How to dress professionally on a budget

“Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak.” – Rachel Zoe

The above quote may have been uttered by a celebrity fashion designer, but it is actually incredibly relevant to travel and tourism students.

As the tourism industry is largely customer-facing, employers look for staff who have excellent personal presentation. That’s why ITC enforces a corporate black and white dress code.

Every student is required to wear professional black and white clothing to college, every day. This helps to prepare students for the industry and ensures they always look fantastic for when employers visit campus.

We understand that finding corporate clothing isn’t easy for everyone, which is why we’ve come up with some tips to dress to impress – on a budget. You don’t need designer labels or a lot of money to look fantastic. Here are some ideas to help you update your wardrobe for 2016 at very little cost.

Keep it simple

One mistake many students make is thinking they need a new outfit for every day of the week. In reality, if you buy a few simple, staple pieces, you can easily dress these up with different tops, accessories or jackets.

Staple pieces include a plain black skirt (for women), plain black trousers, a plain black jacket or blazer and black dress shoes. These items will cost you a bit upfront, but once you’ve bought them they should last for years (providing you take good care of them).

Shop second hand

Now that you know what staples you need in your wardrobe, where can you get them for the best price? Believe it or not, many second-hand stores have an excellent variety of corporate clothing. You can pick up some great labels for an absolute bargain!

Just be prepared to do your research and look around a few stores – sometimes it can take a bit of time before you find the perfect outfit in the right size. There are many good second-hand stores in Auckland central, such as Paperbag Princess and The Recycle Boutique.

Ask friends and family

Nearly everyone owns a pair of black trousers and a nice jacket – yet unless they are looking for a new job, they might not ever wear them! You’d be surprised at how many people will be happy for you to raid their wardrobe.

Even better, you could organize a ‘wardrobe swap’ with some of your friends, where everyone brings a few items of clothing they never wear. The idea is you’ll get rid of clothes you no longer like and take home some great new outfits.

Shop online

There are some great online shopping websites which often have amazing sales. There’s just a couple of things to be careful about when ordering online.

Firstly, be sure of your size (it’s a good idea to use a tape measure to be exact) and take note of the website’s shipping prices. You don’t want to be caught out by a large shipping fee!

Do you have any advice for shopping on a budget? Comment below to share your tips with ITC students.

Good luck and happy shopping!

Supermarket Shopping in Denmark

In order to quickly find your feet in your new home country, it is good to know which supermarkets are around and how they differ to supermarkets in Britain. Despite their geographical closeness, there are some distinct differences regarding prices and the selection of produce on offer. Read on to get clued up on these nuances and to help you settle in.


Generally, grocery shopping in Demark is a little more expensive (but not prohibitively so) than in the UK. This is due to the fact that taxes in Denmark are higher, with extra taxes on items such as nuts and alcohol. The latter is actually only a little more expansive than in the UK. Cheap Danish alcohol is similar price-wise to the British stuff and you’ll regret them both in equal proportions the next day. Which makes the Danish stereotype about expensive alcohol rather redundant here.
What I particularly liked about Danish supermarkets were the minimal differences in price between the conventional and organic produce, for the simple reason that I prefer to buy organically grown and farmed fruit, vegetables and meat.

Discount supermarkets

The cheapest supermarkets, of course, are the discount supermarkets. You can find the same German discount supermarkets we have in the UK, Aldi and Lidl, pretty much everywhere in Denmark and the selection is practically the same. When you are feeling a little homesick it’s reassuring to be able to find products from your home country. This is how I was able to get my hands on my much-loved low-fat cheese curd from Lidl. Generally the Danish discount supermarkets have everything that could possibly desire and need on a daily basis. Discount products, branded products, organic and conventional produce are on offer here. Here are some of the discount stores:
Aldi: one of the cheapest chains in Denmark, whose selection is practically the same as that in England.
Lidl: similar to Aldi.
Fakta: an omnipresent Danish chain. The produce at Fakta is generally very cheap.
KIWI: a Norwegian discount supermarket chain.
Netto: one of the most well-known Danish supermarket chains because of its logo.

Normal supermarkets

All supermarkets that don’t fall into the discount category, sell branded goods. But you can also find their own brands, similar to things like 'Everyday Value' and 'Basics'. A simple rule of thumb – the biggest supermarkets and the smallest ones are the most expensive. On the one hand you have chains such as Bilka and on the other hand you have small shops similar to corner shops, like Min købmand.
·Bilka: as well as food and drink you can also find clothes, electronics, tools and sports equipment, to name just a few.
·Irma: not all that cheap, but whoever values quality and exotic products will strike gold here.
·Kvickly: not just for day-to-day essentials but also textiles, kitchen utensils, stationery and much more.
·Min købmand: small branches, similar to your corner shops.
·SuperBrugsen: many branches have a deli and a meat counter. Otherwise you’ll find food and drink here.

Other shops

Every supermarket also offers cosmetics and toiletries, which you can also find in specialised chemists. This is the same with electronics. You can get these in large supermarkets but also in electronics stores. In chemists and health food stores, health-conscious people can find health supplements, spices, tea and the newest superfoods like chia seeds and açai berries.

Matas: Chemist chain. Similar to Boots.
·Helsam: a mixture between a pharmacy and a health food store.
·Lagkagehuset: A far from cheap bakery chain but with fantastic pastries and coffee. Alternatives are the pastries from the discount supermarkets.
·Harald Nyborg: a DIY chain.
·T. Hansen: Here you can find everything to do with cars, as well as bicycles and electronics.
·Elgiganten: the most prominent electricals chain in Denmark.

7 Most Helpful Tips To Keep Your Baby's Skin Healthy!

Babies are born with very gentle and fragile skin. New parents are often concerned about their baby’s skin, which is not surprising. A baby’s skin is very sensitive and he/she may probably develop rashes and allergies if proper skincare is not practiced.

New parents should be extremely careful about their baby’s skin needs and must use products that are natural and free of any chemical additives that may cause harm to the baby’s skin. Why? Well, here’s your answer-

• The skin of a baby is very thin and fragile.
• The newborn baby’s skin needs time to get adjusted to the new environment around him.
• A baby’s skin faces a lot of challenges- think diaper rashes, chemical soaps, and shampoos, etc.
• Babies are prone to skin allergies in the first few months. 

Baby Skin Care:

Do you know a human being has the best skin when he or she is a baby? Proper skincare can ensure that your baby can maintain great skin all his/her life. Here you will learn how to take care of baby skin & we’ve listed some of the best ways to ensure optimum skin health for your precious little one.

1. Bathing:

Parents prefer to bathe their children every day. It is better to use shampoo and soaps which do not cause an allergic reaction to the baby. Wash your baby’s skin with lukewarm water and gentle soap. The room that you use to dry off your baby should be warm and all air conditioners and fans should be switched off to avoid the chill.

Do not try any new product on your baby’s skin. Do not use any antibacterial soaps as they may be too harsh for the sensitive skin of the baby. It is best to wipe the baby using natural cotton and smooth towels to ensure gently take the moisture out of the skin thereby staying away from unexpected scratch.

2. Powdering:

You need to be even more careful while choosing a talcum powder for your baby. Choose products that are designed specifically for babies and avoid using powders that have fragrances and other chemicals as they may irritate the baby’s sensitive skin.

Stay away from powders that contain grains and choose herbal powders, especially for the diaper area. As a rule, it is best if you avoid powdering the diaper area, as it may lead to future complications or infections.

3. Nappies and Diapers:

The diapers that are used for babies are actually helpful for keeping the baby clean and fresh. However, certain diapers may also irritate the baby’s skin and may cause rashes or infections. It is best to change the diaper as soon as you find your baby has ‘used’ it.

If you find that skin is irritated at the diaper area, choose another variety or brand- your baby has a diaper rash. Remember to change your baby’s diaper as soon as he dirties it because letting it stay for too long can cause infections.

While most newborns are prone to rashes, you need to take certain preventive measures and avoid them in the first place. Here are some guidelines you should follow for your newborn baby skincare.

4. Diaper Trouble:

Diaper rashes often occur due to skin irritation due to wet diaper left on for too long, too-tight diapers or due to the use of a specific soap, wipes or diaper.

• Change the diaper as soon as it is wet and after using wipes to clean the area, sprinkle some powder to keep the area dry and clean
• Most baby skin rashes are not a serious problem, but few of them may be a sign of infection and need special care. If you find that the rashes are too serious, visit your pediatrician for better treatment right away

5. Skin Problems:

Generally, lots of babies have birthmarks (areas of skin have a slight discoloration) and this condition is not hereditary. Parents need not worry about birthmarks, as they cause absolutely no harm to the baby and needs no treatment.

• Eczema is a red, itchy rash that may or may not occur in response to a cause. It usually occurs on the baby’s face, elbow, arms or behind knees, chest. If the child’s family experiences with allergies, asthma or atopic dermatitis, the baby may be at risk of getting affected by eczema. Use mild soaps and apply soft amounts of moisturizers
• Some babies also tend to develop acne; however, they are not the same as teenage acne. If the problem persists, visit your pediatrician

6. Dry Skin:

If your baby has dry skin, use a natural moisturizer to keep the skin hydrated, soft and supple. Pure coconut oil is a favorite.

• Avoid bathing your baby too often, as it may sap the vital nutrients from the skin, leaving it dull and dry
• During your baby’s first month, gently sponge her with plain water two or three times a week; this should keep the baby clean while preventing her skin from losing its natural moisture
• Use the best skincare products made especially for babies. Be careful if baby is allergic to any products like bath gels, shampoos, and lotions

7. General Baby Skin Care Tips:

The newborn baby's skin is very delicate and so is their immune system.

• Babies should not be exposed to direct sunlight until they are 6 months old. The tender skin of the baby can be protected with long-sleeved tops, pants, and hats
• Make sure that your little one’s new outfits are clean; it is preferable to wash (and soften) new outfits before your baby wears them
• Prickly heat appears due to sweating, like the armpits, skin folds, neck diaper areas. Loose clothes and cool environment are all you need to treat from prickly heat rashes
• Chemical detergents, talcum powders, and certain baby products can cause skin irritation, rashes, dryness, etc. Stick to using organic products as often as possible to protect your baby’s skin from harmful infections or allergic reactions

I hope our post on baby skincare will make you understand that your baby’s sweet, sensitive skin needs nothing but the best care.

Recommended Articles:

• Top 10 Oils That Are Good For Baby Skin
• 3 Key Benefits Of Using Olive Oil For Babies
• Is It Safe To Use Almond Oil For Massaging A Baby?