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: lazy weekend outfit made good

I don't know about you but when my weekend activities consist of a quick dash to the supermarket and petrol station and changing beds and hoovering and cleaning and many many more boring things like that besides, I don't really feel like making too much of an effort with my outfit. Or my make-up. Or my hair. But even a pair of jeans and a plain tee don't have to be plain and boring, just add a little bling in the form of a statement necklace, like this one from Marks and Spencer:

And a pair of patent pumps, like these from Bloch (via Spartoo):

How do you dress at the weekend?

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.

What Was I Wearing: Royal Garden Party

You might remember that I mentioned recently that I had been invited to one of the summer Garden Parties at Buckingham Palace that HM The Queen hosts every year. (No? Check out the posts here and here and here.) Well, the party took place a week ago and I just had to show you what I wore for my date at the Palace:

I chose a tunic from Marks and Spencer that I got on sale (down from £35 to £12), pulling it in at the waist with a cream belt (£5, also from Marks and Spencer) and teamed with my nude/cream-coloured heels from Next:

The food was particularly scrummy. I only got one photo because it didn't last long enough for anymore!! (Includes victoria sponge; coffee-flavoured eclair; chocolate ganache torte; fresh raspberry tart; and iced coffee.)

And a couple of photos of the superb setting for the party:

What would you wear from an appointment with HM The Queen?

What I Wore for Afternoon Tea

I know I haven't done many outfit posts recently but I had to show off my shiny new shoes on my trip for afternoon tea with my mum at the weekend, so for your viewing pleasure:

After tea, mum and I took a walk in the gardens by the teahouse - in the rain!!

I wore an Urban Outfitters top (reduced from £35 to £15), H&M jeans (£9.99) and Marks and Spencer Limited Collection brogues (reduced from £25 to £15!!).

I finished the outfit off with my Marc Jacobs bargain wish bone necklace.

To check out more photos of my beautiful new shiny brogues, make sure to visit the Sugar & Spice Facebook page.

What bargains have you scored recently?