Sales Haul Part Two - These Choo's were made for walking.

I hope you like Sales Haul posts as much as I do, if not you are going to get very bored with me over the next few days as this is part 2 of 5 and I still haven't posted up my lovely Christmas presents!

 

Anyway back to the matter at hand, now lets bring on the glitter with these Jimmy Choo "Wheel" slipper shoes which come in a range of prints but I couldn't resist the sparkle and will have no problem wearing these with jeans and a jumper to jazz up my daytime attire!

I couldn't wait to try them on, so please excuse my joggers which I lived and died in over the holiday and that's another blog post!

Shop the Jimmy Choo "Wheel" shoes here.

What ever you are doing tonight, have fun, stay safe and make sure you sparkle!

Sales Haul Part One - the Anya Hindmarch Mini Gracie.

OK so I went a bit crazy in the Harrods sale on Christmas Eve.  I had Christmas and Birthday money which was supposed to either be the start of the "flap fund" (a phase coined by Twitter friends in my quest to own a Chanel 2.55) or to pay for a trip to Dubai to visit an old friend, burning a hole in my wallet (or bank account) and some of the discounts were just too good to pass up and after much hesitation I may have ordered 3 handbags. Ouch!

So its official, I am a bag lady for sure (and a shoe and sunglasses one, but we won't go into that today) and although the Anya Hindmarch Gracie isn't normally the kind of bag I go for, much preferring a tote which can fit everything in bar the kitchen sink, this little beauty has its uses, first as either a shoulder or across body bag when you don't want to carry something heavy, but you can take the strap off or tuck it in and use the bag as a clutch, something I am in desperate need of as I always carry something way too big when I go out for the evening, plus you don't always want a sparkly evening bag.

 

The Gracie first took my eye over at WIT Blog some time ago and I have been smitten ever since.  It sold out online but the lovely Harrods customer service people put me through to the concession and I managed to secure a black one, I am in desperate need of black handbags for sure and was shocked that it arrived on the 28th whilst I patiently await my other parcels, which I guess are coming from the warehouse rather than instore. I wanted to blog them all together but since I hastily took these pictures on the day the bag arrived I can wait no longer!

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Easily big enough for a small purse, phone, keys, lipstick, perfume and mirror and with a zip pocket and slots for three credit cards, if you can grab this iconic AH piece in the sale, it is a great way to start off a designer bag collection for those who would normally only buy from the High Street and with leather bags in most stores costing £100 or more, sometimes it is worth the bit extra to go for something that you will love and last you years.

The Gracie in  Bottle Green was £450 now £225 at net-a-porter.


Mini Gracie in pink from Matches was £450 now £225.

What's in your sales haul?

Sales goodies but not what you are expecting!

I know lots of you may think I am mad but when my eldest daughter pronounced that she had spent £40 on cards and wrapping paper a few weeks before Christmas, quite frankly I was horrified, and that is why one of my Christmas traditions for many years now has been to pop into town and buy my paper, gift tags, crackers and cards in the sale.

 

I like Boots for my wrapping paper and made sure I bought enough as the two daughters who still live at home seem to think it is a "given" to just help themselves to whatever is in the house, plus I also end up wrapping up the kids gifts from my Mum, so always need a fair bit.  I made sure one of the rolls was a 10m which came with tags, a smaller single roll with tags and 2 packs containing 4 rolls, bows and tags along with 2 packs of 14 tags for just £10.

The crackers and some of my "special" cards were from Tesco as Boots didn't have any, well not in my tiny branch, and I have to say I get as much as a kick out of this as I do when buying shoes and handbags at a bargain price and it is one less thing to add to the never ending Christmas list each year, so you have to agree it makes sense!

House of Fraser still have plenty of wrapping paper and accessories in their online sale if you are looking to get organised for next year. Shop here.


Do you buy your gift wrap and cards in the sale?

Merry Christmas!

Wishing all my followers both old and new a very happy Christmas and a healthy and happy 2013 and if you aren't lucky enough to receive a little blue box on your doorstep, be sure to check out a gorgeous collection of stunning earrings at fantastic prices here.
Your support is always appreciated and normal service will be resumed very soon.

The only good thing about birthdays.....

 

Cards that make you smile.

Bouquets of flowers.

The most stylish birthday cake.

Matching cupcakes.

Bubbles.

Lunch at the Corinthia Hotel.

Enjoying your first Red Cup of the festive season on the train ride home.  Lets hope Starbucks paid the tax on it!

Hope you all had a lovely Saturday too!

Something for the Weekend - Red Soles, Sales and Veg Box cooking.

At this time of year it makes you wonder how people manage to Blog on a daily basis or get round to commenting on all their favourite sites.  December is madness, fact, and there I was with posts drafted for this week but no time to finish or upload pictures which is a complete rigmarole since the Google/Blogger saga, and before I know it its Friday and time for my SFTW roundup!

This week I have been lusting after a Louboutin Christmas Tree and who wouldn't?

Pink and green baubles be gone and get me some red soled babies to make a shoe tree of my very own........ le sigh.

Now you may know that I do a lot of home cooking anyway but I don't particularly make things which are healthy (sorry Em) but with the recent introduction to my local Veg Box company, that has changed slightly, as I have sought our recipes, or made up my own, to make use of vegetables that wouldn't normally see the inside of my fridge!

This week was no exception, as with half a ton of Curly Kale to cook I used some to make a soup and damn delicious it was, even if I say so myself.....

 

From the veg box I used: 1 carrot, I leek, I potato and softened in a glug of olive oil for 10 minutes.I added I teaspoon of tumeric, 1 bay leaf and cooked for a further 5 mins. I then added a heap dessertspoon of flour and mixed in, then added 2 pints of stock made with 2 stock cubes and stirred constantly whilst I added it. I bought everything up to boiling point, then simmered for 10 mins. I added a couple of handfuls of Kale and cooked for a further 5 mins. Yummy! I would have added crutons but didn't have time to make any so served with crusty bread.

More Sales have started this week including Kurt Geiger with up to 50% off here, French Connection here, Dune have up to 50% off certain styles here as do Phase Eight here. So if you are up for a bit of pre Christmas bargain hunting, click away and don't forget savvy sales shopping means shopping investment pieces such as trench coats, leather jackets, classic footwear etc but I forgive you if you want to throw in some statement pieces as well!

If you still have presents to buy, don't waste any time and get it done this weekend, making note of last  minute Christmas order and delivery dates, as these will vary from site to site.
Sainsburys was out of delivery slots early this week so it looks like a trip to the supermarket for me to grab the fresh stuff, cream, cheese's etc so I am not too happy about that and made the same mistake last year, one minute I checked and the dates weren't released, next thing I knew they had all gone! 

Last minute gifts for a touch of Luxe.....

Offer ends 17th December. Buy here.

I'm off to London for lunch tomorrow to celebrate my Birthday so hope to have lots of Christmassy snapshots to share with you next week, I just can't wait to see all the lights!

Chamilia and the" "Make a Wish" foundation.

It's always good to hear that one of your favourite jewellery brands continually supports good causes and you may well remember the gorgeous Chamilia bracelet I was lucky enough to be gifted back in October when Chamilia again supported Breast Cancer Awareness, with a proportion of every sale of both the bead and the bracelet going to Breast Cancer Charities.
I am now pleased to announce that Chamilia, in collaboration with Ernest Jones, are supporting the "Make a Wish" Foundation, a charity which grants magical wishes to children with life threatening illnesses.  As a mum of four, I have always had great admiration for the charity and it's amazing work, and it is wonderful news to hear that with the sale of every £55 bead, £12 will go to the Charity which makes children's dreams come true.

"Wish" Bead £55 with £12 going to the "Make A Wish" Foundation. Sold exclusively through Ernest Jones and H. Samuel.

Sadly I was unable to attend the launch party at the Corinthia Hotel in London last night but with my birthday celebrations taking place in the big city on Saturday it was impossible to schedule two trips in one week, but I have been lucky enough to be sent some images from the evening to share with you and I have to confess to being slightly gutted at missing out on meeting one of my Made In Chelsea favourites Francis Boulle (I am such an old saddo) and the Christmas "Wish" cocktails especially created for the event, would have gone down a treat!

The bead will make the most gorgeous addition to your bracelet, so go on, help make a child's dream come true and buy yours here. 

Plus Sized Fashion

When it comes to finding Plus Size Fashion on the High Street, it is never an easy task and one that many women find daunting and shy away from.  The thought of getting undressed in front of full length mirrors or calling out to a shop assistant for a different sized garment whilst in a state of half undress, can send most women home to their laptops and preferring to shop online, where they can try on outfits in the comfort of their own home without embarrassment.

The other thing most retailers tend to forget is that you don't need to be thin to want to look nice or be fashionable, and that many young women also fall into this buying demographic.

So if you are bored with the same old shopping destinations, with international shipping on all orders and a current 30% off dresses promotion, why not check out the range at www.autographfashion.com.au.

Five Sequin jackets for every budget.

The one good thing about being self employed and working from home is that I don't have to spend copious amounts of cash on an outfit for a works Christmas party. Those days are long gone and used to cost an arm and a leg, usually in Karen Millen, but with my December birthday fast approaching and a few nights out planned with girlfriends, at this time of year the usual local restaurant attire has to crank itself up a notch as everybody else will be pulling out all the stops with sparkly attire and wearing a sequin or two when out with their colleagues.  So in my quest to not be underdressed this season, but without wanting nor having budgeted for a party frock, the easiest way to dress up my usual jeans, heels, top, evening out combo, will be to sling on a sequin jacket.

Sequin jackets are a worthwhile investment whatever your budget and make an appearance every year from both high street and designer brands, and are not to be worn purely for the festive season nor purely over jeans and a t-shirt as they can work over a plain shift dress or cigarette pants just as easily and are perfect for Christmas or Boxing day if you are going out or entertaining at home, just take your apron off and slip one on as you leave the kitchen!

 

Asos was £65 now £48.50 in black, burgundy and silver. Oasis Fantasy Sequin Jacket £59.50. Crumpet Sequin Jacket from Stanwells was £240 now £168. Khardashian sequin jacket from Dorothy Perkins in gold and black was £50 now £30. Baukjen sequin jacket £149 in black and silver.


Is there a sequin jacket in your wardrobe just waiting to come out and play at Christmas?  Do you prefer a classic blazer style or a more relaxed draped front jacket?

 

A week on my iphone - Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

The tree went up on Monday evening.  I couldn't think of a better time than when the Royal Variety Show was on TV, the programme I loved and looked forward to as a child and teen but hate as an ageing adult, although I was upset to hear that Robbie Williams sang Mr Bojangles, as I do love him doing that song!

I'm afraid the vote for pink and green decorations was unanimous this year, clash with the decor somewhat I know, but hopefully we will be back to cream and gold next year or perhaps white if I can pick some up in the sales!  I was so disappointed to have bought an artificial tree for the first time in virtually my entire life (and that is a long time, trust me) but I am really pleased with it and it certainly has it's upside, with no pine needles to sweep up every day! Half price from Homebase - get in (as the kids would say)!

 

You know it's almost Christmas when your 12 year old son appears after his shower wearing last winters Reindeer pyjamas from John Lewis. They do a slightly different version this year but I think this will be the last pair of novelty p.j.'s for the fast maturing tween!

 

The first snow fall of the season.

As the temperature dropped to zero and a few snow flakes drifted through the air, a trip into town for a root touch-up called for shearling lined Jimmy Choo boots and the puffa coat which can no longer be referred to as my "school coat" as I am now afforded the luxury of not having to go out at 8.30am everyday.  The only plus side of your kids growing up!

My week ended on a high when my eldest daughter passed her final exam after 5 weeks of training with Virgin Holidays.  I will miss her being at Thomas Cook in town, it was always lovely to pop in and see her, but now she will be based in House of Fraser at Maidstone and my youngest daughter after dropping out of her fashion degree in the summer, followed by loads of unpaid work experience on the glossies, had an interview yesterday afternoon for New! magazine and got the job - starts Monday for three months.  Fingers crossed my middle daughter after graduating earlier this year gets something soon!

Have you got your Christmas tree up yet? Presents all bought and wrapped?

Something for the Weekend - Sales already?

Yes its true, some sales have already started! In the midst of all the online discounts we have seen in previous weeks, retailers are starting even earlier with their sales this year.  Whilst in town yesterday I noticed New Look had 50% off of partywear, great if you are looking for something for a Christmas "do" on a budget.  Clarks have also started and so has one of my favourite shopping destinations, Great Plains, who have some great pieces to either wear on a night out, dress up an existing outfit or just keep cosy this winter. So here is my round up of their current half price bargains.

Monroe Metallic Clutch was £40 now £20.

Selina Dress was £70 now £37.50.

La Belle Epoch Dress Was £150 now £75.

Gershwin Tunic Dress was £99 now £49.50.

Drape Top was £40 now £20.

Leather Buckle Slouch Bag was £140 now £70.

Print Cardi was £65 now £32.50.

Leather Skirt was £160 now £80.

In other news, the Russell and Bromley website is now live at www.russellandbromley.co.uk and I can't wait for their sale to start! 

Get £10 off a £100 spend at Space NK, no code required, discount applied at checkout.

Have a fab and festive weekend and if you are still looking for inspiration, don't forget to check out my gift guides here!