Retail therapy

May 17 2008 by Hannah Davies, The Journal

DISCOUNT 365 is a new fashion and lifestyle website for the family, strangely similar to a designer retail park, except it's online, requiring minimum physical effort. It's perfect for the tired, bargain hunter. New stock from Warehouse, Principles and French Connection arrives every week, with at least 60% off regular retail prices, but you have to be quick to snaffle bargains. This poly-satin poppy print dress by Pink Soda was £50 but is just £24.95 here plus £4 p&p, www.discount365.co.uk

QUIRKY store Gaf, with branches in Tynemouth and Gosforth, has expanded with a ‘Break my Heart’ jewellery range by designer Sarah Claydon: "I give reference to old jewellery, patchwork and religious iconography," she says. This butterfly charm, Perspex telephone and hand-embossed foil leather badge, hanging from a kilt pin is £25; not cheap, but a collectable of the future perhaps? Available at the Tynemouth store, (0191) 258-5600 and online at www.yourgaf.com

CHILDREN’S clothing specialist Verbaudet and the Unicef charity have set themselves something of a target this year, to help vaccinate nearly 90,000 children in the Central African Republic. When buying any of the pieces from this mini tribal influenced collection, from £7, or one of the cute rag dolls, £11, £1 from each item will go towards the programme. Verbaudet caters for two to 12 year olds, www.vertbaudet.co.uk and mail order (0844) 842-0000.

WITH all the fetes and village shows to come with children’s classes to enter, encourage craftiness with kits like these Paper Plate Monsters from the Early Learning Centre, £8; others include Make your own Fairy, Twirl and Paint Sets and there’s a huge selection of no mess Scribbler boards to encourage drawing, writing and ultimately learning to express themselves. Early Learning Centres are within Eldon Square, MetroCentre, The Bridges, Sunderland and Millburngate Centre in Durham, (0871) 231-3511.

WEATHER that’s so changeable makes it difficult to know what to wear; layering has been the only option… until now. Thermal vest pioneer Damart has developed a T-shirt to keep you cool when the temperature rises. It’s made from a non-iron fabric called Ocealis® which expels perspiration through its texture. Ocealis® T-shirts in six colours are available online at www.damart.co.uk or mail order (0871) 882-1111 from £19.99 in sizes 8-26.