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If you have never considered alternative business finance before, it’s definitely a daunting thing to explore. Money certainly isn’t something to be taken lightly. But for many business owners and self-employed people, forms of alternative finance such as invoice financing can be invaluable. One of these forms is invoice financing - a good option to explore for any business who relies on invoices being paid on time.

What is invoice financing?

If you rely on people paying their invoices on time - which many bloggers like myself do - invoice financing could be a hugely beneficial form of alternative finance to consider. With invoice financing, you can release the cash that’s tied up in your unpaid invoices and get paid up front without having to wait until the end of the payment term.

Invoice financing has found its success by being unrestrictive, low risk and by boasting high and fast approval rates. Once an account is up and running, funds can typically be accessed within 24 hours. Plus, there’s no real estate invoices which makes it much lower risk. If you were to turn to a traditional route of business finance you’d likely have to put up personal or commercial real estate as security. With invoice financing, the value of the invoices secures the finance, so real estate assets will never be at risk.

So, how does that work? You basically sell your invoices to a third party for a percentage of their value. Once paid, the lender pays you the remaining balance minus their fee. You are essentially using your invoices as collateral for a loan to keep your cash flow in check. There are a few different forms of invoice financing, however they are all very similar. The aforementioned is called invoice discounting.

Invoice discounting basically means that everything will be financed automatically and up front. The difference between this product over others is that the invoice financier wouldn’t manage your sales ledger or collect debts on your behalf, so it’s down to you to remain the point of contact for your customers or the brands that you’re working with, which is attractive for many business owners and self-employed people!

What are the other types of invoice financing? 

As well as invoice financing, there’s invoice factoring and invoice trading. In a nutshell, invoice factoring works in a very similar way to invoice discounting, aside from the fact that you don’t remain the point of contact when chasing those payments. It’s down to the lender. Some people like this as it frees up their time, but some people don’t want their customers or brands to know that they are using alternative finance - not that it should ever reflect badly on you or your business! It simply shows that you are being responsible with your cash flow.

Invoice trading is quite different as it is based on the principle of peer-to-peer lending. You would auction your invoices individually or in bundles to bidders who then compete to offer the most competitive price to advance them the funds.The seller then purchases back the invoice from the buyer, choosing whether to do so after 30, 60 or 90 days.

How much does invoice financing cost? 

The cost of invoice financing will depend on which option you choose - discounting, factoring or trading. There’s usually a facility fee (a one-off fee applied for setting up the credit agreement) of 0.5-2.5%, along with a charge for the finance on each invoice which again is usually anything from 1-3% over BBR. This fee will probably vary between providers and you might find that fees for discounting will be lower than for factoring because there are fewer services being provided by the credit company.

Then you have the cost of the borrowing itself. For each invoice that you receive an advance for, you’ll be charged a small finance fee - think of it like the interest on a loan, which is usually a few percent. This fee is to cover the time between you receiving the funds and the finance provider receiving the funds from the cleared invoice.

If you are expecting payments from outstanding invoice and it’s causing you cash flow issues, consider invoice financing. Compared to a traditional bank loan the amounts are often much smaller and the terms of repayment are shorter. It’s simple, straightforward and means that you can move forward without having to rely on other people paying up.

Earlier this week I was very kindly invited to visit my local Cote Brasserie restaurant in Manchester with guests for a complimentary meal and drinks which was in equal parts an exciting but also an anxiety inducing offer. I'm lucky enough to receive a fair amount of lovely event invites and review experiences but I end up turning down the vast majority of emails as my anxiety prevents me from accepting.

However, I didn't want to turn down this offer as it would be a fantastic opportunity to treat my friends but also because my parents love Cote Brasserie and visited a few days before I did to celebrate their wedding anniversary. I'm so glad that I visited the restaurant and I'm grateful for the lovely invite as we had a fantastic evening and meal!
Cote Brasserie is a French restaurant chain with restaurant locations around the UK from Bristol, Bath and Brighton to Windsor, Wimbledon and Worcester. There are a variety of menus to choose from including the pre-theatre, breakfast, gluten free and children's menu to the prestige set menu and vegan/vegetarian menu. I naturally chose the vegetarian and vegan menu (as they have recently expanded their vegetarian and vegan range) but they had such a great variety of options on all of their menus so you're bound to find something you'll love.

Upon arriving we were greeted by the lovely staff at the Manchester restaurant and were seated. The decor within the restaurant is luxe but also very cosy and inviting which creates such a relaxing atmosphere. I never usually visit any restaurants as I can feel a little uncomfortable so it was a refreshing and very welcome change to the usual tense and slightly awkward feeling I typically experience.
I was given the option for the vegetarian and vegan menu which included quite a few main courses that I could choose from but I had to choose the Wild Mushroom and Walnut Parmentier (doesn't it sound delicious) as well as the Lemon Sorbet, both of which are vegan. I never choose a starter, wherever I go but my friends chose the fougasse, prawn gratinee and chicken liver parfait, all of which they loved (the fougasse looked absolutely delicious and I wish there was a vegan option available).

Being vegan, or vegetarian, can be a little tricky when it comes to eating in restaurants or even takeaways as there are usually sides and other options that seem vegan but they aren't labelled as such but thankfully on the Cote Brasserie menu, all of the vegan options are labelled as vegan including the frites and salads etc.
 
The vegan mushroom and walnut parmentier was so delicious and very moreish! It is almost a vegan version of a cottage pie, of sorts, so it is naturally very comforting and filling. French cuisine isn't something I'm very familiar with, especially since I became mostly vegan a few years ago but I wish it was a style of cooking I'd explored sooner as I don't think many French recipes are naturally vegan without making any changes. I would love to try and recreate this vegan parmentier sometime in the future as I think it would make a great main for family dinners.

My friends all chose from the a la carte menu and opted for the steaks which were all served with the most adorable cup of fries! Everyone loved their starter and main course and they were all served by friendly and attentive staff who were kind enough to explain the options, offer bread for the table and always be on hand for questions or ask if we needed anything.
Finally for dessert, I chose the lemon sorbet which is a sweet treat I've had on holiday in the Mediterranean so it always brings back summer holiday memories. There was a lemon or raspberry option and it was tempting to chose both but I'm glad I chose lemon as it was delicious and far creamier and flavourful than I remember the Mediterranean offerings being. My friend chose the praline crepes which looked incredible and the chocolate fondant that was the most indulgent chocolaty treat!

We all had such a lovely evening filled with lots of laughter and delicious food which is something we all needed so I'm very grateful for the review opportunity! Everything was perfect, from the food and presentation to the welcoming staff, decor and the calm, cosy atmosphere. As I've said, I don't typically enjoy going to restaurants on the whole but I would highly recommend Cote Brasserie and I would love to visit again (particularly as I loved their vegan options), which is something I didn't think I'd say about any restaurant.


*gifted

I'm trying to stick to my rule of publishing my reviews of the wonderful DegustaBox packages within the month so today's post is my review of the February DegustaBox which is themed around Easter! You can read my previous DegustaBox reviews and subscription box reviews for more information. Also, check out my latest giveaway on Twitter for a chance to win a Slip Silk Sleep Mask (worth £50).

*DegustaBox - February 2020 

I always love the theme for each DegustaBox and this months theme is perfect - Easter. The box contains a plethora of delicious snacks, so many of which are vegan! There's a great range of products from cooking ingredients and milkshakes to vegan chocolate, snack bars and easy lunch ideas. The brands vary from Heinz, Very Lazy and Galaxy to KitKit, Trek, Grey Poupon and more.

*Galaxy Vegan Bars (£3, each)

Let's start with the most exciting products in the box - the new vegan chocolate bars from Galaxy. Thankfully before I switched to a fully vegan diet at the beginning of 2019, I didn't love chocolate and I have to admit that vegan chocolate isn't fantastic. However, the new Hotel Chocolat vegan nutmilk batons are incredible and a very close second has to be the Galaxy bars. I bought the caramelised hazelnut bar a few weeks ago and loved it so I was very happy to see not one but three bars in the February box.

As I'm a DegustaBox ambassador I am lucky enough to receive multiple flavours of some of the items in the box but you will only receive one of the three flavours, either caramelised hazelnut, caramel and sea salt or orange. I haven't tried the latter but I definitely recommend the caramelised hazelnut and caramel and sea salt flavours!

*Trek Protein Flapjacks - Cocoa Oat (£2.50)

Another product that I've purchased previously are the protein flapjacks from Trek. I purchased a bulk box of the bars (in the cocoa oat flavour) a couple of months ago as they're a great on the go, heathy and filling snack bar so I was happy to receive more. The bars contain 9g of protein, they're vegan and they are very moreish. I will definitely buy more again in the future!

*Jacked Foods Jackfruit Chunks and Ndizi Banana (£1.89)

One of my favourite things about the DegustaBoxes is the inclusion of a range of products and brands that I haven't heard of before, such as these dried fruit pieces. I haven't tried the jackfruit option but the ndizi banana pieces were surprisingly delicious - I don't usually like bananas or banana flavoured snacks but I loved these.

*My Sweet Chickpea (£1.25)

Another sweet vegan treat are these chocolate coated roasted chickpeas from My Sweet Chickpea. Firstly, the brand name and packaging is amazing! As well as the dried jackfruit and dried banana from Jacked Foods, I also didn't know if I'd like these - I haven't tried chickpeas in anything other than savoury meals but they were very addictive!

*Heinz Pasta Shapes (55p each)

I used to love tinned pasta like this growing up, especially if the pasta was in the shape of a cartoon or movie character so I knew that my friends son would love these too so I've passed them on as he likes Paw Patrol which is one of the pasta shapes. There should be two tins including Paw Patrol and Frozen in the February box.

*KitKat Easter Bunny (65p each)

The easter specific product in the box are two cute KitKat easter bunny chocolates - which you should also receive two of. I loved receiving chocolates likes this during easter as a child and if there was a vegan version that would be perfect. They are gluten free, free from colour/preservatives and they are vegetarian.

*Shaken Udder Milkshakes (£1.40)

Occasionally there will be a voucher within the box for a free product that isn't in the box as it is a fresh or refrigerated product and the voucher in the February box is for a free milkshake by Shaken Udder (which if I'm honest is such a stomach turning brand name, sorry). There are many flavours, some of which contain fresh fruit or Belgian chocolate as well as cows milk. The milkshakes are gluten free, they contain less than 5% added sugar and they are suitable for vegetarians.

*Livia's Salted Caramel Million Squares (£1.50)

The last vegan chocolatey snack is the very gooey squares from Livia's. I absolutely adore the peanut butter and jelly Dunx from Livia's but sadly they are discontinued (cries, literally). While I don't love these like the previous Livia's product, I do still like them. I think they're a great indulgent on the go snack.

*Very Lazy Slow Cooker Pastes (£1.99 each) 

I love the Very Lazy garlic and ginger jars and it's something I will continue to purchase but I didn't know they made any other products. You should receive one of the two paste flavours, either smoky Spanish stew or harissa tagine. I haven't tried either yet but they are both vegan which is great!

*Grey Poupon Dijon Mustard (£1.50)

Another cooking ingredient within the box is the Grey Poupon dijon mustard which is a brand that has been included within a previous DegustaBox. I'm not really a fan of mustard but my mum loves this one and she loved the others within the December box too.

*Lost Coast Fruit Spritzer (£2.49)

The second and final drink included is a bit of an unusual product as I received the sparkling apple cider vinegar juice with mango, turmeric and ginger...it sounds like a very strange but healthy combination. I love the packaging and design but I was definitely a little wary about trying this product and if I'm honest, I still don't know how to feel about it. It definitely tastes of turmeric and it's quite tangy but it is also fruity and sweet so you'll have to try it for yourself! There are two other flavours you could have received instead in your box.

*Mug Shot High Protein Roast Chicken Pasta (£1.29)

Last but not least is an easy work lunch option from Mug Shot. I used to love their cheesy pasta pots but sadly I don't think any of them are vegan - it would be amazing if they brought out a few vegan flavours! This one isn't vegan or vegetarian as it contains chicken (unlike the vast majority of products like this that are 'chicken' flavoured). It contains 13g of protein and is less than 260 calories.

Overall, I'm very happy with the February box as it contains so many delicious sweet vegan treats but my favourite item by far has to be the Galaxy vegan bars (in particular the caramelised hazelnut flavour) as well as the Trek bars. Don't forget to use the code DTPL4 to get £5 off your first box!


*Gifted

Earlier this month myself and my mum were invited to a lovely event with Moonpig at Whitworth Locke in Manchester and we were treated to one of the loveliest blogger events I've ever been to. I've used Moonpig for friends birthday cards for years so I was excited to attend the event, especially as I was able to share the experience with my mum - she hasn't been to a blog event before!

We were greeted by the lovely Moonpig team and after a presentation about all of the wonderful products and ethos of Moonpig, we were split into groups and we were able to take part in four different activities throughout the night. I've been to a few blog events and none of them have involved set activities which made them so awkward but having a more structured event made for a very enjoyable and entertaining event.

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One of my smaller goals for 2020 was to register at my local dentist as it's something I've been putting off for years and thankfully earlier this month I did it! I'm so glad that I did as dental hygiene and health are incredibly important but I think that it is something many of us neglect, either because of a lack of time or anxiety, the latter is something I definitely struggled with. As well as registering at my dentist, there are a couple of cosmetic dentistry procedures I'd like to potentially look into for 2020 as well such as teeth whitening.

Braces 

I think that braces, of all kinds, are the most common form of cosmetic dentistry. Thankfully I've never had to wear braces but a few of my friends growing up and my sister have had to wear braces which doesn't look like the most comfortable process but there are new options available such as invisible braces. The James Clinic is an orthodontic clinic with various locations throughout Ireland that offer a range of treatments such as implants, teeth whitening, root canal treatments, dental hygiene services and much more.

They offer a couple of adult orthodontic options including Damon braces and Lingual braces, the latter is an invisible brace. Until my sister started using an invisible brace a couple of years ago, I had no idea that they were an option as growing up in the 90's, anyone who had to wear a brace only had the option of metal braces with colourful elastics but now there are much more discreet options available. Invisible braces seem like a fantastic option for those who need or want straighter teeth with an effective but discreet solution.

Implants & Teeth Whitening

Implants are artificial teeth that replace missing teeth and they are usually composed of titanium; dental implants can be used for a variety of reasons and they provide the base for crowns, dentures or bridges. Again, dental implants aren't something I currently need but teeth whitening is an option I'm considering. I've tried a few at home kits and a couple of them seem to have worked fairly well, although I'm always a little terrified if something goes wrong!

I would love to have my teeth professionally whitened as while I don't smoke and I look after my teeth, I do drink coffee everyday and my teeth aren't as white as they could be. The treatment offered at The James Clinic involves custom trays that are filled with the teeth whitening bleach which can be used in the comfort of your own home - it sounds like an ideal treatment to try as it is probably a much safer option compared to the at home kits you can buy.

Dental Hygiene & Cleaning 

Lastly, an option that combines teeth health and cosmetic dentistry in a way is basic dental maintenance and cleaning. As I've mentioned, I recently registered at my local dentist (which was nothing like my previous dental practice which was more reminiscent of a horror movie set) and the dentist cleaned my teeth which was a bizarre experience but it is something that is very important and shouldn't be ignored.

An interesting treatment, in terms of hygiene services offered at The James Clinic, is 'air polishing' which is a new polishing treatment that uses air, water and a specifically made powder to remove staining from tea, coffee and red wine which sounds fantastic and it is something that I wish my local dentist could offer!

It's that time of the month again for my review of the new Latest In Beauty edit! I'm lucky enough to be sent their boxes to review but I have bought their boxes in the past. As well as their monthly edits, they have limited edition collections available as well such as the new 2020 Beauty Resolutions Box (£28, worth over £152) which I've already reviewed on my blog.

*Latest In Beauty February Box - Brush Crush Edit

If you're not familiar with Latest In Beauty, they release a new selection of products every month and there's a new theme each month. Unlike most subscription boxes, you can choose every single item in the box from their selection (don't worry as there are almost 150 products to choose from) with new items added everyday. You can choose the number of items in your box as well, from the 'beauty novice' box at £16, the 'beauty enthusiast' box at £22 and the 'beauty guru' box at £25 all of which are the one off boxes but you can opt for the cheaper monthly subscription instead.

*MAC Cosmetics Lipstick in Chilli 

Each month there are a couple of 'hall of fame' and star products and for the month of February there's an extra special 'hall of fame' product and it's a MAC lipstick! I was very excited to see a MAC Cosmetics lipstick within the selection for February as it's such a famous and coveted brand. I have a few MAC products including their lipsticks and out of the products I've tried, the eyeshadows and lipsticks are the ones worth purchasing. The shade available on Latest In Beauty is Chilli which is a beautiful brick red shade which is something I usually wouldn't buy as it isn't the most flattering in terms of the colour of your teeth; however it is such a beautiful shade!

*Hairflick Vegan Hair Vitamins 

One of my favourite things about the Latest In Beauty Boxes is the wide range of items that include in their selection each month and the inclusion of products I never would have heard about otherwise, such as these vegan hair vitamins. I'm always on the look out for vegan vitamins as I don't love the taste of the ones I have been using for a while so I had to give these a go. Firstly, I love the packaging and thankfully they taste delicious! They have a 'blue raspberry' flavour which is very unusual but I love it and I will be picking up more of these vitamins in the future.

*SportFX Eyelash Curler

If you've been following my blog since last summer then you might remember that back in July I had laser eye surgery and because of that I had to throw away all of my old eye makeup as well as a few tools such as my very worn and beloved Tweezerman Eyelash Curler so I was happy to find one on Latest In Beauty as I hadn't purchased a replacement. The Tweezerman eyelash curler was fantastic and probably the best I've ever used but this one is a great second as unlike most eyelash curlers, this one fits the deep set shape of my eye really well. It doesn't pinch the skin, it is easy to use and I'd definitely recommend it.

*Erborian CC Cream 

I've been a little obsessed with Japanese and Korean food and culture recently and I wanted to try more Korean beauty products too so I added the Erborian CC Cream to my box. I've heard great things about this brand but sadly this CC cream just isn't for me. It is an off white cream that when blended into the skin becomes a skin tone shade (I have the shade Clair) but it isn't hydrating or quite light enough for my skin unfortunately.

*SportFX Body Build Dry Shampoo 

The final Sport FX product I wanted to try was their volumising dry shampoo which claims to be perfect for all hair types and is specifically formulated for active lifestyles. I do like this dry shampoo, it helps my hair to look a little fresher in-between washes but it isn't the best dry shampoo I've tried - I'm still on the hunt for the best so if you have any recommendations, leave them in the comments.

*Pure Essentiel Rest and Relax Air Spray 

I love using room sprays, candles and diffusers, especially if they contain relaxing ingredients or scents such as lavender so I had to try this mini 'air spray'. It contains twelve essential oils and is 100% natural. The scent is very strong but I love it and I will be looking out for this brand and product in the future.


*gifted