Shopping in London

Posted on May 21, 2012 by admin

Shopping is one of the main reasons people flock to London in their hoards all year round. With over 40,000 shops from huge department stores to fabulous fashion shops, London is the heart for fashion, style and music. A wide variety of shops are all over London, from high priced exclusive clothing and goods, (some severely over priced I might add) to some amazing deals. For lovers of clothes and shoe shopping and more shoe shopping ladies, London has all the designs and the wackiest looks. But before you start, ring your bank, up your credit card limit, its time to start spending!

Camden Market is the place to go if you want cheaper stuff, it’s located next to the Camden Locks; this is London’s most popular market. It gets extremely busy here at weekends with thousands of traders, but watch out for the “buggy brigade” (parents with pushchairs!) your feet will be swollen, but not from the incessant shopping… from having them continuously rolled over and stamped on! Even so, you are sure to find the perfect pair of shoes to match that expensive designer outfit you just spent your whole months wages on. On the other hand, if you are looking for something a little different then Kensington Market might be a good choice, it’s located on Kensington High Street, this market caters for the underground fashions. You can also find an extensive range of outrageous hair colours, punk and gothic clothing and accessories, record stores, the latest in techno, platform shoes, leather goods and jewellery.

Portobello Road Market features antique goods, as well as clothing and music, hundreds of stalls on weekends, and cafes and bars. It is also a “celeb hotspot” with many famous people living and shopping in the area.

Oxford Street & Regent Street are the main areas in which to find many High Street stores. All the main ones are here from Marks and Spencer, Debenhams, John Lewis, Boots, W.H. Smith, Bhs, C&A and of course Hamley’s Toy Shop, which I must add is absolutely breath taking, especially at Christmas, every child and “older child’s” dream come true. You may not find many low priced goods here, but it really is worth a look. So credit cards at the ready!

You will also find Harrods; most people make a visit to this shop just to look at the costly price tags, as well as the wide variety of food on offer. But be sure to dress respectively, no light coloured clothing caked in the muddy tyre marks from the “buggy brigade” in the markets!! There is a dress code to shop here!

And then there is Soho. Soho is the place to go for a variety of boutiques; Janet Fitch for designer jewellery, Metalmorphis for body piercings, and Ann Summers for kinky lingerie. Ambient Soho and Black Market Records stock the best of techno, jungle and dance music. Try the Vintage Magazine Shop for excellent movie & TV memorabilia and posters. Soho is the ideal place if you are looking for something to do “After Dark”; it offers a wide range of erotic videos, sex toys, good cafes and restaurants and strip clubs. Soho is an interesting place to wander around, especially for the men who like to “window shop”!!

Shopping in London can be an exciting experience, whether you want to spend or just browse. It’s a vibrant city – buying something often involves discovering interesting surroundings and exploring new ones. At the seasonal times of year it is probably best to start early, London streets begin to look like an anthill around lunchtime! I myself am a true Londoner… born and bred, everyday there is something new to be found.

Top 5 ‘Must Buy Something In’ Shops In London – (just for the feel good factor, oh, and the carrier bag!)

Hamleys Toy Shop

Wow! That is the only word that came out of our mouths when we walked through the doors of Hamley’s, I lost my two kids and my husband immediately! Unfortunately, they found me again when they wanted money! But if you are looking for a reminder of your childhood or looking for something special for your own kids then this is the shop, and it really isn’t that expensive either, you can pick up a gift for as little as a fiver. It really is magical, 7 floors of it, a definite must. Nearest tubes: Piccadilly Circus, Oxford Circus. Official website: http://www.hamleys.com

Covent Garden

If you are on a visit to London then try to visit the very trendy Covent Garden, with all the up-to-date designer shops like French Connection, H&M, Calvin Klein and Gap to name but a few. If you are shopaholic like myself then you will love Covent Garden, a fair few celebrities also shop and eat here. The Ivy restaurant is a well-known celebrity hotspot, if you can’t get in to enjoy the tasty food on offer then take a stroll past… 2 or 3 times… spot the celebrity! Nearest tube: Covent Garden

Harrods

A trip to London wouldn’t be complete without a visit to world-famous Harrods. Some just want to check out the expensive price tags, others buy stuff just for the carrier bag. Even so, you will find everything you need here, mind you, the store is huge and it is easy to get lost. And remember; if you need the loo… take some money with you! Nearest tube: Knightsbridge. Official website: http://www.harrods.com

Carnaby Street

Carnaby Street has loads on offer for yourself and a guilt gift for him (well, we have to buy him something don’t we? After all, it’s his credit card!). For him, there are sports shops like Puma, Ben Sherman, G-room and if he’s a budding DJ then there’s Kingly Court, this a great place to buy great vinyls. Oh, and not forgetting a place where he can re-fuel… there’s a few pubs too! And for the ladies, there is a number of fine cosmetics shops, a few boutiques selling vintage mod clothing, designer shoe shops and Liberty’s is just round the corner in Fouberts Place. There are places where we can re-fuel too… coffee shops and sandwich bars. Nearest tube: Oxford Circus

New Bond Street and Old Bond Street

Just off of Oxford Street, is the less crowded but far more expensive New Bond Street and Old Bond Street, for all those that have an endless flow of cash then this is the place to spend all of it! Most of the shops here have “greeters” who will smile, open doors for you, and wish you a nice day! Oh, and keep your eyes open for the odd celebrity here too, London’s Bond streets are well known for bringing out the odd one or two. Nearest tube: Bond Street

It’s a vast, fast and vibrant city; London has it all. Don’t miss it… come and visit!

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Why is Online Shopping so Popular?

Posted on May 20, 2012 by admin

Online shopping has grown dramatically in popularity over recent years to the point where now billions of pounds are spent annually by people all over the world shopping online. Everyone from the young to the old, men and women every group of people, all shop online. This article will explore some of the main factors that explain the popularity of online shopping.

The first and most common reason to shop online is the convenience – you can shop 24 hours a day 7 days a week in your pyjamas. Online shopping allows anyone to shop at a time that suits them, not just when the shops are open. This is a huge advantage for many people such as those who work during shop opening hours, people who have mobility or transport problems that make getting to the shops difficult, even couples who work different hours and find it difficult to shop together.

Another major advantage of shopping online is the pure numbers of online retailers; you will be able to find numerous sites that stock the product you are interested in buying and will be able to compare prices and different products or models at all of these places easily and quickly. To do the same amount of comparison shopping in the real world would involve spending hours if not days travelling from one store to another. Shopping online you can also easily purchase products from overseas so that you not only have even more choice but can make additional savings if the exchange rate is favourable.

The comfort and security of shopping from home is also a reason online shopping has increased in popularity. Shopping online does not expose you to the extremes of weather – it will not rain or snow on you in your lounge room. You are in a comfortable and familiar environment, you do not have to physically travel to a town or section of a city that you are unfamiliar with or uncomfortable about. Many people do not like crowds and avoid large cities and large stores for this reason; there are no crowds or queues shopping online. The other plus is that you do not incur any travelling expenses such as petrol or bus fares to do you’re shopping.

The ability to locate and purchase goods from all over the world can be a huge advantage for collectors or people who are trying to purchase hard to get items. No matter what you are trying to find; a CD released twenty years ago, a specialist collectible or antique or even an original part for a vintage car, to give a few examples you can rest assured that someone somewhere in the world will have it for sale on the internet or will be able to source it for you. Many people who have purchased collectables and other valuables from overseas have also found that these articles can occasionally be purchased at bargain prices as they are not as collectable or valuable in that location, and the seller does not appreciate the item’s value in the UK. Trying to source and purchase these items in real world stores can be extremely difficult, time consuming and very expensive compared to real world stores.

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Undz.org the underwear brand from Canada in Portugal?

Posted on May 20, 2012 by admin

Undz.org the underwear brand form Canada just trademarked their name in several Europeans countries lately starting with…Portugal. Why Portugal we asked Bertrand Doré, Undz CEO, last week. Mr.Doré told us that Undz received an estimate of 10 to 15 Distribution request every week since January 2012. The underwear company with a huge success in their first year selling 250 000 men underwear sold in Canada alone have to expand. Europe is a superb market for fashion goods. Most of the Europeans countries are aware of trends and the world top brands are located and formed in Europe. Why  Portugal? Portugal is a weird and interesting country. Portugal is often in the shadow of Spain and France.

But if you look closely at Portugal, they are a daring country. Many new trends form other countries started their Europeans journey in Lisbon. The mens underwear and woman underwear market is also strong in Portugal for unknown reasons. This country is in every way comparable to Canada, says Bertrand Dore to our journalist, not for is climate but for the people artistic minding in everyday life.  It is common to see crazy architectural  building in Portugal capital Lisbon. A lot of known artists are from Portugal. When we will see Undz.org in Portugal? September would be a good guess said Mr.Doré. Undz underwear is fit for Europe if you want my advice and we will hear a lot about them I a near future.

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What Demographics Are Shopping Online for Clothes?

Posted on May 19, 2012 by admin

The boom of online shopping has erupted in the past few years and and is only going to increase in the future. E-commerce is becoming a vital tool for businesses to attract shoppers in store and also to the actual purchasing of products online. Online shopping isn’t just restricted to the young population but to the broader demographic. Everyone from students to parents and grandparents are purchasing online.

In a survey in 2000, 22% of Americans said they had purchased online and by 2007 this figure had increased to 49%. This goes to show the rapid improvement and popularity of online sales.

In terms of percentage of users of the internet, the following are figures if the demographic that use the internet for online shopping. 38% of 12-17 years olds have used the internet as a tool of purchasing, 71% of 18-32 year olds have purchased online, 80% of 33-44 year olds have purchased online, 68% of 46-54 year olds practice online shopping, 72% of 55-63 year olds shop online, 56% of 64-72 year olds purchase products online and 47% of over 73 year olds use the internet for online shopping.

When these statistics are examined it goes to show a whopping percentage of internet users shop online. This may only be a segment of the worlds population but these figures just go to show the wave of people beginning to shop online.

And would you blame them? No, is the quick answer. If you were to, lets say search online to purchase a suit for a business man online you would find thousands and thousands of products online of the same suit and massive variations on it. You could be searching for days on the different types of products out there that would would like to wear. There are so many sites that can give you advice and tips on what to purchase, what not to purchase and what accessories to enhance your look. You can find videos online that advice you on what to wear for certain events and this allows for the peace of mind of shoppers in knowing that they have selected the right product for themselves.

With the improvement in online security and privacy in recent years due to court proceedings and legislation, shoppers can go online with a sense of security and purchase whatever they like knowing their private details are as safe as they would be in your local retail shop in town.

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Online Shopping Versus Shopping at Stores

Posted on May 18, 2012 by admin

Online shopping is becoming very common place for many people to shop at. However, many of us also like to be able to shop at your regular retail stores as well. Online shopping and purchasing items at the store both have a variety of benefits, but here is one positive of both forms so you can enjoy yourself.

The benefit of online shopping is that you can typically find items at a decent price. However, one thing that you do need to factor in is the cost of shipping and handling which most web sites charge and they are not factored into the cost of the item until the final step so you do have to take that into consideration when you are price comparing your items. The best thing though with this is that you can find many items that you might not have seen otherwise because of the limited stocking of store shelves, but with the internet you have a ton more space and that means you have more items to look at.

The benefit of finding your items in a retail store though is you’re able to see the item that you are purchasing and know exactly what you are getting. You do have to consider sales tax though on some of the items that you will be purchasing. This though is the best way in my opinion to shop because you are able to see the item and pay using cash instead of using a credit card which is the way most online retail sites work.

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Shopping for Indian Clothes Online

Posted on May 17, 2012 by admin

Online shopping has come as a boon to all those who find it difficult to fish out time and spend hours in shopping. While other stuff like groceries and veggies are still easier to shop, as you know where to get all you want, shopping for clothes takes the maximum time. Even when most super markets claim to have everything you want, most of them have their own selection and you end up buying stuff which is available and not the right one you had in mind.

This is when the numerous online shopping stores give you a relief and let you choose stuff from the comfort of your own home. While your computer is the world and you can travel anywhere by a mere mouse-click, these stores let you pick your stuff and even guide you to new fashion and trends.

As Indian ethnic and modern wear is gaining popularity, big brands have stepped in the online shopping arena and made it easier for people looking for trendy Indian wear to shop online. What makes one swear is the wide variety they offer. From women’s wear to men’s fashion and from kids to the best of accessories, there isn’t a thing that isn’t available there. They even have suggestions like what to wear for a party or what to dress in for a formal occasion. You don’t need to think as to what would be ideal for an even you need to attend. Some of the best online shopping stores can give you mind boggling options from the kind of material to colors and even type of event.

Bridal is one hot favorite for most of such companies and they are playing their best to cash on it. From bridal sarees to lehngas and from sherwanis to stylish suits, they have all. The sites can suggest Mehndi and other party dresses too. While you can choose from a designer to a traditional silk saree, they can show some trendy sherwanis and traditional looking suits too.

If you think accessories isn’t a part of their job, you are wrong. There is nothing they don’t offer, when it comes to dressing in style. A wide range of accessories is also that they offer. From bangles to bracelets and from pendants to earrings, you name and they have it. Some traditional outfits like dhotis and half sarees, which might be a little difficult to be found in malls can also be found here.

A lot many other efforts go in while you plan an Indian outfit for yourself. Yet, rest assured, that these sites offer you the best of services and there is a lot they can do for you. Get the best of fashion experts’ work for you and get your dress a perfect fit. No need to run to local tailors to get yourself a perfectly fitting dress. Ladies find getting a perfect fitting blouse pretty difficult. It’s now done online, yes, a virtual tailoring shop with some of the best designers crafting it out for you. Salwar Kameez too can be designed and stitched for you and delivered to your doorstep.

In case you are still unable to find a particular saree you have always fancied, you can get it done by designers. Just send in your ideas, the material you wish and the colors of your preference, the designers work it out for you. You can even refer to any celebrity outfit and get that made here. Add your own style to it and get it a little modified and make it your own signature style, these virtual designer boutiques work it all for you.

However, ensure that the site you order from is trustworthy and would deliver a good product. Mostly sites that provide good information on the product, the material and the colors can be trusted. Try finding testimonials on the site to get an idea of what others have to say about their products.

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Online Shopping – Five Ways to Stay Safe and Smart

Posted on May 15, 2012 by admin

Online Shopping – Five Ways to Stay Safe and Smart

There are some excellent advantages to online shopping for both those who love to shop and those who would rather be doing just about anything else.

If you’re a shopping hater – you can avoid the busy mall. If you’re almost addicted to shopping – you can get your fix whenever you have access to the internet.

You’ll find some disadvantages to using the Internet to shop as well. There’s no way to hold a physical product in your hands before you make a purchasing decision, and you’ll usually have to use a credit or debit card instead of personal checks.

There are also security risks connected to online shopping – but you can avoid identity theft, hackers and scams by following these guidelines.

1. Look for Signs of Online Security

When you use the Internet to buy anything you’re most likely going to be entering very sensitive information once you get to the shopping cart page. That includes your name, address, email, as well as your credit card debit card or even checking account number.

Never buy anything online on a site that doesn’t list a phone number for you to call for assistance. If the online company doesn’t want you to contact them – there’s probably a good reason. It could very well be a scam.

Stick to trusted websites with signs of security. Look for the “https” at the beginning of the web address in your URL bar. This indicates (but does not guarantee) that the specific web page should be secure. You can also check for the padlock image, which is usually found in the bottom right-hand corner of your browser. Just realize that an image of a lock on a website is not the same as appearing in the actual browser.

Another sign of website security is a third party endorsement from companies like Verisign and McAfee. That indicates the online company is taking steps to make sure your shopping experience is secure. Click the logo of the online security company to make sure the website your visiting has an official certificate of endorsement.

2. Keep Your Browser Up to Date

The constant cues to download an update for Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome or whatever browser you use can get to be an annoyance. However, these upgrades can include very important security updates that will help protect you when you’re online.

Take the extra minute or so to download the update before you continue with your online shopping experience.

3. Don’t Use Public Computers to Shop

As strong as your urge to buy something online might be – it’s unwise to use public computers at libraries, Internet cafes, or anywhere the general public has access to computers.

You don’t know if the network your using is secure, so it’s best to limit your activity on such computers. Some computers and login pages are set up to automatically remember your user name and password. If you’re not careful, the next person who sits down at that computer may be able to access your private accounts.

4. Never Enter Your Social Security Number Online

There’s no reason an online business would ever need your Social Security Number. If you are asked for it, leave the site because it’s probably a scam. At the very least you should look into why the company is asking for your SSN in the first place.

Social Security Numbers make it very easy for criminals to carry out identity theft. Identity thieves can use your SSN to open up new lines of credit and commit other kinds of fraud that will make a major mess of your personal finances.

5. Use Your Credit Card

While overusing you credit card in every day life can also get you into financial troubles, it is actually the safest payment option when shopping online.

Use it instead of your debit card because you can dispute charges with your credit card company and will only be responsible for a set amount of fraudulent charges. Credit cards offer protection that limit your liability to fifty dollars. Most debit cards do not offer this protection. But you can check with your financial institution.

Some websites do offer the option of using personal checks as a payment option. However, you will most likely have to wait until your personal checks clear until your order is processed and shipped.

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Gluten Free Shopping List

Posted on May 14, 2012 by admin

Tips For Making A Gluten Free Shopping List

It is now much easier to make a gluten free shopping list than it once was. There are numerous websites online that list all of the foods that you can purchase without fear when gluten free grocery shopping. Furthermore many grocery store chains sell products free of gluten intended especially for people with Celiac disease. When you are making your gluten free shopping list make sure that it contains items from every food group so that you can eat a nutritionally well-balanced diet.

What You Can Eat

A gluten free shopping list cannot contain any products that contain wheat, rye or barley. However, there is still a lot of food a person with Celiac disease can eat without worrying. All fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices are free of gluten. You can also eat all fresh unprocessed meat, poultry, fish and seafood. Milk, cream, vegetable oil, olive oil and butter are all safe to eat. You can also eat eggs, nuts, peas, beans, jam, jello, peanut butter, honey, wild rice, most cheeses and yogurts, certain cereals and some brands of ice cream. If you are unsure if a product is safe to eat check the ingredients or do a little research to find out for sure before you add it to your gluten free shopping list.

Special Products

When it comes to writing a shopping list for people with Celiac disease have many more options than they once did. Many grocery stores and specialist online retailers now stock products especially designed for people who are gluten intolerant. These products include things that Celiac disease sufferers would not normally be able to eat such as flour, xanthan gum, cereals, waffles, pasta, cakes, candy, cookies, bread, crackers and pizza. These special products allow people with Celiac disease to eat a diet as rich and varied as anyone else’s. The gluten free shopping list is constantly getting longer so that people with Celiac disease no longer have to feel like the odd one out.

Make People Aware

If your local grocery store does not stock special products free of gluten then you may feel as though your shopping list is still rather limited. If this is the case then it is your duty to speak up and suggest that your grocery store should stock special gluten free items. Bear in mind that five out of every one hundred people in the United States has Celiac disease, therefore there is definitely a market for products free of gluten. What’s more you have a right to eat a diverse diet without fear of developing unpleasant symptoms.

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Productive Shopping for Teenage Christmas Gifts for 2011

Posted on May 13, 2012 by admin

Christmas is enjoyed by everyone making it a truly joyous season but no one delights more than teenagers celebrating this festive holiday. Probably the inviting “gift” of some desperately-needed away from school time, the mesmerizing decorations and lights, beautiful fluffy white snow accompanying northern climes at Christmas time or the sheer anxious anticipation that “Santa’s sled” will be full of goodies excites every teen. However, it is clear that kids of any age are truly delighted during Christmas. This is why many adults really enjoy finding those special gifts for teenagers at Christmas time.

Certain Teen-Based Facts to Consider

Although Christmas shopping for teenagers can be a lot of fun, there are some important considerations to be taken into account when shopping for teens. These considerations should focus on finding age-appropriate gifts since the teen years – 13-to-19 – will find disparate tastes and desires. While 13- and 14-year-old teen boys may delight in specific action toys, older teens may want different techno-based gadgetry. Additionally, keep gender in mind. Many trendy gifts are suitable for both teen girls and boys, but there are those special gifts specifically targeting teenage girls that no self-respecting teenage boy would ever be caught dead owning. Consideration to age and gender can make shopping for teens a bit more challenging.

Digital Gadgetry Marks the Way

Digital dominates the world of Christmas gifts when it comes to shopping for that teen in your life, Teens love gadgetry – anything that has to do with computer technology, innovative communications, gaming and all the potpourri of accessories accompanying anything digital available in the market today. One very “hot” area always to consider is digital music. What parent has never had to grab their teenage child’s attention when they are lost and shielded from the real world trapped by a pair of ear buds listening to their favorite tunes? Plus, since almost every teen has their own DVD player – computer or hooked up to their own television – movies remain a popular choice when it comes to teenage Christmas gifts for 2011. Make sure you know which movies are appropriate for teenagers before purchasing, especially when gifting a child other than your own. You might have no problem with a certain genre, but perhaps your relative or friend who is parent to a teen does.

What Can You Afford?

Budgeting is an important consideration when Christmas shopping for teenagers. This is especially true if you have a few teens on your shopping list. Keep in mind that many digital products need a power source and making sure you include batteries with a gift can be quite thoughtful and very appreciative. Additionally, carrying and protective cases are also thoughtful gifts especially for teens who like to cart their stuff about in a somewhat casual and often bumpy, care-free manner. There are many digital products that are expensive and should be protected from harm at the hands of many rough-and-tumble teenagers.

Shopping online is a convenient and cost-reducing method to find gifts this holiday season for that special teenager in your life.

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Diamond Shopping – What to Look for and What to

Posted on May 12, 2012 by admin

Diamond Shopping – What to Look for and What to Avoid

Diamond shopping can be stressful. Once you decide to buy diamonds, you suddenly are overwhelmed with a list of questions. Where do you buy the diamonds? What kind of shape and style? How many carats? The list goes on and on. When shopping for diamonds, it is important to buy a gem that comes with an internationally established laboratory certificate.

With the certificate in hand, you can begin examining the details with the use of a gauge and microscope, which you can ask the jeweler to provide at the store. The gauge allows you to confirm the size of the diameter to see if it corresponds to what is stated on the certificate. The microscope allows you to locate all the inclusions on the plot of the diamond. Diamonds have unique inclusions. So, it is important to ensure that the inclusions you see in the microscope match what is in the certificate. The location of the inclusions is also essential when choosing a diamond. Ideally, the center of the stone should be clean and inclusions should be located around the edges of the crown or under the crown.

Symmetry and polish of the facets are also important, as their alignment and luster contribute greatly to the visual sparkle of the diamond. Therefore, unless you are buying a truly antique shape stone, the grade for polish and symmetry should not go below “very good”.

The absence of or the degree of fluorescence also impact the visual appearance of diamonds because it gives a “milky” look that detracts from the sparkle and life of the stone. Therefore, a stone with “faint” or no fluorescence is more desirable than one with a moderate to strong presence of fluorescence.

Another detail to avoid is external or internal graining, which are the structural lines similar to the lines found in wood. This type of graining gives a foggy appearance to the stone, which cannot be cured. A comment regarding graining is usually located at the bottom of the certificate.

The pavilion depth can also affect the stone’s appeal. Although it is preferable to choose a diamond not too deep as it looks bigger than what it is, you will want to avoid excessively shallow stones because of the unpleasing reflection of the girdle in the table of the stone, which is called “fish eye” effect.

Lastly, I recommend to avoid any carat size ending with.01. If you had the choice between a 1.99 and a 2.01 carat diamond, choose the 1.99 carat diamond. The reason for choosing the lower carat stone is because the carat loss deriving from a small chip in a 2.01 carat has a greater affect on the value of the stone versus the 1.99 carat stone.

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