Blog Archives

Shopping Off the High Street – Why Womens Clothes Online UK Have Something the Shops Don’t

So here’s the deal – you’re bone tired, your feet hurt and you’ve been dragging too many bags around town for too long. So you get home grouchy and you have an argument. OR – you invite the girls over for an evening of vino and laughs and do some shopping for womens clothes online UK while you’re at it!You’ll know by now I’m a huge fan of the indoor shopping trip, specially when it’s raining and doubly specially when the choice goes up and the prices go down. I heard on the radio only yesterday that the majority of high street retailers are knocking their prices down to entice us after the miserable summer we’ve been having – and that means bargains galore on the new season’s dresses!

The trends are as you’d expect at this time of year – two in one dresses rocking that Mad Men look; skater dresses ranging from polka dot cool to ruffle details and more two in one top and bottoms; and party dresses with lots of flavour for the long end of summer evenings.

If you have proms to go to, now is the time to be thinking about womens clothes online UK too – there are plenty of gasp-inducing specials out there that’ll make you feel like you just stepped out of a Hollywood limo onto miles and miles of genuine red carpet!

Obviously the dress you choose is determined by what you want it for – where you’re going and why. It’s also dictated by the shape of your body, your leg length, your height and which bits of you stick out more than the rest!

For instance: I’m not tall, even by girlie standards – so I tend to go with A line dresses and floaty chiffon, usually just above the knee for me because a maxi dress accentuates my height (or lack thereof). A scallop in the dress works well for me as I have a just below average size bust too. Whereas a friend of mine, one of my bridesmaids in fact, is quite the opposite – generously proportioned where it counts – and she doesn’t look right in scallops, which fall too straight from her bosom area downwards.

The key to all womens clothes online UK is finding the right shape for your own shape, the right cut for your height and the right colour and detailing for your personality. Again on a personal level I like champagne and taupe colours, nice and light to go with my height. By wearing something close to skin colour it is difficult to tell at a glance where the dress ends and I start. While if I wear something brighter the colour makes a definite demarcation between the hem and my legs, and makes me look shorter than I do when I wear neutral tones.

So it’s high heels and strapless chiffon for me this year. For you – well that depends! If you’re lucky enough to have the long legs I don’t, you could make a bold statement with some neon prints. For the taller girl, the 80s are back!

3 Summer Tips for Longhaired Dog Breeds

There are plenty of things dogs love about the summer – hazy afternoon playtimes, lazy sunny naps and barbeque leftovers! Taking care of longhaired dogs in very hot weather is about helping them keep cool whilst still enjoying the exuberance and fun of summer!

1. Regular drinks and shade
Dogs can’t sweat. Dogs (and cats) don’t have a network of sweaty glands to help them sweat and lower their body temperature. They cool themselves largely by panting; panting is a way of releasing large amounts of heat via vaporised water from their lungs. Prescription pet food brand, Hills Pets, advocates always keeping a cool, fresh water nearby, preferably in the shade on cool ground.

2. Good grooming habits
Whether a dog is on a Hills Pets prescribed diet or enjoying the scraps of the holiday barbeque, daily grooming is one of the best ways to maintain overall health and comfort. Shaving a dog doesn’t help keep them cool, and can exacerbate sunburn potential. The step most commonly recommended by vets is to have the dog’s coat trimmed to about an inch, no shorter. Coats that are kept well-brushed help air circulation and can aid cooling more than trimming. Daily brushing is a must for longhaired breeds during the summer.

3. A Cool Dip
Like their human counterparts, dogs love a cooling dip in the water! A kids’ paddling pool in the garden or a splash in the sea – both great ways to keep dogs clean, cool and happy on hot summer days!

This guest blog post is written by Webmaster of hillspet.se, offering Hills pets services!

 

What is Life in Cyprus Like?

a winter wonderland

Cyprus – An Island Paradise 
Cyprus is a Eurasian island country located in the Mediterranean Sea east of Greece. Neighbouring countries include Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Israel and Egypt. The central plain of the island, known as the Mesaoria, is dominated by two dramatic mountain ranges, Troodos and Kyrenia. Cyprus is widely recognized for spectacular Mount Olympus, situated in the centre of the Troodos Mountains. The comfortable subtropical climate affords visitors and residents mild winters and hot summers. Cyprus has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, attracting hundreds of thousands of international visitors during the summer season, which lasts from April through November.Shown above are the Troodos Mountains, Cyprus in winter.

Cyprus is divided into segments based on political and religious factions. The Republic of Cyprus occupies the southern two-thirds of the island, with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus occupying the northern one-third. The United Nations established a Green Line, which provides a buffer zone separating the two political groups. Distinct and unique cultures exist between Greek and Turkish Cypriots. Each community maintains individual cultures linked to the mother countries of Greece and Turkey. Greek is spoken in the south, while Turkish is spoken in the north. Due to the influx of tourism, English is spoken by approximately 75 percent of the population.

Whilst there is limited cultural interchange between the two groups, music, art and architecture share influences dating back at least 10,000 years. Cyprus is home to world-class religious iconic paintings from the middle Ages. The island’s architecture was influenced by French Gothic and Italian Renaissance designs introduced during the era of Latin dominance. Many of the churches and villas in Cyprus were built during the 15th and 16th centuries.

Due to its proximity to the Mediterranean and its highly sophisticated infrastructure and tax system, Cyprus has become a centre for numerous off shore business enterprises, including export shipping and transportation. Travel and tourism has become one of the country’s most lucrative economic enterprises.

Cyprus is alive with vibrant art and music. Traditional folk music and chattista, a form of musical poetry, is often interspersed with new-age rock and rap music. Traditional music is typically performed at weddings, celebrations, local festivals and feasts. The local cuisine is characteristic of specific regions within the country. The close proximity to the Mediterranean brings multiple varieties of seafood including squid, octopus, sea bass and mullet. Traditional meat delicacies include smoked pork loin, charcoal-grilled lamb and chicken, as well as souvlaki.

Travelling to Cyprus requires a valid passport for stays of up to 90 days. Work and residency visas can be obtained through respective embassies. Many visitors from Europe and the United States choose to relocate to Cyprus on a long-term or permanent basis. Cyprus is an attractive choice due to optimal weather conditions, relatively low taxes and cost of living, as well as the relaxed atmosphere of living in an island paradise. Many British expatriates choose residences in Oroklini and Pyla, rather than popular tourist destinations such as Lemesos, Limassol, Paphos and Ayia Napa. The overall cost of living is somewhat lower than countries such as the USA and United Kingdom, although restaurant, gasoline and grocery prices have risen since the recent introduction of the Euro.

Cyprus has many beaches; the above shows a typical beach scene in summer.

Long-term and permanent housing is available throughout the country. Rates vary according to the size of unit and location. Many Cyprus villas have been converted into apartments, which can comfortably accommodate two residents. Villa apartments can be found on the waterfront, in secluded areas and in small villages. Six and 12-month tenancy contracts are available in many popular towns including Larnaca, Paphos, Limassol and Nicosia. Many tenancy contracts have extension options. Properties usually include private villas with pools, parking facilities, spectacular landscaping and laundry facilities. Utilities are not included in long term rental contracts. Apartments in converted Cyprus villas offer opportunities to reside on one of the most spectacular islands in the world. Residents enjoy dramatic architecture, cultural diversity and delightful weather.

Enjoying a peaceful, comfortable and lucrative life in Cyprus begins with understanding and respecting cultural differences. The establishment of trust with local residents will lead to relationships and friendships that will last a lifetime.