5 THINGS TO DO IN AUTUMN

1. Refresh your wardrobe. With a noticeable drop in the temperature, now is the perfect time to indulge in some A/W staples. Treat your hands to a fabulous pair of gloves and make sure your warm and toasty thanks to that beautiful scarf you have been eyeing up. 
2. Give your makeup a well overdue shakeup. As much as i love my vibrant fuchsias, Autumn is the perfect time to adorn 50 shades of red. Lately I have been re acquainted with a long lost gem, que Tom Ford Moroccan Rouge, the ultimate transitional shade.
3. Make the most of Halloween. Dressing up, ghoulish recipes, Pumpkin Spiced Latte's, an abundance of candy, lazy days cuddled up watching horror movies and most importantly pumpkin carving. Whats not to love. 
4. Embark on a leisurely walk in the countryside or an evening wander across the beach. Where I live I am blessed to have the best of both worlds. Theres nothing better than looking up and admiring the changing colours of the trees, listening to the waves hit the pebbles at dusk, or running through a field of crunchy leaves.
5. Watch the rain pour whilst Indulging in Afternoon Tea in a beautiful country house or spend a miserable evening at the Cinema or a show. 
What are your favourite things to do in Autumn?

The Personalised Washbag | Christmas Gift Guide For Him

Im sure im not alone when I say that gift buying for the men in my life is somewhat of a gruelling task. Especially when it comes to conjuring up original ideas!! There's only a certain amount of times that I can gift my dad a pen / dvd / bottle, and the same goes for my ridiculously hard to buy for brother. Personally I find that gift sets for him are often unimaginative and a little thrown together. 

So when I spotted this Michael Kors Washbag hidden amongst a sea of novelty stocking fillers in TkMaxx for the grand total of £12.99 (im a magpie when it comes to that place), I had somewhat of an Eureka moment!! Why not put together a washbag you know he'll love, filled with luxury items. 

Every guy has there own signature scent, so why not fill the washbag with they're favourite fragrance. As the above gift is tailored towards my boyfriend I have filled it full of his much loved faves, including a Hugo Boss Night Eau De Toilette, AfterShave Balm and Rollerball Deodorant (If you read Tim's Hint Of Primping post, you will know his hilarious reasons for loving Hugo Boss). I love how this would also be an ideal gift for my designer obsessed brother (id replace Hugo Boss with a Bleu De Chanel Spray or Paco Rabanne 1 Million) and my near impossible to buy for dad ( I would replace the whole thing with some D&G Eau De Toilette and perhaps a Monogram/ personalised Washbag). 

On a budget?! you could easily fill it with his everyday essentials such as skincare, deodorant, shower gel etc.. I can guarantee that the men in your lives will be thrilled that a little thought has been put into there gift. I hope that you have gained a little inspiration from this post.

 What gifts will you be purchasing 'him' this Christmas?!

Michael Kors Crossover Bag

TkMaxx is one of those shops, you either love or hate. Up until a few months back, I had the latter opinion and blindly wrote it off as a shop full of last seasons unsellable tat. But how wrong was I? I will admit that at times it may resemble a jumble sale, but look past the sea of unorganised mess, and there are real bargains to be had (read my tips on getting a bargain here). 

With a trip to Paris on the horizon I have been on the look out for the perfect fuss free bag, thats practical yet chic (I will be going to the fashion capital after all). Whilst perusing the aisles of my local TkMaxx, I spotted an abundance of current season crossover bags, but nothing really bowled me over. This was until my boyfriend came whizzing around the corner clutching this beautiful bag by none other than Michael Kors (he is seriously well trained in spotting a gem, I wish I had his skills). 

When I laid eyes on this magnificent piece of arm candy (note: im the girl who named my precious Jet Set Tote) I knew that it would be the perfect travel companion. The bag is a beautiful (think I may be overusing the word beautiful!!) buttery leather in a vibrant navy blue, finished off with gorgeous gold hardware. According to the card inside, the leather will patina over time, so im looking forward to seeing it age with use gracefully. 

The bag itself is a pretty decent size for a crossover, with several pockets in the back, front and inside, making it easy to keep essentials organised whilst on the go (my boyfriend is adamant this wont happen haha). 

This little beauty cost £100, I know I know its a little pricey (I contemplated the purchase for a good while, whilst grasping the bag in fear of it falling out of my grasp). But with the RRP setting a handbag junkie back £225 and an increasing amount of high street bags ranging between the £50-£100 mark, it really is a worthwhile gem, especially for a designer label! 

Right im off to sit and admire my new addition (I need a life). 

What has been your best TkMaxx find?

Michael Kors Beauty Line 2013

source

5 minutes after promising myself to curb the horrendous spending habit (a grown up wage is lethal), a post popped up on my newsfeed about a new beauty line by none other than Michael Kors, which  to be brutally honest put my newly made promise straight out the window! 

If you hadn't already guessed I LOVE MICHAEL KORS. After visiting one of his many stores in New York, I have gained an infatuation for the brand, a love that goes past everyones beloved chunky watches!! Im the girl who cried in the middle of covent garden after my boyfriend bought me my beloved Jet Set Tote (which is also named FYI ha), im the one who browses Harrods and adds MK related items to my imaginary wish list, and takes a trip into tkmaxx in the hope that il find a Michael Kors shaped bargain. 

Right enough of my devotion to one of the many gods of designers, and lets talk makeup!! The new fragrance and beauty collection looks divine. With influence from some of the most important ladies in Michael Kors life, such as his grandmother who was glamorous, and his mother who believed in more of a natural look, with these facts in mind the collection is split into three categories, catering for a variety of ladies. Sporty for those who love a more neutral look, sexy and glam. 

This isn't your usual makeup launch, there is not a single mascara or foundation in sight. Instead the collection focuses on beautiful nail lacquers, lipsticks, bronzers etc, each decadently packaged and embossed with the Michael Kors logo. 

The only negative for us UK fans? the collection will be available exclusively to Macy's for the first year, aswell as MK stores. Luckily for my bank balance these wont be released until at least August, so I better start saving the pennies!! 

What do you make of this collection??

February Favourites 2013

Valentines Day

 Yep thats right, yet another obligatory Valentines post bracing your newsfeed. Although we all love being bought jewellery from our other half's, receiving heart felt cards from the ones we love, and being serenaded with big bouquets of roses and boxes of chocolates, soppiness aside, Valentines is the perfect day to think about the one's we love and show them how much they are appreciated. Its about putting a smile on your loved ones face, whether that be through a hug, a cheesy card, or just telling them how you feel. 

Several years ago my Granddad sent my Nana a secret valentines card. Although clueless for quite some time as to who the sender was, the smile on her face was priceless, and this memory makes me smile each valentine. Whether in a relationship or not, tell your nearest and dearest how much you love them!! young or old I can guarantee that it may just make their day.   

Once again I have been a very lucky girl this valentines!! After working till late, I came home to a beautiful bracelet, a soppy card, some fancy truffles, a chick flick and best of all a great big cuddle, the boy really did good!! 

Happy Valentines you lovely lot!!!

TKMAXX- How to bag yourself a bargain

If you read my previous Tkmaxx post then you will know that I have a love hate relationship with the shop that claims to have 'Big Labels for Small Prices'. With my recent successful visits resulting in me finding hidden gems, whilst also fuelling my ever growing Michael Kors obsession, I have found myself slowly but surely becoming addicted to the shop that I once ignorantly called a 'jumble sale'. 

After what seemed like a failed tkmaxx browse, I was just about to head to the exit when I spotted that oh so familiar MK logo, embossed upon a card holder from the corner of my eye. Already grinning like a cheshire cat with my £10 bargain (yep you read that right) my boyfriend presented me with this rather lovely clutch to accompany it for the grand total of £15. 

These purchases are enough proof to justify that "if at first you dont succeed browse and browse again" (I think this is a great motto, rightha), and that with a close eye Tkmaxx really can be the one stop shop for finding a one off piece, or a pure designer bargain. 

This being the case I decided to let you guys into my little tips on hopefully picking up a bargain. 

you snooze you lose 

whilst perusing the sunglasses stand I spotted a fabulous pair of £25 cream missoni sunglasses, umming and ahhhing I put them back on the stand, wrong move by me, in the time I turned back around to pick them up, someone already had them in their mitts. If you like something fling it in your basket, and decide before the checkout whether it is a keeper or not ( five days on and im still dreaming of those sunglasses). 

Dont get carried away by the logo

Im sure i am not the only one who's guilty of picking up an item solely because of the brand? (ahem* this means picking up every Michael kors item in site) problem with this is that you will soon fill your basket with items that will only gain an unloved home gathering dust at the bottom of your wardrobe. Look past the logo and you will be sure to find some hidden gems. That being said Tkmaxx is a brilliant shop for introducing yourself to new brands. 

Search each Section

So you spot an amazing pair of platform heels but the sign on the shelf says size4 footwear when your sadly a size 6. Dont just walk off, pick them up as chances are they may just be in your size. Going back to my 'jumble sale' comment, many shoppers will pick an item up and put it back in the wrong place. 

look out for the gold label range

spot one of these items, and you could find yourself waltzing away with a bargain item from a top dog designer, this range includes the likes of Dolce & Gabanna, See by Chloe and Valentino to name a few. 

Go in with an open mind 

If you walk in with the opinion that the shop is full of tat, then you will more than likely miss some great items right under your nose. Tkmaxx really do sell the lot, from OPI polishes to that perfect pair of running trainers and everything inbetween. 

What are your top tips for picking up a Tkmaxx bargain?

Im making a list of things that I miss whenever we're far apart...

scarf- Miss Selfridge

oversized jumper- Topshop 

Jeans & flats- Zara 

Bag & Watch- Michael Kors
The way that you kiss, the taste on your lips, i'm telling you from the heart..." 

With Valentines just around the corner I decided that it was the perfect opportunity to adorn a little pink (any excuse eh). I fell in love with this oversized jumper after seeing this post on temporary Secretary's blog way back in october. After lusting after it for quite some time, I finally caved just before christmas, and Im so glad I did as this has become a staple item in my wardrobe. I decided to pair this oversized gem with my beloved miss selfridge scarf. The perfect match, these items have received many a compliment when worn together.

TkMaxx Bargain....Michael Kors Flip Flops

 I know I know, you all must think I'm mad, most of the uk is a winter wonderland covered with blankets of crisp white snow, while the rest of the uk is succumbed to rain and wind, and here i am telling you about a pair of flip flops. but in my honest opinion if it were acceptable I would wear sandals all year round, in fact i will go one step further and say i would quite happily move to somewhere with a hotter climate just so I could do so ha. 

Tkmaxx to me is one of those marmite like shops you either love or hate. In all honesty I'm not the biggest fan, main reason being that I fail to ever find anything I love, and if I do its more often than not still out of my price range. Yesterday I went in with the soul intention of purchasing a pair of boots, desperately searching the aisles, these bright orange pretties immediately caught my attention. Did I mention they were Michael Kors? at the grand total of £15 I ran to the till (after picking up a second pair of flip flops), smug with my bargain find. 

Perhaps not to every ones taste, these bright orange flip flops finished off with the iconic gold embossed Michael kors logo, leave me longing for summer. Im already putting outfits together in my head, with my imaginary golden tan!! 

Have you found any bargains in tkmaxx lately?? 

Updated Whats in my Bag

Bag Michael Kors Jet Set tote 

Hello lovelies, I hope your all well. Iv'e been meaning to do an updated whats in my bag for quite some time. With the recent addition to my life in the form of  a gorgeous Michael Kors Jet set tote, I thought now would be the perfect opportunity to do an updated post whilst my bag is clean and free from mountains of receipts and lipsticks (am I the only one that has at least ten lip products in the bottom of my bag?). 

So here it is the clutter free version of what I usually keep in my bag 

The essentials: My house keys (Tesco club-card total essential ha), 

Chanel Jalousie Glossimer perfect for a pop of colour on the go, 

Fresh Sugar Lipbalm (notice the lip related theme already),

Viva la juicy la Fleur roller-ball and lipgloss (I love the concept of this duo, its uber convenient and small enough to throw in any bag).

Bath & Bodywork's Hand Sanitiser

Ipod touch 

coin purse 

passport (for the days I misplace my ID, something that happens quite often oops..)

Victoria's Secret mirror (a total essential) 

Purse (home to loyalty cards & photos of the bf and I)

Diary (something I would be lost without)

What's inside your bag??

If you've done a similar post, please leave the link below, I love a good snoop ;)

"Im thinking balls are to men, what purses are to women...

top ZARA

leggings ZARA

fur snood TOPSHOP

bag MICHAEL KORS

jewellery (Michael Kors rose gold watch, Pandora Charm bracelet)

its just a little bag but we'd feel naked without it.." (Carrie Bradshaw)

Since my first visit to a Michael Kors store whilst on the fabulous sex and the city tour in New York, I have been completely infatuated with the brand and all its fabulous offerings. So you can imagine my excitement whilst in covent garden, when my boyfriend turned around and said that I could pick one of their iconic bags as a Christmas present. 

This medium jet set tote in a gorgeous purple shade caught my eye straight away, after prancing around the shop, bag in arm, whilst discussing all its little details to the enthusiastic sales assistant (she really didn't need to try selling it to me, I'd been won over already), there it was my first designer handbag encased in its very own dust bag. To cut a long story short this exciting event ended up with me crying in the middle of covent garden over the truly amazing gift I had just received (I obviously had to wait till Christmas).

 The perfect accompaniment to any outfit, I paired my new arm candy today with my trusty Zara basics tshirt, Zara leggings and my topshop snood. A little splash of colour to a somewhat plain outfit. 

Bichester Village Haul

So on friday the boyfriend and I embarked on a 5 hour road trip to London town (posts to follow). To soften the utter boredom (theres only so much I can take of the same 10 songs being played on repeat ha) I cheekily suggested a detour to the very much hyped about Bichester Village for a bit of retail therapy!!

A gorgeous village set in the heart of the beautiful Oxfordshire Countryside, Bichester truly is a shopaholics paradise (although not the case for the bank balance), home to the likes of Mulberry, UGG, All saints and most importantly the cosmetic company outlet. Although I purchased a fair few bargains I will be honest and suggest that one really needs money and time to make the most of the visit, as although many of the brands are discounted, most are still fairly expensive (boo). 

So what did i pick up??

Of course my main objective for stopping by Bichester Village was to study the shelves of Juicy Couture and The Cosmetic Company Outlet. After walking away from Juicy Couture with a ridiculously cute bag, within it two pairs of earrings (at a bargain price I may add), the next stop was to peruse the aisles of the CCO. 

The boyfriend actually spotted this Michael Kors and Estee Lauder Collaboration, and I will admit to letting out a little squeal at the site of a gold compact containing 6 shadows and a blush, a lipstick, lipgloss, double wear eyeliner, brushes, and the piece de resistance a gorgeous Michael Kors embossed Cosmetic Case, all for the grand total of £38. Yep you read that right £38. In all honesty Im shocked at the fact these are still available in the CCO as I would have thought they would have been snapped up within the click of a finger, but I cannot complain as this set of utter beauty is now mine (Que evil laugh).  

Of all the makeup collections released, the one I have kicked myself for not purchasing an item from was MAC Venomous Villains. This collection was released at a time when I was too scared to stand at a beauty counter for the fear of being pestered (oh how times have changed). So when I saw this gorgeous eyeshadow and lipgloss, I let out yet another squeal of excitement. Recently I have been embracing  the more vampy/ wintry colours and wrongspell and vainglorious fulfilled my needs (aswell as being Disney related, have I mentioned I love Disney?) 

I snapped these both up for around £8/ £9 each  

Finally, on the way back from London, as a pit stop, and another excuse to shop, we visited the Designer Outlet in Swindon, which I will add was a total disappointment, however I did pick up Golden Lariat from the Wonder Woman collection, aswell as Sinister and a different groove,from the Villains and Liberty London Collections, aswell as a few Ojon goodies for my mum, all for the grand total of £40 which wasn't to bad, for what the items would have originally cost!! 

Have you been to Bichester Village or the Swindon Designer Outlet??

if so did you pick up any bargains??