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!

What's In My Bag?

Bag that day; Balenciaga

If you're anything like me, you will love a nosey post like this!  This was a 'I have no kids with me' bag hence only one token child 'ish' thing but I do generally lug around this hefty lot with me all the time.  I am a 'just in case' kind of person.  I won't bore you with pictures of what's inside everything, we will be here all day but here's a few close ups.

These four are always with me without a doubt;

• Miu Miu purse 
• Lulu Guiness zip pouch; most probably intended for cosmetics but holds all my families gift cards and coupons, yes I have a coupon purse....
• Gucci cosmetics pouch; I don't tend to take my makeup out with me, it's purely a lip balm, mirror, lozenges, plasters, hair grips kind of pouch
• Smythson business card holder

• Mini iPad with read leather case; this is new to me, I'm not an iPad fan but it is perfect for travel and size wise brilliant to hold.  I am in love with it already (and I don't often say that about technology pieces!).  Just in case any of you have saved up your Tesco vouchers, it's their double up promotion period and iPads are included, hence I got mine for next to nothing!
• Mini filofax; I refuse to use the calendars on my phone, I like pen and paper for diaries

• Gucci sunglasses
• One Direction tissues (I did tell you at the start there was a token 'child ish' thing included, these are them!
• Dior Nail Glow; I painted on the go that day
• And finally, believe it or not, a Mulberry tape measure.  You never know when you need to measure something......

So does anyone else carry this much with them on a regular basis?  Aside from the nail polish and iPad, the rest is pretty much standard in my bag.  I have tried to cull it, but the one time I leave something behind, I need it.  Obviously sunglasses aren't needed come the Winter months!

Outfit Round-Up

This year is the year I moved on from my skinny jeans!  I am not totally without them of course, but the two pairs I bought from Gap that are their straight leg cut have had so much wear already. These were my bargain £12 ones teamed with a very old H&M t-shirt and Next animal sandals. Just a school run/about town look!

And then the skinnies came out for a girls night out!  These are also Gap, their wet look jeans.  I love the fit however the coating hasn't lasted as long as I had hoped.  Teamed with a blush pink lace Warehouse top and some very high heels (luckily we sat and caught up over cocktails and didn't have a dance!).

Clutch; sample from somewhere!
Shoes; Gucci
Ring; Dorothy Perkins
Earrings; Topshop
Bracelet; Valentino

Another day look - before the weather heated up of course.  Ralph Lauren ankle skimming jeans with a Cos top.  I've rolled the sleeves up a little as they finished just around my elbow and felt a little long.  I love the bright yellow hem, it really gives the top another dimension taking it from plain to having that little pop of colour.  

Im very pleased with my J.Crew purchases this year and this top has been no exception.  As I mentioned in my previous blog about it, I was a little dubious about the jewelled neckline but it has been in the machine, inside out on a hand wash cycle and no problems at all.  Gap jeans again and possibly my most worn shoes so far this year, my rose gold Primark sandals.  Don't get me wrong, they go with so much and are easy to throw on if I've not painted my toenails, but I know that won't be around next season as they have been well worn.  At £12, I didn't really expect them to last next season anyway.  

You get the idea - there's a theme to my casual looks - denim!  Flats were needed for the Robbie Williams concert and a cardi for when it got cooler.  I dug out this old Topshop cardi (and I'm talking 8+ years here) that has little peach flowers on it.  Somehow, it has stood the test of time and worked perfectly with my shoes and handbag.  The top is sleeveless, needed for the heat inside the O2.

Top; Zara
Cardi; Topshop
Watch; Tag
Bag; Italian - no idea, sorry!
Jeans; Gap
Shoes; Primark

It's been years since I saw Robbie solo (naturally I saw him when he reunited with Take That - HUGE fan!) and for some reason I didn't have any expectations, but he was amazing.  A true entertainer and the style of songs worked perfectly for him (his Swing Both Ways tour).  His Dad even came on to perform with him!  

Because.....it really is so true!

Bag; Prada
Pumps; French Sole
Jeans; Gap
Pouch; Lulu Guinness
T-shirt; Juicy Couture

TK Maxx Finds

I've always been honest about having good and bad days in TK Maxx.  But when it's good, I love it.  I have been on a roll of late, although these items were last month.  I am now avoiding TK's as I'm trying to be considerate to my bank balance (and a anxious husband...).  Having only properly discovered the benefits of a chino style trouser in the last few years (pre kids, full time work, never felt I had the need) I only had two Next pairs in my wardrobe; grey and pale blue. When I saw these khaki Ralph Lauren ones for £29.99 I grabbed them. The Fenn Wright Manson cardigan was in clearance at £18.  Ok, I admit, I really did not 'need' another cardigan, but the joy at finding trousers that fitted so well got me a little carried away. Especially as it went so well with them.  

Linen FWN caridgan £18

Ralph Lauren £29.99 - bargain!

Love the lurex through this knit, moves it from plain to interesting

Probably a little longer than I would chose for the cardigan, but as I said, got a little carried away!

The fit of the trousers is amazing,, so comfortable (just not on the hottest day of the year so far...
Tee - Lulu Guinness for Uniqlo

On the same trip I managed to find these nude shoes.  I love nude, especially as they help to elongate a short legged person such as myself!  Another very comfortable find, they are all padded under the sole. Leather, £49.99, not bad at all.

Guess £49.99

And finally, probably the biggest bargain of them all, this Gianfranco Ferre cardigan (oh ok, yes, another cardigan but they are versatile pieces in a wardrobe, honestly).  Originally £250.00, and no, I would not pay this for it, instead, I paid £20.  It is exquisitely made, every stitch, button, detail deserves credit. The  quality of the fabric, well the photo's don't do it justice.  Already worn very simply with a white vest and jeans, it has a sheen to it, silver not grey.  TK Maxx really is worth devoting some time to when you find gem's like this.

Hanging like this doesn't do it any justice

Just so you know I wasn't fibbing!