Thursday 10 December 2015

Woman Zone Updates

15 Years down the road and round the bend but not quite over the hill... Our satirical 'Woman Zone' columns first appeared in print in 1999. Those responsible for the rants, raves and ramblings included Shona Prophett, the Bishop, Rosemary, Eddie Elwood, Jordan, Millie May, Agnes and Senga... names that many of you may recognise and characters some of you met.

We like pink!

Take note - we like the big pink ones!

The original concept came about from a development of a project known locally as 'Saltire Satire'. From there, it incorporated 'The Plonkers', our intrepid group of cheap wine-tasters, then finally it grew into what became known simply as the Woman Zone. We didn't do 'knit and natter', we did 'stitch and bitch'. We didn't do year-round diet fads, we did (still do) February flab fight, owing to the nature of that month and it being the shortest of the year. We didn't discuss finances, we beat the cr*p out the budgets and followed a frugal regime about which many can no more than fantasise.

Woman Zone is a light-hearted approach to helping solve all of life's little problems. We have private forums and a chat room where questions can be asked that may not have been asked elsewhere. Whether your tales involve marital bliss and harmony (or not, as the case may be) or an alternative look at health, wealth and sheer frustration, it's a place where almost anything remotely connected to the subject of women - yes, even men - can be discussed. Join us online in the Woman Zone of our frugal forums.

Over the past 15 years the website has drifted, mistaken for all types of things that it isn't: we are not linked to "Woman Zone, the leading UK supplier of post operative mastectomy bras", although we are still receiving their emails! Nor are we linked in any way to sexual enhancement products, clothing stores or lesbian groups. We are simply part of the overall concept that falls under the banner heading of 'Now You Know', which was, and still is, part of NYK Media.

That said, I should also point out that 'NYK' does not stand for New York Knicks, we do not own an international shipping company, Eddie Elwood is not, and never has been, Mr Universe (although Mr Ellwood, himself, did end up becoming involved, at one stage) and Jordan has never been married to Peter Andre.

So now you know a little bit about our history, we are about to bring you some blasts from the past. It may be totally new to you, it may be old rope, whatever it is to you, make the most of it, because this time it's all FREE!

There will be a completely new look brought in for the Woman Zone website, the Woman Zone blog will bring you new material, most of which will be open to comment and the corresponding forums will provide you with the opportunity to interact in real time.

Get into the woman zone

Finally, I am personally inviting you to ' get into the woman zone ' in our forums and have your say. Join us in our daily rants and read the stories of others as they unfold and feel free to share yours. Who knows, you might even find yourself having a laugh. Humour is always on our side so even during those most depressing, sad or lonely times, laughter may be all it takes to help ease your troubles. Finding a like-minded individual within our midst could be your catalyst to a brighter future.

2016 is just around the corner and I hope to see you there!

Published by NYK Media on Woman Zone

Thursday 26 February 2015

Budget Lingerie Giveaway

Since Valentine's Day has been and gone, some may be left wondering if it happened at all. Were there flowers? Were there chocolates? Cards? Fine dining? Lingerie? Jewellery? Or are you still stuck within the jaws of austerity, just grateful to have made it halfway through February without running out of milk, eggs or flour by pancake day?

The (Frugal) Secrets to that Hourglass Figure

Yes, dear blog readers, this is going to be a tale of sorrow and a tale of joy - the sorrow of being skint and overweight, the joy of lingerie on a shoestring budget. You get what you pay for, so 'shoestring' may just possibly be the operative word here!

Are you ready to enter the lurid, alternative underworld of our womanzone? Don your killer (£5) heels and step this way, see if you can become the lucky UK-based recipient of our sexy lingerie giveaway!

It's a 'one size fits all' skimpy wonderland out there and, if you know where to look and you have the grace (or gaul) to attempt to look good in anything, then this one is most definitely for you!

Austerity Rules! Definitely not for the faint-hearted and not for anyone who can't appreciate a bit of a laugh now and again. We're bringing back Eddie while trying to tempt Millie May back into the foray that is the WomanZone.

The age-old question of weight gain and how to prevent it.

Quit eating so much junk - that's the first rule of thumb and, in this blog post, it's also the last. If you want health and fitness, take a jog over to some of my other posts that will be far more relevant. This one is about giving the illusion of the hourglass figure and some of the secrets that a cheapskate may use during their pursuit of their body beautiful. Love what you have and make the most of it for as long as you possibly can.

Mirrors lie!

Few, if any, can look in a mirror and see perfection, that's why we need photographs and that's why digital manipulation of graphics has become so high-tech. Try it yourself - don your ancient yoga gear or even just a pair of cheap leggings and snug-fitting T-shirt. Take a photo (or have someone else take it) and then look at it on screen... you don't need Photoshop Pro for a touch-up job! Try Paint!

Looking Cheap!

With the global markets opening up more and more, currency conversions being almost instant and costing minimal fees and consumerism still continuing to sweep our nations, there has never been a better time to bag a bargain. All too often I hear complaints about failing to support our local markets and rumblings of discontent about cheap imports and foreign goods flooding our markets. Well people, you have to remember that what may appear as a cheap bargain buy to us may represent a week's wages elsewhere. In countries like China, the minimum wage starts at around £25 per week, whereas the British minimum wage is fast approaching ten times that amount! So, spending £25 of Chinese goods could be equated to spending £250 on a similar item, possibly bearing a designer label or big brand name! 'Cheap' is completely relative to location within the world!

Let's Make It!

If you don't fancy a bit of the 'cheap stuff', have you considered going down the DIY route? In its own way, it qualifies as handmade, individually designed and would, otherwise, have cost you a small fortune? No matter what your body shape or size, there's something skimpy, seductive or sexy out there just waiting to be worn and the skimpier it is, the less it will cost to make it. This is womanzone on a shoestring!

What you Need!

One handkerchief sized piece of fabric, approximately 30cm x 30cm

Some old ribbons or shoelaces

Needle and thread

Fabric triangles

Instructions

Fold the square of fabric diagonally and then fold the resulting triangle in half and cut out the four resulting smaller triangles. Alternatively, draw two lines, each from corner to corner diagonally across your square of fabric and use these as guidelines for cutting out the smaller triangles.

The stretchier the fabric, the less of it you will need.

Carefully hem around the edges with either matching or contrasting thread.

To be continued... watch out for part 2.

Join us free in the womanzone of frugal forums to take part in our glam giveaway and/or our extraordinary, online exhibition of fashion on a budget! Our online fashion show is preparing to take centre stage this Spring and we'll be needing a few willing volunteers to show us their wears!

NB: The forums are strictly members only but membership is free. Usual terms and conditions apply.

Budget Lingerie Giveaway

Wednesday 25 February 2015

Budget Lingerie Giveaway

Since Valentine's Day has been and gone, some may be left wondering if it happened at all. Were there flowers? Were there chocolates? Cards? Fine dining? Lingerie? Jewellery? Or are you still stuck within the jaws of austerity, just grateful to have made it halfway through February without running out of milk, eggs or flour by pancake day?

The (Frugal) Secrets to that Hourglass Figure

Yes, dear blog readers, this is going to be a tale of sorrow and a tale of joy - the sorrow of being skint and overweight, the joy of lingerie on a shoestring budget. You get what you pay for, so 'shoestring' may just possibly be the operative word here!

Are you ready to enter the lurid, alternative underworld of our womanzone? Don your killer (£5) heels and step this way, see if you can become the lucky UK-based recipient of our sexy lingerie giveaway!

It's a 'one size fits all' skimpy wonderland out there and, if you know where to look and you have the grace (or gaul) to attempt to look good in anything, then this one is most definitely for you!

Read more about the Budget Lingerie Giveaway

Thursday 5 February 2015

WomanZone

50 Shades of Frugaldom - A short blog post to introduce the forthcoming makeover of our very popular WomanZone, for all things 'women on a budget' who are seeking frugal and affordable fun. Look good, feel good and spend wisely.

Womanzone banner

It's all for fun, a bit of satire with a few sponsors, affiliates and photos plus access to the Woman Zone blog and the all new forums and chat room.

Categories could include:

  • Our very own satirical agony aunt
  • Frugal fashion
  • Frugal fun
  • Frugal fitness
  • Looking good while cooking food
  • Frugal beauty
  • Saving on the housekeeping so we can afford to have fun

 

040215_womanzone01

You get the picture... we're finding the most affordable ways for women to have fun within their own domestic environments, be it partying, wining, dining, dolling up for the fun of it, inviting friends round for cake and coffee or just generally finding ways of enjoying what we have as we follow lives of frugaldom.

Read more about WomanZone here