As the world continues to struggle its way out of the economic crisis, consumers continue to be hesitant to spend. Gone are the days when you wouldn’t think twice about treating yourself to a whole new wardrobe for your summer holiday.
It didn’t surprise me to hear a report last summer that said women spend more on their holiday wardrobe than the actual holiday itself. But I doubt that these figures still stand with people being hesitant to even go on holiday this summer, and are instead choosing a stay-cation.
Believe me - I love nothing more than the thrill of buying a brand new dress and wearing it for the first time, waiting for the compliments to come my way. However, I have recently told myself that I have more than enough dresses, skirts, t-shirts, flip-flops (you get the idea) and I don’t actually need another maxi dress.
Even our royals are being thrifty with their fashion. Princess Anne was recently seen in her favourite beautiful canary yellow coat dress at Ascot, and we know it’s a favourite because she has been photographed in the coat at numerous events since she first wore it back in the 70s. Now that’s what you call vintage.
The newest addition to the royal family, Kate Middleton, has been lauded for her thrifty fashion sense since becoming the Duchess of Cambridge. The Duchess could of course have her pick of designer couture but has instead relied on old favourites for first official engagements.
Once upon a time, it was a cardinal sin in the world of fashion and celebrity to be seen in the same outfit twice. However, Kate has been seen in various outfits more than once. She was recently photographed at Prince Philip’s 90th birthday in a blue coat and dress ensemble, which she, shock horror, wore for a friend’s wedding a couple of years ago.
And most recently, on her first official royal visit to Canada, the Duchess wore the same elegant white dress (from high street shop Reiss), which she wore for the official engagement photos with her Prince. This time she teamed it with a fabulous red hat and an apt Maple brooch borrowed from the Queen, no less.
The Duchess is sending out a clear message that she intends to be frugal and will not be taking her new royal standing for granted in this time of economic downturn. She reportedly said that she does not want to be a “clothes horse”.
The Duchess is already under scrutiny for her fashion choices and will be an ambassador of British fashion and style, whether she likes it or not! And we should be taking tips from our savvy future Queen, who has seen theimportance of accessories and how they can transform an outfit into a whole new look.
Take that black maxi dress in the back of your wardrobe fromlast summer. If you teamed it last summer with gold flip-flops and bangles for a glam look, why not add a fringed waistcoat and peacock feather earrings for a bohemian look? Or if you’re brave and a lover of colour, why not try this summer’s neon trend and wear a neon-pink, blue or yellow blouse over the top of the maxi and tie it at the waist to add some structure. This will also act as a cover-up when it gets sunny or for the top of your arms.
So invest in some key accessories that nod to summer trends – a string of pearls, a fedora hat, vintage sunglasses, an embroidered cover-up, a statement necklace, a brightly coloured belt and a fringed-hand bag. Add any of these to a tired-looking little black dress, a pair of jeans or your favourite sundress, and you will instantly bring your outfit bang up-to-date.
Tuesday, 21 February 2012
Monday, 20 February 2012
A Guide to Sale Shopping
I always like the thought of sales but that nice thought is quickly extinguished when I attempt to even get to the rails of half-priced clothing.
I don't cope too well in crowds and there isn't a scarier crowd than those at the sales! Give me a crowd of football hooligans any day - they're pussycats compared to the hoards of women with their claws out clambering to get a bargain.
The crowds are filled with certain types of sale shoppers that must be avoided at all costs in order to have a stress-free bargain hunt.
I don't cope too well in crowds and there isn't a scarier crowd than those at the sales! Give me a crowd of football hooligans any day - they're pussycats compared to the hoards of women with their claws out clambering to get a bargain.
The crowds are filled with certain types of sale shoppers that must be avoided at all costs in order to have a stress-free bargain hunt.
The worst sale shopper is that really annoying competitive type that is on one hell of a mission. You know the one, she has to get her hands on every coat hanger, shoving them so fast along the rail you wander if she has actually looked at the dress or skirt that is before her eyes. It is a major competition for her - she must see and claim the bargain before anyone else.
The everywhere-you-go sale shopper is another stress inducer. She is responsible for that irritating tug you'll feel on the hanger, which the amazing bargain dress you have finally found is hanging on. You'll peer over the clothing rail, and yes, there she is! She wants your bargain. I suggest a raise of the eyebrow (to show you mean business) and a swift, firm tug. Hurry away to the queue with your head held high.
The other irritant you may find in the sales is the slow-pacer. You walk into a shop and you eye up the rails of treats before you. Your breath becomes short, the adrenaline inside you rises... Hang on, how can the person in front be moving so slowly? This sale shopper thinks this time of year is like any other, where you can have a leisurely stroll round the shops. She's obviously not a bargain hunter and can afford the full price, next season collection - even in broke January. Does she not realise there are bargains to be had? Does she think those rails of 75% off will hang around? MOVE!
I ventured into the sales with my best friend Deb and her baby, Grace (i.e pram issues). Probably not the easiest accessory for the narrow aisles, which seem to get even narrower when the floor is piled with garments flung from their hangers during the sale riots. I am usually one of those shoppers that get impatient if I am confronted with a pushchair when shopping, but since pushing round baby Grace in a packed out Primark on a Friday afternoon, I have found a whole new sympathy for stressed out mothers laden with children and shopping bags.
We found out that the pram was a fantastic way to get some crowd control. We just so happened to place the pram innocently across an aisle of clothing we rather liked. It was heaven to have some space to look at the clothes and luckily baby Grace is absolutely beautiful so anyone who looked annoyingly towards the pram was soon gushing!
It has recently been revealed that women will spend £71 on items of clothing they will never wear during the sales season.
To avoid having a wardrobe full of 70% off bright orange dresses a size to small or sequin tops you won't be able to wear until next Christmas, it is best to look ahead at what is 'in' next season.
Take a look at the trends in fashion magazines - Instyle has fantastic style guides along with Glamour, Elle and Marie Claire. Look the at the key colours, the shapes of dresses that will be fashionable and the style of trouser that will be hot.
I would also recommend buying classic pieces in the sale. These are items that will never go out of style and will always have a place in your wardrobe. A trench coat, wide leg trousers, a shift dress, an A-line skirt, a white blouse and a good court shoe.
I know (too well) how hard it is not to be fooled by the 50% off price tags on something you wouldn't normally dream of buying. The best thing to do when thinking about buying into a bargain is to stand back, look at the dress, trousers or top and think... "Would I even dream of buying it, if it hadn't got half the price knocked off?"
Everyone loves a bargain. You feel a real achievement when returning home and announcing proudly that the dress was originally £100 but you got it for £20. The thing is... you have to think why it wasn't so popular the first time round. Shops tend to pile up the sales rails with last summers unwanted items - rails of embellished, garish vest tops, leopard print fur, white leather jackets, capes...
There are, however, some amazing sales out there... and if you stick to a list of what you want to find in the sales, and try not to be led astray, then you should have a successful sale shop. Enjoy bargain hunters!
The everywhere-you-go sale shopper is another stress inducer. She is responsible for that irritating tug you'll feel on the hanger, which the amazing bargain dress you have finally found is hanging on. You'll peer over the clothing rail, and yes, there she is! She wants your bargain. I suggest a raise of the eyebrow (to show you mean business) and a swift, firm tug. Hurry away to the queue with your head held high.
The other irritant you may find in the sales is the slow-pacer. You walk into a shop and you eye up the rails of treats before you. Your breath becomes short, the adrenaline inside you rises... Hang on, how can the person in front be moving so slowly? This sale shopper thinks this time of year is like any other, where you can have a leisurely stroll round the shops. She's obviously not a bargain hunter and can afford the full price, next season collection - even in broke January. Does she not realise there are bargains to be had? Does she think those rails of 75% off will hang around? MOVE!
I ventured into the sales with my best friend Deb and her baby, Grace (i.e pram issues). Probably not the easiest accessory for the narrow aisles, which seem to get even narrower when the floor is piled with garments flung from their hangers during the sale riots. I am usually one of those shoppers that get impatient if I am confronted with a pushchair when shopping, but since pushing round baby Grace in a packed out Primark on a Friday afternoon, I have found a whole new sympathy for stressed out mothers laden with children and shopping bags.
We found out that the pram was a fantastic way to get some crowd control. We just so happened to place the pram innocently across an aisle of clothing we rather liked. It was heaven to have some space to look at the clothes and luckily baby Grace is absolutely beautiful so anyone who looked annoyingly towards the pram was soon gushing!
It has recently been revealed that women will spend £71 on items of clothing they will never wear during the sales season.
To avoid having a wardrobe full of 70% off bright orange dresses a size to small or sequin tops you won't be able to wear until next Christmas, it is best to look ahead at what is 'in' next season.
Take a look at the trends in fashion magazines - Instyle has fantastic style guides along with Glamour, Elle and Marie Claire. Look the at the key colours, the shapes of dresses that will be fashionable and the style of trouser that will be hot.
I would also recommend buying classic pieces in the sale. These are items that will never go out of style and will always have a place in your wardrobe. A trench coat, wide leg trousers, a shift dress, an A-line skirt, a white blouse and a good court shoe.
I know (too well) how hard it is not to be fooled by the 50% off price tags on something you wouldn't normally dream of buying. The best thing to do when thinking about buying into a bargain is to stand back, look at the dress, trousers or top and think... "Would I even dream of buying it, if it hadn't got half the price knocked off?"
Everyone loves a bargain. You feel a real achievement when returning home and announcing proudly that the dress was originally £100 but you got it for £20. The thing is... you have to think why it wasn't so popular the first time round. Shops tend to pile up the sales rails with last summers unwanted items - rails of embellished, garish vest tops, leopard print fur, white leather jackets, capes...
There are, however, some amazing sales out there... and if you stick to a list of what you want to find in the sales, and try not to be led astray, then you should have a successful sale shop. Enjoy bargain hunters!
Saturday, 18 February 2012
Fashion Crunch
Is it just me or do you feel guilty for spending money on clothes during
this time of economic downfall? If I’m completely honest I still don’t fully
understand the ‘credit crunch’ and I don’t think I’m alone! I know, however
that at present we need to start being thriftier and stop being so spontaneous
with our pennies.
The pull of the bargain, especially at this time of year, can lead us
into buying clothing that we honestly do not need. How many wears do you think
you will really get out of those leather leggings? And really, how long do you
think this trend will last?
There was a time not so long ago women would only buy what they really needed.
My grandmother would buy one coat and make it last for a good few years. She
would also spend a good amount of money on it to ensure it would last and look
good through many wears. However, with the present trend of fast-fashion on our
high-streets you can spend a tenner and come away with a fabulous new coat or
dress. Why not?
Look in your wardrobe – how many items in there could you honestly say
that you have worn for many years? Are there clothes in there with price-tags
on? Is there a Primark swing jacket that looked good on the hanger but when put
on made you look double your actual width?
Recent scientific research has proven that women actually only wear 30%
of their wardrobe. This is true in my own case – I have lots and lots of
dresses in my wardrobe that only come out on the odd night out. But even then I
go through fazes of having a ‘favourite’ and will only wear that dress on a
night out because I know it makes me feel good. Why would I want to risk
wearing that old little black dress and feeling rubbish all night when I know I
have my ‘favourite’ dress that I can always rely on to have a good time?
So I think it’s time to start being smarter with fashion. Believe me; I
am guilty of having the odd bargain-binge on the high street. However, I have also
started buying pieces that cost me that bit more but I know these are the
pieces that I will wear the most.
So what are these ‘pieces’ that you need in your wardrobe? Well to help
you here is my ‘capsule must-have wardrobe’:
If like me you are working girl you will know you have two separate wardrobes
in your life - one for work, one for play. When I come home from work I always
take off my work-wear straight away, it’s like I’m taking off my school
uniform. I want to be comfortable and relaxed after a hard days work but then I
also want to feel glamorous when I go out and have fun after a hard week. Here is my must-have capsule wardrobe with the
pieces that you will wear again and again:
Work:
ü Black
trousers – wide-leg fit
are a particular favourite. They are on trend, look elegant and will go with
blouses or sweaters. Be careful not to team black trousers with pale wish-washy
colours – it just looks tired. Instead go for vibrant prints or colours. Of
course, you can never go wrong with the classic monochrome which I don’t think
will ever date. Choose a material that will wear well and don’t feel bad for
spending that bit extra – these trousers will never date!
ü White
Blouse – A white blouse
will never date. It’s officially a classic. Go for a style that flatters you –
do not be trend led. The white blouse can be worn on its own, under a suit,
with a skirt or could be your backdrop for your new statement necklace. The blouse can also be layered in the winter
with jumpers or even underneath dresses. Make sure you buy a blouse in 100%
cotton or any other good quality material that will wear well.
ü Smart
dress – This is a dress
you wouldn’t wear to go clubbing. This is the dress that will instantly make
you feel elegant and smart – the shift. The shift can be layered in the winter
or they can go solo in the summer. A grey or black shift dress would be the
most wearable but if you’re brave go for a bold primary colour. If you want to
feel comfortable and less ‘pulled in’ a dress made of jersey is what you need.
A jersey wrap dress is another classic thanks to its creator Diane Von
Furstenberg and it has long been a staple in New York women’s wardrobes. The wrap looks
fabulous teamed with knee high boots in the winter.
ü Pencil
skirt – The pencil skirt
has made a big comeback – not that it really went away. This is the style I
would advise to invest in as yet again it is another classic. The pencil skirt
is very versatile and can be easily glammed up if you want to go straight from
the office to the bar! The skirt looks great teamed with that white blouse, in
the evening unbutton a few of those buttons, add a dazzling necklace and a
slick of red lipstick and voila you are ready for a glamorous night.
Play:
ü Little
Black Dress – We have Coco Chanel to thank for the creation that is a constant life
saver among women. That feeling that you have nothing to wear is diminished when
you catch sight of this gem in your wardrobe. The LBD is like a loyal old
friend – it’s always there for you when you need it most. So when buying a LBD
invest in one with a style that you know suits you – again do not be trend led.
Go for a material that will be wearable all year round. When you try it on, if
your face is smiling and you suddenly feel glamorous this is the one for you.
ü Statement
necklace – Accessorising
an outfit can instantly turn it into a more glamorous outfit. That black vest
top hidden in your wardrobe would look sensational against a sparkling pearl
necklace. Invest in a necklace that will have impact on an outfit. If you’re
brave go for a really bold coloured beaded necklace or for a more elegant touch
a few strings of pearls will add a splash of instant chic to an outfit.
ü Red
shoes- Yes - red! I believe every woman should own a pair of red shoes. Red is
surprisingly very versatile and they are very sexy. If you’re not in the mood
for your party dress adding a pair of red heels to your jeans and top combo
will instantly make you feel glamorous and sexy without feeling like you’ve
tried to hard. Also if you are scared of colour this is a great way to start
bring more colour into your wardrobe.
Home:
ü Cotton
loungewear: At home you
want to feel comfy but still feel good. Instead of your old tracksuit invest in
some loose cotton yoga pants and a cotton hooded top that can be layered with
vest and t – shirts. Velour is also a luxurious fabric to wear at home and is
very comfortable.
ü Cashmere slipper socks: I believe every woman should own some cashmere
and cashmere socks are definitely a must have. Your feet will feel like they
are wrapped in cotton wool. They are so
incredibly warm and cosy especially when you’re feet are feeling tired from
work or after a night dancing in your red heels!
this time of economic downfall? If I’m completely honest I still don’t fully
understand the ‘credit crunch’ and I don’t think I’m alone! I know, however
that at present we need to start being thriftier and stop being so spontaneous
with our pennies.
The pull of the bargain, especially at this time of year, can lead us
into buying clothing that we honestly do not need. How many wears do you think
you will really get out of those leather leggings? And really, how long do you
think this trend will last?
There was a time not so long ago women would only buy what they really needed.
My grandmother would buy one coat and make it last for a good few years. She
would also spend a good amount of money on it to ensure it would last and look
good through many wears. However, with the present trend of fast-fashion on our
high-streets you can spend a tenner and come away with a fabulous new coat or
dress. Why not?
Look in your wardrobe – how many items in there could you honestly say
that you have worn for many years? Are there clothes in there with price-tags
on? Is there a Primark swing jacket that looked good on the hanger but when put
on made you look double your actual width?
Recent scientific research has proven that women actually only wear 30%
of their wardrobe. This is true in my own case – I have lots and lots of
dresses in my wardrobe that only come out on the odd night out. But even then I
go through fazes of having a ‘favourite’ and will only wear that dress on a
night out because I know it makes me feel good. Why would I want to risk
wearing that old little black dress and feeling rubbish all night when I know I
have my ‘favourite’ dress that I can always rely on to have a good time?
So I think it’s time to start being smarter with fashion. Believe me; I
am guilty of having the odd bargain-binge on the high street. However, I have also
started buying pieces that cost me that bit more but I know these are the
pieces that I will wear the most.
So what are these ‘pieces’ that you need in your wardrobe? Well to help
you here is my ‘capsule must-have wardrobe’:
If like me you are working girl you will know you have two separate wardrobes
in your life - one for work, one for play. When I come home from work I always
take off my work-wear straight away, it’s like I’m taking off my school
uniform. I want to be comfortable and relaxed after a hard days work but then I
also want to feel glamorous when I go out and have fun after a hard week. Here is my must-have capsule wardrobe with the
pieces that you will wear again and again:
Work:
ü Black
trousers – wide-leg fit
are a particular favourite. They are on trend, look elegant and will go with
blouses or sweaters. Be careful not to team black trousers with pale wish-washy
colours – it just looks tired. Instead go for vibrant prints or colours. Of
course, you can never go wrong with the classic monochrome which I don’t think
will ever date. Choose a material that will wear well and don’t feel bad for
spending that bit extra – these trousers will never date!
ü White
Blouse – A white blouse
will never date. It’s officially a classic. Go for a style that flatters you –
do not be trend led. The white blouse can be worn on its own, under a suit,
with a skirt or could be your backdrop for your new statement necklace. The blouse can also be layered in the winter
with jumpers or even underneath dresses. Make sure you buy a blouse in 100%
cotton or any other good quality material that will wear well.
ü Smart
dress – This is a dress
you wouldn’t wear to go clubbing. This is the dress that will instantly make
you feel elegant and smart – the shift. The shift can be layered in the winter
or they can go solo in the summer. A grey or black shift dress would be the
most wearable but if you’re brave go for a bold primary colour. If you want to
feel comfortable and less ‘pulled in’ a dress made of jersey is what you need.
A jersey wrap dress is another classic thanks to its creator Diane Von
Furstenberg and it has long been a staple in New York women’s wardrobes. The wrap looks
fabulous teamed with knee high boots in the winter.
ü Pencil
skirt – The pencil skirt
has made a big comeback – not that it really went away. This is the style I
would advise to invest in as yet again it is another classic. The pencil skirt
is very versatile and can be easily glammed up if you want to go straight from
the office to the bar! The skirt looks great teamed with that white blouse, in
the evening unbutton a few of those buttons, add a dazzling necklace and a
slick of red lipstick and voila you are ready for a glamorous night.
Play:
ü Little
Black Dress – We have Coco Chanel to thank for the creation that is a constant life
saver among women. That feeling that you have nothing to wear is diminished when
you catch sight of this gem in your wardrobe. The LBD is like a loyal old
friend – it’s always there for you when you need it most. So when buying a LBD
invest in one with a style that you know suits you – again do not be trend led.
Go for a material that will be wearable all year round. When you try it on, if
your face is smiling and you suddenly feel glamorous this is the one for you.
ü Statement
necklace – Accessorising
an outfit can instantly turn it into a more glamorous outfit. That black vest
top hidden in your wardrobe would look sensational against a sparkling pearl
necklace. Invest in a necklace that will have impact on an outfit. If you’re
brave go for a really bold coloured beaded necklace or for a more elegant touch
a few strings of pearls will add a splash of instant chic to an outfit.
ü Red
shoes- Yes - red! I believe every woman should own a pair of red shoes. Red is
surprisingly very versatile and they are very sexy. If you’re not in the mood
for your party dress adding a pair of red heels to your jeans and top combo
will instantly make you feel glamorous and sexy without feeling like you’ve
tried to hard. Also if you are scared of colour this is a great way to start
bring more colour into your wardrobe.
Home:
ü Cotton
loungewear: At home you
want to feel comfy but still feel good. Instead of your old tracksuit invest in
some loose cotton yoga pants and a cotton hooded top that can be layered with
vest and t – shirts. Velour is also a luxurious fabric to wear at home and is
very comfortable.
ü Cashmere slipper socks: I believe every woman should own some cashmere
and cashmere socks are definitely a must have. Your feet will feel like they
are wrapped in cotton wool. They are so
incredibly warm and cosy especially when you’re feet are feeling tired from
work or after a night dancing in your red heels!
Tuesday, 20 December 2011
Christmas shopping
I am one of those annoying people that loves Christmas shopping. Yes, I own up to the fact that I am one of those people that has all the gift purchasing done two weeks in advance. Sorry.
The main reasons being - I love shopping. I never, ever run out of ideas for people. I LOVE buying for others, I get a tingle of excitement when I think of the happy faces of my friends and family opening their gifts. Admittedly, I also have more time on my hands at the moment, not having full-time office job but instead freelancing at home.
Last year was a different story, I was living in Portugal up until Christmas Eve and I had the stress of packing everything up and leaving Portugal and my job. Christmas shopping was the last thing on my mind, for once.
I did a bad thing - I bought all my presents in the airport. I had to resort to buying bottles of liquor and toblerone for my dad and brothers and a floral scarf for my mum from Accessorize. No imagination required. I felt I had sinned against my expert shopping gene.
When you have the time, I personally believe Christmas is about buying gifts that people don't need but want. Gifts that people would never buy for themselves - a little indulgence goes a long way! If you're buying a present for someone, you hopefully should know them pretty well - what they love and what they hate.
I never go for the obvious choices, a CD, a DVD or a video game... they more likely will buy it for themselves or already have it! Using a little bit of imagination goes a long way. I always buy my mum a fancy dress, skirt or bag and jewellery. Something I know she would feel too guilty to buy for herself.
There is absolutely no excuse for leaving everything till Christmas Eve. Shudder. Not with internet shopping. I have done all of my Christmas shopping online this year. Easy, quick, great sales and no overcrowding or queues for the till. Perfect!
For the lady in your life Ebay is fantastic for vintage jewellery and clothing. Get something wth history and character, it'll show you have put some thought into it, instead of being from a tacky jewellery shop or even worse, Argos.
There are also some great online boutiques where you can find one-off pieces. The high-street is, of course, fantastic but women do worry about wearing the same dress to a party as someone else. This happens more and more now with the rise of bargain-buy shops such as Primark offering 'must-have' dresses. Do you rememeber the gold sequin shrug that EVERYONE had?
For the men in your life I always think clothes always work well. Unless a man enjoys shopping, he probably very rarely buys anything new. Christmas is the perfect time to style your men up! Buy them something they wouldn't normally think of to wear - men don't tend to like change and stick to what they know. Trow caution to the wind and buy them a jaunty hat or military style coat.
I have recently become an aunty for the first time so I am very much enjoying indulging my new niece. I know at two months old she won't have a clue what is going on but Very.co.uk has some amazing toys on offer (and for 2 for 1, who can resisit?)
Very.co.uk and Redoute.co.uk has great kids clothing, including cute Christmas pudding and Santa outfts! She won't forgive me when she's all grown up...
The main reasons being - I love shopping. I never, ever run out of ideas for people. I LOVE buying for others, I get a tingle of excitement when I think of the happy faces of my friends and family opening their gifts. Admittedly, I also have more time on my hands at the moment, not having full-time office job but instead freelancing at home.
Last year was a different story, I was living in Portugal up until Christmas Eve and I had the stress of packing everything up and leaving Portugal and my job. Christmas shopping was the last thing on my mind, for once.
I did a bad thing - I bought all my presents in the airport. I had to resort to buying bottles of liquor and toblerone for my dad and brothers and a floral scarf for my mum from Accessorize. No imagination required. I felt I had sinned against my expert shopping gene.
When you have the time, I personally believe Christmas is about buying gifts that people don't need but want. Gifts that people would never buy for themselves - a little indulgence goes a long way! If you're buying a present for someone, you hopefully should know them pretty well - what they love and what they hate.
I never go for the obvious choices, a CD, a DVD or a video game... they more likely will buy it for themselves or already have it! Using a little bit of imagination goes a long way. I always buy my mum a fancy dress, skirt or bag and jewellery. Something I know she would feel too guilty to buy for herself.
There is absolutely no excuse for leaving everything till Christmas Eve. Shudder. Not with internet shopping. I have done all of my Christmas shopping online this year. Easy, quick, great sales and no overcrowding or queues for the till. Perfect!
For the lady in your life Ebay is fantastic for vintage jewellery and clothing. Get something wth history and character, it'll show you have put some thought into it, instead of being from a tacky jewellery shop or even worse, Argos.
There are also some great online boutiques where you can find one-off pieces. The high-street is, of course, fantastic but women do worry about wearing the same dress to a party as someone else. This happens more and more now with the rise of bargain-buy shops such as Primark offering 'must-have' dresses. Do you rememeber the gold sequin shrug that EVERYONE had?
For the men in your life I always think clothes always work well. Unless a man enjoys shopping, he probably very rarely buys anything new. Christmas is the perfect time to style your men up! Buy them something they wouldn't normally think of to wear - men don't tend to like change and stick to what they know. Trow caution to the wind and buy them a jaunty hat or military style coat.
I have recently become an aunty for the first time so I am very much enjoying indulging my new niece. I know at two months old she won't have a clue what is going on but Very.co.uk has some amazing toys on offer (and for 2 for 1, who can resisit?)
Very.co.uk and Redoute.co.uk has great kids clothing, including cute Christmas pudding and Santa outfts! She won't forgive me when she's all grown up...
Friday, 10 December 2010
But you can choose your friends
I'm just watching a re-run of an old Friends episode. For me, Friends is like an old friend. No matter how many times I see it, I don't get bored of it. I believe that is how you can measure how good a friend is.
I have friends I don't have to see for months on end but as soon as we are together it is as if no time has passed.
I haven't been feeling my most positive this week and it's times like this that you realise how important friends are. I know it isn't real, but when my friend Deb and I were watching the live episode of Corrie last night, it had quite an impact on both of us. It was so emotionally draining with the deaths, birth and even a marriage wrapped up in one hour, it made us realise how lucky we are to have such good people around us. We both reached for our phones to text messages of love to people closest to us. Soppy, me?
I have friends I don't have to see for months on end but as soon as we are together it is as if no time has passed.
I haven't been feeling my most positive this week and it's times like this that you realise how important friends are. I know it isn't real, but when my friend Deb and I were watching the live episode of Corrie last night, it had quite an impact on both of us. It was so emotionally draining with the deaths, birth and even a marriage wrapped up in one hour, it made us realise how lucky we are to have such good people around us. We both reached for our phones to text messages of love to people closest to us. Soppy, me?
My school friends are very special to me and we somehow have all stayed in touch no matter what direction our lives have taken. We all share a bond through our memories of first drunken times together, kisses and break-ups, leaving our teenage years and going into our early (and now mid) twenties. We now have new additions to the group in the form of babies, which has created a whole new dimension. We're proper grown-ups now but our stupid sense-of-humour and knack of being immature together will never go away.
I have two crazy girls coming to visit me next week. Lyndsey and Claire are my friends I met in Portugal, who both live across the sea in Dublin.
The last time I saw them was in May but I know as soon as I meet them in arrivals we will be giggling together. We share special memories of an amazing summer together in Portugal. I think we would all say that we are a bad influence on each other! This Christmas I am very thankful for my friends... my life would be incomplete without them.
I will keep you posted on our antics next week!
Sunday, 28 November 2010
This life...
It has been a tough couple of months. I have barely had any inspiration to write about anything, let alone the glamorous world of fashion.
I have gone from being editor-in-chief of two national magazines to not having a job at all. I knew the job only ever came with a temporary six month contract, but those six months sneaked past me very quickly. I was unprepared to be labelled with that depressing term 'unemployed'. Going from interviewing Tinie Tempah and the Klaxons to watching Loose Women talking about 'jiggy jigs' with their husbands is a tad depressing, to say the least.
This economic crisis we have continued to be in for the past few years has had a dramatic effect on university leavers with bundles of ambition. After three or four years of working hard, yes really, we are all gagging to enter into the working world - but hang on - where are the jobs?
Like so many other graduates out there, since leaving university it has been one hell of a ride trying to get a job in the area I studied in - journalism. The journalism world has changed dramatically - journalists are now expected to take on around five job roles just to cut costs. The internet has also had a dramatic effect on print journalism -why read day old news in tomorrow's paper when you can get the latest news online, right now? So yes, trying to get a job in journalism has always been competitive but it has definitely got harder.
It is far too easy to fall into a depression after having non-stop rejections from job applications and being 'in the house' too much. You think back to all the hard work you have put into to kick -starting your career, the weeks of unpaid work experience and taking on jobs where the pay was awful but gave you the opportunity to 'experience' the industry you want to be in. Talk about losing all your self-confidence and esteem!
I worked a whole year before I got my 'break' in journalism. I did temp-work as a receptionist in a hospital. I actually really enjoyed my self and look back at that time fondly. It got me used to the 9-5 routine, I met and worked with lovely people, I built up the confidence of working as a team and I continued to write at home. It was monotonous and wasn't what I wanted to do forever but that only made me more determined to become a journalist.
I got my break into journalism in Portugal - not on a local newspaper in Birmingham (my hometown) or in an agency in London - but on a local expat newspaper in the beautiful country I will now always think of as my second home. I already had worked several summers behind a bar in the Algarve so I had foundations there - it wasn't like I stepped off the plane in a totally new country and had to build my life from scratch. However, it was still daunting!
Seeing my first story published was a moment I will never forget - to think that people were going to be reading my work every week was a complete thrill! As well as news reporting I was able to gain experience in my most favourite form of writing - feature writing. I found out that this was my forte - I think my imagination just runs too wild to stick to news reporting. I interviewed local residents (and friends) who had moved to the Algarve who had the most amazing life stories.
I returned to Birmingham on Christmas Eve last year, my contract was up. I was ready to come home, the winter in Portugal had been a real learning curve. The usual crowds of summer hadn't been there so I pushed my self into meeting new people and making new friends.
I had an amazing experience editing the magazines back in Birmingham - I got to interview all the latest bands and singers, had press pass to Glastonbury - it was a blast. It was also extremely stressful as I had to write, edit and plan the entire magazine, which had to be completed in under three months. They were 300 + pages long - guides rather than magazines. It was, however, the best experience that I could have asked for.
Then it was over - I treated my self to two amazing holidays where I completed chilled out with my friends but then it was back to reality
Job hunting - with absolutely no results. I was back to being at home everyday, inspiration for writing dwindling, the 'amazing experience' I had had seemed to be all for nothing. My self-esteem started to catapult downwards, the confidence I had in myself and my ability seemed to vanish. I had to remind myself what I had achieved so far, but that only made my situation feel worse.
I got my self some freelance work for ehow.com, where I could claim articles I wanted to write from a big database of subjects. These subjects could range from writing about Ralph Lauren paint collections to the less glamorous subjects of different types of video arcade games from the 1980's.
I was back at home living with my supportive parents. Living back at home is fine if you're working and are out of the house everyday, but the constant feeling of guilt you have when they're out at work everyday and you're at home on your laptop looking for jobs and trying to write interesting articles about 'types of Velcro' is horrid.
When you're not working you have more time to think - time to think about whether the career you have chosen really is for you. You also imagine that everyone else in the world is having a far more fulfilling and thrilling life than you. You also start to compare your own life with others around you, which can be a very dangerous game.
Things are looking up and I am definitely feeling more positive. I have created a portfolio of work I have had published so far and I have even turned down a well-paid job, which may seem crazy in some peoples eyes but it just wasn't the career path I wanted to go down. I have always believed in following your heart.
My friends and family always say 'something will come along', thankfully they have always been right. It is just difficult to believe in that when you have had months of rejection.
I have something new on the horizon, when everything is sorted with contracts etc, I will be able to divulge.
For now, I will have to play the waiting game for a little longer.
I think it is all about training the mind - the mind is a powerful tool. You can either wake up in the morning and lie in bed worrying about getting a job or just get up and get on with finding one.
I have gone from being editor-in-chief of two national magazines to not having a job at all. I knew the job only ever came with a temporary six month contract, but those six months sneaked past me very quickly. I was unprepared to be labelled with that depressing term 'unemployed'. Going from interviewing Tinie Tempah and the Klaxons to watching Loose Women talking about 'jiggy jigs' with their husbands is a tad depressing, to say the least.
This economic crisis we have continued to be in for the past few years has had a dramatic effect on university leavers with bundles of ambition. After three or four years of working hard, yes really, we are all gagging to enter into the working world - but hang on - where are the jobs?
Like so many other graduates out there, since leaving university it has been one hell of a ride trying to get a job in the area I studied in - journalism. The journalism world has changed dramatically - journalists are now expected to take on around five job roles just to cut costs. The internet has also had a dramatic effect on print journalism -why read day old news in tomorrow's paper when you can get the latest news online, right now? So yes, trying to get a job in journalism has always been competitive but it has definitely got harder.
It is far too easy to fall into a depression after having non-stop rejections from job applications and being 'in the house' too much. You think back to all the hard work you have put into to kick -starting your career, the weeks of unpaid work experience and taking on jobs where the pay was awful but gave you the opportunity to 'experience' the industry you want to be in. Talk about losing all your self-confidence and esteem!
I worked a whole year before I got my 'break' in journalism. I did temp-work as a receptionist in a hospital. I actually really enjoyed my self and look back at that time fondly. It got me used to the 9-5 routine, I met and worked with lovely people, I built up the confidence of working as a team and I continued to write at home. It was monotonous and wasn't what I wanted to do forever but that only made me more determined to become a journalist.
I got my break into journalism in Portugal - not on a local newspaper in Birmingham (my hometown) or in an agency in London - but on a local expat newspaper in the beautiful country I will now always think of as my second home. I already had worked several summers behind a bar in the Algarve so I had foundations there - it wasn't like I stepped off the plane in a totally new country and had to build my life from scratch. However, it was still daunting!
Seeing my first story published was a moment I will never forget - to think that people were going to be reading my work every week was a complete thrill! As well as news reporting I was able to gain experience in my most favourite form of writing - feature writing. I found out that this was my forte - I think my imagination just runs too wild to stick to news reporting. I interviewed local residents (and friends) who had moved to the Algarve who had the most amazing life stories.
I returned to Birmingham on Christmas Eve last year, my contract was up. I was ready to come home, the winter in Portugal had been a real learning curve. The usual crowds of summer hadn't been there so I pushed my self into meeting new people and making new friends.
I had an amazing experience editing the magazines back in Birmingham - I got to interview all the latest bands and singers, had press pass to Glastonbury - it was a blast. It was also extremely stressful as I had to write, edit and plan the entire magazine, which had to be completed in under three months. They were 300 + pages long - guides rather than magazines. It was, however, the best experience that I could have asked for.
Then it was over - I treated my self to two amazing holidays where I completed chilled out with my friends but then it was back to reality
Job hunting - with absolutely no results. I was back to being at home everyday, inspiration for writing dwindling, the 'amazing experience' I had had seemed to be all for nothing. My self-esteem started to catapult downwards, the confidence I had in myself and my ability seemed to vanish. I had to remind myself what I had achieved so far, but that only made my situation feel worse.
I got my self some freelance work for ehow.com, where I could claim articles I wanted to write from a big database of subjects. These subjects could range from writing about Ralph Lauren paint collections to the less glamorous subjects of different types of video arcade games from the 1980's.
I was back at home living with my supportive parents. Living back at home is fine if you're working and are out of the house everyday, but the constant feeling of guilt you have when they're out at work everyday and you're at home on your laptop looking for jobs and trying to write interesting articles about 'types of Velcro' is horrid.
When you're not working you have more time to think - time to think about whether the career you have chosen really is for you. You also imagine that everyone else in the world is having a far more fulfilling and thrilling life than you. You also start to compare your own life with others around you, which can be a very dangerous game.
Things are looking up and I am definitely feeling more positive. I have created a portfolio of work I have had published so far and I have even turned down a well-paid job, which may seem crazy in some peoples eyes but it just wasn't the career path I wanted to go down. I have always believed in following your heart.
My friends and family always say 'something will come along', thankfully they have always been right. It is just difficult to believe in that when you have had months of rejection.
I have something new on the horizon, when everything is sorted with contracts etc, I will be able to divulge.
For now, I will have to play the waiting game for a little longer.
I think it is all about training the mind - the mind is a powerful tool. You can either wake up in the morning and lie in bed worrying about getting a job or just get up and get on with finding one.
Thursday, 14 October 2010
Favourite item of clothing?
What is your favourite item of clothing in your wardrobe?
I have many things in my wardrobe that I have worn again and again. Other things I have barely worn and others, I shamefully admit, still with their price tags on.
There are dresses that I can put on and instantly feel glamorous and there are others I put on and instantly feel cool and casual. I also have dresses that, no matter how I style them, I just regret buying. The pale blue lace tea dress from Primark - it just doesn't go with anything.
I have a little black dress I bought from New Look six years ago. A simple black dress in a fitting style with two spaghetti straps and two more crossing from the middle of the straight neckline meeting the other two spaghetti straps. It is one hell of a sexy neckline.
The dress is sexy, classic and can be updated easily, according to the current trend. Last year I teamed it with a sequinned cape, the year before that I wore it with a beret, lace gloves and pearls (I think I wanted to be Madonna that winter). This year I have teamed it with my pale pink lace cardigan with a vintage brass brooch and ankle boots.
My favourite accessory is a gold shawl from the 1970's, which I bought from a vintage website. The triangular shape means I can wear it thrown over my shoulders or tied round my neck, letting the tassles dangle across my dress or top. It just doesn't go out of style and goes with absolutely everything. It can make a daytime outfit turn into an night time outfit. Whenever I wear it I receive compliments from girls in the pub toilet queue and even guys are intrigued!
I have many things in my wardrobe that I have worn again and again. Other things I have barely worn and others, I shamefully admit, still with their price tags on.
There are dresses that I can put on and instantly feel glamorous and there are others I put on and instantly feel cool and casual. I also have dresses that, no matter how I style them, I just regret buying. The pale blue lace tea dress from Primark - it just doesn't go with anything.
I have a little black dress I bought from New Look six years ago. A simple black dress in a fitting style with two spaghetti straps and two more crossing from the middle of the straight neckline meeting the other two spaghetti straps. It is one hell of a sexy neckline.
The dress is sexy, classic and can be updated easily, according to the current trend. Last year I teamed it with a sequinned cape, the year before that I wore it with a beret, lace gloves and pearls (I think I wanted to be Madonna that winter). This year I have teamed it with my pale pink lace cardigan with a vintage brass brooch and ankle boots.
My favourite accessory is a gold shawl from the 1970's, which I bought from a vintage website. The triangular shape means I can wear it thrown over my shoulders or tied round my neck, letting the tassles dangle across my dress or top. It just doesn't go out of style and goes with absolutely everything. It can make a daytime outfit turn into an night time outfit. Whenever I wear it I receive compliments from girls in the pub toilet queue and even guys are intrigued!
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