Our mate* Howard got in touch** and asked us to post some money-saving tips for all those debt-ridden students out there… here’s what he had to say:

“Easy everyday savings ideas

 

Saving money us not easy, especially in today’s turbulent economic climate. Money is tight, but there are a few easy everyday ways that you can save a little cash here. Before you start saving, ensure you open a savings account with a good interest rate. You can even open online savings accounts.

 

Try:

• Cutting all unnecessary bills. If you are finding money tight and you need to make savings, you might want to consider cancelling that gym membership that you never use or getting rid of your cable TV subscription. This can save you hundreds of pounds a year.

 

• Going to free events and days out. If you take the time to look, you’ll find that there are loads of free events and activities going on in your local area. Try going to these rather than spending money on days and nights out. This money saving tip is perfect for families looking for things to do in the summer holidays.

 

• Installing energy saving devices. Many energy companies now offer their customers energy monitors, which let you know how much electricity you’re using. Along with these, you might want to replace all your light bulbs with more energy-efficient versions, and get a water saving device fitted in your shower. These measures can shave quite a bit off your household bills.

 

• Making a list and sticking to it every time you go shopping. It’s easy to become distracted in the supermarket and end up buying more than you need. If you stick to a list, you will only buy what you need and can save yourself some money.

 

Try all of these tips and see how much money you could save – your savings account will thank you!”

 

*by “mate”, I mean someone I’ve seen on TV

**it almost certainly wasn’t Howard who got in touch… but we can’t say for sure

 

Today marked the most stylish race of the year: the University of Cambridge Cardboard Boat Race.  Having spent months locked in the library, students aren’t quite sure what to do with themselves once exams are over.  Whilst some gingerly tiptoe back into the real world, and a minority head back to the library having developed ARDS (Acquired Revisionary Deficiency Syndrome), thousands gather to race in and watch the spectacle that is the cardboard boat race.

The rules are simple: you must build a boat using nothing more than cardboard, duct tape, and water-soluble PVA… these unorthodox vessels are then raced down the river Cam.

With more confidence than duct tape, we began strapping cardboard boxes together half an hour before the race was due to kick off.  Meanwhile the competitors kept arriving, showboating their unsinkable ships to the torrents of crowds that were gathering… there was a giant 12-man shark vessel, a delicately decorated swan boat, and even a floating human hamster wheel.  Were we phased?  Pfhah!

 

The race began at 2pm.  For some, the sea is in their blood… for Ross and I, sailing a calamitously top-heavy boat, the river was soon in our stomachs.  Having heard stories about Weil’s disease and flesh eating bacteria, we were aware that the Cam wasn’t the cleanest river in the world… still, we were in a race, and we were British, damn it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We continued to splash wildly, sprawled across our upturned boat… but with no scuba equipment, we were forced to withdraw from the race as our boat went submarine.

 

… maybe next year…

One of the things we love most about BuyMyFace is the perks. We get sent a lot of cool stuff! From crisps, theatre tickets, dinners, scarves, jellybeans, hoodies, Santa hats, sweet peas, shirts, lordships, and beanbags, the BuyMyFace boys have enjoyed the finer things in life these past six months.

 

When MYO Fashion bought our faces for the day, we were thrilled to hear they would also be sending our girlfriends some clothes to wear. After breaking the news to Ed that he wouldn’t be getting any new lacy skirts for himself, we told the girls, and began planning what to order from the catalogue. We decided on the below:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now I know what you’re thinking: ‘I’m in love with Ross & Ed! I wish there were some pictures of them for me to look at too.’ Well never fear loyal fans, we also took a trip up to London for a photo shoot with the MYO photographer. Unfortunately, the camera used was subsequently stolen – presumably for the valuable content. It seems our foray into the modeling industry has been foiled at the first hurdle. But just so you have the right idea, the photos looked something like this…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s been a pretty packed week here at the BuyMyFace head office. It all kicked off with a very confusing conversation between Ed and me…

 

English Sweet Peas

 

Ed: Ah yeh, we’re having sweet peas for breakfast!

Ross: What?

Ed: English Sweet Peas just sent us a batch of their finest product. Yum!

Ross: Sorry to burst your bubble here man, but I don’t think you can eat those.

Ed: Sure you can! ‘Sweet’ is a taste, and ‘Peas’ are something you eat. Besides, I’ve already had a packet of the seeds. They were goooooooood!

Ross: …

Ed: Do you want some?

Ross: No thanks Ed.

 

And with that, the week was underway. Ed had inadvertently ingested plant life, and I had a good feeling about things to come.

 

 

Twice

 

The following day we were whisked away to visit our sponsors at the annual Country Living Fair. It was actually pretty good! After some photos with Caroline from Twice, we went in search of some free tasters in the food section – a bit of cheddar cheese, a tiny cup of ginger ale, and a big mouthful of apple and sage sausage was all we needed for a well-balanced lunch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Big Drop with Ernst & Young

 

After the adrenaline rush that was the Country Living Fair, Ed and I felt pretty solid. ‘It’s going to be smooth sailing from here pal’ I said. I was wrong.

 

Once again, the world was in danger of complete destruction. It’s only hope, two masked heroes armed to the teeth with cheesy smiles and bad catchphrases … that’s right, it’s Super Ross and Incredible Ed! NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA Batma… I mean, Super Ross and Incredible Ed!

 

Our mission (regardless of whether we choose to accept it): to abseil down from the ninth floor of the Ernst & Young London office, thus raising money for Sport Relief and once and for all foiling Dr Doom’s evil plan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Indeed, we managed to flex our super hero muscles and prove to the world the awesome power of the BuyMyFace boys. But for those of you who still doubt our power…

 

 

(video courtesy of Aleks from Jump Off The Screen)

 

 

Introducing Lord Ross and Lord Ed

 

Now, most of you know us as Supreme Chancellor and Executive Titan of a multinational company. And that’s true. However, Ed and I are always on the lookout for new names. Thanks to Highland Titles, you may now refer to us as Lord Ross and Lord Edward esquire.

 

We have each been given one square foot of Scottish Highland, making us land owners, and giving us the right to the title of Lord (Lady if you’re a girl).

 

In honour of our new-found nobility, we poured a glass of brandy, retired to the drawing room (a.k.a Living Room) and basked in one another’s pride. Utterly spiffing old chap!

 

 

 

 

We had to be on top form tonight, as we were out out for a meal with Ross’ dad and his work colleagues.  I was rehearsing my lines in front of the mirror:

Ed: Hi, my name is Ed, and I’m with Ross’ dad.  Instead of getting a job, Ross and I decided to paint our faces for a living, which is why I’m now a semi-permanent addition to the Harper family.

Nailed it!  Succinct, coherent, and is sure to avoid opening a potential can of worms.

Ross: Err… Ed… err… about tonight

Ed: Yea [polishing shoes]

Ross: Maybe you should go crash elsewhere

Ed: …

Ross: It’s not you – it’s me.

Ed: … really?

Ross: No.  It’s you.  I’m afraid it’d just be too weird if you came.

 

So it was decided.  I took my unwelcome guest services elsewhere – to Pizza Express with my girlfriend and all of her uni friends.  Ahhhhh, balance restored.

Twas the night before Valentine’s Day, when all through the market,

Not a flower was bought, not even an orchid,

The overpriced cards mass produced without care,

In hopes that consumers soon would be there.

 

Needless to say, I’m not a big fan of Valentine’s Day, and unfortunately it’s beating me this year – I feel slightly ashamed to say that I’ve gone for the flowers and card combo.

Valentine’s Day: 1, Ed: 0

However, I’ll be levelling the playing field by getting dinner in tomorrow – fajitas, with mouth-watering half price vanilla Haagen Daz for dessert.  Yum!

Valentine’s Day: 1, Ed: 1

… and what will I be doing with the time saved not travelling on a jam-packed tube to a crowded restaurant?… well…

Louise: 1

 

Remember back at Christmas when my girlfriend, Laura, fell in love? Not with me but with my baby cousin, Annabelle. Well today was a bad day. Annabelle had come to visit, which in itself isn’t a bad thing, but unfortunately, the term ‘visit’ has an implicit consequence – the visitor has to leave. After a weekend of being transformed into a smiling, giggling, cuddling machine, Laura was left with a void that could only be filled with intolerance… for me!

 

Ross: Hey Laura, can I get you a cup of tea.

Laura: No you can’t get me a cup of tea! I made myself one yesterday and I haven’t wanted one since!

Ross: Oh, sorry, I didn’t know that. Um, can I get you anything else?

Laura: If I want something, I’ll ask for it.

Ross: Ok.

Laura: Ross, I want you to shut up.

Ross: …?

 

 

 

Dearest blog readers, we’re sorry. BuyMyFace.com was having some boring techy stuff done to it in order to keep it working. That’s why BuyMyFace.com looked funny for a few days, and that’s why we haven’t been able to blog either… but we’ve fixed that, so go back, read up, and eat your heart out. We’re back:

 

Today we rounded off the week with an event organized by Ernst & Young. The Cambridge economics society descended on a conference room at St Catherine’s college for a series of talks on life as an accountant. Now I know what you’re thinking, “Sounds fun, but what really interests me as a reader is drinks and nibbles”. Well get ready to have your mind blown! There was orange juice, sparkling water, wine, and even little canapes on edible spoons made of wafer.

 

Oh yeh, also, Ernst & Young gave away an iPod to one of the guests.

 

 

Facebook is a part of all our lives. I’m willing to admit that without it, I’d be nothing. Yes, logging-on is as natural to me as eating, sleeping, and even breathing, so imagine my delight when I heard that Ernst & Young would be hiring us to, in a nutshell, use facebook.

 

In true E&Y style, we were kitted out in bright yellow hoodies, anoraks, and umbrellas, and to top it all off, we were once again smothered with hundreds of packets of jellybeans – the horror! After dropping our bags off in the room we rented from our old college, we hit the town with our faces painted and our hands full of jellybeans. People say you should never accept sweets from a stranger… I’m guessing the students of Cambridge didn’t get the memo.