Stand Out From the Crowd this New Year's Eve, with M&S Online Exclusive Partywear

Marks & Spencer’s online exclusive range of party dresses and shoes means women everywhere can find that perfect New Year’s Eve outfit whilst avoiding the busy high street.

With just the click of a mouse women can view stylish dresses in a range of sizes, from petite to plus sizes like the Autograph Occasions Sleeveless Satin Prom Dress.

The newly-launched Autograph Italian Exclusive shoe range offers luxurious leather shoes handcrafted in Italy for £129. With built-in Insolia technology these statement party shoes also provide a more comfortable wear for all-night dancing.

More importantly, by opting for something unavailable in stores, women can reduce the risk of same-outfit embarrassment with other party-goers and snap up something exclusive!

FACTFILE:
• Items available now from www.marksandspencer.com
• Dress sizes vary from 6–22 and shoe sizes vary from 3–7
• Insolia® with Silver Technology keeps feet feeling fresh and makes fashionable high heels comfy by reducing forefoot pressure, improving body alignment and enhancing ankle stability

Don't condemn £1.1bn of unwanted Christmas gifts to the scrapheap!

Recent research commissioned by the British Video Association shows £1.1 billion worth of unwanted gadget gifts could be destined for the scrap heap by the New Year. A staggering sum which aligns with RentMyItems.com commissioned research which showed £2.9 billion had been spent on unused or little used items in the last twelve months.

So... what are you going to do with those unwanted Christmas presents that family and friends have very kindly given you, but you simply have no interest in and will never, or rarely, use them? You feel guilty about giving them away and so they sit in your home gathering dust, or at the back of a cupboard, until one day you find a use for them, dispense of them, or simply forget about them.

The simple www.RentMyItems.com solution to this is to rent them out and give yourself an additional source of much needed income as you start the New Year. With online listings free for all users until the end of March 2012 – there is literally nothing to lose.

So whether it’s a digital organiser, a bread maker, an electronic sudoku machine, a foot spa or a digital photo frame why not visit RentMyItems.com, register as a Rentor for FREE, list your unwanted items for FREE – and make a little bit of extra money to pay for those bills in the New Year!

RentMyItems.com enables you to do this and you can list your items for free until the end of March 2012. The website launched on 19th September, and is seeing its membership and listings grow weekly as it sees the effects that the £2.9bn that was wasted on rarely used items in the UK in the last 12 months* is having on personal finances and the environment. The burgeoning market of Collaborative Consumption is, and will continue to, influence our thinking on renting rather than buying.

Warren Heal, Founder of RentMyItems.com, said, “Most of us feel the pinch after the holiday season and, for this reason, RentMyItems.com is continuing to give users the opportunity to earn some extra cash by renting out presents and household items that they are either not going to use at all or will rarely use. With our online Listings currently free there literally is nothing to lose, plus users might find something on our site that you may have a temporary use for and can save yourself money by not purchasing your own. We are proud that RentMyItems.com has recently been named as one of the 40 best new websites that save you money (WebUser Magazine, December 2011), as it proves our concept helps personal finances in these difficult times”.

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The Taste Of Christmas At Hotel Okura Amsterdam

The 5 star Hotel Okura Amsterdam's culinary team (www.okura.com) at the award winning Serre Restaurant and the hotel's two star Michelin star French restaurant, Ciel Bleu will be preparing their favourite recipes over the festive season. Located on the banks of the Amstel Canal, the hotel currently holds three Michelin stars at its four restaurants and two bars, making it the ultimate place to stay and dine in the heart of the Dutch capital over the Christmas period.

Serre Restaurant takes its inspiration from Ciel Bleu, where the quality and style that the two Michelin starred restaurant is renowned for presenting is delivered with a lighter touch, enabling a wider audience to get acquainted with the essence of Ciel Bleu's cuisine.


Chefs at the two restaurants have put together a selection of special Christmas menus to include "Golden Oyster & Onno's Favourite" at Ciel Bleu and "Smoked salmon with Dutch shrimp, Crème fraiche and Quail egg" at Serre Restaurant.


Guests at the hotel can take advantage of the special Christmas packages for both restaurants. The "Serre restaurant" package offers a one night stay in a superior room with Christmas lunch, breakfast, and late checkout and cost from €190.50 per person, based on double occupancy. Alternatively, the "Ciel Bleu" Christmas package offers a one night stay in an Executive Junior Suite for €342.50 per person based on double occupancy and includes Christmas dinner at Ciel Bleu, room service breakfast, free entrance to the health club and the executive lounge.


Hotel Okura Amsterdam is situated on the edge of the city centre, close to a large number of cultural landmarks. The hotel has 301 luxury rooms, including the most spacious (485 m2) and luxurious suite in the Benelux countries.


Accommodation at Hotel Okura Amsterdam all provide panoramic views over Amsterdam, including 68 rooms located on executive floors, with access to the Executive Lounge and Executive Health Club. Facilities at the hotel include a traditional Japanese sauna & Shiatsu massage; health club and swimming pool.

To  book call Hotel Okura on 0031 6788 300 or visit www.okura.nl

Savings on Christmas Gifts Galore with Latest DiscountVouchers.co.uk Deals

Retail deals website helps consumers save at Marks and Spencer, Debenhams and ASOS this festive season!

Some of the UK's most famous retail names can be had on a budget this Christmas thanks to new deals introduced by voucher codes website DiscountVouchers.co.uk. Among the deals on show from over 800 top name retailers this festive season are new offers redeemable at top name stores Debenhams, ASOS and Marks and Spencer.

Famous department store Debenhams is among the big names available on the DiscountVouchers.co.uk website this Christmas, with deals on show to help people save on cosmetics, clothing and more. Users can log on and get hold of 10% off beauty and fragrance and also up to half price during Christmas mega deals with new Debenhams discount code choices.

Perhaps the country's most famous retailer is Marks and Spencer, and this Christmas DiscountVouchers.co.uk can help UK consumers save there too. Christmas hampers, cosmetics and more can be had with savings thanks to Marks and Spencer voucher codes such as 50% off selected beauty gifts and 25% off selected Christmas hampers, including free delivery.

With the festive social season well underway and people enjoying many parties with friends and family, DiscountVouchers.co.uk is this week home to new ASOS discount deals to help shoppers save on new fashions. Deals available right now include 30% off the ASOS collection and 10% NUS extra student discount.

Doug Scott, managing director of DiscountVouchers.co.uk, commented, “Christmas is always a great time to get hold of bargains on clothing and cosmetics, plus all sorts of gifts too. So naturally we're delighted to be able to help people save on using some great deals from really top name retailers."

DiscountVouchers.co.uk offers consumers money saving deals at major high street brands and specialist retailers, including stores like Tesco, Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury’s, Travelodge, First Choice, lastminute.com and Boden.

For more information visit www.discountvouchers.co.uk

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Alternative Nativity Costumes Proving Popular According To All Fancy Dress

It used to be the case that children would only wear the traditional kinds of costumes for nativity plays, such as Mary, Joseph and the ‘little donkey’. But, according to costume retailer All Fancy Dress, more and more nativity plays are featuring ‘alternative’ costumes.

According to Marketing Director Matt Foden, "Many of our customers are now purchasing alternative nativity costumes for their children. Indeed it’s not unusual for school nativity plays to feature a whole variety of animals nowadays, including penguins, bears, and even giraffes. And whilst the use of such animals may not be ‘historically accurate’ it’s fair to say that it does encourage more diversity and a sense of playfulness and fun. It’s quite a sight to behold such a wide array of fancy dress costumes on display!"

Sales of the more traditional nativity costumes are still strong however, with the most sought after being Mary, Joseph, and an array of different shepherd outfits. The Little Donkey makes an appearance in the top 10 costumes, as do the three kings.

According to Matt, "It’s great to see that schools are widening the range of animals being featured in nativity plays. Many would argue that it goes against the traditions of Christmas, but personally I think it adds a greater sense of colour and fun to the event."

All Fancy Dress is a top supplier of costumes and accessories in the UK. They hold over 3,000 different costumes in stock, and serve the UK and Europe. Orders can be placed online or via their dedicated sales hotline, which offers customers advice on all aspect of fancy dress costumes and accessories. You can find their website at: www.allfancydress.com

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