MSN Shopping Blog

Summer is here, sort of

Thu, 22 May 2008 16:06:47 GMT

by Ellen

The shops may have been selling bikinis and flip flops since November, but for us the summer shop at MSN Shopping is only just launching now.

I am ECSTATIC as it means you can officially start buying nice summer things which will sit in the back of your wardrobe and only see the light of day either a) on holiday, or b) the one warm day Britain gets this year. I have the excuse of going to Barcelona next week, but with a forecast of rain I'm not getting my hopes up.

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What I am loving this week

Fri, 09 May 2008 13:58:22 GMT

by Sarah

Sunshine, lunch in the park, big sunglasses (pollen-defense solution)
Pimms, Pimms, Pimms
Running outside in my new cross trainers
Cheerful new cushions for my living room - bit like deckchair covers
Flat thong sandals - suddenly everyone is wearing them and I want some
Martini glasses and cocktails on the patio
Fake tan, scrubs and lotions - with all the short skirts around it's time to prep the pins!

The big shorts debate

Wed, 07 May 2008 15:40:56 GMT

by Ellen

Whenever the mercury begins to rise, the air conditioning in the office starts getting sketchy, and lunchtime turns into a mad dash to eat your meal deal in the park, the debate about shorts in the office returns. Should guys or girls wear shorts in a professional office environment?

For girls, shorts have become easy enough to smarten up if the situation requires. Tailored shorts of a decent length can look just as smart as a pencil skirt or trousers.

For guys, it's more blurred. Our office dress-code is casual for the most part; for a lot of people it's jeans and a t-shirt every day. But does that mean shorts are OK? What is it about blokes showing their ankles that people find a bit too casual? I say go with the shorts, fellas. It's sunny outside so why not bring some of the summer into the office and show off a bit of skin while you're at it.

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What I am loving...

Fri, 02 May 2008 16:32:26 GMT

by Sarah

Coloured 'ethnic' scarves - I know everyone is wearing them but still.
My new glasses - it's like I now have two personas (glasses on/glasses off).
Brown leather - belts, bags, sandals. Tan-tastic!
A-line skirts - full, floral and flouncy please.
Gin & tonic - woohoo it's the long weekend.

The great swimwear search is over

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 09:17:37 GMT

by Ellen

Finding a bikini has been stressing me out for the past couple of weeks. I kept finding ones I liked and then they were either out of stock or came to £40 for the set, which I find excessive considering it's going to get covered in sand/seaweed/ice cream etc.

Finding the right shape is always an issue too, and while I've been lusting over bandeau tops and the gorgeous retro one-pieces, I finally settled on a red and white stringy bikini, with ruffles and a cute belt on the bottoms. It's a bit nautical without overdoing the anchor motifs and I am pretty much overdosing on all things stripy right now anyway. I hope the beaches of Barcelona and Nice are ready for me.

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Pay day purchases

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 09:33:57 GMT

by Sarah

Woo hoo! I am brieifly back in the money as I've just been paid. To celebrate, and to ensure I don't feel flush for very long, I've already made my first online purchase of the month. I had a lovely time trawling through the entertainment categories on our site and ended up with a basket load of fun stuff from Amazon. Here's what I've ordered: Gavin and Stacey DVDs (I got into this recently and can't believe what I've been missing out on!), Dr Kawashima's Brain Training (my boyfriend has a DS and I'm going to 'borrow' it) and a new book, The Book Thief, which is set in WW2 and comes highly recommended.

Other stuff I'm currently considering parting with cash for: a Wii so that I can play with the Wii Fit, some new sunglasses (I'm thinking something classic like RayBans) and some proper jeans. This list will undoubtedly get longer and soon enough I will be back to being broke!

p.s If anyone has played on the Wii Fit can you let me know if it's any good?

The who, the what, the when and the Which?

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 10:48:18 GMT

by Ellen

If I read one more article about the credit crunch or hear the word 'recession' again I'm going to go nuts. Interest rates, inflation and the weak Euro are making me miserable, mostly because it means, essentially, we have less money to spend. That's the crux of it, right?

And so at times like this everyone talks about becoming a more 'savvy consumer' but it shouldn't only be something we think about when we're facing spiraling debts and costs and misery. We have some new Which? consumer guides online which offer impartial advice when it comes to buying a new MP3 player, sat-nav, lawnmower, mobile phone, and loads more. So with all this hoo-ha about sensible spending, I don't think we should be cutting down, just doing it more wisely. And I don't really need an economist to tell me that.

Jeans are back

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 09:17:04 GMT

by Sarah

After a skinny love affair which has lasted a fair few years now, I'm getting excited about 'proper' jeans once more. I am really liking all the new blue denim around which has a relaxed 70s feel. It's not just that the look seems refreshing, although it does, it's also highly wearable. It's like the time before skinnies, when your bootcut jeans were your best friend. Bootcut jeans are great for so many body shapes, with their flattering slight flare at the ankle, they make most of us look taller and skinnier. Another big bonus is that (as far as I can remember) they actually stay put, unlike skinny jeans which have a tendency to work their way down on your hips, revealing your underwear and creating a highly unflattering 'baggy bum' look. I'm thinking I might invest in some Lee jeans as they have a nice colour and cut, and won't toally break the bank.

Elegantly waisted

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 10:29:14 GMT

by Nicola

If you're not in possession of a slim waist, flat tum and boobs at C cup or less then you can forget about high waisted skirts. Those super-tight pencil numbers also require a pert bottom and reasonably slender thighs, but if you're one of the lucky few who posses all these things (grrr) then this is a really elegant look.

This season's versions are fuller and a bit easier to pull off, but the flat stomach is still essential in order to avoid the maternity dress effect.

March Mailbag

Fri, 11 Apr 2008 14:28:10 GMT

by Ellen

Our March Mailbag includes the age-old piece of feedback we seem to get every month; include more fashion for plus-sizes. One piece on celebs wearing spring trends prompted one use to write in with "When highlighting the current styles there should be some inclusion of styles which compliment the plus size woman and also info for women with bigger feet", which is fair enough, and we do have a few articles on plus-size fashion and a selection of plus-size clothes.

The user went on to say "This page is also not taking into consideration the budgets of working class people. It is instead drilling the ideology into women and young women of today that you need to spend more to look a particular way and also how to go about not being an individual." With regards to people's budgets, the page includes items which go from £19.95 upwards, so we do try and include a range of prices. Fashion in general isn't always to do with being an individual, and as the seasons change and designers and shops follow trends, those who wish to keep up with these trends will read articles such as our feature, and obviously those who aren't interested will hold little regard for what we say is fashionable.

Another user stated she wanted to see more fashion for petites, and we do have a guide to petite clothes and will be featuring more tips for smaller sizes in the future.

Finally, one user commented on our gift guide, saying "I really could do with a section for geriatrics in the gift areas, e.g. home and garden,travel ,books etc. Any chance?" In our future gift guides, older people and grandparents are definitely an area we could do more in, as it's an area often forgotten about so keep checking back and hopefully we'll have some soon!

Gladiator sandals: yay or nay?

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 15:03:24 GMT

by Ellen

At first glance, gladiator sandals are a whole heap of NO NO NOS! In fact, at second and third glance, I'm struggling to love this trend. Aesthetically, they are verging on the hideous. They are awkward and lumbering and involve too much leather and buckles for anyone's sanity. Any anything which draws too much attention to your ankles isn't going to be the most flattering of footwear, and more often than not will shorten your legs.

While this is of no concern if you're 5'11 with legs like Gisele's, I'm a bit scared. It's not just the fact it's difficult to find a flattering pair, it's just they remind me of peasant skirts and smock tops. All these things can actually work in moderation, but when the high street is literally spilling over with cheap versions of them, they're mostly no good.

Sadly for me, gladiator sandals were all over the catwalk last summer, and this year they're slowly creeping back in the shops. Rather than bother with a boring high street version, I think I'm just going to go the whole hog and head down the nearest fancy dress shop. Russell Crowe has nothing on me.

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