Maxi dresses - last lap summer bargains

Last lap summer bargains are hard to pass up especially when you know that the style you're after will totally still be fashionably correct next summer.    Maxi dresses are always a summer favorite with the ladies and always on trend.  They are so easy to wear and require little effort to look effortlessly stylish and picture perfect on a bright summer day.  Just push your feet into some flat summer sandals or wedges, get your sunglasses on, pick up your tote bag and off you go. Look complete. 

For those of you taking that long deserved holiday abroad outside of the school holidays (naughty if you're yanking the kids out of school but hooray if you're child free) summer sales are perfect to get those much needed summer essentials for your trip.  Cruise holidays are the best and you can't have enough maxi dresses for that stroll on deck or relaxing pool side while you sip your pina coladas. 

There are massive bargains to be had if you are luckily the right size for what's available.  But don't allow summer sales to stress you out.  Finding a bargain should be fun, not an act of duress.  I know only too well how you can look longingly at a sale item on your computer screen, clicking on it several times hoping with all your might that it will magically appear in your size and say "in stock".

Never give in to the temptation of buying clothing and fashion accessories that are the incorrect size or body shape, or colour for you. While it's fine to try new things, it's pointless (and a bit daft really) if your desired sale item will simply sit in your wardrobe and take up valuable space.  Each year you pull it out, try it on and still it does not suit you or fit as the it's just wrong for your body shape or you have not lost the weight you swore you would lose.  Why put yourself through that!!!

Here's an idea though!! If you feel that need to have it then think birthday and christmas gifts.  Who would that item be perfect for?  Stocking up on christmas and birthday gifts can save you time and money and a much needed saving while you make that financial recovery from  expensive holidays and back to school uniforms.  According to "What not to Wear" experts Trinny and Susannah; styles that may not suit you may be perfect for a friend.  Just ensure that you are getting it right as returns may be tricky after the stipulated period.  

If you're shopping for gifts then clothing aren't the only bargains to be had, fashion accessories like belts, jewellery gift sets, are absolute great gifts ideas too. So get those christmas and birthday lists out and start shopping for your bargains now.  

jewellery gifts for her

I'm always thrilled to receive jewellery gifts.  I mean which girl despite the many necklaces and earrings in her possession turns up her nose up at a unique piece of jewellery?  I do feel sorry for guys though when it comes to buying jewellery gifts as no doubt it must be confusing for them when choosing that special jewellery gift  for their wives, girlfriends or partners as there is so much to choose from.   It's especially hard if you are competing with jewellery necklaces and jewellery gift sets from past beaus, then you definitely want your present to be that much more a unique and special jewellery gift. 

Buying bespoke or handmade jewellery including exotic jewellery like copper jewellery, leather jewellery, eco or recycled jewellery can help you stand out from the crowd when it comes to gift giving on those very special gift giving occasions like anniversaries, birthdays, valentines, christmas and mothers day. 

A great alternative if you know your loved one already has lots of jewellery is a jewellery box as a girl has to have somewhere to store her lovely and extensive jewellery collection. Again with jewellery boxes you can go the extra mile and seek out handmade jewellery boxes which may make her feel that extra bit special as it may be hand carved and different to any other trinket box or jewellery case she might have seen.  My personal favourite are wooden jewellery boxes.  For a more luxurious gift for her, some prefer a velvet lined jewellery box, but naturally it depends on your preference and budget.   Selecting that unique gift for her can't be easy but just showing that you put some thought into buying her a gift that others will be asking her "where did you get that?" is sure to score you points. 

Spa Treatment - The Perfect Mother's Day Gift

My husband surprised me with a day out at the spa during the half term holiday. What a refreshing treat. He and the kids dropped me off at 10:00 a.m. and collected me at 5:30pm. It was a most relaxing day spent in a white robe and white bedroom slippers provided.

He choose a spa in the city where he could take the kids to Sealife and the Shopping Mall while I had a pampered day. A city spa is an ideal choice for a day at the spa on your own if you live close to the city. Had it been a weekend at a spa with my husband then it would have been ideal to drive further out where we could take in a bit of the countryside. But to be honest when you are in the spa you forget about outside and simply become part of the tranquil, clean and luxurious environment.

Though it is still winter and what a winter we have been having, I did not remember that it is 5 degrees outside when I was cocooned in the relaxing spa environment having a body scrub followed by a hot stones massage and then a stint in the steam room for my skin to absorb all the luxurious body oils that had just been applied to my skin.

Lunch was included in my spa package and of all the healthy options on offer, I chose poached salmon with grilled roasted asparagus and baby potatoes all with a hint of olive oil. Mmmm delicious.

Unique gifts vs spa treatment

In the afternoon I was treated to a facial, a pedicure and finally a manicure. I wished the day and the treatments would go on and on but alas it came to an end. I like my jewellery gift sets, flowers and unique gifts for Mother's Day but a day at the spa is priceless. I certainly don't mind having both.

win a luxury weekend spa break for two

What to take with you to the spa

1. Yourself and a swimsuit - all I took was a bathing suit which came in handy for the steam room. I did not fancy having a swim in the pool as I did not want to dry out my skin from the chlorine after all those luxurious treatments.

This Amber Bead Halterneck Underwired Swimsuit from Autograph is a gorgeously sophisticated swimsuit designed to fit and flatter. The bead design makes it even more stylish.


For extra support try this Sorrento Tankini from Bravissimo. This elegant tankini offers fantastic support up to a J cup and is exclusive to Bravissimo. The straps are multiway, so you can choose to wear them straight, or cross them over at the back.

2. Your conversation skills - while having lunch in the tea room I had a lovely chat with a woman I met there. Like me, Pearline was on a day out at the spa courtesy her daughter. So it gave me a chance to meet someone new as well.

Spa treatments at home
Now I continue my spa treatments at home with an aloe based aroma spa collection including an avocado face and body soap. I also drink the aloe vera gel for great skin and hair plus all the other benefits that come with it. Apart from being great for skin and hair it has an effect on digestion, is a useful source of minerals and vitamins and acts as a natural anti-inflammatory and painkiller. Like anything else please ensure that you are drinking a good quality gel that contains between 85-95% of stabilised aloe vera gel.

Win a luxury weekend spa break for two

Some days ago I wrote an article about a day at the spa being the perfect mother day gift. I talked about the fact that it was all well and good to receive flowers, jewellery gift sets,unique gifts and the like but that a day at a spa is priceless. I certainly don't mind having both a tangible gift and a day at the spa.

If you fancy the best of both worlds then Marks and Spencer are offering customers who purchase mother’s day flowers, a chance to be entered into a free prize draw to win a luxury weekend spa break for two, or there is a chance to win other prizes including beauty treatments! There are 5 luxury spa breaks for 2 + 1000s of other prizes in the free prize draw.



I fancy this Rose Tin with three delicately pretty rose plants, set in a rustic cream lattice tin - they will certainly last much longer than Mother's Day. But there are loads to choose from.

For a chance to win, simply (click here) purchase flowers by 5pm on the 17th March and you will be automatically entered into the prize draw.