Friday 27 January 2017

Do what you love



I've worked in retail my whole career, whether it be in store as Deputy Manager at Warehouse or Store Designer at Mamas and Papas. I love it! I love the entire experience of shopping. It should make a person happy. The store, the staff, the merchandising, it should all make you want to spend your hard earned cash. Yes, I know we are in the age of online shopping and things are so much more accessible, however I refuse to believe that the good old fashioned shop, sales advisor and till will ever go away. High Street stores are too engaging to ever disappear.
Although I adore shopping, many people don't. Some don't have a clue what to buy, what suits them, what colours or shapes to go for. Many people hate the thought of trying clothes on in a tiny cubicle that usually smells of feet. Others purely don't have the time.
My goal is to change this for you!

When it comes to style, fashion and shopping, I can't get enough!
Here are the services offered by the Spot on Shopper, please get in touch by any of my social media channels or email spotonshopper@hotmail.com for enquiries.

Colour Analysis
This will tell you what colours accentuate your natural tones and which colours to avoid.

Wardrobe Edit
I will assess your existing wardrobe and tell you what items you may need to get rid of, need altering, repairing and items you are missing that would give your wardrobe more strength.

Personal Shop
This is as it sounds. Its personal to you. You can decide how, where and when this takes place. It can be for a full wardrobe, special event or even just additional items following a Wardrobe edit. We can discuss your specific needs. I can shop for you or with you. Its completely personal to you.

Gift Shopping
If you don't have the time or the knowledge of what to buy someone as a gift, I can do this for you.
I have a simple, short email that you would fill in to give me the info I need, in order to get the perfect gift for your loved one.


If you think you'd benefit from any of these, please get in touch with the Spot on Shopper at spotonshopper@hotmail.com or any of my social media channels.

Instagram - @spotonshopper
Facebook - Spot on Shopper

I would love to hear from you!

All prices are available on request.

Remember, you're never fully dressed without a smile!




Friday 13 January 2017

Let's make every day sparkly!

The inspiration for this weeks blogpost comes from my youngest daughter. Her collection of sparkly tights, matches that of my shoe collection (oh its big!). Every day we 'discuss' options of tights to go with her school uniform. To this day I've never let her go in anything other than navy, black or grey. However, this got me thinking, my 4 year old who cackles like a witch and doesn't have a care in the world, wants to sparkle every day. She wants to skip out of the house in her glittery dresses and tights regardless of wherever she's going. Now, wouldn't that be nice. If you could get up on a morning and wear something shiny, even if you're only doing the school run. January is dreary enough without the thought of black and grey thermals!
So thanks to my little dude's philosophy, I've decided to add some sparkle to my school run! A daily dose of something glitzy that may just make me want to leave the warm cosy house and stand outside 2 different schools every morning! (Oh the joys of over subscribed primary schools!)
Yes I may look eccentric, but I'll be a happy eccentric! I think everyone should wear a little something on a daily basis that makes you sparkle!

These are some pieces from my wardrobe:

Pink Metallic Converse



White Tee with Foil Animal Print - French Connection



Metallic Midi Skirt - Warehouse



Pink Suede Diamante Pumps - Miss KG


The High Street are also trying to get us dressing a little more sparkly and glamourous, here are a few simple pieces that can add instant daytime sparkle to your wardrobe:

           Long Sleeve Silver Foil Sweater - £17.99 Zara



       Imitation Leather Trousers Grey- £24.99 H and M


        Metallic Pleat Back Top Dark Green - £25 Warehouse





                                Pom Pom Cross Body Bag Gold (Girls Acc's) - £12.99 Zara


Remember, you're never fully dressed without a smile!


Friday 6 January 2017

How to... Get through the January blues...

And...it's over, normality resumed! Whether you've returned to work at the beginning of the week or the school run has just started to rear its ugly head, you can guarantee that the alarm won't go off or the kids stay in bed later than they have done in whole two weeks they've been off! Not only that, but the thought of that washing pile you've not touched (it was your Christmas too!), the general cleaning you've dodged (who knew Christmas decorations could gather so much dust!), and yet Monday, once again, is only 3 sleeps away! (Sorry!)

So now I've depressed you just that little bit more, here is my list of 7 things to help beat those January blues...

1. Reminisce your laughter...
At this point it's probably hard to remember how much you've laughed in your lifetime. Me, I've laughed a lot. A hell of a lot. Thinking about the memories that made you laugh the most, can bring you back to a happier time.
The time your friend walked into a bollard in Benidorm and you ran off laughing or when your friend came to your hen do with a spray tan that would put an Umpa-Lumpa to shame.
The fact that your friend snorts when she laughs and that makes you laugh even more!
Thinking of all these things can instantly and without cost, bring a smile back to your face.

2. Do something for someone else
Although above I have taken delight in the misfortunes of my friends, I do like to do things for others. Its not selfish to make yourself feel good by helping someone else (whatever Joey says to Phoebe!). Spread the love! Its much nicer to make more than one person feel good, including yourself. Go see that elderly relative that you haven't seen for months, take a shortbread to a neighbour and see if they want company for a coffee. Even bag up all that stuff you've been meaning to take to the Charity shop since June (you won't need summer clothes now, its freezing!).
Trust me, you will feel better. (and if you don't get the Joey and Phoebe comment, you need to watch more Friends - see my next idea!)

3. Comedy TV
The other night I watched Fawlty Towers with my husband. He literally cried with laughter at it. Personally, not so much. I'm more of an Only Fools or Ab Fab girl myself (and Friends of course). Give me Del falling through the bar or Patsy and Eddie air kissing any day.
What I'm saying is, watch something that makes you happy. Curl up with a blanket and a cuppa, kids, husband, dog, tortoise, whatever! and chill your little ass out watching something that makes you smile.

4. Wrap up and face the world
Now you've had your cosy day watching TV, its time to get your hat and coat on! If there's blue sky, get yourself outside. It might be freezing but you all own a coat and I'm sure you all got a knitted scarf from an Aunty that you never see, for Christmas. I love wrapping the kids up and walking with the low Winter sun beaming at us. If you're lucky enough to have a Temple Newsam or Roundhay Park near by, there's little or no excuse to get some fresh air. Failing that, walk to a friends house. The blue sky and fresh air will put you in the mood for coffee and a natter.

5. Speak to Friends
Remember when your house phone had a wire? My kids certainly don't. Brought up in the new age of social media its easy to forget that your friends are actually human and not an online robot.
Physically go see your friends. Go to their house, invite them to yours, meet for coffee. If you can't get there, dial their number (or look in Contacts!) and speak to them. Not WhatsApp, Facebook, Snapchat. Actually have a conversation with a human and not a keyboard! You'll be surprised at how much you enjoy it.

6. Small Pleasures
What's your favourite thing to do? One of mine, is to sit on my bed with a cup of tea and magazine, reading with no interruptions, it doesn't happen very often, but it's still one of my favourite things to do.
When was the last time you baked a cake? Coloured in a picture? Painted your nails? Those little things that you say, I wish I did that more often, do them! Whatever it may be. That small treat increases your happiness like you wouldn't believe.

7. Plan for adventure
Yes its January. Yes we're skint after Christmas but no that won't always be the case. That trip you want to take, research it. That place you always wanted to go with the kids, when does it reopen. That summer holiday, price it up. Having something to look forward to is always a happiness booster. When my kids can't sleep, this is what I tell them to dream about, what adventure will we take next...


Remember, you're never fully dressed without a smile!
xoxo