Buy online or in the shop? April 9, 2009

Shopping on a Saturday is my weekly cardio! However, recently I’ve started to shop more online. Although going shopping with the girls on a Saturday can be enjoyable, browsing through the shops and trying on clothes that you can’t really afford, it can also be a nightmare day out!

Firstly you have to get into town which involves either getting public transport (usually running late!) or driving and having to find a car parking space. Then you have all the other shoppers to contend with. Gangs of teenagers, mums with prams and just generally people getting in your way! Then, if you finally make it into any of the shops you have to try on the clothes on in a small changing cubical with unflattering light and then spend 10 minutes in a queue to buy them!

So what’s the alternative? Sit in front of the computer with a cup of tea and have a look at your favourite shops website. You can see all the lines they have available even if their not in your local store. You can even look at shops that you don’t have locally and exclusive online only shops. Of course the only problem with shopping online is that you don’t have the opportunity to try before you buy. However, when you do get the clothes delivered you can try them on in the comfort of your own home, with your whole wardrobe available to see what else your new top goes with!

I’m not completely converted to online shopping yet though. Waiting 3-5 days for something to be delivered sometimes just isn’t quick enough! If I’m going out that night and I’m having the usual dilemma of so many clothes yet nothing to wear, then a quick trip into town means that a couple of hours later I have a new outfit!

Dressing for winter cold March 27, 2009

With the leaves shedding their leaves and the amount of daylight rapidly decreasing, it can only mean one thing … winter is nearly here. Despite the fact that recent winters have been warm compared to the weather of the more ‘traditional’ winters of years gone by, this winter is set to be cooler than recent winters so don’t be surprised if we do get a fair few chilly snaps during the winter months! When winter arrives we must have our wardrobes prepared with all of the correct clothing and wellies because although it might not be that cold outside, colds and pneumonia can easily be picked up if one isn’t wrapped up. This is especially true for young children as they can be extremely susceptible to the cold.

Dressing children is not easy at the best of times but it is especially difficult during the winter months because numerous layers need to be worn, especially on icy days. I believe that the most important item of clothing for a child during winter is a thermal vest, I used to wear one every icy day! These are especially important because children have a tendency to remove their coats in the playground when the sun comes and they are running about because the temperature can feel quite deceptive. If this does happen then their chests have more protection than usual and could keep away the dreaded colds.

It is also a necessity to keep a child dry because sitting in wet clothes for long periods of time can bring about colds and other illnesses. This means that a good branded waterproof coat is needed that also has a good quality hood that can block the wind from the child’s head.

On particularly cold days it is always important for a child to wear the good old combination of a hat, scarf and gloves! It is highly important to keep a child heads nice and warm as the majority of body heat is lost through the head. A scarf is important to keep the chest extra toasty and keep cold and flu at bay. Furthermore, children’s hands are very delicate and become cold very quickly so gloves are a must, especially in the snow.

Finally, wellingtons or other kinds of boots are good for a child to wear in winter. This is mostly to ensure that the feet are kept dry because the extremities of the body can become extremely cold when wet and when your feet and socks are wet it certainly isn’t a nice feeling!

Keeping a child warm on cold winter days is of extreme importance because they are extremely susceptible to the cold. However, with only a few precautions they will be able to enjoy the snow, when it comes, and you will not have to worry.

The classic shirt, a wardrobe staple March 20, 2009

The comfort it gives you every time you wear it, the way you return to it time and time again. Its fast and easy to decide what to wear, it is a no-brainer because you don’t want to be messing around trying to work out what to wear or which shirt goes with those pants. You want to pull on that shirt just before you head out of the door and then forget about it knowing you look good whatever the day might send your way.

The style of a classic shirt is a very personal thing. For me nothing can beat the coolness of crisp, clean starched cotton, it must be white and as expensive as you can afford. The cut and the style of the shirt are very important though, no 70’s style collars here, thank you very much. Pure unadulterated luxury!

It is the type of classic shirt that the leading lady in chick flicks usually ends up wearing when the male star accidentally pours wine on their top. It makes it almost worth spilling the wine yourself!

Fashion shopping virtual or real March 18, 2009

It’s great to see so many shops have their wares online. It’s great to see size 8 models on websites looking oh so fabby in a lovely dress. Even better when they offer next day delivery. Yeah, that’s great – but does the item have a chance of looking so great when you arrive home to find it waiting there for you? Sometimes, eh, no.

I love web shopping, I do it quite a lot. I don’t have to put on any clothes to go out in the pouring rain to try on some new pieces.

That said however, I’ve had my share of disappointments. It looks great on the screen, even when I zoomed in to see the actual material and thread count. When it arrived – oh boy! Did I make a mistake?

I also love real shopping. Your feet get sore, you get fed up trying on clothes. You get fed up with people pushing past you in the isles and grabbing the last size 14 you needed in that purple satin bustier….However, you do get to try the item on in the shop, you do get to see the price ticket marked down as there is a very small (almost inconspicuous) little stain on one side. You get to grab the sense of real bargains that you couldn’t get online.

The Art of Sensible Festivals March 4, 2009

When I spend the weekend at a music festivals there are a few essentials that I really can’t do without. The first of these is my Vango tent, although there are cheaper brands of tent I have found that they are less wind resistant than the more expensive ones and, as we all know, festivals can have quite unpredictable weather so it’s better to be safe than sorry. In addition to this, my tent is dark blue – I have found this to be the perfect colour for keeping out the early morning light, after all who wants to be woken up early when they’ve been dancing all night? Also, if you have the space in your rucksack, I have found that a tent flag is invaluable in helping you to relocate your tent on the way back to camp.

Another essential is my tarpaulin groundsheet which I put under my tent. Although it can be quite noisy to walk on I have found that it’s fantastic at stopping the dampness from the ground seeping upwards. Although some tents come with in-built groundsheets, I would definitely recommend investing in a separate one as some of them are of poor quality and allow moisture in. Even if your groundsheet works perfectly doubling it up with a separate groundsheet helps to keep the base of the tent much warmer, a feature that you’ll really appreciate when you’re tucked up in your sleeping bag.
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Great meeting rooms
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In addition to the extra groundsheet I also take a cheap, inflatable airbed with me, this serves as an extra layer between me and the floor, providing extra comfort and warmth. An inflatable pillow is also worth investing in as it can be purchased relatively cheaply and as it’s inflatable it also means it doesn’t take up too much room in my rucksack – travelling light is a key priority when attending a festival. I also take a lightweight sleeping bag with me, although some people opt for a high tog sleeping bag, personally I go for the cheapest and lightest I can find as it’s always possible to slip some extra clothes on during a really cold night and I also find that, unless you are prepared to spend a lot of money, many of the warmer sleeping bags can be quite bulky.

Rather than taking a camping stove with me, I buy a couple of disposable barbeques and take them with me to cook on. These are much cheap and lighter than camping stoves and in my opinion they do the job just as well. Obviously it’s important to remember to take matches or a couple of lighters with you, as well as a tin opener, a cheap pan or a suitable cooking pot.

When attending festivals, I always try to take quite a few layers of clothes with me. These include a couple of pairs of combat trousers, a few t-shirts and a few cotton tops. These can all be worn overnight if your sleeping bag isn’t very warm. As these types of clothes soak up water quite easily I always make sure that I take a hooded waterproof jacket and a pair of wellies. Sun cream, sunglasses and a sun hat are the other essentials I always pack as the British weather can be unpredictable.

Overall, it’s important to be sensible when considering what to take to a festival. While you don’t want to take too little and have to do without, you also don’t want to take too much and overload yourself. The things that you take to festivals are always at risk of being ruined, lost or even stolen so it’s important not to spend too much when purchasing them. Pack lightly, check you have everything you need and make sure you have clothes that are adaptable to all weathers and you are sure to have a great time.

Classic shirts to look good March 2, 2009

An Oxford shirt would definitely count as a classic shirt due to its over all style and look. Wearing an Oxford shirt really makes you look as well as feel the part. It is arguably best to get an Oxford shirt out of your wardrobe (or if you have not got one go and buy one) when it is vital that you make a big impression.

On the other hand whilst Polo shirts have long been considered to be a classic shirt they have lost a bit of their class in recent years. Polo shirts have become increasingly popular as part of work place uniforms as companies have gone from the traditional collar and tie look. I do not know about anybody else but I would not like to go out in a Polo shirt if it looked like somebody else’s work uniform.

Even sports shirts are now been described as classic shirts. If you support a Football League club the chances are that you can buy a replica shirt from the 1950s or the 1970s that will cost the same as their current shirt and will not be able to buy them half price at the end of each season.

If the shoe fits?? February 27, 2009

School uniform has been around a long time and in the last 30 years, even infant school children are expected to wear the set uniform. Usually they are also required to wear ’sensible school shoes’. Often they are allowed to only wear Black or Brown shoes and they must be Lace ups or Buckle fastened. The shoe retailers make the choice fairly extensive because they are aware that children or and parents, still want to have a choice.

40 years ago, in state primary schools, children could wear any shoes at all. Sandals were popular amongst girls and boys but plimsolls were still only for games lessons. Children, who walked to school in rain or snow, wore their plimsolls until home time. Now manufacturers have woken up to the idea that children wish to wear sportswear even in school and have made some shoes in sports styles but without the stripes, or name tags emblazoned over them. They look just as smart and comfortable as the ’school shoe’.

I don’t think children work better in school because they are wearing a certain style of footwear. Schools if anything have become too authoritarian about the apparel and less interested in who is wearing it.

When I was at primary school, I had absolutely no say over the style of shoes I wore. Parental choice dictated that I had ´sensible shoes´. Children today have far too much control over what they wear, and as a consequence have become miniature dictators, demanding branded trainers from their parents.

There are very sound reasons for pupils having to wear particular styles of shoes as part of their uniform. This will mean that they have practical styles, rather than fashionable ones. Safety is, of course, an issue. Younger children spend their break times tearing around the playground, and need shoes that won´t come loose and risk an accident. Older children may have to rush from one part of the school to another, and girls wearing high heels may trip over and injure themselves.

Naturally, children develop their own tastes, but sometimes rules are necessary. Growing feet need shoes that won´t harm them, and a uniform also enables everyone to appear similar. The great advantage for parents of a uniform including shoes would be this: no arguments in the morning about which shoes to wear, and no delays!

Warm feet for healthy kids February 23, 2009

It does not matter whether you need snow boots or just winter shoes for children, the important thing is that you need to keep those little feet warm. Look at the choices between winter boots and snow boots. The local condition will prescribe the type of shoe; icy, wet or snowy environment are the main considerations.

It is very important to know the difference between snow boots and winter boots too. Warm winter boots will merely keep little toes warmer, whereas snow boots will add more traction to the mix against slippery conditions. Of course, you do want to keep them stylish and in fashion still! Winter shoes for children, as any other item, comes in varieties and styles to suite their personalities too.
Younger children will prefer Velcro over laces and it will be easier for you to take the shoes on and off.

You will want to ease the pain of shopping for winter shoes by making it as quick as possible. You will find that by spending a little time on the internet with your child to see what catch their eye, will already make it easier. Don’t assume that you can shop for your little one, you may just be surprised! Children have not made their minds up with what they like, and today’s favourite orange is tomorrow’s favourite red!

Discuss the types of winter boots with your child, and make it clear which ones you are NOT buying. The last thing you want is a tantrum in the shop and a frustrated sales assistant. In the end, it is important to grant your child their own choice with a clear understanding of your own expectations.
Choose a store that sells quality winter boots for children and make sure your child is properly sized. Buying online is well and good, but you must make sure you know the perfect/correct size for your child.

At the store, allow your child to try shoes on and taking it off without assistance. If she struggles, you may want to consider another choice.

Top five things to Consider:
1. Will the shoes be worn indoors or out? Many styles and variety comes pintsize variety suitable for both.
2. Does your child wear uniform to school? If so, how will the chosen winter shoes for your child fit with their school uniform?
3. Can the shoes be worn in milder climates? It would be good as you will get value for money all year round!
4. Are the winter shoes child friendly?
5. Will your child’s feet be protected against the elements by the materials used?

Any item of clothing not willingly worn by the young ones is a waste of time and money! If the shoe fits their taste and style, they will wear it.

Celebrities and their business partners February 20, 2009

Celebrities are very important to a large section of the public, especially the young. Some are only celebrities for a few weeks, but their moment of fame is no less significant. Using them to sell a company’s products and services can prove of great benefit and can significantly boost market share. Whether a company chooses to do so or not would depend on the product they are trying to sell or advertise and the expectations of the company.

A local celebrity provides a vastly more cost effective means of gaining publicity for a business. You can pay a few hundred pounds for a local hero or a few million for a national celebrity. This would clearly be way outside the budgetary constraints of most businesses.

A local slimming club that is very popular in the area may choose to use last year’s ‘biggest weight loss entrant’ to advertise what a great idea it would be to join them. That person could be a figure-head for the company who could spread what joining them had done for her. A number of book stores will get the author to their store for a book signing session. This has been known to significantly boost both interest and sales.

Whilst this could be a real boost for a local business, it is debatable whether this would assist a large public company. It is unlikely that sufficient market share would be generated to interest a Tesco or Woolworth’s. Their bottom line would not be impacted enough to get the interest of the powers that be.

It would also depend upon the type of company that is utilising the celebrity. It is improbable that a local accountancy or law firm would benefit greatly as most of the clients are wealthy individuals and other businesses. The entire basis of how the firm generates business is very different to a local store, gym or fitness club.

Webtogs are a new company which sells outdoor clothing and camping equipment. They sell brand-name footwear such as craghoppers & keen shoes, outdoor jackets, tents and rucksacks. They also have a ‘carbon neutral delivery’ policy in place.

Skiing – Its appeal to amateurs and enthusiasts alike January 12, 2009

With winter getting into full swing the mountain tops around Europe and North America will be turning whiter and whiter in preparation for the forthcoming skiing season. Skiing is a hugely popular sport as well as hobby for many people across the world, especially in central areas of Europe such as Switzerland and Austria. Skiing is such an attractive sporting prospect to many people because of the diversity that it can provide all in one sport.

You can have simple long distance skiing which will could be compared to a long distance running race or you can have the exciting slaloms which take place down steep mountain sides at incredibly high speeds but require high amounts of skill and technical ability. This type of skiing discipline is extremely exciting to punters as it is made up of countless sharp twists and turns and you can witness some dramatic falls. In addition to this you will find that the Super-G and downhill events are extremely popular too because they are solely based upon high speed and who doesn’t love speed!

Why would you want to ski? Not only is skiing an exciting sport to observe it is also an excellent hobby to take up. Skiing is now hugely fashionable and many top designers are now producing collections of ski wear. It really doesn’t matter whether you are the next great talent or just fancy the challenge, skiing is a just great sport to enjoy. First of all, the health benefits are excellent. High amounts of strength are required in skiing in order to balance out the wide variety of forces that act upon you.

This would work your core muscles excellently. The sport of skiing also improves one’s suppleness as your body is required to lean and change body shape in order to complete the turns. Perhaps the most important health aspect involved with is the cardiovascular workout it provides, you will soon feel your heart pumping as you descend the slope!

However, it would be silly to forget the fun involved and the adrenaline rush that it provides! There are more skiing options now than ever before and you don’t always have to travel abroad to go skiing. Scotland has quite a good skiing industry and you have many options there, especially during a good winter and I think this year may be one of them. Alternatively, you have the countries that surround the Alps, such as France, Switzerland and Austria. These countries always have reliable snow totals. Even further afield you have many ski resorts in America and Canada but it is a long way to go to ski!

Perhaps the most convenient options are the artificial slopes, there are now a few centres dotted around the UK and can provide the skiing experience without the expensive trip and the perishing cold! These are good ways or getting some good experience before hitting the real slopes.