Quick Summer Style cheats to update your wardrobe

Keeping up with the spinning wheel of fashion doesn’t have to be a full time job.  Key trends for this summer can be combined with your existing wardrobe through quick additions and easy tweaks. Here’s how to refresh your wardrobe with a few must-have items, hand-picked by the Be Styled UK team…

Sheer Genius

See-through styles are big for summer.  Baring a little flesh under sheer fabric is the perfect way to break up the monotony of a solid item while adding some excitement through interesting panels.  Try it with any item – a classic mini could be worn with a sheer maxi dress overlay, a chiffon blouse with a bright cami worn underneath or a neat vest could benefit from a transparent panel.

Image of a sheer top from Zara

Bold stripes

One of the major print trends for summer is the stripe. Stripes of all sizes and colours have been seen on the catwalks but bold, broad striping in black and white has been the stand-out style for this graphic look.  Accentuate curves with wide stripes across the hips or slim down problem areas with vertical stripes along slim-cut skinny jeans.  Accessories are the easiest way to incorporate this look, so pick up a stripy satchel to stay ahead of the game.

Image of a striped satchel from Top Shop

Modern Florals

This summer, floral prints get a fresh makeover with abstract styles and strong silhouettes turning feminine flowers into edgy works of art.  The Darling floral biker jacket from Asos has all the romance of a traditional floral print, but is updated with dark shadows, a pale lace motif background and the tough luxe factor of a structured biker jacket with zip details. This look is both heavy-duty and feminine, a modern look to replace the delicate, ditsy styles of past seasons.

Image of the Darling floral jacket from Asos

Block heels

The block heel not only offers a comfortable alternative to sky-high heels, but is one of the biggest shoe trends for this summer.  The mid height, chunky heels and directional styling is often seen with strappy details and open toes.  Pair these short, yet stylish numbers with skinny jeans cropped just above the ankle or a structured mini to create a sharp look.

Image of Whistles Block heels

Sixties

The Sixties has swung back into the fashion sphere but this time with a futuristic feel, simple silhouettes, sharp mini’s and mod monochrome.  The most contemporary way to incorporate the new Sixties style is to keep it short with a basic mini dress and a rectangular shape.  Chunky jewellery and platforms will go a long way to translating a Sixties feel with minimum fuss. This two-tone shift dress by Mango gets it just right with a low drop waist, nude top and black bottom.

Image of a two tone dress from Mango

Be Styled UK would like to offer My Nametags readers a 20% discount on all image consultancy bookings. For more information on Be Styled UK services please visit: www.be-styled-uk.com

If you’re interested in learning new tricks with your make-up and updating your look, why not book yourself on to an Armani Make-Up Masterclass at Westfield London for just £29, a £46 discount for My Nametags newsletter readers. For more information, visit: http://armani-make-up-masterclass.eventbrite.co.uk/

Armani make up image

Design your own May Nametag – win a set

Since we launched our new full colour design stickers in February, we’ve had fantastic feedback from you. There are simply hundreds of designs and colours to choose from, so no two nametags need be the same (unless you want them to of course!)

We’ve noticed that the most popular design is the butterfly, followed closely by the football, cupcake, dinosaur, pirate flag and train. Our new strawberry flower has been a hit too!

strawberry flower name tag image

Our funky new patterned backgrounds have struck a chord with you. Pink hearts on purple, white dots on light blue and white waves on blue are the three top favourites. While white, blue, light blue and red are the favourite plain backgrounds.

pirate flag with waves image

So get the colouring pens and paints out and get your child to design a nametag to celebrate the month of May.  One lucky reader will win a set of My Nametags Colour Stickers and a set of Colour Iron-on name labels printed in their own winning design.

Tip: We will scale down your design to the size of a nametag, so please make the drawing A5 size.

All you have to do is to take a clear picture or scan of the design and email it to: sales@mynametags.com or ‘Like’ our My Nametags Facebook page then post your entry on our page.  We will choose the winner on Friday 7 June and they will be notified via email or Facebook. Don’t forget to include your child’s name and age.

Our colour nametags cost £9.95 for a set of 56 (plus £1 p&p on your total order). Just choose either iron-on or stickers. Click here to order.

PS Don’t worry we are still selling our popular, great value classic black and white nametags too!

Budget to announce new childcare costs scheme

The 2013 Budget will announce that from autumn 2015 working families will receive up to £1200 in childcare support. Is this a better solution to current childcare vouchers?

The government’s Children’s Minister, Elizabeth Truss told BBC Radio 4 “This is about giving parents choice. At the moment a lot of parents can’t go out to work because the cost of childcare is prohibitive…We believe in marriage and strong families and in families making choices.”

Cathy Newman, presenter of the Channel 4 News writing for The Telegraph believes this is an offer, “too little, too late”.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/womens-politics/9939701/Budget-2013-David-Camerons-childcare-vouchers-for-working-parents-offer-too-little-too-late.html

Keith Reed, CEO Twins and Multiple Births Association (TAMBA) said “The proposals from the government today are a step in the right direction for our families”.

https://www.tamba.org.uk/get-involved/press-releases

Will these new measures compensate for the changes to the Child Benefit system in January 2013?

Will this benefit the UK economy with more parents returning to work?

Is it fair on taxpayers?

Apprentice tags St Mary’s CE Primary School in Putney

Billy Shephard our apprentice at My Nametags, showed his support for National Apprenticeship Week on Friday by making an appearance at St Mary’s CE Primary School in Putney. He labelled anything and everything he could lay his hands on from the school’s spare uniform, in case of art-room spillages and playground accidents, to school, office and playground equipment with labels personalised for St Mary’s.

Billy, My Nametags apprentice outside St Mary's CE School, Putney

Billy, My Nametags apprentice outside
St Mary’s CE School, Putney

Billy said “I wanted to promote the National Apprenticeship Scheme because an apprenticeship has helped me to gain vital work experience whilst gaining a highly sought after qualification.  It has also given me the skills and confidence needed to be competent within my job role.”

Click here to watch Billy in action at St Mary’s.

Billy-stickering-items-at-school

Billy using My Nametags Colour Stickers
to label spare school uniform

My Nametags took on Billy last year as an apprentice at the head office in Putney.  Throughout this time Billy showed great skill and initiative and is about to gain his customer service qualification.  As well as his training in customer service, Billy also attended a graphic design course; so he is now designing name tags as well as assisting customers and maintaining the smooth running of the office.  We were so taken with Billy’s work ethic and diligence that we have just offered him a permanent contract.

Lars Andersen, Managing Director here at My Nametags said “We think the National Apprenticeship Scheme (NAS) is vital in helping young people to develop their skills and for the opportunity to gain successful employment.  We also believe that the NAS is important for companies like ourselves in finding enthusiastic and hardworking young people.

We would definitely recommend the apprenticeship scheme and will happily be taking on another apprentice in the coming months”.

Image of Apprenticeship Week 11-15 March

National Apprenticeship Week  11-15 March.  For further details about apprenticeship schemes, visit: http://www.apprenticeships.org.uk/

How to use My Nametags Colour Stickers on clothes

We’re very excited about using our new My Nametags Colour Stickers on clothing. “I’ve already got colour stickers,” we hear you say…But these new stickers are different as they will stick to the washing care label in clothes so there’s no need to iron them in. They’re multi-tasking so you can also use them to label equipment like iPod’s, rulers, shoes etc.

Here’s how to label clothingWhere to put My Nametags colour stickers on clothing

1. Stick the colour label firmly on the washing care label or manufacturer’s label (press down on the sticker corners)

2. Do NOT apply directly to the garment/fabric.

3. Wait 24 hours before washing clothes for maximum adhesion. Stickers are washing machine safe (60º C) on clothing washing care labels.

   

My-Nametags-stickers-on-cups

You can also use them to label equipment

   

1. Just like our other stickers you can use these to label any equipment that has a smooth surface like plastic plates and cups, tennis rackets, shoes etc

2. Stick the colour label on a clean dry surface.

3. Wait 24 hours before washing/diswashing the item for maximum adhesion.

4. Stickers are dishwasher-proof and microwave safe.

   

   

FAQs

Q I cut out the care labels as my child finds them itchy. So how do I use these new clothes stickers?

A You can only use our new My Nametags Colour Stickers for clothes on care labels. We still offer full Colour Iron-on Nametags that you can put directly on clothes.

Q I want to hand down clothes to my younger children but I’ve already got iron-on labels on them.

A Call or email My Nametags and we will give you a free set of blank iron-on or sticker labels which you can use to cover up the existing name tag. You can then either use one of our new My Nametags Colour Stickers on the care label or an iron-on one directly on the fabric.

Q I’ve just ordered the new clothes stickers but have some of your old stickers too. How will I know the difference?

A The new clothes stickers will have a full colour design and come in a smaller plastic bag. Our old stickers (for use on equipment only) have a single colour design and come in a larger grip-lock bag.

Any questions please call 0800 3 213 203 / +44 (0)20 8877 0062

or email us: sales@mynametags.com