Fashion Targets Breast Cancer Checked Dress from Laura Ashley

Laura Ashley is again supporting Fashion Targets Breast Cancer with two beautiful, complementary pieces of which 30% of the proceeds will go to the charity.

The first of the items is this gorgeous checked pink and white dress, gathered at the waist and a flared skirt for maximum flattery. It's 100% cotton so will be super cool for summer and great quality.  Pair with some pale pumps and it's the basis for a quick summer daytime outfit. It's £85 and comes in sizes 8 to 20.

And speaking of pairing, this pink bow neck cardigan is the other item whereby 30% of the proceeds will go to the charity, and it will be perfect with the dress if it gets a little cold!  It's £40 and again, comes in sizes 8 to 20 - but is selling out fast.

In addition, for the Easter weekend, Laura Ashley have 25% off all other fashion (not these items) so it's definitely worth having a look at the site for bargains.

Silver Bells Blazer from Great Plains

There are some nice offers at Great Plains at present and there are loads of gorgeous dresses, tops, trousers coats and more available, all great quality at great prices.

This 'Silver Bells' cobalt blue blazer is perfect for the transitioning months.  It's a perfect blend of cotton with a hint of elastane, so will fit perfectly. And, of course, the cobalt blue is the colour for Spring!  I'd wear it with a simple t-shirt, skinny jeans and pumps for a casual, daytime look, but it could also be worn to the office over a tailored blouse and skirt.  Best yet, it was originally £75 but is just £24 in the sale - a real quality bargain.

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.

Penelope Cross Stitch Jacket from Monsoon

As the weather improves, one needs a coat less and less, but it's still not warm enough to go out without some sort of cover up.  A lovely cardigan or jumper works wonders, but sometimes one needs something a little more structured.

The sale's just started at Monsoon and there are lots of great items with up to 50% off.  They have a selection of cropped, patterned jackets that will work really well for Spring.  I like this cotton-blend blue and burgundy version with floral details and a hippy/folk element.  It would be perfect with jeans and pumps but could equally be thrown over a dress to keep the chill at bay in the evening.  Originally £69, it's half price in the sale and is still available in sizes 8 to 16, 20 and 22.

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!

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!

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.

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.

Nifty Knitwear: Intarsia Jumper from Joules

There's nothing like a cozy jumper as the weather turns and Joules have a fantastic selection at the moment.  My favourite are from the Intarsia collection, which have all sorts of cute animal prints on them.  There's seven different versions for women and it's so hard to choose just one - so I have picked a few that I love the most!  They will all look fab with jeans, perfect for a casual, restful day or a walk in the country.

First up is this navy and white striped jumper with a bluetit motif.  Stripes are always great and the bluetit is unique and makes it really interesting.

Then there's Mr Fox on a sage green background.  Less subtle than the bluetit, I think Mr Fox is sophisticated and suave!

Finally, again a sage green and perfect for Christmas is this duck patterned sweater.  Look!  They have Christmas hats and scarves and everything - so cute!

Other animals are a dog, French hens, a partridge and a Christmas dog.  Simply sweet!  Each of these jumpers is £69.95 but, until the end of today, Joules are offering a discount code as follows:

• AFT20 - £20 off orders over £100
• AFT30 - £30 off orders over £150

Over the Top: Maycroft Trench Coat from Joules

Indeed, one can tell it's a Bank Holiday weekend - it's chucking it down here!  We even had thunder and lightning earlier.... such fun!  So I guess it's time to dig out the waterproofs and see what's new online.

There's some great autumn and wet weather wear new in at Joules.  I love this dark chino trench coat which is perfect for when it's not so cold, but super wet like today.  It's a classic, stylish shape that will never go out of fashion and the colour is just right.  All macs like this need a belt, so that's that box ticked too.  I also like the traditional element of it, with the rain shield on the back, gun patch detail and lapels.  And, as it's Joules, it's got the gorgeous printed lining.  It also comes in green and is available in sizes 8 to 18.

This coat is £129 but, until tomorrow, customers can use code AFT15 which will give £15 off £90+ spends.

While I'm at it, it may be time to invest in some new wellies.  Joules always has a superb selection, but my favourite at the moment are these brown boots with a hare pattern - which, incidentally, will go very well with the trench coat!  The length is great; I prefer longer wellington boots to the short or mid wellies as I feel safer jumping in puddles!  The hare pattern is cute without being too sappy and they are practical.  The price isn't too bad either, being £39.95.  They are available in sizes 3 to 8.

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.

Great Jeans: Hilfiger Denim Sophie Skinny Jeans from Isme

There's still time to take advantage of sales; another one I have spotted is from online catalogue company Isme.  They are offering up to 60% off their branded fashion products and 70% off other items too.

I think these Hilfiger Denim Sophie zip hem skinny jeans are great for the transition into autumn.  The floral pattern is delicate and feminine, but not too much so that it is twee.  I also like the fact that the ankle hems have a zip - makes life that much easier I feel!  They'd work well for summer with light coloured pumps and a vest top or team with ankle boots and a jacket when it starts getting cooler.  They're available in sizes 8 to 16 and are £48 to £52.50 depending on size (reduced from £80).

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!

Splendid Skirt: Denim Skirt from M&Co

I've been searching for a decent denim skirt for a while now - one that's a classic, stylish shape, an indigo colour, a modest length and a good price.  A super skirt like this will work for most daytime occasions, paired with a blouse for a smart/casual look or a simple vest top for a laid-back, easy style. It can be worn with any shoes also - pumps, heels, wedges - but I'm planning on wearing it with a simple t-shirt and my Converse!

I found a lovely one at Boden, but it's pretty much out of stock and is fairly expensive for what you get, even with a 10% discount code.  So I was really pleased to find a similar one at M&Co.  It's a pencil skirt but there is enough give in the fabric and a slight flare to ensure a good, not too tight, stylish fit.  The colour is a perfect indigo blue and the high waist keeps everything in nicely!  It's £24 and comes in sizes 8 to 22.

Until 14th August, new customers can get 20% off at M&Co with the code FIRST20 (making it just £19.20); alternatively, after that, there's 10% off (making it £21.60) for a while for new customers with the code FIRST10.  Delivery is just £1.  So all in all, this makes this skirt a real quality, good-looking bargain!

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!

Wardrobe Staple: White Cotton Blouse

A classic, cotton, white shirt is timeless and versatile.  It can be worn with jeans or shorts in the day, to the office with a suit or pencil skirt or paired with a colourful skirt and jewellery for an elegant evening look.  Essentially, the right one can be mixed and matched with almost anything in one's wardrobe and it will never go out of style!  The main decisions that need to be made are: sleeve length, shape, fit and embellishments.  For this post, I've found three different sleeve lengths but stuck with fairly simple, classic fits and shapes and few embellishments.

The first top that I love is from French Connection, which I've found nearly always has a great selection of good quality, white blouses.  This 'Summer Parade' sleeveless shirt was originally £52, but is just £25 in the sale.  It's perfect for summer, matched with cropped trousers and pumps - and then layer up when it starts to get cooler with a blazer, jeans and patterned scarf.

This cotton, short sleeved Hobbs 'Flagler' shirt is pretty perfect also.  Originally £69, it's now £25 at House of Fraser in sizes 8 and 18 (it's sold out on the Hobbs site itself).  The pleats down the front add an element of interest, without being showy or over the top - ensuring the style remains classic for years to come.  Team with chino shorts and flat sandals for a great, daytime summer look.

Finally, a classic, simple, long sleeved cotton Oxford shirt by Land's End - available from Debenhams.  This shirt will never go out of fashion and can be paired with almost anything - jeans, skirts, shorts.  What about knotting it round the middle and wearing with a floral maxi skirt?  This particular shirt is available in sizes 14 to 20 and currently has 30% off, meaning it's just £20.30.

So take your pick and grab yourself a classic bargain that will last forever!

Over the Top: Boyfriend Blazer from Hush

I've said it before and I'll say it again - one cannot beat a good quality, classic blazer.  It's so versatile, can be worn for day, office or evening (depending on styling) and looks fabulous.

I've been hankering after this cotton fuchsia blazer from Hush for ages now, but at £55 I couldn't really justify the purchase.  But the Hush sale is on - hurrah!  In an unstructured, boyfriend style, it's perfect for throwing over a t-shirt and denim shorts with the sleeves rolled up, for a casual, summer look.  Not only is the style pretty timeless, it's superb quality, being 100% cotton, so should last.  And best of all, it's been reduced in the sale to just £20.  It also comes in cornflower blue and shadow black.

Delightful Dresses: Modcloth Sale

The Modcloth sale is on with up to 50% off some gorgeous, vintage-inspired pieces and, quite frankly, if they're doing a sale, I'm going to find a perfect dress!  There are two types of dress that I have been after.  The first is a retro summer dress, that I could wear to an afternoon, vintage-themed tea party and maybe go for a little dance afterwards at a Lindy Hop club!  I've chosen this 'Head Bow-ver Heels' dress by Knitted Dove which is half price at $58.99 (about £39).  The style and shape, with the empire line waist, is very flattering and the white bow collar is just charming.
The second dress I want is something I can wear to the office and be cool and chic, but also something that I can wear in the day when not in the office.  And I have found two!  The first is this 'Stop and Smell the Hibiscus' shift dress by Tulle Clothing which is half price at $34.99 (about £23).  The navy, fuchsia, coral, red and white floral pattern is subtle but pretty and the collar makes it work well for the office.  The belt is removable, but will flatter the waist brilliantly.
Another dress I would wear to the office, as well as out and about, is this chiffon 'Strolling the Seashore' dress in mint green.  It's a similar style to the above but I love the colour combination and attention to detail.  Again, it's half price at just $24.99 (about £16.50).
So many dresses, so little time!  There are literally thousands of dresses in the sale - as well as other clothing and accessories - so it's a perfect time to grab a real bargain.

Delightful Dress: Ashley Shirt Dress from Baukjen

Shirt dresses are classic, versatile and comfortable.  They can be thrown on and teamed with jeans or leggings, bare legs or with tights and look chic.  I would pick a cotton or cotton blend one and make sure that it has a decent tie waist to really flatter the figure - otherwise one runs the risk of looking like one is wearing an oversized man's shirt.

The Baukjen sale is on and I have found a lovely blue and white striped shirt dress, available in sizes 8 to 16.  It can be dressed up with wedged sandals (I think it would be fab with these Steve Madden ones) or wear with skinny jeans and Converse for an off-duty, casual look.  Originally £109, it's been reduced to just £43.60.