Re-discovering Debenhams*

During a shopping trip in to Broadmead with my mum recently we were musing over how before Cabot Circus was opened nine years ago the highlight of any retail therapy spree was undoubtedly Debenhams. Back then it was this huge, glamorous department store that we could spend hours in. We often did actually, starting with the beauty counters at the bottom and working our way up to the children’s department at the top, along with a pit stop in the restaurant. These days we often neglect to pay it a visit, tending to stick to the Cabot Circus end of the shopping area but every now and again we venture in- lured by a window display or special offer and wonder why we don’t make our visits more regular.

Not only does Debenhams stock it’s own in house brands (Red Herring was a frequent label seen in my adolescent wardrobe) there are also concessions galore- the likes of Oasis, Topshop and Dorothy Perkins. Add in to this the many designer collaborations such as H! by Henry Holland and the well stocked beauty hall with all of our favourite brands under one roof as well as the extensive range of homewares (again in-house brands, designers and well known brands alike) and you realise you really do have it all in one place.

Of course then there are the promotions, regular discount events in store and online (and often discount codes on top of that such as those found at https://www.discountpromocodes.co.uk/debenhams). I really do need to stop neglecting the shop so much and make a conscious effort to give it more custom. It’s one of the longer surviving shops on the Great British High Street, so with it fresh in my mind I’ve popped together a wish list or two to remind myself- and my readers what there is on offer.

Beauty wise I could have gone on forever as there are so many amazing looking products out there at the moment. The Urban Decay Moondust palette is a long standing fixture on my wish list, joined now by these two sets from the KVD x Toofaced sets that I’ve seen popping up on beauty blogs lately and am totally smitten with. It’s been a while since I fancied a new perfume and whilst I have no idea what it smells like (a reason to visit Debenhams next time I’m passing) I love the bottle for Marc Jacobs Daisy Dream Kiss- he always produces the most beautiful packaging.
Fashion wise I am diggin’ the embroidery trend right now so this dress by Red Herring and the trainers from the Nine by Savannah Miller collection were both immediate additions to my wish list. I’m also having a backpack revival right now and this H! By Henry Holland metallic number caught my eye instantly. Lastly I’ve already made mention of my desire for a leather jacket and whilst my budget definitely doesn’t stretch to the real deal this Miss Selfridge biker style jacket is currently 30% off and a steal at just £34.30.
Whilst I was browsing I couldn’t resist putting together a little homewares wish list too (I’m seeing it as a mood board of sorts for when I move out again). It’s unashamedly girly and had to feature my dream kitchen gadget on there even if I might not get to own one for a good few years- or decades yet.
I’m feeling some serious love and a sense of nostalgia for Debenhams right now, do any shops provoke that kind of reaction for you?

Dear Debenhams, humble department store and icon of my youth, I do promise to stop neglecting you from here on out…am I forgiven?

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When Jeans met Dress (again)

Honestly, I never thought I’d go back to being a jeans person. Having spent my teenage years literally living in my old faithful Topshop Haydens (which I must try again) before shunning trousers in favour of skirts and dresses I assumed I’d never look back. I certainly never anticipated becoming a fan of skinny jeans, but after some trial and error in finding brands that suit me I’m proudly back in denim- not every day as I’m hugely guilty of falling in to sartorial style ruts but I’ll concede they have a time and a place and a decent pair or two are a must in any wardrobe.

Jeans: H&M (£7.99 cheapies until I can afford the oh so popular Joanie style from Topshop) | Dress: Topshop (old) | Boots: Long Tall Sally (c/o)

As I mentioned last time I featured a dress worn over jeans this is definitely not a look I ever envisaged dragging up from my past and yet it’s one I’ve recently grown to love. Perfect for a bit of extra warmth against the cold days and a really good way to make a slightly dressier dress more casual or inject new life in to a tired piece.

Looking at these photos I really hadn’t noticed until now just how faded my hair had got, wow! Not that it’s a bad thing or even a bad style (in my humble opinion) but having since had a much needed cut and colour boost I’m loving the vibrant red/pink I currently have and I’m enjoying the confidence that seems to come with it.

I hope everyone is having a great week- any one get up to anything exciting yesterday? I spent the day with my Mum which was perfect- I don’t know why I thought I might be dreading Valentines Day this year, I honestly couldn’t be happier with certain aspects of my life right now and I’m working hard on the bits that still fall short…

Anyway I don’t know where I’m going with this post so I’ll leave it there- if you have any recommendations for jeans shopping then do let me know, I plan to splurge on a really decent pair once I reach my healthy weight point again.

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Valentines Looks with Ego Shoes

Honestly, up until a few years ago I didn’t get Valentines at all. It was just a reminder that I was single and alone and I was generally a bit bitter about it all. Then I fell in love and started to see the appeal- things come full circle though and now I am firmly out of love and flying solo again and to be honest I thought I’d find Valentines day a bit depressing this year.

What’s actually happened is I’ve gone to the other extreme and have several days worth of girl dates booked in with my nearest and dearest- not Valentines as such I suppose, but any excuse for a get together and some gossip therapy right?

Ego Shoes recently sent me a couple of pairs of their shoes to style up with some Valentines outfits so with my plans in mind I’ve popped together a day time and evening look that would work perfectly for both my girly social time OR for a daytime/evening date if that was where I was at.

Jumpsuit and Top both from New Look | Esmme Heeled Mules c/o Ego

I can’t believe it’s taken me so long to get on the mules bandwagon as these are so comfortable and easy to wear – so much so that shortly after they arrived mum hopped on to the Ego website and ordered herself the hot pink colour way. This is exactly the kind of outfit I wear when I go shopping or out for coffee (with my friends or potentially on a date) and I realise now that I kind of failed at getting decent photos. In my defense, it was freezing cold outside and by the time I realised didn’t have many pictures it was a) raining and b) I had run out of time. Blogger fail!

Dress: New Look (this one) | Elise Velvet Floral Heels c/o Ego

For this outfit I had dinner/drinks in mind. I would say dancing too but given the dizzying height of the heels on these and my clumsy nature I don’t think it would be advisable. I couldn’t resist them though- velvet, embroidered and oh so pretty these are the shoes my dreams are made of and I am determined to get some practice in so I can actually wear them without fearing breaking my ankle.

I love how the embroidery detail just so happened to go perfectly with this dress from New Look, a cheeky purchase with the last of my Christmas money and a 25% off voucher. I’m all about the midi lengths at the moment and this little number could happily go from desk to date with a simple change of shoes.

Just a little note on sizing- I’d say with Ego shoes if you’re between sizes then go for the larger rather than the smaller one as they do come up perhaps a little small. I’m usually a 7 or 7.5 but went for the 8 and they are perfect.

How would you have styled these shoes? Do you have plans for Valentines or do you just ignore the day entirely as I used to do?

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A Transitional Wish List*

Now we’re safely out of January it feels like Spring is on it’s way. I mean, I know it’s not and we are still in the depths of Winter (and storm Doris) but there’s something about getting that first month done and dusted that makes it feel like the end of freezing temperatures and frosty mornings is in sight. It’s also the time when the majority of retailers start to have their major new season drops causing my already rather large wish list to grow dramatically. Here are a few pieces that I’m currently loving that can be as worn easily in the Spring as they can right now.

Ankle Boots by Rocket Dog | Dress | Denim Jacket

I’d actually wear this first trio of items together as an outfit- loose fit dresses and ankle boots are my current go to anyway and I really love the clunky, almost ugly nature of this patent pair against the print of the Monki dress. A denim jacket has been on my wish list for ages, I’m yet to find the perfect one but next time I’m in town I’m going to give this one (again from Monki) a try.

Jumper | New Look | Backpack

My second trio of objects of desire is more of a mish-mash. I almost didn’t feature this M&S jumper because I’ve seen it on at least 20 other blogs in the last week alone but I can’t help but love it too. I’m also head over heels for the embroidery trend and a pair of embellished skinny jeans is high up on items I would love to add to my wardrobe (but probably won’t because I don’t intend to stay my current clothes size for long). I have no reason for adding the backpack on to this wish list. I have no need for one really, but it is delightfully retro and for that reason alone I want it.
What have you currently got your eye on? Any absolute must-have items for the months ahead? I’ve just seen some gorgeous new arrivals from Ralph Lauren and have a sudden (but not unusual for me) yearning to embrace nautical vibes once more.

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The Art of Layering

It feels like ages since I last purposely wore a monochrome outfit. It would appear I have un-intentionally embraced the world of colour and that’s no bad thing. Still, it felt kind of good to get back in to my old faithful mode of black and white dressing- somehow this slip dress has missed out on being packed away with the rest of my Summer clothes so rather than languishing unloved in my wardrobe I thought I’d make it earn it’s keep.

Dress: Archive by Alexa at M&S (first collection) | Jumper: TTYA x Long Tall Sally | Boots: Office

Some people appear to be born with an inbuilt ability to put together the perfect layered outfit and make it look effortless. I am not one of them. As much as I love the look of slip dresses worn over high neck knits on other people on me I just felt a bit…awkward and bulky. Probably I need to pick up a couple of lighter weight roll necks, this could be the problem but it’s not just this layered outfit that I feel ungainly in, I just appear to lack that innate ability to bundle myself up against the cold and still look chic. Perhaps I’ll stick to my current uniform of oversized dresses and chunky boots as you can’t go too far wrong with that, I’m sure there must be a secret to the art of layering though (although you’d think by the age of almost 30 I’d have it worked out!)

I can’t believe we’re almost done with January, it’s going to be another one of those years that just speeds by isn’t it? I reckon we all deserve a pat on the back for getting through the month- it’ll be Spring before we know it!

Does anyone else feel my layering pain? If you had any tips and pointers I’d be very grateful for them…

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