The Nation Newspaper

Category: Shopping

  • Champagne for class

    Champagne for class

    Champagne ranges  in texture and style, depending on the mix of grapes used, the dosage applied, and the producer. There are extremely light Champagnes, such as those produced by Lanson with each flavour having its unique taste, ensuring that for any occasion  there is a perfect bottle. TONIA ‘DIYAN writes.

    Lanson champagne is one of the few brands, which avoids the malolactic fermentation year on year and for all its styles. This practice retains the freshness and fruitiness of each cuvee’, enabling the wines to keep longer in pleasant lasting aromas and flavours.

    It is brewed in the best champagne tradition. The attraction is on how to retain the captured position in the Nigerian champagne market.

    According to Chief Olatunde Onakoya who has the sole franchise‘ of the product “We are bringing the Lanson champagne back to the consciousness of the Nigerian society, for people who love champagnes to know that Lanson has come back to retain its top place .” he said.

    The price is affordable and it is available in all top choice marts where champagnes are sold across the country.

    It is French classic champagne, first produced in the year 1760, reputed particularly for its vintage. It is one of the oldest champagnes in the world that has been improved and refined over the years.

    It comes in four different flavour styles, all of them universally appreciated. The black label (brut) the rose label, the ivory label and the gold label.

    Each variety has its unique rich taste and appeal suitable for all kinds of occasions. The black label is a non- vintage champagne, with a racy and lingering taste. The aroma gives an impression of vitality with hints of ‘toast’ and honey from a variety of flowers.

    The rose label is a fresh wine with a hint of pink, a beautiful pure colour with aroma of roses and fruits. It is tenderly fresh and one of the most sought- after in the world.

    However, the ivory label is sweet champagne, with the aroma of ripe fruit, cinnamon and honey. While the gold label is a brut vintage wine known for its delicacy and elegance. And is best enjoyed at special meal occasions.

    Champagne generally is the ultimate celebratory drink used to toast newlyweds, applaud achievements, and acknowledge milestones. A large part of its appeal is due to the bubbles that spill forth when the bottle is uncorked. Lanson champagne is considered a mark of sophistication.

  • Get trendy with fashion jewelleries

    Get trendy with fashion jewelleries

    Without too much cash, fashion buffs could get trendy with a good selection of affordable sterling silver jewellery, flashy collectible gemstones, vintage costume jewellery, pearls, wedding jewellery, rhinestone, fierce gold jewellery and swanky bracelets. They are inspired by famous designers for fashionistas who love to be bold.

    Boost your fashion savvy with bling jewellery. It signifies quality at average cost.

    No matter your class and purse, you could get trendy with them.

    They are made of high quality materials such as sterling silver, cubic zirconia simulated diamonds, precious gemstones and south sea shell or freshwater pearls that will suit you.

    Sterling silver jewellery is a popular choice for wedding occasions or bridal party gifts.

    Costume jewellery is mainly used for fashion purposes, opposed to real (precious) jewellery which may contain primary as collectables, keepsakes, or investments.

    There are many types of fashionable jewellery available in the market which is worn on various occasions, depending on choice. They come in metal bangles, bracelets, necklaces, earrings and belts design. You can buy it for various occasions at nominal cost. This is such a big industry that is growing every day with new horizons.

    Fashion jewellery, be it engraved or ethnic, are in high demand these days.

    It is usually made of low cost materials, including base metals, glass, bone, Agate stone, cowries and hemp in place of more valuable materials such as precious metals and gems. These items are usually, but not always, inexpensive, and often flashy. If you select well, you will look unique and stand out at any occasion. They beautiful and affordable and you could always find ways to mix and match them.

    They are often handmade or designed using various tools. Here is a brief detail about various types of fashionable jewellery.

     

    Agate stone jewellery

    These jewelleries are made of semiprecious natural agate stone in various shapes and sizes and assorted colours.

     

    Bone body jewellery

    This is made from animal bone. Polished and processed in different shapes and sizes. It is made into beads of different sizes.

     

    Beaded jewellery, carnelian jewellery or ethnic jewellery is made of glass beads and with metal pendants in different colours. They are mostly handmade.

     

    Why go for bling costume?

    There are many reasons to opt for bling jewellery. It is available in various metals and gives you a change, style and most of all, quality at average cost. Fashion jewellery is good for various occasion including weddings and festivals, so you are not bound to traditional jewellery alone.

     

    Girls fashion jewellery

    Girls are very much conscious towards fashionable jewellery. They always wear bracelets, necklaces, belts and other jewelleries to look attractive during various occasions and regular lifestyle. You can buy hand painted jewellery, ethnic, agate stone, diamond cut, carved bone, beaded jewellery and many other fashion jewelleries from any fashion jewellery store.

    Diamond, gold and silver jewelleries are costly items and you cannot follow the fashion by such huge investments all the time. Fashionable jewellery comes in multiple designs and style, and is made of different materials. It gives you a change from regular jewelleries. Such jewellery is very much famous among the youths. It is obvious, because they like change and cannot afford fashion at big cost. So, it is a right choice for them.

    Teenage girls are no exception to the fashion interest and excitement. What most teenage girls really can’t live without is fashion jewellery,

     

    Bracelets and cuffs

    Bracelets are worn around the wrist. There are various types of bracelets out there such as elastic bracelets, handmade bone stretch bracelet, metal bracelet, folding bracelets among others. Bracelets for men are also available at different shops in elegant designs and shapes.

     

    Necklaces and earrings

    Necklaces come in a variety of designs and shapes such as glass beaded, hanging beads, Agate stone beaded necklace, cowries shell necklace, horn and bone necklace. Generally earrings and necklaces are sold together as a matching set. Colourful patina

    earrings come in a large assortment of colours and sizes. They are very popular, as they go perfect with evening dress or ethnic dresses alike. They are usually available in colourful circular discs and concentric rings.

     

    Bling jewellery is for everyone

    It is available for kids and aged people too. Fashion is not restricted to senior only. Instead, different age people give fashion a new verge. This is such a big industry that is growing every day with new horizons. Fashion is your style, so whoever you are just carry it in your style.

  • Hustle, bustle of shopping for school items

    With a new academic session fast approaching, it is time to shop for school items.

    Buying such items at the beginning of a new academic session can be challenging for parents, particularly the busy ones.

    In a world where many children are struggling with academic overload and growing demands on their time, parents are expected to provide them with the materials to ease their learning.

    Parents can make the best use of this weekend to shop for their children’s’ needs.

    This is the period parents flood shops selling school items to buy things their children need for the new session.

    For prudent management of the funds available, parents should make a list of everything their wards need and work through it; they should tick off items as they buy them.

    Divide your list into two; one part for those items you need to purchase once in a session —schoolbags, scissors, textbooks, cardigan, shoes, uniform and others. The second part should have items that will be replenished during the school year, like notebooks, stationeries and other consumables.

    The list will also ensure you don’t buy more than you need or spend more then you have.

    It is proper for school supplies to be bought before resumption. It saves stress and money. Being ready when it counts matters.Avoid last-minute trips to the stores.

    Endeavour to shop with your children. It is interesting, fun and less stress for you. You are sure to get more comfortable items for them, because they will be opportuned to pick what they want and what suits them most.

    Like everything else, school items have fashion trends. Don’t let your child end up disappointed if all the latest designs are sold out before you get to the market.

    The Nation Shopping spoke to some parents while they were shopping at the Idumota Market, Lagos, during the week.

    Mrs Theresa Omokaro, a housewife, said “I am now doing the last set of shopping for items like stationery and shoes. It was easy getting all items since the prices are still reasonable. I have four children who go to school; I have been able to get uniforms for them. The only problem I have is the branded items such as Hannah Montana lunch box which my children like; it is more expensive. Aside that, I have got everything else.”

    Mrs Latifat Usman , also a housewife, said “I have three children in secondary school and I’m finding it very difficult because of the prices and I am a single parent. Since 2005, I have been taking care of my children on my own since I do not receive any help from their father. So, I have to walk so that I can find prices which will suit my pocket; I have to do lots of walking to find the right places to buy from too. Time is catching up with me since this is the last week of shopping so I have to try to get some bargains on the items I still have to buy for my children.”

    Mrs Elizabeth Otoide, another housewife, said: “I find this shopping harassing because I have to do much searching. However, I have managed to buy the majority of items needed for school. Now, all that is left are the smaller items which I am buying right now. The prices are reasonable, so, it makes it easier to pick up the necessary stuff for my two kids. I will finish my last minute shopping today,” she said.

    Don’t leave it too late to start shopping for essential items for a new term, particularly shoes and uniform. You might end up not getting your choice and the child’s size. Buy items that enhance the school year for students.

    Some school supplies are necessary year after year, no matter what class a child is in. When planning for a new school year, it is safe to invest in Colored pencils, Eraser, Graph paper, Hand sanitizer, Organizer/planner, Pocket dictionary, Public Library card, Scissors for boarding students, Markers, Paper clips, Pens/pencils, Pencil sharpener, Spiral notebook, Tissues, razor blade, etc.

    However, extra supplies will be necessary. Requirements differ from school to school and class to class.

     

    Shopping for school bags and lunch boxes

    When it is time to start a new school year, most kids want a new school bag and lunch box. Therefore, when shopping for a school bag, look for sustainable materials, like leather, wool,or cotton.

    Stainless steel water bottles

    Stainless steel water bottles keep your children free from plastic toxins. They also last a longer time, so these bottles can be used for more than one year. Kid Konserve stores situated in Lagos Island makes some great sustainable lunch kit, with complete recycled organic cotton napkins, cotton lunch bags, stainless steel food containers and drink bottles.

     

    Note books, pens and pencils

    You can purchase these items in bulk, which helps keep the cost down. Pencils and pens either come in wood or plastics. They are of different colours and designs. Each pack cost less than N500

     

    Uniform

    When purchasing school uniform, look for good cotton fabrics, they last longer. The manufacturing of clothing has become a chemical based process, so avoid these harmful chemicals by purchasing natural fabrics.

    Art supplies

    Crayons are one of the school supply staples for young children. Unfortunately, traditional crayons are used mostly in schools today, probably because they are cheaper. The penciled crayon are better but more expensive, they are also higher in quality. They produce a smoother and richer colour when used. When looking for earth friendly markers and highlighters, search for brands that are made of plastic. The Red apple school supply is a store where you can find a variety of earth-friendly art supplies also situated in Lagos Island.

  • Choosing the right photo album

    Photographs preserve memories. So, we have to protect photographs to keep memories alive. The album comes in handy here.

    Photo albums have changed over time. They are purely purposeful picture binders’ for protecting and arranging photographs. They come in black, white, brown, blue, green, pink, natural and multi and are sold for between N2, 500 and N30, 000

    Some albums have plastic slots to insert pictures in while others have nylon or paper slot. There are cheap plastic mini-albums made by Walmart, or heavy leather albums from departmental shops around you.

    The time that passes never comes back. It is an absolute fact, but the presence of photo albums makes the statement partially true. Whenever you visit a place or attend an important occasion, you capture the precious moments with your camera to keep it with you forever. A photo frame or album acts as the best medium through which an individual gets an opportunity to look at his past and relive the moments once again. From childhood to old age, an album is a partner of the individuals throughout life.

    Other types of albums available are; John Jewis, Deva, Kolarz, Artfile, Caroline gardner, Emma Bridgewater, Hello kitty, Aspinal of London, Jan Constantine, Sanderson slip-in photo album, Metropolis suedethe which is 6 by 4 long in size among others

    The saffron diamond heart wedding photo album as its name implies is exclusively a wedding album. It is made with an ivory fabric and it is a thoughtful and long lasting way to celebrate a special day. It is presented in a white box to keep it safe for years to come. It is a lovely gift to give to any newly wedded couple.

    A newly wedded couple, Mr and Mrs. Christopher Okafor were presented the saffron diamond heart wedding photo album at their wedding last weekend, and they have this to say: “I and my wife were given one of the saffron diamond heart wedding photo album as a wedding gift. It is romantic and perfect for us. It is modern too; we don’t like old fashioned and traditional looking albums. I would recommend this album for all newly wedded couple. It is good value for money”

    No matter how small an album is, it can hold as many photographs as possible depending on its size. Do remember to insert photographs as you get them.

    You could recognise each of your photo albums by labeling different titles to them, they should be labeled from the outside in these manners; baby album, toddler album, travel album, family get-togethers, landscapes, cityscapes, candid shots, pet album, Christmas/Holidays album, wedding album, grandchildren’s album, retirement album, etc it’s all about being creative.

    A very creative medium is a series of photographs that tell a story, an album can contain different kinds of photographs and can be labeled as general album. You could also have a theme while going through a pile of old pictures.

    Where you place your albums determines whether it will last long or not. They can be placed on bookshelves, or inside the living room. They can also be displayed proudly on coffee tables. You could use antique pie cabinet to store yours if you like.

    However, the best place for your albums to live is where you spend your social time. Albums in kept in a concealed place can get heat damage .It is best to keep these irreplaceable momentous of your life in your own special area, where you can reach it when you need it.

    In preparing to organise a photo album, gather all photographs into one collection. This doesn’t mean they should be arranged in one book. It means that you should find all loose photos from their various locations around the house and keep them in one central area. Add new ones to this same collection site, whether it is a stack of photo boxes or one large container. Be sure that the container’s substance will not cause the photos to fade or wear in any way. Keeping the pictures in one way will make it easy to find them when you’re ready to organize an album.

    The next thing to do is to select a suitable album. Choose one that will fit with your home’s decor if you like or one with a cover that you simply find attractive. Make sure the plastic photo sleeves will accommodate the size of photo prints that you have. In fact, you may have prints of various sizes, so you may need several different sizes of photo albums. Coordinate their covers or keep them distinct to help interested family members find the set they’re looking for by the album’s cover design or by their labels.

    Arrange the photos in a specific pattern. For many families, chronological order works nicely. That way, you can literally watch the development of a loved one over several years of time. With the person, you can observe changes in styles, trends, fashions, and modes with regards to homes, clothes, automobiles, and other photo props. Or you may decide to arrange your photos by family grouping. In other words, one album can be devoted to your immediate family’s pictures. Another may contain pictures of your more distant relatives, such as uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces, and nephews. Then you may want to create another photo gallery for your co-workers, neighbours, friends, and special relationships.

    Have the habit of giving a photo album gift. Family members who don’t collect pictures or who may not have a camera will appreciate a small, hand-held photo album of precious memories they may have forgotten.

    Pictures are indeed worth a thousand words. Start “writing” your family autobiography today through the collection and organisation of priceless photographs that will tell your family’s story for generations to come.

    There are times when your loved ones are not with you but still you get a chance to see them and feel their presence with the help of photo albums. One of the most memorable moments in an individual’s life is the birth of his child. When a baby is born, the ambience is completely filled with joy. Capturing such a moment is a lifetime memory and hence preserving it carefully is the most important thing. Buying birthday photo albums for preserving the memories related to your first parenthood experience would really be a great decision. In addition to albums for birthdays, Christening photo albums are also available for the infants.

    The birthday photo albums for children, as the name implies, are meant for preserving the memories related to the birthday celebrations of children. With the passage of time, you capture their ‘first-times’, which is one of the most significant phases of the parent’s life. Starting from day one to date, you can record each and every moments related to the birthday celebrations of your child.

    After the birth of the child and before his consecutive birthdays, comes his Christening event. Christening is an occasion when a child is assigned his name which constitutes his unique identity for later stages. To protect the moments of this occasion from getting damaged, a separate category of albums is available that is known as christening albums. The christening photo albums have come in varied designs with simple and sober cover pages that enhance their beauty to a great extent. The cover pages may also contain some sentimental messages specifying the importance of the occasion. However, not only the outer cover, but the inner meaning of the messages engraved within the Christening photo albums is also significant to look for while selecting an album for the purpose.

    Protecting the photographs within birthday photo albums does not only give the parents a chance to remember their loved ones who are not there with them, but they also help the infants go through the moments when they grow up. And this serves to be the most important benefit of preserving the memories of the past times within the birthday or christening photo albums. Just buying an album and putting the photos in a scattered way is not a good way. To keep it protected in a real sense, you should arrange the photographs in a sequence so that the children could cherish and remember those moments accordingly.

  • Shoprite’s shock treatment for customers

    Shoprite’s shock treatment for customers

    Since it came into the country, shoprite, the retailing giant, has assumed a household name. Everyday both the young and the old, long to visit the store to have a feel of what it is to shop there. So, at any point in time, there is a rush at the store, especially at the pay point.

    A customer, Mrs Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha, recalls her ordeal at the store last week as she was treated shabbily by some workers. “By choosing the Ikeja Shoprite, which is nearer home, I reasoned that I would be able to manage my time as the haggling, cheating, rudeness and other pranks associated with open regular markets would be circumvented. The first few weeks proved me right. But not anymore.”

    When a senior colleague, Chido Nwakama, wrote on his Facebook wall, how some of us would queue up to obtain a particular brand of bread, in fact forming a snake like lane, I knew we were on the same radar. I always pick that brand of bread and raisin bread as well, despite the queue, and my protruding tummy- a sign of my being advanced. Outside the country, that is what obtains, everybody queues up to pay at designated points.

    In addition, abroad, there are other points where customers can easily pay if their purchase is below certain amount. But at Shoprite, even if you pick a chewing gum, you have to queue with others who may have loads of purchases to pay for.

    “I was at the store last weekend. After my shopping, and as I was advancing to the pay points, I saw a tilapia and went for it. The price could buy two in the open market, but I went for it anyway because I was managing time. I asked if I could have it sliced and was directed to another point where a tool for such exists. I was told by some workers wearing blue aprons, with the inscription, ‘merchandise ’, to go to other points and I went searching for same. After about 17 minutes of roaming in the expansive cold section of the store trying to locate the optional elusive points, it dawned on me that I could have been given a ‘9ja’ answer.

    “An experience ran through my mind. During my trip to Washington D.C, this summer, I bought some edibles in one of the eateries. They got cold. I walked into another eatery and requested that my edibles be ‘micro waved’. It was done. Free of charge. It was no big deal. Such was the liberal world in the US, despite my being a dudu (black). But why won’t such treatment be obtained in my own country.

    I went looking for the office where I can state my grievances. It’s by choice that I chose Shoprite. What I intended obtaining exists in the open market and sellers would not only cut to satisfaction but would remove the scale and possibly clean up the fish.

    “I located the office behind the pay point. A woman attended to me. After hearing me out, she apologised and explained that actually the tool that could process my request broke down and is being repaired. She took me to the selling point which was my first port of call and requested that my request be done. I handed over the purchase and showed them my receipt. And it was in tandem with the price tag when cross checked.

    “After she left, a woman in white coat suddenly started talking aloud to other obviously junior staff in that section to delay my work, that, that way I won’t be able to come back again, some other time, to them. And their section would be able to sell their own fish.

    “She did not stop at that; she vowed that should anybody come with similar request again, she will personally tell the woman that brought me not to direct such requests again to her section. After over 20 minutes of waiting, my fish was eventually cut. A man packed them in the yellow polythene bag I handed it in and was looking for a newer bag for it, but the woman looked threateningly at him and said he should hand it over to me like that. The yellow polythene that was screaming ‘the lowest price. . .’, instantly became repulsive. I kept my cool and went to another cashier at the pay point and requested for a new polythene bag. He obliged after seeing my receipt. I left for the ladies since l was pressed after being tossed up and down in my condition.

    “At the ladies, the attendants were rolling out toilet papers to intending users. I recalled how in some countries l have been to, toiletries, washing basins with liquid hand soap and hand driers dotted similar malls. Thankfully, I was with my handbag that contained such essentials and dashed in to ease myself. I left the Ikeja Shoprite. And I am yet to return.

    When, I shared my experience with my colleagues, they burst out laughing. I was stunned. I enquired why they laughed simultaneously. They chorused that the only real Shoprite in Nigeria, attempting to maintain the standard is at Lekki. The Ikeja Shoprite is fast losing steam and the one at Surulere is the worst when it comes to customer relations.

    “A colleague recounted that recently at the Ikeja branch, a terrible show down was averted between her and one of the cashiers. How?

    She said: “I picked cornflakes where such were arranged, the price tag read- N999.99. And I picked some, going by my calculation, I was confident that the money with me would be enough to settle the bill for the purchase and other things I have bought.

    When I got to the cashier, the total amount exceeded my estimate and I brought my handset and recalculated and had a different total, I showed the cashier my results. She recalculated, and it was discovered there was error on the cornflakes’ price tag. The machine was fed with N1,450 yet the tags read N999.99. I requested that she deleted the purchase, so I can also return the cornflakes to the shelf, but she said it was not possible, because it has been punched and recorded by the machine. The saving grace was that I had extra money with which I paid for the ‘excess’ unbudgeted money.

    “When she was through with her narration, several others shared how they declined to leave their laptops and some other sensitive personal effects at the check-in counter because the staff manning such posts could not give them guarantee on whatever they leave behind despite being issued tags that are paired with their properties which the staff insisted are not allowed into the mall.

    One even pointed out that, for instance, in the US and South Africa, you get back your cents and other coins after payment, but not here in Nigeria in any of the Shoprite branches. The question is where does the ‘pool’ of coins go? Your guess is as good as mine.”

  • Men’s shirts that speak

    Looking for where to buy shirts? There are many shops to choose from. Some of them are: Twice as Nice Surulere, Konibbles, Ojuelegba, Wrangler Ikeja , Mr Price, Ikeja mall. The shirts are sold at affordable prices.

    When shopping for shirts, so many things should be put into consideration. The size of the buyer, the colour of the shirt, which shirt fits the buyer most, etc.

    Geoffrey Beene satin wrinkle-free dress shirt is sold for N6,600. Ankle shirt with design goes for N8,000. A Calvin Klein men’s polo is sold for N1,300.

    Solid shirts are beneficial in that you can wear virtually any tie with them but patterned shirts are a bit more difficult to match with ties.

    A shirt can be made with the best materials and by the best designer but it would not worth much if it doesn’t fit properly. It should closely follow the shape of your upper body, while still allowing you to cross your arms without it pulling at the shoulder.

    Shirts can be made out of different types of fabrics such as; polyester, silk, wool, bamboo and the most popular of all is cotton which was the first fabric to be used in the production of shirts.

    Shirt is one of the world’s oldest garments discovered by Flinders Petrie. It is a “highly sophisticated” linen design from a first dynasty Egyptian tomb at Tarkan.

    The trend is changing, and new shirts are produced more ranging from their different types, like the TM lewin design, Academy design, Atmosphere design , Harris and Curtis design and the Ralph Lauren design.

    Other major designers you should look out for when shopping are Ovadia and sons, Paul Smith London, Versace collection, Burberry London

    They are commonly worn these days, they are appropriate to wear to the office and other events. Dress shirts can be worn at any time when the situation calls for something that is more than simple or casual.

    However, bear in mind that these garments may be on the high side if you shop for a particular top designer.

    In some stores where shirts are sold, you might end up looking for dress shirts made by an unknown designer, which may make the shirt cheaper.

    Also, depending on the popularity of the store, if the price is too high, you may be able to bargain to some extent and get the known brands cheaper than their usual prices.