House Of Fraser AW15 Press Day Roundup

I had a lovely time browsing what House of Fraser have to offer this coming Winter a few weeks ago. Despite it being sunny outside, it is always nice to think ahead to the cozy/snuggly months - especially when sequins are involved (Christmas count down anyone?!?).  As always, they didn't disappoint and even surpassed expectations - keep reading, I've saved the best until last!  Here's whats coming up from them.

Animal print just continues season after season, it's a great way to add some character to an outfit.  A little belt is the perfect way to start if you're a bit print phobic!  Biba had a brilliant selection.

Exclusive collection from their Biba range - how fabulous are those sequins and stripes are always a winner.

Maison Scotch, Linea (classic camel coat alert) and Hunter - a perfect selection of glitz, classic and practical from their coat range.

My favourite - the handbags!  Oxblood red coming your way as well as some more dusky pink (you can still bring out your pink wool coat if you bought one last season!)

Fringing looks like it's here to stay for the foreseeable future (good job as I love it).  The leather on these bags were amazing.  

Winter isn't Winter without a little faux fur.  This bag (£95) by Helen Moore had a tough leather strap making it a sturdy every day bag with that touch of difference due to the fur.  Stole by Helen Moore, Coat by Pied a Terre (£189).

Can you just see the eyes an lips on the Lulu Guinness far left - how cute!  The pink Radley also caught my eye - how sleek does that one look!

Vivienne Westwood, DKNY and Lulu Guinness again.  The backpack was a gorgeous soft leather, I loved the studs on it. 

Knitwear needed for Winter, naturally!  Label Lab offered a little light embellishment (£89), whilst Barbour went for the classic thick heavy knit leaving Dickins & Jones to a cute bow back style

Leather really is in, these skirts again, were the softest leather.  The classic cut on the left was juxtaposed to the bias cut one on the right, something for everyone!  Both by Biba.

McQueen anyone?  Serious handbag lust going on here.  From L to R; £360, £295, £390.

I'm yet to add some tied courts to my shoe collection, these were a classic black suede with the delicate tie at the front.  Both shoes by Carvela.

Finishing with my favourite - Victoria Beckham, yes, a little selection from her jean line will now be available from House of Fraser making her more accessible to us all!  Cute, classic and classy, gosh she is good!

So come on then, who's getting excited about Christmas and who has started or is going to start their Christmas shopping in the July sales?!?  My hands are up!

Holiday Snaps

I promise this is the last I will bang on about my holiday in the sunshine whilst it was Autumn here....(!) Despite loving clothes I do find on holiday I tend to not be so bothered about dressing up, mainly because it's too hot but also because I try my best to fully relax and forget about routines, work, lifestyle etc.  However there were a few decent outfits I wanted to share before I finally put the sunshine to bed so here goes.  

First up, probably my favourite TK Maxx find this year, my Moschino skirt.  It is so comfortable to wear and not too short.  I teamed it with my Cos silk and cotton blend t-shirt as it's a fairly smart due to the fibre composition.  I popped on my Topshop necklace (although I'm not a large jewellery fan on hot holidays - too much fuss, but I felt I needed something more for that night's meal out).  I ran out of time to put my black sandals on as their required some doing up so had to slip on my old Carvela gold ones, not ideal but I wasn't bothered - holiday mode!

I purchased this navy sun dress about 6 years ago from Topshop.  It has been dragged out every holiday since, despite me thinking it was a little too dark for holidays when I bought it.  The bonus about the colour is that no matter how much sun lotion or food/drinks/sweat it has on it, it still looks pretty good.

At the start of the holiday...

By the end - a little more crumpled! 

We had a day trip out to Bridgetown for a browse one morning so I popped on my version of a denim short (a proper jeans short will remain on my wish list).  These Tommy Hilfiger shorts are made of a lightweight denim/cotton.

Top; Zara
Shorts; Tommy Hilfiger
Bag; River Island
Sandals; Carvela

Everything always looks better in the sunshine, colours, diamonds.....I didn't purchase but I was very tempted!

A beautiful fabric shop in Bridgetown

Checking out the local bling

I've already mentioned about my Topshop Joni jeans and how comfy they were to travel in so they were worn on the way back as well.  I kept it simple with a loose breton t-shirt (I slipped on a vest  underneath mid flight!) and my Nike's again (but wore my flips flips to the airport).  I had a large animal print bag for my carry on as the girls and myself never travel light.  I hadn't planned on a monochrome theme it just happened like this!

T-shirt & Jeans; Topshop
Flipflops; Haviana's
Bag; TK Maxi

Next to Wes Hall (legendary cricketer) - the cardboard version, however he actually married my cousin!

Finished off with a little Duty Free purchase on the plane.  My Mother in Law and me decided to go halves as we couldn't afford the whole set then I was kindly told my half was an early Christmas present!  Lovely little treat thank you MIL x

Au revoir holiday, until next year! 

Love From The Carlisle's

The Mega Sandal Order!

I ordered big!  House of Fraser had an additional 10% off for card holders, I was getting desperate and there was nothing in the shops so I ordered 7 pairs!  Just in case you've missed my last posts, I have a beach wedding to go to at the end of the month and so I've been after some blingy sandals to go with my dress.

From L to R; Steve Madden, Carvela, Ravel, Dorothy Perkins and Office

I am not well at the moment so I'm not really thinking straight (yes, for those that know me well, I never really do anyway I hear you shout) and hate forcing a decision.  So at the very least I whittled it down to the ones that fit and sorry to say, those sparkly Gina look a like Carvela gems did not fit.  So I have two to decide on.  I also hate buying items just for one occasion so my gut is loving the black and white pony skin the most, regardless of the fact the gem ones go perfectly. 

I do like to mix it up a little hence the pony skin is still winning by a mile at the moment!

Then I raided my wardrobe just one last time - just in case.  I bought these Dune shoes in the Winter sales and they are yet to be worn.  So not right for a beach but apparently the bride is wearing mega heels later on in the evening as we are at a 'venue' of sorts.  So I'm contemplating these for a moment too.

Then I decided to just try on the 'doubles' (I bought two sizes in styles that had both available) and testimony to how not with it I am, I had completely forgotten about my favourite Steve Madden ones that I had put under the pony skin box as I just assumed it was the other size!  So here are the white pony skin with gems.  I love them, but they so don't go with the dress.....

So what do you guys think?  I need to cart the big box back to the post office ASAP (I hate returns hanging around for long) as I am too embarrassed to do a store return with this lot!  

We Have A Winner!

Congratulations Camilla on winning this stunning Becksondergaard scarf kindly donated by Coco Marie for my blog give away.  We hope you enjoy wearing it (when it cools down a bit of course!) and would love to see some pictures when you do!

So school is finally out for Summer.  Just completed day 2 of the holidays and I've had to take an ibuprofen.....She was so ready to finish school and needs lots of sleep just like her Mummy does right now!  With the youngest enjoying the day with her friends (Nursery Friday we like to call it!), it was a Mummy & Holly day to spend her vouchers.  She did really well, I on the other hand, well I'm not sure what's happened.  Maybe it's because I've kind of done the sales and am a little bored now and it's all starting to look a bit messy or maybe it's because I don't 'need' anything right now (shush!) but I left empty handed.  So instead of sharing my shopaholic tendencies today, here are the choices of my 6 year, not bad at all!

To end the school year I had a lovely evening out at the Chinese with the school Mums.  I wanted a dress roomy enough to stuff my face (so un-lady like I know, but we are talking Chinese food here, nom nom nom).  I went with this Kate Moss & Topshop collaboration from a few seasons ago.  I love the print, it's small and not too over powering.  I teamed it with a Modalu clutch/strapped bag that has been out on my Sister's 'handbag library card' for a few years and was recently returned (I found the receipt in it Em from 2010, I say no more).  I love picking out colours from a multi dress like this and the green is so refreshing.

Please excuse nappy clad toddler in the background!

For a more 'day look' I would add some cropped leggings, especially for running around after the kids as it's a little bit shorter than I remembered but I was sitting for a meal so it was ok!  The flip flops are also from a few seasons ago by Carvela.  Looking at the outfit makes me feel even colder now so I'm off to put my thick socks on for bed (I wondered how long I would be able to last without them, not long enough me thinks!).  Have a good week-end everyone.