tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-305983692024-03-13T12:33:02.010-07:00Shop OnlineWith the explosion of online shopping check out some of the finest hand picked resources on the WebUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger173125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30598369.post-75132141052011885192016-11-20T10:40:00.001-08:002016-11-20T10:40:34.776-08:00Find the pandaRemember a Panda is for life, not just Christmas!<br />
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<iframe width="459" height="344" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-Swk7K0O9Nc" frameborder="0" allowFullScreen=""></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30598369.post-20630466226531122862015-03-02T05:15:00.002-08:002015-03-02T05:15:53.865-08:00eBay AlternativesWhile there is no getting away from the fact that eBay is a hugely successful platform for buying and selling, it is good to know that there are alternative options to eBay. While the vast majority of sellers on eBay are trustworthy and offer exactly what they promise, there are some sellers that do not live up to the expectations of the company or the consumer. This is why knowing that there are other places to look for whatever you are looking for, no matter how rare or limited it appears to be, has to be seen as a positive thing.<br />
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There are some big name alternatives to eBay and given that they all have a strong reputation for doing what they do, you can be confident about moving beyond <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-30928438">what eBay has to offer</a>. If you are keen to spend your heard earned money but want to be confident about where you spend it, the following platforms rank highly amongst the best eBay alternatives.<br />
<h2>
Amazon</h2>
It is unlikely that you will have heard of eBay but not of Amazon. Amazon is an absolutely massive company and no matter what you are looking for, this is likely to be the best place to look. Amazon has been expanding greatly in recent years and the Amazon marketplace has allowed a lot more people to sell their products and wares on this platform. This means that you can get the best of both worlds from Amazon, buying from one of the biggest retailers in the world but also being able to buy from individual sellers offering up their own unique products.<br />
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With Amazon venturing into many other markets, including streaming TV shows and films, you will find that having access to an Amazon account is likely to be of interest, so it should be one of your constant options when looking to buy online.<br />
<h2>
Etsy</h2>
If you would prefer to move away from buying from major companies and would prefer to support individual artists that create stylish and handmade goods, Etsy is the ideal platform. Etsy makes it easier for artists to sell their goods, so if you are looking to buy a one-off product or a unique print that has been produced in limited numbers, you will find that Etsy is the ideal platform to buy from.<br />
You may not be able to find exactly what you are looking for from this retail outlet, but it may be that you will find exactly what you are looking for. There is also a lot to be said for the fact that once you start browsing on Etsy, you will likely find a number of things that you are very keen to buy.<br />
<h2>
Play</h2>
Play was quite similar to Amazon in scope, if not size, but a lot has changed in recent years. The company has opened up their retail platform, making it more of a market place. This is still good news for consumers though because there is an opportunity to snap up a wide range of goods from a vast array of consumers. It may not be the first platform that you turn to when looking to buy items, but sometimes you will find that Play is able to turn up trumps when eBay and Amazon are unable to help you out.<br />
<h2>
Gumtree</h2>
Gumtree is quite a different proposition from eBay or Amazon but if you are on the lookout for something quite specific, this may be the best place for you to do so. This provides you with the opportunity to get in touch with local people who are selling items or who can offer services. This means that they may not have what you are looking for on Gumtree, but if they do, you can usually find at an affordable price and within easy reach of where you are.<br />
<h2>
PoundSeller</h2>
There are plenty of auction sites to choose from but it is <a href="https://www.poundseller.co.uk/">worth checking out PoundSeller</a>. This is because the firm differs from other auction sites by not charging commission on sales. Nor do they charge fees on sales or charge for membership so if you are looking to pay a fairer price on an extensive range of goods and items, this is likely to be the sort of site that you should shop from.<br />
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Andrew Reilly is a freelance writer with a focus on news stories and consumer interest articles. He has been writing professionally for 9 years but has been writing for as long as he can care to remember. When Andrew isn't sat behind a laptop or researching a story, he will be found watching a gig or a game of football.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30598369.post-87819331813959633842014-04-02T14:03:00.000-07:002014-04-02T14:03:06.053-07:00Tips For Sending Flowers<br />
No matter what the holiday, getting into the spirit of the occasion and enjoying the festivities is always something to look forward to.<br />
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Holidays are not only a great excuse for getting together and celebrating, but also a fitting time to give gifts and show loved ones you’re thinking about them.<br />
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The ideal gift for sprucing up a holiday and its décor? You got it—flowers! Deep red roses on a Christmas table brings instant class to the setting. White lilies are a serene and beautiful choice for Easter. A vibrant bouquet of tulips on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mother%27s_Day">Mother’s Day</a> will win you lots of brownie points.<br />
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Whatever the event, it is important that you remember these 3 tips for sending flowers over the holidays:<br />
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<b>Know where your flower recipient will be</b><br />
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Before you pick out that gorgeous arrangement, make sure it’s going to be enjoyed. The last thing you want to do is send flowers to your best friend for the Fourth of July when she’s going away on a family vacation and won’t be there to receive them.<br />
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If your mom is going to stay with your sister for a week over the Mother’s Day holiday, make sure you send the flowers to your sister’s house where she can enjoy her surprise.<br />
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If you’re sending a bouquet to your girlfriend who is spending the holidays with her parents, you may want to send something to her mother/your future mother-in-law, too!<br />
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<b>Consider the decor</b><br />
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You may or may not know what the décor of the home of the flower recipient will be during the holidays. While it may be a fairly safe bet to choose red for Christmas, some people don’t always decorate with the traditional colors.<br />
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Try to find out (subtly) the color and style of the décor. This will help you make an appropriate choice for picking out flowers that will add to the holiday flare in the home of your loved one.<br />
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<b>Do your best to match his or her personality</b><br />
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While you want to choose an arrangement that compliments the holiday, it is still very important that you do your best to send something that suits the personality of your recipient.<br />
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If he is classy and sophisticated, choosing an elegant and monochromatic arrangement with will be well received. If she’s whimsical and bohemian, a vibrant assortment of wild flowers may be just her thing. <br />
Ultimately, it helps if you know what your recipient likes. That way the gift will come across as thoughtful and personal, rather than a simple holiday token.<br />
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Whether you are able to splurge on a large and breathtaking arrangement, or if your budget only allows for something small and pretty, your flower delivery will always be appreciated and remembered. If you’ve never thought to send flowers over the holidays, it’s never too late to take your loved ones by surprise. A few blooms and a thoughtful note can go much further than you think.<br />
<br />Mahima Narula has been in the floral business for over a decade. Currently, she is the head of business at Flora2000. They are the industry leaders in international flower delivery. Please visit their website at <a href="http://www.flora2000.com/">www.flora2000.com</a> for more information.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30598369.post-30158409987957621822013-11-14T08:57:00.002-08:002013-11-14T08:57:53.032-08:00Shopping In Hong KongHong Kong is easily one of the most popular places to go shopping in the world. Travel from all over the world just for the great shopping experience on offer...and its not just women that love to shop here. With hundreds of shopping centers offering great prices on almost any item you could imagine its easy to see why this is a shoppers paradise. All the shopping centers and malls in Hong Kong are equipped with world class shopping facilities like fashion stores, book stores, coffee shops, cinemas, entertainment centers and so many restaurants you will have trouble choosing where to eat.<br />
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Finding the best place to shop for you needs can be quite difficult in Hong Kong so let us show you the various shopping districts that you should consider visiting.<br />
<h3>
<b>Check out the Following Excellent Places To Shop in Hong Kong </b></h3>
<b>Central</b><br />
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Centralis the business and economic center in Hong Kong. Two of the most famous landmarks that really stand out in this district are the Hong Kong Bank and the Bank of China. Famous and elegant boutiques and shopping malls are scattered throughout this part of town. Three excellent malls here are- The Landmark Square, The Pacific Place and The Galleria Square. The three-floor Landmark Square displays top brands like Versace, LV, Gucci, Versus, D&;G, O.Z.O.C., U2 and Esprit. The Pacific Place concentrates on high quality leather including LV, Tiffany, Levin and Channel. The Galleria Square is a haven for world-famous Italian brands.<br />
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<b>Causeway Bay</b><br />
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Though Causeway Bay is mainly famous for the beautiful Victoria Park and horse racecourse, it can still compete with the most popular shopping destinations in Hong Kong. Famous malls located here are- The Time Square, Lee Gardens and lots of Japanese shopping centers. Jardine’s Crescent is really popular with younger people where fashionable clothing and accessories are on offer.<br />
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<b>Jade Market</b><br />
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Jade Market, situated at the intersections of Battery and Kansu streets, is lined with numerous stalls selling jade items. It is an ideal place for tourists who want to browse for gifts and souvenirs to take home to their loved one. Just make sure you go there with a person who is an expert in scrutinizing jade to avoid buying counterfeits. You can easily be ripped off here if you're not careful.<br />
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<b>Sham Shui Po</b><br />
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If you are shopping for electronic gadgets and appliances, Sham Shui Po is the best place to go. On offer here is an abundance of appliances and gadgets with extremely competitive prices. Apliu Street, which is located in this area, also specializes in electronics, electrical components, and other related items. A fast way in reaching this open market is to get off at the MTR Sham Shui Po Station.<br />
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<b>Mong Kok</b><br />
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Most of the shops here target the younger generation as they display a wide array of modern and fashionable clothing and accessories. Famous shops here are Sai Yeung Choi Street South that sells electronics and golden ornaments on Nathan Road.<br />
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<b>Ap Liu Street Flea Market</b><br />
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Ap liu Street has a flea market that sells new and second-hand electrical equipment, electrical components, AV equipment and other related items. You can also find antique items, watches, old coins and other relics.<br />
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<b>Wan Chai</b><br />
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If you are looking for elegant furniture and household accessories, Wan Chai is the best place to go. Its streets are rich in history pertaining Hong Kong which is reflected in its displayed shopping items in various stores that offer an amazing array of shopping items. Shoppers will find lots of Chinese furniture shops along Queen's Road East.<br />
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<b>Hong Kong's Flower Market</b><br />
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The Flower Market is a great place to visit or to buy (as you may have guessed) all varieties of flowering plants, leafy plants and other horticulture accessories. Hong Kong’s Flower market is located near the Prince Edward MTR Station.<br />
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<b>Tai Yuen Street</b><br />
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Situated in Wan Chai district in Hong Kong is Tai Yuen Street that is famous for its inexpensive toys for children. If you have a child with you in Hong Kong this is the best place to go shopping for them.<br />
I love to shop and travel the world to find the best places to get a bargain and write about my experience. If you want to see more about my traveling experiences then check out <a href="http://www.sydneycbdhotels.net.au/blog/">my blog</a> hereUnknownnoreply@blogger.com6Hong Kong22.396428 114.1094970000000321.9265115 113.46405000000003 22.8663445 114.75494400000004tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30598369.post-60304238176658925072013-08-27T05:29:00.001-07:002013-08-27T05:30:32.772-07:00Cost-Effective Car Insurance PoliciesThe cost of insuring your car can take a big bite out of your personal finances. Young drivers are particularly prone to paying a high price for their car insurance policies, as they are statistically more likely to be involved in a road traffic accident. To save money on your car insurance policy, it is imperative for you to research the wide range of available policies, and you may even be surprised with the amount of choice out there. There's truly a policy for every type of car owner.<br />
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<b>Multi-Car Insurance</b> <br />
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Millions of homes have more than one driver, and more than one car. If you are amongst the many households with multiple cars in your driveway, you may wish to consider taking out a multi-car insurance policy, designed to cover all the vehicles registered at your home address. Not only will you benefit from a single renewal date and premium, but you may also be able to acquire a discount when you insure more than one car on the same policy.<br />
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<b>Short-Term Car Insurance</b> <br />
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If your children are living away at college or university and only need to borrow your family car during the summer holidays, you may consider adding them to your insurance policy as a named driver. However, this can be expensive and may put your no-claims discount at risk if they have had any mishaps in the past. Short-term car insurance is the ideal solution as the cover is only temporary, usually between one and 28 days, and this means that you will not be forced to pay out for more insurance than you need. It will also protect your no-claims discount from harm, which saves a sizeable amount of money throughout the year.<br />
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<b>Telematics Insurance</b><br />
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If you are a young motorist, you may find it difficult to run a car due to the insurance and maintence costs, especially since insurance costs can be elevated for new drivers.<br />
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However, you may be able to <a href="http://www.admiral.com/littlebox/">take advantage of cheaper car insurance by opting for a telematics</a>, or black box, policy. When you take out such a policy, your insurer will fit a small black box to your car to record details of how you handle your car. In doing so, your insurer will be able to paint a picture of your driving habits, such as whether or not you are prone to sudden breaking, and will calculate your premiums based on the risk of you making a claim. Telematics insurance may help you acquire cheaper insurance cover, often without a curfew.<br />
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<b>Comparing Car Insurance Premiums</b> <br />
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Car insurance does not have to be costly. One of the simplest ways to save money on your car insurance is to use a price comparison site whenever you are approaching your renewal date and see if the insurance market has changed since you bought your last policy. Once you have chosen the best type of insurance coverage for your needs, you can compare the cost of hundreds of different car insurance policies to find the cheapest deal for you and your family. <br />
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Kevin Smith is a car fanatic based in Newcastle. His day job mainly involved freelancing in automotive topics.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30598369.post-16690229422556896252013-05-15T03:42:00.004-07:002013-05-15T03:43:50.062-07:00Selling on eBay - Getting Items DeliveredIf you are looking to sell items on eBay you have two options when it comes to the delivery of your products:<br />
<ol>
<li>You can ask the buyer to organise their own delivery – this is the easiest option for you as a trader, but you risk your customer purchasing the product from another seller who includes the delivery as part of their service.</li>
<li>You can organise the delivery yourself, which makes your product more attractive to a potential buyer, and thus more competitive in the market.</li>
</ol>
It is a well-known fact that most eBay buyers look for the easiest option when it comes to buying a product and this for many means purchasing a product from a seller who includes the delivery of the item. In fact, many eBay traders are now including free delivery in the price of their product to make them more competitive and attract more customers. Therefore, in this blog, we will look at the things you need to know as an eBay seller when it comes to the delivery of your products both domestically and internationally.<br />
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Regardless of where you need to send your product to, as an eBay seller you want to provide a reliable delivery service for the lowest cost possible – especially if you are including free delivery for your customer. - Therefore the first thing <a href="http://www.parcelhero.com/courier/cheap-parcel-delivery">you need to find is a cheap reliable parcel delivery service</a> that can deliver your products to your customers’ location. In addition, your courier should also be able to provide the following:<br />
<ul>
<li>A signed for delivery service</li>
<li>Online tracking</li>
<li>Real-time scan information and delivery signatures</li>
<li>A wide range of delivery services including, same day delivery, next day delivery, timed delivery, international express delivery and international economy delivery</li>
<li>Additional insurance options</li>
<li>Money back guarantee options</li>
<li>An easy to contact customer services. Do <b>not</b> opt for a courier that doesn’t have a phone number as you could be in a pickle if you need to query something urgently.</li>
<li>A strong track record of positive feedback from existing customers on an independent review site, like TrustPilot for example.</li>
</ul>
Assuming you have already chosen a courier that can provide all of the above, we will now look at the shipping process itself.<br />
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<b>Packaging your goods for transport via courier</b><br />
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It’s important to note that if your goods arrive damaged, it’s your liability and the buyer will return the goods and you will need to refund them for the goods and the shipping charges. For this reason it’s really important to ensure that your product is packaged sufficiently for transport via courier. This means wrapping your products with internal packaging materials before cushioning and suspending your product inside the box. This is essential to avoid any damage in transit from minor impacts, bumps, jolts and vibrations that are normal in the shipping process. It is also important that you use a strong box or container with rigid sides and corners, as your external packaging.<br />
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Always place a copy of the shipping label inside your parcel and write the delivery address on the external packaging so the courier knows where your parcel is going in the event that your shipping label is torn or comes undone during transit.<br />
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<b>Delivering Shipments within the UK </b><br />
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When sending a parcel within the UK, you need to be aware that the Channel Islands, including Guernsey and Jersey, have separate regulations to the rest of the UK when it comes to shipping. The Channel Islands are classed as a non EU destination and therefore requires customs clearance when shipping from the UK. Refer to the guidelines in the ‘International Deliveries outside the EU’ section below if you need to send a parcel to the Channel Islands.<br />
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For all other UK deliveries, organising a collection and delivery with a courier is easy and straightforward.<br />
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<b>International Deliveries within the EU</b><br />
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When you are sending a parcel within EU, you do not have to produce a customs invoice. This means that there are no additional duties or taxes for your receiver to pay for importing the goods into their country.<br />
Arranging an EU delivery is as easy as arranging a UK delivery, albeit a bit more expensive. You will also have to check that your goods are not prohibited for import into the country you are shipping to, but your courier should be able to advise you on this.<br />
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<b>International Deliveries outside the EU</b><br />
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Shipping to destinations outside of the EU, including the Channel Islands and Canary Islands, requires a little more effort, as you will have to provide a shipping invoice for customs clearance, with your parcel.<br />
The customs invoice is used by customs in your destination country to determine the level duty and tax to apply to each product you’re sending (it is standard practise in shipping for the receiver to pay any applicable import duty and tax). Every product has different levels of duty and tax, and this is determined by the ‘tariff classification’ for each of your items. You don’t have to research this, but if you’re sending a high value shipment it’s best to do so.<br />
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For help working out the tariff classification/s for your goods, you will need to check with the customs authority in the destination country (Or you can simply give the buyer the option to look into this if they wish as ultimately they will be the ones having to pay any charges). Most countries have a customs website or helpline where you can get this information from. Once you have established the tariff number for each of your products, you can list this on the customs invoice alongside each of the products you’re sending.<br />
It’s also important to note that if the receiver refuses to pay the duty and tax, then you will be liable. You can request the goods are returned, but you will be liable for the return shipping charges, and it’s at customs discretion whether they release the goods, if they chose not to, then the only way you will be able to get your product returned if by paying the duties and the return shipping charges. For this reason it’s important you check everything out before shipping.<br />
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The customs invoice must contain the following information:<br />
<ol>
<li>The shipper’s address (collection address)</li>
<li>The receiver’s address (delivery address)</li>
<li>The ‘sold to’ address (address of the buyer if different from the receiver’s address)</li>
<li>The goods description for each item you are sending (IT Equipment, clothing, toys, ceramic mugs)</li>
<li>The value of each item for customs purposes (you must assign an overall value to parcel you are sending, and you must also provide a value for each item you are sending inside your parcel).</li>
<li>The reason for export (in your case, as an eBay seller, it will be: ‘Sale’)</li>
</ol>
It’s important that you provide a breakdown of the contents of your parcel on the invoice. For example; instead of just writing IT Equipment, you will need to list all the items.<br />
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Also note that some products are prohibited into certain countries. For example used clothes are prohibited to some South American countries, so it’s always worth checking with your courier to ensure the items you’re sending are not prohibited for the country you’re shipping to.<br />
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It is also important to be aware that your receiver might have to obtain an import licence from their local authority in order to successfully clear the goods through customs and this may take extra time to obtain, and result in additional clearance delays. As the shipper you are <b>not</b> liable for any such delays, as it is the sole responsibility of the importer to ensure that they are eligible to import the goods into their country.<br />
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It is worth knowing that the transit time quoted by any courier is always ‘pending customs clearance’. This means that the goods will be delivered within the quoted transit time, providing there are no delays with customs clearance. This is because customs authorities are local government bodies and couriers hold no authority over them.<br />
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<b>A Final Consideration </b><br />
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Regardless of which country you are shipping to, it is worth paying for additional insurance with your courier in the unlikely event of any loss or damage to your parcel during transit. You may however chose to give the buyer the option for additional insurance, but remember if they don’t take the insurance and the goods are damaged in transit, ultimately it your liability, not theirs.<br />
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Joanne Reader is a freelance writerUnknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30598369.post-89832999310282016792013-04-19T02:31:00.002-07:002013-04-19T02:31:34.905-07:00Let Fuel Take You Further | Improve Fuel ConsumptionThe day I started writing this post, the UK average price for unleaded was 139.84p, diesel 146.34p, and by the time you’re reading it, they will likely have increased again. The price of petrol in the UK has been causing disputes and headaches for UK motorists and businesses alike for decades, but is proving with every rise that UK motorists have few options or alternatives to driving, and could be considered a captive market…<br />
<img alt="Petrol can" height="506" src="http://myblogguest.com/forum/uploads/articles/2013/3/fuel_1.jpg" title="Petrol can" width="538" /><br />
It would appear that UK motorists are still far too dependent on their cars to mount any kind of significant protest against rising fuel prices. The price per litre has risen this year by around 6.24p since early January, adding around £3.12 to the cost of filling a typical 50-litre tank. It’s a significant and worrying increase, but most of us are at the mercy of the pumps and would sooner find ways of cutting back on other daily expenses than giving up our cars. However, whilst you can’t beat the rising fuel costs, you can avoid some of the impact that price rises have on you by using some of the following tips for getting the most out every penny in your tank, increasing your mpg and helping your fuel take you further.<br />
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<b>When Buying: </b><br />
<b>1. </b><b>Shop around – </b>Using the internet to find the best fuel price in your area is straightforward, and the savings will add up considerably over time, although…<br /><b>2. </b><b>Don’t overdo it – </b>It’s not worth driving miles out of your way to save a few pennies. Plan when and where to fill up and think about the most economical way to do it.<br /><b>3. </b><b>Petrol offers – </b>Your local supermarket may offer discounts or other deals on their fuel if you spend enough in store. Look into and cash in on them.<br /><b>4. </b><b>Buy fuel during the coolest times of day – </b>Or at night. This is when fuel will be at its densest, meaning you’ll get more for your money, since fuel pumps measure in volumes.<br />
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<b>When Driving:</b><br />
<b>5. </b><b>Lighten the load – </b>Don’t carry anything unnecessary in the car. It’s estimated that for every 250 lbs. extra you carry, you lose 1mpg in fuel economy.<br /><b>6. </b><b>Drive at a constant & moderate speed – </b>Slow acceleration and breaking over longer distances is, second to buying a more fuel efficient car, the best way to improve your running costs. It’ll depend on your vehicle, but a motorway speed of around 60mph is a safe bet for close-to-optimum mileage.<br /><b>7. </b><b>Don’t idle – </b>For more than 30 seconds. Switching off and back on your engine does use a burst of fuel, but still less than letting the vehicle idle for too long.<br /><b>8. </b><b>Take it easy on the throttle – </b>If you avoid accelerating quickly and braking sharply, you’ll not only save on fuel, but also but on wear and tear on your brakes too.<br />
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<b>Maintaining Your Vehicle:</b><br />
<b>9. </b><b>Check tyre pressures regularly – </b>Maintaining your tyres at the manufacturer-recommended pressure can increase fuel economy by as much as 3.3%.<br /><b>10. </b><b>Filters – </b>During your MOT it can be worth getting a service, or even just the air filters on your vehicle replaced. Recent research suggests dirty air filters can cost motorists up to 10% on their fuel economy.<br /><b>11. </b><b>Keep your car in good working order – </b>Following manufacturer recommendations on servicing, oil replacement etc. will not only maintain your car’s health, but can maintain its optimum fuel economy.<br />
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One potential, though expensive solution to expensive fuel costs is to purchase a hybrid or electric car. The potential fuel economy of these vehicles is improving all the time, however, there are some genuine concerns you should look into over the environmental and monetary impact such a purchase will have on you in the future; that new technology is still developing and so is more likely to encounter problems and cost you in repairs, and the battery acid in electric and hybrid vehicles is not only environmentally damaging but expensive to dispose of, and to replace when they eventually need to be.<br />
These are important things to consider before going out and buying the greenest, most fuel efficient motor you can find, since as always with motoring, there are going to be unexpected costs. If you’re a driver of a Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano, or a Bentley Continental GT, then it’s likely that a change of vehicle might be the way to achieve decent mileage. On the other hand, for all drivers, the costs involved in purchasing a new vehicle will often outweigh a few years’ worth of potential savings on fuel economy.<br />
<img alt="Car" height="385" src="http://myblogguest.com/forum/uploads/articles/2013/3/fuel_2.jpg" title="Car" width="538" /><br />
All of the above tips can help you increase the number of mile’s you get for your money, but the fact is that driving is becoming more and more expensive every year. From hiking insurance and tax costs to congestion charges, the modern, savvy driver will be taking every opportunity to beat the system and save money, from using comparison to sneaking out at midnight to buy denser petrol - it’s really up to you how far you want to take the ‘economy drive’, but it’s likely that we can expect the cost of driving to get worse before it gets better, if ever it does.<br />
<br /><br />
This article was written by David Rendell, content writer for the <a href="http://www.confused.com/car-insurance">car insurance comparison site, Confused.com</a><br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30598369.post-33300454680843341432013-02-07T06:05:00.002-08:002013-02-07T06:05:47.142-08:00Shopping in the North of England
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Mid-season sales mean
only one thing: shopping, and lots of it. Mini-breaks dedicated
solely to shopping have become increasingly popular, with
fashionistas travelling across the country to find their favourite
brands, vintage boutiques and new trends. British fashions are
acclaimed as some of the best in the world, so it isn’t surprising
that shopaholics are eschewing the famous shopping cities of New York
and Milan in favour of stylish cities on our own soil. London is a
popular choice for many seeking retail therapy, however it is easy to
forget that there are shopping havens outside of the capital. This
guide will look at what shopping destinations are available in the
North of England, where to stay and what to expect.<br />
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Manchester</h3>
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Manchester is one of
Britain’s best shopping destinations, boasting two large shopping
centres in addition to the eclectic delights of the <a href="http://www.visitnorthwest.com/manchester/northern-quarter/">Northern Quarter</a>. The Manchester Arndale centre in the heart of the city is a
fashionistas dream, as it is the largest inner-city shopping mall in
the United Kingdom. The centre has hundreds of highstreet and
designer stores, as well as being a short walk to Harvey Nicks and
Selfridges. Moreover, for hungry shoppers, there are lots of
restaurants to satisfy and regenerate. In addition, the Trafford
Centre (located just outside of city-centre Manchester) is equally as
vast. With marble floors, fountains and giant chandeliers, this
centre is classy and sophisticated meaning you can splash your cash
in style.
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Liverpool</h3>
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Liverpool is a famous
shopping destination that is renowned for its glamorous women (and
not just WAGs and celebrities!). With a huge range of shopping
districts within the city, Liverpool has enough shops to satisfy even
the most determined shopaholic. The exclusive Metquater is a WAG
favourite and is packed with designer stores. Moreover, the
relatively new <a href="http://www.liverpool-one.com/website/shopping.aspx">Liverpool ONE</a> centre has over 160 highstreet and
designer shops, meaning the “shop ‘til you drop” phrase is
often in danger of coming true! Beauty salons are also a speciality
in the city, so it is an absolute essential to stop for a quick
manicure in between searching for that perfect LBD.</div>
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So, two of the best
British shopping destinations have been showcased but the question
remains: which one to choose? The fact is you don’t have to choose.
You can have the best of each of these shopping havens by choosing a
central hotel in between the cities, taking advantage of a
city-escape hotel and retreating from the bustle after a hard day’s
shopping. One option for this would be choosing a hotel in leafy
Cheshire - there are plenty of <span lang="en-US">hotels in
Warrington and the surrounding area</span> that fit the bill
perfectly.
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If you wish to head
further up north, then the bustling, metropolitan cities of Leeds and
Newcastle also provide numerous great shopping opportunities, as well
as a vast array of bars and restaurants for you and your friends to
unwind in after a busy day hitting the shops. So, with four great
Northern cities to choose from, London soon loses its status as the
shopping capital of England. The only question left for you and your
friends is: when can you all get away?
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Many thnaks to guest author Lauren who writes on behalf
of <span lang="en-US"></span><a href="http://www.thegullivershotel.co.uk/">The
Gullivers Hotel</a><span lang="en-US"><a href="http://www.thegullivershotel.co.uk/"> </a>in Warrington, Cheshire.
</span>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30598369.post-33996637190508183802013-01-28T05:46:00.001-08:002013-01-28T05:46:32.753-08:00Online Shopping GuidesWhether going on holiday to another country or simply shopping in the town where you live, knowing about the shops you want to visit before going to them is always a smart idea. Instead of playing a guessing game, you can consult with online shopping guides, and these guides help out in the following ways.<br />
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<h3>
Store Basics </h3>
It might seem like a simple concept, but so many people arrive at their favourite stores only to find out that they have already closed for the night. Some shops might close early on a certain day, or they may have one day off per week. Furthermore, shopping guides let you know if the store has recently moved or if there are multiple locations with different products available.<br />
<h4>
The Cost of Items</h4>
Some online shopping guides will not just be able to let you know about the stores themselves but will also be able to let you know how much the items cost. When stores do this, they are really helping out the consumer as you can plan out which shops to go to in advance to get the best deals, and best value for money on what you are shopping for.<br />
<h3>
Sales and Discounts</h3>
Even when it comes to a high-end store their customers still love sales and discounts. After all, who wants to pay full price when a percentage of the cost can be easily taken away? If you get an online shopping guide it will let you know what items are on sale at the current time and some of them will give a preview of sales that are to come in the near future. This allows the consumer to wait for a while before making the purchase and to stock up when the items are on sale instead.<br /> <br />
<h4>
Delivery Options</h4>
When the weather is really cold or you just don’t fancy going out, going to the store is not always an option. Therefore, these guides can also let you know if any delivery services are available from the store itself. Many shops have online storefronts these days and the guides will also provide information to let the potential customers know whether or not special discounts are available for people who choose to have the products delivered to their house.<br /> <br /> Clearly an online <a href="http://www.shopikon.com/">shopping guide</a> really has the potential to help customers out and to make the shopping experience much more pleasant for them and their wallets.<br />
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<br />
Ursula Jones writes on a number of subjects including online shopping guides.<br />
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See <a href="http://www.shopikon.com/">http://www.shopikon.com/</a> for an independent shopping guide.<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30598369.post-60282358409281602082013-01-18T05:39:00.000-08:002013-01-18T05:39:09.147-08:00Dubai Set to Build World's Largest MallDubai sure loves itself some big buildings. A desert kingdom with more wealth than beach sand, and more drive than a 911 Porsche, Dubai works towards being bigger and better than all the other cosmopolitan cities across the globe. As <a href="http://www.travelerstoday.com/articles/3740/20121127/dubai-build-worlds-largest-shopping-mall.htm">plans to build</a> the world’s largest mall comes right on the heels of their giant aquarium – the largest tank in the world of course – springing a leak; probably due to it being too large in a small space, and was set to become the next in line to cave and flood the mall.<br />
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<h3>
<b>Whopping Shopping</b></h3>
As architects, planners and developers in Dubai are not content with <a href="http://shopping-information.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/dubai-shopping.html">regular size malls</a> for regular amounts of people, they have now decided that because they are famed for their mega-construction projects, they may as well build the world’s largest mall, and park. The eponymous hero of the new mall is Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum who wants to ideally build a city within his already mega city.<br />
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Architects and developers have been working on designs for the world’s largest mall to comfortably hold 80 million annual visitors. Determined to be 30% bigger than Hyde Park in London, the entire structure will include some of the best entertainment value that is seen across the world. The entertainment centre is to be designed in conjunction with the famous Universal Studios to ensure that it’s amongst the biggest attractions ever.<br />
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Even though Dubai is home to masses of luxurious residential apartments, villas and stunning getaways on their manmade islands, the Sheikh has decided that additional residential areas attached to the world’s biggest mall will just add that much more to the structure. They already have the world’s tallest building – Buri Khalifa – so why not throw in several hundred more luxury apartments? Pretty soon Dubai will be home to the city with the most apartment blocks in the world. A title they will gladly accept, we’re sure.<br />
Dubai is already home to a large amount of shopping malls and hotels, so one has to wonder what will happen to the businesses within the existing malls. And, what are they going to do with another shopping mall? Yes, Dubai is the shopping Mecca for people across the globe, but what will the world’s largest mall have to offer that the others don’t? They’ll have entertainment centres, beauty spas, theatres, cinemas and a luxury residence for those with cash to splash, and this is just the tip of the iceberg.<br />
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For starters, Dubai’s tourism has jumped by 13% since they bounced back from the recession. Hotels are sitting at 80% capacity and the economy has exceeded $4 billion dollars since the economic restructuring in 2009. Clearly Dubai has the space and funds to build and furnish the world’s largest mall, with very little financial concern. Well, if you’ve got it, flaunt it.<br />
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Vida Denning is a prolific freelance writer who has travelled quite extensively. She loved her time in Dubai even though there were many construction sites, men in <a href="http://www.dickiesstore.co.uk/dickies-and-redhawk-overalls/" target="_blank">overalls</a> and cement everywhere. However, nothing compared to the awesome Dubai desert.<br />
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Related - <a href="http://shopping-information.blogspot.co.uk/2011/01/shopping-in-uae-focus-on-dubai.html">http://shopping-information.blogspot.co.uk/2011/01/shopping-in-uae-focus-on-dubai.html </a><br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5Dubai - United Arab Emirates25.271139 55.30748500000004224.350731500000002 54.01659150000004 26.1915465 56.598378500000045tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30598369.post-54561632191744007802013-01-14T05:33:00.002-08:002013-01-14T05:35:11.929-08:00The Shops of New YorkOne of the key highlights of visiting New York City is the superb shopping! In the shopping districts, you can find anything and pretty much everything you want. This can be all name-brand products, arts and crafts, baby and kids’ clothing, bike shops, bookstores, chocolate and sweet shops, shoe stores, discount, consignment and vintage stores. The skies the limit in the city that loves to shop. Below are some ideas to help you in your shopping pleasure.<br />
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<h3>
<b>Baby And Kids’ Clothing</b></h3>
In a city where adults love to dress to impress and cost is usually never an issue; you can’t forget the baby and kids’ of these fashion forward parents. It’s not uncommon to find the young ones, in a wardrobe that can put their parents to shame. When you want to shop where these trendy kids shops, you will need to know where to start.<br />
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<b>Still Hip- </b>When you walk into this trendy feeling boutique you’ll be instantly impressed with the selection of high end products. However, you’ll be even more impressed and wowed when you realize that this is actually a re-seller store.<br />
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<b>Z’baby Company- </b>Practical yet trendy, all the clothes in this store cater to any upscale parent who requires fashion friendly clothes, that will withstand their children’s daily playing habits.<br />
<h3>
<b>NYC Shoe Stores On Any Budget</b></h3>
The average New Yorker walks a lot! This means the life of their shoes is very limited when compared to other cities. That’s why it’s so important to offer up a shoe store that can fit any budget. There are more than enough discount shoe stores to choose from in NYC.<br />
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<b>DSW-Union Square- </b>Don’t let the size of this imposing shoe store detour you from taking a look around. Despite it’s huge size it offers thousands of shoes at discounted prices, and in almost every shape, style and size.<br />
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<b>Loehmann’s- </b>this is one of NYC many treasure chest that’s full of designer items at discount prices. Offering shoes that will look like they cost a bundle, but with a price tag of a true discount. This store offers not only shoes; it serves up bags, beauty products, jewelry, furs, tops and much more.<br />
<h3>
<b>Consignment And Vintage Shopping In NYC</b></h3>
<b> </b>Just like all things, clothes come in and out of style faster than you can blink. When fashion forward individuals want to make some money off of last years’ styles, they place them into consignment stores. When individuals want to get some back in style clothes from vintage stores, they have large selections to decide from.<br />
<b>A Second Chance Designer Resale- </b>When you want designer names from the biggest and hottest names but can’t afford the huge price tags attached to them, this is an idea spot to shop. With new consignments being added daily, you can always find something you are looking for.<br />
<b>Eye Candy- </b>Specializing in vintage accessories, jewels, sunglasses, designer heels, and purses this is a fantastic store for the budget friendly vintage consumer. <br />
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Royaluxury Limousine is a <a href="http://www.royaluxury.com/">new york limo</a> company that provide limousine and transportation services to all the major attractions in the New York City area.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30598369.post-44892972020762172982013-01-13T02:47:00.000-08:002013-02-06T10:48:04.732-08:00Add Up Declutter Foreign Coins and Give Back to Charities<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=30598369" name="_GoBack"></a> <span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Useful
as they may be while travelling, foreign coins can be a nuisance when
returning home. </span></span><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.cash4coins.co.uk/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Foreign
coin exchange counters</span></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">
will almost never convert them -the low value of the transaction
makes the exchange impractical -and they simply take up space.
Throwing coins in the rubbish feels wrong, but the traveller might as
well for all the good a handful of spare change in another currency
will do. Every frequent flyer is familiar with the drifts of small
change that build up around the house, gathering dust and
accomplishing nothing.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></span></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvrw6wyP5e0DGOlGcia9BlWkyTlsKo0GVbi1LrlMlOtqUr6B3-Go58pHtqIaDrq7-mzO_Ya3VNjcDhEqCy0Z54-bWoCftEtBvO5eiu6l1-uR3-FNwEaCdkBXQbNqDBaQsj4cfX/s1600/add-up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />Some airports have donation boxes where
departing passengers can leave their spare foreign change. The
donated coins go toward supporting local charities. While these are
useful and serve a good cause, many airports don't have them in
convenient locations and some airports don't have them at all. As a
results, passengers often wind up with pockets full of useless small
change, with nothing to spend it on and no one to benefit from
it.<br /><br />One new approach to this problem comes from
designers at National Taipei University of Technology in Taiwan.
Their design, Add Up, is an electronic booth that accepts small
change in local currencies. While the problem of storing sufficient
coins would make changing coins impractical for physical exchange
brokers, Add Up gets around the problem by converting coins into an
electronic payment. This payment can be deposited into the user's
Skype account or credited toward a mobile phone bill.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvrw6wyP5e0DGOlGcia9BlWkyTlsKo0GVbi1LrlMlOtqUr6B3-Go58pHtqIaDrq7-mzO_Ya3VNjcDhEqCy0Z54-bWoCftEtBvO5eiu6l1-uR3-FNwEaCdkBXQbNqDBaQsj4cfX/s1600/add-up.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvrw6wyP5e0DGOlGcia9BlWkyTlsKo0GVbi1LrlMlOtqUr6B3-Go58pHtqIaDrq7-mzO_Ya3VNjcDhEqCy0Z54-bWoCftEtBvO5eiu6l1-uR3-FNwEaCdkBXQbNqDBaQsj4cfX/s400/add-up.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Changing
coins with Add Up doesn't only help passengers; it also helps good
causes. Whenever a currency transaction occurs, a small amount of
money is left over following the decimal point. For instance, a
traveller returning to the UK from the US with $0.98 in her pocket
would exchange it for £0.6244. Under normal circumstances, the .44
of a penny would be discarded. Add Up accumulates these extra amounts
from all its transactions and gives it to charity.<br /><br />Although
the amount of any individual Add Up transaction is minute, the
designers hope that the machines will be installed in airports all
around the world. As thousands of passengers deposit their surplus
coins in thousands of airports every day, a steady trickle of money
will flow to deserving causes.<br /><br />The beauty of the Add Up
system is that it solves several different problems simultaneously,
ridding passengers of inconvenient foreign currency, adding money to
accounts every traveller makes use of, and giving extra change to
charity.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><br />This guest blog was brought to you
by Cash4Coins who provide </i></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">simple, open and
honest service and are trusted by individuals, national charities,
banks, businesses, schools and hospitals to </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><a href="http://www.cash4coins.co.uk/exchange-euro-coins/">Exchange
Euro Coins</a></i></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> in
the UK</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30598369.post-45186436026406898432013-01-04T11:10:00.001-08:002013-01-04T11:11:21.670-08:00Vintage LuggageSimilar to vintage furniture, antique luggage has a timeless appeal that oozes individuality, classiness and style. Although despite possessing a charismatic aesthetic appeal that only vintage items achieve, there are some downsides to older and more rustic items of luggage.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrcHTL5ST8ia9-0l-jn3n5YsSIJMl3GH5zPjxhig3KreVKVIgKfPzCiPaLcL-9zQd76OVtfU6DAllhyphenhyphenD370HW22UefisDwTZxF5RQrP5bhCDJAGJBe1cXahUuidZoQo719r1K2/s1600/leather-vintage-suitcase-lock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrcHTL5ST8ia9-0l-jn3n5YsSIJMl3GH5zPjxhig3KreVKVIgKfPzCiPaLcL-9zQd76OVtfU6DAllhyphenhyphenD370HW22UefisDwTZxF5RQrP5bhCDJAGJBe1cXahUuidZoQo719r1K2/s1600/leather-vintage-suitcase-lock.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br />
If you are deliberating about whether or not to exchange the suitcase that has been in your family for generations with a contemporary substitute, then take a look at some of the advantages and disadvantages to vintage luggage.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Sentimental value</h3>
<br />
One of the main reasons we may be reluctant to exchange the suitcase we've had for decades with a new one is because of sentimental reasons. Bags that have been inherited and been passed down a family for generations have a nostalgic value that is simply irreplaceable. <br />
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<br />
That said if your vintage suitcase is hinging on the unusable you may want to consider demoting it to a more stationary use, such as storage for bed linen or children's toys. Thus, meaning that you don't have to kiss an eternal goodbye to your beloved antique suitcase. <br />
<br />
<h3>
An individual style</h3>
<br />
You can almost guarantee that your case from the 1960s will look significantly dissimilar to all those uninteresting, mass-produced bags that are churned out down the conveyor belt at the airport. One distinct advantage of antique luggage is that due to its uniqueness, you can be sure that no-one will accidently mistake it for their own modern yet grossly replicated suitcase.<br />
<br />
Vintage luggage, similar to other forms of vintage fashion, exudes an individuality and independent style that is regularly lost with contemporary items of fashion. If you enjoy standing out from the crowd and adhering to your own individual style, then it may well be within your interest to refrain from exchanging your antique cases for new ones.<br />
<br />
<h3>
More prone to damage</h3>
<br />
Being considerably older than its modern counterparts, it is fairly safe to assume that if your vintage luggage has had its fair share of use and will be showing some signs of wear and tear. Not only may your beloved vintage case be showing signs of the ravages of time but it is likely to be more prone to further damage. <br />
<br />
Due to the brittleness of the material, it is likely that vintage luggage will be on borrowed time and replacing it with newer items is imminent.<br />
<h4>
Heavier than modern alternatives</h4>
Modern luggage is typically designed and manufactured with considerably lighter materials than suitcases and bags that were produced a couple of decades ago. Using less weighty and softer materials compared to the clumpy cases of old, exchanging your vintage luggage for newer models could easily mean that you gain a couple of kilos in weight.<br />
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Guest blogger Carla Williams wrote this blog about luggage for <a href="http://www.londonluggage.co.uk/">www.londonluggage.co.uk</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30598369.post-91016492166887935382012-12-18T08:04:00.000-08:002012-12-18T08:04:06.101-08:00Price Comparison Website Marketing StrategiesPeople have become incredibly savvy with their shopping habits, especially when it comes to online shopping. For the most part, brand loyalty doesn’t count for a great deal, and the one that gets the sale is the one with the cheapest price. As a result, price comparison sites have grown considerably over the past decade, but when you have multiple comparison sites for the same kind of item, how to they establish themselves as a key player? Here are some of the ways that price comparison sites utilise effective marketing strategy to increase brand awareness and retain their consumer base.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikqZ_sMRsGBErWzY5PHmhf4kMKdwWUtgEiPTmeYB6fPeN5a-fA8KLp2dNl18RdmItVYkDS5GJjmNderr7O91Qpp6ytfhEQSAYdIlDOfhZpWn626VeSuKChwCdfJEiejzHGqj4V/s1600/shopping-cart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikqZ_sMRsGBErWzY5PHmhf4kMKdwWUtgEiPTmeYB6fPeN5a-fA8KLp2dNl18RdmItVYkDS5GJjmNderr7O91Qpp6ytfhEQSAYdIlDOfhZpWn626VeSuKChwCdfJEiejzHGqj4V/s320/shopping-cart.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
<b>Social media presence</b><br />
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Any website worth its salt has some kind of social media presence, whether it be on Facebook, Twitter, a blog or a forum. Social media has given companies an accessible touch point with their customers and it can be an effective method to communicate marketing messages as well as provide customer service. Twitter especially has become the platform of choice for price comparison sites as it allows them to interact quickly and directly with other users, answer their questions and provide them with relevant information.<br />
The advent of social media also allows for a less corporate and more personal approach to marketing. Being able to engage and pique the interest of customers is important to bringing them on board with your brand, and having the personality of the business shine through is an effective method of doing this.<br />
<br />
<b>Branding and visuals</b><br />
<br />
Price comparison sites are inherently similar to one another, and so each one needs an effective method of distinguishing itself from its peers and establish their brand in the forefront of consumer’s minds. This is usually achieved with a catchy jingle or a memorable character, or a combination of the two. For example, Confused.com currently has adverts featuring its cartoon mascot, Cara, in an altered rendition of the well-known disco hit Y.M.C.A. The branding message and visuals are consistent across the website and all of its social media channels, which engrains itself in people’s minds to make it an instantly recognisable brand.<br />
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<b>Price competitiveness</b><br />
<br />
Of course, the point of price comparison websites is to provide the cheapest prices on a range of products from credit cards to car insurance. It’s often the case that two price comparison sites will show up the same price with the same provider for the same person, and if that happens, how do you get the edge on the competition?<br />
<br />
This is where you must have a good relationship with your business partners in order to provide exclusive deals and discounts for your customers. This is then backed up through the site’s newsletter to customers and promoted on its social media channels to ensure that the exclusive partnership gets as much coverage as possible.<br />
<br />
The online price comparison market is a highly competitive one, and it’s through a combination of effective company branding, price competitiveness and embracing the popularity of social media that these sites can hope to gain an edge in the market.<br />
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<br />
This article was written by Jamie Gibbs, the resident blogger for <a href="http://www.confused.com/small-business-insurance" target="_blank">small business insurance</a> comparison site Confused.com<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30598369.post-77873681690689943252012-12-12T02:10:00.000-08:002012-12-12T02:10:20.281-08:00 Festive Shopping BreaksWith Christmas just around the corner the task of getting in presents and all the seasonal trimmings is once again upon us. It is commonly accepted that ‘tis the most stressful time for families. <br /><br />Shopping holidays at this time of year, are becoming increasingly popular. You may already have a destination in mind; be it for Christmas markets in Europe, designer clothes in Milan or Paris, department stores in New York, electronic gadgets in Tokyo or duty-free <a href="http://shopping-information.blogspot.co.uk/2011/01/shopping-in-uae-focus-on-dubai.html">bargains in Dubai</a>. <br /><br />The Shopping Squad has come up with some seasonal retail therapy breaks that could be just the ticket this season!<br />
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<h4>
Magasin du Nord; Copenhagen, Denmark</h4>
<br />With a history stretching back to 1868, Magasin Du Nord has positioned itself as Denmark’s premier shopping destination and since 1894, is located on Kongens Nytorv, an enviable location in the heart of the city. It’s the country’s largest and best-known department store – the equivalent of Harrods in London or Bloomingdales in New York – and the seven-storey building boasts a huge variety of products. You can find departments for fashion, home design & furnishings, beauty, books, toys, kitchenware, groceries and there's even a gourmet food hall in the basement.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQG-0OcaLnAjRI048Wp3IVnLEawyPdQJYBPSzK9f-1axayfCXvuI_7nluB2wGGeiiCvtwpFtfVTSUQwBiSMy88DaPPb3TmPJNZeaWxnHEtjyQjcYK-3Yf17_uTzmzpKKtmr3pV/s1600/Magasin_du_Nord_Copenhagen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQG-0OcaLnAjRI048Wp3IVnLEawyPdQJYBPSzK9f-1axayfCXvuI_7nluB2wGGeiiCvtwpFtfVTSUQwBiSMy88DaPPb3TmPJNZeaWxnHEtjyQjcYK-3Yf17_uTzmzpKKtmr3pV/s1600/Magasin_du_Nord_Copenhagen.jpg" /></a></div>
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When you’re on the hunt for Christmas gifts, you can be sure you’ll find them here and as a non-Danish resident you may be able to take advantage of a 10% discount that is often granted! And a blissful Scandinavian Christmas.<br /><br />
<h4>
Causeway Bay; Hong Kong</h4>
<br />Causeway Bay is Hong Kong’s premier shopping district; every square inch is covered by malls, shops attractively lit up at night by neon advertising boards. There are two large department stores: Sogo Hong Kong and Times Square Shopping Mall. Located over 10 floors, Sogo opened in 1985 and underwent major renovation and expansion in 1993 to become Jumbo SOGO - increasing size from 120,000 sq ft to 400,000 sq ft. Times Square was one of Hong Kong’s first ‘mega-malls’ and, due the high land cost on the island, dispensed with the common western model of a large flat shopping centre; instead it went 16 floors up! 230 shops including all the big brand names, occupy 9 floors of this high-rise complex with the top tiers reserved for office space. Plus with its gastronomic treats, Christmas in Hong Kong would be a shoppers’ delight!<br /><br />
<h4>
GUM; Moscow, Russian Federation</h4>
<br />GUM (in full Glavnyi Universalnyi Magazin, “State Department Store”) is the largest and most prestigious shopping mall in Russia. Dating back to the days of the tsars, it’s situated right opposite the Kremlin in spectacular Red Square. Built in 1893, it had amassed around 1,200 stores by the 1917 revolution. In 1928 Joseph Stalin converted it into office space for officials working on his Five Year Plan but in 1953 it reopened as a shopping centre and became a home for top-end fashion retailers following privatization in the 90s. Today it houses around 200 stores and remains a premier Christmas spot!<br /><br />
<h4>
Istanbul Cevahir; Istanbul, Turkey</h4>
<br />Istanbul Cevahir Shopping Centre opened in October 2005 in the city’s Sisli district and is the largest shopping centre in Europe! 343 shops spread over 6 floors housing major international brands and eateries. It also has 12 cinemas (including an IMAX 3D cinema), a bowling alley and even its own indoor amusement centre which includes a free fall tower and a spinning octopus. The building’s glass roof also features a huge clock measuring 36m in diameter with 3m high digits! Imagine, a sunny Christmas!<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30598369.post-54022632076353582512012-12-08T03:04:00.000-08:002012-12-08T03:04:46.687-08:00Never Fail Christmas Gifts for Wives and Girlfriends<div style="text-align: left;">
Christmas is just around the corner and if you’re the type of chap who’s stuck for ideas when it comes to presents then fear not because there’s a vast range of stuff out there that’s crying out to be purchased for your loved one.</div>
Depending on how many hints have been dropped this year you may have been left in no uncertain terms as to what you most definitely should be buying and, from catalogues suspiciously placed upon your pillow to emails with links to exactly what should be in Santa’s sack, sometimes I wonder whether the element of surprise is a dying art.<br />
However, if you’re not fortunate enough to have been subtly, or otherwise, told what to get your other half for Christmas then help is at hand. Below I’ve complied my very own top five ‘never fail’ items this year and if you’re still bereft of ideas after you’ve read through this little lot then only Father Christmas can save you now.<br />
<h3>
<b>Perfume</b></h3>
This Christmas classic fits neatly into a stocking or nestled within the branches of a well-trimmed Spruce.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8U0G6gsZKisAx8PZJNOprdzbvODk8pYTjlJe1AQxqkEa7BfRlzhfCJ-aO71FIx_1LbyzoPubfx85HyuRyJAAFokG0_vNKW6pGFDFSRfbNIzc0d3FuspQOCBcXEUBhcu-RdNHH/s1600/perfumes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8U0G6gsZKisAx8PZJNOprdzbvODk8pYTjlJe1AQxqkEa7BfRlzhfCJ-aO71FIx_1LbyzoPubfx85HyuRyJAAFokG0_vNKW6pGFDFSRfbNIzc0d3FuspQOCBcXEUBhcu-RdNHH/s1600/perfumes.jpg" /></a></div>
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There’s a huge range of scope out there and from designer brands such as: Gucci, Marc Jacobs and Versace to celebrity endorsed versions, like: Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and Victoria Beckham, the choice can often appear to be quite baffling. My advice is to either ask a female friend what they think your missus would like or go to a shop and test the fragrances for yourself. Tip: if you’re choosing for yourself: air on the side of caution and remember that the larger the bottle doesn’t always mean the better the perfume.<br />
<h3>
<b>Chocolates</b></h3>
Now, depending on dietary requirements, a nice box of chocs is almost guaranteed to put a smile on your partner’s face. Chocolate oranges, slabs of dairy milk and boxes of All Gold are all classic Christmas gifts however, if you want to go that one step further then why don’t you go to a really fancy chocolatier and indulge in the good stuff. Violet creams, decorated hearts, deep-filled delights oozing with decadence and taste, believe me, once you find your local store there will be no turning back. Tip: make sure that you buy something just for her and not just a massive box that you’re going to wolf your way through whilst watching the Great Escape on Boxing Day.<br />
<h3>
<b>Underwear</b></h3>
Sexy underwear and lingerie is such an intimate and pleasurable gift to buy that you may wonder why you’ve never been brave enough to take the plunge before.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf65cn07psy9AFq6IG7dpxgUqE6C0ZUbLlWik-akMSsFxveXQVEYRj2Ais3LsEHKmMS1HRwiVtFnHLCjitcYts6MExpeazFbMzd7-MOvpJYMI0Jbc3Pvgtl66o8jA2v3OICbCz/s1600/Black-key-hole-panty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf65cn07psy9AFq6IG7dpxgUqE6C0ZUbLlWik-akMSsFxveXQVEYRj2Ais3LsEHKmMS1HRwiVtFnHLCjitcYts6MExpeazFbMzd7-MOvpJYMI0Jbc3Pvgtl66o8jA2v3OICbCz/s1600/Black-key-hole-panty.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br />
Make sure you get your partner’s size by stealing a glimpse at the labels in her top drawer and then the world’s your red silk-covered oyster. <a href="http://www.missvenga.com/product-category/vintage-lingerie/">Vintage lingerie</a> is all the rage these days and if you’re not quite brave enough to search for a store in the high street then go online and, quite literally, fill your boots.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCV8b8T8LzcqsniRLWZk62WXPZEbDFnLKcKs3TtOf-6D61iURJj1MQtXHYBiwb5XksNAU-qWTsPD6laD6S0NrM28eqoK_HvQ4dVks2hNWa0dQA7uwjlQ85qXnYRar6Q9mZ2cZN/s1600/venga-girdle-front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCV8b8T8LzcqsniRLWZk62WXPZEbDFnLKcKs3TtOf-6D61iURJj1MQtXHYBiwb5XksNAU-qWTsPD6laD6S0NrM28eqoK_HvQ4dVks2hNWa0dQA7uwjlQ85qXnYRar6Q9mZ2cZN/s1600/venga-girdle-front.jpg" /></a></div>
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Corsets, panties, girdles, nightdresses, whatever floats her and your love boat. Tip: make sure you consider your partner first and foremost but don’t be afraid to surprise her and yourself by being a little bit more daring – go for it!<br />
<h3>
<b>Pampering</b></h3>
Almost everyone loves a good massage and from the tips of your toes to the top of your head, getting pampered is what every girl dreams about. What’s more, most spas and massage parlours offer a wide range of vouchers so all you have to do is go online or pop in to gain instant kudos and adoring adulation. Weekends away, health spas and beauty treatment vouchers are all highly recommended and, if you just can’t bear to be apart, couples treatments are readily available too. Tip: buying a voucher that entitles your wife or girlfriend to choose which treatment she’d prefer is an excellent idea and making sure she doesn’t have to far to travel is another box ticked too.<br />
<h3>
<b>Jewellery</b></h3>
Bracelets, necklaces and earrings are all wonderful examples of special gifts that fall into those much-anticipated small packages. Like most things, the actual giving ceremony often helps to make the present more of an event and hiding neatly wrapped jewellery boxes in the most unexpected of places can be an absolute joy to behold. Often independent jewellers have some extra special items and buying something that hasn’t been mass-produced just adds to the uniqueness and significance of the occasion. Tip: keep your eyes peeled and your ears open when your passing by shop windows with your other half because often, and sometimes without her even realising it, you’ll be handed the ideal gift right on a velvet-covered plate.<br />
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Author Bio: Chris is eagerly anticipating giving his wife vintage lingerie for Christmas this year and can’t wait to get unwrapping those stockings.<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30598369.post-57284841874460751322012-12-02T03:31:00.000-08:002012-12-19T03:32:29.842-08:00The Growth of UK Online SpendingHere is an infographic that revealst the growth of UK online spending. <br />
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<br />
<a href="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/christmas/growth-of-online-christmas-spending/" originalattribute="href" originalpath="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/christmas/growth-of-online-christmas-spending/"><img alt="" border="0" originalattribute="src" originalpath="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/12-deals-of-christmas/images/the-growth-of-online-spending.jpg" src="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/12-deals-of-christmas/images/the-growth-of-online-spending.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
Image source: <a href="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" originalattribute="href" originalpath="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/">MoneySupermarket;</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1United Kingdom55.378051 -3.4359729999999912.2172075 -86.05316049999999 90 79.18121450000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30598369.post-76146252699320444022012-09-26T09:09:00.004-07:002012-09-26T09:09:48.629-07:00Unusual Gift IdeasWe have all received a gift at some point or another from a friend or a relative and had to put on our ‘I really love it!’ face, while really we are wondering what the hell possessed them to buy us something so incredibly bad. The faces are easy to spot: the smile is as broad as a Cheshire cat’s but the smile never quite makes it to their eyes as they are looking bemused and bewildered staring at the dancing reindeers on the sweater that great aunt Gladys has so thoughtfully bought them. But believe it or not there are far worse gifts out there than the traditionally bad Christmas jumper.<br />
<h2>
<span class="cs_table_main_data"><b>Five Unbelievably Bad Gift Ideas</b></span> </h2>
<b>Uroclub</b><br />
<br />
No, it’s not some multinational dance club; this is a gift for the golfer in your life. This is the ‘ideal’ gift for the man who spends so much time out on the fairways that he often finds himself caught short. The Uroclub is a urine receptacle. It looks just like any other golf club and a player can strike the pose with this club which comes with a convenient ‘golf towel/privacy shield’ to avoid any offence being caused to other players on the course when placed loin cloth style across the offending area. At around £20 it’s an affordable, if tasteless gift.<br />
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<b>iCarta</b><br />
<br />
This novel device is designed to make your time in the bathroom – and by bathroom we mean toilet, as stimulating is possible. Not only will it easily dispense your loo roll it will also allow you to plug in your iPod and listen to your music through the built in speakers in the arms of the toilet roll holder. While it may be an innovative idea it’s not something most people would consider a bathroom essential, and at around £90 it’s not the cheapest of iPod accessories.<br />
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<b>Enlighted Bra</b><br />
<br />
Lingerie is generally an acceptable gift, up to a point, and unless the person you are buying for works in a circus or dances around a pole, she will not be thrilled when she opens the Enlighted Bra that you picked for her. As much as she may like the fairy lights around her bed, having her cleavage lit up like the family Christmas tree could well be a step too far.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4rOPB2ryuFMcSDWFh5WIHYPrExAMe1SXHC4Fs-LWAeTFObqfyQtyTO3dSstxbzO13jznfmez6UO7FLZU7IehVTsiWq1vxYW0_RmeXvTvwrk5narKaZkuRJwXOzB7IWu6TuegD/s1600/enlighted+bra.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4rOPB2ryuFMcSDWFh5WIHYPrExAMe1SXHC4Fs-LWAeTFObqfyQtyTO3dSstxbzO13jznfmez6UO7FLZU7IehVTsiWq1vxYW0_RmeXvTvwrk5narKaZkuRJwXOzB7IWu6TuegD/s1600/enlighted+bra.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br />
<b>Handerpants</b><br />
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You know that he likes fingerless gloves and they might have looked fun when you saw the store, but now granddad is sitting in the living room with little underpants on his hands, suddenly they don’t seem like such a good idea. The look on grandma’s face should be enough to tell you that this is one gift that definitely wasn’t worth giving.<br />
<br />
<b>Inappropriate Gifts</b><br />
<br />
Believe it or not just about everyone you know will be very aware of their own failings. We instinctively know when we need to lose a few pounds and can recognise the signs of aging and hair loss so what we don’t need are ‘well meaning’ gifts that point out our failings like bathroom scales, detox vouchers, and believe it or not, spay on hair in a can. Whilst there may be a market for these things they should never be wrapped and placed under the Christmas tree under any circumstances.<br />
<br />
Everyone appreciates a gift that has obviously had some thought put into it, whether we like the gift or not, providing the sentiment behind it is sincere we can generally accept it. The Christmas jumper is a gift that has spawned traditions in some families, with each member trying to out-class the other with the amazing tasteless and even fibre optic designs, but these gifts are fun and not to be taken too seriously. It is when something so truly awful is given with utter sincerity that has us doing the Cheshire cat, unconvincing grin of thanks.<br />
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<br />
Whilst some of the above items could be <a href="http://www.toxicfox.co.uk/stocking-fillers/stocking-fillers-for-him">stocking fillers for men</a> material, we do not recommend giving them to anyone… ever.<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30598369.post-48487153737401098512012-08-21T01:34:00.003-07:002012-08-21T01:34:38.741-07:00Wheeled Luggage - Blessing or Burden?One of the longest running debates between all travellers is whether it is better to use wheeled luggage or a backpack. Some travellers swear by their backpack and wouldn’t use anything else and others love their wheeled bags deeply. The reasons behind the choice are usually down to personal preference or specific design purposes.<br />
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Is either style of luggage more practical for traveling? In the battle of luggage, can there be one overall victor? Here are the pros and cons of using wheeled luggage:<br />
<br />
<b>Disadvantages</b><br />
<br />
Here are some of the reasons why using wheeled luggage can be a real pain:<br />
<ul>
<li>Because these types of suitcases require an internal frame, this makes them a lot heavier than other types of luggage. Also, the frame takes up space which makes for less room inside.</li>
<li>The poor wrist position that your hand must be in to roll the luggage makes it uncomfortable to roll for long distances.</li>
<li>When fully packed, these suitcases can be prone to falling over or can be very difficult to “steer”.</li>
<li>There are more parts to break on these types of luggage, meaning that the handle or the wheels will usually fail before the bag does.</li>
<li>There are very few places in your travels which will be conducive to rolling a bag with wheels behind you, such as cobblestone streets, busy sidewalks, curbs, crowds and muddy wet patches.</li>
<li>Wheeled luggage is more likely to get dirty and worn because it rubs against the ground.</li>
</ul>
<b>Advantages</b><br />
<br />
Here are some of the reasons why wheeled luggage can be your best option:<br />
<ul>
<li>Rather than carrying a large backpack, you will have no strain on your shoulders or back.</li>
<li>You will be able to carry more weight comfortably because you are not lifting it but rolling it.</li>
<li>Being able to roll your luggage along quickly behind you means that you can walk through the airport at a swift pace and save time.</li>
<li>When unpacking in the hotel room, backpacks have a tendency to “explode” and result in a messy pile of clothing everywhere. The structure of a wheeled bag allows you to easily open the top, reach what you need, and keep your clothes neatly inside.</li>
<li>If you want to look stylish, sophisticated and professional, a good quality piece of wheeled luggage usually conveys this impression more than a backpack.</li>
</ul>
These are just a few of the advantages and disadvantages of wheeled luggage. Whether or not you prefer it essentially comes down to your needs and your style of travel.<br />
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<br />
Do you like to use wheeled bags or do you find them impractical? No matter what style of luggage you prefer, you will find great deals on high quality items at <a href="http://www.londonluggage.co.uk/">www.londonluggage.co.uk/</a>.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30598369.post-34843442112893686712012-08-12T04:22:00.000-07:002012-08-12T04:22:16.478-07:00Ladies ClubwearAt the end of a long day, sometimes you need to blow off some steam and just have fun. Night clubs are often the perfect place to forget about the stresses and constraints of everyday life; when you go out clubbing you can shed your worries and focus on being the most carefree version of yourself. Part of the fun of going out to a night club is that you get to transform not only your attitude, but your appearance as well. Hang up those stuffy, professional work clothes and put away the sweats; when you’re going out, your clothing can be as wild and adventurous as the night you want to have.<br />
<br />
Whether you want to dance the night away, relax with good drinks and great friends, or meet someone new, the right club wear can help you feel confident and look sexy. Whatever your personal style, there are club wear options that you will love. From subtle and suggestive to bold and racy, you can achieve any look you want with the right apparel.<br />
<h2>
Sleek and Subdued</h2>
Sexy doesn’t have to mean overt and revealing. If you tend to dress conservatively and prefer not to show a lot of skin, you can look sexy and still feel comfortable in club wear that offers coverage and allure. Opt for pants that show off your figure without revealing too much. Pair the bottoms of your choice with a shirt that accentuates your best features. A slinky tank looks sexy and offers great coverage. If you’re looking for something a little more daring, a plunging or draped back lets you look hot and feel covered up. Pay attention to the fabrics you choose; silk, satin, or lace gives even the plainest top a luxurious and alluring feel.<br />
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<h2>
Daring and Revealing</h2>
If you’re open to showing off more skin, you can find club wear that reveals as much as you want. Show off your legs with a skirt; you can’t go wrong with a tight mini or flirty pleats or ruffles. A sexy top is the perfect complement, and there are plenty of styles for every look. A plunging halter is always a great choice, but you don’t have to stop there. Bare your midriff with a cropped or mini top, or choose a backless top for a surprisingly sexy look. Another great option is to draw attention to your assets with cutouts, sheer panels, or even a gauzy or lacy fabric. Other sexy fabric choices include Lycra, spandex, fishnet, or lace.<br />
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<h2>
Dressed Up</h2>
There is nothing sexier than the perfect clubbing dress, and there are endless cuts, styles, and fabrics to satisfy your every preference. Mini dresses are a clubbing favorite; you can find them in spaghetti strap, one-shoulder, and strapless styles, with every neckline you can imagine. Personalize your look with your favorite fabric and the right details: cutouts, ruffles, and embellishments.<br />
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When you’re planning a night of clubbing, <a href="http://www.yumdrop.com/Clubwear/">Yumdrop has everything you need to look and feel sexy</a>!<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30598369.post-77336708070609398522012-08-10T03:56:00.001-07:002012-08-10T03:56:23.074-07:00Online Lingerie ShoppingShopping online can be a great way to find personal items in the privacy of your own home and without the fuss and attention of going to the store. But prior to purchasing your delicates online, take these tips into consideration:<br />
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<i>Tip#1: Know your body shape and what features you want to enhance.</i>Before you start typing away on the good ol’ laptop, be a little daring, take off your clothes and look at yourself in the mirror. Know your body shape. Do you have an hour glass figure? Large hips? Pear shaped? Apple or triangle shaped? Athletic? Curvy? Full? Petite? Short? Tall? Whatever your features are, that is your body. Love it for everything that you are. Take those unique features, those you love and maybe love not so much, and feature them with the appropriate lingerie piece.<br />
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Today’s fashion industry, a size medium with one company is not the same as another company. This fact makes shopping more frustrating than it should. So here is <i>Tip #2: when available, use their size measurement chart</i>. Size measurement charts will help you correctly select the appropriate size from that company.<br />
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Tip #2 can be combined with <i>Tip #3: Know your measurements</i>. A company’s size measurement chart is useless if you do not know your own measurements! Don’t forget to measure your bust by wrapping the tape measure under you arms, across your shoulder blades, and around the fullest area of your bust. When it comes to your waist, have the tape wrap around your waistline and put one finger between your body and the measuring tape. By simply wrapping the tape around the full part of your hips and posterior, you can already measure the hip. Do not worry about the numbers that you measure. Better a size that fits your body than one that is too small, unflattering and uncomfortable.<br />
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<i>Tip #4</i>: <i>If all else fails, make sure to check out their return policy</i>. You found the perfect pieces of lingerie but aren’t sure which size to buy. The waist and hips fit are a better fit in one size but the other one fits better in the bust and length. Buy both! Check the return policy to see if their company allows for unused returns or if they have any physical stores you can return the item.<br />
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Good luck and happy shopping. Be daring, be bold, be beautiful.<br />
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<br />
Elizabeth Harper puts up Online Lingerie Shop, your one-of-a-kind boutique which specializes in women’s lingerie. Get <a href="http://www.ladymate.com/"> lingerie now </a>.Shop today! Women deserve only the best-quality and beautiful lingerie!<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30598369.post-14370980769899448882012-07-05T04:03:00.000-07:002012-08-10T04:03:41.705-07:00Holiday Essentials for your Romantic Getaway<span class="cs_table_main_data">Going on holiday with your lover? Then
you need this essential guide to packing for a romantic getaway. Sensual
times guaranteed.</span> <br />
<br />
Ah the time has finally arrived. The winter has come and gone, work has been tough, life has been stressful, but the time has come for you and your loved one to pack your bags and retreat to a sunnier climate.<br />
<br />
As you lift your dusty suitcase from the top of the wardrobe, you can already smell the sun cream and sangria.<br />
<br />
But before you jet off into the sun, there’s just one dilemma left to solve...<br />
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What on earth should you pack?<br />
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I’m not talking about the usual ‘camera, passport, pants and sunglasses’ packing list. I’m talking about the hanky-panky packing.<br />
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You’ll be miles from home, under a warm sun, enjoying lovely leisurely days that are so far removed from your daily routine that you can’t help but feel a little friskier than normal.<br />
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So make sure that the hanky-panky compartment in your suitcase reflects this elevated friskiness!<br />
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<b>The 8 Essentials:</b><br />
<br />
<b>1) High Factor Sun Cream</b><br />
Very important if you’re planning any outdoor frolics. If you find a lovely quiet beach and feel the need to fool around, make sure you use a higher factor sun cream on the bits of you that are less used to sun exposure. There are some places that should never get burnt.<br />
<br />
<b>2) Contraception</b><br />
The ultimate holiday sex necessity. You don’t want any panics, or emergency trips to a foreign pharmacy, where your embarrassing language skills will be put to the test.<br />
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<b>3) Massage Oil & Candle</b><br />
You can set the most romantic scene in any hotel room with these two items. After a long day of sightseeing or walking along the beach, the ideal way to relax, unwind and get in the mood is to treat each other to a candlelit massage.<br />
<br />
<b>4) </b><a href="http://youtu.be/ArDXxTsJJoo"><b>The Freakum Dress</b></a><br />
For those of you unfamiliar with the Beyonce song, the Freakum Dress is a little sexy dress that every woman has. She whips it out on special occasions. It’s that one dress that makes her feel like a vixen. So bring the Freakum Dress for one special dinner out.<br />
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<b>5) Feminine Hygiene Tissues/Wipes</b><br />
You’re out and about in the hot sun, it’s best to keep a pack of these with you so you can stay fresh and ready for frolicking. Apologies if anyone’s uncomfortable right about now. Moving swiftly on..<br />
.<br />
<b>6) The Freakum Lingerie </b><br />
Ok, I’ve just completely made that up, but you know what I mean. Go shopping and pick up some tantalizingly <a href="http://www.lingerie-confidential.co.uk/">sexy underwear</a>, that is comfortable but a bit out of character. This will add some spice to your hotel antics.<br />
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<b>7) Assorted Sex Tools</b><br />
Sorry for referring to these items as ‘tools’ but I am referring in fact to bedroom accessories. Depending on your sexual preferences, these can range from anything from lubricant (go for a fruity flavour for an exotic ‘holiday’ feel), to toys (if they’re small and inconspicuous, carry them through customs yourself). You do run the small risk of having your bag searched, but other than a red face and embarrassed giggles, the consequences are minimal.<br />
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Once you’ve packed all the sexual necessities, don’t forget to pack your <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCDd7hl3tLw">tickets, money, passport</a> and all the other essential things you need for a successful trip abroad.<br />
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I hope all you lovebirds have a fantastic time, and remember that sex on the beach is not as glamorous as it sounds. Sand really does get <b>everywhere</b>.<br />
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Where are you travelling to this summer?<br />
<br />
<br />
Susannah Perez is a fashion blogger with a passionate addiction to lingerie. As well as writing about clothing trends, she loves to blog about love, sex and magic whilst regularly blogging for <a href="http://www.lingerie-confidential.co.uk/">Lingerie Confidential</a>, in order to feed the aforementioned addiction.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30598369.post-29685577063638440232012-07-04T03:34:00.002-07:002012-07-04T03:34:29.467-07:00Westfield Stratford City | Olympic Gateway for London<h2>
Westfield Shopping Mall</h2>
The city of London has seen some extensive property and infrastructure developments ahead of the 2012 Olympic Games, the latest of which is a £1.4bn mall. Westfield Stratford City, situated adjacent to the Olympic Park, is the largest urban shopping centre in Europe, and will serve as a gateway to the Olympic Games next year.<br />
<br />
The <a href="http://uk.westfield.com/stratfordcity/" target="_blank">Westfield Stratford City</a> development is 1.9 million square feet of retail and leisure paradise that will see an estimated 70% of Olympic visitors pass through its doors en route to the Olympic Park. Needless to say, there is a massive amount of potential to boost business in the retail sector during this time, and at Westfield Stratford City consumers will be able to buy just about anything their hearts desire.<br />
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<h3>
What's Inside the Olympic Mall? </h3>
Those estate agents Bayswater who have done their research will already have a detailed knowledge of the luxury shopping centre’s facilities, but for Londoners in search of further details on Westfield Stratford City, here is a list of what shoppers can expect to find in the Olympic mall:<br />
<ul>
<li>300 shops selling the latest fashion and lifestyle brands</li>
<li>70 restaurants from fast food outlets to fine dining establishments</li>
<li>A 14-screen cinema</li>
<li>A bowling alley</li>
<li>The UK’s largest casino</li>
<li>A fresh food market </li>
</ul>
The complex, which is part of the Westfield Group’s mixed-use Stratford City development, also includes three hotels, 1.1 million square feet of office space, and residential properties. To accommodate the high volumes of traffic to Westfield Stratford City, there will be 58 trains per hour connecting the shopping centre to central London, and the mall itself will offer 5000 car parking spaces on site. It is estimated that the London shopping centre will provide up to 8500 permanent jobs in retail.<br />
<h4>
The Grand Opening</h4>
The official opening of Westfield Stratford City took place on September 13th, and the star-studded event was hosted by Pixie Lott and Nick Grmishaw, with a performance by Nicole Scherzinger of the Pussycat Dolls. Mayor Boris Johnson has hailed the Westfield Stratford City development as “one of the most important legacies of the 2012 Olympics", and central London estate agents will doubtless agree with the mayor as the project creates thousands of jobs and strengthens business in London’s retail sector.<br />
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Sally Roberts is a keen writer looking to share and discuss the latest property news from <a href="http://www.kayandco.com/content/area-guides/bayswater.aspx" target="_blank">estate agents Bayswater</a> and the latest London business developments.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30598369.post-64465191103518665752012-06-19T12:55:00.000-07:002012-06-19T12:55:09.139-07:00Benefits of Full Body ShapewearYou’re getting ready for a night on the town. You reach into your closet to grab your favorite outfit, only it doesn’t look the same way it did on the hanger. Fortunately, full body shapewear can smooth away any unsightly bulges while creating a more seamless shape, helping you to feel more confident underneath your clothes.<br />
<h3>
<b>Full Body Shapewear Options</b></h3>
When it comes to shopping for full body shapewear, you have quite a few options. More and more lingerie companies are making various cuts of full body shapewear because so many women are looking for a little forgiveness on what nature has dealt them. The most common colors of the shapewear include white, neutral, and black. These low-key colors can provide support while remaining virtually undetectable. <br />
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<br /> <br /> There are designs that you can choose for pants and skirts. If you’re going for a look where you want some extra help hiding a bulge, it’s important that you find the right design for what you’re wearing. You can find full body shapewear that extends at various levels down the leg to provide a shapelier look.<br /> <br /> Wearing a skirt versus pants will help you determine which shapewear is going to work best. You can have ones that fit just like a skirt, only shorter. This will allow you to comfortably wear pantyhose or stockings. You can also choose shapewear that travels as low down the leg as you want, which will help to add some added shape to your thighs and butt.<br />
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<b>How Full Body Shapewear Flatters Your Figure</b><br /> <br /> Beyond defining your curves, the benefit of shapewear is that it’s everywhere. When you’re looking for the perfect style to go with what you’re wearing, you can find them in virtually any store that sells lingerie. You can go to the higher end lingerie stores where sales staff will take your measurements and make recommendations. <br /> <br /> With full body shapewear, it’s important to see how it affects the bust, as well. Some styles will minimize the bust while others enhance it. Depending on the outfit it is being paired with and the desired outcome, one option is better than another. If you’re not sure which one is right for you, try on both with the outfit you plan on wearing it with to see which one gives you the look you’re after.<br /> <br /> The shapewear is becoming more affordable as more manufacturers are releasing their own line of shapewear. This provides shapewear advocates less expensive garments that still offer control. Buying shapewear directly from the manufacturer or finding it at an outlet store will allow you to fill your drawer with more options.<br />
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If you didn’t make it to the gym in time for your big event, it’s not a big deal. With full body shapewear, you can feel confident and beautiful. Wearing shapewear can help you hide unflattering curves while making your flattering curves more defined. By purchasing shapewear, you no longer have to worry about what you’re going to look like when the dress is off the hanger and on you.<br />
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Nancy Ruben is a part time author and fashion designer who gets a lot of inspiration from <a href="http://www.spanx.com/category/index.jsp?categoryId=2992553" target="_blank">Spanx</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30598369.post-57213245158464115452012-06-12T12:00:00.002-07:002012-06-12T12:00:38.350-07:00Choosing Perfect Designer PyjamasDesigner pyjamas are extremely luxurious and are made to a premium standard - not like your typical cotton PJs you can pick up on the high-street for a tenner! They're more expensive sure, but worth it. Other than great design, these trendy pyjamas are made from premium quality fabrics and with good techniques too to ensure they last at last - no fragile seams here!<br />
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If you're buying as a gift (well, or even just for yourself), there's a certain satisfaction that comes from buying designer brands too. "<i>These are the pyjamas celebrities wear</i>", you think to yourself - and you might not be wrong.<br />
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Designer pyjamas attract loyal consumers of the brand as well as other consumers who prefer the idea of wearing high quality nightwear to cheap 'tat'. If you're buying as a gift, check out this guide to the different styles available for both men and women...<br />
<img height="640" src="http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/xx60/estellepuleston/calvinkleinpyjamas.jpg" width="522" /><br />
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<b>Women's Designer Pyjamas</b></h3>
<a href="http://www.idlewildlondon.com/classic_pyjamas.html">Designer pyjamas</a> for women are available in numerous different styles to suit every woman’s unique tastes and requirements. From a vest top and shorts for summer, to full length or ¾ length trousers for winter, there's something for all weather - you can even get one-piece sleepsuits for super stylish sleeping!<br />
You can also choose different trims and embellishments - do you prefer a V-neck or a crew neck for example? Or the traditional collared style? Choose different styles of buttons, pockets or no pockets, lace trims or just pure, plain pyjamas.<br />
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Designer pyjamas are made from premium quality fabrics too, so it doesn't matter whether you opt for silk, satin, cotton or fleece, you'll be buying quality and durability!<br />
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<img height="640" src="http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/xx60/estellepuleston/menspyjamas.jpg" width="393" /><br />
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<b>Men's Designer Pyjamas</b></h3>
Men’s designer <a href="http://www.idlewildlondon.com/pyjamas.html">pyjamas</a> also come in a variety of different styles too. Of course, there are the traditional pyjamas with long sleeves, a button-through front and that typical checked print, but they're not the only ones out there.<br />
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Designer brands such as Calvin Klein create great men's pyjama sets with t-shirt style tops and cropped trousers or shorts, that are perfect for guys in their twenties and thirties who are after something comfortable yet stylish. If you're unsure which colour to go for, stick to the classics - black, white, grey and navy blue.<br />
Looking for that extra special gift? Why not put together a gift package with a set of stylish, designer pyjamas plus a soft and comfortable bath robe?<br />
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What are your favourite pyjamas styles?<br />
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<i>Images courtesy of Idlewild London.</i><br />
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Michelle Star writes for <a href="http://www.idlewildlondon.com/">Idlewild London</a>, an online retailer of luxury, designer nightwear for both men and women.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3