Pretty Frocks

Hello to all you lovely new and existing readers!

Today I started my first day of telling customers in store about my store blog and Facebook page. If I spoke to you today (or if my kind college put my card in your bag) then thank you for coming to have a look.
To further explain I am currently studying for my MSc Fashion Management degree at The Robert Gordon University.

I am writing my dissertation on social media and charity retailing. From which, I have constructed a survey that I really hope to get a good response from.
During the past couple of months, at the end of my volunteer working day each Friday I have been writing a blog post showing the latest items that we have in store that I think are worth highlighting. Everyone in the store does such a great job that I really am proud of working there and I really enjoy it.

I hope that my research can help the store towards understanding if a social media strategy would be a good idea.
Thank you to everyone who took my card today and if you have time to do the survey then I would be extremely grateful.



In terms of what we had in store today there was a few nice pieces.
In particular I love these formal gowns that we put onto the shop floor today.
They are floor length and both in sizes small (6 for the green and 8 for the red). I was tempted enough by them to try both on at the end of my day, I just couldn't resist! I'm sure they will go to a couple of very lucky owners.

Teal green formal gown. Size small (6), priced at £24.99

Red formal gown. Size small (8), priced at £24.99

We have these lovely shoes from New Look. I do like the black lace overlay. I placed them in the purple section.

New look shoes. Szie 4, priced at £4.29

On the left hand gondola we have a big selection of tie's for the men so if you want a change or a new splash of colour then do come and look at our selection.

Over on the left hand wall we have these platform black heel from Schuh. They are in great condition and have hardly been worn as far as I can tell. 

Schuh black platform heels. Size 4, priced at £4.99

On the back wall I spotted this funky H&M skirt with optical lines and ruffle layering.

H&M skirt., Size 12, priced at £3.49

When we sold one of our necklaces I found this lovely piece to place in our pink display. It would be really nice with a v-neck top or over a high neckline standing out against another colour. 

Necklace. Priced at £3.29

At the front of the store we have this bright patterned top (or dress!). Do you ever have that dilemma where you're not sure which one it is? Either way I suppose it would depend on your height but I think the colours are fabulous and summery.

Bright top/dress. Size 12, priced at £3.29

If you like your bag to go across your body then this handbag is a great find and the pattern is really lovely.

Across the body handbag. Priced at £2.79

We also put this bag out today. It's from Marks & Spencer and has plenty of room inside and the bright blue colour is beautiful.

Marks & Spencer bag. Priced at £7.99

On the books and men's gondola we have this funky contraption! If you're an avid golfer (or if you know someone who is) then this is the ideal gadget. I'm forever trying to think of what to get my brother as he's a keen golfer so if you know someone similar then this would be perfect for them.

Golf ball cleaner. Priced at £3.49

We also got some great travel games into the store today. A little Cluedo set sold quickly. It was really sweet with all the magnetic pieces. This chess set has all the pieces included or if you're looking for something more simple then there're also connect 4! 

Games!! Chess set priced at £1.29. Connect 4 priced at 99p

Finally we have this little guy! Well it's a bottle cover (we think) for you to dress up your bottle with. He's sitting on the cash desk at the moment cleverly displayed by my college!

Bottle cover, Priced at £1.69

Thank you for reading, hopefully I will be putting up various posts over the week of me handing out my cards in store. Have a good evening :-)

Tartan day in Aberdeen tomorrow :-)

Happy Friday! I'm now relaxing at home after a fairly busy day at the store today. 

I arrived into work to see a massive donation of toys which D spend the morning sorting though. Rather him than me, boys toys are not my forte... Give me clothes any day! 

During the rest of the day I was sorting out clothes on the shop floor and putting out new stock. Unfortunately we did not get our stock of bridal and formal gowns into the store today but hopefully they will be in very soon! Now that is a display that I'm looking forward to.

So it's tartan day in Aberdeen tomorrow and the window mannequins have been dressed accordingly. 

The female mannequin has a rather dashing pair of tartan trousers. The male mannequin is sporting a more casual look but is making sure to fit in by wearing a sporran with his jeans. Also on the far wall we have various checked tops for the ladies (as shown below). 

In the other window we also have a tartan mini skirt, who knows the weather might be warm enough tomorrow for something this short to be worn. In the basket beside this lady we have various children's toys for sale. 

Along from the checked section on the right hand side of the store we have this light and bright shirt from Marks & Spencer. 

Marks & Spencer shirt. Size 10, priced at £4.49

We also have some accessories for sale in this section such as these pair of heels from Charles & Keith heels. We are selling these at a great price of only £9.99 when they can sell at RRP for around $50. White heels will be great for summer, I do wish I had a pair myself! Keep an eye out for more Charles & Keith shoes further on in this post.

Charles & Keith white heels. Size 3 (36), priced at £9.99

Beside the shoes we have a couple of nice handbags such as this one from Limited Collection (at Marks & Spencer). Yet again (as I mentioned in my last post) snakeskin is very much on trend for next season and this big bag has pockets for everything you will need in a day! 

Limited Collection handbag. Priced at £6.99

We also have this bright green handbag. I'm not sure of the brand but it's colour really caught my eye from a distance. 

Bright green pastel handbag. Priced at £4.99

Along the wall we have some fab strapless dresses in various colours and designs such as these bright colour block pieces from New Look and Next.

New Look strapless dress. Size 8, priced at £3.29

Next strapless dress. Size 8, priced at £4.29

I almost forgot! There was another pair of Charles & Keith shoes on the right hand side of the store. They are also white and are size 3. 

Charles & Keith white heels. Size 3 (36), priced at £9.99.

In the dresses section I spotted this lovely one from the Laura Ashley Antique collection. 

Laura Ashley dress. Size 12, priced at £8.29

Oh also I just remembered another strapless dress that we have for sale. The print is great and the colours are really summery. 

Strapless Papaya print beach dress. Size medium, priced at £3.49 

I also found this nice dress from Next. The floral pattern is great and it is a good length for summer. I was looking for a floral dress earlier in the season but I'm sure there is still plenty of time to wear this one. Plus, in the winter you can wear it with some black or deep red tights. 

Next floral print dress. Size 12, priced at £6.29

On the back wall I wanted to spruce up the display with some kind of theme. I found two sports bags in the back, one Nike one and a Reebok black one. I thought it would be nice idea to create a sports theme around pink, black and white. When a pair of trainers were donated later in the day I decided to add them as well. I think the Reebok bag had a fair bit of interest as I saw a few people looking at it.

At the front of the store we have two little Wall-e's matching our yellow theme. I think they look so sweet as you come into the store :-)

Big Wall-e, priced at £3.49

Also on that gondola I spotted a pair of swimming shorts by Animal. They look very funky and bright and I do love a good pair of swim shorts on the beach (which is where I wish I was today!).

Animal swim shorts. Size 10, priced at £2.79. 

On the pyramid we have these pair of grey ankle boots from Red or Dead. They are a size 7 and the design is really interesting and unique.

Red or Dead heels. Size 7, priced at £7.29

At the bottom of the pyramid we have a new A3 folder. Anyone who has ever done art or design knows how expensive these can be! We are selling this one at a great bargain of only £6.99.

A3 portfolio case. Priced at £6.99

Another pair of shoes that we have here are these black heels from New Look. They are in great condition and would go with so many things.

New Look black heels. Size 6, priced at £4.29

On the top of the pyramid we have these very interesting gold heels. 

Gold and silver heels. Priced at £4.99

What is really interesting is the silver heels on these shoes...

Silver heels on the gold shoes.

At the back of the store we have a sea inspired section of greens and blues. If only we had a mermaid picture or something to put there as well!

Under the sea...

Under the sea again.

In the corner of the store we have this fab pair of Irregular Choice heels which normally sell for between £70-80. I love the big sparkly flowers!!

Irregular Choice heels. Size 6.5, priced at £4.49

In that corner we also have some jewellery along the same colour theme. 

On the back wall we have a nice pair of bright green shorts from next, perfect for this weather! 

Next shorts. Size 10, priced at £2.99

On the other side of the wall we have this floral skirt from H&M which is in good nick and the shape and pattern is really nice.

Floral H&M skirt. Size 10, priced at £3.49

On the right hand wall we have some light pink cardigans and I have been eyeing up this one since last week. I love the nude pink colour and the lace material.

Lace cardigan from Primark. Size 10, priced at £2.29

There are a couple of rather sweet red tops along the left hand wall. The first is from a brand called Bershka that I have only really seen in the Middle East. N just looked it up online and there are a few in England but none in Scotland. They have some really nice patterns and I think this top is lovely. Below that we have another top with a miniature flower pattern. I'm sure both of them will sell pretty quickly! Especially the top one as I might get it myself.

Bershka top. Size small, priced at £3.99

Red flower pattern top. Size 12, priced at £2.99

There are a few nice black dresses such as the one below. It is from River Island and I really like the exposed gold zip at the back.

River Island dress. Size 8, priced at £8.29

If you are looking for some bright summer sandals then this pair might be perfect for you. They have a small heel and are from Portfolio at Marks & Spencer.

Bright pink sandals. Size 6, priced at £6.99

In our trousers section we have this funky jungle pair from Primark. Right on trend!

Primark jungle print trousers. Size 8, priced at £3.49

We just got this top in as well. It would go so nicely with a pair of khaki trousers. It is from Fat Face and is a size 8.

Fat Face top. Size 8, priced at £4.49

There is a lovely spotty black and white dress from Wallis. We were thinking today that it would be great for a BBQ or summer event or wedding.

Wallis dress. Size 12, priced at £4.99

There is one more pair of Charles & Keith in this area. They are in perfect condition and still have the box with them.

Charles & Keith black patent heels. Size 3, priced at £14.99.

If you are looking for a colour black jacket then this bright pink one is perfect. It would look fantastic with a white shift dress and a bag or shoes in the same bright pink.

Bright pink Next jacket. Size 6, priced at £7.29

On the front gondola we also have this gypsy style Chelsea girl top. I remember my Mum telling me that Chelsea Girl was the place that she went to for clothes when she was my age. Now the brand is part of River Island. 

Chelsea Girl top. Size 12, priced at £2.69

Finally, in the clothes department are this pair of smart trousers from Zara. I decided that I like them too much so I bought them and now they're now sitting in my wardrobe. I look forward to wearing them with a pair of nude heels and a black sheer shirt. 

Just a couple of toys to finish my post. If you a Doctor Who fan then this will be right up your street. Check it out Doctor Who and the Cyber man robot are about to battle it out. Little do they know Darth Vader is hiding around the corner... 

Last of all we have this little puppet hanging just inside the doorway. We've had quite a bit of fun today letting him walk around the store.

That is all I have to post for now. I hoped you enjoyed reading. Within the next day or so I will be posting the link to my online survey for my dissertation. If you live in Aberdeen (City or Shire) then it would be a great help to me is you could take the time to fill it in.