Not only is shopping great for reviving our ailing economy, you can also find some of the greatest stocking fillers at all the many online clearance sales that some of your favourite retailers offer in the days, weeks and months after one of the big days. You can use these sites to find items from last Christmas, Father’s Day or Mother’s Day for a song. Use the money that you saved on buying these items to treat yourself to that special something you’ve always been meaning to buy but have always rationalised that you just can’t afford to. [Read more…] about Why you should use online clearance sales to your advantage this year
Shopping
Ten Classic Winter Fashion Must-Haves
Like the seasons, fashion comes and goes. And while fashion is constantly changing, not many of us have the ways or means of updating our wardrobes on a seasonally basis. However, if you concentrate on building your wardrobe with a few essential and classic pieces, you will be on the road to keeping warm and looking stylish this, and every other winter. [Read more…] about Ten Classic Winter Fashion Must-Haves
The holy grail of jeans is closer than you think
Nearly all of us know just how terrible it is to find a new pair of jeans. It’s difficult enough to find trousers but finding the perfect pair of jeans sometimes feels impossible.
There are of course the lucky few who do not need much help in this department. Their svelte figures look fabulous in anything and yes, this includes jeans that would make even teenage girls decide to embark on a boot camp. So we all take it for granted that our bodies have to adapt to whatever jeans we find. And we castigate ourselves when we can’t squeeze into this season’s size 0. Isn’t it funny that we’re willing to give our clothes this much power over us? And then we aren’t guaranteed that it’ll be a design we even like.
The Uniqsize jeans and trousers, from Merrimondo, however, are different to anything else you have ever tried thus far. Perhaps you do not need your jeans to give you a shapelier derriere; perhaps you already have one but can’t find jeans that fit well around your waist. Or perhaps the shape and size of your thighs make you despair and you think you’re destined to a lifetime of A-line dresses.
So why force your shapely body into unshapely jeans? Well, it’s easy, really. There are basically 4 body types: apple, pear, rectangular, and hourglass. These 4 distinct body types are what most people fall into, with some overlap of the specific characteristics. Once you know which category you fall into, you’ll find it easier to find the jeans that will make you look WOW.
People with apple shapes tend to have skinnier legs and heavier chests. They look great in ‘Bell’ shape flare pants and bootcut pants that slim and elongate the body. Dolly Parton, Catherine Zeta Jones, and Tyra Banks are all famous apples.
People with pear shapes aren’t necessarily overweight; their lower halves are just heavier than their top halves. They should seek out bootcut and relaxed fit pants that will help to create a leaner look. Famous pear-shaped people are Mariah Carey, Shakira, and Beyonce.
People with rectangular bodies have fewer curves than the other body types boast of. They tend to look boyish and look best in skinny jeans, bootcut pants and especially low waisted jeans. Nicole Kidman, Rachel Hunter, and Cameron Diaz have this type of body.
Many of us think that people with hourglass figures have the perfect bodies: their bodies are well-proportioned between the body’s upper and lower halves. People with this type of body look fantastic in nearly everything. Kelly Brook, Angelina Jolie, and Marilyn Monroe have all been blessed with this shape.
Author bio:
Gray and Osbourne wrote this article about Merrimondo and Uniqsize to show women that they can find the most perfect jean for their body.
How to create a modern and inspiring teen bedroom
The time has finally come to decorate your teenager’s room. Not too long ago, stuffed animals and Barbie/Spiderman bedding were the order of the day. Now suddenly, your child is all grown up and a new and modern room is necessary. But if times are tough and money is a problem, have no fear. There are quick, easy and cheap ways to spice up your teens’ room without breaking the bank.
Firstly, you have to get rid of all the old things that are no longer being used – toys, books, furniture, bedding. Sort out the items into boxes labelled ‘keep’, ‘sell/giveaway’, and ‘junk’. Your teen may be too old for these items, but there are thousands of less fortunate children who would appreciate it. Make a child happy and donate old toys, books and bedding to a local charity shop or shelter. If you feel you want to make some money back, hold a garage sale and sell all items that are still in a good condition.
Bedroom furniture
Now is also a good time to spruce up old bedroom furniture, or perhaps purchase some new ones. Check the bedroom furniture and see if it just needs a new coat of paint, or if it needs to be replaced completely. Make sure the room has enough space for your teens’ clothes, accessories, and not forgetting a study desk. Also, make sure your furniture colours match.
Paint just one wall
Make this wall the ‘feature’ wall and paint it a bright and bold colour. You can now feel free to paint the rest of the room a paler shade.
Take a look at the floor
Is your teens’ floor carpeted, wooden or tiled? Think of a practical solution. If the floors are awful it could be re-done, but this will be expensive. An alternative would be to get some funky, bright rugs, obviously matching the theme and colour scheme of the room.
Dress the walls
Decorate the feature wall with a cool white shelf, funky posters and photos, which add a personal touch. However, this is an activity you may want to include your teen in.
New, fresh bedding
You will be amazed at what new, fresh bedding can do for a room. Get plain, non fussy bedding and decorate with some fun scatter cushions.
Turn the lights down low
Down lights are always great to have, but if you can’t afford to have them installed, get some fun lamps for various lighting options.
Author bio
This article was written for The White Company and offers great solutions to decorating your home with bedroom furniture
Worst shoe trends of all time
Many of us are guilty of wearing one of those completely ugly shoe trends and footwear, whether for comfort so some distorted idea of style. Or maybe you are just trying to be the centre of attention by wearing completely hideous fashion trends a la Lady Gaga? No matter what the reason; there really is no excuse for bad fashion, even on your feet. Here we look at some of the worst shoe trends ever.
10. Doc Martens
These heavy set military style boots were a hit in the late 80’s and early 90’s, and even enjoyed a revival in the noughties, but it will forever remain one of the worst shoe trends in history.
9. Clogs
Clogs are usually associated with the Netherlands or Sweden, and how we wish it stayed there. Traditional clogs were made of wood, but have been updated to suit the more modern woman.
8. Topless (strapless) sandals
Imagine looking like you are walking barefoot when you are not? This amazing feat is possible with topless sandals. They attach to your feet with an adhesive, making it look as if you are barefoot. If you wanted to be barefoot, wouldn’t you just take off your shoes?
7. High-heel sneakers
Why not take a traditional, modern shoe like a converse sneaker, combine it with some heels and a pointy front, and voila – an impractical, pointless and just plain ugly shoe trend. When you think sneakers, shouldn’t comfort come to mind? Perfect for those ex-tomboys who are finding the transition from girl to woman a bit difficult.
6. Ugg Boots
OK, Ugg boots can be hot, but it really depends on how you wear it, and most people wear it horribly wrong. Firstly, despite popular belief, Uggs are not meant to be worn in winter. It was actually created for surfers as a comfortable shoe to wear on the beach. It has however, become a permanent fixture during cold winter months as it keeps the feet warm and toasty. Unfortunately, Ugg boots doesn’t seem to be going anywhere fast.
5. Jelly Shoes
These transparent shoes were designed in Europe thanks to a rather inconvenient leather shortage during World War II. How they managed to creep into modern society and live to tell the tale we will never know.
4. Clear heels
While some may find the appeal in these sexy shoes, unless you want to be mistaken for a lady of the night, steer ‘clear’ of clear heels.
3. Platform sneakers
Hot on the ‘heels’ of high heeled sneakers come platform sneakers, made famous by the once popular Spice Girls during the late 90’s. Keep in mind that the Spice Girls were not exactly high up on the best-dressed list – they thought Union Jack mini-dresses and glittering hot pants were hot.
2. Furry Boots
Take Ugg boots a step further with furry boots, your answer to wearing a yeti on your legs.
1. Crocs
Possibly the worst shoe trend of the decade, crocs became popular due to their comfort, practicality and wide array of colours. But thankfully, it seems this trend has reached its sell by date with declining sales reported worldwide.
Author Bio:
This article was written by Gray and Osbourn and relates to Van Dal shoes, boots and general footwear.