Flash Sales and Discounts to help you bag a bargain!

Flash Sale on outerwear and knitwear at Baukjen for two days only (Tues & Wed) so don't miss out.  Use code FLASH at checkout here.  I've got my eye on the relaxed merino roll neck, I wanted it last year in grey, hung out for the sale but didn't have any joy and its back this season in caviar black or cobalt blue and I am still lusting after it.

Was £115 now £80.50 with code.

The Dorothy Perkins sale currently has up to 70% off with an extra 20% off exclusively online (no code required) shop here.

I really fancy a winter day dress I can wear with boots and tights and like this drop waist pu collar number at only £17, with an extra £3.40 off at checkout!

You may have read my recent Boden Blog post where I was waxing lyrical about Christmas sparkle and gorgeous dresses, well all new Boden customers are in for a treat as each month the brand will be giving away a free gift with your first order. Use code Q252 and shop here.

Please note this is long term promotion and free gifts may change on a monthly basis.

You can also receive free delivery and returns until 7th December using code Q235.

Great Plains are offering free express delivery using code TREAT12 at checkout. Shop here.

There is no better time to start the Christmas Shopping with some fab deals at Boots!

Get the Gok Indulgence set for half price was £45 now £22. Offer ends Thursday. Shop here.

You can also save £5 when you spend £50 on premium beauty brands using code PREMIUM5 until 13th November and £10 off when you spend £75. 

Don't forget their usual 3 for 2 Christmas Gift promotion where the cheapest item is free!

Office Shoes have a 20% off promotion running until midnight Thursday using code EMNTWE at checkout.  Shop here.

Always the Ugg obsessive (well nothing beats them for warmth) it would be the perfect time to buy these beauties which I have completely fallen in love with. Might have to leave the page open on hubby's computer but I can already hear him squark "you don't need another pair" ! 

Happy Shopping!

Warehouse Jegging Love.

I can remember back in the summer as the end of Charlie's time at Primary School was fast approaching, I began to have serious wardrobe panic over what I would wear each day when I no longer had reason to get dressed and be out of the house by 8.30am for the school run.

I treated myself to Joggers and a new Jumper as I knew these two components would work for a more stylish relaxed daytime look, that wouldn't leave me scared to open the front door to the postman, and then despair set in for the other 4 days of the school week.  I could visualise myself living in leggings with just a rotation of warm and comfortable tops (what I really mean is old cardigans complete with holes) befitting of someone who spends her time cleaning, cooking, Blogging and working from home and although I do usually spend the winter in jeans, they are not always the most comfortable and that's where a pair of pull on Jeggings stepped in.

 I had seen a few bloggers mention the Warehouse Jeggings and although I do own other styles that fall in this design bracket, they are all from premium denim brands and still have a zip and button fastening unlike the Warehouse style which are pull on and more light weight, which in my book = more comfort.  I decided to opt for a dark denim wash pair as I always find this shade of denim to be the most versatile for day or evening and much smarter looking than a paler wash and I was desperate for something that could see me just sling on a pair of boots and a coat and be good to go if I needed to take a bus into town or meet a friend unexpectedly without looking like someone who was slowly morphing into Waynetta Slob.

I've worn them with flat shoes, ankle boots and long boots and love them because they are just so easy to throw on and great to hoover in and with a £10 off denim promotion currently running at Warehouse, I really want a black pair too!

Pocket Jegging was £36 now £26 in all 6 colours.

Are you a Legging, Jegging or a Jeans only girl? 

October Instagram roundup

I finally got round to making Macaroons for the first time and I was very impressed with my first effort! They had a good shine and each one had a "foot" (I'm getting technical here) even if they did look a bit lumpy as I didn't bother to sieve the ground almonds but they did taste divine.  Not like your Laduree offerings, but being home made you wouldn't expect them to taste like their mass produced counter parts but totally deliciously in a more "meringuey" kind of way but then you do use meringue mixture to make them so I guess this is to be expected. 

I've been loving this Opi nail polish, the picture doesn't do it justice as it does look just like Chanel's Rouge Noir which seems to have mysteriously disappeared from my nail polish drawer.

A walk round the village last week was the first time I got to crunch some falling leaves underfoot and I am baffled as to why it is such a pleasure when Autumn and Winter aren't exactly my favourite seasons!

Charlie had his 12th birthday and almost everything on his wish list had something to do with his X Box, games, contraptions to record his games on a PC and goodness knows what else, I hadn't heard of half of the stuff!  He had a choice of venue for his birthday lunch and opted for Pizza Hut as we hadn't been there for about 2 years.  I wore my Oasis ankle boots picked up on sale last December, my High Street homage to the Ash Jalouse (which I will own) and the Isabel Marant Dickers (which I won't). Pets at Home was in the vicinty so we treated Albert to his own Teddy which he loves and sat down in the afternoon with a cuppa and a slice of Charlie's Headphones Birthday Cake chosen to match one of his X Box accessories.

Sunday afternoon saw me catch up with one of my favourite films of all time, yes you guessed it, Sex and the City. I hadn't realised how much I had missed the girls and the tears flowed as they always do, especially when Samantha hand feeds Carrie in Mexico (so touching) and when Steve and Miranda are re-united on Brooklyn Bridge. Will somebody please pass me a tissue?

Monday saw the arrival of the Zara scarf and I had a quick try on with my Khaki Topshop jumper.

I bought out my Jimmy Choo boots for a dentist appointment on Tuesday (damn and blast crowns, abscesses and root canal treatment) and what a worthwhile investment purchase these have been on a cost per wear basis (I love CPW, as our justification for spending an utter fortune on something) as this must be their fourth winter and were a much appreciated Birthday and Christmas pressie combined from OH. 

On Claudia's last day at More Magazine (she was asked back to cover the Fashion Assistants holiday and will apparently be paid (in an industry where everyone does work experience or internships for free or a fiver a day - Yay!) she managed to pick me up a bottle of Diet Coke with the Jean Paul Gaultier limited edition design and although these have been around since summer, I haven't seen any on sale in my local area so began to doubt that I would ever get one!  I would have to be stranded on a Desert Island before I opened this baby, it is for ornamental purposes only!

Oh and aside from Instagram, I must tell you that after watching the first episode of the new and last Gossip Girl series I tweeted how stylish I think Kelly Rutherford (Lily) is both off screen and on and she replied with a gracious "thank you". I was over the moon to get a response from one of my style icons, how sweet!

Have you started wearing your winter boots yet? Been inspired to bake something sweet and delicious or watched the SATC movie lately?

You can follow my instagram feed on your computer here.

Bowled over by Boden.

I have to confess that I do have the television on all day when I am at home pottering around, and my ears always prick up for a style story or two.  Last week on Loose Women I heard Janet Street Porter talking about a Boden, describing the brand as having a "middle England" demographic and saying how by the brand having taken Helena Christensen on board for their previous campaign and look book, had had an adverse effect, with consumers reportedly saying the model was not representative of their customer base.  I don't know how true this is, or if any of you have heard or read about this story via another source, but for me personally, I was impressed by her inclusion and the addition of more fashion forward pieces.
One thing I have always bought from Boden is my son's pyjama's and swim shorts, because the styles and quality make them a worthy purchase and I have to confess the brand has grown on me more and more over the years. Every time I receive a new look book, there are always pieces to add to the wish list and personally I loved Helena modelling the clothes and also the recent inclusion of the "Grazia fashion fixes" section. The other campaign models used by the brand hardly look like welly boot wearing mums who live in the Shires and drive the kids to school in Range Rovers do they? So I have no idea why their customers wouldn't be impressed by seeing one of the worlds great super models upping the brands "ante".

In my most recent look book, as well as the classic's, there are some fantastic fashion forward pieces and forever the magpie, the glitter wedges would fulfil my need for a touch of Christmas Party sparkle and would dress up the simplest of outfits beautifully.

It will remain in your wardrobe forever so what's not to love with a sequin blazer?

or the perfect Christmas Day dress.......

So if anyone is asking what I want for my December birthday, just choose an item from the pages which are dog eared and I will be happy bunny!

Are you being bowled over by Boden this season?

Camo Chic.

It was early September when I bought a camo jacket for my youngest daughter's birthday and gave it to her early as she wanted to be one of the first of her friendship group to have one.  A few weeks later my eldest daughter bought one too and being the same clothes size as me, I couldn't resist a try on!  Personally I loved it, but knew I couldn't possibly wear it or buy one for myself, after all, the recent purchase of a khaki jacket with black pleather sleeves was almost a step too far!

Weeks passed and I couldn't get the trend out of my head and decided to think of how I could tap into the trend at my age and of course, accessories were the obvious answer but I wanted High Street price points and tried on a pair of camo studded ballet pumps in Zara the day I bought the River Island leopard print slipper shoes. It was the leopard and the slipper shape I was after which stopped the camo pump purchase, they were pipped at the post by my first love, animal print, but still the search went on and I trawled the net for a scarf, something to stop me wearing the Louis Vuitton all winter like I usually do, but I didn't have any luck.

Luckily last Saturday, Kate from Make Do Style tweeted that she had bought a camo scarf from Zara and I was on the website quicker than you can say "add to basket".  I chose standard delivery and it arrived on Monday, so I was really impressed with the service (although no doubt this will slow up as Christmas draws ever closer) and so chuffed to finally have something in camouflage print without looking as though I am trying too hard!

I wore it for the first time yesterday with one of my ever trusty breton tops, Warehouse Jeggings - £10 off these at the moment), River Island Khaki Jacket and my old and trusty Jimmy Choo boots.

How do you feel about camo chic this season? would you wear it?

A free £200 goody bag with every order at Space NK - today only!

If you haven't started buying your Christmas presents yet, then I would seriously think about doing a bit of online shopping at Space NK today! Spend £150 online and get a huge goody bag worth £200 filled with all your favourite products by using code BAG12 at checkout here.  So whether its beautiful Diptique candles (my favourite) for your girlfriends, a beautiful bottle of perfume for your mum or the man in your life is in serious need of some luxurious pampering products, don't miss out as this offer runs for today only!



Happy Shopping!

Dresses with sleeves for the festive season at Great Plains.

Now you know how much I love Great Plains, I think I bought almost the entire sale stock left in my size back in the summer.  Good fabrics, quality garments, all with great price points and I was even more impressed when their latest look book arrived in the post as I was immediately struck by how many great dresses actually have sleeves - yay!

As we get older, even slim women seem to become concious of their upper arms or bingo wings especially if they have began to loose their "tone".  My husband always likens mine to those of a Russian Shot Putter (he is such a love -NOT) but looking for an occasion dress with sleeves isn't always easy.  Designers design for young slim women who can rarely afford to buy their collections and the majority of the High Street aims for the same market with those who do offer something for the older fashionista often bordering on "frumpy" but Great Plains has got both the hemline length and the sleeve issue sorted with style this season and not an ounce of "frump factor" in evidence.

Selina Dress £70.

Lacy Chase Dress £130.

Beaded Dress £150.

Tilly Lace Scoop Neck Dress £130.

Now the only problem is which one to choose?  Let me know your favourite!

You can view the full range of dresses for both daytime and evening here.

Great Plains are currently offering free delivery and free returns using code C1GPXM12 at checkout - happy shopping!

Cable Knit Sweaters.

When it comes to seasonal dressing I have to confess I prefer buying clothes for summer than I do winter.  Although I love chunky knits and how it is so easy to look stylish in winter with just a decent coat, jeans and boots, knitwear and outerwear come at a cost and for anyone clothes shopping on a budget, it can be a complete nightmare, we haven't all got a cashmere income, so step in the Primark jumper.

Now I have to confess, this is not mine (nor is it me in the picture. Obviously).  I don't buy from Primark (except a studded clutch which looked like the Topshop £38 one for only £6) but sometimes one of my daughters does and finding herself in London on Saturday with nothing more than a leather biker jacket, a thin blouse and feeling rather cold, she popped into the Oxford Street store on a mission to find something warm, as cheaply as possible and picked up a cream cable knit style jumper and I have to confess I am impressed.

Yes it is acrylic, but she doesn't smoke and has been instructed to keep away from naked flames at all costs, but to be honest, it doesn't feel like cheap yarn, it is lovely and soft and snuggly and certainly thick enough to keep winter chills at bay and having washed it in the machine at 30 degree's I can confirm that it has kept it's shape beautifully after a line dry on a blustery day and is ready and waiting to be taken to Dublin on a mini break on Monday (lucky girl).

I just hope Courtenay doesn't mind if Mum buys the same jumper although I have to confess to being tempted by this J.Crew one from theoutnet which comes in three colours and only costs £32 and does actually contain wool and angora for stylish snuggling.

£32 from theoutnet. Buy here.

Which one would you go for?

Ash Wedge Trainers for £65 - hell yeah!

Although I don't aspire to owning a pair of these myself and am beginning to question why my "bargain of the day" posts always seem to consist of footwear, I know how many of you actually love these Ash wedge trainers but have been put off by the price and have searched the High Street for affordable alternatives, so I couldn't not feature them now, could I?

 

Was £160 now £65. Buy here.

Don't forget to send the link to Hubby if you were putting them on your Christmas list and he can buy you something else with the money he saved!

Its never too early......

With only 71 sleeps until the man in red comes down our chimney, I can polish my halo and admit that I have already made a start on my Christmas Shopping.

I wasn't always so organised.  I can remember when I worked in London, we used to get our Christmas bonus about 3 days before the start of the festive season and I would be running around town like a loon trying to grab all the things my daughters had on their present list and it was one mad rush I haven't repeated since I no longer get a cash sum that can pay for all the presents, food and drink in one foul swoop!  These days I buy things gradually, a tin of sweets in with the weekly shop and a few presents here and there, which makes Christmas so much easier and means there are no last minute frantic shopping trips for me!

So when online stores start to publish their gift guides, these are always met with a smile when I am lacking in inspiration either for myself (I also have a December Birthday) or others and I was excited to get an email from My-Wardrobe who have opened up their virtual "Christmas Room" to provide you not only with plenty of present idea's but also a Party Boutique to help you find the perfect outfit.

Plenty in the "Under £100" section that I would be happy to recieve, what about you?

Shop the Christmas Room here.

Have you started your Christmas Shopping yet?

Is the iphone 5 your latest fashion accessory?

If only fashion and style were just about the clothes, shoes and accessories we wear, wouldn't life be so much easier? But no, being in fashion doesn't just mean wearing the latest trends or decorating your home in the most stylish of colours, these days it is also about having must have gadgets and the latest mobile phones.

Take the new iphone for example, I was amazed to see how many people went out and bought the iphone 5 upon its release a few weeks ago whilst I sit patiently waiting for the renewal of my contract and a long awaited upgrade, all the time wondering "how did Bloggers cope before the invention of iphones?".

From quick outfit photographs in shop changing rooms to the constant picture taking that shows the world your lifestyle on Instagram, I for one couldn't live without my iphone and that is before we even think about the social media apps we use to keep up to date and post pictures on Pinterest, Tumblr or our constant mobile status's on our Blogs Facebook and Twitter pages. There is no doubt in my mind that you most definitely need an iphone to keep ahead of the game and embrace the other social media platforms that sit alongside your Blog and keep your followers updated on a more regular basis than a few posts each week.

If you are looking to embrace the new iphone 5, Carphone Warehouse have a selection of deals and packages to suit your lifestyle and budget, offer a network price promise meaning you won't find a better deal elsewhere, as well as giving you between £100 and £200 trade in for your old iphone 4 so as well as wearing the latest watch and carrying the latest bag, make sure you are holding the iphone 5 whether on the street or tweeting live from the front row of Fashion Week.

So tell me, were you guilty of buying the new iphone upon its release or are you waiting for your upgrade and most importantly, could you live without one?


*Note: This post contains sponsored links.

My week in iphone pictures.

Finally tested the second of my three new Chanel nail colours this week and I only have one thing to say about it "its black Jim, but not as we know it".  I don't know why that came to my mind as I looked at it (going batty in my old age) but it is true, it is black but its not "black black" if you get my drift.  I have black nail polish that is far darker but I like it. Crap paint job though, always in a hurry when it comes to doing my own treatments!

I would never ever buy a celebrity perfume collaboration but I can't resist having a sniff should I be presented with one, usually just to moan about how cheap they smell, but when this Lady Gaga fragrance came free with an online order I must admit I was pleasantly surprised. It is more of an evening smell, a bit heavy for daytime but with Christmas looming this would make a fab gift for an older teenage Gaga fan.

The view from my sofa. Just a normal evening in my house.

I am not usually a lover of yellow flowers but couldn't resist fast forwarding to Spring with a yellow and white bunch from the local florist. Wouldn't it be lovely to give winter a miss, although I do love bad weather when you don't have to go anywhere and have plenty of bread, milk and potatoes in the house.

We have had some gorgeous sunny days in my little corner of the South East this week and the Chanel mirrored sunglasses continue to be a permanent fixture in my handbag and long may it last! They may well have been my most expensive purchase of the year but were worth every penny.

Have a lovely weekend my lovelies xx

Shoe Porn Bargain of the week.

If I was to do a post on all the wonderful mid season bargains available right now then not only would I need to take a week off of work but the majority of my top picks would be sold out before you could even click on "add to basket" so, on that basis, I have decided that if I see anything worthy of a purchase with a half decent reduction, then I will share that particular "style steal" with you and first up come these gorgeous black and hounds-tooth check rosette sandals from Karen Millen.

Was £140 now £40. Click here to buy.

I adore Karen Millen shoes they are beautifully made and worth every penny, but more often than not they are a bit out of my price range and are often befitting of the type of occasion I rarely go to, but not so with these beauties. Not only is the reduction amazing (was £140 now £40) but I love the fact that they allow you to buy into this seasons hounds-tooth check trend without having to actually wear it on your body (something that with a bold print, not everybody is comfortable with) but these would work with jeans and tops for nights out and make a great alternative from wearing plain black court shoes with your little black dress and would look amazing with red.

How would you wear them?