Champagne lifestyle, lemondade budget

So, here's the thing. I haven't been entirely honest with you. Now I know that most of you are aware that thrifting, to use that handy American-coined verb, isn't all malodorous crimplene and chipped plates from Argos (aah, Eternal Beau...) but well, sometimes it is. Exciting as treasure hunting can be - it's still not entirely glamorous, as anyone who saw me at the last car-boot can testify.

But I've been keeping a secret. I crave new things too. Every time I'm in front of the computer, you'll find me typing my name and address into another site, clicking send, and waiting for my long suffering postman to stagger up the path under the weight of all my parcels. Often by the time they arrive I don't even know what's inside...

Recently, it was my brand new coffee machine with its milk frother. My husband loves Nintendo, so he was thrilled with his DSi. He also liked the £600 Rigby and Peller corset  - made to measure  - although the card entitling me to a year's worth of Nails inc manicures was all for my benefit. I love to have pretty nails. You wouldn't catch Keira Knightley opening her goody bag from the Baftas without polished fingertips, and I made sure I didn't let the side down when I opened mine. Champagne (of course), Grey Goose vodka, American Airlines upgrades to first class, Diptyque candle, Lancome makeup, an hour's massage at The Dorchester Spa, a Longchamps handbag...

Actual Bafta not included

Have I driven you all away in horror? Please don't go! I'm not a secret celebrity or wannabe WAG, and I'm not about to appear in a C4 documentary about compulsive shoppers.  I am of course (whisper it), a comper. All the things I mentioned above are wins from competitions - although I've been sadly neglecting my comping since starting the blog. Now I know it's not the coolest hobby - there are some hardcore types who stake out supermarkets for EF's (entry forms) and have a second (or even third) phone just for entries - but I think the results are worth the withering looks.

I've been lucky enough to win quite a few cash prizes, but if I'd had a quid for everyone who's told me "I never win everything", well it's safe to say I'd be going on a large shopping spree. It always then transpires that they never enter anything - it's a truism, but you do have to be in it to win it! There's no real secret, just volume of entries, on a regular basis, but with experience I have found ways to improve your chances. If anyone is interested in learning more, I'll do another post or two with hints and tips on winning, and where to find the best competitions.

Which brings me full circle back to blogging - although I've been spending a lot of time in blogland, this in itself is a fertile source of competitions. I was lucky enough to win a lovely prize last week - and I'd like to take this opportunity to say thanks so much to Liz at Me and My Shadow for the copy of The Crafty Kid by Kelly Doust. I loved her first book The Crafty Minx, and this looks to have more inspiring and simple ideas for makes - this time for children. I can't wait to sit down with a coffee and have a really good read through all the lovely ideas. (I've already pigged all the chocodores chocolate buttons Liz put in as an extra treat, cheers Liz!)

You're probably all familiar with how a blog giveaway works, there's usually a requirement to be a follower, leave a comment or maybe answer an easy question.Other times you need to visit a website and choose your favourite item, or 'like' a company on Facebook. Sometimes you can obtain extra entries for posting about the competition, adding a button to your sidebar, or letting your followers know via Twitter. In fact, there is a competition running right now on Fashion Pearls of Wisdom with the rather marvellous prize of a £20 voucher for Pearl's fabulous online vintage emporium http://www.shopstreetstyle.com/. Why not go and check it out?

In fact, why not enter the competitions currently running on these all these lovely blogs?

Vain Glory Sinner

Bee Happy

The White Chair
Lady Cherry Loves
Raine and Sage
Scarlett Loves Elvis
Home Made Gorgeous
Me and My Shadow
A Thrifty Mrs

Good luck everyone, and if there's anything you'd like me to cover if I write more about competitions, please let me know! 

Linking up to Thrifty Thursdays  at Born Again Crafter, and  the Penny Pinching Party. Also Thrifty Things Friday