Search Results for “christmas shopping

Christmas Shopping Just Got Easier: Shop From Over 200 Retailers At Octer

In the blink of an eye it’ll be Christmas. While the mere thought fills us with a ridiculous amount of excitement – bring on mulled wine, mince pies and cheesy Christmas movies, there is however still the important matter of buying all our gifts before the mad last-minute rush. We know, we know, “must avoid the last-minute madness” is a promise we make ourselves every year here at MFL HQ and every year we do get better and better at planning ahead. In our bid to be so much more organised, whenever possible we try to avoid the high street and any major shopping malls altogether when it comes to gift buying. We’re just not cut out for the huge crowds and having to stealthily navigate our way from store to store. Also, there’s the additional problem of getting heavily distracted and somehow finding ourselves in the changing rooms, knee deep in a ton of clothes we couldn’t possibly afford including the luxurious coat we’ve been eyeing up that costs half our rent *sigh*. And so, to avoid said temptation we prefer to do the bulk of our Christmas shopping online. However while more convenient, online shopping does come with its own dilemmas. We often find ourselves on the laptop for hours on end, surfing from one department store to another in search of the perfect gift at a great price with numerous tabs open and having to bookmark every single find. Bit of a headache right? If you can relate, we’re about to let you into our latest online discovery…be warned, it’ll change your life forever. Thanks to shopping engine OCTER you can search, discover and shop from over 200 retailers all from one site.  If you know exactly what you’re after, like an attention grabbing party dress just in time for […]

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Christmas shopping in London? Treat yourself with a beauty treatment or two!

[noskim] Although Christmas Day is supposed to be a calming and relaxing experience spent with the family (unless you’ve been nominated as Christmas dinner chef, in which case that might not necessarily apply) but the lead-up to Christmas, especially two weeks before, can be pretty stressful. And we all know that stress can take its toll on our faces, bodies, and mind. Therefore, we think it’s absolutely essential to be a little bit selfish this Christmas and take some time and money out and treat yourself. If you’re planning on venturing into London to do some Christmas shopping why not take advantage of the great deals on beauty treatments available in the city. There are lots of treatments out there to make you look and feel fabulous this festive season, and we can’t recommend them enough; here are five to get you started, but feel free to treat yourself to even more if your heart desires. 1. Mani and pedi. Don’t waste your time and money buying all the mani and pedi essentials at your local drug store, and leave your hands in the hands of the professionals. Not only will you get a flawlessly applied shiny colour on your hands and feet, but you’ll also get a relaxing massage too. Definitely not something you can do yourself! Not the tricky part is deciding on the shade… 2. HD Eyebrows. This is an all-the-rage treatment for the celebs, so you know it’s got to be good if the A-listers swear by HD brows. Banish those tweezers and make your brows come to life. There are lots of places for HD brows in London and the surrounding areas, most of which have excellent reviews so you know you’ll be in safe hands. Cara Delevingne won’t have anything on you by the time […]

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Get 20% off at this year’s epic Carnaby Christmas shopping party

Want something to get you into the pre-Christmas spirit? If you live near London or just fancy a trip to the big city, we couldn’t recommend the Carnaby Christmas Shopping Party enough! The fabulous event is taking place on Thursday November 14th from 5 to 9pm, where over 100 fashion brands, restaurants and bars in Carnaby will join forces to throw the ultimate Christmas party across a whopping 13 streets! Visit Carnaby’s concept stores, independent boutiques and flagships to get a 20% discount on all your Christmas essentials. But that’s not all – you can take advantage of the discounted items while enjoying live music, guest appearances, free drinks and goodie bags. Why can’t every shopping experience or party be like that, eh? So what else can you get up to at this Christmas party, you ask? Grazia‘s ed Angela Buttolph will be hosting a free AW13 trend talk in Kingly Court, while you can listen to live music while sipping on complimentary drinks at vintage store Lucy in Disguise. Cheap Monday will be giving out Fika (a Swedish tradition of coffee and cinnamon buns – yum!), or you can learn how to make your own coffee with the ‘Introduction to Espresso’ classes at Speakeasy. You can also sip your own bespoke cocktail after a class at Bittersweet, as well as sampling their own signature tipples. Or how about pre-booking a 20% off treatment at Spa London at Marshall Street Leisure Centre? The possibilities are practically endless! Click here to find out more about the event and to register for your free ticket. See you there!

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Christmas shopping on a virtual high street

The thought of Christmas shopping may fill us all with dread, but a new website plans to help banish those festive fears. This may be the second time in two days that we’ve mentioned the ‘C’ word (after talking about it yesterday’s M&S post), but we assure you it’s not without good reason. NearLondon is launching a website which will unveil a virtual version of London’s West End, featuring every item that’s in store in Oxford Street, Regent Street, Leicester Square and Bond Street. That’s rather a few items, let us assure you. Shoppers will be able to visit their favourite stores on the site to see what’s for sale and check prices before even setting foot out the door. So hang on, that’s all the bits and bobs from our favourite stores on one darned-handy website? Yes, please. In the first of its kind, Elle UK reports that the website will be so life-like that the simulated streets will have buses running down them, news stands with the day’s headlines and even reflect the real weather. All rather surreal, hey? Aimed at increasing the number of people coming to London to do their Christmas shopping, M&S, Liberty, American Apparel and John Lewis have all signed up to the scheme already. The site is set to launch in November, conveniently around the same time that we start to plan our seasonal shopping. Funny, that. [Images]

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Our guide to shopping the Christmas sales

Some of you will be so wrapped up in Christmas presents this morning you’ll have barely remembered the Boxing day sales have started… who are we kidding? Any seasoned shopper worth her wardrobe will have set her alarm especially early this morning to sift out the savviest steals the stores have got to offer! But a sale should never be approached without a thorough plan of what’s worth stashing up on and what’s not worth the 15-people queue, and since you’ve been so busy buying presents and preparing the turkey, we’ve made one for you. With tips on what’s worth its weight in gold and what to avoid at all costs, follow our steps below to the do’s and don’t’s of Christmas sale shopping… DO buy anything floral. It’s a perennial favourite that’ll prove super versatile come spring. DON’T buy rich, boozy colours. We may have gulped them up this winter, but come next season we’ll be looking for a brighter beverage. DO buy into neon. A hot pink tee here, a fluro-striped skirt there – it’s spring’s favourite fad, and since you won’t be wearing them forever, it makes sense to snap them up cheap. DON’T buy jewel tones. Autumn loves a deep, punchy palette, but next season’s all about the softer shades. On that note, DO buy pastels for reasons above. DON’T buy heritage tweeds. Tailoring comes much softer next spring, and unless you’re a country bumpkin, it’s time to pack away the posh past. DO buy pleated skirts. We saw them everywhere from Celine to Burberry, making them spring’s key skirt shape. DON’t buy Dalmatian print. Autumn might have loved this trend, but next season there’s not a dog’s dot in sight. DO buy anything striped, especially bottoms. Pyjama pants are spring’s soft alternative to tailored trousers. […]

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12 Ideas & Apps To Help You Create A Sustainable Christmas Wardrobe

Across all aspects of our lives, it’s our responsibility to make green choices, to protect the planet. Christmas is the perfect time to treat yourself to a lovely new wardrobe, from snug loungewear to glitzy festive dresses. It’s pretty likely that we’ll all have plenty more time indoors this Christmas, (but that doesn’t mean you can’t get glammed up)! To help you make sustainable choices with your Christmas wardrobe, let these ideas be your guide. The number one rule of creating a sustainable Christmas wardrobe? Shop for preloved and vintage items. Rest assured, going second-hand won’t leave you looking any less chic. There are plenty of apps you can use to find gorgeous second-hand clothing at some lovely prices. Apps for a sustainable Christmas wardrobe 1 . Thred Up The Thredup app is the perfect place to shop for preloved and vintage clothes, here you’ll find a wide range of great brands and some amazing prices. There are 30,000 + different brands from Gucci to Gap, Ann Taylor, and Zara. ThredUp isn’t just a great place to buy, but you can sell your unwanted clothes here too. It’s a real simple process, just download the app and order yourself a ‘clean out kit’. Once you’ve got your cleanout bag, fill it with your unwanted clothes, and post it back to ThredUp (free). ThredUp deals with the listing, photographs, and shipping, so that you don’t have to lift a finger! 2. Vinted Looking to get yourself some seriously beautiful vintage or second-hand items? Then you need Vinted. Here you can look through millions of pre-loved clothing treasures, and it’s simple to filter your search to find exactly what you are looking for. You can filter by type of clothing, brand, price, size, and more. It’s easy to ask the sellers questions, […]

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Festive Pieces To Wear On Christmas Day. No Christmas Jumpers Allowed.

Let’s be honest we’ve been at home waaay too much this year. And we’re getting kinda sick of spending most of our time in loungewear. So, while Christmas isn’t going to be quite the same, we’re definitely taking the opportunity to get glammed to the nines! We’re talking lush velvet, sparkly sequins and blinged out accessories. Hands up if you feel the same? Great. Ok, the question now is; what to wear? Hmm, well, it depends on what you’ve got planned… Staying cosy and warm indoors? Consider a pretty top paired with a metallic pleated skirt or velvet trousers and accessorise with shimmering jewellery. Prefer to grab an al fresco lunch with the fam? Opt for a luxe, jewel toned suit teamed with an eye-catching coat (think Nicole Kidman in The Undoing). Or, perhaps you’ve got an intimate dinner-for-two planned? Then only a gorgeous dress complemented with killer heels will do.  Whatever you decide, make sure it’s eye catching and, of course, fabulous!  Maddie Velvet Puff Sleeve Top, available at Boden Siddal Velvet Trousers, available at Boden Rosebury Velvet Trousers, available at Boden Fendi FF tassel earrings, available at Farfetch Sophie Buhai Everyday pearl 18kt gold-plated earrings available at mytheresa Rita Velvet Midi Dress, available at Boden Charlotte Tie Neck Blouse available at Boden Red Star and Moon Drop Earring, available at Lovisa Kitty Smocked Neck Blouse, available at Boden Kingsley Velvet Jacket, available at Boden Antonia Slingbacks, available at Boden Isabella Top available at Boden Oscar de la Renta Crystal clip-on earrings, available at mytheresa Natalia Slingbacks, available at Boden Cassidy Pleated Skirt, available at Boden Amy Embellished Flat, available at Boden Fenella Midi Dress, available at Boden Jennifer Behr Pluto star drop earrings available at Farfetch Elizabeth Wrap Skirt, available at Boden Hampton Shoe Boots, available at Boden

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Christmas Gifts Under £25

With Christmas just around the corner, there’s no better time to start shopping for gifts for your loved ones. If you haven’t already, do check out our Christmas Gift Guide which features a wide range of presents to suit all budgets. This week, we really wanted to highlight some great gifts under £25. Whether it’s a relaxing tea gift set, a calming candle or a beautiful gratitude planner, we’ve compiled a list of gift ideas perfect for both him and her. Oré mi Honey & Tobacco 150g Candle, £24 Pukka Herbs Organic Herbal Tea Selection Box, £13.99 adbra Gratitude Planner, £20 Heinz Limited Edition Tomato Ketchup Gift Set, £19.55 Burt’s Bees Essential Gift Set, 5 Travel Size Products, £12.99 CUQOO Cheese Board Set, £17.99 Laura Mercier Caviar Duet mascara and shadow set, £22 Viridescent Indoor Herb Garden Kit, £19.97 The Flying Scotch Dram Whisky Gift, £14.99 Foot Spa Pamper Box, £16.99

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Christmas Gift Guide 2018: 10 Gifts To Suit All Budgets

Tis the season for indulgence, partying and of course, giving gifts. Christmas is on it’s way! Yay! Aside from summer, this is our favourite time of the year. But admittedly, we’re terrible when it comes to being organised and shopping early for presents. If, like us, you’re yet to start your Christmas shopping, worry not. Ahead, we’ve compiled a selection of pressies to suit all budgets. From a chic pair of sunnies to a lovely pampering set, here’s the gifts worth giving this year. 1. Perfect all year round, these super cool shades make the perfect gift for your bestie. Bvlgari sunglasses available at SmartBuyGlasses.com. 2. Treat a loved one to a spa day for two, with full use of all the facilities including a relaxing massage. Blissful Spa Day Choice for Two, available at Red Letter Days. 3.  For the fashion obsessed, look no further than fashion journalist Hilary Alexander’s new book. Leopard: Fashion’s Most Powerful Print available at Amazon. 4. Ideal for the festive season, this cheddar and wine gift box is sure to go down a treat. Cheddar & wine gift box available at Selfridges. 5. Full of lots of goodies, this Italian collection Christmas hamper makes for a great present for a foodie. Italian collection Christmas hamper, available at Harrods.  6. A sweet smelling scrub and equally gorgeous scented lotion, this polish and pamper set from Odylique is simply yummy. Polish and Pamper available at Odylique. 7. A limited edition scent from Jo Malone London, this seasonal fragrance smells absolutely amazing. Limited Edition Pomegranate Noir Cologne, available at John Lewis. 8. Cosy and comfy, these adult onesie’s make the perfect ‘fun’ gift. Adult Kigurumi Onesie Collection available at Kigurumi. 9.  This cosy oversized turtle neck jumper is warm enough to brave the chilly winter winds. John Lewis & Partners Turtle Neck […]

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Tips To Avoid Blowing Your Budget Over Christmas And The New Year

For most people, the holiday season around Christmas and the New Year can be one of the most costly of the year, with not just gifts to think about but also vacations, get-togethers, decorations, and outfits to potentially spend money on. As such, if you don’t want to be faced with a huge credit card bill and/or depleted savings when January comes, it’s important to look at ways you can enjoy the holiday period without totally blowing the budget. Read on for some key tips you can follow to cut back your spending, and the stress that can come with trying to pay for it. Set Yourself a Budget for the Festive Season To help you avoid a financial blowout over the Christmas and New Year period, it’s wise to set yourself a strict budget that you can adhere to over December and January. Because it is really easy to forget about finances when you’re having fun shopping, catching up with friends or family members, enjoying a vacation, or celebrating the end of the year with a few drinks, having a budget in place can be a good reminder and help keep you on track. Once you have a budget set, you can use this to determine whether or not you can afford to spend money on something. This way, rather than finding yourself at a weak moment when your willpower is low, and you think “it will be fine,” you will instead simply need to look at where your spending is at and determine whether there’s room in that area of your budget for the cost or not. Have a Plan Another good strategy to use is to put a plan in place for those times during the festive period when you know temptations will be rife and it […]

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The Pros & Cons Of Shopping Online vs The High Street?

The advent of the Internet has improved many lives immeasurably, and for most of the changes and alterations that have added to our daily lives, the chances are we aren’t even that aware of them. This has indeed changed many previously established traditions, and one of these of course is how we shop. Back in the day, when the world was less connected globally, we may well have had no idea what was further afield in terms of different produce. Nowadays we can buy any item from anywhere in the world and have it shipped straight to our door, but how beneficial is this new direction overall? Deciding how much more useful or otherwise it is to shop online will tend to depend on what kind of things you buy, and how much free time you have. If you have the world as your oyster and no other events to complicate your routine, shopping in store can be a way to fill your day as you explore, but if you happen to be busy a lot of the time it could end up being a different game completely. If you’re holding down a full or part-time job, have kids, a plethora of pets or hectic schedule, you may find yourself hard pushed to keep the fridge fully stocked. This is where the emergence of online shopping can prove so useful: the option to scour through all of the available products and have it delivered at a time that suits you. As is often said, if we are hungry we tend to buy more food. If you are shopping with your little ones, they will undoubtedly be clamouring for some sweet treats to be thrown in the shopping cart, but an online shopping experience can limit this hugely and stop them […]

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20 Of The Best Christmas Gifts For Her

If you’re anything like us, chances are, you put your Christmas gift shopping off till the last minute. Not the best idea. But, truth be told it’s become an annual tradition for us. While we hold our heads in shame, in our defense we just can’t seem to find the time to get it done as early as we’d like. If you’re in the same boat, not to worry, here’s some great Christmas gift ideas to buy from the comfort of your sofa. 1. Liberty x Bedroom Athletics Slippers, £60 available at Bedroom Athletics 2.  Wonderbra Black ‘My Pretty Push Up’ lace bra, £28 available at Debenhams 3.  Supima cotton & rayon scarf with green mudyom, £99 available at Apoccas 4. Coles Brown Leather Ballpoint Pen & Da Vinci Large Leather Journal, £63.50 available at Pen Heaven 5. Russian Sparkle Trio Set, £155 available at Buckley London 6. A Colorful Mind, £15 available at Eureka Colouring 7. Eat. Nourish. Glow. by Amelia Freer, £20 available at Amazon 8. Kim by Sean Smith – Autobiography on Kim Kardashian, £7.99 available at Amazon 10. Alexander McQueen: Evolution by Katherine Gleason, £25 available at Amazon 11. Simply Glamourous by Gary Cockererill, £19.999 available at Amazon.co.uk      

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Holiday Shopping 2015: The Season’s Top Gifts for Women

With autumn in the air, it’s time to think about your holiday shopping, especially the big ticket items for the lady in your life. Okay, it’s not anywhere near Halloween right now, but if you’re looking at luxury gifts, you are going to want to beat the rush. Luxury items are limited items, and to get choice items, it’s important to get started early. Why? Because luxury items are highly desirable. Investopedia notes that they are ‘positional goods’ which are indicative of financial success and position and thus affordable to a select few. Find the items that will give you lady Christmas cheer and fond memories of you by learning about superior online sources that are discreet and have the exclusive items you will both adore. There is little that is dearer to the heart of a sophisticated woman than a stunning hat. No matter her age, a beautiful hat makes a perfect frame for her style. Maison Michel is a Parisian milliner whose hats have graced the shows of the biggest names in fashion, including Chanel, Kenzo, Christian Lacroix, and Karl Lagerfeld. Hats from the prêt-à-porter collection are available at online luxury shopper Matches Fashion, where the striking Fara black fur-felt hat finished with a crimson mohair and silk ribbon can be yours for $655. Pair with Dolce & Gabbana’s open-back, long sleeved midi dress for a timeless and sophisticated silhouette. While giving lingerie is frowned upon as giving her a gift that is more for you than for her, it would take a stern brow to deny the charms of lingerie by La Perla. The Maison silk-satin robe with hand-embroidered Frastaglio lace accents is lingerie taken to the next level, and something she will enjoy putting on as much as you will enjoy helping her take it off. […]

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Stay warm with our 5 must-have accessories for Christmas

AW14 saw huge success on the LFW catwalks and now that winter is here, it’s time to put those AW14 trends into practice. Here are 5 must-have winter accessories to introduce into your wardrobe this December. The Tartan Scarf / Cape Tartan is everywhere this AW. From Burberry Prorsum and Vivienne Westwood to Marc Jacobs and Mother of Pearl, tartan has been a common contender in this year’s runways. Whether you’re shopping for the perfect Christmas gift or looking to treat yourself this December, the tartan scarf or the tartan cape really is the ultimate must-have accessory. For something super luxurious, we love this navy tartan cape by Saint Laurent. The Cashmere Knit Cashmere is the ultimate luxury. Every girl needs at least one cashmere piece in her wardrobe and this winter, high quality knits are all the rage. Catwalk legends such as Diane Von Furtensburg, Mark fast and Prabal Gurung led the way with knitwear on their AW runway shows and some of the hottest colours included cobalt blue, pillar box red and muted nudes. For a cobalt knit, we’ve chosen this fabulous cashmere jumper from Edinburgh Woollen Mill. Embellished Gloves As seen on Alexander Wang, Louis Vuitton and Chanel catwalks, ornamented gloves are a great accessory for yourself or for a Christmas gift to someone special. Embellished gloves, whether beaded or adorned with gems, chains and tassels, are a quick way of bringing a simple outfit bang up to date. These Valentino stud-embellished gloves make the perfect stocking filler… Rose Gold Wristwear Rose gold is still a prevalent jewellery trend in AW14 and this year, we’ve seen various developing colour trends including single tone design (black on black, blue on blue) within the watch world alone. Rose gold is a romantic and elegant colour, which bridges the gap […]

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Not sure what to wear to your Christmas parties? We’ve got you covered!

O.K,  you’ve got a diary that’s jam-packed with fabulous Christmas parties but in-between shopping for pressies and planning for the festivities, you’ve had no time to plan what to wear. We know how you feel ladies. We’re in the same boat. But it’s not too late to find that drop-dead gorgeous must-have outfit. Here’s our edit of what to wear to all the fun parties you’ve got lined up this festive season. THE JUMPSUIT Don’t want to wear a dress? This black bustier top jumpsuit is a perfect alternative. We can all agree that no one pulls of the jumpsuit better than Kendall Jenner at the moment. Take a style tip from the model and keep your make-up minimal yet striking. Pair with a statement necklace, killer heels and an attention-grabbing clutch for an elegant stand-out look. LADY IN RED Who says you have to play it safe? Definitely not us! Dress-to-kill in this floral ruby red cocktail dress. Resist the urge to go for matching footwear. Instead opt for these gold strappy heels. Vamp up your look with scarlet red lippy and a cute clutch for a party-ready outfit that’ll have you turning heads…(literally). EVENING DELIGHT Everbody’s wearing ….lace. It’s true. Lace is undoubtedly a key trend for winter. In fact we’re slightly obsessed with the fabric at the moment, hence why we’ve got two lace dresses in our edit. We’re loving this dramatic floor-length midnight blue lace dress. Isn’t it divine? It’s the perfect outfit for the more formal engagements in your calendar. Don’t be afraid to go all out glam. Smoky eyes, bold accessories…the works. Be careful however, you might find yourself fighting off unwanted male attention in this super hot outfit. You’ve been warned!

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Be the best buyer utilizing Myntra Online Shopping coupons

Christmas bells are ringing at the door and like every year online shopping stores are getting ready to play the role of Santa in order to fill your home with fascinating gifts. Most of those websites have started spreading their online coupon codes via the internet to make the shopping experience more colorful for the shopaholics this Christmas. Now-a-days online shopping has gained much more popularity than the regular in-stores because of these useful offers and gift coupon concept they reserve for special festivals like Christmas. People from all corners of the world feel happy to empty their pockets gladly at Christmas because this is possibly the best deal they can make. Innumerable Range of Products Apart from buying gift items for close ones or relatives, shoppers utilize this season of Christmas for buying household articles because this is the time when they can find best offer prices. Those, who intend to buy electronics goods for their home, can easily go to the particular website and choose a favorable model. Some people plan to buy home furnishing items as well because other than good price, they get a wide range of products in the season of Christmas from where they can pick the best one. Many people decide to utilize the Christmas holiday by travelling far with family and friends. Some of the websites offer such affordable travel packages that people can set their Christmas party at any place and have the utmost fun of winter. Most of these websites generate coupons that make the deal fairer to you. Myntra shopping coupons are one of the most beneficial tools filled with surprises. Freedom of Shopping In most of the cases, people are allowed to choose the coupons by themselves. Other than this, the website owners set the offers on the […]

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Here’s how to tear up the Christmas fun rule book

We’ve delivered your Christmas day outfit; organised for Boxing Day to be nothing but a lazy, super-comfy, turkey sandwich- laced day; and even your New Year’s Eve outfit is well and truly sorted. So, what’s left once we’ve exhausted all the ways to style the trusty LBD and cosy onesie? Well, apart from a sun-drenched winter sun break or limitless present shopping spree (wishful thinking for us), how about a little rule-breaking in the festive spirit? We’re talking turning traditions on their head, and, say, swapping the sloth life for a day of sporty activities with your BFF on Boxing Day. Or, giving the LBD a miss on Christmas day, and, maybe borrowing from the boys in the style department. Refreshing, no? With rules and resolutions waiting to greet us come January 1, why not indulge in a little rule-bending to make the build up to crimbo that much more fun. Ahead, see our top five unconventional things to do this Christmas. Go on, you rebel you! Christmas Eve barbecue Well, because why not? We know its probably going to be freezing, but layer on the sheepskin and head into the garden for a hearty, pre-Christmas day food fest. If you’re not a fan of stressful family gatherings on Christmas day, this’ll sure to ease you in. Turkey skewers, anyone? Tux-mas style Ditch the dress in favour of a more androgynous take on Christmas dinner table dressing. Velvet tux jacket; jacquard pants in all their glimmering glory, and a crisp shirt? Perfect. Best bit? No heels, as we’re all for dressy slip-ons. Burn-it-off on Boxing Day Why wait until the New Year to kick-start your healthy lifestyle regimen? Begin burning off those extra calories from Boxing Day, by booking a fun activity with a group of friends. Yes, we know running […]

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Dubai Shopping Festival: The Crème de la crème of Shopping

Dubai Shopping Festival, is one of the biggest shopping festivals in the world, has been running since 1996 and since then has attracted 35 million visitors. The retail celebration is one of the main reasons why so many people plan to visit Dubai during the year’s first quarter. The festival generally runs from January to February every year, with 2014’s fiesta commencing on the 2nd January. So why is the festival such a major tourist destination? Why do people travel from all around the world to this annual event? Dubai Shopping Festival is a month-long shopping extravaganza that features high-end brands (international and local) and unbelievable deals and discounts, making it a paradise for shopaholics! The renowned festival is a dream-come-true event for anyone who yearns to shop in style. For many shopping lovers, it is the most excitedly anticipated event in the calendar and with the festival taking place in January, it gives people the utmost opportunity to spend their Christmas money on an abundance of designer goodies. Dubai Shopping Festival is home to the most luxurious brands in the fashion industry including Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Armani and Hermes. These fashion lines tend to sell out within a week of the festival starting due to the popular demand – everyone wants some designer gear! Be sure to visit these extravagant stores first so as not to miss out on discounts off your favourite fashion labels! There is also an opportunity that you can buy items signed by your favourite designers, although you’ll have to pay slightly more for this novelty. If you’re not a brand lover then fear not, Dubai Shopping Festival has many more things to offer than chasing designer brands! Visit the local markets and traditional souks that sell cultural handicraft, fine gold jewellery, aromatic spices and […]

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How to Buy Your Husband a Christmas Gift he Won’t Hate

We’ve all seen that strained look that says, “I really don’t love this gift, but I’m going to try my best to make you believe that I do.” Instead of having to pretend you don’t notice, what if you could purchase a Christmas gift that your spouse was certain to love? It’s really not as difficult as you might think. We’ve marked down some do’s and don’ts that are guaranteed to get your creative wheels turning in the right direction: Buying a Brilliant Gift for Your Husband in 5 Easy Steps Don’t know where to start on your Christmas shopping spree? Here are a few dos and don’ts to consider so you can get your husband the gift he wants for Christmas. 1. Don’t Just Buy a Tie and Belt– Purchasing trusted accessories might be just what your husband needs, but you always have to think of the end result. Do you really expect him to get excited about an accessory? You have to admit, that’s a bit boring. If you really want to purchase a few accessories for him, go big. Find a colourful silk tie and box it up with a v-neck sweater, and a smartly checked, button up shirt. Now he’s got something to smile about! 2. Do Purchase Items He Wouldn’t Purchase Himself– Has he had his eye on a new suit? What about a tweed jacket? He may not be quick to spring for a new suit, a fitting jacket or just men’s tweed jacket himself, but that’s why he’s not the one shopping. And a new suit says so much more to a man than you would think. When you buy him a suit, you’re telling your husband you believe in him and you’re giving him a huge ego boost. It’s true! Think about […]

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Top tips to become a super shopper this Christmas (and enjoy it)

The red cups and Crimbo-inspired coffee mixes have arrived at Starbucks, luxury department store Barneys unveiled its festive windows via Instagram, and Oxford Street has been set alight, literally, with gigantic overhead snowflakes suspended from the sky. Yep, you guessed it – it’s the season of the rotund man in red aka Santa. Now, as much as we’d like to profess that Christmas is all about carving turkey as a family, while flinging spoonfuls of cranberry sauce at each other (out of love, of course), it’s only really about the presents, isn’t it? But, often more than not, shopping for these presents can  lead to more frustration than festive cheer, which is why we’ve broken it down for you. Are you a classic panic buyer? Fret not. Suffering a financial drought? Don’t sweat it. Or, maybe you’re just plain lazy, preferring to do a trolley dash on Christmas Eve? Naughty, but we suppose it makes for a great pre-Xmas workout. Break down that whopping shopping list with our top tips on how to perfect the art of panic gift buying and enjoy it, below: Last minute panic buying isn’t all bad Although not so effective as a long term approach – we’re done with sweaty, mid-shopping centre tantrums – panic gift buying can sometimes leave you with a basket full of really great gifts. Retailers will often knock down prices as December 25 gets closer, so shopping between December 22-24 may mean your budget can stretch that bit further. Make the most of online exclusives With several retailers offering free delivery, various discounts and inspiration in the form of gift guides, make the most of doing your shopping online. Nothing feels better than a fantastically edited present list, or skipping a never-ending changing room queue! Limited-edition is king If it […]

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Christmas Gift Ideas: It’s that time of year again…the hunt for the Christmas presents!

From family to friends, girlfriends to colleagues, you need to find something for everyone! There is always a last minute rush to find loved ones something that they will treasure. If you are stuck for ideas, why not have a look at some of these pieces to help kick-start your Christmas shopping! Spa Day If you are looking to buy your other half a special gift this Christmas, why not choose a Spa Day? This will definitely make her smile, what girl doesn’t love being pampered! There are loads of spas that do gift vouchers and special seasonal discounts to help save you a bit of money. The Alexander House in Sussex is a great place to go and is in a beautiful setting or if you’re looking for something more central, Sanctuary Spa is a lovely place to visit! Jewellery Jewellery is a gift that you can never go wrong with. All ladies love jewellery, whether its rings, watches, necklaces, earrings or bracelets, there is something out there for everyone! Earrings are always a great piece to buy any lady as they come in so many different styles, there is something to suit every taste. Even those without their ears pierced, Emitations is a great place to look for magnetic earrings that don’t look childish. You can also find some great little items in boutiques and on the high street! Everywhere you look there are jewellery pieces, so don’t hesitate, go and find your perfect gift! Afternoon tea Afternoon tea is a perfect gift for your loved one! Spend some quality time together in a beautiful setting and you will really feel yourself relaxing and winding down. As well as being able to dress up for the occasion, you can find some venues with great autumn and winter walks […]

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5 fashionable ways to make some extra cash in time for Christmas

Christmas. ‘Tis the season to be jolly, but money woes can take all the fun out of the holiday, especially if you can’t afford presents for your nearest and dearest. So, making extra money before the big day – no matter how small – is always going to be helpful when it comes to filling those stockings and stocking up the kitchen with mince pies and other such yummy delights. Here are five ways to make a little bit of extra cash in time for Christmas: 1. Sell items on Music Magpie. Don’t be fooled by the name, Music Magpie isn’t just for your old Spice Girls CDs or Take That cassette tapes. You can also sell all the items from your wardrobe that have gone out of fashion on Music Magpie, which means there’s more room in your life and wardrobe for the new trends. And more money to buy them with. 2. Become a mystery shopper. Who doesn’t love a bit of mystery? And who doesn’t love a bit of shopping? Put them both together and you’ve go yourself a winning and profitable combination. You only need to take out 20 minutes of your day to get paid up to £50 for surveys; plus you can usually keep the products you review for free, so it’s a win-win situation! 3. Build your own virtual store at Styleowner. StyleOwner lets you create your own online store and personalise it for your social network by curating from a fabulous catalog of great fashion and beauty products. As a store owner, you get to provide your friends with customized style recommendations and make a 10% commission on each and every sale! What are you waiting for? Get building! 4. Join a focus group. Your thoughts and opinions matter – don’t let […]

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Experience an unusual Christmas with Selfridges

This post brought to you by Selfridges & Co. (with video provided by GoViral). All opinions are 100% mine. Are you in the Christmas spirit yet? Nope? If you're feeling a little like Ebenezer Scrooge at the moment may we suggest taking a moment to watch this cute Christmas video from Selfridges. Titled “Not your usual Christmas” and directed by Bruce Weber, the video is energetic, fun and definitely encompasses everything that Selfridges stands for. It’s probably our favourite Christmas video thus far…. Recently voted "Best Department Store in the World" at the Global Department Store Summit in New York, Selfridges is a national treasure and has a fond place in our heart. What other department store can boast being the sole reason for the existence of Paddington Bear? Yep that’s right. After purchasing a toy bear for his better half from Selfridges on Christmas Eve, author Michael Bond and his wife named the bear Paddington and subsequently two years later, the beloved Paddington Bear was created. If that isn’t enough in 2007 Hermès designed two exclusive sought after Birkin bags in the Selfridges yellow, with over 1000 buyers wanting to snap up the beauties.   From its vibrant window displays to the brilliant selection of must-have designer fashion, oh and not to forget the beauty hall (which is literally a beauty heaven!), we could easily spend a whole day in the store merrily shopping our way through each department snapping up fab Christmas gifts. But thankfully with Selfridges’ fun online gift guide we can escape the Christmas mayhem and get (not quite the same) but a similar fun Selfridges experience from the comfort of our sofa. With a mug of hot chocolate covered in marshmallows and a couple of mince pies by our side we’ve managed to do a bit […]

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How to choose the perfect Christmas present

With Christmas just around the corner, you will be looking forward to hanging up the festive decorations, stocking the cupboards with tasty winter snacks and filling your diary with celebratory parties and events. However, there is one Christmas activity that many dread – choosing which presents to buy family members and friends. Christmas shopping is known for being a bit of a headache, especially if you leave it till the last minute. Dredging through the high street crowds in icy weather, desperately clutching onto the nearest gift set is not an experience that many enjoy. However, if you want to step away from the usual perfume and chocolates and treat your loved ones to something a little bit special, I Need Pampering has all the answers to help you choose the perfect present. Presents for mum It is always nice to surprise your mum with something special. But if she doesn’t need yet another piece of jewellery and still has plenty of her favourite skincare and perfume left, thinking of new ideas can be tricky. At I Need Pampering, we find that pamper days, afternoon teas and family portraits are popular presents for mums. The pampering gifts and afternoon tea gifts offer mums the rest and relaxation that they so deserve, while family photos provide them with a memento that they can treasure forever. Sisterly gifts If you are looking to spend some quality time with your sister or sister-in-law, a spa day for two can be perfect. Not only do you get to treat her to a pampering session, but also get to catch up on all the latest gossip and goings on together. Makeover and photo shoot days are also popular presents for teenage and young sisters. The trendy makeup and hairstyles, flashing lights and portfolio of photos […]

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20 Christmas gifts for her under £100

[noskim] Time to find some gifts for all the women you know! Over the years, we found out that it’s quite tricky buying presents for other ladies. It’s not because we can’t find anything good – it’s actually the complete opposite because we are so overwhelmed with choice we don’t even know where to start. It also doesn’t help that half the items we buy we end up keeping for ourselves. Whoops. Don’t pretend you haven’t all done that at least once though… Moving swiftly on… whether you’re shopping for your mum, auntie, sister, cousin or best friend, we think you’ll find something in our selection of “Christmas presents for her” that will be appropriate for each and every one of them. A lot of our pressie ideas already come with a reduced price tag – Christmas miracle! We’ve found presents for the ultimate fashionista (hello Osprey black croc bag – now reduced to just £100, would you believe?) to the girl who loves her bling (the Skinny dip skull iPhone case is a great example) and more. We have lots of gift ideas for the beauty queen too, because what girl doesn’t love to make herself look pretty for the festive season? The Babyliss pink curling wand and eyeshadow palette will definitely go down well with every girl. Aroma Home Owl knitted hottie – Was £20, Now £14 Babyliss Pink Curling Wand – Was £25, Now £20 Tefal food slicer – Was £50, Now £40 Angry Birds speaker dock – £50 Girls Spa Day for Two – Was £79, Now £63.20 Girls Night Out Make Up Demo– Was £50, Now £40 Ck One Shock Her Gift Set– Was £34, Now £28.90 Naked 2 eyeshadow palette – Was £36, Now £30.60 Bake me I’m Yours book – £9.99 Osprey black […]

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20 Christmas gifts for him under £100

[noskim] Shopping for men is no easy feat, but don’t bury your head in the sand and feel defeated, because we are of course here to help with 20 great suggestions for the men in your life. That’s Dad, the brother, the boyfriend, the cousin and the best friend sorted! You might think men are tricky creatures to buy presents for, but we think they’re quite the opposite. Just like us girls are distracted by anything shiny, and are won over with all-things sparkly, the boys feel the exact same way about their toys. The remote control helicopter, phone accessories app wheel, scale Lamborghini, and table top pool table are just a few examples that will keep the men entertained over the Christmas period. You might even get away with making them forget about the Boxing Day football if they’re too busy playing pool with the rest of your relatives! If toys aren’t their thing though, or you just feel like their winter wardrobes need improving or just expanding, you can’t go wrong with a classic Fairisle jumper which is perfect for the British chill, not just Christmas. And of course, the ultimate godsend of gift-giving is aftershave gift sets. The Jean Paul Gaultier and Diesel Only The Brave sets we’ve selected are not only two of our favourite masculine scents, but they’ve also been reduced already. Not too shabby! Remote Control Helicopter – Was £30, Now £15. Phone Accessories (App Wheel) – Was £10, Now £7 Books & DVD’s (British Comedy Greats) – Was £10, now £7 1:14 Scale Lamborghini Black – Was £40, Now £24 Table Top Pool – Was £25, Now £15 Sky Eye – Was £100, Now £70 Camera Lens Mug – £15 IPhone 4/4s Pint Phone Case – £10 Fuji ‘FinePix JZ100’ Digital Camera – […]

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Christmas lingerie: A bra for every occasion

[noskim] During the festive season, you might be tempted to spend your money on high-heeled shoes, new outfits and sparkly handbags, but don’t neglect your lingerie draw. There are many different bras available these days, so flaunt your assets in style and choose a garment for every occasion. A day of ice skating If you’re going ice skating this year with family and friends, you’ll need a boulder holder to support your chest. While a sports bra is great for a day of activity, a t-shirt bra can give you more shape and look natural underneath cotton or tight-fitting garments. They’re also ideal if you’ve recently had breast augmentation surgery or a reconstruction procedure, as tend not to agitate wounds or scars. A day round the house Eating mince pies in your pyjamas and lounging round the house is a great way to spend the Christmas holidays. If you don’t want to let it all hang out however, a non-wired bra is ideal for those cosy winter days. The structured cups offer shape and support, but you won’t have any underwire to contend with. This should make your lazy mornings and sleepy afternoons more comfortable, whilst ensuring your breasts look their best. A night on the town Your outfit will usually determine what type of bra you wear for a night on the town. If you opt for a low-cut dress, for instance, a plunge bra will ensure no material can be seen. Similarly, if you go for a boob tube or off the shoulder number, a strapless bra is ideal. Many lingerie garments come with removable straps or ones that can be turned into a halter-neck style, so it’s worth shopping around. A meal with the in-laws While you should probably keep your Wonderbra in the draw, there’s no […]

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Watch Kate Bosworth star in Topshop’s Winter Wonderland interactive Christmas campaign

High street fave Topshop has just released its first ever Christmas film – a 360 degree interactive digital campaign featuring the one and only Kate Bosworth! For the past five days, the Twittersphere and overall blogosphere has been buzzing with speculation about who the mysterious campaign star could be, as Topshop has been sneakily releasing pics of Kate in various locations with her face blurred out. People were invited to guess the identity of the mysterious star by using the #whosthatgirl hashtag for a chance to win a £500/$1000 Christmas shopping spree. Did you get it right? The film features Kate Bosworth performing the classic Christmas tune Winter Wonderland wearing a custom-made evening dress that she designed with the high street store. “This project brings together two important aspects of my life: cinema and fashion,” Kate said in the press release. “I have always been a fan of the Topshop brand and it has been an honour to work with Sir Phillip and the team. I hope everyone enjoys watching it as much as we did making it.” The film will be shown on the store’s website, cinemas, digital billboards, giant screens installed in flagship stores and interactive audio windows worldwide. Do you love Kate’s dress and shoes? They will be available as a special made to order on the website in conjunction with the new store opening in LA in February next year, so keep your eyes peeled for more deets about that when we get them. We’re glad the mystery has finally been solved! http://youtu.be/bULAE2cZDJI

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Is e-shopping killing off our shopping savvy?

I admit to infidelity of the virtual kind. Flirting with too-good-to-miss online deals, picking up new and niche retailers (much to my bank balance’s dismay) and often following online discounts all the way (back to their) homes websites with a single click on a tantalisingly titled link. So when Vogue announced the launch of this year’s Online Fashion Week on December 3, the internet shopping fanatic within me received an early jolt of excitement, usually experienced on Christmas morning whilst present unwrapping. For those of you who caught up with the Real Fashion Weeks online, I’m not talking about the fake FROW-ing from the comfort of your desk chair , but in fact, the five day bash that celebrates the best fashion and fantastic deals available to online shoppers, making it possible to pick that perfect Stella McCartney dress minus the overbearing, sale-hungry, and, in some cases, frighteningly snobbish sales assistant breathing down your neck! As much as I enjoy landing a fash-tastic online purchase and often indulge in more virtual retail therapy than is financially healthy, the return of OFW 2012 did make me ask this: what about the physical, hands-on experience of shopping, especially during the festive season, that an initiative such OFW is responsible for nearly eradicating? OK, to some this may seem a little exaggerated; a sweeping statement of sorts, but OFW is after all a celebration of our devotion to the invisible-but-overflowing shopping basket. Online shopping does have its plus points: the best deals are usually found here and, more often than not, you’re likely to find your size in a particular item you’ve unsuccessfully tried to track down in store – especially where fashion collaborations are concerned. There’s also the lack of arduous changing room queues, no clueless sales assistants to contend with and […]

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Get 20% at 120 stores at Mastercard’s Priceless London’s Festive Shopping Night

We love erratic, spontaneous shopping as much as the next person, but there’s nothing better than a dedicated day or night for splurging, especially now that it’s less than one month until Christmas. This is why we are welcoming Mastercard’s Priceless London’s Festive Shopping Night with open arms, as it not only sets aside a time for us to do aforementioned shopping (a surefire way to tempt us into getting our act together and not leaving present-buying until the last minute) but gives us the chance to save money at the same time too. Now who doesn’t love a bit of organised money-saving shopping fun? Mastercard’s Priceless London’s Festive Shopping Night is taking place this Thursday (November 29th) at Covent Garden’s Seven Dials and St Martin’s Courtyard between 5 and 9pm, and if you want your Christmas shopping slashed by 20%, we don’t think you should miss it. Over 120 stores are offering staggering 20% discounts, which means you can do all your shopping in one place at a fraction of the price. And to give your aching arms a rest from toting all the shopping around, you can take a break and listen to some live music, get a make-over, be treated to complimentary snacks and drinks, and even potentially receive gifts with some of your purchases (if you’re quick enough). Some of our favourite deals and activities at the 20% Off Christmas Shopping Night include getting the chance to receive a complimentary festive manicure by WAH Nails (if you’re one of the first 75 shoppers who spend over £50) and getting a £50 luxury goodie bag if you’re one of the first 200 shoppers to spend £100 on your Mastercard. And because MasterCard loves its loyal customers, you can save even more money on deals that have been made especially for card holders.… and best of all, they’re […]

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Rihanna earned a cool £5 million for switching on Westfield Stratford Christmas lights…

That’s right ladies and gentlemen, Bajan pop princess Rihanna switched on the Christmas lights at London’s Westfield Stratford shopping centre last night, and earned an eye-watering £5 million cheque for doing so! Switching on our own Christmas lights on the other hand is quite a stressful task. After all, sitting there for the best part of three hours untangling metres of lights only to find out that half of the bulbs are broken and having to hunt for replacement ones before coming back to untangle some more isn’t a pleasurable experience. When you’re a celeb however, turning on Christmas lights is quite a glamorous affair; and if you’re Rihanna, it’s not just glamorous, but also extremely rewarding. We love how she kept out the blatant London chill with a gorgeous cobalt blue Raf Simons coat, and applaud her nod to the new-season fashions thanks to her multi-striped top-and-trousers combo hot off the Acne spring/summer 2013 runway. Rather surprisingly though, all of her outfit choices came from the menswear catwalks! Whether she’s flashing the flesh or covering up in clothes meant for the opposite sex, Ri-Ri always likes to keep us on our toes. Are you a fan of her look? Was she worth £5 million?

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Top stories this week: Marni for H&M, Stella’s star-studded Christmas Light Switch On and have a sneak peek at Alexa’s new show!

H&M announce collaboration with Marni H&M get us all excited about another quite frankly amazeballs designer collaboration – this time with Marni. We’ll definitely be queuing up for this one! Read more here! Stella’s Star-studded Christmas light switch on Where would you find a Beatle, a Spice Girl and a Supermodel? It can only be at Stella McCartney’s annual Christmas Light switch on. Want to hear what Jennifer Saunders aka Edina Monsoon from Ab Fab had to say about Kate Moss? Read more here! Alexa’s new show When she’s not Front Row at the Shows looking absolutely adorable in anything from Christopher Kane to an old pair of dungarees (yes, she’s the only one who can pull that off!), what else does Alexa Chung do? Well she makes TV shows, of course! Want a sneak peak of her new offering, 24 hour catwalk? Yes, we thought you might! Read more here! On the first day of Christmas… Pinch, punch! This week saw the beginning of December, and of course, the launch of our 12 days of Christmas competition. Make sure you enter each day for your chance to win our array of festive treats from Reiss, Selfridges and a whole lot more! Read more here! Amy Winehouse Dress auctions for £43,000 An unquestionable legend of our generation, this week saw Amy Winehouse’s white dress worn on her Back to Black album cover sell for over £43,000, raising money for the Amy Winehouse Foundation. Read more here! Our Ed’s Christmas Picks Attention all savvy shoppers: there are just over 20 shopping days left until Christmas! Looking for gift inspiration? Then look no further: our Editor picks her top festive gifts. Read more here!

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Shopping: Amanda Wakeley, Batwing Sleeve Leather Jacket

All we want for Christmas is? This AMAZING black leather jacket by Amanda Wakeley. We don’t think its too much to ask for, especially as its been reduced from £1250.00 to £500.00 over at Koodos making it an ideal investment. Plus it would look SO good with the boots we recently purchased from Office and don’t get us started on how much we love the batwing sleeves! Santa are you listening?!…

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Grab Your Diary: DSUK BIBA Christmas Sale

Grab your diaries and pencil in one of the most anticipated sales of the season. Designer Sales UK are hosting an exclusive BIBA Christmas Sale event on the 14th and 15th of December at at The Music Rooms in Mayfair, London. With up to 80%-90% off Biba’s Autumn/Winter 07 collection, you won’t want to miss out! The sale is by invite only. Invitations can be obtained by signing up to the DSUK mailing list over at  www.designersales.co.uk Be sure to think ahead and pick up lots of

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Leibish & Co does its part for Breast Cancer Awareness month

Lots of brands are getting on board with Breast Cancer Awareness month by donating some of their profits to charities or treating their shoppers to special treats and deals… and Leibish & Co is no exception. You can always count on Leibish & Co to provide something luxurious for their shoppers, and that’s exactly what they’ve done. So, with every purchase over $1,000 and over, Leibish & Co will donate a very generous $100 to its partner Rethink Breast Cancer. Additionally, if you spend over $4,000 at Leibish & Co this month (perhaps you’re doing your Christmas shopping early or stocking up on jewellery for those upcoming holiday parties) then you’ll get a gorgeous pink diamond ribbon pendant absolutely free. Not bad, eh? The best thing about the pink ribbon pendant (apart from the fact that it comes with a blinding diamond that you didn’t actually have to pay for) is that it shows the world that you’ve done your part for breast cancer awareness. After all, the more people who know about the cause – the better!

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We love Van Cleef & Arpels’ ‘Flowers’ collection!

We love flowers. And we love jewellery. We are girls, after all – it’s in our nature! So imagine our delight when we discovered that Van Cleef & Arpels has combined the two together and created a collection influenced by various different flowers, rather aptly entitled ‘Flowers’. The geniuses at Van Cleef & Arpels have sought inspiration from some of the most beautiful flowers in existence for the latest collection, offering us some of the most stunning pieces of jewellery we think we’ve ever laid eyes on. The Lotus inspired pieces are definitely some of our favourites; the lotus is a symbol of beauty and purity – something which is certainly reflected in the designs – with the diamond encrusted petal detailing offering a nice final touch. Start dropping hints to the other half now! If you’re looking to do your Christmas shopping early (or your holiday hint-dropping) then we suggest drawing attention to the Rose do Noel collection. Van Cleef & Arpels has devoted collections to roses since the 1970s, and it isn’t going to stop now! The latest collection is comprised of sparkles, colours and more hard stones than you can shake a stick at. No one would be disappointed with unwrapping any of these pieces! An abundance of rich colours, textures and flowers all rolled into one epic jewellery collection. Click here to find out more about some of the flowers used. It’s dreamy, and a perfect way to spend a Friday morning!

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Dolce and Gabbana open children’s store in London’s Sloane Street

Do you have some darling new additions to the family this Christmas and want to give them a present they, or their parents, will truly appreciate? Then we have just the answer; or rather, Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana do! If you live in London or fancy taking a trip to our fine Capital to do your Christmas shopping then you’re in luck, as a brand spanking new Dolce and Gabbana store has arrived in London’s swanky Sloane street… and it’s dedicated entirely to children! That means adult shoppers won’t get distracted by adult-sized Dolce and Gabbana pieces while shopping, which we think is a very clever idea that works in the children’s favour. You’ll find everything from furniture, toys, clothes, bags, and shoes for children up to 12 years of age, so little Suri Cruise still has lots of time to pop in and visit. The new Dolce and Gabbana children’s store opened for business today, and is located at 8 Sloane Street! [Image]

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Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen to release two fragrances

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen will be releasing not one, but two fragrances at the beginning of next year – but unlike their previous scents that have been aimed at their younger fans, they will cater to an adult audience. Finally! The Olsen twins will be releasing Elizabeth and James Nirvana Black and Nirvana White, and the fragrances will be coming exclusively to Sephora in January. “Our brand is based on duality and this seemed the perfect way for us to explore that with a new customer at Sephora,” Mary-Kate Olsen explained. “We’ve been through this process in some ways before, but never to the extent of the process we ended up going through for this. “I’m more into oils, and that’s actually why it took so long to develop the fragrance. We didn’t want to just do another perfume. We wanted it to be able to sit on your skin like an oil, and to wear like an oil and to have that intimacy of how it becomes a part of you.” Sounds seductive! The twins have reportedly been working on the fragrances for over two years, so we have every faith that the finished products will smell gorgeous. If only they were released a month earlier… it would sure make Christmas shopping easier! [Coco Perez] 

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“The World According to Karl” book, coming soon

It’s no secret that we love a good Karlism, but we aren’t the only ones. Clearly the publishing world has cottoned on to how weird and wonderful everything that comes out of Karl Lagerfeld’s mouth is that he is getting his very own book dedicated to his famous, fabulous, unrivalled quotes. Featuring such gems as, “I am a kind of fashion nymphomaniac who never gets an orgasm,” “Fat mummies sit there in front of the television with their chip packets and say skinny models are ugly…no one wants to see curvy women” and “I’m a little shortsighted, and people, when they’re shortsighted, they remove their glasses and then they look like cute little dogs who want to be adopted,” The World According to Karl promises to offer you an insight into the world of Karl Lagerfeld through his eyes and sharp tongue. “In this attractive volume, Karl Lagerfeld imparts his personal impressions on everything. His aphorisms and quotable declarations are in turns humorous, acerbic, insightful, or misleadingly definitive. Defining the world as he sees it–through the lens of fashion, Chanel, love, life, black sunglasses, luxury, books, and Karl himself–this book pays homage to the brilliance of Lagerfeld’s mind, his turn of phrase, and his visionary verdicts on fashion, humanity, art, and the world in general.” Although he wasn’t actually involved in the making of the book, he reportedly approves of the finished product, so we guess the publishers can breathe a high sigh of relief. Click here to head to Amazon and pre-order your copy right now. We’re ordering quite a few; after all, it’s never too early to start Christmas shopping, right?

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Tempting new charms to sparkle in this season!

What’s the one piece of your outfit that never goes out of style and will always fit you no matter how many trips to the gym you’ve managed to avoid? Jewellery! Thomas Sabo never fails to entice us with its jewellery selection; the Thomas Sabo Charm Club Collection in particular always has us foaming at the mouth and this season is no exception! If, like us, you’re a regular visitor on the Thomas Sabo website, you’ll appreciate the brand spanking new charms that have just arrived for the autumn/winter 2012 season. The handbag (standard!), gingerbread man, enamel turtle, and shoe and heart charms are a few of our favourites, but make sure you check all the new arrivals out in order to make an informed decision. There’s also a host of other charms you can potentially get your hands on, including birthstone charms for your nearest and dearest (or for yourself – nothing wrong with treating yourself, believe us!) tropical holiday, fairytale and even Disney charms among others. If you have all the charms that you need though and are in the market for more varied pieces of jewellery to add to your collection, then check out the extensive selection that H.Samuel the Jewellers has on offer right now. The Chamilia or Fiorelli collections always go down a storm, so you’re bound to find something fabulous in there to cater to your tastes (or the tastes of others if you’re feeling generous and want to get your Christmas shopping done early!)

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Lunchtime buy: Valentino Rockstud kitten heels

At this time of year, when we’re all compiling Christmas lists, it’s hard not to slip into fantasy Christmas Present Dreaming territory. You know, when you’re Christmas shopping for a loved one but then somehow end up in a totally inappropriate shop, trying on a pair of shoes that you then end up dreaming will appear under your Christmas tree on December 25th. We’ve all been there! Item no. 1 on the Fantasy Christmas Present List has to be these Valentino Rockstud Kitten Heel pumps. Since Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli took the helm at the Italian atelier, Valentino’s accessories line has become even more exciting, which isn’t surprising considering the design duo previously worked in the accessories team at the label for 10 years. The Rockstud collection features handbags, shoes and watches all decorated with the distinctly sexy stud. This pair of black patent leather kitten heel pumps feature the trademark studs on pale rose straps, giving a simply elegant and intriguing finish. The triple buckle ankle closure carries the studs right up the ankle, whilst the pointed toe elongates the leg. Wouldn’t these look just lovely under the Christmas tree? We think so! Valentino Rockstud Kitten Heel Pumps, £575, available at mytheresa.

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Last minute gifts for him: Clarks Originals desert boots

Shopping for him at Christmas can be such a tedious task – especially if all they’re fussed about is the next computer ‘it’ game – so we thank Urban Outfitters for making gift buying for the boys that bit more exciting with these Clarks Originals Wolf desert boots. Allowing the man in your life to step out in style this festive season with their cool, versatile stone colouring and lace-up detail, it just goes to show that a classic footwear design will always stand the fashionable test of time. So if you fancy sprucing up your man’s footwear closet and giving him a dose of downtown cool this Christmas, these shoes will solve his sartorial dilemmas in one stylish step. Who said you have to leave the house to do your Christmas shopping? Urban Outfitters Clarks Originals Wolf Desert Boots, £75, available at Urban Outfitters. BUY NOW!

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Last minute gifts for her: Aamaya by Priyanka Onyx ring

If you’ve left you’re Christmas shopping until the last minute once again (like us), fear not, for my-wardrobe.com has your festive gift dilemma all wrapped up – not least with this stunning Aamaya by Priyanka triple Onyx ring. This gorgeous cocktail ring is the ultimate offering in luxe jewellery with its triple stone signature – the striking onyx, pearl and kunzite colouring makes way for the perfect versatile day-to-evening piece of finger candy – and a perfect pressie for your loved one this Christmas at that. So if you’re snowed in or just can’t face the hectic hustle and bustle of last minute Christmas shopping, you’ve just got time to sit back, relax and let my-wardrobe do all the hard work for you. Aamaya by Priyanka Triple Onyx Ring, £157, available at my-wardrobe.com BUY NOW!

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