You know you don’t have to anymore.

 Have you ever been into a shop and felt pressured by the sales assistant to buy something you don’t need?

 Have you ever bought a pair of shoes and got home and realized it doesn’t go with any of your clothes?

 If you answered yes to any of the above questions or any question along the lines of having a bad shopping experience, we have the solution.

 If you have access to Internet and a credit card at home, you can get everything you need for cheaper and delivered right to your door.

When we say everything we mean make up, shoes, clothes, books, cd’s and even food!

Anything you can buy at the mall, there is a way to buy it online.

 With rates of online shopping shooting up rapidly these days, you find not a lot of people go to the mall for purchasing reasons. People these days go to have a coffee, to meet up with friends or to grab a bite.

 While online shopping experiences can be perky, you have to be careful as many things can go wrong. You will need to make informed decisions, you need to make sure it is a safe and secure website, you need to check the returns and exchange policy and when buying clothes, make sure you get the right size. We will show you how to do all that, later on in the article.

 What can go wrong?

Many things can go wrong when shopping online and so if you’re only young, you’re better off having a guardian or someone watching when you get to the checkout.

Here is a list of things that can go wrong:

-Wrong size clothing

-Wrong amount of a product

-Non exchangeable or non refundable

-Scam

-Wrong product

-Non secure website

-Loss of money

-Clicking multiple times on the pay button may result in you paying double the amount.

There is usually a note above or around the pay button that notifies you of this and so if you misread the note, completely miss it or ignore it, then you may not be able to get your money back

-Poor quality

-Slow delivery

-Some countries charge custom duties and extra tax charges, make sure you are aware of this and make sure you read the shipping and handling details first

-You enter the wrong shipping details-& More

 Those are only a few things that may go wrong when shopping online and so you need to be extra careful and read over your order more than once. Making sure to check the quantity, the product, the color of the product, the details and your shipping and handling details.

 How to be careful:

Checking if the website you are shopping on is secure may be a hassle. It may require you to check reviews on different websites and reading through the terms and conditions, which are usually pages and pages of writing.

 Another way you can check this is when you go the checkout page where you are entering personal details of some sort, the url should change to start with https, for example:

 http://www.luxyhair.com/

When you pick your items and review your order, you will then click on checkout and the URL should automatically change to this

https://checkout.shopify.com/carts/*******

 Do you realize how the start has changed to http’S’, this means the website is secure and will keep your credit card details safe.

Some websites make this easier and just place signs all over the website saying they are 100% secure and approved.

 If you are still confused and not convinced the website is safe, the safest method of paying online is PayPal, most websites use this method.

 You will also need to check if the website will share your information with third parties. There should be a box when filling out your details that informs you for this.

The information listed above will help you shop online in a secure way. That is the most important thing you need to know when shopping online.

 The other things you need to check are very obvious.

When buying clothes, you need to check the sizes; websites will have a size chart, which will help you check your size in different countries.

This will lead you to checking the returns and exchange policy. It is important that the website promises to allow exchange or refunds for different reasons. While they may have their restrictions such as the products must have all tags attached or the products must be returned in original packaging that is just fair so they are able to sell it again.

 All those things can be avoided if you are careful and so now we are going to discuss the benefits of online shopping.

 Online shopping is a great way to shop if you own a credit card and have access to Internet in your house. You are able to buy anything you need off the Internet, without having to leave the house and all this will be delivered to your front door.

When shopping online, the products are usually cheaper and so that is another benefit.

 Some great, secure and cheap websites for shopping:

 Strawberry net; cheap designer make up, skin care and fragrances, free shipping worldwide!

 Style Tread; latest designer shoes for cheaper

Style tread offers free delivery; free returns and 100 day return policy – ONLY FOR AUSTRALIA

 Sole struck; ridding the world of ugly shoes, one pair at a time

  Give online shopping a go but remember to be careful and reread each and every one of your orders before checking out.

Youngsters, make sure to have a guardian and permission to use the credit card!

Happy Online Shopping !  

Check out PlumWillow, a website that allows you to shop for clothing, track trends, create your own outfits, and interact with your friends and other members. Ever wanted to test out what clothing items and accessories would look good together or want a second opinion before you buy an outfit? PlumWillow is the answer!

And right now PlumWillow is holding a great contest with the One Tree actress and singer Kate Voegele! Get your outfit submitted by October 5th, the contest deadline.

With the Disney film Prom about to be released on Blu-ray and DVD, we catch up with Shoshana Ruben – costume designer from the film– to find out her top fashion tips and fun style secrets…

Want to find out how to jazz up a school outfit? Want to stand out from the rest of the crowd in class? Follow Shoshana’s tips and you’ll be turning heads in no time …

BE DIFFERENT…

“I think it’s always nice to push your boundaries with fashion and look for interesting pieces to spice up your school outfit. Look for a fun top with a nice texture or a nice pattern that you can wear with a pair of jeans. Be a little different and stand out from the crowd!”

DENIM DIVA…

“Denim is always popular, and right now is no different. There are lots of different styles of jeans, so experiment and find the perfect pair that suits your body shape. Maybe skinny jeans look great on you? Maybe flared jeans work better? Find your perfect fit and feel confident in them.”

LAYER AWAY…

“It’s fun to layer outfits, especially as we head into the cooler months of the year. Wear a nice dress and put a denim jacket or blazer over the top. Wear a short dress and pair it with some tights or leggings. Layer up and have some fun!”

ACCESSORIZE…

“If your school has a strict uniform policy, you can still have fun with fashion accessories. Take a look at your school rules and see if you can add a brooch or a pin to your blazer. See if hair ornaments are allowed, or find out if you can wear jewelry. A cute necklace or some funky bangles will add some fun to a regular uniform!”

COMFORT IS KEY…

“When it comes to school clothes, comfort is key. You’re going to be wearing your outfit all day long, so make sure it’s comfortable. I don’t mean that you should always wear sweat pants to school, but it’s important that you look and feel good in what you’re wearing.”

BAG IT UP…

“Every student needs a school bag, so pick the right bag that suits your personality. Do you want to take a regular backpack to school? Or maybe a colorful, oversized purse? Make sure your bag is practical because you’ve got loads of books to carry around, but have fun with it too.”

HEELS OFF…

“I don’t think it’s practical for girls to wear high heels to school. Nova wears cute ballet flats to school in Prom, and I think something like that is the perfect look. There are lots of sweet sneakers, flats and boots in stores, so pick something fun and comfortable. Don’t stress your feet with heels!”

BOOT UP…

“I like to have fun with fashion, which is why I like to mix things that are a little unexpected. If you’re going to wear a cute floral dress, why not team it up with a pair of combat boots or cowboy boots? Add something different to a really feminine outfit to make a fun fashion statement.”

PROM is Available on Blu-ray & DVD August 30^th!

Enter to win a copy



Wordlock Bike Lock and Locker Lock- If you are like me, you probably have a hard time remembering the random numbers that make up your locker or bike lock combination. I actually have to keep my bike one stuck inside my helmet, which I usually leave with my bike. Not too smart! Now with these Wordlock products it is easy to remember, because you can use a word that has personal meaning or a name instead of numbers. They are available in a range of colors from www.wordlock.com.

ShaveMate- This razor is doing what other ones on the market aren’t. It has a shaving cream dispenser in its handle and six blades. With this razor I didn’t have to fool with an unwieldy shaving cream can and got a really close shave due to the six blades. I usually get cuts around my ankles and knees with other razors I use, but it didn’t happen with the ShaveMate! You can purchase ShaveMate razors at www.shavemate.com.

Sassy Straps from Braza- Sassy Straps are so fun and versatile! They either slide into the slots on your convertible bra or you can cut and re-sew your bra straps to accommodate them. They are easy to use and are a fun way to accessorize an outfit. They are available in multiple solids and patterns, and with pearls, rhinestones, charms and more. Check out Sassy Straps and other bra products designed to make your life easier at www.braza-bra.com.

Rhinestone T Shirts from Just Jen- Just Jen offers a variety of designs in their Rhinestone T-shirts. They have shirts that feature crosses, roses, smiley faces, “Princess,” and “Rock Star” among many others. The great thing about Just Jen is that you can choose the shirt style, color, and rhinestone color and they are extra soft and comfy. You can also get t-shirts customized for your sports team or club. They run small, so order a size up. Check out all the patterns available at www.justjen.com.

Wear exercise gear that makes you feel confident. If you feel good, you'll be able to reap the benefits of your work-out without feeling insecure about your clothes.

Choose clothing that you're able to move freely in. Too-tight clothing can be very restricting and uncomfortable. Think about this: if you’re constantly pulling out a wedgie, you won’t be able to concentrate on that super tough pilates move!

Breathable fabrics – described as “wicking” – get rid of sweat. They're specially designed to pull the sweat away from your body. Some people associate being sweaty with having an accomplished, completed workout and will prematurely stop exercising, thinking they’re done. Wicking fabrics prevent that from happening.

In need of cute exercise gear? Look no further:

It's important to carry extra cash and an ID while exercising to be safe, but when your running leggings have no pockets, there's really only two places to stick them: your socks or your bra. Thankfully, we've discovered the Rack Trap, an insertable bra pocket that holds all of your essentials, including cash, credit cards, identification...even an iPod shuffle! The sweatproof version with the Velcro seal is perfect for even the most active workout.

Check it out here.

When hiking or biking, it's great to bring a pack to stow all of your essentials. But forget those ergonomically incorrect drawstring pouches or one-shouldered backpacks. Say hello to the Ivar pack, a backpack that equally distributes the weight across your back. It feels like you're not even wearing anything, so you can totally focus on your workout. No more slumped shoulders! The Zug G2 model is perfect for teens and tweens. Personally, I love the lavender on grey version (but then again, my favorite color is purple..)

The backpack is available here.

I feel like the quest for awesome yoga pants has taken years. Well, now you can look no further. Lucy's Perfect Core yoga pants are hands down the best yoga pants on the market. They position your back in a way that makes it so easy to perform any sort of exercise, from the downward facing dog to tricep curls to sprints.

They're available on Lucy's website here.

We love zebra print shirts, like this one from Wet Seal:

The trick to wearing shirts like this in a cool way is to match them with black and white accessories. Pair it with a wide black belt and skinny black jeans or tights for a concert or night out with friends. Add tall leather boots and replace the skinnies with light wash ripped jeans for a biker-chic feel. For a more casual look, wear the shirt with white shorts and black sandals. If you want a pop of color, add something red, like a cherry-red headband or bracelet!

Check the shirt out here. 

For a fun addition to your workout routine, try one of Bskinz capris, skirts, sports bras or compression shorts. They come in a ton of patterns, but the zebra print is great for under your t-shirt or track shorts. They're super-stretchy and really cozy, so you're going to want to keep exercising! On hot days, instead of wearing a cami, try the zebra sports bra for coverage. Here's a picture of the fun print:

Happy shopping!

Casio Eco-Baby-G Watch

This watch, introduced by Casio for Earth Month, is bright green (bright colors are definitely in this season!) and environmentally green at the same time. First, the packaging is made out of recycled materials. The coolest part is that the watch is solar powered, which means that the battery inside is rechargeable, so you don’t have to replace it. What does that mean for the environment? Well, less batteries going into landfills, where they can potentially make the soil and the air we breathe toxic.

Herban Renewal Liv.Lu.Lu LOL Gift Bag

Looking for something that is great for a gift for your bestie or great for makeovers? Herban Renewal’s Gift bag is perfect, because it includes lip gloss, lotion, shower gel, nail polish, pedicure flip-flops, stickers and fun spiky balls all together in a convenient plastic carrier. The lotion and shower gel are sparkly and smell berry good and the lip gloss slides on like a dream. But what really sets Herban Renewal’s products apart is what they are made of—all natural ingredients like the finest and purest herbs, oils and sea salts. Herban Renewal also employs disabled adults to make their products, and supports outreaches for the homeless and battered women. Their Liv.Lu.Lu line is fun, fruity, natural, and gives back to the community, which make it a winning combination! Check out more of their products here.

Fabrics: Sheers (layered with a thicker fabric for warmth), denim (but only one piece at a time), and corduroy are popular this season.

Trends: In footwear the must have item is a pair of above the knee boots. A feminine style emerges with lots of lace, ruffles, and shirts and dresses that are one shouldered and have puffed or flowing sleeves, while menswear pants and motorcycle jackets are also popular. You can really put the fun into fall by pulling out the plaids, sweater dresses and patterned tights that might already be in your closet. As far as accessories go, bangles and wide belts are in and so are hardware and costume jewelry-esque accents on all items of clothing, which you can add yourself if you are up for a DIY project.