rinks in London this year so this will be perfect!  There are very few tickets remaining so get in there quick!!!! Visit the link HERE and sign up ASAP!!
Follow Vauxhall Ice Skate on Twitter for the latest and whilst you're there don't forget to Follow Me!

A Tasty January at Brixton Village - Sat 15 Jan



Photo: Cornercopia at Brixton Village, Spacemakers UK

Date: Saturday 15th January
Time: 11am- 5pm
Venue: Brixton Village, Atlantic Road, Brixton

For a while now I have been meaning to head down to Bixton Village but the snow has kept me hibernating indoors... that is, until now! I'll be flying the flag for South London this Saturday (tomorrow!) at Brixton Village for it's A Tasty January event.  With food tastings, pop-up one day restaurants,  restaurant openings, pop-up theatre festival and children's cooking competitions this will be lovely day out for the whole family with a fantastic community feel. I can't wait to get my food/drink and cake on! And if it snows I'm still gonna make it, nothing will keep me away this time (duh food is involved! that's the monster inside of me)

My top 3 highlights that I'm uber-excited about:

- Brixton Cornercopia: FREE foodie and drinks tasting galore (you know that this will be my station lol) including 'hot cider punch, spicy harria soup, a slab of Ian's grandiose apple pork pie and some spanakopita'. I'm interested in tasting Cornercopia's infamous plantain chutnye. I LOVE fried plantain but will this chutney be as nice?? Hmmm... Recipe-sharing will be rife so there is no reason not to practice your cooking when you get home... I need to up my game in the domestic goddess stakes!
- Etta's Seafood Restaurant: New seafood restaurant opening. You know I'm a prawn fiend and I love fish, so much healthier for you! I'm up for some prawns and snapper with fiery Carribean twist!!
- Olive Tree: Morrocan and Mediterranean restaurant opening.  I love tagine lamb - clearly one of the most tastiest and succulent ways to eat lamb! And cous cous when cooked perfect is so wholesome. Olive Tree has got strong morals and ethics behind it and was set up by to create a ommunity space and offer young people an alternative to extremism - LOVE IT!

This is no way a comprehensive list of what will be happening on the day, there's just too much good stuff for me to put into my tiny blog! There are also non-food events going on at Brixton Village including exhibitions and the opportunity to star in your very own remake of an 80's movie!! For full details of the event and how to get there visit the Facebook event page HERE

What is Brixton Village all about? SpaceMakers has basically transformed the abandoned and derelict Granville arcade into a buzzing indoor market with vintage stores, old fashioned sweet stores, pop-up textile stores, galleries, art/exhibition spaces,Okido Doodle Shop and not to mention stalls of excellent quality local produce. Learn more about the project HERE and follow Spacemakers on Twitter to stay up to date!


Photo: Granville Arcade. Spacemakers, UK.

Look forward to bumping into you all! X Mets Thrifty X

Thursday 14 January 2010

Please Help Haiti

I've not blogged in a few days - been unber-busy with work grrr... but this is something that is really touching my heart like crazy. The devastation the earthquake in Haiti has caused is just astounding and watching the news I can't believe the country has no doctors, police, ambulances and support of any kind.  I await in anticipation for all of the aid workers to fly over and help the Haitian people.

What really stands out however is that despite the destruction and devastation, the Haitians live in hope; they are not angry people, they are not even devastated, they are not shouting or screaming and moaning... they are grateful and appreciative of their lives - despite losing their houses and having injuries, not everyone made it and they are fully aware of this.

I think that's something that everyone needs to take away with them.  Whenever we feel that our lives are really bad and we can't afford that little luxury or it's snowing and we're p*ssed off because it's disrupting our social lives and our work or anything of that kind, we all need to wake up and be aware that there is ALWAYS, without fail, someone is worse off than we are.

Please donate if you are able via the following charitable organisations:

Monday 11 January 2010

FREE Friends of The Earth bag making workshop - Wed 13 Jan


Photo: C73, creative space currently inhabited by CutShuffleDeal

Head down to C73 the creative space in Camden this Wednesday where CutShuffleDeal are hosting a FREE Bag Making Workshop with Friends of the Earth THIS Wednesday as part of it's pop-up clothing exchange (click HERE for more info on the clothing exchange). Everyone is welcome and I'm pretty sure this will be a very interesting workshop where you'll come away having learnt how to make a lovely bag (no doubt with recycled materials or some sort of sustainability involved)! It's all good, times are hard and if you learn how to make your own bags, no need to fork out for 'em but even better TRES UNIQUE! No-one enjoys going out and seeing the chav down the road rocking the same bag, right?? (no offence to any chavs out there!) RSVP by emailing cutshuffledeal@gmail.com so they know what numbers they are dealing with and to ensure a massive welcome :-)

Date: Wednesday 13 January
Time: 7pm - 9pm
Venue: C73, 73 Parkway, Camden, London, NW1 7PP

Don't forget that CutShuffleDeal's FREE clothing exchange finishes THIS FRIDAY! Check my other blog post HERE for details. For more information on CutShuffleDeal visit their bloggage HERE.

See you on Wednesday if you decide to attend the workshop - this is going to be the highlight of my week!
x Mets Thrifty x


Photo: Clothing exchangers getting involved in free funky badge making.... need to get my hand on a Mets Thrifty badge!!

Sunday 10 January 2010

CutShuffleDeal - FREE clothing exchange ends Friday!


Photo: CutShuffleDeal

Have you received any unwanted clothes for Christmas that you feel guilty selling on eBay or returning? Or are you busy doing a New Year cleanup of the clothes you'll never wear again, or the clothes you never wore in the first place? If that's the case, head down to the FREE pop-up clothing exchange, CutShuffleDeal in Camden. Ending on Friday 16 January (that's THIS Friday if you didn't realise!), you simply can rock up with as many clean and complete items as you like, browse the racks of lovely items for exchange and walk out with a new set of items! Sweet! And if you find something that you want but didn't bring enough items to exchange, you can simply purchase them for around £3 or £5 (approx) - all money made in this way will be donated to Greenpeace UK. CutShuffleDeal is all about creating a community spirit with a focus on sustainability - you're basically recycling unwanted clothes so this is not only to satisfy your fashion desires but to help the community too! Kudos!  Once you've exchanged your baddies for some goodies, take the time to chill out on the comfy sofas donated by the ReStore Community Projects and have some hot refreshments courtesy of ethical Fairtrade coffee, tea and cocoa producers, CafeDirect.


Photo: browse the racks of goodies and exchange your unwanted items for something new!

Date: On NOW until Friday 16 January
Time: 10am - 6pm
Venue: C73, 73 Parkway, Camden, London, NW1 7PP

For more information on CutShuffleDeal visit their website HERE.

xX Mets Thrifty Xx

Saturday 9 January 2010

Vintage Fashion Fair - Free tickets!



This one is not just for my recessionistas, its for my vintage fashionistas! On Sunday 17th January, Vintage Fashion London will be holding its first Vintage Fashion Fair of 2010. If you are a lover of vintage fashion from the 1800's to the 1980's (and who isn't, vintage is all the range these days daaaarlinnng) then you NEED to head down to the Vintage Fashion Fair in charming Primrose Hill for the opportunity to uncover and purchase unique vintage goodies from dresses and coats to bags, hats, gloves, textiles and more!  There will be 28 stands for you to browse on a lazy Sunday afternoon and with home made food and refreshments available to purchase you have no excuse not to have the energy to rummage through the racks and seek a vintage bargain! I love vintage clothing - the ultimate appeal for me is the potential story behind each vintage piece and the uniqueness of each item that cannot be found on the High Street (however much 'vintage' lines try, they just aren't the real deal right??). Note: debit/credit cards are NOT accepted at the fair so make sure you have enough cash on you - this is actually a blessing for us recessionistas; decide your budget, withdraw cash and you're guaranteed not to go overboard!

With "very wearable vintage pieces at affordable prices" this is a recessionista/fashionista's dream! I can't wait, this will be my first ever Vintage Fashion Fair and I'm uber-excited; I've done the vintage stores but with a variety of different stalls and sellers in one place (super-convenient), the Vintage Fashion Fair is bound to get my pulses racing!  I'm personally on the look out for some fab vintage accessories - hair accessories, bags, jewellery, belts and vintage leather goods! Oooooh it's gonna be so fun trying to find these treasures!


Photo: Vintage Fashion London

I'm going bright and early... who wants to join me?? Entry to the fair is £3 but Vintage Fashion London have limited FREE tickets up for grabs (did you even doubt I wouldn't have some sort of freeness involved?!).  Just click HERE to fill out your details and if successful, founder and owner of Vintage Fashion London, Marilyn, will email you a free ticket (+1 guest).

Learn more about Vintage Fashion London - a fab website for vintage fashion - and be in the know about future Vintage Fashion Fairs (it's a monthly affair fashionistas!) by visiting their lovely website www.vintagefashionlondon.co.uk.

Date: Sunday 17th January 2010
Time: 11am - 5pm
Venue: Cecil Sharp House, 2 Regents Park Road, London NW1 7AY
Closest Tube: Camden Town (although it's Sunday so you can park for free & throw your vintage goodies in the boot!)

Jeeez, can't say your No.1 Recessionista doesn't love ya!!! This is one of my fave posts for 2010 so far!
xX Mets Thrifty xX
P.S
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Thursday 7 January 2010

40% off at Yo Sushi! - WOOP!



As promised, I said I'd let you know when Yo Sushi! release their 40% off voucher.  Well today they did!  Since visiting Japan last year, I have become even more obsessed with sushi & sashimi (I even got brave and tasted fish roe - actually nice - and sea urchins - ewww disgusting!!) but after paying £1 a plate at a typical sushi bar in Tokyo (conveyor belt as standard), coming back to England has made me so reluctant to visit Yo Sushi! as the comparison in price is pretty astounding.  And as someone that could eat the fattest person in the world under the table, this means a very pricey bill (not a recessionista's dream).  HOWEVER, I am a Yo! Lover through and through and even though times are hard, my Yo Sushi! 40% off voucher will make my recessionista day by meeting up with my fellow Yo! Lover. The 40% off really does make a big difference.  We're like 2 fat kids in a sweet shop, sitting there, oggling at the dishes on the belt, waiting for our crunchy prawn sushi, crispy salmon skin, spicy tuna, california roll and of course non-sushi prawn katsu, tempura prawn, prawn yakisoba dishes (basically anything PRAWN, we are prawn fiends) to come around. I LOVE IT!

Really and truly, Yo Sushi! need to give me some sort of loyalty card for every plate I eat when I visit, because I literally eat out the entire conveyor belt!!!  Anyway enough about me and all this talk about sushi, I'm making myself dribble!!! Click HERE for your fabulous 40% off voucher!  Thanks Yo Sushi! I love ya!!

Validity: Sunday -Thursday, starts Sunday 10th January (don't embarrass yourself), not valid in Sedley Place, Selfridges London, Heathrow T3, Selfridges Trafford Centre, Selfridges Birmingham, Westfield White City or Union Square Aberdeen branches. One voucher per person, unlimited uses on voucher during promotional period.  Valid on plates off the conveyor only. 1 voucher per person, unlimited use during promotion.  Ends: Thursday 28th January

ENJOY! Mets Thrifty - 2010 and still your No.1 Recessionista! xXx

Wednesday 6 January 2010

The Rebel Cell - 2 days only! FREE tickets!


Photo: GreenwichTheatre.org.uk

Friday 22nd January & Saturday 23rd January
For 2 days only, The Rebel Cell is coming to the Greenwich Theatre and best of all, if you are UNDER 26 - your ticket is 100% FREE!!! Woop!! If you are not under 26, don't worry tickets are only £12.50 (concessions £10) so still recession busting entertainment either way. So what's it about anyway? Well first things first, The Rebel Cell is a collaboration between 'hip hop tour de force' Dizraeli (BBC R4  Poetry Slam winner, 2006/7 Farrago UK Slam Poetry Champion) and Baba Brinkman, creator of the award-winning and critically acclaimed hip-hop show, Rap Canterbury Tales.... Interesting! Check the synopsis:

"A politically charged rap fable, which has been described as ‘8 Mile meets 1984’, The Rebel Cell is... set in 2013, in a not-so-distant dystopian future England, where civil liberties are a thing of the past and Glastonbury is a Guantanamo-style prison camp for those brave enough to fight against it. Engaging directly with today’s culture of political tension in which one man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter, The Rebel Cell is an irreverent political comedy that asks challenging questions about human rights and the rule of law.  (Source: GrenwichTheatre.org.uk)

In 2008, The Rebel Cell won the Spirit of the Fringe Award at the 2008 Edingburgh Fringe Fest... All sounds pretty darn interesting, right? The Rebel Cell has been described as a 70 minute rap battle, a hip-opera and a hip-hop political satire, I'm not sure how this is going to pan out, but I do know that this production is truly intriging and I can't wait to go and see it!

To book your FREE tickets courtesy of the A Night Less Ordinary scheme (Under 26's only) contact the Greenwich Theatre box office on 020 8858 7755 and tell them you want to book The Rebel Cell as part of the scheme.  You'll need to provide your full name, address, DOB and email address/mobile number.  It's 1 free ticket per under 26 year old.  Be quick - you have only 2 showings to get tickets for, it's first come, first served and tickets are limited.  **08/01/10 Update: this is allocated seating so to book seats with your friends you must call with the above details for your entire party**

For those paying, you can purchase tickets online HERE

Hope you enjoy! Mets Thrifty x X x

50% off at The Living Room


Photo: Ameretto Sour, a signature cocktail - The Living Room

YES!! Finally something other than Italian that I can REALLY enjoy!! This one deserves a post if its own! 50% off the a la carte menu at the Living Room!!!!! If you have never been or heard of the Living Room before, it's a sophisticated restaurant and bar chain serving the best in British and European food with a slight fusion of Asian and global faves. Particular faves of mine are the tempura prawns (of course, I'm a complete LOVER of prawns - prawns 'til I die!!)  followed by the 21-day aged British rib-eye steak (yes it doesn't really go together but I'm v.weird like that!) and with 50% off the price is just right too! Other popular dishes include roasted and spatchcocked poussin, roasted organic salmon fillet and ricotta and butternut lasagna.  The menu is seasonal and varies depending on venue so you are comforted by the freshest ingredients which go through rigorous testing to ensure excellent quality cuisine.

To be completely honest, for me the food at The Living Room comes second to it's cocktails.  This is the real highlight of any visit - although the voucher is not valid on drinks, I encourage you to immerse yourself in the cocktail menu and get involved! There is a never ending variety of freshly made cocktails which can sometimes take ages to arrive (very annoying) but once you sip on one of these babies, you can't stay angry for long. Some of my faves from their Signature Menu include the Singapore Sling, Fire Island Iced Tea and of course the classic Mojito and I love the variety of Daquiri's. Let's not forget about the non-alcohlic concoctions though - Peak Performaner and What's Up Doc are particularly tasty - the fruit and veg is so fresh it tastes as if they were picked that morning!  The cocktails alone are worth rocking up to The Living Room's Signature Hour (7 days a week, 5-7pm) to take advantage of reduced priced Signature Cocktails at only £4.95. Sweeeeeet!!!

Visit the link, sign up and print your voucher off HERE

Validity: 7 days a week (yay!) but not valid after 5pm on Friday or Saturday (boo!) Venues: Bristol, Chester, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Milton Keynes, Newcastle, Nottingham, Nottingham, Oxford, Yorkand Ends: Sunday 31st January 2010

ENJOY! MT x PS don't forget to check the Fab New Year Restaurant Deals post for plenty of other restaurant deals :-)

Sunday 3 January 2010

Fab New Year Restaurant deals!

For those who love their food as much as moi, here is a dedicated New Year's dining out post just for you.  Plenty of great deals which will keep both your pallets and post-Christmas/post-New Year sales purses & wallets happy.  Don't forget to check full T&C's to make sure you don't embarrass yourself :-).  Clearly if you cannot find anything in this vast list of specials to suit your tastes, there is just no pleasing you! Why not team up a dinner at any of the below restaurants with a cheap night at the theatre? (check my blog post HERE) and I will never accuse you of being a cheap date again ;-) X MetsThrifty X

2 for 1 at ASK restaurant, nationwide. As expected, Italian restaurant chain ASK has launched a New Year promotion offering diners 2 main meals for the price of 1 (cheapest meal free). Good old Penne Polla della Casa for me! My fave ASK restaurant? London Bridge for its views. Register and download your voucher HERE. Validity: Sunday - Thursday, 1 voucher per party (max 6 pepole). Ends: Mon 1 February. Full T&Cs available here

2 for 1 on main courses at Azzuro, nationwide. Another Italian chain with a recession-busting deal. Click HERE to print your voucher, courtesy of MoneySavingExpert.com. I've never been before maybe now's the time to try?  Validity: 7 days a week (hot offer!), max party size of 6). Ends: Sunday 31st January.


2 top foodie deals at Gourmet Burger Kitchen, Nationwide. 2 fab deals but not valid until later in the month - take advantage of 1 burger, fries and a soft drink for £7.95 for yourself and for on another visit, get 2 burgers and fries to share for £10.95. Ravenous! Ooops I meant bargainous! Print your vouchers HERE.Validity: Monday - Wednesday from 18th January, not available in the Clink St, Bluewater branches and only for eat-in. Ends: Wednesday 27th January (small window of opportunity)

2 for 1 at Las Iguana, nationwide. Latin American restaurant Las Iguanas is offering diners 2 for 1 on its a la carte main menu. My fave dishes - XinXim and Moqueca, traditional Brazilian dishes...yummy and highly recommended! Print your voucher HERE, this one is courtesy of MoneySavingExpert.com Validity: Sunday - Thursday, excluding during event nights at Cardiff Stadium & O2, 1 voucher per 2 diners. Ends: Wednesday 10th February.

2 for 1 on main courses at Masala Zone, selected branches. For a little diversity, Masala zone are also offering a great recession friendly deal, but it's only available at a few of its branches. If you've not been before, think Wagamama's type setting (long benches and tables) but with Indian cuisine. Better than your local curry house I bet! Signup to the Masala Zone mailing list HERE and receive your voucher via email with a bonus of 15% off the total bill! (valid for 6 wks from date of email). Validity: Every day at Bayswater & Fulham branches, Sunday - Thursday at Camdem and Islington branches, max 8 people per voucher, eat-in only.  Ends: Sunday 31st January.

Buy 1 get 1 for £1 at The Real Greak, selected branches. For Greek food lovers head down to The Real Greek and purchase 1 meze or slouvaki and get one for a recession busting £1.The souvlaki's are particularly tasty at the Westfield branch -  perfect for dinner after a bit of late night sale shopping.  Register and receive the voucher in your inbox HERE.  Validity: Sunday - Thursday at Westfield, Spitalfields, Bankside, Hoxton, Putney & Marylebone branches, 1 voucher per table max 6 diners. Ends: Thursday 11th February

50% off all food at The Slug and Lettuce, nationwide. A good one for an after work catch-up with your colleagues with Slug & Lettuce branches throughout the capital. 50% off ALL food!  Print off your voucher HERE. Validity: Tuesday-Sunday for upto 3 people, exluding during big events at the 02 Ends: Sunday 17th January.

50% off food & drink at Tiger Tiger, nationwide. This is an absolute bargain as food and drink is pretty cheap at Tiger Tiger already.  Sign up and recieve your voucher HERE. Validity: 7 days a week 8-10pm at Cardiff, Croydon, London, Leeds,Machester, Newcastle & Portsmouth branches. 50% off food only at Aberdeen & Glasgow branches. Ends: Sunday 31st January.

40% off at Yo Sushi!, nationwide. Good old Yo Sushi! with their January sale, offering diners 40% off. Full details of this deal are TBC - vouchers will be launched this week with the 'sale' starting on Saturday 10th January... You have been warned so keep your sushi addiction at bay until this voucher is out! As soon as this voucher is released I'll let you know - follow me on Twitter for the latest. If you really can't stay away, don't forget Yo Sushi's Blue Mondays offering delicious sushi at blue plate prices (£2.20). Check HERE for full T&C's.


£1 meals at Zizzi's, nationwide. The classic is back! I must admit I'm getting sick of the Italian chains but for those that just can't get enough, this one is a great opportunity for that 1st date (no I'm kidding guys, that's a bit TOO cheap LOL). When buying a main meal, you can purchase your fellow diner an item from the 'Pizza & Calzone', 'Insalate' or 'Pasta & Risotto' sections for a mere £1, cheaper than a single journey in Zone 1 on your Oyster ;-). Register and get your voucher HERE. Validity: Sunday - Thursday for a maximum of 2 people.  Ends: Thursday 31st January.

********** UPDATED 04 January 2010 ********

Prezzo has joined the New Year 2 for 1 meal deals, (jeeez really I'm so sick of Italian now lol, other types of restaurants need to up their game!!!) but I know there are countless Italian food lovers out there, so this one is especially for you :-) Get your voucher off HERE. This voucher is exclusively available courtesy of Prezzo & vouchercodes.co.uk Thanks to @Love_Prezzo for making me aware of this one on Twitter... (I'm turning into a Twitter freak lol). 2 weeks only so make the most of it! Validity: 7 days a week (top offer!Ends: Sunday 17th January



Hello! Yeh ANOTHER Italian Chain - Pizza Express half price pizzas! Can't moan about this one though because, I HEART Pizza Express!!. Get your hands on the voucher HERE. Only on for 2 weeks so make the most of it!  Validity: 1 voucher per party (max 6) full T&Cs hereEnds: Sunday 17th January

New Year Theatre Deals: BARGAINS!

Theatre lovers who have yet to see classic musical GREASE and laugh-tastic HAIRSPRAY can now get their hands on 2for1 tickets to put a musical spring into their new year step, courtesy of Showpairs.co.uk. Offers start from Monday 4th January 2010.

**2 top price tickets to GREASE only £55** no booking fee (additional tix only £27.50). Valid for Mon-Thurs 7.30pm performances and Fri 5.30pm & 8.30pm performances only. Take advantage of this recession busting offer before Friday 30th April (exludes 8-20 Feb & 29 Mar-10 Apr). Seen Grease before? Well from Monday 25th January, there will be a refreshing new cast. Joining Noel Sullivan in his West End debut playing  leader of the T-birds, Danny Zuko will be Siobhan Dillon of How do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? fame who will take on the role of Rydell High's new and innocent (!) student Sandy. Other new cast members include bad-girl Rizzo, cutie Frenchie to name but a fave few.

Click HERE to book, you'll be a fool not too - stall seats are selling at £53.50 and £44 for ONE ticket on the official website and for £55 on Lastminute.com for top priced stalls/royal circle. Even better, you know exactly what seat you have been allocated before booking so no shocking surprises like Lastminute.com! "You're the one that I want... You are the one I want... oo oo oo... the one I neeeeeed, oh YES indeed!"

**2 top price tickets to HAIRSPRAY only £62.50** no booking fee (additional tix only £31.50 each!) Valid for Tue-Fri 7.30pm & Thu 3pm performances until Thursday 1st April (excluding 14 - 19 Feb, subject to availability). Set in typical 1960's Baltimore, USA big haired gal Tracy Turnblad (played by Chloe Hart) has a real passion for dancing and after appearing on The Corny Collins Show (how American sounding lol!) turns into an overnight celebrity (cue Kayne track). Follow Tracy's post-fame life as a national trendsetter and find out whether her mission to win over stud Link Larkin (played by Liam Tamne) is successful. More imortantly, does Tracy manage to maintain her roots (!) and keep her bigass hair do?? Hilarity, dancing, big laughs and more importantly, big hair, this is not one to be missed. Click HERE to book now and save yourself some pounds for the sales :-)

xXx Mets Thrifty xXx

Saturday 2 January 2010

2010: The Start of a Great Year!

Back from my New Year's retreat, relaxed and ready to take on the world - bring it! 2010 is definately the year of all great things I feel it in my bones!! Well as promised, I WILL be updating the blog on a reg-u-lar so make sure you follow my blog, but to keep even more up-to-date with what your No.1 Recessionista is doing and the randomness of my life, follow me in Twitterland. Don't be afraid to drop me an email just to say hi di hi either at Metsthrifty@gmail.com - I promise I'll be nice :-)

First thing's first, the "get at 'em before their gone"- events & deals ending in early 2010 that you recessionistas need to know about:

1. Seizure, 151-189 Harper Road, London, SE1 *Last day Sunday 3rd January 2010*. Art lovers and curious cats alike, if you are wondering what to do on Sunday 3rd January 2010 after all that eating, drinking and partying over the holidays, head to Harper Road early in the morning. No, I'm not sending you a random council flat in Elephant & Castle for the fun of it, I'm sending you to catch one last glimpse of Seizure, Roger Hoirns' most ambitious piece of contemporary art.

"75,000 litres of copper sulphate solution were pumped into the council flat to create a strangely beautiful and somewhat menacing crystalline growth on the walls, floor, ceiling and bath of this abandoned dwelling. [Artangel.org.uk]"

Photo: Couri-Mora, London

Nominated for the 2009 Turner Prize and commissioned by Artangel and the Jerwood Charitable Foundation, this is one piece of unique art work worth giving up the chocolates and the TV for. No booking required and best of it, it's absolutely FREE! Sunday 3rd January is the last day so make sure you pop down there bright and early. Opening times 11am - 5pm. (Note: many people have been turned away from 3pm onwards due to the volume of people - you have been warned!) Due to the nature of the artwork, I'd advise wearing very solid soled shoes (so no, not your dainty dolly shoes). For more info on Seizure and Richard Hoirns, visit the Artangel website.

2. Prezzo £10 Menu Voucher, Nationwide. After your arty morning or for those wanting to complete their Christmas holidays in style, head to Prezzo to take advantage of their Starter, Main Course & Drink for £10 (including wine or Peroni for you alchie's). Not bad for a set menu with faves such as [starters] bruschetta, mozarella garlic bread and [mains] margherita pizza, spaghetti bolognese making appearances. Register and print off your voucher HERE. Hurry! This offer ends Sunday 3rd January 2010!

3. 50% off at La Tasca, Nationwide. Italian not your thing? How about some Spanish tapas! Head down to your local La Tasca for a meaty 50% off all main menu food items... YUM! Print off the voucher HERE. This one ends on Monday 4th January 2010 so you better get your tango toes into gear!

4. Pied Piper: A Hip-Hop Revolution, The Barbican Centre, London, EC2Y 8DS. Back in December I told you all to get your hands on a pair of FREE tickets to see Pied Piper. Hopefully you listened and you've either gone or are off to see the production on its last day, Sunday 3rd January. If you didn't, unfortunately you're too late as the show is now SOLD OUT! Lesson: carpe diem, 'seize the day' (and don't lose out!) This was definately a TOP show, the dancing talent was mind-blowing and it was so positive to see the Children of Hamlet were picked from inner London schools following dance workshops and open auditions, the scene where they did their own lil' body popping an dance moves had me feeling all gushy inside :-)

Photo: Robert Day

5. Into the Hoods, Queen Elizabeth Hall (Southbank Centre), London, SE1 8XX. For those wanting to treat the kids, the other half or get together with a group of friends/family and have a feel-good night out, head down to the Elizabth Hall @ Southbank Centre before Sunday 10th January 2010 to watch Into the Hoods. You will find yourself bopping and singing away to the sounds and beats of John Legend, Bassment Jaxx, Kanye West, and Timberland in this urban fairytale. Lil Red dreams of becoming a real singing soulstress a la Mariah Carey (and gets ripped off by her manager, Wolf), Raponzel want to be a bad-ass female MC (Trina/Missy Elliot stylee), Spinderella is the finger talented DJ and Jaxx aspires to be the next Timberland (heaviest beats producer). Sure, the storyline isn't too complex or striking but the amount of work and dedication that has gone into the production is clearly displayed. The dance scenes are flawless and the incorporation of well-known tunes is on point and clearly appreciated by the audience - the cast bowed to a standing ovation - I kid you not! Fave scenes? The old peoples' home getting down with a grandpa doing the booty pop! LOL.

Learn more about the show HERE and book tickets HERE. Prices range from £15 - £27.50 for adults with 50% off for the kids. Top top: rear stalls seats priced at £20 (e.g. KK) have got just as good a view as the more expensive seats closer to the stage (e.g. FF)! Don't miss out - this show will get your 2010 started on a high! BONUS! Get to the Southbank Center at 7pm and you will be treated to [FREE!] entertainment courtesy of London based hip hop crew, 29th Chapter. Performing on the Front Room stage, the crew treat the audience to live peformances of their existing songs and freestyles of random objects in the audiences' bag (from TicTacs to headphones to BodyShop Body Butter!) - great way to pump up the audience and get the evening started.

Photo: Into the Hoods

That's all for now folks, hope you manage to make use of these last minute recession busting deals. Don't worry, for all my fellow food lovers I will have a dedicated post with all the New Year food deals following shortly along with a helping of other NY recession busting posts!

ENJOY! Mets Thrifty xoxo