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.

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.

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.

A Great Cause: Ribbon Pink Patent Leather from Office for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

I do like a charitable purchase.  And I do like a pair of killer heels.  So I am doubly excited when the two worlds collide to produce an amazing pair of stilettos like these Ribbon pink patent leather shoes from Office.  The colour is stunning, a simply perfect fuchsia pink.  Wear to work to brighten up monochrome office chic or wear out in the evening with a gorgeous dress.  They'd work for any special occasion.  They're £55, which I think isn't too bad - but a massive £40 plus VAT from each sale is going to Breast Cancer Care.  Brilliant!

Fantastic Footwear: Whistles Barbara Ballet Shoes from Atterley Road

I do love a quality ballerina pump and these black suede Whistles ones with an ankle strap are simply divine.  They are stylish and elegant, but will be comfortable and practical for wearing during the day - perfect for the office teamed with a smart skirt suit.  I think they could also be worn with ankle skimming jeans for a more casual, but still chic, look.  They are available from Atterley Road in sizes EU 36 to 40 for £110 and, until midnight on Monday, customers can get 25% off with code PAYDAY25, meaning they're £82.50.

Wardrobe Staple: Toms Shoes

Toms Shoes is an ethical shoe company; when they sells a pair of shoes, a pair of shoes is given to an impoverished child, and when Toms sells a pair of eyewear, part of the profit is used to save or restore the eyesight for people in developing countries.  For this reason alone, I'm happy to say that a pair or two of Toms shoes should be a wardrobe staple.  The fact that they are simple, classic and comfortable is a bonus extra!

Having said that, the style of the shoe does seem to divide opinion somewhat.  I've heard them called 'dull', 'ugly' and 'boring'.  However, I don't think this is the case - and anyway, they've expanded their collection significantly and there are loads of lovely versions available.

There are two on which I'm going to focus, which I particularly like.  The first is in the classic style, but a crochet material which should cost no more than £45.  Amazon's a good place to find a selection of different colours for reasonable prices.  I like the cream, but they're also available in navy on sale for just £30 at Box Clothing (but only in a size 3).

The second is a fairly new, ballerina flat pump.  They tend to retail at around the £65 mark but this is far too much!  Get them on sale at Soletrader for just £39.

Toms are also available for the standard prices (i.e. not inflated) at Office, Schuh (some are on sale) and Footasylum (again, some are on sale).  And, of course, there is the official Toms UK website!

Putting my money where my mouth is: Havaianas

The best flip flops on the market, in my opinion, are classic Havaianas.  They are well made, comfortable, durable and perfect for the summer.  They come in a huge range of colours and styles - and prices.  The really basic, slim ones shouldn't cost more than about £15 - and should be found for less.  But, as ever, with a bit of canny research, one should be able to find a fabulous pair or two for no more than about £20.  They shouldn't cost more than this.

My sister and I took advantage of a 20% off offer at Office a few weeks ago and managed to get these wonderful versions for just under £18 which go well with our pedicures I think!  I love the colours and the sole is quite thick and sturdy.

As much as I adore the pink, I'm now searching for a more neutral version that will match a few more outfits.   There's a sale on at USC at the moment which includes these, so I am tempted by these silver and white ones, reduced from £24 to £18.

Other sites worth looking at, that often have deals include:

• Amazon - need to have a good browse to get the colour, size and price that's required.
• Matalan - there's some really basic ones for just £10.
• John Lewis - slightly more pricey but a lovely selection.

Splendid Skirt: Light Weight Stripe Dobby Skirt from Adini

A floaty light, cotton skirt is an essential for summer and a versatile one which can be worn at home or in the office and on sale is even better!

Adini is a classic British boutique womenswear brand that is dedicated to making the woman of today feel and look beautiful.  I particularity like them as they specialise in using natural fabrics to create gorgeous English fashion with a hint of Eastern influences.  Their collections are distinctive and unique, but still on trend.

This cotton, lightweight Dobby skirt is a perfect example of this.  It comes in three different colours - cobalt blue, white and fossil (pictured).  It would look great for a casual look, paired with a simple vest top, but equally could be dressed up for the office.  It's fully lined and paneled for added flare and movement, so super quality too.  It's reduced to £41.48 with the discount and comes in sizes 10 to 20 - but it's selling out quickly!

Terrific Top: Jaeger Embroidered Blouse from John Lewis

The John Lewis sale is always phenomenal; with up to 70% off designer brands, it's the perfect place to pick up a high quality, fabulous bargain!  And unlike some other stores, John Lewis seems to retain the tradition of having proper seasonal sales - and it's now time for the summer sale.

As ever, it's been tricky to pick just one item that stands out, so today I have focused on finding a smart and pretty but versatile top that I can't find elsewhere on the web and that has been discounted massively.  With that in mind, I found this embroidered, Peter Pan collared Jaeger blouse that's been reduced from £150 to £60.  It could be worn with jeans or cropped trousers for a smart but casual look, or it could be teamed with a smart skirt and heels for the office.  I don't think it would need much extra accessorising - maybe a lovely watch or bracelet?  It's still available in sizes 8 and 12 to 16.

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.

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!

Father's Day Gift Ideas: Men's Tex Stripe Short Sleeve Shirt from Jigsaw

I really enjoy buying clothing for men, especially as a gift!  T-shirts are always great, and I've already blogged about a fab Darth Vader Daddy one; I suspect I will be searching for a few more as gifts for Father's Day on the 16th.

However, sometimes a man needs something a bit more formal and that's why it's great that Jigsaw are currently running their men's summer clearance sale.  It's often quite difficult to find good quality, short-sleeved cotton work shirts for men, but there are several in the sale which is brilliant.  They are perfect for the office - as is, with a blazer, or smartened up even more with a tie and suit.  In addition, I think these ones are versatile enough that they can be worn with jeans as smart/casual attire.

The shirt comes in pink (shown) or a chambray blue and is reduced from £65 to just £29; sizes available are small to extra large.  There is also a lovely red and white gingham one - reduced from £75 to £29 - but it's only available in a small size.

What do you think?  Is this a good idea for a present for the father in your life?  Add your views in the comments below!

Fantastic Footwear: Chorus Sing Liberty Arts Fabric Peep-toe Heels from Clarks Shoes

Clarks Shoes are synonymous with quality, functionality, longevity and style and year after year produce fantastic collections for the whole family and for every occasion.  I am also impressed that, despite being a global brand with a large High Street presence, they take their commitment to social responsibility seriously.  And, quite frankly, I wouldn't buy my work shoes from anywhere else as they look and feel great.

I was really pleased to discover that Clarks are working in collaboration with Liberty Art Fabrics and have incorporated the iconic print into a selection of styles available right now.  I couldn't resist the Chorus Sing nude patent peep-toe heels, so I've combined some of my own photos with the official ones for this review post!

Aren't they stunning?  The colour is perfect for the Spring and Summer months, with nude shoes having become a classic, elegant fashion staple rather than a seasonal trend.  I adore how the contrasting, unique Liberty Arts Fabric lining enhances the neutral shade, with the pop of pink peeping out from the toe.  And look how well that particular feature goes with my pedicure - what an unexpected surprise!

The other key feature of these shoes is how well they fit and how amazingly comfortable they are.  I love my heels but I am not necessarily a proficient walker in them and I do find that some brands and styles are often uncomfortable.   However, I have no such problems with these, and have been wearing them everywhere and all day with no trouble - the heel height of about 3" (8cm) seems to be perfect.  They look fantastic with my skinny jeans and blazer, creating a smart daytime casual look.  I've also worn them with a pencil skirt suit into the office and, not only do they look amazing, but my feet feel great, even at the end of the day.  I've had numerous compliments on them too.

These shoes are patent leather, so they are great quality and will last.  Even better, Clarks are offering 20% off adults' shoes until midnight tonight with the code BREEZY, so these amazing shoes can be snapped up for just £40 rather than the usual (and still reasonable) £49.99.

So all in all, these shoes are a versatile, pretty, comfortable, practical, canny and savvy purchase.  Highly recommended and I'm so pleased with them.  I'm now debating which matching bag to get....  And maybe another colour or style....

Fantastic Footwear: H by Hudson Horrigan Suede Ankle Boots from Office Shoes

There is 25% off at Office Shoes with a code in this week's Grazia magazine so I've been perusing the site for something wonderful!  I've gone for a great quality, year-round staple, that will work for any season - a fabulous rust brown suede ankle boot with a wrap-around strap.  Ankle boots work well with skinny jeans when the weather is cooler, but once it warms up they can be teamed with denim shorts or dresses for an edgy, chic look.  The heel is not too high either, so practical as well as fashionable!  These are usually £145 but with the discount are reduced to £108.75 with free delivery, and come in sizes 3 to 8.

A savvy way to do this might be to go through a cashback site to Great Magazines and take advantage of one of the offers available for Grazia.  At present, not only is there a discount on the subscription, but there's also a free gift of  Makebelieve Self Tan Beauty products worth £44.50.

Summer Staple: Ted Baker Jaynesh Tuxedo Tailored Shorts from House of Fraser

House of Fraser are currently in the middle of their two-day brand event, both online and in-store, meaning there's up to 25% branded products until midnight on Friday 26th April.

I have had my eye on these mint coloured Ted Baker tuxedo shorts for a while to take me into the summer months but, at £109, the price was a little scary despite the quality.  However, with the 25% discount from House of Fraser, this is reduced to £87.20.  The tuxedo tailoring is classic and the front pleats should flatter the thighs.  They can be tailored with a simple t-shirt or blouse or made a little more edgy with a funky vest top.  These come in sizes 6 - 14.

And oh look!  There's a matching 'Jayne' jacket, also with 25% off, so they can be worn as an amazingly chic outfit to the office when the weather improves!  Stylish, savvy, canny and chic.  What more can you want?

The Look for Less: Savvy Office Chic

I've just discovered a site called Polyvore where I can find clothes, shoes and accessories online and put them together in a collage, to see how they work together.  Here is my first attempt:

As you would expect, it is a combination of sale and discounted items, so you can get the whole look for less.  In this collage I have included:

• French Connection Natsue jacket and shift dress - reduced in the House of Fraser two-day brand event where there's up to 25% off branded items (ends Friday).
• Episode Gratitude ankle strap wedge sandals - also in the House of Fraser event.
• J by Jasper Conran navy mini tote from Debenhams - currently with 20% off in the Blue Cross sale, plus there's an extra 10% off with the discount code HK73 (ends Sunday).
• Spike and flower necklace from Dorothy Perkins which has 30% off everything till Sunday.

I'm thinking that for the future, I can focus on specific gorgeous pieces as I have been, but every now and again do some outfits this way to give an idea to update one's wardrobe!  So I suppose my question is, is this the sort of thing that you would like to see?  Would it give you inspiration and ideas - as I hope!

Find me on Polyvore by clicking here!

Stunning Shoes: Floral Black Playdays Pumps from Office

I do love it when my clever, chic and savvy readers spot a fantastic bargain!  I've been shown these gorgeous black with embroidered floral detail pumps from Office.  The simplicity and colour of them means they will go with anything and the rose feature is lovely.  They are available in sizes 3 - 7 and are just £7!  I'm stunned that they are still available in a decent range of sizes, to be honest.

Take advantage of those sales and discounts and keep those stylish bargains coming in!