Hello lovelies!
Like a lot of my blog posts, today's topic has come from a spot of daydreaming. I was having my breakfast and was in my own little world when an advert came on the television promoting an online women's clothing brand. This got me thinking about the pros and cons of online/in-store shopping (and not just for clothes) and I decided I should write a post about it.
Disclaimer: These are my own personal opinions/experiences. I'm definitely not saying that you should only shop in-store or only shop online because they both have their uses!
Let's start with clothing. Personally, I prefer to shop in-store. The reason for this is because my body will not co-operate with any old item. For example, I have an extremely curvy back and so jeans from most places will have an irritating gap at the back... Needless to say I can't just buy jeans online because there's no guarantee that they'll be a comfortable fit. The one store I have found (so far) that sells well-fitting jeans is Primark. And of course I have to go in-store and try them on just to double check that they're right. Comfy and inexpensive? Count me in!
The other reason I have for shopping in-store is that my figure in general can be frustrating at times to clothe. I have what is commonly known as an hourglass figure - big in the boob department, a comparatively smaller waist and relatively wide hips (as well as a sizeable behind). And although there is nothing wrong with being this shape (or any shape for that matter - love your body!), it does make clothes shopping a tad difficult. Let's think about a shirt/blouse - they're a flattering fit but in order to avoid an embarrassing incident of button-pinging and boob-flashing I sometimes need to buy a size 12-14 (depending on the store). Most tops will fit my waist at a size 10 but to accommodate the chest area I need to go up a size or two. Therefore it is impossible to buy a form-fitting top online as there is no way of knowing which size will fit me the best. The same goes for dresses - I tend to steer clear of bodycon styles as I know they will most likely cling to me in all the wrong places so my preferred style is a skater dress - fitted at the waist and flaring out at the hips. I find this style flattering as it shows off my figure the way I intend (mind you, if you're not wearing tights with one you'll need to be careful of the wind - I've had many awkward experiences with poorly-timed gusts!).
For things such as books or CDs/DVDs (yes, I still buy them!), it's a case of whichever is more convenient. I do quite like going to bookshops because I enjoy the atmosphere of them and like other bookworms I love the smell of actual paperback books (does that sound weird?), although my Kindle comes in very handy. However, I do like to use websites such as Amazon (other sites are available of course) if I can't find a book in-store. Also, they give you the option of gift-wrapping the book if it's for someone else (the lazy girl in me loves this feature...)! It's the same with CDs and DVDs - while I love physical copies, if it's hard to find I can normally rely on websites to point me in the right direction.
Online shopping is also very helpful if you don't have easy access to a high street or if you simply don't have the time (or energy - let's face it, traipsing from store to store when it's pouring with rain isn't fun for anyone) and you can do it from the comfort of your sofa/bed/soft-furnishing of your choice... What's not to like about that?
The other great thing about online shopping, though, is that you can refine your search to save trawling through an entire website to find one item - or walking round a whole store to find something. You can specify size, colour, price, style... It's so easy! I tend to look online for something first and then if I might need to see it in the flesh I can then go in-store and see for myself. See, told you they both have their uses!
I hope this post isn't too boring or lengthy/bulky! I just thought it would be good to share my views on this issue. What do you guys think?
Lots of love!
Fliss xx
Sunday 31 May 2015
Thursday 7 May 2015
University: A Transformation
*Peeks out from behind pillow/duvet/other method of defence*
Before we get started, I have been away for FAR too long and I am SO sorry! My New Year's resolution to be more organised has been successful in some parts but not so much in others, and my university assignments had to take priority.
But now all my assessments are out the way and I'm freeeeeeeeeeee! So, without further ado, I feel like I can now talk about the difference in me that university has made.
Before I go any further, I am well aware that university is not for everyone and I am in no way telling you that this is your only choice. It's highly likely that some of the changes I've noticed in me would have happened regardless of whether I'd attended uni or not, and instead are down to becoming an adult and being able to see things differently.
Okay, now that's clear, here are a few things I've noticed within myself that have changed:
1) I think the biggest change in me is that I'm a lot more confident. Perhaps that is because of the amazing group of friends that I have around me who will support me no matter what (and I would do the same for them)!
2) This is kind of similar to the last point but in a way it's also different. I've become so much more independent since I've moved away from home, not only because I've had to learn how to live by myself, which makes you REALLY appreciate all that your parents did for you while you were living under their roof (and annoying the living daylights out of them at times - sorry Mum and Dad!), but also because I live in London, which is a huuuuuge city and so finding out how to get somewhere takes time and practice (I can now name a few Underground lines just by the station, go me! Buses, on the other hand, are a work in progress...). Even walking around becomes a skill - I now can't get rid of my 'London pace', so whenever I go home to Sheppey, where everything is much smaller, I end up nearly halving my journey because I can't help but walk so fast! And of course there's the personal safety factor - traffic in London is ridiculously heavy all the time so you always have to have your wits about you and be careful when crossing roads etc. Aside from that, it's crucial to be careful when walking around places late at night, or in dodgy areas (or both, but stick to safer, well-lit areas if you can) and even in daylight remember to look out for yourself and your friends to avoid putting yourself in danger.
Okay, parental lecture over...
3) I just feel happier in general. Again, that's largely due to my super-duper friends, but I feel more self-assured and a lot more positive about life than I did this time last year. I have a more 'can-do' attitude and although I have down days (let's face it, who doesn't?), for the most part I have a lot to smile about!
That's pretty much all I have to say right now, so I'll wrap this up. I just thought I'd share these ponderings and see what you guys think!
Lots of love,
Fliss xx
Before we get started, I have been away for FAR too long and I am SO sorry! My New Year's resolution to be more organised has been successful in some parts but not so much in others, and my university assignments had to take priority.
But now all my assessments are out the way and I'm freeeeeeeeeeee! So, without further ado, I feel like I can now talk about the difference in me that university has made.
Before I go any further, I am well aware that university is not for everyone and I am in no way telling you that this is your only choice. It's highly likely that some of the changes I've noticed in me would have happened regardless of whether I'd attended uni or not, and instead are down to becoming an adult and being able to see things differently.
Okay, now that's clear, here are a few things I've noticed within myself that have changed:
1) I think the biggest change in me is that I'm a lot more confident. Perhaps that is because of the amazing group of friends that I have around me who will support me no matter what (and I would do the same for them)!
2) This is kind of similar to the last point but in a way it's also different. I've become so much more independent since I've moved away from home, not only because I've had to learn how to live by myself, which makes you REALLY appreciate all that your parents did for you while you were living under their roof (and annoying the living daylights out of them at times - sorry Mum and Dad!), but also because I live in London, which is a huuuuuge city and so finding out how to get somewhere takes time and practice (I can now name a few Underground lines just by the station, go me! Buses, on the other hand, are a work in progress...). Even walking around becomes a skill - I now can't get rid of my 'London pace', so whenever I go home to Sheppey, where everything is much smaller, I end up nearly halving my journey because I can't help but walk so fast! And of course there's the personal safety factor - traffic in London is ridiculously heavy all the time so you always have to have your wits about you and be careful when crossing roads etc. Aside from that, it's crucial to be careful when walking around places late at night, or in dodgy areas (or both, but stick to safer, well-lit areas if you can) and even in daylight remember to look out for yourself and your friends to avoid putting yourself in danger.
Okay, parental lecture over...
3) I just feel happier in general. Again, that's largely due to my super-duper friends, but I feel more self-assured and a lot more positive about life than I did this time last year. I have a more 'can-do' attitude and although I have down days (let's face it, who doesn't?), for the most part I have a lot to smile about!
That's pretty much all I have to say right now, so I'll wrap this up. I just thought I'd share these ponderings and see what you guys think!
Lots of love,
Fliss xx
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