Christmas Gift List For Mum

Posted on November 4, 2015 by Frostie

Mums are amazing and deserve to be shown how much they are loved. With that in mind, here are a few top picks.

Totes Toasties Faux Fur Mule.

We love these slippers. Comfortable, super warm and fun.

Braun Face Cleansing Brush + Mini Epilator Beauty Edition.

This cleansing brush and epilator in one is innovative and brilliant, it really cleans skin, gets rid of hair and leaves your face brighter and smoother. This is a brilliant beauty product. We were very impressed.

Introducing the world’s first facial epilator and cleansing brush. Braun Face combines two facial treatments into one device: precise epilation of the finest hairs and gentle deep-pore cleansing. The facial epilator features a slim head with 10 micro-openings to capture even the finest hairs. The facial cleanser cleanses pore-deep to remove make-up and impurities up to 6X better than manual cleansing. Show the world the skin that you were meant to have with the Braun Face epilator and facial cleansing brush.

Braun Face Facial Epilator and Facial Cleansing Brush is available here.

Label.m Giles Moisturising Treatment Duo.

A great Shampoo and Conditioner gift set with a gothic design from Giles Deacon. Funky.

Includes treatment shampoo and moisturising conditioner.

Codorníu Cuvée Barcelona Brut.

There is a popular meme that says mummy drinks because you are bad, but sometimes it is because you give her a bottle of fizz and your presence is call for celebration, right? This cava from Codorníu is top notch. Trust us, we know our stuff.

Add some sparkle to your celebrations this Christmas with Codorníu Cuvée Barcelona Brut.

Beautifully bottled, indulgently rich and tantalizingly fruity, this cava is as perfect on a wish list as it is served with Christmas dinner, alongside Boxing Day nibbles or to drink at a festive party with friends.

Codorníu Cuvée Barcelona Brut is available at Sainsbury’s and Waitrose RRP £12.99. sainsburys.co.uk waitrose.co.uk

Christmas Gift List For Her

Posted on November 3, 2015 by Frostie

Top picks for the woman in your life.

McGuigan Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

A luscious red wine full of red and blackberry fruit flavours. This Cabernet Sauvignon shows the distinctive cassis and blackcurrant fruits as well as a subtle herbaceous note that finishes with eucalyptus . Fine velvety tannins add to the finish. This wine is matched perfectly with a range of rich dishes including red meat stews or casseroles.

RRP: £9.99 (Tesco.co.uk, ASDA.com)

McGuigan The Shortlist Shiraz

A classic fruit driven Barossa Valley shiraz, this wine displays ripe mulberry and plum characteristics. The conscious integrations of oak results in subtle vanilla and spice. This wine has youthful, grippy tannins and will develop in the bottle for the next 10 years. Matched perfectly with red meat dishes such as glazed beef short ribs.

RRP: £14.99 (MajesticWines.co,uk)

We tried both wines and they are first class.

Body Butter and Candles from Shea. A small family run business that specialise in creating handmade natural products including body butters, hair care and scented soy wax candles.

All Shea Innocence candles have been hand poured using natural soy wax providing a clean burn and long lasting fragrance. Shea Innocence candles are free form GMM, pesticides and herbicides. They also make brilliant body butter. We tried all of the following: Nourishing Body Butter with Lavender & Orange, Triple Butter Whip – Mango, Grapefruit & Orange, Body Butter – Mums to Be & New Mums (Unscented) and Mandarin Body Butter – Little Ones. Body butter is £10.95 and candles are £6-18.00. Highly recommended on quality. They smell great too.

http://www.sheainnocence.com/

Adult Colouring Books are the in thing at the moment. Taking time out and staying away from technology is relaxing and essential for health. Quercus Books are publishing 4 gorgeous, small, paperback-format colouring books in a series called ‘The Little Book of Colouring’. Their small size is unique and handy both for carrying with you as well as curling up on the sofa, while the brief affirmations on every page provide the perfect opportunity for colouring fans to focus their minds and step away from the hectic pressures of day-to-day life.

Adult Colouring Book available here

Divoom Voombox Ongo. We tested this great speaker, it really is water resistant and weather proof. Perfect for taking anywhere, give the woman in your life the chance to get her groove on when on the move. Perfect for picnics and outdoor parties too.

Ideal for outdoor enthusiasts who want to listen to music while out and about, the Divoom Voombox Ongo comes with a bike mount and is water resistant and shockproof. Its compact size offers impressive sound with a passive subwoofer and two 1.5inch drivers, and offers a built-in speakerphone solution to make calls while on the move. The Voombox Ongo is available in a range of colours and is perfect for use around the campfire this summer.

Divoom Voombox Outdoor Speaker is available here.

Thomas Dakin Gin

This brilliant gin includes 11 botanicals including horseradish and the gun-metal grey bottle is superb. Thomas Dakin Gin is a classic style London Dry Gin which takes its name from the forefather of English gin, Thomas Dakin, who created the world’s first quality gin in 1761 in the North West of England.

Nose: Juniper perfumed notes upfront with sweet orange and citrus aromas and a hint of red cole botanical at the end.

Taste: Smooth, intense and piquant which softens, leaving a sweet citrus and savoury taste.

Finish : Medium to long lingering finish.
Thomas Dakin Gin is a juniper-led classic style gin with sweet orange and citrus notes and a pepper and savoury finish, thanks to the cubeb berries and red cole. We love it: a superior gin that tastes sublime.

Thomas Dakin Signature Serve
Tom & Tonic
50ml Thomas Dakin Gin
125ml good quality tonic water
Orange peel
Sprig of fresh Coriander

Pour the gin over a full glass of ice and pour over the tonic water. Twist a 5 cm strip of the orange peel onto the top and garnish with a sprig of coriander.

Thomas Dakin Gin is available in Harvey Nichols and Booths.

Babyliss Hairdryer Twilight Shimmer Set from Lloyds Pharmacy. We absolutely love this. The hairdryer is excellent and it comes with a sparkly bag and some hair clips.

The BaByliss Twilight Shimmer 2000W dryer set features a lightweight and compact dryer with the drying performance of a regular sized hairdryer. Includes a concentrator nozzle and 2 sectioning clips to make styling easy. The pretty sequinned pouch is perfect for cosmetics.

Burt’s Bee The Natural Edit. (rep £29.99)

A great gift set from Burt’s Bee, contains a mix of their best products. Burt’s Bees naturally nourishing milk & honey body lotion for super soft skin, Burt’s Bees shea Butter hand repair cream for those hard working hands, Burt’s Bees coconut foot cream for dancing feet and a duo of 100% natural lip care and colour products – perfect for mistletoe ready lips! All of the products are great, making this a wonderful present.

Burt’s Bees The Natural Edit, Gift Set is available here.

How To Speak Emoji

A great, humorous book. Who hasn’t wondered what a certain emoji someone has sent you means? A great gift to make someone fluent.

How to Speak Emoji is available here.

Label.m Fashion Fix The Bardot Beehive.

The Bardot Beehive Fashion Fix comes with everything you need for this iconic hairstyle.This is a great, unique gift.

Professional Haircare brand label.m has taken its catwalk inspired hair- up, in-salon service, label.m Fashion Fix and created the perfect DIY Kit for clients to enjoy at home for the party season.

With a choice of two of the most requested Fashion Fix styles – The Bardot Beehive and Nouveau Knot, each kit includes the key label.m Create and Complete products, Hair Up Brush and accessories. Also there’s a comprehensive step-by-step for re-creating the look with fool- proof results!

‘Retro inspired 80’s pony’ label.m Bardot Beehive Fashion Fix Kit RRP £27.45

The Kit contains: label.m Volume Mousse, label.m Texturising Volume Spray, label.m Session Hair Up Brush, label.m u-pin Straight Black 50mm, label.m Kirby Grip Straight Black 70mm & label.m No Pull Braiding Bands Black 15mm.

Candles are always a perfect gift. We love Rathbornes Cedar, Cloves & Ambergris and the limited edition Charles Farris VII Pinetum Pine, Fir, Balsam & Cinnamon. They both smell amazing and look great.

A demonstration in luxury hand-crafted work, Rathbornes is officially the oldest candle brand in the world. Created and crafted with love in Dublin for over 500 years; the hand-poured wax candles are infused with the highest quality natural essential oils, tested to ensure optimum scent distribution and burn time.

The new ‘Beyond the Pale’ collection is inspired by the Irish saying which refers to the wild countryside beyond the city parameters or ‘pale’. This new range is comprised of six uniquely formulated scents that encapsulate the romance of the Irish landscape with a luxurious and modern edge.

Travel size- single wick candle, burns for 20 hours, £16

Classic size- two wick candle, burns for 50 hours, £30

Luxury size- four wick candle, burns for 60 hours, £46

From Fenwicks & Brown Thomas, Dublin

www.rathbornes1488.com

Steeped in a heritage that dates back to 1845, Charles Farris scented candles still use the same traditional methods from the Victorian era to make the best candles for modern day- slow burning, long lasting and of the highest quality.

By Appointment to Her Majesty the Queen, this historic London brand has become the gold standard in quality candle-making. Using 170 years of experience, Charles Farris has now created a range of seven premium scented candles and reed diffusers, specifically for use at home. Working with master blenders to create unique and beautiful scents, the candles have been crafted using traditional techniques, the highest quality ingredients and are encased in artesian hand-finished glass.

The essential oils used come from the finest sources and are infused in the signature wax and hand-poured in a time-honoured fashion that pays tribute to the Charles Farris legacy.

30cl candles- £30

Reed diffusers- £32

Stockists include Fenwicks, Heals, Fortum & Mason

www.charlesfarris.co.uk

Christmas Gift List For The Beauty Junkie

Posted on November 2, 2015 by Frostie

The beauty junkie: so much you can buy for them but what to choose? With so many options it can be hard to narrow it down. So we have done it for you. Balance Me’s 10^th anniversary Christmas collection is beautifully presented in stunning seasonal, celebratory packaging embossed with Balance Me’s celebratory fireworks motif. The Heavenly Hands Duo (£10 /2 x 30ml) containing their best-selling, multi-award winning hand creams – Super Moisturising & Rose Otto. We have tried them both and they are divine.

Available from balanceme.co.uk, feelunique.com, lookfantastic.com and Ocado.com

Lanolips has collaborated with leading Australian fashion illustrator Kelly Smith on ‘The Artists Tin’. The elegantly illustrated tin, features gold embossed elements and a picture of gorgeous high heel shoes.

Containing the hero products:

101 Ointment 15g (Multipurpose Balm – 100% natural, 101 uses)
Rose Balm Intense for Very Dry Hands and Nails 25ml (Intense hydration & protection for very dry hands & nails)

“Kelly’s illustration of the beautiful woman, whom I have affectionately named Lucinda after my Grandparent’s Lucindale Farm, came as a result of Kelly winning the Lanolips Artist Competition.” Kirsten Carriol, Founder.

This is just a beautiful gift. Great products with a keepsake tin. Win.

From feelunique.com to boots.com

SensatioNail Starter Kit

The SensatioNail™ Raspberry Wine starter kit includes everything you need to prep and complete up to 10 salon quality gel nail polish manicures at home; that will last up to 2 weeks with no chipping, smudging, cracks or dulling! JUST £69.99 – This special gift pack includes a boxed SensatioNail Gel Polish Starter Kit with a Raspberry Wine sample size polish. The gel nail kit includes the unique Pro 3060 LED Nail Lamp, which has been specially designed to set and dry your favourite SensatioNail™ Gel Polish in no time – safely locking in the colour to give your nails a glossy, long-lasting finish.

SensatioNail by Nailene Gel Polish Starter Kit, Raspberry Wine is available here.

L.A.B.2 Cosmetic Brush Gift Sets

STROKES OF GENIUS BRUSH KIT

A professional set of 5 must-have eye brushes to create natural to dramatic eye looks.Eyeshadow Brush – distributes color evenly onto the lids, crease and brow bone.

Crease Brush – accentuates the crease and blends colors seamlessly together to soften harsh lines.
Pointed Eyeliner Brush – delivers a precise, firm, even line.
Brow & Liner Brush – fills in brows and lines eyes for extra definition.
Brow & Lash Groomer – grooms, combs, and defines brows and lashes.

These brushes are amazing. Professional quality at a reasonable price. They make a great gift.

Lab 2 Brush Set, Strokes Of Genius is available here.

Burt’s Bee Naturally Bee-autiful Gift Set.

Naturally Bee-autiful Collection (rrp £19.99)

This is the perfect gift set. The towelettes with white tea extract are handy and it also has lip balm, a really good pore scrub and body lotion. All of the products are great and this is a good, thoughtful gift.

Contains

• Wild cherry lip Balm (4.25g)
• naturally nourishing milk & honey Body lotion (70g)
• peach & Willowbark deep pore scrub (110g)
• facial cleansing towelettes with White tea extract (10 count)

Burt’s Bees Naturally Bee-autiful Collection, Gift Set is available here.

Joan Collins Timeless Beauty Compact Duo. Powder and Lipstick

A beautiful and glamorous gift. Contains a good powder and a hydrating lipstick. Both products are great and the packaging is the perfect balance of old school glamour and innovation. Lipstick in the compact? Brilliant.

Warwick Rowers Launch Their 2016 Calendar

Posted on October 29, 2015 by Frostie

It’s that time of the year again, and the Warwick Rowers are back to tempt us with their biggest ever range of naked athletic eye candy. As well as a stunning 2016 calendar with both full page pictures and monthly planners, there are no less than three new films, shot in England, Spain and the US, a massive range of bonus downloads with over 2000 images, and a limited edition coffee table book that has sold out half its edition already – despite a price tag of over £200!

The calendar, which was shot on location at a beautiful English country house and a stunning Spanish villa, marks a step change for the sexy sportsmen. Tristan, making his second calendar appearance, explained:

“After six years of working with strategically-placed oars, we wanted to do something slightly different. So we imagined what an ideal summer might be like, with the racing season over and college out of the way. That’s how we found ourselves playing croquet and drinking Pimm’s at an elegant country house in England, then working on our all over tans at an incredible villa near Marbella. Not like our real summers, sadly, where we were doing internships or working at the local supermarket.”

As has become a tradition, the calendar launches with a hot new video that is free to share. Last year’s video has been seen by over six million people, and the boys are hoping that this year’s video will prove equally popular. Tom, whose ex-rower grandfather encouraged him to sign up for both the sport and the calendar, joked:

“We haven’t quite broken the internet yet, but we think it’s safe to say that every year we add a few more cracks!”

Butt jokes aside, there is a serious side to the project, too. The calendar has become famous for its association with Sport Allies, a charitable initiative to challenge homophobia in and through sport. Sport Allies’ review of the existing research has shown that LGBT students who take part in sport at university are 50% less likely to take part in team sport (NUS survey), but that students who take part in team sport are more likely to go on to lucrative careers in leadership roles (Cornell study). In a joint statement published in the calendar, the Warwick Rowers and Sport Allies address this finding:

“Sport can and must play a better role in our society. We believe that sport should be an opportunity to discover and fulfill your potential as an individual, whatever your sexuality and wherever you sit on the gender spectrum. That is why the vision of Sport Allies is to see “a world where sport is a leader in celebrating difference”. “

As well as contributing funding to Sport Allies, the Warwick Rowers hope their calendars will help get that message of inclusion out there. The laid back theme of this year’s calendar has allowed the rowers to show how comfortable they are with their bodies, their gay supporters and with each other. As the rowers themselves say in the video:

“For the 2016 calendar, we want to show the kind of men we aspire to be. Men who are not afraid to embrace people of every gender and sexuality, and to show our affection for each other. Because we think that’s a message that everyone needs to hear.”

All Warwick Rowers goods, including their new 2016 calendars, films, bonus downloads and limited edition book, are available to purchase now at warwickrowers.org.

Spa Technologies UK Flower Peel Review

Posted on October 28, 2015 by Frostie

We reviewed Spa Technologies UK new Flower Peel. This is a gentle peel that really does the job. It made skin brighter within days and glowing when used longer term. This great peel has a lasting effect on skin. The ingredients are natural and even sensitive skin can use this peel. This flower peel is impressive: a great product that genuinely improves skin and combats fine lines. Frost loves.

Spa Technologies UK are delighted to announce the launch of their exciting new Flower Peel to their growing, all natural, seaweed based skincare range.

Anne Gray found of Spa Technologies UK says,

“There is nothing out there like the Flower Peel, the texture, the ingredients and the results are stunning. Our unique Flower Peel works on all skin types for anti-ageing, acne and sensitive skins.

The main active ingredients of the Flower Peel are:

Hibiscus Flower Acids, Green Tea, Laminaria Algae, Hyaluronic Acid, Flower (Pyruvic) Acid and Seaweed Based Gel.

“These actives help to thicken and strengthen the skin around the eye so help to diminish crows feet. Fine lines boost collagen to firm our skin and also help with uneven skin tone and improve acne scarring. Our Flower Peel is rich in essential fatty acids for skin repair.”

Their clinical studies shows that the Flower Peel is:

9% more hydrating than lactic acid and non-irritating

20% greater cell renewal compared to other AHA’s (Alpha-Hydroxy Peels)

30% greater anti-wrinkle activity compared with AHA’s

There is a gentle exfoliation without the irritation that is normally associated with alpha-hydroxy peels.

Like other Spa Technologies UK products the Flower Peel nourishes and feeds the skin – doing more than just a quick fix.

“Using the Flower Peel daily you will see within days healthier, brighter looking skin with great improvement on lines around the eyes.”

Alpha hydroxyl acids have dominated the skin care market now for the past two to three decades introducing ever more powerful acid complexes to exfoliate skin.

The promise was to stimulate new cell growth leaving a smoother more youthful skin. Many skin care companies embraced AHA’s and retinols in the fight against wrinkles and aging skin.

However in the rush to differentiate themselves in the marketplace, companies added greater concentration of AHA’s to their formulas ranging from 5 and 10% in the beginning to 70% and more with the promise that more is better.

The problem with this approach is evident to us: Over exfoliation leads to over-processed skin; and this can lead to irreversible skin damage.

Now out of South Africa comes a new generation of AHA’s extracted from the Hibiscus Flower. These ‘flower acids’ are more than acids.

They are a highly complex pure extract of the hibiscus flower comprising a wide variety of acids as well as powerful antioxidants.

The result is a multi-functional ingredients that gently promotes exfoliation while nourishing the skin with protective antioxidants with anti-inflammatory properties to strengthen the skin’s support matrix and firm the skin.

Spa Technologies UK recognised the need for a less invasive approach to skin regeneration by creating a strong flower acid peel within a seaweed polysaccharide delivery system.

The result is a peel without the burn with the objective of skin firming.

Here is a breakdown of the unique phyto-chemistry of Flower Acids.

Bio-Complex of alpha hydroxyl acids—Phytic, Pyruvic, Mandelic and Azaleic which provide a gentle exfoliation while stimulating collagen synthesis

Polyphenols are powerful antioxidants. Tee et al. 2002 assessed the antioxidant properties of Hibiscus by comparing its activity with those of BHA and b-carotene

Anthocyanins (deep purple pigment in the flower) are a major component of hibiscus that reduce oxidative stress on DNA and act as a sunscreen in absorbing UV rays (Duhn et al, 1997)

Compared to conventional AHA’s, flower acids from hibiscus are:

50% more hydrating

20% greater cellular turnover than AHA’s and salicylic acid

30% reduction in appearance of wrinkles by inhibiting elastase and hyaluronidase breakdown of connective tissue

Anti-Inflammatory properties exhibiting an absence of the ‘burn’ (Levy and Goldschmidt 1979)

Ironically this has been somewhat problematic in convincing clients of its efficacy.

The lack of a burning sensation leads some to assume that the product is ‘not working’ as it should.

This is a misconception.

The pyruvic acid being a second generation acid exhibits greater keratolytic properties similar to the properties found in salicylic acid.

This acid dissolves proteins responsible for cell adhesion due to its higher keratolytic effects more effectively than lactic acid.

Moreover, as these acids are formulated into a seaweed polysaccharide base extracted from Laminaria and Fucus algae, the non-irritating benefits are enhanced.

The Flower Acids of Spa Technologies UK augmented by the marine algae polysaccharides have numerous applications in the treatment of blemishes and helps relieve the symptoms of rosacea, eczema and psoriasis to calm inflammation and restore stronger, more youthful looking skin.

The Spa Technologies range contains no animal products.

www.veganbeautyskincare.co.uk/product/flower-peel-30ml

£25 for 30ml.

Two Chicks Chirps Review

Posted on October 27, 2015 by Frostie

We tried these new snacks and we thought they were great. As moreish as crisps but healthier. Give them a go. Our favourite was the sour cream & onion. For fans of spice, the smoky jalapeño flavour is hot. The sea salt & cracked pepper is also good and very peppery indeed.

Free-Range High Protein Egg White Bites From Two Chicks

After a sell-out launch in Selfridges.co.uk earlier this year, the UK’s only baked egg white snacks are now available nationwide in Holland & Barrett, as well as online via Amazon.co.uk and Ocado.com.

Chirps are a high protein, low carbohydrate snack and contain 30% less calories (only 110 per bag) and 50% less fat than standard crisps*. Made with free-range egg whites, one of the highest quality protein sources available, each pack contains 15% of your recommended daily protein intake – great for filling you up when you’re out and about.

Created by Two Chicks, the company responsible for bringing liquid egg whites to the UK, Chirps are unique crisp-style high protein snacks. They come in three flavours – Spicy Jalapeño, Sour Cream & Onion and Sea Salt & Cracked Black Pepper – each with a deliciously crunchy bite.

Chirps are priced at £1.49 RRP per 28g packet and are available at Holland & Barrett (and its website), Partridges and Selfridges – as well as via Amazon and Ocado.

For further details on Two Chicks, take a look at twochicks.co.uk and @2chicksproducts.

A Day in the Life of Penny Gerrard

Posted on October 26, 2015 by Frostie

A typical day? No such thing – and that’s the way I like it.

I’m certainly an early bird – whizzing about doing “lick and a promise” style housework while catching up with The Archers.

I really look forward to those days when I am sitting in my local court as a magistrate. I love being part of the justice system and I can be sure of a day full of interest and challenge doing something worthwhile with great colleagues.

Other special days are when we look after our younger grandchildren. Five year old Harry involves me in complex Star Wars games with incomprehensible rules and two year old Francesca practises her fast developing language skills on me – telling me she prefers her trainers to her “sandcastles”. Keeping track of the lives of our 20 and 16 year old granddaughters is fun too.

Perhaps I’ll do some admin for The Pastures Church – agendas, minutes, newssheets etc. – sounds dull? Not a bit of it to a compulsive organiser like me. My to-do list would probably be the first thing I rescued from a fire – that and my photobooks and scrapbooks which fulfil my nostalgic side. This nostalgia drove me to record memories of parents and favourite aunts who were no longer there to pass on their stories. Discovering a creative writing group run by author Margaret Graham spurred me on to write and I’ve self-published a book of poems called “Never Too Late” and an account of a trip to Israel called “The Reluctant Pilgrim”.

If we are travelling (we are quite the globetrotting retirees) I knit on the journey – usually for the children but have recently managed a jacket which actually fitted me. I might do some embroidery and the walls of our house reflect this. My longest project was a patchwork quilt which took me 40 years.

Shakespeare often features in my day – perhaps with a trip to the cinema or theatre with the U3A Enjoying Shakespeare group I run. The U3A has given my husband and I some shared interests like croquet – lovely on a sunny summer afternoon, or quizzes which test our remaining memory.

Somewhere in my life there has always been music – from singing in choirs to amateur operatics with wonderful opportunities to dress up. At the moment it involves singing with my church band which is mainly made up of teenagers who also play guitars and drums. This has meant getting used to having no music and only an IPAD to refer to for the words. How things have changed in my lifetime.

After all that, by about 9pm I finally run out of steam and we perhaps treat ourselves to an episode from a box set like House of Cards with Keven Spacey or The West Wing with Martin Sheen. Lovely to enjoy brilliantly written drama. Now, could I aspire to write a script one day? Well maybe, but in the meantime, the ten o’clock news is nearly done and a good book awaits me in bed.

Penny Gerrard

5 Fab Tips for the Bridal Sale Season

Posted on October 22, 2015 by Frostie

5 Fab Tips for the Bridal Sale Season. WeddingDressSampleSale.com, serves up 5 fab tips for making your bridal sample sale season a resounding success.

Research– Go to WeddingDressSampleSale.com, tick the filter boxes refining your dress preferences and browse the matching results to find the designer gown of your dreams. Click on each dress to discover more, including a detailed description and your nearest local stockist. You can conveniently email or call them directly from the website.

With more than 40 listed bridal boutiques and designers showcasing their sample dresses on WeddingDressSampleSale.com, you can even book your appointment with genuine hands on boutiques all in one place, saving yourself a lot of time and effort time endlessly trawling the web for those special bridal bargains.

Be flexible– If the dress you really, really want is not in your size, do not despair! First find out if could it be adjusted and re-fitted for you by a skilled seamstress. What if it turns out that your dream dress neither satisfies you nor compliments your figure? Don’t give up! Try different styles and settle for the one you feel most beautiful and comfortable in. Never feel pressured in to buying a dress just to get it out of the way. It’s your big day after all.

Dress appropriately– Wear appropriate underwear to help you easily slip in and out of your dresses when and where you need to. You will want to see how it will all look on your big day, so make sure you bring a strapless bra, heels (unless you are going for some fab flats) and if need be, tights. Don’t overdo the make up or jewellery to the point that it can catch and mark your dress.

Check it out thoroughly – Sample dresses are usually sold ‘’as seen’, usually meaning that no returns or refunds. Check the dress for missing beads, stains and tears. Factor in the extra costs such as dry cleaning, alterations and repairs on top of the price.

Bring a trusted friend with you. Having an extra pair of eyes and some good old honest feedback will come in handy when dress hunting. It will also help you drop the not quite not sure dresses quickly and make you feel more confident that you have made the right choice.

You can buy The Wedding Survival Guide: How To Plan Your Big Day Without Losing Your Sanity by our editor, Catherine, for only 99p. It has had great reviews and is full of great advice. It is all you need to plan your big day.

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