Glamorous Gifts for the Home at Amara - Home Fragrance and much more - Website Review

There is such a thing as 'blog-guilt', as I discovered yesterday, when I had to leave my warm home at 5.30am in the morning to go to Berlin for the day.

Today I thought I'd make up for it by telling you not only about my day in Berlin, which was fabulous, fun and interesting (and useful, as after all, I really went there to work) but also about a website you may have not come across before, but which you're going to love this Christmas, http://www.amara.co.uk/.

With my review hat on I just love their home page (above), which is Christmas clever in a way which just makes you want to go straight in and see what's there, so well done them.

Then with my Christmas shopping hat on quite frankly I could buy for everyone on my gift list here, from home fragrance, to clever barware, to lovely and unusual tableware, and from brands including Baobab, Missoni Home, Millefiori, William Yeoward and Mulberry Home. My favourite area by far is Home Fragrance, because I love all those scented goodies (hint, hint, hubby) but there's so much more to browse.

On to yesterday and Berlin. I have to say that Easyjet behaved themselves perfectly, with two flights leaving absolutely on time, and apart from the ghastly queuing system really no complaints, which for me is amazing.

It was totally freezing when we arrived from murky London, which made me really pleased - and just a little bit smug - that I'd taken my wonderful Max Mara Weekend eiderdown coat and sheepskin gloves.

Our first event, having been met by Marcus and Michael from http://www.ekomi.co.uk/ was a whistlestop tour of the city, as I hadn't been there before. We drove past the graffiti covered Wall, past Checkpoint Charlie and the Brandenburg Gate, and on to the fabulous shops and luxury hotels of the West side. As I said, this was a whistlestop tour!

There is so much to see here and I will definitely be going back as soon as I can. Oh and did I forget to mention the incredible steak at Steak & Friends? If you go to Berlin, you have to go there to eat. To book a break in Berlin visit http://www.myberlin.co.uk/.

In the evening we visited the main Christmas market, and if you haven't yet been to a Christmas market in Germany they're a wonderful experience, from the piping hot gluhwein to the huge, lit-up Christmas trees, to the white feathered angel on stilts. Why oh why didn't I have my camera with me?

Back on the 9.30 flight to London Luton and brought rudely down to earth by five flights arriving at once and a 45 minute queue at passport control. All in all it was a great day.

Visit the Gift Guide at http://www.thesiteguide.com/ to do your Christmas shopping.

Five Fast Ways to turn Visitors into Customers

Think of it like this: You're in a shopping mall. Most of the shop windows give you a clear idea of what you'll find inside from the type of products (with the most popular likely to get you inside) and, usually, the sort of prices.

You come to a shop that has nothing in the window. Inevitably you walk straight past.

Web shopping is a bit like that, and we usually visit online retail shops for one of three reasons -

i) We know who they are, so we know that we're already likely to shop there;
ii) We visit because we're looking for a particular type of product and search, or a directory such as http://www.thesiteguide.com/ or a mention in a glossy mag has suggested we take a look;
iii) We stumble there by chance, without recommendation, because we've found a link somewhere, on a price comparison site or Google ad - where although we'll have an idea of the type of products, we'll know nothing about the retailer.

It's at this point that the 'shop window' becomes of major importance, because that's really what a Home Page is - the place that people decide, in a very few seconds, whether they're going to buy from you or not. Unlike a store shop window your visitors aren't going to stop and have a good look, we know for a fact that you have just a few seconds to pursuade your visitors that they'll want to buy from you today, and this comes down to just a very few things:

1. Visitors need to be able to see immediately who you are, and what you're offering, or they'll be gone. You have no doubt when you visit net-a-porter that this is the place fashionistas to find designer clothes and accessories.

2. If you want people to buy from you as well as learn about you, the heading Online Shop, or Shop Online, or Online Boutique needs to be very, very clear. Don't try and call it anything clever, such as The Boutique (which could lead to information about your offline store) or Collections (which could be anything and which I came across yesterday) or anything else which might cloak your main message; 'Hi there, come and shop with us today'. 'Online Boutique' is clear and simple. 'The Boutique' could be one of two things. Don't confuse.

3. Lead people in through great pictures of your best sellers and clear category headings. Don't make the mistake of having products you're trying to get rid of fast on your home page, seduce visitors with items that you have already proved work for you and you're far more likely to get visitors attention. Make sure that your pictures are really clear and enticing and put your most popular three categories at the top of the list as attention grabbers. Go alphabetical after that.

For the majority of fashion stores, and particularly at this time of year, dresses are the No 1 seller. Take a look at net-a-porter.com and Matches and see where they put their top selling item of clothing, then follow their lead.

4. Let visitors click quickly through to the product they're looking for. As I've said before, shopping on the web is about instant gratification - yes people will want to browse when they're reached the type of product they're looking for really fast. The more clicks they have to make, the more customers you'll lose.

At net-a-porter.com for example I just click on Clothing, then Dresses, and I'm there. Page after page of mouthwatering dresses.

Debenhams brand new website, launched just a few days ago, is a really good example of this. Whereas before I had to dance through hoops to get to a specific product, now it is literally just one click to getting to a product or brand. Point at the category, click from the beautifully clear drop down menu and you're there.



They draw you in in a way which makes it almost impossible for you not to want to shop, because you now find what you're looking for in a flash, whether it's Betty Jackson Black, partywear for kids, what's new from Benefit or their selection of well priced skiwear

Their new search facility is pretty amazing as well. Look and learn.

5. Create instant trust with your visitors

a) By letting them see what other customers have said about you. I've written about this before but I can't stress enough how important this is. Eventually almost all online shops will be plugged in to one kind of customer feedback system or another.

Provided the review system you work with is independent, trusted, and obviously can't be manipulated you can instantly

Establish trust,
Increase your sales
And, (by reacting to the feedback you get) streamline your procedures to match what your customers are looking for.

I'm lucky enough to be working with one such feedback platform at http://www.ekomi.co.uk/.

You can find out more about them in the Retailers' section at http://www.thesiteguide.com/ where there's a special offer as well plus a great comment from one of their customers.

b) Sign up to an accredited retailer scheme such as IMRG's ISIS. Again you'll find more details here.

If you are a small online retailer as opposed to a household name, both of these become even more essential.

With the whole world going online, it would seem, and a whopping 93% of us expected to shop online this Christmas, you can't afford to ignore the elements that will turn your visitors into customers, they're not rocket science, they're just plain good sense. Are you following them?

If you'd like an individual review for your website you can find out how in the Retailers' section at thesiteguide.com or contact me direct at patricia@thesiteguide.com.

Sheepskin Gloves, Driving Gloves, Fingerless Gloves - you need them all right now

Today when I looked out of the window the first thing I did was go to my glove drawer. Ok, that sounds pretentious, and it doesn't only have gloves in it, but that's where they all return to, hopefully in pairs, when the glove-wearing season is over. I do find pairs that have been stuffed into coat pockets and forgotten, as you do, but try to get them back to their home so they're waiting for me when I'm in need. Like today.

I've written about being cold and hating being cold before so you'll have gathered by now that I really mean it. I try and buy one new pair of warm lined gloves each year so that when my glove stealing daughter comes along and, even worse, lends one of my favourite pairs to one of her friends, I have a replacement. Somehow I never end up with all those extra pairs - I can't imagine why.

So today being the perfect glove day I thought I'd track down a great new pair. First stop was Celtic sheepskin where the quality is great, the prices are reasonable, there's a good range of colours and you can also order fingerless sheepskin gloves and driving gloves along with cashmere wristwarmers (on my Christmas list immediately) and sheepskin handmuffs, which are strictly for watching the telly in but yes, I'd like a pair of those as well.

Because I like to have a choice, and I bought these before, I then took a look at Dents, who as we all know make some of the best gloves around, and this year are offering their lambskin lined gloves in mahogany and a gorgeous pale camel, plus driving gloves and cashmere lined leather gloves.

Not surprisingly as soon as it gets frosty gloves start selling really fast, along with sheepskin anything else, so don't leave it too late. Cold hands are one of the worst things, in my opinion.

Radio Alert: Yesterday was fun, with daughter/father gap year travel rows going on in the background and three telephone interviews, culminating in the Black Friday/Cyber Monday fest on the Chris Evans Radio 2 Drive Time show in the afternoon. Which leads me to a question; Should you ever correct the presenter if he/she gets a fact wrong? With care, I think is the answer. I just hope that that was how I came over - or I won't be asked back. The trouble is that live radio goes so fast you can't remember. I hope one of my kids was listening. They'll definitely tell me.

How not to wear Sequins.....................

There are sequins out there by the millions. Everywhere you look, there they are, from sequin skirts and dresses to bags, shoes, jackets and more. We are going to be totally blinded by bling and sequins this Christmas.

As a reasonably normal sized (!) person who does like a bit of bling, the real thing if at all possible, I have been debating the to sequin or not to sequin conundrum and decided to stick with my DKNY sequin tote that landed at my feet (on sale) last year, and just keep to the normal type of bling.

Visiting Paris recently I spent time with a tall slim girl who was wearing a modern gold sequin jacket (all day) with her black dress and boots and looked perfect. A great look if you can pull it off and one which works excellently from lunch to cocktails.

Unfortunately I am not that tall slim person so as I've said I'll be keeping my sequins to the minimum. Also, having tried, in the name of research, don't you know, a lot of sparkle on as soon as it hit the shops, I have the following to say.

Don't wear more than wear sequin item at a time.

Don't wear a sequin dress unless you have a figure like Cheryl Cole - every lump or bump will show.

Buy the most expensive piece you can. A beautiful sequin clutch will last you for years, a cheap and chearful one will probably only go for one season.

Sequin evening shoes are great on slim legs, be aware they will probably make you look shorter.

Keep it insouciant, whatever the occasion. Sequins can look very 'grown up'.


Strange morning: Apparently today is Mega Monday (as opposed to Cyber Monday) in the US - both meaning the same thing, that this is the day we'll be spending more online than any other this year. Hmmm, I think we're a week ahead, we were last year - so it'll be interesting to see if we have another Mega Mega Monday next week.

Two interviews this morning for BBC Radio, one at 7.20 - yawn - and the other at 8.20. In between I groomed frantically and, stupidly, took the dogs out, worrying that they were going to bark during the interview (which they have been known to do). One, who shall remain nameless, refused to come in. Of course! On a morning when it mattered......why would she?

So I went off to be interviewed (over the phone), having to leave my back door open and hoping that madam would deign to return. Which she did. Phew.

Have you had a look yet at our huge range of Gifts for Her? For mothers, sisters, girlfriends, daughters and (shhhh) treats for you too. It is nearly Christmas, after all.

The Importance of having a Great Profile Photograph

Yup, this is me, as anyone who follows me on Twitter, Facebook, GlamourSleuth or LinkedIn, reads my books (although that was a slightly earlier picture) or sees articles I've written for various media, both online and off.

Whenever I'm asked for a pic I don't have to worry, I have it to hand, in glorious technicolour or more subtle black and white, and wherever I create a new profile, there it goes.

Most of us are now in the viral swirl that is Social Media, and for anyone who isn't, they're going to be left at the starting gate.

I have to say that I really enjoy the whole hustle and bustle of it, being able to communicate with people I wouldn't come across otherwise, chatting about the web, my dreadful kids (not really), my business and where I went last week, let alone being able to share the dafter things that go on in my life, such as being interviewed by the BBC from a moving train over my Blackberry.

Back to your profile pic; If you don't have one - you need one. It's a simple as that. I think it's really important that it's a picture you're happy with, and then you can stop hiding behind question marks, no picture logos and your product pictures. It's you everyone wants to know about, you you're promoting because let's face it, you are your business.

I'm really hard to photograph well but Chris Parkes, who took my pic, managed to produce something I really like, that I'm not unhappy to show to the world.

I'm talking to him about setting a day for anyone who wants to to come and have their pic taken, I have no idea at the moment how much it would cost so you'll have to contact me at phd@thesiteguide.com and then when I know I'll tell you. You can get in touch with him at christophotographic@mac.com. He's fun, interesting and takes a great pic. He's also at http://www.christophotographic.co.uk/.

Am now asking him why his picture isn't on his website. Sigh.......

There's a whole new area at http://www.thesiteguide.com/ for Beauty Finds - check it out now.

Jonathan Saunders interviewed by Dolly Jones of Vogue.com and that Kate Spade Bag

I'm going to get this out of the way first as it's so close to my heart (and now my hand).

As I may have mentioned a few times it really irks me that there are some US brands who you can't find in the UK without a trip to the shops here or even there - why is it, when they're so able to ship everywhere in the US from Florida to San Fran they can't be bothered to put that 'we ship worldwide' tag on their system and just go that little bit further?

I'm sure they will get there in the end but patience is not known to be my strong point so get moving along guys, please.

Anyway, yesterday was a particularly good day, as not only did I get to meet the very charming Linda Hemerik of USUnlocked, who in any case from now on is going fulfill all my US shopping fantasies by helping me buy anything I want from brands such as Bebe, Williams Sonoma, J Crew (yes really) Gap and more without my having to either leave home or cross the pond, but she also brought met this gorgeous and glamorous Kate Spade arm candy. Thank you so much.

It's sparkling softly beside me now (no not just rhetoric, it actually does sparkle). Jealous now? I thought so - well you better pay a visit to her at http://www.usunlocked.com/ and then you can order your own, just in time for Christmas.

I also went to a meeting of the Fashion Business Club and watched Dolly Jones, editor of Vogue.com, interview Glaswegian fashion designer Jonathan Saunders. It was very interesting as his rise has been meteoric, and for me particularly so because he's going to be launching online in the next couple of weeks - and saw online being the answer to young designers not being able to afford their own store.

I'm sure he's right in a way, but I very much hope that his transition (although he'll still be there as well) from the exceptionally safe haven that is http://www.netaporter.com/ to an independent store goes well - getting it right online is not that easy, as many have discovered. Others of course have found huge success.

On my way back to the Westbury for a drink with other like-minded fashion bloggers and in particular Beth and Lisa from TheBeautyQuest I did a quick interview for Travel Mail about the benefits of online versus duty free shopping - all in a days work, don't you know?

Roberto Cavalli Launches Transactional Website.........

I love Roberto Cavalli, the show stopping, sexy, glamourousness of it all and there would be lots of his fabulous creations in my wardrobe if I had my way. So yesterday, when I read these words in Drapers Online I was so happy, really, for all those Cavalli wannabes and followers who love his clothes too, and who now would be able to buy his clothes and accessories online.

So I rushed to the site (as you do) and once I'd got past the question of whether I was visiting the Fashion Site, or the Online Store - and you know which I clicked on - and once I'd got past the film show I arrived at the products, and they're just as covetable, glamorous and lust-worthy as I imagined they would be.

I don't like to scroll along products, I have to admit, but I can't fault the gloriously techinicolour way that you can see everything practically close enough to touch and with lots of different views.

There are, of course, other places you can buy Roberto Cavalli online, such as Net-a-Porter, where I think you can choose more easily although of course they don't have the range. And also the more affordable Just Cavalli brand, from whom I bought a wonderful silk printed black and gold jersey skirt, before my daughter (bless) snaffled it and turned it into a dress, temporarily, she said.....hah! She's been asked so many times if it was designer and of course, she was able to say yes.

Of to London civilisation today from the wilds of Bucks (the dogs, the mud after all that rain) - meeting at the London Fashion Club and with Linda Hemerik US Unlocked. Looking forward to both. Fashion and shopping as subjects of the day, what more could any girl ask for?

I have no doubt that for Cavalli lovers everywhere this site will be a huge hit. I hope it will be, and for every mainstream designer that arrives transactionally online and particularly to this one - here's to you Roberto!

For slightly more prosaic (notice I said 'slightly') evening accessories, checkout our Evening Accessories collection at thesiteguide.com. Is Cavalli included? Well he is now, silly!