AD - Spreading The Cost Of Winter Fashion And Some New Online Discoveries*

Purely based on my own experience of talking to people, watching You Tube videos, reading magazines and reading blogs, I've discovered that when it comes to fashion, people roughly fall into two categories, there are spring and summer people, there are are autumn and winter people.

I definitely fall into the autumn and winter camp, I love jumpers, cardigans, warm scarves, and chunky and practical winter boots! Don't get me wrong I still love t-shirts and sandals but whether it's down to my body shape, my lifestyle, or even plain old personal preference, I love to cover up and to get warm and cosy.

At the moment I'm in my element, the shops at the moment are full of fabulous colours and fabulous winter styles but lets be honest, who really wants to brave the high street when it's cold and pouring with rain, or brave that out of town shopping centre when it's full of Christmas shoppers? Not me! At least not all of the time anyways/ I'm 100% in favour of supporting local businesses and our high streets, but sometimes especially when your health isn't the best like mine, it makes a lot more sense to do a least of some of your shopping online.

Although online shopping is a relatively new thing, distance shopping isn't a modern invention by any means, people have been shopping from catalogues since the 1800's and whilst I'm not quite that old, I have fond, childhood memories of circling things in my mam's mail order catalogue and trying to rest the huge, heavy book comfortably on my tiny knees!

Now pretty much every store has some sort of online or mail order shopping presence, and although catalogues aren't always the first place that you may think of when it comes to online shopping, in some cases they probably should be your first port of call no matter what you're looking for, but especially when it comes to shopping for winter fashion for the whole family.

Online catalogues are probably one of the best alternatives to actually getting out there and braving the high street. Not only is the whole shopping experience less stressful and less time consuming but you also have the added benefits of choice, convenience, easy price comparisons, the occasional option to spread the cost , and of course lots of special offers, all at your fingertips. If you're interested in picking up some new winter fashion pieces and you would like to spread the cost or at what can be an expensive time of year, or make your life just a little bit easier by shopping online, here are 2 online catalogues that may not have heard of that might be right up your street.

Fashion World

When it comes to clothes shopping, Fashion World really is the creme de la creme when it comes to catalogue shopping. Although like me, you may not have necessarily heard of Fashion World, you'll definitely have heard of some of the brands that they stock and some of their sister stores, websites and catalogues. Part of the JD Williams & Company group, one of the leading purveyors of mail order catalogues in the UK, Fashion World makes shopping quick, and easy. As well as a huge variety of women's clothing in sizes 12-32, Fashion World also stocks a range of men's and children's wear, as well as home items, electricals and Christmas gifts - so you can stock up on some winter fashion pieces and of course some festive gifts for both friends and family at the same time - convenient, guilt free shopping - what more could you want?!

Madeline 

If you're looking for fashions just that bit different, and with a bit more sophistication, and class then Madeline should probably be your first port of call. Established way back in 1977 Madeline are of one of the pioneers in the mail order fashion business and have operations both in the UK and in mainland Europe. They're easy to navigate online catalogue contains a wide variety of high fashion clothing, shoes and accessories that are perfect for this time of year. Focusing entirely on female fashion, the site contains everything for the autumn and winter season, from winter boots, to cosy scarves, smart work wear, sparkly evening wear and comfortable, yet stylish casual clothing. Madeline is considered by many to be the site for people who know what top fashion is all about and I can see why. Whilst often veering towards the classic their clothes seem to have enough of an edge to make them appeal to the most fashion conscious women out there, be it in the cut of a garment, in the shape of a collar or a seem or even in the buttons or on a trim, they really do seem to offer something that's just that little bit different. 

If you're anything like me then I know you'll probably need no excuse to go shopping, so I won't be responsible for any purchases made because of this post ;) I know I've definitely made a wishlist after checking out both of these online catalogues, and it's definitely made me wonder just how many other catalogues and shopping sites there are that I haven't discovered yet x The Internet really is a wonderful thing when it comes to shopping or even window shopping, it's easy, in a roundabout way it can save you money, it's convenient and you do it all from the comfort of your own home.

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The Fragrance Shop Bank Holiday Flash Sale*

If you follow me on my blog or any of my other social media channels, you'll probably haven't learnt several things about me - no not the obvious things that I love food, or my cats, or that technology hates me, instead you'll probably have learnt that I love a bargain!

I love shopping at the best of times but if there's a chance of a free gift, or a discount believe me that I'm normally first in the queue. Shops must love me for that I guess and as my mam says they probably see you coming, but as long as you're staying within your own budget and not (cough) buying things that you don't need then it's a pretty savvy way to shop.

I've decided to start another little series on my blog - it doesn't have a name yet and I'm sure it ever will, but from now, every now and then, I'm either going to be sharing some of favourite bargain buys with you or I'm going to pointing you in of the direction of some of my favourite sales, free gifts and discounts.

It's a bank holiday weekend here in the UK, and I know for a lot of that one of your favourite bank holiday activities is to go shopping, well if you're after a new perfume or a fragrance for yourself or  for someone you love then it might be worth heading to the The Fragrance Shop.

If you go online, or you pop into any branch between 12pm and 2pm, until Monday then you can get 15% off everything, and that includes high end fragrances from Tom Ford, Chanel, and Dior! Better still if you're a fellow North Easterner then pop into the Intu Eldon Square store and you'll get some free samples with your purchase. A discount and some free samples? what more could you want! If your not lucky enough to live up north then you can find your nearest branch of The Fragrance Shop via their website.

That reminds me, I really must do an updated perfume collection video, I wear perfume every single day and it safe to say that I'm a bit of a fragrance addict, in fact I actually currently have a perfume wishlist! Should I succumb to temptation or should I hang on for a couple of weeks and see what the birthday fairies bring? Decisions, decisions! x I'm always looking for new fragrance recommendations so let me your favourites in the comments x

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A Few Changes - Sponsored Posts, Advertising And Posting

Hey Everyone x Hope you're having a nice weekend so far x I just want to make you aware of a few changes that are occurring on my little space in the interweb.

Don't worry it won't be anything major and it hopefully won't affect your enjoyment of my site but from this week my blog will be featuring paid advertising, affiliate links and hopefully sponsored posts.

I've thought long and hard before taking this step but I'm determined to stay as true to myself as I can and I'm going to do my level best to only feature content that's relevant to me, to you and to my blog as a whole. That shouldn't be too hard though I never wanted a purely, say beauty focused blog, I always wanted a place would I could explore my own passions and interests, which are as wide and varied as they come.

So if you're a company, a sole trader or you're a blogger with a small business and you want to advertise or collaborate with me, then don't hesitate to contact me at louloulanduk@gmail.com x

I'm not accepting advertisements from individual bloggers at this moment in time but if you'd be interested in advertising with me for a small fee,in the future then by all means leave me a comment and I'll have a think about it x 

Other than that the only changes you're likely to see are a couple of layout changes and an increase in posting. I haven't shown my blog enough love over the last couple of years and from this week that changes. I'm going to try and get a least 5 posts a week up from now on. The comments from my last couple of giveaways have given my lots of lots of new ideas and I'm feeling inspired again. I can't promise hauls every day, in fact I know I can't lol but I can promise a lot more beauty reviews, some more lifestyle posts and some more fashion posts.

If you have any posts or any reviews that you'd love to read then by all mean leave me a comment and let me know, and I'll do my best to give you what you want x Your input and opinions are really important to me, so any constructive feedback is always welcome x 

So them's the changes x Thanks as per usual for reading and for your support x If you have any questions either leave me a comment or drop me an email x 

Oh and if you haven't entered my latest giveaway yet, get entering you have until the 8th November to enter for the chance to win a gorgeous H&M Heart Blusher, a sweet white and gold tone daisy necklace, and an inspirational quote bangle x Check it out here if you haven't already x Thanks for reading x