The Shopping Test I Swear By

Nov 26, 2014



I really am not great in the sales.
In fact I am not great shopping. Period.

I still think twice before buying anything for
myself. I guess I still have my Mum's dulcette
tones ringing in my ears when she gave me these
wise words.
" Go home and sleep on it. If you are
still thinking about it 48 hours later, that means
you really want it" (but not necessarily need it of course).

YSL oversized bag. Passed the 48 hour test ;-)

I have used this technique so many times and 
you can be sure 24 hours later, I can't even
remember what it was I wanted to buy ;-)

Something I promise I would never forget in 48 hours (Valentino)

I think it's great to remember that what we 
buy represents how we see ourselves, and how we
wish for others to see us.

You're a smart cookie and let the world know it.



Would love to know your thoughts on shopping.
Are you an impulse buyer?
A throw-away-after-one- season kind of girl?

Do you go armed to the sales knowing exactly what
you want (list in hand, body armor on!) or do you
decide when you see it?


When was the last time you had buyers remorse?
I would love to hear 

xxxxxx

Save Your Haggling For Morocco

Nov 19, 2014


OK, here's the thing that's been bugging
me for some time.

Many of my wonderful friends are creatives
of some shape or form.
We are all creatives in some way I think.

So it really bugs me when people feel they have a right
to try and barter our prices down, or haggle
over a product they want.

Hey! I love a good bargain, but I would never
barter with small businesses or creatives.

In the same way if I was having something bespoke
made, I would never haggle. I know that the reason
the price is higher than Target or Walmart is because
I am buying into the whole "process" of something 
being created just for me.

Breakfast at Tiffany's by Hayden Williams

Even if you are a stylist, people are paying to tap into
your knowledge and for you to create a look for them.
Therefore, we should respect that and NOT haggle or
negotiate over the price.

I find it really offensive sometimes.
You see I get between 5-10 emails a week from
bloggers asking me for FREE products!

Some of these "influencers" have NEVER even read my
blog, certainly never commented. So never having taken the
time to build a relationship with me, but then they feel
they have the "right" to ask for a free product as they
are a "fashion influencer"? Am I missing something here?

Some have blog stats that you can count on one hand!
But that's not really the issue for me. It's the fact that they
feel I should be "privileged" that they "found me" on the
Internet.

I was always astounded by their audacity.
A couple of times I turned the tables and said
they could have a product if they show me
their stats, or they can have a product
if they pay the trade price.

Of course you never see them again for dust!
They just wanted the freebie.

Here's the thing. When you give someone something for free
 (and it's not given as a gift from you), you de-value
your product/service/time.

People never appreciate something they are
given for free. Even if they have to pay a
nominal amount, they will value the object/
service/person MORE than if they pay nothing.

Other times I have had customers who contact
me saying they like a particular piece, but THEY think
the price should be X!!!

Whooooooa! Hold on Tiger!
 Are you serious?
Would they walk into Neiman Marcus or
Selfridges in the UK and say to the store manager
they would like to purchase X but only if the price is
what they think it should be?



C'mon people get a grip!
If you want to haggle then go to your local market
or ebay (Morocco is also a good place if you like
haggling ;-)

But if you are buying from an artist who is selling their 
product or service that they live, sleep and breathe through,
then don't haggle.

If you want cheap and mass-produced, then there
are places where you can buy such products with
prices that reflect this.

So this holiday season my wonderful friends,
don't let customers negotiate your worth.

You have set your price for a reason, and if
that sets you apart from the mass--produced
tat that some of the bigger stores sell, then
be proud about it. 

The RIGHT customers
who know value, and who know your worth
WILL find you and they will never negotiate with you.



I would love to hear your thoughts on this (whether you are a creative
or a even "professional haggler ;-"- 
I know they exist. My sister is one of them ;-)