The End Of Sales Sales

This is probably my favourite point in the sales, the time when the brands just want to shift the old stock to make way for the new so the prices drop even more.  There really are some great deals to be had now and it's the perfect time to buy slightly ahead of time - i.e. buy some Spring/Summer bits that won't date, now.  Here's some of my best picks (and I did get slightly carried away with Topshop  to start with - some are currently sat in my basket!) including my best sale buy this season to finish with.

Cord Pinafore £22 from £39

Lace Midi Dress £25 from £49

Sequin Hoodie £25 from £46

Lace Ruffle Top £12 from £26

Suede Sandals £25 from £46

And the rest from a variety of places;

Whistles sandals via John Lewis £40 from £140 

Zara Contrast Dress £9.99 from £29.99

New Look Bobble Hat £5 from £9.99

Baukjen Slogan Top £14 from £49

 Laura Ashley Outside Wall Light £36 from £60

 French Connection Large Clock £37.50 from £125

I dashed into my local TK Maxx to see if I could find some last minute party shoes for my youngest and low and behold, I happened to find myself in the ladies shoe isle.....I saw these suede boots by the brand Iro and instantly loved them.  There was a pair for £79.99 then another on the bottom Clearance shelf for £11.  Yes, a whole £11.  Even the soles are leather.  I dread to think what they would have been full price.  They came home with me, no questions asked, they just did.  Bargain!

Savvy Sales Shopping

A Happy New Year to all my readers, I hope you are all well and truly rested after the festive break.  Or perhaps the break starts now the kids are back at school......!  We have lots of family birthdays around Christmas time (great planning I know) but it does always mean we hit the shops for various reasons quite a bit.  As we are midst renovations right now I'm being more selective than ever and currently have a nice little stash of birthday and Christmas money being saved away.  That being said, I have managed to grab a few bargains - but beware, the sales haven't reached their full potential yet, wait for better discounts if you dare!

I do love M&S cashmere, it wears well and only recently have I somehow managed to shrink a few pieces.  I loved this red crew neck which was £75 down to £50, then scanned at £40 and I had a £5 Sparks birthday voucher so £35 - happy me!  I've linked their cashmere here but I've found more selection and better prices in store right now.  

(Not as bright as it seems and paws to the left courtesy of Lizzie cat)

Gap is always a firm favourite of mine and as a few of my sweaters need replacing I grabbed this cotton one which was down to £14.99 (£24.99 online though I'm afraid).  Make sure you sign up to their emails, they are always sending offers and I had a further 25% off via a recent one making this £11.24 - bargain.

A blog post of mine wouldn't be a post without featuring Topshop would it!  When I was supposed to be running to grab a last minute child's present I saw the sale sign and couldn't help but duck in.  I had seen this shirt earlier in the year and loved it but at £12 I wasn't going to let it stay in the shop.  It is a size larger than I normally take but it fitted well and as it's cotton it allows for some shrinkage. I've not seen it online so check out stores if you're after one.  

Gorgeous back detail

On the same 'emergency' Christmas present shopping trip, I had to pop to H&M and saw this wool hat for £2.  Yes, you read that right, £2.  Needless to say that didn't remain in the shop either.

Now this is the one I need a little help with.  I love the Missoni print and this was down to £20 in TK Maxx.  I thought it was gorgeous but I'm not a huge scarf wearer to be honest and after it was joked I looked like a llama herdsman (I have the best mates) I've not worn it yet.  I don't want to be sucked in on price and just because it's designer, but it is still beautiful.  Being short of space at the mo I'm being very careful what makes it's way into my limited wardrobe.  

Lizzie cat again, yes! 

Merry Christmas (with a Sales note!)

Wishing you and your families a wonderful Christmas and New Year!

PS With regards to sale shopping, make sure you check the returns policy!  Don't think about something then regret it as it's gone when you go back for it, like wise, don't buy for the sake of it. It's easy to get caught up in the commotion of a 'bargain' but if you take it home and have a few weeks grace, make sure it's going to work in your wardrobe before you rip the tags off in haste!

Phase Eight Bargains

I was working with a client in House of Fraser the other week and a fair few items in Phase Eight caught my eye.  I wasn't able to take photos but they had the cutest leather cross body bag - which has now been reduced even further in the sale.  I've been really impressed with them of late, it's not a brand that is heavily on my radar but I have recommended different items to several of my clients, from shoes to dresses.  They seem to have got it right as far as delivering to a broad age group.  I will stop my rambling and just share and link a few of my favourites right now - mainly handbags, they really are my thing but do have a browse around their site.  Oh and be quick - these beauties won't hang around for long.  When I was planning this post the other week they had some other amazing handbags which have now gone.

NB This isn't a sponsored post, purely me sharing a brand I recommend at the moment!

£49 down to £22 I saw this in the flesh and it is gorgeous - the perfect small bag size 

Suede and tassels - what's not to love?  This bag is £69 down to £34

£65 down to £29, this leather bag is great for a luxe day bag feel due to the gold and the tassel

£55 down to £16.50 I love this beach bag, it's the perfect colour combination so that it won't look scruffy after a few uses

A great little clutch, metallics go with everything and the texture/animal print adds a bit of character.  This leather clutch is £59 down to £41

This suede bag is a great travel companion, or if like me, you daily carry the kitchen sink with you, a great day bag to.  Tan is one of my favourite colours for bags as it's so easy to wear.  £120 down to £60

Their shoes are equally as good and if I wasn't so sleep deprived, I would continue on and share a whole load - but I promise there really is something for everyone so follow this link to head straight to the shoes.  Flats, sandals, heels, boots, sparkles, leather, they have got them all covered.  I will leave you with the below though, a favourite of mine.  I ordered the blue but the colour was just that little too similar to another pair in my wardrobe, the black however is a classic.  They were so comfy and well made - suede lined, I could just picture them with some casual rolled up jeans and a cute little top (oh and maybe one of their bags too).  My self imposed budget means they can't be mine right now though (insert sad face if I could!).

These are £110 down to £33