Halterneck Swimsuit from Marks and Spencer

The Marks and Spencer sale started today and there is up to 50% off many items including clothing, shoes and accessories.  There is also a great selection of swimwear available, so it's a great opportunity to get ready for the coming months in savvy style!

I'm really impressed with the range as there's something for everyone: maternity swimsuits, post-surgery swimsuits, underwired bikini tops for extra support, skirted and regular swimsuits.  For me though, nothing beats a bit of tummy control and, as such, I've picked this pink and white spotty halterneck swimsuit.  Not only is it a gorgeous shape, pattern and colour, it's got a hidden control panel to keep the waist in! Originally £29.50, it's been reduced to £21 in the sale.  Stock on all items is selling out quickly, so it's worth taking a look at everything in the sale soon!

Jaeger Metallic Stripe Breton Jumper from John Lewis

A cute Breton striped shirt or jumper is a classic.  However, I do find that the standard black and white stripe is a bit clichéd and looks a bit like it ought to be paired with a beret and a necklace of onions.  So it's often good to go for something a little different, in varying colours, like this Jaeger jumper available through John Lewis's clearance offers.  I love the sparkly, metallic stripes which are quirky and attractive - but not too obtrusive.  I'd wear it with skinny jeans, a scarf and flat pumps for a chic, Parisian look (without any onions or berets!) but it could be smartened up with a blouse underneath and skirt.  Still available in all sizes (small to extra large), it's been reduced from £120 to £75.

Splendid Skirt: Orla Kiely Alpine Grove Skirt from People Tree

I love People Tree, with its ethical, fair trade ethos and superb, quality products.  For over 20 years, it has partnered with Fair Trade artisans and farmers in the developing world to produce a collection of ethical and eco fashion.  It has always been a pioneer in that field so customers can feel good about purchasing from them!

There are loads of great items in their sale right now, including designers such as Orla Kiely.  I'm really impressed with the sale price of these Alpine Grove cotton midi skirts - they have been reduced from £70 to £28 - a real bargain!  Pair with a simple white t-shirt, cardi and flat sandals for a perfect, chic summer look.  I can't decide whether I prefer the blue or coral - but at that price, I'm tempted by both!

Great Jeans: Pastel Skinny Jeans from A|Wear

I do believe skinny jeans are here to stay and I love the variety of colours that is currently available.  However, pastel is the hue of the season, and I've found a great selection from A|Wear in their sale.  Originally £35, they are now half price at just £17.50.  Colours available are blue (pictured below), pink, white, orange and coral (also pictured below) and they come in sizes 6 to 18, depending on colour.  The blend of cotton with elastane on these skinny jeans means they should fit perfectly and the price means one can get a few to team with a fab top and pumps!

Fantastic Footwear: Lunda Soft Leather Lace Up Brogues from Dune

I've said it before, but I find brogues a bit hit or miss; I prefer ones that are heeled or come in interesting and feminine colours and patterns, otherwise I feel too mannish - even if I'm wearing a dress!  However, sometimes there is a need for something fairly basic, which is why I love these blood orange coloured ones available from Dune.  Team with cropped jeans and a floral blouse, they would look lovely - or wear for work when it starts getting colder again!

Available in sizes 3 to 5 and 8, they've been reduced from £70 to £41.

Splendid Skirt: Maurizia Lace Pencil Skirt from Coast

There's always room for a fab and flattering pencil skirt, especially when it comes in a vibrant, summery colour and gorgeous pattern!  I adore this orange Maurizia lace skirt, available in sizes 8 to 18 in the Coast sale.  The cut is perfect and the slimming band that cinches in the waist will make for a faultless fit.

Team with a neutral, cream top and heels for an elegant, feminine and classic look or be more brave and pair with the matching top.  The skirt has been reduced from £95 to £65.

Splendid Skirt: McGregor Skirt from Fever London

Apologies for the gap in posting - it's been one of those weeks!  But I'm back, checking out the ongoing sales and today I've been perusing the Fever London sale.

This Fever McGregor skirt in a citrus fruit pattern is cheerful and summery. The a-line cut with the belted waist will flatter most shapes and the flared skirt will ensure one is kept cool during hotter days.  Wear with a bright, citrus coloured top and sandals for a chic, effortless daytime look.

The skirt is available in sizes 6 to 18 and has been reduced from £59.99 to £29.99.  In a mainly cotton material with a hint of elastane for a perfect belted fit, this is a great, quality bargain to see one through the summer months.

Splendid Skirt: Rothko Striped Skirt from Great Plains

Great Plains provides modern and stylish fashion for women focusing on comfort, quality and wearability - so a brand that ticks all the boxes in my opinion!  There's clothing, jewellery and handbags and they are currently holding a end of season sale.

A pleated midi skirt is always stylish and versatile, and I love this striped one that's been reduced from £69 to just £24 in the sale.  It comes in the orange, grey and beige shown (or husky/rooster combo on the site) or royal blue, navy and grey (or veronica/aleutian combo).  It could be worn easily for work, paired with a white blouse and heeled courts or dressed down with a dark top, tights and boots.  Being pleated and a modest knee-length, it will skim the hips, and by tucking in one's top and adding a wide belt, it should be really flattering.

Awesome Accessories: Jewellery from Oasis

I haven't done jewellery for a while, so I've been looking at the items that are available in the Oasis clothing summer sale which started today.  There are some really beautiful bargains on offer, so I have picked a few to consider for this post!  It's been hard to pick just a few as well as there is so much gorgeousness, so it's definitely well worth a look at the sale.

The first is this gorgeous butterfly collar necklace which is half price at just £9.  It would look lovely with a simple, cream lace dress (such as the one I blogged about earlier in the month) or a summery, silk vest top and trousers.  In fact, I think it could decorate any simple, neutral outfit to create a pretty ensemble with minimal effort.

Next, I'm impressed with this ultramodern mini square Smartie bracelet pack which is just £5.  The colours are on trend for the season and I love the simplicity of it.  Again, it will brighten up a plain outfit - for the day, a white top, shorts and sandals with these bracelets would look great and in the evening, a chic, black dress would work well.

It's hard to pick which of the earrings in the sale are my favourite, but I think it's these Festival feather drop earrings.  The colours are delicate and summery, as is the feather and small stone style.  These will add a chic, bohemian element to any outfit but I think they're probably more suited to the day.  They are also just £5.

Finally, I've picked out a lovely ring to complete the collection.  This large vintage crystal statement ring will add instant bling to any outfit, but I think this is more of an evening accessory!  Wear with a fitted cocktail dress or sharp suit for fab, flashy style.  It's also half price, at £8.

In addition to the beautiful jewellery on offer in the sale, there are fabulous clothes, bags, shoes and other accessories available.  Much of it will be great for summer, but there is also a lot of items that could see one through autumn and winter, so it's definitely worth checking before things start selling out.

Splendid Skirt: Louche Cindy A-line Skirt from Joy

Say what you like about Victoria Beckham, I don't think it can be denied that she's come a long way from her Spice Girls days and developed into a respected (and in my opinion, talented) fashion designer.  Her dresses are gorgeous, flattering and feminine but unfortunately are out of my price range!

The item from her SS13 collection that I've been coveting is a bright orange a-line skirt.  Victoria's been spotted out and about in this skirt a couple of times now - as part of a suit to give a fashion talk and with a neutral top when out with her daughter.  I love the vivid tangerine orange which is summery bright and cheerful.  And an A-line skirt is always flattering, pulling in the waist and disguising the upper hips and thigh but still flashing enough leg to be fun!

I've found an equivalent skirt from Joy the Store.  Whilst it isn't top-class designer, and it's a cotton blend as opposed to silk and wool, it's still stylish and great quality and is reminiscent of the Victoria Beckham version.  I would pair it with a tucked-in cream or white blouse for simple, sophisticated chic; for day I'd wear flat pumps and switch to some killer heels in the evening.  Available in sizes 8 to 14, it's been reduced from £32 to £20 in the sale.

What are your views on Victoria Beckham as a designer?  Do you think she's a worthy designer whose styles can be emulated?

Delightful Dress: Robinette Dress from Fever London

Fever Designs now have selected items at 30% off, which includes a great selection of summer-ready dresses and accessories.  The store's style is inspired by vintage prints and feminine silhouettes, so they really do have a great selection of products to choose from.

I love the eye-popping brightness of this cowl neck Robinette dress.  The bright blue and almost neon orange contrast perfectly to create a stunning colour palette.  The dress style is retro, beautifully feminine and versatile enough that it can be worn to work, during the day, or dressed up for an evening out.  It's also available in navy and cream, which is a little more conservative but still pretty!  I'd wear this with some peep-toe platform heels and just a bracelet or two to create a really gorgeous, chic outfit.

Normally £69.99, with the discount it's £48.99 and comes in sizes 6 to 18.

What do you think about this dress?  Is the orange and blue too much or is it wonderful?  Or do you prefer the blue version?  Let me know in the comments below!

Fantastic Footwear: Colourblock Points from Boden

There is 20% off selected, new season styles at Boden at the moment and I am coveting these navy blue and coral colourblock pointed shoes.  The flat heel means they will be comfortable to wear, but they are still chic and elegant enough to wear for work or a more formal occasion.  They could also be worn with jeans or a more casual skirt, so totally versatile!

The code Q248 for new season styles works till tonight, so hurry to take advantage!

Awesome Accessories: Eden Cuff from Free People

A gorgeous statement jewellery piece is always an investment and I love a chunky, funky bangle or cuff to enhance and enrich an outfit.  This Eden cuff from online boutique Free People is perfect for that.  I love the colour combination - either gold with orange and blue or gold with blue and yellow.  It nods towards this season's tribal trend, but it also has a hint of Native American style, making it unique and cool.  Originally £158, it's reduced in the sale to £59.95.

Beautiful Bag: Modalu Mandarin Pippa Grab Bag from Masdings

Masdings has just launched its mid season sale, with up to 50% off many designer brands.

This luxurious Pippa three-compartment grab bag from Modalu London has been reduced in the sale; it is simple yet classically elegant.  Made from nubuck leather, it is sumptuous and will add a touch of vintage charm.  It is available in a great range of colours including black, nude, coral and grey (sale prices ranging from £146.25 to £168.75) but I am quite taken with this fab mandarin orange version, which will liven up any outfit.  There are also lots of pockets, zips and compartments, making it ideal for keeping everything organised.  Canny city chic at its best!

Delightful Dress: Tabitha Webb Fashion Targets Breast Cancer Summer Blossom Dress from my-wardrobe.com

I can't help but highlight this pink silk and lace floral shift dress, available from my-wardrobe.com, as it's another Fashion Targets Breast Cancer beauty.  The colour, tangerine blossom print, cut and fabric is luxurious and irresistible; there is nothing about this dress that I don't like - including the fact that 30% of the £285 price tag goes to the charity.  It is perfect for all occasions and will take you seamlessly from day to night.  I suppose my only gripe is that it's not available NOW, only for pre-order, but once ordered, it will be dispatched as soon as it's available.  It can be ordered in sizes 8 - 16.

Fantastic Footwear: Petula Wedge Platform Sandals from Moda in Pelle

Now that the weather seems to be improving, it's all about getting that spring and summer wardrobe sorted and what better way to do that than get a pedicure and invest in some fantastic sandals?

Tribal prints are very current and these orange wedge, ankle strap sandals from Moda in Pelle take the trend in a subtle but lively way.  They'll look great with almost anything and of course, the benefits of wedges over heels is that they're more comfortable and they won't sink into the grass during those garden parties!  They are available in sizes 3 - 7 and are £99.95.

New customers can get 15% off at Moda in Pelle until the 31st May with code NEW15 and existing customers can get 10% off with the code SEASON10 - but that expires today so be quick!