Monday 27 January 2014

A Great Cause: Crabtree & Evelyn supports Breast Cancer Care

Crabtree & Evelyn has announced it will be supporting Breast Cancer Care throughout February and March and will be featured on its new Buy it with Love website. Selected products from Crabtree & Evelyn’s Rosewater and Pomegranate, Argan & Grapeseed hand care collections will be available to buy with a £1 donation made for every one of these products sold in-store and online.

These will make perfect gifts for Valentine’s or Mother’s Day. This is a wonderful way to donate and support this great charity - customers get gorgeous products and the charity benefits.  They're hoping to raise £5000.


Friday 24 January 2014

Best of the Sales: Fever London

The Fever London collection is gorgeous - inspired by vintage culture yet still contemporary.  The sale's on at the moment, so there is already 60% off many items, but until Sunday, customers can get an additional 15% off with the code EXTRA15.

My picks of the sale can be found on my main website but I think my favourite is this Farringdon dress in navy which has been reduced from £64.99 to £38.99.  I love its flattering, sharp tailoring with the double breasted buttons and tie waist, meaning its perfect for work, but it's not too formal to be worn as a day dress.  The fabric also is a cobomnation of cotton and elastane, so should fit perfectly and feel great!
Fever London

Thursday 23 January 2014

Caraby Ugg Chelsea Boots from Ugg Australia

The Ugg Australia Winter sale is still on and final reductions mean that there is up to 50% off a range of great quality, comfortable, practical and lovely footwear.

I love Ugg's take on the classic Chelsea boot - especially as it's reduced from £145 to a reasonable £90 (and free delivery) for a high quality, sophisticated style.  I love the embellishments on the side and front which takes it from what could be a boring boot to something a bit more interesting - let the boot be the stand-out piece of one's outfit!  And being Ugg, one knows that they are going to be so comfortable.  Unfortunately, the black has sold out but there are still a few sizes left in the chocolate brown, which I prefer anyway!

Friday 17 January 2014

Footwork & Play Tartan Flat Pumps from Modcloth

Bold patterns are definitely one of the trends for this season, including checked, tartan and plaid patterns.  These patterns can be quite difficult to pull off though, without looking like a Highland fling so I'd recommend choosing just one key piece that flaunts the style.

With that in mind, I've found a lovely pair of tartan flat pumps in the Modcloth sale that can be worn with anything, embrace the trend but not go too over the top!  I'd wear them with a single coloured dress, opaque tights and let the shoes do the talking!  They are 30% off in the sale, so are $68.99 (about £42) and come in US sizes 6 to 8.5 (here's Clarks Shoes size and fit guide).

Monday 13 January 2014

Amy Dress from Hush Homewear

The Hush Homewear sale is now on with lots of bargains on high quality lounge wear, night wear and gorgeous basics to take one from home to town.  I particularly like their range as they choose such amazing, snugly  fabrics such as cashmere, silk, cotton, angora and lambswool which feels as though one is being wrapped in pure luxury.

I love this knitted 'Amy' dress/tunic, made from a gorgeous combination of cotton, silk and cashmere in a really classic and elegant cut.  Easy to wear, layered with a long sleeved top, scarf and skinny jeans or leggings - or thick tights and boots if one is daring enough!  I also like the three-button detailing on the left shoulder which gives it an element of interest and prevents it being a boring shift top.  It's available in black, burgundy, grey marl and my favourite, the marine blue (pictured), and has been reduced from £55 to £40 but it's being snapped up fast, so be quick!

Sunday 12 January 2014

Striped Skirt Skater Dress from AX Paris

I've been keeping half an eye on this season's Celebrity Big Brother - not so much for the actual CBB shenanigans themselves, but more to see what presenter Emma Willis is wearing! I'm really admiring her taste and style at the moment.

I have spotted her wearing a couple of flared skirted skater dresses with a horizontal stripe across the skirt.  The first one was a monochrome one, paired with a gorgeous black coat (allegedly from Hobbs - maybe this Maisie one?) for the winter weather.  I've found a very similar dress at AX Paris on sale for just £14.99 (reduced from £25).  As with all skater dresses, it's a really flattering shape and I'd pair with black tights and ankle boots for a cold weather look.
The other dress I have found is this red and black contrast wetlook stripe skater dress, for a bit more of a colour pop.  Again, it's from AX Paris and is reduced from £35 to £19.99 and it would look great teamed with a black coat, tights and boots to see one through the season in style!

Saturday 11 January 2014

Alpaca Wool Blend V-Neck Cardigan from UNIQLO

UNIQLO can be relied on to produce some great quality wardrobe staples at really good prices.  Knitwear often contains cashmere, merino or alpaca and other clothing uses cutting edge fabrics and technologies.  It also does some great collaborations with designers, such as this recent one with Orla Kiely.

I love this alpaca wool blend cardigan that is soft, light and elegant. Its sleeves and bottom are slightly ribbed, which prevents it from being dull.  It's shape and length means that it can be worn with almost any casual outfit - I'd wear a camisole vest top underneath and team with skinny jeans and ankle boots.

Originally £19.90, which I think is fab value anyway, it's reduced to £14.90 in the sale.  It comes in wine (pictured), cream, light and dark grey, black and green in a variety of sizes.

Uniqlo

Wednesday 8 January 2014

Summer Staple: Copacabana Crochet One Piece Swimsuit from Free People

I can hear you now.  A swimsuit?  In this weather, in winter?  Are you mad?  Maybe, but I have been coveting this item since the summer and, now that it's come down in price, I am tempted to purchase it for summer 2014!

I adore this Lisa Maree crocheted one-piece swimsuit from Free People.  Obviously, it can be worn as a daring swimsuit, with its deep V-neck and crocheted pattern in the front.  But it could also be worn as a summer top, teamed with a sarong or fab maxi skirt to take one from the pool to the bar.   Originally £138 it's now £99.95 and is still available in sizes extra-small to large.

Tuesday 7 January 2014

Beaded Flapper Style Top from Jigsaw

I don't think the 1920's Great Gatsby trend will be going out of style for a while yet - plenty of New Year's Eve parties had it as their theme as far as I can tell!  So it's worth searching out some key pieces in the sales that will take one through season after season.

Jigsaw have been excellent at creating some amazing retro pieces that remain true to the original, whilst still being modern and pretty.  Remember the silk flapper dress epitomising the era?  Unfortunately, it's not on sale any more, but I have found similar versions in a top.  Intricately-embellished with beautiful beadwork and a superior silk camisole lining it will be luxurious and flattering to wear. One can go for the whole 1920's vibe with a swinging skirt and kitten heels, or dress differently with skinny jeans and boots.  Available in grey or antique pink, both of these tops are reduced from £139 to £111 in the sale.

      

Jigsaw

Monday 6 January 2014

Diana Coat from Boden

Amazingly, there are still plenty of items left in the Boden sale and, with up to 70% off, one can't really go wrong!  I'm quite amazed as usually, products in the sale get snapped up really quickly, so there is definitely still time to take advantage.

It is the perfect time to invest in a great quality winter coat and I'm coveting this wool blend 'Diana' coat in a rich ink blue colour. The shape is classic and flattering and will last season after season, without going out of style.  I also love the gorgeous grosgrain trim on the collar and cuffs, to give a pretty, unique embellishment to the coat.  It's been reduced from £179.00 to £152.15 which is 15% off.  Other colours are also available: black, forest green and sandstone, as well as a range of different sizes.

Professional Makeup Brush Set from Catwalk Glamour

I've been searching for a great quality set of make up brushes for ages now, but have found that either the brushes come separately at cost or that the sets are extremely expensive for what one gets.  Or even worse - they are mini which is no good for me!  So I was really pleased to spot this offer from Catwalk Glamour - a 10 piece professional brush set, in a brush roll bag, reduced from £100 to just £35.  It comes with all the brushes one needs in a chic faux crocodile print black patent leather zip case:

  • Powder brush
  • Blush brush
  • Contour brush
  • Foundation brush
  • Blending brush
  • Eye shadow brush
  • Small eye shadow brush
  • Angle eyebrow brush
  • Lip brush
  • Eyebrow comb

The brush hairs are synthetic so they don't absorb liquid formulas as much as natural brush hairs, giving more use out of one's products and a seamless, soft focus finish plus it means they are cruelty free and vegan.  And even better, new customers can save an additional 15% with the code 'SAVE15' taking this down to just £29.75 delivered.  Fantastic value!
Save 15% on your first order

Sunday 5 January 2014

Preppy Colourblock Work Bag from Accessorize

Goodness me!  I have just realised that I haven't featured a bag since October, so I guess it's about time to do so once again.  And where better to focus than the Accessorize sale?  Of course, there are loads of fab bags there - clutches, totes, wallets and satchels - but I've chosen this colourblock work bag, mainly as I went back to work this week!

Smart and structured with a definite 60's vibe, it will be perfect for all those office bits.  The zipped compartments help to contain those additional non-work bits too!  The shoulder strap means it can be carried easily and comfortably to meetings and about town, putting it down with the carry handles.  Perfect!  And even better, it's reduced from £35 to £27 in the sale.

Saturday 4 January 2014

Maryna Kick Dress from Baukjen

Customers can now save up to 60% in the Baukjen sale where the focus is understated, everyday looks women can wear and still look chic and elegant.  The quality of the products is excellent, the styling is classic and each piece is easy to wear for most occasions.

I'm very taken with this Maryna kick dress in a fabulous ink blue, almost purple colour.  Made from a heavyweight jersey fabric with elastane, it will create a gorgeously flattering feminine silhouette with the full skirt balancing out the hips.  It can be worn simply as is or cinch in the waist with a thick leather belt for a lovely hourglass shape.  This colour has been reduced in the sale from £139 to £97; a black version is also available for £111.

Divine Collaboration: Orla Kiely for UNIQLO

Orla Kiely has created a range of colourful, bold print tops for UNIQLO with the idea of a 'happy winter' - never a bad thing!  The collection features v-neck and rollneck t-shirts with a unique HEATTECH fabric, which basically keeps one warm using fancy textile technology.

All of the tops are currently on sale for just £9.90 (reduced from £12.90) and the patterns are new, inspired by nature and haven't been seen before so it's the perfect time to stock up on a fresh, contemporary look.  My favourite is this red, white and black flowered v-neck, long-sleeved t-shirt.  Simple and pretty, it can be thrown over jeans or skirts and used for layering.  If one prefers a rollneck top, I think it would look pretty fab with a simple, black pinafore dress, tights and boots.  And if that isn't enough, the winter sale is on at UNIQLO so there are lots more bargains to be had!

UNIQLO

Friday 3 January 2014

Delightful Dress: Lace Shirt Collar Dress from Yumi

Yumi do the loveliest, cutest and unique dresses and those that are in the sale are no exception.

This black and burgundy contrasting lace dress is really different and interesting.  I think it would be great for work, with the collar creating a pop of colour and a slightly more formal style that would look great in the office.  The lace detail embellishes the front, making it really chic and elegant.  It's reduced from £30 to £21 and is still available in sizes 8 to 16.

Thursday 2 January 2014

Delightful Dress: Louche Hensley Tree Print Dress from Joy the Store

Another day, another sale and today it's Joy the Store.  Again, there are so many gorgeous items available but I thought another lovely dress was highly appropriate!  I particularly like this Louche Hensley tree print dress which has been reduced from £59 to £35 in the sale.  The shimmery, silky pattern is divine and different and the high necked, full-skirted style is classic and refined.  With a hint of elastane, it will fit perfectly, nipping in the waist for a gorgeous, flattering shape.
joy dress

Wednesday 1 January 2014

Best of the Sales: Atterley Road

Atterley Road stocks some gorgeous, designer fashion so it's worth having a look when there is a sale on.  New lines have just been added plus there are further reductions meaning there's now up to 75% off.

On my new site, I've picked out a few of my favourites from Whistles, Filippa K, Day Birger et Mikkelsen and Lamb to name just a few!  But should I have to choose just the one, it would be this Allium B Alexa bead collar dress reduced from £135.00 to £79.00.  A simple navy with a brown contrasting Peter Pan beaded collar means that it is simple yet elegant.  It can be worn for day or night, work or casual - just team with tights and ankle boots for an up-to-date look that works for any occasion!  Contrasting accessories would also look fab with this outfit.
Atterley Road

Big Spot Skirt from Cath Kidston

There's currently up to 30% off in the Cath Kidston sale, with loads of fashion, kids' items, homewear and accessories.  I'm very tempted to stock up on some crafty bits - especially one of the large sewing baskets - and there is so much Christmas stuff left that will be perfect for next year.  But my eye has also been caught by this lovely polka dot red and white flared skirt.  Perfect for almost any casual occasion, the elasticated, cinched waist means it will be easy to wear, flatter and look great.  It's reduced from £35 to £24.
Cath Kidston (UK)