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Archive for December, 2009

Dec 31

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2010- what the future holds…?

So…tomorrow heralds the start of a new decade, new techonologies, new websites, new designers, new beauty launches…!

….But what I find really interesting 10 years from now- how will we all digest the news?

Will newspapers/magazines still exist? Will everything be online? Will news bulletins be confined to 140 characters on twitter? What will be the facebook/twitter of the ‘teenies,’…if we’re calling it that?? Will all content online be paid for?

Ummm…we were told we’d all be flying around on space cars at the end of this decade..so not all predictions come true!

My thoughts are…Amazon’s e-reader will become as mainstream as mobiles and the ‘old-fashioned’ newspaper will be archived to the museum, with people questioning how we got by reading the news daily, rather than up to the second? We’ll all be downloading the ‘online newspaper’ which will fit our exact requirements, only paying for what we read e.g. sport and news, or business and comment. Some form of paper news could still exist, but it will be in the form of free newspapers, supporting the online brand where all the content is paid for.

So, what does this mean for online fashion/beauty firms?

I think, if it’s not already, online will become the brand’s flagship store. Shops will still exist, but as a marketing/advertising tool for the brand. Firms will showcase their product in store, but purchasing will be done online at in-store computers (or at home) and retail stores will become the pick-up point for online purchases.

The last 10 years has brought us some groundbreaking online fashion firms, such as Net-a-porter and Asos, which have changed the way we shop for fashion- bringing shopping online for clothes mainstream.

What will the next 10 years bring??

Whatever happens, they’ll be plenty to write about! So, keep posted for all the latest online fashion/beauty news, website launches and fab product reviews of the next decade.

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year, whatever you’re doing. See you in 2010!

fashionbite xx

Dec 29

New Year’s Resolutions- Top Tips


So..it’s that time of year again when we’ve eaten/drunk too much, partied hard and are now looking to 2010 and the inevitable New Year’s Resolutions!

My resolutions will probably follow the lines of most years- exercise more, drink less, eat a healthier diet..etc, etc. However, to give us a helping hand organic skincare firm Neals Yard Remedies has drawn up some tips on how to keep a successful New Year’s Resolution….I know I definitely need the pointers!

  1. Don’t set too many resolutions!
    Resist the temptation to run off a list of everything you’ve ever wanted to change. One or two goals will be easier to achieve than a list of twenty, so take one thing at a time and focus on what you really want to gain.
    For example, if you’d like to lead a more natural/organic way of life, start with your beauty regime. Buy one essential product, then continue to replace other products with organic versions as and when they run out. It will be expensive to replace everything in one go, so find a starting point and build on that.
  2. Make small changes that will make a big difference to your health and well-being.
    Something as simple as adding superberries to your diet will help boost your energy levels and protect skin from the inside out. Products such as Neal’s Yard Remedies Power Berry range, a skincare range filled with radiance-boosting berries, will give skin that much needed New Year’s lift!
  3. Make a Plan. This is the TRUE key to success!
    Once you know what your resolution is, try to break it into achievable sections. Nobody accomplishes anything of significance by trying to do it all at once.
  4. Celebrate!
    You must reward yourself throughout the progress. Every small accomplishment needs to be recognized and honored- this will give you the encouragement to continue.

    5. Good Luck!

    fashionbite xx

Dec 28

Top 20 online Christmas Sales

The lovely folks at Voucher Codes have pulled together a cracking list of the biggest and best online Christmas Sales, to save you time trawling the streets to snap up those fabulous bargains………

  1. Up to 70% off at Debenhams
  2. Up to 50% off at Marks & Spencer
  3. Up to 50% off at Next
  4. Up to 50% off at New Look
  5. Up to 50% off at Dorothy Perkins
  6. Up to 50% off at Office
  7. Up to 50% off at Boots
  8. Up to 50% off at Miss Selfridge
  9. Up to 70% off in the biggest Sale ever at Play.com
  10. Up to 50% off at Oasis
  11. Up to to 50% off at Boden
  12. Up to 50% off selected lines at Sainsburys
  13. Up to 50% off (plus free delivery and returns) at Coast
  14. Up to 50% off at Clarks
  15. Up to 50% off at Wallis
  16. Up to 50% off at Evans
  17. Up to 50% off at Firetrap
  18. Up to 50% off at Uniqlo
  19. Up to 50% off at Laura Ashley
  20. Up to 75% off in the biggest Sale ever at Littlewoods

    21. So…happy shopping!

    fashionbite xx

Dec 24

Shoppers to spend £120m online on Christmas day


Shoppers are expected to spend £120m online on Christmas day, compared to £102m last year.

The IMRG, which measures online sales, said around 4.3 million people are expected to spend an average of £27.90 each tomorrow as they kick-start their Sales shopping early and hunt for the bargains.

However, Boxing day is predicted to be the busiest online shopping day of the year, as the Sales really launch into full swing. See Fashionbite’s guide to shopping the January Sales for some useful tips.

I’ll definitely be in the latter category as I’m spending tomorrow with the family, eating/drinking far too much and playing random games…can’t wait!

Happy Christmas from fashionbite! Have a great one, whatever you do.

xx

Dec 22

Soda Stream relaunches with designer makeover


As a child of the ’80′s, I was the proud owner of a Soda Stream- and it’s now making a come back..with a little help from a few designer names!

Soda Stream opened a pop-up shop in Camden last week, attended by celebrity/interior designer Meg Matthews (above), who helped customise the fizz-making machines. London Fashion Week designer Emma Bell (left) also made an appearance to put her design skills to good use on some limited edition Soda Streams.

The retro-themed shop was a blast from the past, with an 80′s themed dance floor and games including over-sized Rubik’s Cubes, hand-held Pac-man games and bubble ray-guns. A SodaStream mixologist created virgin cocktails with the latest flavours and combinations.

The revival has started….

If you fancy revisiting your youth, or just ‘getting busy with the fizzy,’ for the first time, check out
Soda Stream’s website for more details.

You know you want to!

fashionbite xx

Dec 19

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BHS rocks accessories for spring ’10

Hard to imagine the blistering summer heat as snow billows down outside, I know..but thought I’d give you a glimpse of what’s on offer at BHS next season as a quick reminder.

I was impressed with the ranges for spring/summer ’10, the accessories in particular looked fantastic- the collection has come on leaps and bounds in the last few seasons. The bejewelled maxi dresses looked fab, dressed down with sandles as day wear or with heels and a cropped denim jacket for a night out.


This safari-stye dress with animal print lining would look great as workwear and the price points are fantastic, hovering between the £20 and £30 mark.

Spring/summer product will go on sale at BHS from early next year.

fashionbite xx

Dec 18

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Maxfactor’s Falsh Lash Effect Mascara

Have you tried Maxfactor’s Falsh Lash Effect mascara? If you haven’t, you should definitely give it a go!

I’ve been a devoted Maxfactor 1000 Kcal mascara fan for the last few years..it was my desert island beauty product..until now. After finding the Lash Effect mascara in a press goodie bag, I thought I’d give it a go.

The results are fantastic, with one coat your lashes are lifted, but with two they are thick and lushious- creating fabulous lashes to frame your eyes. The mascara really works, I’m amazed! If, like me, you can’t be bothered with the faff of false lashes most of the time- it’s a great alternative.

You can buy it for £10.99 online at Superdrug.

fashionbite xx

Dec 17

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NEW: Online shopping mag launches

A new online shopping magazine Mrs Magpie has launched, dedicated to the art of online shopping. It is aimed at the 25-45 year old stylish women, who is on the look out for an online bargain..aren’t we all!

The site has channels on fashion, beauty, homes, lifestyle, weddings, food and drink and contains links to websites where the products can be bought.

Fashion has news on the 50% off Sale just launched at Phase Eight, whilst Beauty flags up a fab website called Feel Unique, which offers great discounts on over 10,000 of the biggest beauty names, such as YSL, Dior and St Tropez.

The site also has a weekly Magpie Mail newsletter, keeping subscribers up-to-date with the latest content. The site is edited by Charlotte Laing, former editor of WM magazine.

It’s a fab site, so check it out for yourselves..

fashionbite xx

Dec 16

EXCLUSIVE: Nicky Hambleton-Jones talks about new eyewear range

Former 10 Years Younger presenter Nicky Hambleton-Jones, famed for her candid style advice and sexy specs, has launched an eyewear range -due to hit stores in January.

Nicky says the 13-piece NHJ range has been designed for women ‘who want to make a statement with their glasses.’

I have to say, they look fantastic- the perfect accessories to any look. The range goes on sale early next year in independent opticians nationwide, prices start from £125.

Nicky told fashionbite: “It’s taken 18 months to develop, I wanted to get the design exactly right. I want to encourage people to be more adventurous with glasses- for glasses to make them feel good about themselves.”

Nicky, who is due to give birth to her first child this month, says statement specs have always been a passion of hers. “Glasses can be sexy, powerful. I’ve always looked to be bold with mine, the eyes are the first thing you see on a person.”

She says: “The collection is edgy, colourful but still wearable. I want people to go out clubbing wearing the specs and feel great.”

Nicky is also launching her first style bible on January 7, called ‘How to be Gorgeous’, available in all major book stores.

She says: “I’ve never written a style bible before, it’s something I’ve always wanted to do. It features 10 iconic looks, such as rock chick or boho queen, and how to create the look depending on your body shape.”

Nicky didn’t rule out a potential clothing range in the future, but says it’s one step at a time.

fashionbite xx

Dec 14

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iStylista’s top tips to shopping the January Sales

….by award winning personal stylist and iStylista.com founder Chantelle Znideric.

  • “Create a wish-list in the run up to Christmas, make a note of items that you’d LOVE to buy if only they were that little bit cheaper. Make a note of the store you have seen the item in so you can hit it first. Try the item on beforehand so you know exactly the right size you need (and note it down) this means you don’t have to stand for ages in the fitting room queues come Sale time. Hopefully you will strike gold and find that the item is on sale with a huge reduction!
  • Set yourself a budget that you can afford. Sale shopping can be impulsive when you’re caught up in the moment so it’s pointless trying to save money if it leads you into debt.
  • When Sale shopping, stick to items on your list. This should limit naughty, impulsive buying and remember to buy with your head, not your heart.
  • Avoid looking at the reduction. This is a technique used to lure you into parting with your cash. Instead buy based on price alone!
  • We buy clothes because we love them but before making your purchase really think about the reasons why you are buying it … is it just because it’s cheap? To help you make this decision think about what else your item will go with in your existing wardrobe and then work out how much potential wear you will get out of it.
  • Some items may be marked down because it’s faulty, so always give your item a full check before you buy, as some sale policies won’t allow you to return an item!
  • Take advantage of the services of a sales assistant. If you can’t see the item you are after, they might be able to locate stock in another store or in the back room. Be prepared to wait for their services as they’re bound to be busy!
  • If the thought of making a trip into town is too much for you then there is nothing better than sitting at your computer and making the purchase online. You will have to pay postage and packing but it is a great feeling knowing that you are not getting caught up in the crowds. The discounts that you get off your items will contribute to the postage and packing costs, so all in all a great option!
  • Always make sure at the time of purchase to check what the stores return policy is, they all differ and sometimes for Sale items the policies are different to the normal ones. This will also save you time because you could potentially get away with buying an item without trying it on, rather than queuing at a busy changing room, and then return it at a later date if it’s not suitable. Also, some stores won’t give full refunds on Sale goods so be aware of that.”

    • iStylista is a fab fashion website with a difference, not only does it bring you product from leading online retailers- it offers a personal styling service to go with it. Once you’ve completed your profile, stylists will handpick items to suit your individual specifications…the personal touch of a store online!

    fashionbite xx

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