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Monday, 1 August 2016

The Best Secrets Of Combating Parent Tiredness

It's no secret that having kids is tiring. However, parents do have plenty of secrets for how to combat that tiredness. If you're getting ready to have your first child, you're probably worrying about the lack of sleep. I bet just about everyone you talk to says something about enjoying your sleep while you still can! It can be pretty annoying having people remind you of your impending sleepless nights all the time. But if you learn some techniques to deal with the tiredness, you can be smug in the knowledge that you're going to be ok. You can't avoid the fatigue completely, but here are some ways it could help.

Get into a Routine ASAP

Sometimes this is easier said than done, but routines help immensely. It can take a bit longer for some babies and children to get into a routine than others. However, the main thing is that you try to keep up the routine on your end. Feed them, bathe them and play with them at the same times. Plan to do any housework or other jobs at consistent times too. It can be tricky with newborns, as they're very much on-demand when it comes to everything. But eventually, you will fall into a pattern that will make it easier for you to get some proper sleep.

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Photo source:  Tina Franklin

Make Sleep a Priority

New parents are often told to sleep when their baby sleeps. However, many complain that when the baby is sleeping, they have too much to do. The key thing to remember is that sleeping should be a priority - even over doing the hoovering! If the dishes can stay in the sink for another hour, leave them there while you have a nap. You can try to allow yourself time to catch up on lost sleep too. If you're co-parenting, try letting each other have a lie-in on separate days at the weekend. You then each get a chance to get some extra sleep and to spend the morning with your baby.

Use a Pick-me-up

Sometimes a little something to perk you up can work wonders. Some parents turn to supplements, such as Wayk, which contains caffeine, vitamins, and minerals. If you're breastfeeding, you might be staying away from caffeine. However, anyone else could benefit from adding a supplement to their diet. You could use other little things to boost your mood and energy levels. It might be some peppermint tea, a piece of chocolate, or a quick shower.

Get Active

Moving around might be the last thing you want to do when you're tired. But being active can wake you up and stop you feeling sluggish. If you're feeling trapped in the house, pack up and get out in the fresh air. You might even enjoy a parent and baby exercise class or just a walk with some other parents. It will help you to wake up and make sure you have an awake and alert child too.

There's no way to avoid being tired completely when you're a parent. However, you can find ways to give yourself more energy and stay awake.
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Sunday, 31 July 2016

Handbag & Mini Travel Essentials To Keep You Fresh And Cool At Work

When the temperature rises, it can become really unpleasant if you are commuting or stuck in traffic.  Then there are offices with no air conditioning or just running around after kids in the sunshine.

Looking hot and sweaty makes you look a little less than composed and just feels so darned uncomfortable but there are some handbag essentials that will help.

It can be a real challenge keeping cool in an office environment
Why not carry a zipped pouch which contains a selection of your favourite travel minis?  My absolute general handbag essentials are spare tights, bottled water and a powder compact but here are some other suggestions - some for your handbag and some to throw in your travel bag for an overnight trip or weekend away.

Wet Wipes


Probably everyone's first choice for a quick freshen up - underarms, back of the neck, even feet at a push!

You can choose the slightly more environmentally friendly route by opting to wipes like Naty Eco Wipes which are flushable and contain no nasties.  They're safe for baby too and are £2.65 from Big Green Smile.com.

Mini Dry Shampoo & Brush

Dry shampoo is great for quickly adding volume to lacklustre or greasy hair.  Batiste is an old favourite which seems to have reinvented itself of late.

Batiste from Superdrug - £1.50

Toothbrush, Toothpaste and Mints

 I carry a travel toothbrush, toothpaste and floss, plus some breath mints.

Nothing freshens you up faster than cleaning your teeth I find (although I am ever so slightly obsessed with my teeth)!.


I've recently discovered the Sonic Chic Urban Sonic Powered Toothbrush from Lifes2good (who also make the popular MicroPedi and MicroNail).  It's a small, lightweight brush with a handy hygiene cap that gives 22,000 strokes per minute.


There is a school of thought that says that a sonic toothbrush gives an even better clean than an electric toothbrush and the reviews I have read about this product certainly suggest that it is almost as effective as a Philips Sonicare brush which is pretty impressive for a travel toothbrush.

It comes with a replacement brush head and battery and you can choose from a variety of bright designs. There is even a deluxe version which can be charged by USB and is dual speed with a timer.

With this brush, the head does not rotate but instead it vibrates so you clean gently in the normal way while the brush does most of the work for you.


I've been wondering how to take my electric toothbrush on holiday and now that's one less thing to worry about.  Sonic Chic Urban toothbrushes are available at Boots for £20.

Antibacterial Hand Gel

I like to make sure my hands are clean after using public loos and antibacterial hand gels are great for ensuring your kids hands are kept germ free too.  There are loads on the market but the best ones don't smell too chemically and leave your hands nice and soft.
Body Shop Coconut Hand Cleanse Gel - £2.50

Travel Deodorant

I have used Mitchum deodorant for years because it really does last for 48 hours and I have not found an anti perspirant-deodorant that beats it - exams, presentations, interviews, heatwaves, it copes with the lot. If I'm travelling though I'll take a mini deodorant or body spray just to add a quick blast of freshness.


You can get a great selection of travel minis these days - these are my holiday haul and I found them (with the exception of the toothbrush ) on a 3 for 2 offer at Boots.  These were all bought in store and there seems to be a different, although quite large, selection at Boots.com.

They are:-

  • OGX Coconut Water Shampoo 88.7 ml
  • OGX Coconut Water Conditioner 88.7 ml
  • Dove Deeply Nourishing Moisturing Body Wash 55 ml
  • Simple Kind To Eyes Eye Make-Up Remover
  • Sanctuary Spa Cleanse Moisture Burst Facial Wash
  • Sanctuary Spa Radiance Illuminating Whipped Moisture Creme SPF15

Caitlin helped me choose these and they brought back memories of one of my best ever Christmas presents when I was a youngster - mum gave me a grown up toiletry bag filled with travel minis.  It was either that or Avon Little Peach toiletries!

Here are some other 'keep cool' tips to help you look groomed when the temperature rises at work.

* Choose cool fabrics like cotton that will help absorb sweat
* Try an unpadded bra to minimise heat around your chest
*  If it's really hot, keep your make-up in the fridge to help it last longer (and feel nicer when you apply it)
* Try a primer to help your make-up stay on longer
* If you can, start your journey to work a little earlier to make the most of the coolest part of the day
* Drink plenty of water and keep a bottle on your desk.
* Avoid big meals, although, conversely, eating chilli can have a cooling effect.
* You might find mint tea more refreshing than coffee.
* Don't schedule meetings for the hottest part of the day, particularly if you have to travel across town to get there.

For us mums it's important to remember that little ones (and bigger ones!) should avoid being out in the sun between 12 noon and 3 pm so, however, tempting the park and swings might be, staying in the cool and the shade will keep the kids calmer and more comfortable.

And everyone should be slapping on the sunscreen.

How do you keep cool are work?  Let me know in the comments below.

*pr samples were received for this post
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Saturday, 30 July 2016

10 Ways To Give The Gift Of The Great British Summer With Buyagift.com

In 2016 it seems that we are living in turbulent times and whilst the political climate is so unsettled, I'm sure some of us would prefer to holiday here in the UK.  Despite the fact that UK Staycations have a reputation of being rather pricey, there are bargains to be had and here is a selection of great value days out and short breaks from Buyagift.com.  Needless to say, they all make great gifts too.

Days out in London

1. The ArcelorMittel Orbit

The ArcelorMittal Orbit
London is home to some of the biggest and best tourist attractions in the world but this is something really different and not for the faint-hearted. The ArcelorMittal Orbit was a major icon of the 2012 Olympic Games and is now home to the world’s longest and highest tunnel slide. You can enjoy entry to the upper viewing platform and external balconies where you can take in the awesome 360 degree views of the city before plummeting 178m towards the ground! You will be able to see some of the world’s most iconic sights as you twist and turn 12 times around the structure before a final 50m straight run back down the earth!

NEW The Slide at The ArcelorMittal Orbit for Two, £30

2. The View From The Shard



Only recently built and already an integral part of London’s iconic skyline, The Shard points up to the clouds, reaching an incredible 308m which makes it Western Europe’s tallest building. Designed by Master Architect Renzo Piano, the Shard has redefined London’s skyline and it has become a dynamic symbol of the capital.

You can visit London's highest viewing platform situated at the top on floors 68, 69 and 72.  At almost twice the height of any other viewing platform in the city, you'll get unparalleled 360 degree views for up to 40 miles.

Needless to say for photographers (and selfie-lovers!) this is a fantastic camera-ready opportunity which you can follow with a meal in the Michelin recommended restaurant, Latium.

The View from The Shard with 3 Course Michelin Dining and Bubbles for Two, Was £161.90, Now £111

3. The Houses of Parliament


Why not visit the Houses of Parliament where you can see both the House of Lords and the House of Commons.An audio tour will describe the incredible medieval structure of Westminster Hall, the Queen's Robing Room and the Royal Gallery, featuring leading parliamentary figures such as The Speaker and Black Rod.

Buyagift.com's package also includes a pass entitling your to 24 hours unlimited travel on Thames River Cruises and afternoon tea at the Park Plaza County Hall.

Tour of Houses of Parliament, Afternoon Tea and Thames Cruise for Two, Was £113.90, Now £108

Royal Palaces

4. Blenheim Palace


Blenheim Palace - Always Stunning No Matter What The Weather
Blenheim Palace, just outside Oxford, contains one of Europe's finest collections of antiques, inimitable 18th Century Baroque architecture an 2000 acres of beautiful landscaped grounds. With an ever-changing array of exhibitions at this UNESCO World Heritage site, and home of 12th Duke and Duchess of Marlborough, there is plenty to see and enjoy. The birthplace of Churchill, the palace has an interactive experience that guides you through all 300 years of its history, as well as a special gallery paying homage to Churchill himself

Annual Entry to Blenheim Palace with Afternoon Tea for Two, £75 

5. Hampton Court Palace


Hampton Court Palace
The  royal palace of Hampton Court is situated in Richmond upon Thames in Greater London.  Its most famous resident was King Henry VIII.  Redevelopment of the manor, as it then was began in 1515 for Cardinal Wolsey but when he fell out of favour with Henry, the King seized the palace for himself in 1529.

Visitors can take a free audio guide around the stunning palace, wander around at their own pace or even be accompanied by a costumed guide as they explore the many rooms and artefacts including the Tudor Kitchens, the crown of King Henry VIII and more.

The Palace continues to display a large number of works of art from the Royal Collection and, apart from the Palace itself and its gardens, other points of interest for visitors include the celebrated maze, the historic real tennis court and the huge grape vine, the largest in the world as of 2005.

Hampton Court Palace Entry with Afternoon Tea in Fountain Court for Two, £64 

Family Days Out

6. Harry Potter Studio Tour


Harry Potter Studio Tour
Probably top of many parents' day-trip bucket lists (and certainly ours), is the Harry Potter tour where you can discover the magic behind the spellbinding special effects and explore the behind-the-scene secrets of the Harry Potter film series.

You can tread the original stone floor of the iconic Hogwarts Great Hall, encounter animatronic creatures and wander down Diagon Alley. Located at the Studios where all 8 films were produced, the Studio Tour showcases the incredible British talent, imagination and artistry that went into making the impossible a reality on screen.

The Making of Harry Potter with Afternoon Tea (Adult and Child), £108 

7. Ripley's Believe it or Not!


Ripley's Believe it or Not!
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! is one of London’s top attractions and features an astounding collection of over 700 artefacts over six floors. You can explore everything that the museum has to offer from a mirror maze and graffiti wall to a toilet paper wedding gown! Located in the heart of Central London at the infamous Piccadilly Circus, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! guarantees a day packed with interesting facts and some weird but wonderful displays that’ll you'll remember for years to come.

Family Entry to Ripley's Believe it or Not! Was £79.95, Now £68

Sports

8. Family Wimbledon Tennis Tour



Your tour will take you behind the scenes for a tour of the grounds. You will visit court number one and centre court, the site of some of the greatest matches in the history of the sport. Your guide will lead you through the beautiful picnic terraces and up to the water gardens with amazing views of London before heading to the marvellous interactive Wimbledon Tennis Museum. Here you can discover the history of tennis, viewing all the trophies and even meeting the “ghost” of John McEnroe!

Family Wimbledon Tennis Tour, £75 

 9. Tour of Stamford Bridge


Stamford Bridge
This unmissable tour of Stamford Bridge, home of FA Cup Winners and European Champions, Chelsea Football Club is a fun, informative and unforgettable experience, enjoyed by sports fans of all ages from all over the world. The fully guided tour takes you behind-the-scenes of one of the world’s greatest football teams, giving you access to areas normally reserved for players and officials. Chelsea FC pride themselves on having guides who are both knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the club and they believe it's their passion that makes their tours a truly memorable experience!

2 for 1 Chelsea Adult Tour of Stamford Bridge Special Offer, Was £32, Now 16

10. Explore the UK's National Parks


Exmoor
From lakes to moors, woodlands to mountain peaks, the UK’s National Parks encompass some truly breath-taking scenery and are a pleasure to explore, whether on foot, by car or bicycle or on horseback. Fish in the Lake District, see the wild ponies of Exmoor, explore the quaint villages of Cumbria or whatever takes your fancy, and know you’ve a warm welcome, comfortable room and delicious breakfast to come back to.

Overnight National Parks Escape for Two, £89 National Park Minibreak, Was £189, Now £139.99

Which would be your first choice?  I've already got a couple at the top of my list.  I've put The Husband on notice.  And if it rains, we've got our kagools.

Buyagift.com is the UK’s leading online provider of gifts and experiences, and offers over 4,000 unique and exciting gift ideas for all occasions. For more information, visit www.buyagift.com. Prices and product details correct at time of distribution.

*collaborative post

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Friday, 29 July 2016

Full Throttle Family Fun In Cardiff On 3rd September At Monster Jam®

Monster Jam® is back for its only UK date on the 3rd September at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff and tickets are already on sale.


You can expect full throttle family fun from the creative team at Feld Entertainment Inc. who have put together arena spectaculars such as "Disney on Ice" and, coming soon, "Marvel Universe LIVE!"

Monster Jam is the most action-packed live event on four wheels to hit the UK and will see World class drivers compete in both Monster Jam truck racing and freestyle competitions.

Combining high octane entertainment with the ultimate off-road motorsport competition, you'll be left on the edge of your seat by the jaw dropping displays.


This year's Monster Jam® promises the best truck line-up every assembled and will feature 12 of the World's most famous Monster Jam trucks (including Monster Jam World Finals® champions Grave(Digger® and Max DTM).

The spectacular takes place on specially designed tracks that optimise mobility so that the most recognisable trucks in the World can go head to head in wheelies, donuts, obstacle course racing and freestyle competitions that will push the Monster Jam trucks to their limits.

Monster Jam Truck Facts

The Monster Jam trucks stand at 4 metres tall and 4 metres wide and weigh up to 4,500kg. Their engines burn up to 9.5 litres of methanol per run and deliver about 1,500 horsepower. They can reach speeds of up to 110 kms per hour and can jump as far as 130 feet in length.

Some of the custom-designed trucks have needed more than 40 hours of paint time - a real labour of love.

The truck tyres are 1.7m high by 1.1 wide. Carving just one Monster Jam truck tyre requires over 50 hours of exacting labour and the average Monster Jam truck team will go through 8 tyres in one year.

It takes 1500 man hours to build and remove a track. 300 truckloads of dirt are used to build the track and 113 litres of paint are used to paint the track and obstacles.



A Great Day Out

Monster Jam is also known for its pre-show "Party in the Pits" which gives the crowd unprecedented access to the stars of the show.  We are looking forward to meeting some of the drivers and getting up close to the Monster Jam trucks.

Tickets

You can purchase tickets through www.monsterjam.co.uk or via Ticketmaster on 0844 847 2255. Find out more on the Monster Jam Facebook page.
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Back To School Through The Decades With M&S

Back to school week used to be a magical time when I was growing up. I was born in 1964 so my formative school years were in the 70’s and early 80’s through Harold Wilson’s Labour Government and the Miners’ Strike and Thatcher’s Britain from 1979 onwards. And yes, I can remember the long hot summer of 1976!

Can you tell my mum cut my fringe?  Me circa 1974
In my Primary years, we still had morning milk in bottles with silver foil caps and a tuck shop which sold Wagon Wheels which were the size of your head and Crème Eggs that took more than 3 bites to eat them. Crisps used to cost 2d. Yes I am that old, although I have now recovered from decimalisation. I still prefer my temperatures in Fahrenheit though.

Later, my sister and I attended our local comprehensive, St. Cyres, in Penarth and had to wear a school uniform comprising a pleated skirt, white blouse, black jumper and a black and white school tie. In those days school uniform was stocked in one or two local shops and you had to get in quick or there was nothing left.

Hard at work!
The uniform seemed to be stocked in two sizes – either Harry Potter size or Hagrid Rubeus size and was made in material so warm and heavy you could probably survive a week in an Everest base camp wearing it.

Nope - still can't sight read!
Our school shoes had to have heels no more than 2.5 inches high and if your hair touched your shirt collar, you had to wear it up – including the boys. Our headmistress was an absolute stickler for rules and would carry a tape measure to check your heel height. If you failed the test you were sent home. No ifs, no buts. And you could forget jewellery (other than plain gold studs or hoops) or make-up. I suspect if our headmistress had seen a tattoo she would have had a fit of the vapours.

Mum is still cutting my fringe circa 1981
Then there was the excitement of buying a new pencil case and one of those Helix Mathematical Kits which contained a compass and a protractor. In those days, pencils could be bought actually sharpened – there wasn’t so much concern about health and safety then.

The first week of term would see the giving out of fresh new writing books and text books which we would be instructed to go home and cover in sticky backed plastic (much loved from watching Blue Peter).

Everything was new and as fresh as the crisp autumnal air. We’d wear our new school winter coats even in the Indian Summer, cooking nicely on the school bus.

Now, 30 years on and Caitlin and Ieuan are experiencing both the joy of the long summer holiday and the excitement of returning to start a new school year and ‘back to school’ seems to have become a major event.

If you ask any of the already frazzled parents trying to entertain their brood with activities not involving Pokemon, or an ‘I’ anything, this can only be a good thing.

For a start, high quality school uniform is readily available and comes in sizes to fit every child and you can even still buy Helix Mathematical sets. There are backpacks rather than the old fashioned satchels and more coloured and scented stationery than you can woggle a ruler at.

I think it’s a good thing to encourage kids to be excited about going back to school. It is, after all, where they will spend a sizeable percentage of their time and it makes sense to get them into a mindset of looking forward to learning.


This summer, M&S will be celebrating over a century of helping parents get their kids ready to go back to school so to give Caitlin and Ieuan an idea of what school was like way back then, we took them to the St. Fagans National History Museum just outside Cardiff to see Maestir School which is set up as it was in 1900.

Incidentally the National History Museum at St. Fagans is well worth a visit and features many historic buildings painstakingly resurrected for the public to learn about many aspects of Welsh life through the decades.

Maestir School was a small country school built in 1880 which had just one classroom. It was built from shale-stone taken from the local quarries and had a slate roof using slate from North Wales. The yard at the back was segregated to keep boys and girls apart.

Pupils of all ages – from 5 to 14 – would have been taught in the same classroom and there are desks in a variety of sizes to accommodate them. A far cry from the classroom set up we have today, although I can remember wooden, lidded desks in the early days at comprehensive. I think some of them are still there, together with the graffiti and chewing gum that was stuck underneath to hide it from the teacher.


Caitlin is about to start Year 4 and Ieuan Year 3 and they are both ready for the challenge. Young minds need feeding and near-constant stimulation.


Anything we can do to help create the best learning environment and to get the kids into the right mind-set is well worth the investment in my (text) book.


But you know things haven't changed that much since my sister and I walked to school.  There may be more traffic on the roads and more technology to grapple with but our kids are learning broadly what we did and, hopefully, having just as much fun.

You can share your school memories with M&S on social media using #MySchoolYears.  Bet you didn't have a fringe as good as mine!

*School uniform courtesy of M&S.

Caitlin wears:-

Girls embroidered pinafore in grey - £12 (T761728) 
Girls cotton rich cardigan in navy - £10 (T761339)
Quilted belted coat navy - £27 (T747431J)

Ieuan wears:-

Boys Plus Fit Pleat Front Adjustable Waist Supercrease Trousers in grey - £10 (T764628P)
Outstanding value unisex pure cotton jumper in navy - £7 (T763908) 
Padded parka in black  - £35 (T879299Y)

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New Releases, Free & Bargain Books Link-up 29 July 2016



How are you all this week?  The school summer holidays are well underway and we're already on our second playdate.  The kids are surviving so far, although it's a battle to get them to read rather than play with gadgets and iPads.  But I will persist! Reading is so important for our youngsters, isn't it?

We're off to Devon shortly and I will be spending lots of time writing endless lists (usually featuring copious amounts of medication and plasters) but making sure that I've plenty to read on the beach.

I'm hoping we may at least see the sun for a couple of days.

Hope you're having a great time wherever you are and if your book pile needs topping up, here are the fab books on offer this week.


Sharing the Love of Books
Enjoy our selection of New Releases / Free & Bargain Books this week

Click HERE for this week's awesome selection.

Authors please feel free to add your own books
Readers please free to add your own finds
(any genre except erotica welcome)

This weekly link up is hosted by Beck Valley Books & these awesome book loving blogs...
Monday
 Life as Leels | IrishdaisylovesRomance | Book Babble | All Romance Reader
Tuesday
It's My Side of Life | Celticlady's Reviews | First Time Mommy Adventures | Bound 2 Escape
Wednesday
Beck Valley BooksA Library of Reviews | Cinnamon Hollow Reviews
Thursday
Miki's Hope | Taking Time for Mommy | Nicki's Nook
Friday
Ebook Addicts | I Love Romance | A Bit Bookish | Mother Distracted | Colorimetry
Saturday
Totally Addicted to Reading | 3 Partners in Shopping | Angie's Angle I Create Purty Thangs | Wishful Endings
Sunday
Lynchburg Mama | LibriAmoriMieiAli - The Dragon Slayer | Wondermom WannabeMy Bizzy World |  Deal Sharing Aunt 


For Pre-orders post - PRE-ORDER / genre / title /author
For New Releases post - NEW / genre / title / author
For Free Books post - FREE / genre / title / author / end date 
For Bargain Books post - SALE / price / genre / title / author / end date
(Strictly no Erotica please.  Steamy romance is fine but watch those covers people, incase any underage child is viewing it!)

Click HERE for this week's awesome selection.

And don't forget you can always add some of your own!
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Thursday, 28 July 2016

5 Reasons Why You Should Consider A Custom Made Dress

This summer the stores are awash with a huge number of dresses and there is something for every budget but if you are looking for a really unique dress, why not consider having one made - or, if you are gifted with a sewing machine, making one yourself?



Here are 5 great reasons to create your own dress

1.  Fit

Nothing fits like a custom made dress.  I remember the joy of having my wedding dress fitted to every curve. There is such a variation between dress sizes in the major UK retailers that the perfect size in, say, Wallis, won't be the same in Zara.  I find Wallis clothing cut on the larger side and Zara cut on the smaller!  No such problems with a made-to-measure dress which can be nipped and tucked around the waist or adapted to cope with those areas where we girls carry a little extra sometimes - hips, tum, thighs and bottom.

These days it truly does not matter what size we are but it does matter that our clothes fit.  Kim Kardashian is a brilliant example of this.  

2. Comfort

The other huge benefit of getting your clothes tailored to fit is that they are simply more comfortable to wear. I have tried numerous support garments and most of them have been so uncomfortable I couldn't wait to get rid of them.  Many celebs, of course, rely on their Spanx control pants to hold everything in place and many UK retailers offer their own ranges of shapewear.  Incidentally, I am still looking for a strapless bra that stays up and gives sufficient support so if you have any recommendations, please let me know in the comments!

Credit: Leopold Terence
3. Fabric

When the latest collections hit the shops not only will you find similar styles but also broadly the same fabrics.  Lace and Denim have both been huge this summer and these fabrics have been everywhere.  And it looks like the popularity of lace will continue into AW17.

But what if you love the dress but hate the fabric?  There's no reason why you couldn't have the dress made in the fabric you love, perhaps in something cool and silky, like satin.

4. Uniqueness

Of course one of the major benefits of having a made-to-measure dress is that you can create something truly unique.  There is nothing worse than attending a posh do to find someone is wearing exactly the same dress as you - especially if they look better wearing it!

With a custom made dress you can add your own embellishments, bows, buckles, buttons, jewels, the works.  You can also adapt the length to the one that suits you best.  For example the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate always wears her skirts and dresses just below the knee so that she looks appropriate but not frumpy.

Having a unique dress is a real asset when you attend a prom or graduation ceremony. Or how about when you are the Mother of the Bride.  Of course wedding dresses tend to be unique or at least quite rare since they can be such a high cost purchase but having a civil wedding ceremony or perhaps being an older bride might lead you to source a custom-made dress which better reflects your personality and more mature style.

Credit:  Mitch
5. Cost

You might think have a made-to-measure dress is an expensive luxury but whilst you are unlikely to wear your wedding dress more than once, you may find your custom-made clothing is better value because it fits, is more comfortable and you will enjoy wearing it more.

I have several evening dresses in my wardrobe I haven't reworn, either because they are no longer in fashion or because they were uncomfortable to wear - slipping straps, hems that touch too long, a colour that just doesn't go with anything.  It's so easy to make a rush purchase when that 'do' is a few days away.  I also find it difficult to find the right shoes and outer garment.

Having a custom made dress makes you focus on these points before the cloth is cut and if you calculate the true cost of a garment on how many times you wear it, you'll find that, like me, you have some very expensive pieces already hanging unloved in your wardrobe!

There has been a definite resurgence in the popularity of sewing thanks to programmes like the BBC's "The Great British Sewing Bee" and my Facebook timeline is full of avid knitting and crochet fans.

My mum used to make summer dresses for my sister and I.  Perhaps it's worth giving a bit of home-couture a go!

Do you make your own clothes or have you ever had something special made just for you?  Let me know in the comments below.
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