Gifting Guide: Ask Her Friends


Sorry folks, I’m afraid it’s that time of the year when I start getting organised and planning some posts to help solve any Christmas shopping problems you may be facing. I’m kicking off by introducing you to a fab little website that was bought to my attention a couple of weeks ago…

Ask Her Friends

“An end to gifting disaster

Are you a girl who is bored of receiving the same “practical” or “interesting” gifts from the guy in your life? Do you wish he would be a little more imaginative or romantic? You aren’t alone with a massive 40%* of women claiming to have been disappointed with gifts last Christmas. This is where AskHerFriends.com comes in, aiming to decrease this percentage and increase female happiness.

A brand new, online gift-giving experience that helps guys finally get it right with gifts for their special ladies, AskHerFriends uses social media to rally together those who know her best and turns them into his own personal team of advisers. It’s simple ?he signs up, chooses from a wide variety of gifts and experiences on offer and puts them onto his Advice List, which is then sent via e-mail or Facebook to her friends. They can then rate and comment on his choices, thereby deciding which of them she will love the most. He has the confidence that she’ll love what he has chosen and she’s delighted with her new gift.

Specialising in beautiful, unique products from cool boutiques such as Coulson Macleod, Tatty Devine and Milli Millu, AskHerFriends ensures that she gets something truly special but it’s more than just another online shopping service. AskHerFriends also helps spark inspiration with the Experts’ Blog, featuring ideas and tips on gift-buying as well as stories about the best and worst presents ever received! Even if he’s completely clueless, the Idea Map can guide his thoughts in the right direction.

AskHerFriends is the creation of founder Ben Blomerley, who set up the site after far too many gift disasters. He says: “I started asking my girlfriend’s mum and friends for their advice, and they were really helpful. Then speaking to my mates I came to realise that I wasn’t the only one getting it wrong in the gifting department. So I decided to bring all that together with AskHerFriends.com, and make the whole gifting process as easy and hassle-free for blokes as possible. Because when you do surprise your partner with the perfect gift, it’s the best feeling!” An AskHerFriends app and sister site, AskHisFriends are also in construction.

*Survey of 139 female website visitors conducted between 11 January 2012 and 20 January 2012″

With the fast impending festive season and a couple of special Birthdays on the horizon I’ve been having a play around with the site and well, it’s pretty damn great! You can really personalise the search to your exact limits and the gifts it comes up with cater for all tastes and budgets. I usually enjoy searching for the ultimate unique gift myself but sometimes you need a helping hand and I have Ask Her Friends at the top of my favourites tab for a quick bit of advice and inspiration.

Have you tried the site yet? I’d love to know what you think and how you over-come shoppers block.

xxx

Fantasy Shopper

This isn’t the first time I have featured the website Fantasy Shopper on the blog, I gave it a mention when it first launched and I think it’s about time I re-visited.
I admit the site kind of fell off my radar for a little while, life got in the way and as much as I enjoyed pretend shopping and putting together outfits I didn’t really have time for it. A few weeks ago the folks behind Fantasy Shopper sent me an e-mail and this prompted me to take another look and WOW things have changed. The site looks cleaner and fresher and has far more to it than six months ago. Signing up is free and simple and once registered you can get straight in to the shopping; building up a dream wardrobe from a huge selection of our favourite highstreet retailers. You can also pop together outfits- either planning for a real life event or just for fun, discover new trends and create endless wishlists!

Everyday Fantasy Shopper holds a new event during which they give a theme that you then create an outfit for. There are prizes up for grabs; vouchers and clothes and a sense of fun and indulgence.

It’s really dangerous that I’ve re-found my love for this website, hours slip away caught up in a whirlwind of free shopping and creating outfits. My real life wishlist is growing by the day and I’m getting less done than ever. Fantasy Shopping indeed.

Have you tried the site yet? If not, why not? Give it a whirl and let me know what you think. I hope to connect with some of you on there, as if blogging and twitter weren’t enough!

xxx

On my Radar; Atterly Road

Just launched, women’s fashion etailer Atterley Road is the bridge between the finest high street and independent designers available online.

2012 sees a world in which there is not only a phenomenal amount of choice both on the high street and online, but also a world where value for money has never been more important.

The shopping-savvy woman of today craves a trustworthy destination where her favourite brands are brought together in a concise and personal online shopping experience; where she can find the independent designers that are fast disappearing from the high street; and where she can be sure that the quality and craftsmanship of the clothes she buys is assured. Atterley Road will be this place.

Its founder, Katie Starmer-Smith brings with her a wealth of design and buying experience, honed while working for 9 years at premium high street brand, Jigsaw. Katie recognised the need for a unique destination for women who simply don’t have the time to trawl through the vast and sometimes overwhelming mix of brands on the high street.

Atterley Road will present a hand-picked, tightly edited selection of some 30 much-loved premium high street brands mixed with favourite boutique labels and independent designers; Whistles, NW3, Hobbs and Jigsaw will sit alongside By Marlene Birger, Filippa K, Maison Scotch, Des Petits Hauts, People Tree and American Vintage.

With an experienced team of buyers, Atterley Road will meet the needs and tastes of the real women of today. Whether juggling home life with a career, keeping up with a busy social calendar, embarking upon the school run, meeting the girls for lunch or taking that much needed ‘night off’, Atterley Road will provide simple, relaxed and understated style choices.

Easy to navigate, Atterley Road’s customer service will be unparalleled – a team that takes time to offer advice efficiently, an interactive social experience which will allow you to share thoughts and shop with friends and multiple delivery options that work around your busy lifestyle. Atterley Road aims to provide women with a trusted, relevant and intelligent online shopping environment that they will re-visit time and time again.

You know how I love to window shop, and the second Atterly Road e-mailed me I was eager to take a peek. Above is a selection of the shops new arrivals, just to give you an idea of what to expect. The site is filled with well made, classic pieces from both loved and new to me brands.

Des Petits Hauts quilted jacket and sequin collar shirt (this is a new to me brand and I so far love it!), Petit Bateau striped tee, Jigsaw printed leather satchel (LOVE!) and Hunter waterproof pumps.

I know my blog is one big wishlist lately,
but with so many shops out there, who can blame me?

What do you make of Atterley Road?

xxx

wild about wild doll

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I’m sorry guys, I know you hate how much I make you window/actually shop with my latest discoveries, but I have yet another one to shout about!

Wild Doll boutique offers quirky clothes, statement shoes and an array of accessories at super affordable prices with worldwide shipping! After only a brief browse, all of the above items are what has already made it’s way on to my wishlist…the best part?! Nothing featured here costs over $30 (in fact, not much on the site does!)

If you don’t believe me, take a look for yourself; and report back on what you fancy!

xxx

P.S. Last 24 hours for the Handbag giveaway!

Simply Fabulous, Simply Be

Sometimes I get asked to help friends shop, and sometimes it just isn’t feasible to meet up and physically trawl around the shops and so I spend time online browsing and getting ideas for them. When helping Best Friend look for an outfit for the wedding, I happened to come accross Simply Be, somewhere I’d heard of but not really browsed through as it caters for sizes 14-32 which I’m currently not (but I used to be a size 18 and there was NEVER anywhere this fab to shop then!). Best Friend liked what she saw, and so here comes this post, with my picks of Plus Size Clothing from Simply Be UK

Best Friend, I hope you are taking notes, I want to see you in at least one more dress by the end of the summer!

I’d also like to make it known that they do some stunning bags and shoes, too…currently on my personal wish list are these beauts…

 

I really hope this post is of interest to at least some of you…I was really pleasantly surprised by what I found and I know a couple of girlies in my life who might love me for this post (but their bank accounts might not!)

xxx