How to… shop successfully online – to avoid disappointment

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Buy from Asos. Seriously, my number one tip for shopping online is to buy from Asos as often as possible. Why? Free delivery. Free returns. Fast service. Fast response time. Friendly twitter account. Accept ALL major credit cards (including my American Express that many don’t seem to) AND Paypal (great for when you’ve been selling on eBay and want to use your spoils to treat yourself!).

In the interests of transparency, I’ll confirm now – at no point have I been paid to write a glowing review of Asos or offered anything in return for this post – this is seriously just how I feel.*

Many great high street brands are now stocked on Asos – like Mango, River Island, Warehouse and Oasis – who do not offer free shipping on their sites, so it pays to check out Asos’s availability before purchasing as you can save yourself up to £5. Plus, if it doesn’t fit properly, you haven’t lost that delivery charge.

Now, onto the serious points of this post.



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1. Order a couple of sizes in the piece you want – do you really only ever go into the changing room with only one size? If so, why bother? You might as well just buy that one size and be done with it.
2. Of course, if you’re doing this – check the store offers free returns. Most do, but it’s worth checking.
3. If you’re buying in the sales, check in the store too. Gap in particular seems to reduce things far more in store than they do online.
4. If they offer free delivery – why not try that piece you’ve been eyeing up? You’ve got nothing to lose!
5. Check their delivery options. Some stores offer free delivery in store but charge for delivery to your home. In this case, if you can pick it up, you can save yourself a few pounds and always try on and return in store if it turns out you don’t like it/it doesn’t fit – which will save a heap of time too. (I always do this for Marks and Spencer sales – great way to avoid the queues and get what I want!)
6. Make sure you get the return receipt from the Post Office. With free returns these days, you can go into the post office and they give you a receipt as proof of postage so that if it gets lost, you can still get your refund. Why wouldn’t you?

What are your tips for shopping online?

*I did write a sponsored post earlier this year for Asos – in conjunction with Handpicked Media and Nivea – which you can read here.

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What Was I Wearing: rainy days

Today I've gone for the androgynous look. You know those mornings when you know what you want to wear but the weather just isn't playing along? Well, today was one of those!! I had planned a cute dress with the brogues but then I looked out of the window... and it was raining! So jeans it was for me:

The t-shirt really didn't look right hanging out (like the slob that I am!!) so I tucked it in and was good to go!

I haven't worn a watch in years but when I saw this one for a fiver in Urban Outfitters I grabbed it. It's more like an extra bracelet to add to all of those that I was wearing at the time of purchase but I'm actually enjoying not having to get my phone out everytime I want to know the time - how old-fashioned?!

These are, of course, my bargainous Marks and Spencer brogues that I got last month. I think they work well with trousers that are rolled up and allow them to be seen in all of their glory, don't you? (The boyf calls them my "boy shoes"!)

What do you wear on rainy days in summer?

I am wearing: Gap tee and jeans, Pearl Lowe for Peacocks cardigan, Marks and Spencer brogues, Urban Outfitters watch, Tiffany neckace and Pieces bracelet.

I have added a little poll in the top of the right hand column, if you have a spare second - please choose your response. Thank you.

How to... pack a capsule wardrobe for your holidays

I already told you that I basically lived in my Gap vest, H&M denim cut-offs and Havaianas for the whole of the three days we were in Valencia, but did you believe me? Well, if not, here is the proof. Yes, it is a different colour Gap vest but it is pretty much the same one. This is how I pack a capsule wardrobe for my holidays!!

Do you pack light for your holidays? If so, how do you manage it? If not, who carries your bags?!

PS:

Have you entered my giveaway to win a fabulous pair of Oasis New Vintage earrings? If not, make sure you do so right away!! You can’t win, if you don’t enter! 

AND, if you have already voted for me in the Filofax Facebook Blogger Style Off, thank you. If you haven’t voted for me yet, please do go and vote for me and will be forever grateful.

Alright shortie!

Until a couple of years ago I resolutely refused to wear shorts. I think it had something to do with having always had to wear them on summer holidays as a child and feeling the need, as an adult, to rebel against that. Now, though, it is all I want to wear on my holidays. (Mothers really do know best, it would seem!)


This was basically what I lived in for three days in Valenica:

I am wearing: denim cut-offs by H&M, Gap vest (currently on sale), Havaianas and H&M bag.

*These photos were taken at the Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències in Valencia.

Is there any item of clothing that you refuse to wear as an adult that you were made to wear when younger?

PS:

Have you entered my giveaway to win a fabulous pair of Oasis New Vintage earrings? If not, make sure you do so right away!! You can’t win, if you don’t enter!

AND, if you have already voted for me in the Filofax Facebook Blogger Style Off, thank you. If you haven’t voted for me yet, please do go and vote for me and will be forever grateful.

What I Wore for my Birthday

I'm pretty sure you are all aware that it was my birthday a couple of weeks ago. I spent the day shopping and eating and drinking (lunch at Jamie's Italian) with the boyf. He took a couple of photos of the outfit I wore for the day too:

I am wearing: Gap maxi sundress and Gap straw trilby.

What Was I Wearing: colour blocking

There are two positive points to having finished the 30 for 30 Challange: first, I have everything else in my wardrobe to play with and second, I can shop again!! And shop, I did. I will explain more about my little "spree" in another post but let me just say, if you live near to a Gap store - go check out their current sale. For those who don't think Gap is really their style, think again. Gap isn't really about being one particular style, the key to shopping in Gap is realising that they sell well-made and reasonably priced basics which create the foundation of a wardrobe and provide the perfect pieces for layering.

Anywho, back to one of the very first outfits I put together after the 30 for 30 challenge and taking inspiration from the trend for colour blocking for Spring Summer 2011:

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When I saw this post over at Dear Winnie, I loved how Chelsea had pulled a simple and elegant outfit together with a bold and bright skirt. You all know by now, I am not a great one with bright colours and own far more black than is absolutely necessary. So when I spotted this skirt (below) in Gap last weekend for £9.99 I just had to have it! Unfortunately it was a size too big for me - it fits perfectly on my hips but not on my waist and I wanted it as a waisted skirt. So I took Chelsea's advice again - and hoisted it up with a belt. It has created a sort of paperbag-effect at the waistband which I like:

What do you think?

I am wearing: Gap tee (ancient - £9.99), Gap skirt (£9.99), Dorothy Perkins belt (£3) and Spartoo heels (£19).

Are you planning to colour block this Spring? Which show was your favourite for Spring Summer 2011 and what inspiration are you taking for the warmer weather? Where do you shop for basics on the high street?

30 for 30 Challenge: Day 24

Today I decided to try a preppy look:

I rarely wear a shirt but during my wardrobe detox at the beginning of the year I realised that I didn't actually own one that I liked. I always end up feeling a little like a waitress when I put one on. Not long after I'd put a white shirt on my "to buy" list I found this one on sale in Dorothy Perkins and decided to pick it up. I therefore chose it as one of my 30 items to try to make myself more comfortable with it. But then it took me until the 23rd outfit to wear it and now it is having its second outing: what do you think?

I am wearing: Dorothy Perkins shirt, Gap jeans, Dorothy Perkins jumper and Next pumps.

30 for 30 Challenge: Day 23

Audrey Hepburn is my all-time Style Icon and I absolutely adore her outfits in Sabrina:

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So for outfit 23, I took this as my inspiration:

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30 for 30 Challenge: Day 22

Today I needed a business smart look for work and so I busted out my white shirt. This is my take on a suit which includes jeans!!

I am wearing: Dorothy Perkins shirt, thrifted blazer, Gap jeans and Next heels.

What do you think of my smart suit?

30 for 30 Challenge: Day 20

Two thirds of the way there!!!! If I'm honest, when I started this challenge I really wasn't sure I'd get this far! I'm still struggling to be inspired by the 30 items at the moment but I'm hoping this will change in the next couple of days and I am planning to up the styling for some more madcap outfits:

Today I've gone for the casual look, I'm wearing: Marks and Spencer jumper, Gap jeans and Next pumps.

What do you think of the casual outfit for today?

30 for 30 remixes:

30 for 30 challenge: Day 18

I think I've reached a kind of "wall" in the challenge. I don't feel very inspired right now. So apologies for the uninspired outfit that I bring you today:

I originally began like this this morning. But when I headed home at lunchtime, the sun had come out and I realised that what I really needed was a bit of colour... So, I added some:

And then a bit more!!

Until it looked like this:

I am wearing: Dorothy Perkins maxi skirt (£10), Gap tee (£9.99), Marks and Spencer cardigan (gift), Oasis boots (£20), Asos belt (£3), H&M scarf (£2.99) and my fabulous new MAWI for ASOS ring (£14.50):

What do you think of my brightened up look?

30 for 30 Challenge: Day 8

Today's outfit consists of throwing a few old favourites together:

These boots have become my 30 for 30 staple. They just go with everything in my wardrobe! Now that is the sign of a really really good buy, don't you think?

I am wearing: Gap tee, thrifted M&S blazer, Topshop jeans, Oasis boots, a Jamie necklace and an All Saints ring.

I got this necklace about 3 years ago - at London Fashion Weekend (by the way, the winner of the pair of tickets will be announced at the weekend!). I had seen the necklace in magazines and loved it. Then there it was! So I had to buy it. Of course. I wore it for months after and then it got buried at the bottom of my jewellery box, where I forgot about it. Until I unearthed it again a few weeks ago during my wardrobe detox.

Here's a close-up of the ring too. And my Chanel Black Pearl nail polish, again:



What do you think of outfit number 8? Getting bored of my grey yet?

The boyf and I went to see The Social Network last night. As I mentioned. Hughly enjoyable, if a little fanciful. The actors and the script were good. But Oscar-nomination worthy? When I think of the performance given by Colin Firth as George V or Natalie Portman as Nina Sayers in Black Swan, I find it difficult to place Jesse Eisenberg's portrayal of Facebook founder, Mark Zuckerberg in quite the same league. Anyone else got any thoughts? I'd still highly recommend seeing the film!

30 for 30 Challenge: Day 5

So, it would seem that weekend posting (without being able to schedule) is near impossible for me. Therefore, I will be taking a little longer to complete the 30 for 30 Challenge and will be spreading it over 5 weeks and only weekdays. Apologies for this but I am commited to completing it this time and this is the only way I can see to do it. Please bear with me!

Therefore, without further ado, let me show you my fifth outfit in the challenge:

Today's look is "a little French", or so the boyf told me this morning! What do you think?

I don't often mix prints but think this works:

I have one further confession to make. No, these shoes were not in the original line-up! Unfortunately when the Next jeans arrived they didn't fit properly so they had to go back and I exchanged them for these pumps. I have therefore put my old faithful Gap skinny jeans (wearing today!) in place of the Next jeans and added these pumps into the place of my Converse trainers which I realised were a complete cop-out and something that I do not really wear anymore! My other mystery shoes will be unveiled tomorrow or Wednesday... So, watch this space!

I am wearing: Gap breton tee (£14.99, £9.99), Marks and Spencer cardigan (gift from stylish sis), Gap skinny jeans (£49.95, £24.99) and Next pumps (£35).

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Christmas jumper

It might be two weeks since Christmas and a couple of days after Twelfth Night but I am still revelling in all of the new things I received for Christmas. And Christmas just isn't Christmas without a "Christmas jumper", is it now? Remember Mark Darcy's Christmas jumper in Bridget Jones's Diary:


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Well, my Christmas jumper is far less embarassing and a little more on-trend:

I am wearing: Dorothy Perkins cable-knit jumper and Gap jeans.

Did you get a jumper this Christmas? What do you think of mine?

Today I Was Wearing

What do you think of my bargain new New Look maxi skirt? Personally, I love it! It was only £5 - amazing, no?!

I am wearing my skirt with: Gap tee, Pearl Lowe for Peacocks cardigan and Spartoo heels.