Anna Scholz Cowl Colour Block Dress from Simply Be

I have just rediscovered Simply Be, a plus-size (12 - 32) store with a fabulous range of clothing, shoes and accessories. They have great basics at decent prices as well as on-trend, flattering pieces that can't be found elsewhere. I like it especially as the clothes have been designed for larger ladies, so customers can be confident that they should fit well and look good.

They have just started their online sale today (in store starts tomorrow) and there are some amazing items on offer. I will be purchasing this amazing cowl necked colour block dress by the designer Anna Scholz.  The colours and patterns are simply divine.  The cut and fabric composition, with a hint of elastane, will ensure the style is super-flattering to emphasise those feminine curves. I'd mainly wear this with heels for an evening out, but I do think one could get away with it for a lovely lunch out or other daytime event.  It's still available in sizes 20 to 32 and has been reduced from £70 to just £33!

As well as the sale, Simply Be has an ongoing code of 10% off for new customers, which is CQHC5.

Missy Cat Print Collar Dress from People Tree

I've said it before and I'll say it again, People Tree is a great store with an admirable ethical ethos and customers should be proud to shop there! Their new collection is out for Spring and Summer and customers can take advantage of the code ECOLOVE, which gives 10% off until 30th March.

I love this pussy cat patterned shift dress, with capped sleeves and a Peter Pan collar.  It's very 1960's retro, and I love the kooky geometric cat print!  It will be incredibly comfortable and cool to wear, being 100% high quality, organic cotton. It can be worn with opaque tights and black boots to channel the 60's or wear with wedged sandals for a simple Spring look. It's £75 normally, but with the discount is £67.50 and there's free UK delivery (or just £5 for international delivery).

Alternatively, customers can get £30 off when they spend more than £150 with discount voucher code LOVEPT30, if there are other items on the site that need purchasing...!  This is valid until 27th March.

Geometric Print Tube Skirt from House of Holland

I love the House of Holland collection, with its 1980s inspired, bold patterns and styles.  The collection is available on its own website, but also can be found in other stores such as Debenhams and Urban Outfitters.

I spotted this patchwork tube pencil skirt on Pinterest and love it.  Its a perfect pencil skirt, with its edgy, geometric pattern, superb midi length and high-waisted, stretch jersey fit.  Wear with a black t-shirt and ankle boots for a great, urban look.

It's £90 on the House of Holland site, but this fantastic skirt is also available at Urban Outfitters who are offering 15% off until 23rd March with the code MIAMI15 making it £76.50.

Best of the Sales: Van Mildert

Van Mildert stocks some fantastic, designer brands and so when there's a sale, it's definitely worth having a look!  I was simply perusing and noticed that it sells one of my favourite designers, Vivienne Westwood, and lots of her pieces are in the sale with a hefty discount.

I've put a few of my choice pickings on the new site, but my absolute favourite is this Anglomania Sea Monster tartan pencil skirt.  It's got the plaid trend all sewn up but the zany sea monster, hearts and stars pattern makes it edgy and fun.  And of course, a pencil skirt is always flattering and gorgeous.  Team with killer black heels, a black top and funky jewellery and look amazing.  And to top it off, the skirt is on sale with 40% off its RRP of £249 - it's down to £150.

Splendid Skirt: Doctor Who Van Gogh TARDIS Contour Skirt from Hot Topic

I've written about Hot Topic before, which is an American website that stocks current, fun and funky trends that can't be easily found elsewhere.

I adore this Doctor Who TARDIS skirt.  Hip hugging and edgy, it's perfect for an evening out at the pub if one is daring enough!  Combine with some Doc Marten boots or similar, t-shirt and leather jacket for a bold, urban look.

Available in sizes extra-small to extra-large, it's just $22.50 (about £14) but there's currently a 30% off flash promotion with the code 30OFF.

Splendid Skirt: Fearne Cotton Printed Mini Skirt from Very.co.uk

I got an email from Very.co.uk that Fearne Cotton has her new Autumn and Winter range out now and it looks quite nice.  Her collection is described as girlie, with a cool edge, and that's just what one gets!  However, I also noticed that there's a sale on the site, with up to 60% off, and I spotted this fab black, red and cream printed mini skirt from Fearne's (presumably SS13) collection.  I like this skirt particularly as it is chic and modern, but also versatile - it could be worn as a simple every day outfit or I reckon one could get away with it for work!  The pattern's great too, with a hint towards this season's tartan trend without going overboard.  It's a cotton/elastane blend, with a mock wrap front, so should fit and flatter very well.  It's on sale, reduced from £25 to £15 and is still available in sizes 14 to 18.

Awesome Accessories: Pegasus Scarf from Warehouse

Whatever the weather, a scarf is always a simple but elegant accessory to any outfit.  It can, in fact, replace jewellery to become the focus for any ensemble.  It also is a great way of keeping the breeze at bay in warmer months; it may be too hot to wear a jacket or cardi but too chilly to wear nothing, and a scarf fits the bill nicely.  

As a rule of thumb, I tend to wear patterned scarves with plain coloured clothing and singel coloured scarves with patterned outfits.  However, I have started to throw away the rule book in this respect and have been wearing patterns with patterns - shock!  I think this works best with two colours on the scarf, with at least one being fairly neutral like black or white.  So this gorgeous Pegasus scarf from Warehouse is perfect.  I'd wear it with a brighter outfit, but it would, in fact go with almost any colour combination.  And who can resist the power of Pegasus; he's been a favourite of mine since I was a little girl!  And for a limited time, there's 20% off with the code STYLE20 on all full-priced items on the site.  I think this one will be gone quickly, so snap it up while you can!

Delightful Dress: Cream Tea Tunic from Dorothy Perkins

There are many great offers on the Dorothy Perkins website right now.  There's up to 30% off denim, a 20% student discount, special offers plus lots still available in the sale.

I've found this fantastically patterned tunic dress in the sale.  The shape is perfectly stylish and flattering, with a belt to cinch in one's waist and feminine capped sleeves.  It can be worn as a summer dress with some simple sandals, or as a tunic with leggings and jeans.  But it's the fabric's print that really stands out for me.  It's so unusual and pretty, with a nostalgic vintage flavour.  It brings to mind - for me - ladies enjoying a picnic (as opposed to a cream tea, as the dress is named).  This dress comes in small/medium and medium large and is reduced from £22 to £17.60.

Fantastic Footwear: Limited Edition High Heel Platform Court Shoes from Marks & Spencer

The Marks and Spencer summer sale just launched today, with up to 50% off loads of items.  It's a really good time to stock up on some good quality basics, but they also have some really nice, on trend pieces that will jazz up anyone's wardrobe!

These black and white limited edition platform court shoes are a great way to wear the leopard print trend in a subtle way.  They are really versatile and I feel could be worn in the day or evening.  I think they would look totally amazing though with neon or really bright colours - either a fantastic pencil skirt or some accessories.  The heel's quite high (about 10cm) but not too high, so they should be fine to walk in!  Just £9 (reduced from £19.50), they're still available in sizes 3 to 8, including half sizes.

Nifty Knitwear: Mantaray Bird Jumper from Debenhams

Discount voucher codes are nearly always time-limited so it is worth keeping an eye out as to what's available and shopping accordingly to ensure the savviest savings.  I apologise that I'm not able to keep my voucher page updated as often as I would like but I do do my best, I promise!  Right now, Debenhams are offering 10% off orders for 48 hours only - so that's today (19th) and tomorrow (20th August) - with the code BC66, so it's definitely worth having a look to see what they've got.

There are a lot of new season products, and I really like this grey bird print jumper by Mantaray.  It's got a lovely blend of materials, including cotton and angora, to make it super soft, warm and cuddly.  Pair with jeans for a casual, daytime look for autumn - but I also think it could be worn to a less than formal day at work, paired with a smart skirt or trousers.  And look how happy the model looks with the jumper - she's super chuffed!  It's available in sizes 8 to 20 and is £38 or £34.20 with the discount.

Fantastic Footwear: Pointy Leopard Courts from Goddiva

It doesn't seem to me as though the trend ever really left, but it appears a key pattern for this autumn and winter is leopard print.  It may invoke images of bored, rich housewives of Beverley Hills or even a throwback to the 1980's, but it was spotted on the AW13 catwalks of Diane von Furstenberg, DKNY and Burberry Prorsum.

The key with this pattern is to keep it simple, elegant and as untacky as possible!  One key piece is all that's needed - for example, a bag, jacket or shoes.  And shoes are what I have found, from online fashion store Goddiva.   These leopard print court shoes are sophisticated yet sexy.  They would look amazing for an evening out, with a black pencil skirt and top or dress.

New customers can get 15% off their first order by signing up to the Goddiva newsletter, meaning that these shoes can be bought for £28.90 (instead of £34).

Delightful Dress: AX Paris Comic Midi Dress from USC

The comic print trend is still very much en vogue and there are loads of fabulous patterns and styles available.  I've already spotted this brilliant pencil skirt, which I like for its quirkiness and idiosyncrasy and I do love a man in a Superman t-shirt....

But I want more!  And so it shall be.  I have been coveting this AX Paris comic print midi dress from USC for ages now but it's been full price the whole time.  However, it's now on sale - originally £22, it's reduced to just £15.  It will be so easy to wear - simply team with a pair of black patent heels and heads will turn!  This body con dress will really show off one's feminine silhouette - the elastane means it should hold everything in, so don't be scared!  Channel your inner superhero and fly away in style!

Splendid Skirt: Peridot London Hopkins Wrap Leather Pencil Skirt from My-Wardrobe.com

It seems a new trend for AW13 is the asymmetrical, jagged edged wrap skirt.  They've been spotted on the catwalks of all sorts of designers including Prada, Band of Outsiders, Emporio Armani, Salvatore Ferragamo and Acne, so definitely a popular style for the season!  Plain, patterned, neutral and colourful - anything goes as long as it's a wrap.

These skirts are actually very versatile.  A funky, geometric patterned one could be paired with a plain t-shirt for an offbeat, casual look.  Or team a dark, plain one with a blazer and classic white blouse for a chic, office look.  Choose a floral one and pair with a light summer top for an ethereal, delicate look.  Or match the skirt and top for an elegant, evening look.

My favourite that I have found, however, is this fantastic, Hopkins leather one by Peridot London, available on the My-Wardrobe.com site.   It would be pretty much perfect for any occasion, teamed with the right pieces and accessories.  I'd wear it with a white top, but then pair with killer neon heels and jewellery for a really stunning look.

It's brand new, so no discounts or sales and it's £370 - but it's a quality, timeless, investment piece.  My-Wardrobe.com are offering free worldwide delivery until the end of the month with the code GLOBALSHIP so that's something at least!

Summer Staple: Raoul Piped Geometric Print Silk Shorts from My-Wardrobe.com

During the summer sales is the perfect time to stock up on shorts, which are classic, practical and will last year after year!  I've found some fun, cheap ones at Boohoo.com and now I'm focusing on some gorgeous designer ones from My-Wardrobe.com.  These green, abstract patterned silk shorts by Raoul are divine.  They can be worn to the office with a crisp white shirt and posh, wedged sandals but equally can be teamed with a simple t-shirt and pumps for everyday casual.  Originally £185, they've been reduced to £92 in the sale.  And until midnight tomorrow, there's an extra 25% off with the code SALEEXTRA25 - bonus!

Delightful Dress: Tribal Print Body Con Midi Dress from Izabel London

There are so many gorgeous dresses at the moment at Izabel London and I have been hard pressed to pick just one!  I have gone for an ethnic print bodycon midi dress for something a little different to usual.  It's on trend, glamourous and the fitted, stretch fabric should hold any loose bits in nicely!  I find that a midi length on a dress and skirt is very flattering.  I especially like this pattern for the colours which are pretty and subtle but which still manage to convey tribal style.

This dress is only £18, but there are a couple of voucher codes for Izabel London which are valid until the end of the month - 12% off with code 12IZABEL (all orders) or 15% with code 15IZA40 (if you spend over £40).  They're also offering free standard delivery on orders over £20.

Fantastic Footwear: Miista Galaxy Oxford Brogues from Free People

Brogues have been a fashion trend for women for a couple of years now.  Since then, they've evolved from a basic flat shoe, found in simple brown or black, to one that can be found in all manner of patterns, colours and heel heights.  They are practical and comfortable, and a great alternative to a ballet pump.  Unless one is deliberately going for a mannish style, they work best when paired with more feminine outfits such as a floral tea dress, pretty skirt or cropped trousers.

I think these Galaxy Oxford brogues from online boutique Free People are a great version of the trend.  The fact that they're pastel and patterned counteracts the absolute masculinity of the traditional style; this means that they will balance well with most outfits, even if they aren't super-feminine.  So I'd not only wear them with skirts and dresses, but jeans too.  These shoes are leather and great quality, and were £158 - but have been reduced in the sale to £99.95 (with free shipping) and are the cheapest I can find on UK sites online.

What do you think about brogues?  Too mannish, or a practical, trendy and comfortable way to get through the day?  Let me know in the comments below!

Delightful Dress: Floaty Geometric Maxi Dress from Apricot Clothing

Hurrah!  The sun is out and it's nearly the weekend so it's time to break out the sundresses!  A good maxi is a must and until 10am on Monday, Apricot Clothing are offering 20% off all of their maxi dresses.

There's a great selection but my favourite is this floaty geometric patterned one which comes in coral (shown), aqua, black or blue.  Feminine and pretty, the style will suit any shape.  The v-neck will flatter the upper body, the elasticated waistband will define the middle area and the skirt will flow over the legs, creating a fantastic silhouette.  The pattern is delicate and subtle but still interesting.

Normally £32, it's £25.60 with the discount and comes in sizes 8 to 14.

Splendid Skirt: Louche Larry Monochrome Pencil Skirt from Joy

Now this is more monochrome but with a difference!  This black and white graphic print pencil skirt from Joy the Store reminds me of an optical illusion by MC Escher, creating a unique, three-dimensional and fabulous effect.  As ever, the pencil skirt style is perfect for most women's shapes and sizes, with the fabric being slightly stretchy for a great fit.

This skirt would be lovely for the office, with a smart shirt and shoes but it could be dressed up for the evening too with some brightly coloured heels and accessories.  One could perhaps even combine this skirt with the current neon trend to make a real fashion statement - I think that would look amazing!

Joy have an ongoing offer of 10% off first orders when customers sign up to their newsletter, so instead of £35, the skirt can be bought for £31.50.

Splendid Skirt: Print Jersey Ruched Pencil Skirt from Anna Scholz

Pencil skirts are just amazing in that they suit nearly every body shape and look fabulous dressed up or down!  There are so many amazing styles, materials and patterns available that one is really spoilt for choice and it's great to see what's available that looks great.

Anna Scholz designs high-end, plus-size clothing and has a superb collection at the moment.  Even better, for the Bank Holiday, customers can get 25% off full-priced items with the code LE25 (until 28th May).  So I've found this fantastic pencil skirt in a geometric 'crystal maze' print. I love the pattern and colour combination and the fact that it's lined with front and back panels mean there will be a flattering drape across the figure without clinging to the hips.  It's also got a touch of spandex, so it won't be difficult to move in!

Normally, it's £125, but with the discount voucher code this is reduced to £93.75.  It comes in sizes 22 to 28.

Splendid Skirt: Naomi Flocked Aztec Skater Skirt from Boohoo.com

Congratulations to Boohoo, who have just won 'Best Online Retailer' in ITV's Lorraine's High Street Fashion Awards 2013.  To celebrate, they are offering 15% off everything online till 27th May with code OFFER15, so a good time to take advantage!

This Aztec patterned skater skirt combines three key trends of SS13 - the tribal-inspired print, pastels and the skirt style - in an understated, pretty and chic manner.  Perfect for warmer months, it will look great combined with a simple white t-shirt or vest top and sandal wedges.  Normally just £20, it's £17 with the discount and comes in sizes 8 to 14.