Everyday Leather Shopper Bag from Boden

I'm still loving that candy pink that's on trend this season and I've found some gorgeous ways to embrace this style subtlety on the Boden website - with a discount!  The code U008 will work to get 20% off selected items, plus free delivery and returns.

First, there's this everyday leather shopper bag.  It's a perfect size, a perfect colour and with neat compartments to store all one's bits and pieces.  Originally £110, it's currently £88 and an easy way to wear pink with style.

And why not team it with this card holder? Originally £15, it's just £12 and a perfect way to store one's cards and passes.

Both items also come in green, blue and silver.

Alexander McQueen Satin Knuckleduster Box Clutch from Covetique

I've just found UK online store Covetique which buys and sells pre-owned designer clothes and accessories.  Customers can sell their items - and they collect free of charge - or buy them at a discount from the site.  Brands featured include Chanel, Christian Louboutin, Hermès, Jimmy Choo and Burberry, with up to 90% off.  Being preowned, items won't be necessarily perfect but the site make the condition of the product very clear.

Being pre-owned, items will be one-offs and specific sizes, but it's definitely worth having a look at the gorgeous items available.  I love this Alexander McQueen box clutch with its knuckleduster ring detail.  On first impression, it's quite subtle but then one spots the jewelled skull detail and delicate Swarovski crystals to give extra edge and elegance.

The original RRP for this is £1,165 but is £550 from Covetique.

Costella adele Miami Handbag from Bottica

I suspect this is more of a clutch than a handbag, but how fabulous is this adele Miami bag by Costella?  The neon colours are amazing, and it will look great with almost any outfit, day or night.  It's superior quality, being handmade in Los Angeles from lambskin with a waterproof lining.  It's also limited edition - there's only three left!  Totally an investment piece at £104 - although you could make an offer.  It's available from online site Bottica, and new customers can sign up to get £30 off their first order, so even better!  Gorgeous.

Beautiful Bag: Jayne Colour Block Clutch Bag from Boohoo.com

One can never have too many bags and there's a great selection at great prices on the Boohoo.com website.

I really like these Jayne colour block clutch bags.  They are a good size for a clutch, being large enough to carry all of one's essentials, but without being too massive.  They come in a fab range of colours - I really love the bright yellow pictured below, but there's also pink, black and white.  The bright ones will look great with a neutral or black outfit for that burst of colour and the monochrome ones will look sophisticated with any outfit.  Just £16 normally, customers can get an extra 10% off at Boohoo.com till tomorrow with the code 10UK.

Awesome Accessories: Lowie Cloche Hat & Tote Handbag from Rock My Vintage

In my opinion, vintage-inspired fashion will never go out of style which is why buying such items will always be a canny and savvy way to shop!  They can be mixed and matched easily - so one can go for the full retro vibe to channel whichever era one wants, or pick a few key pieces to add a vintage twist to a modern look!

Online store Rock my Vintage specialises in both original and inspired vintage dresses and accessories. The boutique offers a great selection of dresses, handbags, jewellery, belts, scarves and headwear.  There are loads of items in their sale right now, including some amazing dresses, but I'm focusing on the accessories today.

I love this hand-knitted Lowie cloche hat which is perfect for autumn and winter, when the weather starts to cool.  It takes me back to the Twenties - very Gatsby, I feel!  The ribbon is very cute and adds an element of interest, to prevent this from just being a simple woolen hat.  It comes in cream (pictured), red and cobalt blue and has been reduced from £40 to just £16.

I have also found this wonderful nude tote handbag which I think would work well with the 1920's, retro look - although it's also got a 1960's feel about it!  Mix and match of eras?  This would work well for all daytime occasions; the site suggests weddings and the races - August Bank Holiday at Goodwood anyone?  It's a great, versatile handbag and has been reduced from £75 to £45.

As these are sale items, voucher codes shouldn't apply but it's worth noting that Rock My Vintage do have an ongoing code (till the end of the year) for 8% off if customers fancy any of their full-priced items!

Divine Collaboration: Issa for Banana Republic

Banana Republic have just launched a fab collaboration with Issa, a designer label best known for developing gorgeous jersey wrap dresses worn by fashionistas such as Kate Middleton and Nicole Richie.  In keeping with Banana Republic heritage, the designs are inspired by safari - so think leopard print, zebra print and tropical colours.  Launched just yesterday, its popularity means that the range is selling out fast - so do have a look!

My favourite pieces are the dresses and this zebra print, ponte dress is excellent.  The fit and flare style is flattering and elegant, and the style and pattern means it's perfect for any occasion in the summer.  The neutral colours mean that it can be paired with a colourful bag and sandal wedges and look gorgeous!  It's £85 and is still available in sizes 4, 6 and 12 to 18.

I also love this tan and brown leather envelope clutch bag - which would also go with the dress and be perfect for the office!  It's £79.50 but the quality is amazing, the style is classic and it will last season after season.

As ever, new customers can get 15% off purchases just by signing up to the email mailing list, so do take advantage.

Beautiful Bag: Patent Clutch from Banana Republic

I love Banana Republic for its great value, quality wardrobe staples, its amazing collaborations with some fab designers and also the fact that they frequently offer discounts, so it's often easy to pick up a good deal.

They are also having a sale at the moment and I've found this bargaintastic mint green patent clutch, which has been reduced from £49.50 to just £14.99.  Perfect for day or night, it's simple and and sophisticated and will go with almost any outfit!  It's also available in an orange 'autumn leaf' colour.

The Look for Less: House of Fraser Sale

The House of Fraser sale is still on, with lots of lovely bargains on gorgeous designer fashion and accessories. I have put together an outfit inspired by a number of things and, just for fun, can you guess how I've been influenced to create this look?  I've based it on my favourite following factors:

• A city
• An era
• A television show
• A person

I love this look as it is classic, feminine and elegant.  The dress is voluptuous and will flatter the figure and highlight a woman's best bits, with the draped fabric concealing any bumps.  The person who I've based the look on is bold and sassy, and I think this look epitomises that.  This look would certainly work in the office for a brave woman, and then take her nicely into the evening for cocktail hour!

All items are on sale as shown below.

Pied a Terre asymmetrical cocktail dress
£89 

Juno Tote
£48.30

Jones Bootmaker Bindy Court Shoes
£45

Hobbs NW3 Clover Earrings
£8

Martine Wester Fable Pearl & Black Diamond Flower Ring
£7.50

Karen Millen Swarovski Teardrop Pendant
£30

Leather Day Bag and Competition from Warehouse

A smart leather bag is a must, especially for the office, and I have been coveting this brown one from Warehouse since I spotted it in the shop a month or two ago.  However, at £76, I felt that it was a bit of an extravagance when I already have a lovely leather handbag for work.

Lucky for me then, it's in the Warehouse sale!  It's been reduced to just £45, which I feel is amazing value for a quality leather bag.  The size is just right to fit all of one's essentials being 33cm x 24cm  - not too big and bulky, but not too small either.  The style is classic and so will last into next season and beyond and it should go, not only with smart office wear, but with casual day outfits also.

As well as the sale, Warehouse are running a fantastic competition called 'Style Me If You Can.'  The competition asks customers to enter to become the stylist for their forthcoming film and print campaign, so they can see their designs brought to life.  In addition, they can win an I-Escape trip for two to Paris, Milan or New York!  It's a great, unique competition for budding stylists, asking them to pick a city location and style an outfit that best suits the occasion. They will then create a style mood board and be able to share their creativity with friends through the custom-made built-in social media functions. 

The nine best outfits will appear in a film and print campaign credited to each winning stylist. The film itself will be made up of nine chapters, released every 90 minutes on a single day. It will be viewable on the Warehouse website, social media and customers' own mobile phones. When the entrant watches each chapter he or she will be able to see if his or her style has been picked. 

This is a really interesting, innovative and unique way of developing and sharing the new Warehouse collection and I'd love it if one - or more - of my readers won it!  It closes just before midnight on Thursday, so do have a look as soon as possible.  Best of luck!

Beautiful Bag: New Posy Business Bag from Cath Kidston

'What is a business bag?' I hear you say.  I wasn't sure either, but it looks like a really good purchase for the working woman who's into Cath Kidston - or any woman who has a laptop, iPad and some pens!

In terms of pattern and styling, this Posy business bag may be a little flowery for the office, depending on the workplace.  But I do think this could work with a sharp suit and heels, giving a feminine edge to power dressing if it's appropriate.  It's made from oilcloth, so it's going to be durable and waterproof - always a good thing!  It's padded too, so will protect that (up to 13 inch) laptop or iPad, especially during the commute.  Not only does it have the handles, but it also has a shoulder strap - again, helpful and handy.

I prefer the idea of a bag like this to a standard laptop case or bag, as it's more versatile and will hold more with all of the compartments and pockets; yes, it's more expensive but I'd suggest that you get more for your money.  There's a third off this bag at the moment, so instead of £75, it's £50.

Would you use this bag at work or is it too flowery for your office - let me know in the comments below!

Beautiful Bag: Pinkie Flamingo Holdall from Ollie & Nic

Ollie and Nic sell unique and amazing bags, jewellery and accessories and they have just come over with Flamingo Fever!  They have developed a gorgeous, exclusive flamingo print and have just released a couple of fabulous bags in the pattern.

I must confess that I received a sneak peek of this weekend holdall a little while ago, and have been coveting it ever since.  The flamingo print is totally on trend, with its tropical theme and the bag itself is stylish and practical.  Size-wise, it's perfect for a weekend break - country house hotel anyone? - and the choice of using the grab handles or shoulder straps means it will be easy to carry to one's destination.  

The bag itself is £65 but until 11th June, Ollie and Nic are offering 20% off full priced items with the code HTOLNC20, bringing it down to £52 - not bad for a great quality, beautiful, sturdy and long-lasting weekend bag!

Beautiful Bag: Rasia Opulent Bloom Tote Bag from Ted Baker

From today, until Friday 31st May, there's 20% off at Ted Baker which is a real treat - they rarely do these sort of deals, so it's a great time to take advantage of the discount!

As ever, it's hard to pick just one item on the site one which to focus as there is such a lovely selection.  I haven't done bags in a while, so I've selected this Rasia floral quilted tote handbag.  The floral pattern is delicate and neutral enough to go with anything - either for casual occasions, work or evening.  There are lots of compartments for everything to be nicely organised inside, it's sturdy and it's a good size.  Usually £159, with the discount code TED1HPRBQ8 it's £127.20.

Fantastic Footwear: Menbur Malubi Peep-toe Heels from Zalando

I can't believe I missed these pastel blue satin peep-toe heels when researching my Great Gatsby Glamour post yesterday!  The sky blue of the shoe adds an element of colour to the neutral shades of the dresses really well and I love the diamante decorative jewel effect on the heel which takes it into a whole new glamourous dimension.  Perfect for the whole 1920's look!

They're currently on sale at Zalando - reduced from £90 to £65 with free delivery.

Team with the matching blue satin clutch for ultimate loveliness!  Don't forget, there's £5 off £50 spends at Zalando till the end of the month too.

The Look for Less: Great Gatsby Fashion Part 2 - Jewellery & Accessories

For Part 2 of this themed blog post, I have focused on accessories to enhance and beautify The Great Gatsby look - jewellery, bags and headwear.

A strand of pearls is probably the most archetypal piece of jewellery from that era and, to stock up with good value versions, Claire's Accessories is a great bet.  There are some basic plastic or glass strands available that work well, but I prefer this slightly more expensive stone pearl tier statement necklace for £12.

If one's budget stretches, Boticca stocks limited edition, unique pieces and this black pearl with casted lace leaf necklace is simply divine.  It's £153.50 but again, it's an investment piece.

These vintage inspired, silver plated drop earrings from Folli Follie nod towards the Art Deco movement.  I love the intertwined motif and delicate tassels - simple, yet elegant as this look should be!  They are £80, but with the code STYLE20 there's 20% off until 26th May making them £64.

An elegant clutch is the bag to have for this look, and Jones Bootmaker have a great selection at the moment on sale.  This Carrie clutch bag is perfect, with the metallic sparkly glitter effect.  It comes in gold or silver and is reduced from £35 to £29.

Alternatively, this Kzeniya dream engraved perspex leather handbag would make an amazing investment piece.  It's £320 at my-wardrobe.com but there is still the chance to get to get £50 off spends greater than £180 until the 26th May.  

With headwear, there are two main options - a fabulous hat or hair accessories.  A felt cloche hat is a key staple and looks amazing.  This Dickins and Jones burgundy hat from House of Fraser is just £13.50, reduced from £45.  I love the speckled feather and bow embellishment too, which takes it from simple to sublime!

Scarves and turbans also can be worn on the head to recreate 1920's style - to me, this look totally epitomises Hollywood glamour, not only from this era but beyond!  Turbans aren't exactly a current wardrobe staple, so one's best bet is to look in vintage stores, Ebay or Etsy - or make your own!  I like this purple one which is on Ebay, which has been accessorised with a diamante circular clip.

There are so many gorgeous, 1920's and Art Deco inspired hair accessories with which to experiment.  The ultimate look from the era is the classic bob, swept to one side with a gorgeous clip such as this Petal Navette barrette from Accessorize.  It's not on sale, but it's a bargain at just £8 and fabulous, with a decent nod to the Art Deco movement.

Alternatively, what about this crystal and pearl flower comb which is again from Claire's Accessories, where there is three for two on many items.  Very pretty and vintage-inspired!

As the movie has just been released, there is a ton of fashion inspiration out there, but I hope these posts have given a good start to devising an on-trend Gatsby-inspired wardrobe for 2013!

Beautiful Bag: Aldgate Medium Tote Bag from Radley

Radley is a British brand that sells high quality handbags and accessories.  Starting out as a market stall in Camden, it's now a global iconic British brand that epitomises refinement, style and quirky Englishness.

This Aldgate leather tote bag is a perfect size for work or play, being big enough to store one's essentials but not so huge to be unwieldy.  It comes in a good range of colours, from blacks and neutrals to a bright poppy red, but my favourite is this Kelly green.   It's a classic, elegant shape and, being Radley, will be fantastic quality, so should last for years no matter what trends come and go.  And it's got the cute Radley Scottish terrier as a charm - delightful!

This handbag is usually £169 but until 19th May there's 20% off full-priced Radley products with the code SUMMERSUN, so it can be bought for £135.20 (plus free delivery) - a great investment in future style.

Beautiful Bag: Mischa Barton Hebden Grab Bag from The Hut

The Hut is an online store that has all sorts of branded and designer goods and offers fairly frequent discounts and deals, so it's a good one to watch.  I have spotted this Mischa Barton Hebden grab bag in camel which has 20% off until Wednesday with the code MISCHA. Fusing form and functionality, it's a lovely, classic colour and style and could be used for casual occasions or work.  As well as the grab handle, it also has a shoulder strap, which is always handy.  It's got purple lining too which makes me happy!  With the 20% off, it's £55.20, reduced from £69.

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!