Category Archives: brands I love

World’s Biggest Coffee Morning with M&S and Macmillan

18th September 2015
This year M&S and cancer charity Macmillan have joined forces to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning. For those who don’t know this is Macmillan’s biggest annual fundraising event and the idea is for people all over the UK to host their own coffee morning and donations on the day are made to the charity. As someone who has experienced the effects of cancer in both a personal and professional capacity this is a cause I’ve always been able to get behind and I was over the moon when M&S sent out a box containing some of the limited edition goods they’ve created to celebrate this very special event, this year taking place on Friday 25th September.
From the M&S press release: M&S stores nationwide, including M&S Cribbs Causeway, will be hosting coffee mornings on Friday 25th September in aid of Macmillan’s flagship event and shoppers are invited to join in the fun and enjoy a cup of coffee and a slice of cake in aid of the charity.

This is the sixth year that M&S has supported World’s Biggest Coffee Morning and during this time the retailer has raised over £4 million for Macmillan. From 1st September M&S customers have been able to enjoy a host of tasty treats on sale in M&S Foodhalls with 10 percent of each sale going to Macmillan. Products include a delicious Macmillan Victoria Sandwich, M&S’ famous Colin the Caterpillar Cake and a limited edition World’s Biggest Coffee Morning 25th Anniversary Biscuit Tin. All M&S Cafés will also be donating 5p from every cup of coffee and slice of cake sold during September to Macmillan.

An array of gorgeous limited edition home products, including a bone china mug, tea towels and an apron are also available in selected M&S homeware departments with 10 percent of each sale again going to Macmillan. M&S Foodhalls and Cafés are also selling two bespoke Coffee Morning badges designed by renowned British designer Sophie Conran, for a suggested donation of £2, each featuring a coffee morning recipe from Sophie herself.

The mug and tea towel are a lovely way to give to a good cause and a really pretty addition to your home. The chocolate fudge cake is a delicious treat, and how can one feel guilty about eating and enjoying cake when you’re doing it for a good cause?

Are you planning to get involved this year?

end

Posted in brands I love, charity

Permalink 2 Comments

Introducing Gray & Willow at House of Fraser

17th September 2015
I love it when a new brand bursts on to the scene, my bank account less so as it starts quaking in it’s metaphorical boots. I’ve recently been introduced to Gray & Willow who have launched exclusively at House of Fraser for AW15 with a collection full of relaxed, Scandinavian style for women and for home.
A bit more grown up than my usual taste in clothes perhaps but something about this brand has captured my heart. I often feel like now I’m approaching 30 I ought to tone down my wardrobe and stick to more neutral, streamlined items and when pieces like this exist it becomes a much more tempting idea.

I especially love the cocoon coat and the leather skirt both of which are perfect investment pieces and made for teaming up with the oh-so-soft looking knitwear available.

I’m really excited to see more from Gray & Willow, if this debut collection is anything to go by then we are in for treat upon treat in seasons to come.

Have you discovered any exciting new brands lately?

end

Posted in brands I love, shopping, wish list

Permalink 4 Comments

House of Florrie

15th September 2015
Attention to detail makes all the difference to me. It can be the deciding factor between whether I love a brand or simply like it. I was recently introduced to a new British watch brand, House of Florrie who’s attention to detail goes above and beyond- from the watch itself to the packaging it arrives in, they’ve got it spot on and I’m in watch heaven.
As part of their introduction House of Florrie very kindly asked if I would like to pick a watch to style up and of course I said yes! (post on that to come) Given that I’m pretty behind in my blogging at the moment I also wanted to do a post just focusing on the watch and brand itself. I let them surprise me because frankly, I am hopeless at making a decision and I was blown away to receive one of the Eleanor watches* complete with interchangeable strap*

Aren’t these the prettiest timepieces you ever did see? The printed leather straps are just stunning and I struggle to choose which one to wear on a daily basis (and I’m yet to find a way to incorporate both at once! The watch face itself is also a treat on the eyes with it’s beautiful rose gold casing and delicate details.

I think we should also take a moment to appreciate the packaging. If the embossed boxes and printed tissue paper weren’t enough then finding these pretty little lollipops nestled inside was the icing on the cake. This is a brand who care about what they do and want to tell the world. If I wasn’t lucky enough to already own a watch I’d be popping one of these at the top of my Christmas list. As it is there may be another strap or two sneaking it’s way on there.

If prints aren’t your thing then there are a few other styles to capture your heart. I think the Pearl Expander is a lovely way to wear metal.

If you can’t quite tell from the way I’ve waxed lyrical about House of Florrie it’s a LOVE from me. I love the brand’s ethos of bringing back British craftsmanship and the fact you can really see the passion that has gone in to producing these pieces.

I’d love to know what you think and which watch has taken your fancy.

end

Posted in accessories, brands I love

Permalink 5 Comments

Fashion your Fringe with New Look

14th September 2015
My love of new season fashion doesn’t limit itself to just the clothes, oh no. With a plethora of stunning shoes and accessories hitting the high street I’m in accessory heaven so it was with great pleasure that I teamed up with New Look to bring you today’s post.
They sent me over a fringed detail bag from their new collection, fringing was huge news for the Spring/Summer season and doesn’t look set to be going anywhere as we move in to Autumn/Winter so I thought it was about time I get it a go. I’ve not really entered in to the realm of dangling detail before now, I suppose I thought it was limited in it’s versatility and wouldn’t go with an awful lot but I was willing to be proved wrong which is just as well as I’m really in love with my brown patchwork fringed bag.
The first look I went for was a sort of late-summer festival vibe featuring this gorgeously ethereal dress from Valour & Valkyrie and my trusty Primark sandals. This bag would be the perfect festival companion as it holds SO MUCH STUFF- I’m the kind of girl who carries her whole life around with her so a roomy bag is a must! It also goes across the body which is great when you want to keep your hands free for beer/dancing.
I then thought I’d pop together a typical weekend look, honestly I’m living in this kind of thing when I’m not photographing stuff for the blog. The suede mini skirt is going to be a staple for the cooler months and a simple cream top and denim shirt keep things low-key. I really like how the varying shades of brown in the bag complement this outfit and it’s ideal for some Saturday shopping therapy whilst the football is on (because yes, I am once again a football widow).
Last but not least is a transitional outfit for the move from Summer dresses to Winter layers. I picked up this dress in Joy last year and I’m pleased to see it fits in well with the trends a year on too. I loved the combination of mustard yellow and the brown tones of the bag but couldn’t resist adding a bit more colour with my velvet Bertie boots- I remember the look of bemusement on the woman’s face when I hobbled up to the checkout on crutches to buy these babies!
So what have I learnt? Mostly that fringe details are surprisingly versatile and this is my must-have accessory for the coming months. I’ve also learnt that I am still as clumsy as ever and keeping getting my tassels stuck in doors. Some things never change!

How would you style up this bag?

end

Posted in accessories, bags, brands I love, new look, outfits

Permalink 8 Comments

New Season at Long Tall Sally

13th September 2015
Continuing with my theme of waxing lyrical about all things Autumn here’s another post about new collections hitting the (virtual) high street. A long time favourite on the blog, Long Tall Sally can do no wrong in my eyes when it comes to creating high fashion pieces for those of us who are taller than average and don’t fancy flashing our arses to everyone and anyone. I was recently given a peek at their latest look book as well as being allowed to pick out an outfit to style up on the blog, I decided to go for something I could wear for work this time, previously opting for more casual pieces and I couldn’t be happier with my new office attire.

Skirt- here | Blouse– here | Boots- here all c/o Long Tall Sally

Now I’m not usually a blouse or fitted skirt kind of girl but there was something about these pieces and they way they were styled in the look book that drew me to them. For the first time in my life I’ve copied an outfit exactly, right down to the boots and whilst I might not pull it off with the panache of a Long Tall Sally model I’m still really happy with how everything fits and looks.

I’ve popped a selection of other favourite pieces below, just three to give you tall girls a taster of what’s in store for us this season. Check out the Autumn collection on the website for more inspiration and let me know your favourite piece in the comments.

end

Posted in brands I love, outfits, wish list

Permalink 6 Comments