26.12.2011- Monday Must-haves: Sale Steals Special

We're just one day after Christmas, and it can't have escaped your notice that the sales are already well underway. Call me a traditionalist, but I'm a firm believer that Boxing Day should be reserved for seeing family, tucking into turkey sandwiches and devouring a selection box of chocolate, and after working in retail at Christmas over the last two years, I can think of nothing worse than battling my way to the bargains currently on offer on the high street. However, I've been browsing online and have come across some amazing finds, so thought I'd share the cream of the sales crop in a special Monday Must-haves post:

The Mulberry sale kicked off online on Christmas Eve, and there are still some bargains available. I've long admired the Tillie from afar (even my Mum's a fan!) and can't quite get over how good the reduction is on this style- I might just give in and treat myself. I adore Alex Monroe's jewellery, and this heart design ring has been on my wish list for ages. At virtually half price, it really is a bargain that has to be snapped up (especially as I've still got a £50 Net-a-Porter voucher to use!) This blouse from Boutique by Jaegar is a beauty, and a real investment buy as it looks like collars are going to continue to be big fashion news as we move in to 2012. Paul & Joe's lipsticks are lovely, and I really like this vibrant pink shade- the perfect injection of colour for a gloomy January. You might remember I featured this lace blouse from Warehouse in a post back in September, and since then I've been waiting for it to be reduced- I eagerly ordered it in blue and pink as soon as I saw it was on sale! I adore this Mavala nail varnish trio from Debenhams, and at under £10 for three shades you really can't go wrong. Finally, this Michael Van der Ham design for Topshop is stunning, and ideal if you're looking to treat yourself to a designer item at high street prices- the sorbet pink is perfect for SS12 too.

Have you treated yourself to anything in the sales? And did you brave your local shopping centre today?

(Image credit: Mulberry, Net-a-Porter, House of Fraser, ASOS, Warehouse, Debenhams and Topshop.)

19.12.2011- Monday Must-haves: The Christmas Countdown

With less than a week to get those last minute pressies, this final installment of my Christmas themed Monday Must-haves focuses on gifts which are at the more luxurious end of the spectrum. Extra special presents for extra special people, if you will (or indeed if you're feeling guilty about leaving everything so late!)

Mulberry's book, created to celebrate their 40th anniversary is the perfect present for a fan of the label, and is a great coffee table title. This clutch bag from ASOS is a lovely shade of Christmas cranberry, and the ideal gift to complete any festive outfit. I adore this wall light from Habitat, and it's a really unusual present- if you're buying for someone who has just moved into a new house or flat, it'd be fantastic. Alternatively, I think it's a great option for someone who wants to redecorate or add that special touch to a room. Patrick Demarchelier's recently released book, Dior Couture, showcases some stunning images, and would be a dream present for anyone looking for some fashion inspiration. I've only just come across this amazing Christmas gift set from Liz Earle, and with the cold weather here to stay it's a really lovely treat to pamper someone with- it's certainly one of the items I'm hoping to find under the tree on Christmas morning! This Sonia Rykiel scarf is an instant classic, and the star print keeps it feeling festive. I've included the Westfield gift card as it would make a brilliant stress-free last minute present- they can be ordered and delivered up until Christmas Eve, and can carry any amount you choose. I was lucky enough to win one myself after entering the Westfield Style Notes Blogger Competition, and it can be used across the majority of luxury and high street stores in any Westfield shopping centre, so is perfect for someone who wants a splurge in Topshop or who might be saving up for a luxury treat. Finally, this gorgeous star ring by Swarovski is a stunning keepsake, and I think it's a really special present to give someone who deserves to wake up to a bit of sparkle on Christmas morning.

(Image credit: Mulberry, ASOS, Habitat, Amazon, Liz Earle, Net-a-Porter, Westfield and Swarovski.)

26.09.2011- Monday Must-haves

Monday again! I hope you all had great weekends. I had a very busy day yesterday which involved being bombarded by sales staff left, right and centre at London Fashion Weekend, an impromptu picnic in St. James' Park and finally visiting the Glamour of the Gods exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery which I posted about back in July. You must go if you get the chance, it's wonderful, and every inch as glamorous as you'd expect (think Veronica Lake, Gary Cooper, Clara Bow and Cary Grant to name but a few). Anyway, back to business- my Must-haves for this week:

This week's selection is quite an odd mixture, but when I saw the bargain prices of some of the items I've had my eye on for a while I couldn't resist including them. I love this ring from Oasis as it really reminds me of the YSL Arty range, and at a mere £8 is a fraction of the price. I spied this Olivia Rubin top during London Fashion Weekend yesterday (their sales staff were lovely!) and really regret not buying it then and there. I've admired Olivia's work for a long time, and the print on this design is just beautiful and unlike anything I've seen anywhere else...thank heavens for online shopping! These boots from Office were at the top of my wish list this time last year, but as you can imagine I was reluctant to shell out nearly £100 for them. Now they've been reduced to £55 in the sale just in time for winter, so it would be rude not to snap them up! Talking of winter, how adorable is this jumper from Topshop??! I am thinking of getting it just to confuse my cats (and trust me, they are easily confused!) These Giles & Brother earrings are beautiful, and with the £50 Net-A-Porter voucher I got at Fashion's Night Out, would only be £15. Finally, this lace top from Warehouse is perfectly pretty- I adore the deep blue shade and doesn't it match the ring perfectly? Anyone would think I plan these posts!

What do you think of my choices for this week? And did you have a good weekend?

(Image credit: Warehouse, Oasis, Olivia Rubin, Office, Topshop and Net-A-Porter.)

20.09.2011- Fashion's Night Out 2011

This year's Fashion's Night Out in London was a busy one for me! I was up at 6.30am, rushed up to London on the probably the most packed commuter train this side of India, and struggled all morning trying to affix a silly hat to my apparently abnormally shaped head. Never fear, however, as this was not part of the FNO craziness, but instead my experience of graduation! I might pop a cheeky picture or two of the event up on here soon, but suffice it to say billowing robes are a look that only Gandalf can rock. After a panic phone call to my mum ('The hat won't stay on, I need your help!'), I made it across the stage without falling over and had a really lovely time, regardless of the sartorial challenge trying to look elegant whilst being strangled by acres of material presented. After the ceremony, my parents and I went to The Dorchester for their gorgeous afternoon tea (which I blogged about when I first went back in March) before I met up with my best friend Sarah and we began our Fashion's Night Out in earnest:

We kicked off the night by having a browse around Selfridges, where we spotted this beautiful display in the Tiffany window, and kicked ourselves for painting our nails the night before, meaning we couldn't get a free Chanel manicure!

Next up we headed down to Mount Street, where we were surprised to find Marc by Marc Jacobs empty. Compared to the mania of last year, it was eerily quiet. Not that we were complaining, however, when we got a free canvas tote bag each after making a purchase just after 6pm (when the event officially started). Bingo!

As we made our way along Mount Street, we stopped for some obligatory outfit snaps, and I once again proved that I am incapable of pulling a normal facial expression. 

Dress- French Connection

Jacket- Zara

Shoes- Carvela at Debenhams (in the sale!)

Bag- Urban Outfitters

Sarah's outfit:
Skirt- Topshop
Blazer- Zara
Shoes- Office
Bag- Mulberry

Along the way we bumped into our lovely friend Liz, who looked amazing in this monochrome outfit.

We then headed down to Net-A-Porter's Window Shop- a pop up shop front which was interactive! All you had to do was download a special app (or in my case borrow an iPad from one of the lovely team stationed outside) and you could be in with the chance of winning an item from the window display.

After scanning the window, we didn't win anything but as we were some of the first fifty people at the The Window Shop, we were given a goody bag containing a £50 voucher to use on Net-A-Porter.com! We were speechless!

After popping into Lanvin for some lovely macaroons, we headed over to Bond Street, where things were crazy. I have never seen things so busy, but there was a great atmosphere. Unlike last year, many shops had lengthy queues of people waiting to get in, something which seemed to go against the inclusive ethos of Fashion's Night Out. Nevertheless, it was great to see what all of the stores had going on, and I loved the window display outside Louis Vuitton and this NYC taxi outside DKNY.

Our final stop of the night was Mulberry. Although we had to queue to get it, the line moved quite quickly and it was worth it once we got inside and were promptly invited to enter a raffle to win a bag and a luxury holiday. After having a browse around the store and spotting Cara Delevingne (she is stunning), we had our photo taken against the woodland themed backdrop (along with a lovely girl we met in the queue outside!) and managed to get our hands on a goody bag each.

 Amongst the madness we also popped in to Diane Von Furstenberg, where they were handing out freebie fragrance samples, and where we starred in our own mini-movie:

All in all, this year's Fashion's Night Out was a great one. Although it was disheartening to see some of the bigger, more premium brands had invite only events/enormous queues outside, if you knew where to be then there was a brilliant time to be had. I still can't quite believe we were given the Net-A-Porter vouchers (I'm still deliberating what to buy!), and it was great to go to the Mulberry party as the atmosphere was amazing (as was the goody bag!) Much like last year, it was a case of being in the right place at the right time! Bring on FNO 2012!

Did you go to Fashion's Night Out? If so, what did you get up to?

(Image credit: Sarah Farrell and City Girl's Fashion Box, please do not reproduce without permission. Video credit: sarahjsandiford on Youtube.)

20.06.2011- Monday Must-haves: Net-A-Porter Sale Special

Monday again! I hope you all had a lovely weekend and that the start to the week hasn't been too bad. I was up early this morning to secure some tickets to the very exciting Yohji Yamamoto Fashion in Motion event which is happening at the V&A next week, and have just got home from catching up with my lovely friends over noodles and frozen yogurt galore. And, as if that wasn't enough excitement for one day, this morning saw the start of the Net-A-Porter sale, which has provided me with plenty of fantasy must-haves to be getting on with for the week:

In spite of the fact that all my picks for this week have been discounted, everything I've featured is still very much out of my price range, but I suppose there's no harm in window shopping! I love the Burberry trench, a truly iconic piece which will remain timeless in any wardrobe. We all know how prone I am to lusting after anything by Mulberry, whether it be this Cory tote or beautiful printed scarf, and the sequinned tee is stunning (if still equivalent to the price of a very good holiday!) I love the colour of this Marc Jacobs brocade shift dress, and think that the DKNY sandals are a perfect summer staple. And I couldn't resist this cute little necklace from Marc by Marc Jacobs, so charming!

Have you picked up anything in the sales so far? And what do you think of my choices for this week?

(Image credit: Net-A-Porter.)