How to Get Married On a Budget

You hear so many stories these days of people spending thousands and thousands of pounds, even blowing their life savings to achieve their dream of a ‘perfect’ wedding. But the good news is that you don’t have to spend huge amounts of money to have a wedding day you’ll always remember. After all, the day is about celebrating what you have rather than showing off by spending more than you can afford.

If you’re really serious about working to a low budget, then here are some handy hints to bear in mind:

Location: Find a reception venue that is flexible about letting you use your own caterers as many venues will charge unreasonable prices to provide their own food. Also, if possible you should find a place in an area not known for its expensive weddings. And whilst it may not be ideal, bear in mind that many places will charge a lot less for a weekday wedding.

Suppliers: If you need to get married in a place not known for its low prices, for example central London, then make sure you shop around when it comes to suppliers for items such as flowers or decorations. In London wedding flowers can cost a lot of money but they certainly don’t need to be through the roof if you speak to somebody who knows the best discount suppliers and can get you the best deal.

If you are getting married outside London, the wedding flowers will obviously be cheaper so even if you live in the city you could perhaps look at getting married slightly further out if you want to cut costs even further.

Guest list: The first rule here is to remember that you just can’t please everyone. Guest lists are notorious for getting out of hand – it’s the old ‘I invited that group of people so I have to invite those too or they’ll be offended’ situation. You really only need to invite the people who mean a lot to you. Some of the loveliest weddings are the small and intimate ones. How many weddings have you been invited to when you hardly know the bride and groom? Cutting the guest list will dramatically reduce your food and drink costs.

 Food: Do you have a good friend who cooks, or are you a whizz in the kitchen yourself? Either hiring a friend to be your caterer or preparing the food yourself beforehand are the most low-cost options aside from having no food at all – which wouldn’t make for a great day! Hiring professional wedding caterers can really eat into your budget, as it were.

Music: The great thing about the hi-tech world we live in today is that you don’t need to hire a DJ to ensure the music runs smoothly throughout your wedding reception. In fact, it can feel much more personal to you if you create your own playlist on your ipod or MP3 player and just plug it in to the venue’s sound system.  Just make sure before you hire the reception venue that you are able to do this.

Size Matters When it Comes to Getting Your Marketing Right

Right now it might feel as though it’s all doom and gloom, what with the current state of the UK and worldwide economy, not to mention austerity measures biting hard into the public sector. But, it might be surprising to learn that many small to medium-sized businesses are thriving even in these difficult times.

Indeed, recent figures suggest that the number of businesses filing insolvency in the UK have fallen by 10 per cent overall from the same period last year. In fact, regions such as Yorkshire have shown a 14 per cent drop.
This goes to prove that no matter how difficult things get generating income and persuading punters to part with their cash, there are rewards for firms that are willing to put in the hard work and strive towards a clear, common goal. After all, it’s much easier to build from solid foundations.

Of course, this demonstrates perfectly the importance of small business marketing, the need of ramping up interest in your service and products and thus making sure your intended customer base knows exactly who you are and what you do.

A small business may have a smaller budget than larger companies but it is all relative and, if things are done the right way, the various marketing disciplines can create a pretty formidable weapon in growing your business.
There’s above the line and below the line marketing and advertising, encompassing all the fundamentals from promotional spots in local newspapers and magazines, to holding exhibitions and other public events, as well as mail shots and canvassing.

Add that to a diverse and focused online commitment and you have a business marketing strategy that can really make a difference. An external business marketing agency will aide your company’s development, pursuing in-depth market research and analysis, creating the ideal marketing solution.

How to Build a Productive Workplace

It’s an old cliché: happy workers are busy workers – but it’s true, as most company managers will attest. To ensure your employees are working to their full potential you have to listen to their needs and provide a positive working environment. If you neglect this responsibility, the result will be de-motivated, resentful employees who will be looking to take their talents elsewhere at the first available opportunity.

However, there are many fairly simple measures you can take to avoid this – and here are just a few of them:

Offer training and support: Most employees who are worth their pay go into a job with the hope of improving their skills and knowledge in order to progress in their chosen career. If they are not given new challenges and opportunities they can become disillusioned and stop caring about their job performance. Variety is the key to maintaining a stimulating work life, so make sure you invest in training schemes or even sponsor your employees in further education such as Masters degrees if this is something that will contribute positively to their job performance.

Create a great work space: It’s very well known that the environment in which you work can have a significant impact on the way you carry out your job. Give careful thought to the spaces in which your employees work in terms of office design, for example. Do they have enough natural light to boost mood? If not, consider installing some rooflights which are an easy an efficient way to distribute natural light evenly over a large space. If many of your employees work at computers, then the use of rooflights to bring in natural light can also help cut down the number of headaches or eye-strain problems they experience.

Allow time for breaks: In addition to providing the best possible space for your employees to work in, many companies recognise the benefits of providing a rest area for workers to go during breaks. It’s important for employees to take some time away from their work stations during the day so they can come back refreshed and ready to begin again. With the best will in the world, concentration levels will start to drop if we don’t give ourselves adequate rest periods.

Positive leadership: If your managers don’t work to promote a cheerful and productive atmosphere then there is no reason to assume your employees will be productive. Most people respond well to positive leadership, so ensure the people you hire to run certain departments have a proven track record for getting the best out of their team.

Flowers For Every Occasion

Whether they are for a wedding, birthday, funeral or corporate event, well-chosen and tastefully arranged flowers will work for every occasion. And nowadays, of course, there are so many great quality flower shops out there – either high-street, local or online – that it has never been easier to buy them. Flowers can be ordered in bulk to decorate entire venues, or in single bouquets as a special gift.

A single bouquet of flowers is a perfect way to show somebody you care, or to express congratulations at the birth of a new baby, for example. And whilst people often complain about the impersonality of buying a bunch of flowers from a garage forecourt, going to a specialist florist actually allows you to put your own personality into the gift as you can choose the flowers you think best suit their personality of the recipient, and specify how you would like them to be arranged. For example, it is well-known that red roses symbolise love, whilst yellow roses symbolise friendship and a flower such as a lily can stand for innocence – perfect for an occasion such as a christening.

In big cities such as London, where you may not have the time to visit a shop in person, ordering bouquets online to be delivered on the correct day can sometimes be the easiest and most reliable option. In fact in London, bouquets ordered online are now one of the most popular gift choices as in such a busy metropolis you never know when you are going to be held up in traffic, on the tube or at your place of work.

But whilst in places such as London bouquets ordered online are a sensible option, if you need to order flowers in bulk for a special event it is probably best to visit a specialist florist in person so you can discuss your needs with them in detail. After all, you want the event in question to be right, and that includes the decoration.

Another good reason for going to visit a florist when you are buying flowers in bulk for a special occasion is that you can often agree a discount price for large numbers of stock if you are speaking to someone in person. Also, many florists can also arrange the flowers for you at the venue to display them in the best possible light so they will need to see images of the place first to know what they have to work with. Again, this is something best done face-to-face to avoid any confusion.

How Search Marketing Consultants Can Help You To Find New Customers

How can you be sure that internet marketing will help you find new customers and help your business grow in a way you can support? Read on for some information that could help you shape an effective internet marketing campaign for your business that provides great return on investment  in a way that your infrastructure can handle.

Research

Researching your market can help you find out which gaps you could fill for consumers. Researching your competitors can help you find out what gaps to fill so that you can increase market share --- wooing prospects away from competitors because you’ve created a better value added proposition.



Research can also help you formulate an effective strategy for dominating the internet in a way that brings about an excellent return on your financial investment and on the sweat equity you put into the process as well. That research can also help you prepare your business for an influx of new orders.

Testing

Once you’ve determined how to move forward with your internet marketing plan, testing is important. Running some split tests could help you carefully plan for the future and do so in a sustainable way. Controlled growth and controlled expenses are going to be important. Don’t skimp on testing before rolling out a large and expensive marketing plan. You may want to start smaller scale and get more aggressive as you start to see return on that investment.

Analysis

Analysis of your internet marketing campaigns can help you figure out where to invest going forward. Analysis can help you formulate new plans to expand and improve on a continuous basis.  Analysis can help you determine whether the plan and / or the professionals you’re working with are doing a good job for your company.

Expanding Your Horizons

Don’t get too stagnant. Your business direction should continually evolve, as should your internet marketing plan. Is today’s plan bringing you new customers? If not, it’s time for a change. Once your marketing efforts bring you five new customers a week, ramp up efforts so it brings you ten. As you expand your customer base, make sure your business infrastructure evolves to be able to support the volume boost.  If it seems to daunting to continually expand on your own, don’t hesitate to hire a search marketing consultant. Controlled and careful growth in your marketing efforts as well as careful and controlled expansion of your business could result in a well balanced company balance sheet!

Why it Pays to Hire a Wedding Planner.

They say that your wedding should be one of the happiest days of your life.  But if the run-up is fraught with the stress of planning and all the pitfalls that can come with this, you may find that when it gets to your big day you wish you had never embarked upon the whole business.

It shouldn’t be this way, and it needn’t be if you hire a competent wedding planner to advise you and coordinate every aspect of your day. Here are just some of the reasons why hiring a wedding planner can help preserve your sanity!

Organisation: Planning a wedding gives you a lot to think about – flowers, catering, guest list, venue – and sometimes it can seem endless. A wedding planner is well-skilled at coordinating all these different factors and can act as the single ‘go-to’ person for all the different suppliers and service providers you are using. You just have to tell them what you want and then they can do the rest. It’s what you’re paying them to do, after all.

Saving money: It may sound strange considering that you do of course need to pay for the services of a wedding planner, but in addition to the stress-saving benefits they bring, you may find they can even slash your outgoings in the long run. This is because the best planners will have a comprehensive list of contacts and will be able to use them to negotiate on price – particularly important if you live in high-cost areas such as London.
Essential items such as wedding flowers in London can cost a fortune if you don’t know the best places to go.

Saving time: If you choose to go it alone, tasks such as researching suppliers can take up hours and hours of your time. This is particularly true if you live in a big city where there are a huge number of companies offering their services, (like the above-mentioned example of London wedding flowers). You may also find it takes time to come up with the ideal design concept, for example, but wedding planners are experienced in such things and in fact can offer guidance on every aspect of your big day.

Coping with a crisis: It doesn’t matter how much you plan, sometimes things just go wrong. Perhaps your caterers will be held up, or perhaps – horrors! – the bakery sends the wrong cake. The last thing you want to do on your wedding day is go through the stress of trying to rectify these mistakes. Your wedding planner will be that little bit more removed from the situation and, what’s more, will be experienced in dealing with such crises. Think of them as a handy insurance policy.

The Benefits of Installing a Stretch Ceiling

When you are choosing a ceiling for your home, you need to factor in considerations such as energy efficiency, heating and cooling and what it will actually cost to install in the first place.

There are several options you could go for, but here we are going to look at the properties of stretch ceilings. These are suspended systems consisting of a perimeter track and fabric membrane which stretches (hence the name) and clips into the track. They offer a wealth of benefits to the homeowner and can be used anywhere from large office buildings to small rooms around the home.

Here are some of the reasons it makes sense to install them:

Variety: Stretch ceilings can take any shape, from triangular and rectangular to arched or even 3D surfaces. Because they are made from fabric, usually PVC, they are also available in a huge variety of colours to suit absolutely anybody. So if your taste is for the avant garde, a stretch ceiling system will certainly be able to cater for this.

Strong and lightweight: Because of the light weight of the material used, stretch ceilings are easy to install and are also relatively low-cost. The robustness of the material means they will not be damaged if something is thrown up to the ceiling, and do not require special care.

They hide a multitude of sins: Installing a stretch ceiling is an efficient way of covering up any defects such as stains, or perhaps to hide ugly but necessary building elements such as pipes or cables. They can be installed in a day if necessary, which is great if you want to cover up those unsightly ceiling imperfections in a hurry, without resorting to time-consuming plastering or painting!

Hygienic: A definite plus is that stretch ceilings are both moisture and algae resistant – particularly important if you are looking for a solution for the bath or shower room, or even a public swimming pool. They are also waterproof so can be installed in areas which high levels of humidity.

Lighting and acoustics: The versatility of stretch ceilings allows for the simple installation of lighting fixtures of any type, as well as ventilation or air conditioning systems. This makes them perfect for rooms such as kitchens which will include a large number of electrical systems, or for rooms which need to be especially well-lit. They can even improve acoustic levels or sound insulation – something to be thankful for if, for example, you have a budding drummer in the house!

Nylon Stockings Perfect For Every Occasion

Nylon stockings are an essential requirement for every modern woman’s wardrobe. A staple ingredient if you like. They are perfect for social occasions and business dressing. Women who want to look smart for business say they love to wear stockings and dresses even more than they like their power suits. Imagine that!

Here is a brief guide to the types of stockings available in the marketplace today:

Opaque:
Popularized in the 1940s, opaque nylons are considered something of a classic. Opaque stockings are made from a heavier type of nylon material, which does not readily allow light to pass through it, hence the name. Opaque stockings come with either a silk or matte surface and are ideal with casual wear.

Business Sheer:
Made from stretchable, high-quality nylon, ‘business sheer’ is aptly named because it’s favoured by women in the work place. It’s designed for a clingy fit that remains in place however much walking you do during the day. As well as providing optimum fit and comfort, business sheer stockings are lightweight and attractive, providing an elegant, polished look that really is “the business”.

Run Resistant:
As the name suggests, these stockings do not easily run or tear, making them the favourites of many women. This functional type of hosiery is made from sturdy nylon fibers that are friction-resistant. Run resistant stockings are great for everyday use or leisure wear.

Ultra Sheer:
Designed to emphasize your natural skin tone, these stockings are made from ultra-fine nylon. Ultra sheers are ideal accompaniments to party wear and are extremely fashionable. The only downside is that the fine nylon fibers are vulnerable to tears, so you need to take extra care when wearing them.

Silky Sheer:
Fine silk fibers combine with lycra to create a slinky appearance that is just right for formal occasions teamed with a smart dress. As with ultra sheer stockings care must be taken not to scratch or rip the fabric.

Shimmer Stockings:
Pure nylon fibers are blended together to reflect the light as it falls upon your legs. Shimmer stockings are great for smart-casual and formal occasions, in addition they provide a particularly flattering shapely look to legs which is bound to attract compliments.

With so many different types of stockings to choose from, you’re bound to find something that’s just right for the tone and occasion.

Nylons Nylonstrumpfhose  Collants femme  Bas nylon

Hold Up Stockings Bring Out Your Inner Vamp

Perhaps we should all blame Lady Gaga for the latest trend in fetish wear.  PVC ankle boots, slashed dresses and hold up stockings have encouraged the rest of us to unveil our inner vamp, even the squeaky clean Katie Holmes has revealed another side to her character (for evidence check out the September issue of Spanish Vogue.)

At Louis Vuitton in Paris earlier this year models including Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell  strutted the catwalk in rubber wellies, sheer dresses and hold up stockings for Marc Jacobs theme-based collection, which he explained was based on  "hookers, chambermaids, wives, mistresses and other exquisite creatures"  he has encountered during his many trips to London.

But unlike Lady Gaga and our catwalk models, you don’t have to opt for an overtly sexual look to make  hold up stockings work for you. Hold up stockings make for practical every day wear, teamed with a short dress or tunic and knee-high boots, or even ankle boots. Hold up stockings are the most versatile fashion accessory – the must have item – that complements just about anything in your wardrobe.

Sexy and sassy, hold up stockings are one of the hottest trends right now. Whether you fancy fishnets or funky, seamed or patterned, you’re sure to make heads turn when you strut your stuff in the latest styles.

Holdups are available in a variety of deniers and finishes, so there’s bound to be a version you love. If you’re looking to play down the vamp look, then there’s a great range of classic styles available to purchase online now. Chic and flattering, you’ll feel totally gorgeous whatever the occasion.

So whether you’re looking to bring out your inner vamp Lady Gaga-esque, or opting for something a little bit more subtle, hold up stockings are always in fashion. This season’s hold up stockings are designed to turn heads, just make sure you don’t hold up the traffic!

Opaque Tights a Style for All Seasons

For those who think that tights have no place in a summer wardrobe, think again. We are not all super-confident in our legs, and in fact there are many women out there who wear tights year-round. Opaque tights, even as thick as 100 denier, are in style whatever the season and are so versatile you can find a style to go with any look you are trying to create.

There are many fashion icons, Kate Moss and Lily Allen being just two of them, who are often pictured out and about in a pair of opaques in the height of summer.

Here are just a few of my own personal favourites:

Cute patterns: A pair of opaque tights woven in patterns such as hearts or flowers can be absolutely lovely with a pair of shorts and some plain black heels, or boots if you want to go for comfort during the day. This look can be worn winter or summer, but choosing either woollen or lycra varieties. An interesting pattern in bold colour can also really jazz up a little black dress for a night out with maybe just a great chunky pair of earrings to finish the outfit.

Footless tights: If it really is a hot day and you want to go for a more casual and laid-back look but don’t want your legs entirely on display, go for cropped and opaque. These look funky with a pair of ballet pumps and a loose-fitting little dress. But if you’re shorter then make sure you don’t go for ankle-length tights, as these can make your legs appear a little stumpy.

Suspender tights are one of this year’s must-have items and liven up any woman’s wardrobe. They are fun and sexy, and create the illusion of stockings without you having to fiddle around with suspender belts. Because you are going for opaque, you won’t have too much leg on display so you can still pull off a pretty classy look with just a hint of cheekiness. But be warned: less is more. If you’re wearing pair of these and want to go for sophistication, don’t team them with a low-cut top.

Black opaques: Lastly, it may sound dull but a girl really can’t do without a plain pair of black opaque tights in her wardrobe. They go with almost everything, are very slimming and can also make your legs look longer, particularly when paired with a pair of killer black heels. They are also essential as a base for a particularly colourful or eye-catching dress, teamed with a bright pair of heels. Black opaque tights can allow you to do edgy, casual, conservative or sophisticated in equal measure.

Lights, Camera, Action...How Movies Are the Perfect Inspiration for Business Success

For a good example of how the constituent parts of a marketing campaign come together to support the greater good of a much larger entity, you need look no further than that of the movie industry. 

The script and story of the movie can be compared to that of a company’s initial ethos, charter and objective, while a film’s teaser trailers, billboard posters and website are similar to those first tentative steps when a company is promoting itself properly for the first time.

A movie, just like a company, is geared towards making as much money as possible and that means exploiting every last revenue stream to its limit – whether it’s box office, merchandising or external funding. That means that films, costing in-excess of 100s of millions of pounds are backed by the studios which have produced them, with equally ambitious promotions, campaigns and events.

  

That’s the way you have to look at your business. 

Marketing companies will give you the necessary resources and expertise so that your ‘brand’ is as strong as it can be in the online stratosphere and really break those box office records, creating a blockbuster of a company.

A good online communications company will be able to put together a marketing strategy tailored specifically for the needs of your business. They’ll research obvious and not so obvious competitors and support you in gaining an edge over them.

Online is key. But it’s not just about having a great-looking and easy to use website. Social media such as Facebook, Twitter and dedicated company ‘channels’ on Youtube are the building blocks of communicating to your business to business customers, consumers and staff. A web marketing agency will have the skills to enable your company to fully embrace this. 

For an ideal fit when it comes to your company’s online marketing, have a look online for that Oscar-winning combination.

Save Time and Money With Magnetic Signs

There are times when you may want to display a sign on a metal surface but only for a limited period of time. Perhaps your company has a sale on for a certain time or perhaps you are just the kind of business whose products or services change on a regular basis. This is where magnetic signs can provide the solution, as they can be fitted and removed at will. They are particularly suited for vehicles such as vans or trucks but can also be applied to any other metal surface.

One of the reasons magnetic signs are particularly suitable for vehicles is that they can hold firm enough even if the van or truck is travelling at speeds of up to 70mph. They are also durable for outdoor conditions as they will be covered with a tough, clear laminate to withstand any weather conditions. If you want to spread brand awareness through your company’s transport fleet this is an easy a relatively low-cost way to do it, as your brand message will be displayed whether you the vehicle is being driven, or parked up.

Then these is the added advantage that, unlike painted-on signs, magnetic signs be alternated with other messages or advertising material which gives you the advantage of flexibility. Some companies’ products or services change on a regular basis and it stands to reason that they would want their advertising to reflect these changes. These quick changeovers can also save you a great deal of time, and because these signs are cheaper than permanently painted signs you are also saving money in the long-term.

Furthermore, magnetic signs can give you just as much choice in terms of colour and style as more traditional, painted-on signs. You can choose between a gloss or stain finish which gives the sign a high-quality, professional look, and the options are far as design goes are limitless. It’s probably best, bearing in mind that the vehicle will be on the move a lot of the time, to keep the design simple and easy to read – but if you want it more detailed or complex, go for it.

Another advantage of these signs is that they are very easy to clean. All you have to do is wipe it with any kind of household cleaner and a soft cloth. This is useful to bear in mind if you have a large vehicle fleet and don’t have the time to clean each vehicle individually every day, but still want your sign to be displayed to the best advantage. We all know that on a busy day it is not always possible to do everything.

 There are many varieties of sign available for advertising your business, but magnetic signs are a particularly versatile and cost-effective solution for commercial vehicles. They are easy to fit and remove, can be cleaned quickly and will stay in place at high speeds, making them a highly attractive option for business owners.

Create the Perfect Banner for Your Business

You’ve refurbished your shop or brought in an exciting new product line, but now you need a bold, striking way to get this message across to your core customer base.

There are many ways to market your business, but banners are one of the simplest and most time-honoured methods out there. If you get the design right – simple and bold is best – then you stand a great chance of pulling in new clients and increasing your turnover. So how do you go about creating your advertising banner?

Get your message right: As we all know, the most important element to any advertising campaign is a bold, succinct and memorable slogan that encapsulates in a few words what your business or new product is all about. And if you’re advertising a sale in a shop, for example, then the date and time it is happening should be very clearly displayed. Beautifully designed, well-made banners are all very well, but if they aren’t telling potential clients what you want them to know, they are essentially a waste of your marketing budget.

Keep the design simple: Once you have decided on your slogan, you need to start fitting the design of the banner around it. Make sure your text is clearly visible from a distance to ensure the maximum possible effect. Don’t, whatever you do, overcrowd it by using too much colour or imagery as this will detract from the message you are trying to convey. Less is most definitely more.

Choose the right materials: If you want your banner to be up for more than a week then you need it to be durable. Look for banner makers which are sewn with rot-proof polyester threads or something equally strong, and printed with long-life UV-stable outdoor inks. If you really want your banner to be strong you should also go for a fairly heavy fabric. On the other hand, if you are only intending to use the banners once, or very occasionally, a lighter weight material will do fine and is also cheaper. If you want to go for a greener option, choose a recyclable material such as polypropylene, or even a biodegradable material such as bamboo or some form of bioplastic.

Location, location, location: Now you have your banner, or banners, the final step is choosing the perfect place for them. Who do you want to see it? Motorists? Pedestrians? Will you be putting it outside your shop to entice people in, or putting several banners in strategic places throughout the town on custom banner stands? Are you aware of all the laws regarding sign placement?

Keep warm this winter and buy thermal underwear online

Keeping warm during the bitterest winter months can often be a problem. Sometimes one of the best ways to keep the cold out is to start from the very first layer of the onion, so to speak, by investing in some good quality thermal underwear.  This kind of underwear has all the benefits of being lightweight whilst offering maximum insulation to the wearer, by creating a small layer of space next to the skin to provide a pocket of warmth. In the past, though, I have had trouble finding a high-street shop that will stock a full range of thermal underwear for all the family – men, women and children. This is why last year I began looking for online stockists, and was very happy with what I found.

Shopping for thermal underwear online, I found, gave me a huge range to choose from – from vests and long-johns for myself and my partner to all-in-one suits for the children. Furthermore, many online stockists where able to offer far more reasonable prices than the badly-stocked high-street shops I had tried, sometimes as little as £4.99 for a vest or £5.99 for long-johns. They also gave me a ‘no-quibble returns’ guarantee which gives peace of mind if you, like myself, need to buy such things in bulk.

What is great about thermal underwear is that it is so versatile. You can wear it under your clothes to keep you warm throughout the day but it also makes excellent sleepwear owing to its softness. It is also, I am reliably informed, ideal for those who like to participate in winter sports such as skiing or snowboarding as it stretches when the wearer moves and is not prone to riding up. Thermal underwear made form mainly artificial fibres such as polyester is better for outdoor winter exercise, as it absorbs less perspiration and can also maintain its insulating capabilities better when wet. Cotton-based underwear, on the other hand, is great for cosying-up by the fire at home.

For myself, I have found that the wide variety of thermal underwear available from online stores enables me to wear whatever I want but still stay warm. Short-sleeve or sleeveless thermal tops are great for when I want to wear a vest-top but don’t want to freeze. Sometimes long sleeves and long-johns just aren’t practical for my wardrobe needs! Buying your underwear online gives you the ability to choose what you need for every occasion.

Thermal underwear is versatile and really keeps you warm and comfortable during the winter months. Online stores can offer a great choice of underwear, often at much more affordable prices than high-street retailers.

Leicester: A city of diversity

The city of Leicester, with its roots dating back to Roman times, has a burgeoning multicultural population with around 70 languages or dialects currently spoken. In particular, it is home to a growing Indian population; indeed, Gujurati is the first language of around 16 per cent of its inhabitants, but it is also home to a growing number of Urdu, Punjabi and Hindi speakers, as well as smaller communities such as Afro-Caribbeans, Somalis and Chinese.

With its well-known university also playing host to large numbers of international students, this diversity gives Leicester an appealing and unique atmosphere. Added to the vibrancy and life that this multi-ethnicity brings is the fact that Leicester is an increasingly young city. It has been estimated that around 45 per cent of its population is under 29 years old.

Indeed, such is the ethnic diversity of the city that it is projected to have a non-white majority population in the next few years, and around 40 per cent of its population already has an ethnic minority background. This may explain the growing number of schools, colleges and private tutors now offering English lessons in Leicester.  Obviously, a city with such a large percentage of non-English speakers needs facilities for teaching them English to a standard at which they can successfully integrate and become a part of society.

Learning English will also help the relatively new arrivals to maximise their employment opportunities. An influx of new citizens from all over the world can bring positive change: a group of people with their own particular skills But this will not be easy if there is a language barrier, and a lack of local language skills could result in entire groups feeling isolated and closed off, at the very time when we should be embracing change and a sense of community.

However, as with any city with high levels of immigration there are problems to be faced. Whilst there is undoubtedly a large provision of English lessons in Leicester for those looking to gain sufficient mastery of the language, it is also true that people with a ethnic background are still more likely to be unemployed than white people, and therefore perhaps less able to afford the education they need to maximise their employability. This is something that will undoubtedly need to be looked into as Leicester’s multicultural community continues to grow.

Leicester is today one of Britain’s most multicultural cities, with a wealth of languages and cultures represented. The majority of its citizens have embraced this diversity, with increased availability of English language lessons aiding the integration of many of its newest arrivals.

What kind of jigsaw puzzle do I buy?

With its roots stretching back centuries, the jigsaw puzzle is a highly versatile form of entertainment with sizes ranging from two pieces to jumbo jigsaw puzzles. First making its appearance in the 1760s, when British map maker John Spilbury pasted maps onto wood and cut them into small pieces to be reassembled, it remains consistently popular amongst children and adults alike. Highly adaptable, you can buy jigsaw puzzles in with images of almost any subject that might interest you (and a few that might not!).

Broadly, however, they do fall into several main categories and the kind you buy depends upon who the puzzle is for:

For very young children such as toddlers, the most popular kinds of jigsaw puzzles are the ‘peg’ variety, which are made with large, thick pieces attached to a wooden peg for ease of use. More recently, sound puzzles have also become popular. These make realistic noises when the pieces are fitted and can be useful for educational purposes. Finally, there are bigger floor puzzles which are often made of cardboard but can be comprised of large pieces of foam. These kinds of puzzles are particularly helpful for encouraging group participation and problem-solving amongst younger children.

If your child is aged between three to five you may want to consider buying them a tray puzzle. These are set inside a boundary to avoid the pieces falling out and have a mildly challenging picture to complete. Older children, aged five and upwards, can begin to progress to the more ‘standard’ variety of flat puzzles, moving up to perhaps 500+ pieces by the age of 12 and with increasingly complex images to complete. 
Most adult jigsaw puzzle enthusiasts will be looking for a bigger challenge, so if you are stuck for something to get your parents this Christmas you should probably go for one of the huge variety of jumbo jigsaw puzzles out there which come in 1000+ pieces. Of course, if the person you are buying for is a serious puzzler, you can get even larger sizes. As it stands, the world record for the largest jigsaw puzzle to date is a whopping 24,000 pieces.

Of increasing popularity are 3D jigsaw puzzles. Depending on size or difficulty levels, these can be for either children or adults. They can come in many shapes and sizes, including representations of famous buildings, globes, spaceships, dinosaurs, food items or cars. These can make good presents as they offer the same challenges as more ‘standard’ jigsaws but are a slightly more unusual option.

Jigsaw puzzles have been around for centuries and come in all shapes and sizes. If you are considering buying one as a present, you need to decide which will be most appropriate for the age of the recipient. The puzzle needs to be suitably challenging but not frustratingly difficult

Why tights will always be in style

Nothing shows off a great pair of legs better than a great pair of tights. Furthermore, with a huge range of styles, colours and materials to choose from, this most versatile form of legwear can be worn with shorts, skirts, dresses or leotards. Tights are great whether you want to stay warm in winter or just add a bit of excitement to an outfit with a funky pattern or bright colour.

To begin with, a good pair of black opaque tights is a wardrobe must and can go with practically anything, from dresses skirts and shorts to high-heeled shoes, boots or ballet pumps. These are particularly great for the winter months when a combination of cold weather and pale pins will have most women reaching for that extra protective layer.

Tan tights are also making a comeback in a big way. These are great if you want to stay a bit warmer but still show off your legs. They can also create the illusion of a tan if you buy a slightly darker pair – perfect for those with sensitive skin and particularly popular now that we are becoming increasingly aware of the harmful effects of UV rays on the skin.

Want to create a bit of an impression? Then grab a pair of brightly-coloured tights. The 80s are back in full force and the range of legwear available on the market today reflects this. You can get any colours today from blues, reds and purples to neon pinks and yellows, or spots and stripes. They give you the opportunity to be a little bit adventurous without doing too much damage to your bank balance.

Indeed, tights are increasingly recognised as a fashion accessory in their own right, evidenced by the increasingly number of patterned or crocheted varieties available. Whatever your taste, it will be catered for somewhere. Look online at specialist clothing outlets and you will be amazed by the choice.

And it is not just about creating the wow-factor; tights can also be a godsend on a practical level. If you’ve got a special occasion and you want a streamlined silhouette, there is are a wide variety of ‘control’-style tights available. These can hold in your stomach, give the illusion of a more toned bottom or even sculpt your legs. Every woman has days when they feel less than confident about their figure, and clever underwear is an inexpensive and effective way to boost your self-esteem.

And finally, did you also know that tights can be for health and beauty purposes as well? Because they are often made from nylon or cotton, which contains absorbent pores, some manufacturers have used microencapsulation techniques to place other products inside them to benefit the skin – such as moisturisers or creams for sensitive skin. Some even claim that caffeine placed inside tights can reduce the appearance of cellulite. Not proven, maybe – but certainly food for thought!

Tights are an incredibly versatile form of legwear which can be worn with skirts, shorts and dresses, to name just a few uses. To give you outfit that little something extra you can also buy them in brightly coloured, glittery, striped or patterned styles.

Stockings v Tights Which do you buy?

Most would agree that stockings and tights serve two functions: practicality and showing off a pair of legs to the best advantage. But which of the two options above does the job best?

Practicality: There is no denying that tights are generally more hard-wearing and keep you warmer during the winter months. They are also easy and quick to put on, whereas to the uninitiated attaching stockings to a suspender belt can be a rather fiddly and frustrating task.

Comfort: With their elasticated waists tights can be relatively comfortable on the stomach – but after a particularly big meal they can tend to dig in a little! By contrast, suspender belts are surprisingly comfortable and give you room to breathe. The only exception is for pregnant women, where a suspender belt is really not a very practical option!

Hygiene: Whilst it is good to have that extra layer of fabric that tights can provide during the winter months, in summer it is far more preferable to wear stockings and suspenders as, not to put too fine a point on it, it gives your skin room to breathe and prevents sweating. Sometimes, regardless of how hot the day is, you just have to have your legs covered up under a skirt but every woman knows the discomfort of walking around all day in a sweaty pair of tights.

Sexiness: There is no getting away from it – stockings and suspenders are inextricably linked in our minds with allure are forbidden fruit. Maybe it is something to do with the process of taking them on and off, or the overall look, but tights just don’t have the same effect. Particularly as the elasticated waist can often create a rather unattractive ‘muffin-top’ effect. Of course, tights can look alluring under a skirt – particularly if made from a shiny black fabric – but overall, stockings are the clear winner here.

Damage limitation: Sadly, as we all know, when a pair of tights is laddered it must be consigned straight to the duster bag. Most women who regularly wear tights will have been in the embarrassing situation of finding themselves at work or on a night out only to spring a very noticeable ladder. With stockings, you can do a little damage limitation by switching them round so that the snag is not so easily visible. Furthermore, snagging one stocking does not ruin the entire pair, which means less waste of both material and money.

Conclusion:  Surprisingly, although they are considered to be somewhat of an outdated fashion item for everyday use, when the pros and cons are weighed up it seems that stockings win out over tights. Maybe it’s time us ladies threw away some of those old pairs of tights at the bottom of the underwear drawer and invested in a good suspender belt. They’re not just for the bedroom – they’re for life!

Stockings - Bas  - Strumpfe - Tights - Collants - Strumpfhose

Tights seem to be more popular with women today when it comes to everyday use, whereas stockings are seen as something for more special occasions. However, it might be time to reconsider this viewpoint as there are many ways in which stockings are also far more practical.