#CurvesInBikinis

Photo credit: Swimsuits For All

Today, I came across a fabulous campaign by swimsuit shop Swimsuits For All called Curves in Bikinis. The campaign features the gorgeous Ashley Graham, who became the first plus-sized model to grace the pages of Sports Illustrated when the campaign was published in the magazine's iconic swimsuit issue this month . The campaign aims to encourage women to feel body-confident in a bikini, no matter what their body shape. Although I find the campaign name rather shape-specific, I'm going to go ahead and say that, really, it applies to all body shapes. What great inspiration to grab your favourite bikini (or buy that new one you've been eyeing up) and get to the nearest beach or pool!

In honour of #CurvesInBikinis, here are my favourite bikinis that are available at the moment. Watch this space for the next swimwear post when the Summer collections drop!

Bemsy x

seeitwant.it

p.s. Don't forget to check out the range of swimwear at Swimsuits For All!

10 Ways to Pick Yourself Up

Photo credit unknown

It's that time of year where the days are getting shorter, colder and greyer (in the Northern Hemisphere, at least), so I thought it might be nice to share some ideas on how to pick yourself up when you're feeling a bit down. It's so important that we look after ourselves no matter what time of year it is, so these tips can be used whenever you need them. 

1. Tea fixes everything.

 A good brew can do a world of good. It's something that I often forget, but when I do remember, I always feel loads better after a nice hot cup of tea in my cutest mug. Add a cookie to the mix and things couldn't get much better! If you aren't a fan of normal tea, there are loads of herbal teas to choose from which also do the trick. I love jasmine green tea, and camomile and honey.

Photo credit @charlielanks

2. Listen to music.

There's something about music that can really soothe the mind and soul. Make a playlist of your favourite uplifting or happy songs so that you don't find yourself listening to music that only makes you feel more down. Snuggle up with a blanket, close your eyes, and your toes will be tapping along in no time.

3. Talk to friends.

Venting to a friend can help you process a problem and work out how to solve it, and make you feel better in the process. Chances are, you'll end up having a good laugh too. Smiling releases magical chemicals in your body that make you feel happy, so all in all, you're likely to feel loads better after a good chat with a friend.

4. Snuggle.

A cat. A dog. A teddy. A parent. A boyfriend/girlfriend. A friend. Sometimes all I need is a hug. I don't know what it is, but it just makes me relax and let go.

5. Meditate.

I've read lots about the benefits of meditation and mindfulness, but it wasn't until recently that I actually gave it a go. And boy does it live up to everything I've read! Just ten minutes helps to clear the mind so that you can tackle whatever it is that is getting you down. I use a great app called Headspace which I thoroughly recommend, especially for beginners like me.

6. Get outside.

Even if it's pouring with rain, getting outside and exploring is a great mood lifter. Wrap yourself up in your favourite woolies and throw yourself out the door. It's the getting out that's the most difficult part - once you're out there you'll be so pleased you left the house.

7. Make something.

Whether it's scrapbooking or painting, baking or jewellery-making, getting creative can do a world of good. I have a scrapbook where I draw, paste in gorgeous photos and magazine clippings, and write my favourite quotes, phrases and lyrics. 

Here are some sites to get you going: P.S. I made this - Cupcakes & Cashmere - A Beautiful Mess - A Pair & A Spare - Honestly WTF

8. Read a good book.

Removing yourself from the online world can be really therapeutic. Build a fort with sheets, fill it with cushions and blankets, and grab that book you've been meaning to read.

9. Appreciate nature.

Whether you decide to plant some seeds, buy a cactus or a bunch of flowers, or hug a tree, appreciating nature can really perk you up.

10. Write a to-do list. 

When you're feeling down, it can be difficult to get stuff done. Write a to-do list in a pretty notebook, set yourself a goal for how many you want to tick off that day, and then get started. You'll be amazed at how much better you feel when you can start ticking things off the list!

What do you do to pick yourself up?

Much love, Bemsy x

seeitwant.it

P.S. If you've been feeling down for longer than a few days at a time, it's worth going to visit your doctor.

Alexander Wang x H&M

The Alexander Wang x H&M collection will hit stores on 6th November, and I think it's fair to say that it's one of the most hotly anticipated H&M collaborations so far. I'd put money on it selling out completely in the first day, maybe even within the first few hours! Buying items from these collaborations is notoriously difficult. The website crashes before the collection even launches, and you need to arrive at your local store hours before it even opens to join the queue, with strict purchasing rules. Personally, I prefer trying to get my hands on these sought-after items online. Considering that I find the sales bad enough, H&M on collaboration launch day is far too scary for me, especially since my experience in H&M when the Jimmy Choo collaboration launched (I actually hid in a rack of coats because I couldn't handle the level of crazy that was going on). 

So, what tips do I have for shopping this collection online?

1. Plan what you want to buy beforehand. Work out how much you can spend and then decide exactly which items you want to buy. Check the sizing, and measure yourself to be extra sure. You can return items that don't fit, but it's unlikely there will be any stock left to exchange for a different size. You could also create an account and add your credit card details (see point 3)

2. Refresh! Refresh! Access the website at least 30 minutes before the collection launches and leave it sitting there while you have your breakfast. Start refreshing the page about 5 minutes before. Keep refreshing! The site will almost certainly go down due to the high traffic, but keep refreshing and you might just get in.

3. Act fast. If you're lucky enough to gain access to the site, you'll need to act quickly. The items will sell out fast, and I'm not sure how long items are reserved for when they're in your basket. So select the items and check out as quickly as you can.

Will you be shopping this collection? Good luck if so! And let me know what you bought! You can find my favourites below.

Much love, Bemsy x

Alexander Wang x H&M by emmatje

Bemsy's Guide to Shopping Online: Part 1

Photo: @charlielanks

Running See it, Want it! has made me something of an expert when it comes to locating items in online stores, but it's also made me quite the savvy online shopper. So, I've decided to share some of the things that make online shopping easier, more fun, and cheaper than buying in-store.

1. Do your research

If you're looking for an item from a particular brand, google it before you shell out your hard-earned cash on the first site you find it on. Often, an item may be reduced or part of an offer on one website but not on another. You can use Polyvore to find out who else is selling it, or even ebay.

2. Make the most of voucher code sites

Before I buy anything online, I search for discount codes because I hate that sinking feeling when you realise you could have saved some money on your order, but it's too late to change it. There are loads of discount and voucher code sites, all you need to do is type the name of the store and then "discount code", "voucher code" or just "code" into google and you'll hopefully find a great offer. And don't forget, some online stores allow you to combine multiple codes.

Photo: @seeitwantitofficial

3. Check the returns policy

This is SO important. I only had to make the mistake of not checking once, and now I don't buy anything before I've read what the returns policy is. There is nothing worse than buying an item that you hate or that doesn't fit, and then you find out that you're stuck with it because the returns policy is rubbish! I'd actually go as far as recommending that if the returns policy doesn't seem quite right, you shouldn't place an order.

4. Try items on in-store and then order online

Okay, so I know this sounds a bit odd, but for some brands, it's a great way of saving money. H&M, for example, often have discount codes for their online store but not for their actual stores, and ASOS often runs offers on particular categories such as dresses and coats. 

Do you shop for clothes online?

Bemsy x