by Jackie Brooks | Aug 26, 2016 | Fashion, Featured, GloBeauty, GloWellness
Choosing a wedding dress for yourself or a relative is a serious undertaking, in line with the big day itself.
I accompanied a close friend who was helping her daughter select a bridal gown and accessories this week, and approached it with great trepidation.
The young lady in question was a plus size 16 and had been fed with horror stories of all gowns being a size 6-10 with no support for ‘real women’ sizes and snooty shop assistants shaming you into crash diets and expensive designs.
Claire, the bride to be had booked an appointment with a local Wedding Shop, Love Me Do Brides in Park Street, Kingston.
I arrived early and as I had a long journey from my Buckinghamshire home, was dying to use the bathroom. I crept into the shop apprehensively, to be warmly greeted by two lovely ladies, who were ready to receive the bride to be and her companions. They pointed me to the restroom and then made sure I was comfortable on one of the squashy settees and offered me refreshments as it was a very hot day.
When the bride to be and her mum and auntie arrived – they were completely geared up to help in any way possible. They were also incredibly helpful in helping us to cuddle and feed Claire’s young four month old twins who were brought along to share the big occasion.
The bride to be was very quickly put at ease as she tried on the dresses, her size not even slightly an issue. In fact many of the dresses were too loose, and so her confidence was rapidly restored. They assured us that all sizes are catered for.
She tried on a total of ten dresses, and loved eight of them – but finally settled on a stunning lace featured gown, which enhanced her curves and accentuated her good waistline.
She explained to Jo, the personal dresser who had been designated to look after Claire for the hour’s slot, that she was on a Slimming World diet, and so was advised to have the final alterations done close to the Wedding Day as they had a seamstress on hand to turn it around in 24 hours. They even offered to do a last minute steam of the garment.
She rounded off the session by selecting a pair of lovely high heeled, cushioned satin shoes, for extra comfort, a tiara and a veil – the latter of which she hadn’t even considered.
As there was a sale in store, the total for the entire package was only £730. The dress had by chance been reduced from £1,200 to £599, the shoes were half price at £25 and the veil and tiara made up the rest.
Our young bride to be left the shop elated and full of confidence, a wonderfully successful outcome.
I had a chat to one of the partners, and she told me that although the outlet premises are neat, their stock is extensive and constantly updated. They have been going for eleven years – and I can see the reason for their success.
I am quite sure that many other bridal outlets provide an equally supportive service – but I would personally recommend this small Kingston upon Thames outlet – and it would even be worthwhile to make a special journey, however far away you are, as their unique approach and care would be hard to compare.
http://www.lovemedobrides.com/weddingdresses.aspx
by Olivia | Aug 18, 2016 | Featured, General, GloWellness
As Sweden moves to a six-hour working day to help increase productivity and make people happier – it begs the question of whether we are allowing enough time to implement the much publicized ‘work/lifestyle balance’ ethic across Europe and the UK.
Employers in Sweden have already made the change, with the claim to get more done in a shorter amount of time and ensure people have the energy to enjoy their private lives.
The new strategy is already proving a success with Toyota centres in Gothenburg, Sweden’s second largest city, having made the switch 13 years ago, with the company reporting happier staff, a lower turnover rate, and an increase in profits in that time.
Part of the deal is that staff members are not allowed on social media, meetings are kept to a minimum, and that other distractions during the day are eliminated – but the aim is that staff will be more motivated to work more intensely while in the office.
This shorter work day ensures that people have enough energy to pursue their private lives when they leave work –which can be difficult with eight-hour days.
So how long before the UK realizes that the often sluggish workforce is due to lack of stimulation and long hours, often spent with wasted energy from overly tired employees who have little or no energy for their family and offspring let alone any kind of social life.
The UK are certainly behind the times, and should take a tip from Europe where a German couple who were family friends, renegotiated with their bosses a four day week twenty years ago, to enable them to enjoy their country retreat for three days instead of two – and reported that it worked for both and their companies issued new employment contracts for both after a six month trial period.
So how long do we have to wait until our crusty outmoded system of employment and bullish employers realise that they are killing productivity and the entire British workforce.
For those of us who are or have worked in a strictly run office of employment, with an eight hour day, know that a lot of time is wasted with secret texting or sneaky fag breaks and a bellyful of resentment.
Do we really think Brexit will fix it for us, or are we going to fall deeper down the slippery slide to hellish employers and working conditions now that we won’t have Europe to inspire us into a less Dickensian working environment.
by Glotime | Aug 5, 2016 | Fashion, Featured, GloWellness
As America celebrates its National Underwear Day, we are looking at cleaning up closer to home, with some fantastic grabs on the High Street.
It is true that we are always encouraged as children to have clean underwear at all times in case of ‘being run over by a bus’, which is not the most imaginative of reasonings. We are also brought up to understand that underwear should be functional and practical by most mums, even though the image of the skimpy thong or bikini bottom is the most alluring.
So Bridget Jones knickers as a thing of the past, we are celebrating our own underwear week with these very special offers.
House of Fraser are offering a great selection of Bras for only £8 each – and Debenhams have 70% off their lingerie and nightwear, even including some cheeky boxers for the guys.
http://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/
John Lewis have a selection of designer underwear on special offer, from Heidi Klum to Stella McCartney, with reductions across their own ranges.
http://www.johnlewis.com/
Boohoo have 25% off their Summer Shop, so if you still need beachwear or undies for your holiday, they are a good website to visit, and have some amazing offers in the bikini and pantie department.
http://www.boohoo.com/
If you are in the plus size range – Marisota have some gorgeous sexy underwear at 50% off for you to flaunt your curves which are back in fashion, and show those stick insects who is Boss.
http://www.marisota.co.uk/
