What I Wore Wednesday: Debenhams AW14

Last week I headed off to the Debenhams AW 14 Press Show with my friend and fabulous photographer Steph. I haven't been attending many events recently since I'm on crutches but there was no way I was going to miss a preview of what Debenhams has on offer this autumn and fall. I definitely paid for it the next day but I'm so glad I went.

There was lots of glitter and glam on offer for the holiday season with full length sequin gowns and loads of faux fur but my favourite holiday offers came from the beauty department. Debenhams has some amazing beauty counters and their holiday treats did not disappoint.

How cute are these Benefit Christmas sets? I particularly love the  advent calendar filled with 24 miniature products plus one of the brand's bestselling products or a surprise gift. It will be available from mid-October at Debenhams and is sure to sell-out! There are also smaller gift-sets like Cutie Cravings if a full 25 days of surprises isn't your thing.

I've been looking for a new shadow palette since I started commuting in June; I love my Urban Decay Naked palette but wanted something a bit more compact I could easily throw in my bag and use on my hour train ride every morning. I love the new palettes from Too Faced. The bottom palette is an amazing value all-in-one that would make a fab gift but I love how the smaller Cat Eyes palette has everything you'd need for a simple smokey eye to a sexy evening look. It doesn't hurt that it's leopard print either!

This Ole Henriksen gift set grabbed my eye as I've been using their Truth Serum Collagen Booster for the past few months. It is a potent vitamin C complex to brighten and smooth and I absolutely love it. I received a sample of the African Red Tea Foaming Cleanser, which also appears in the gift set, which I can't wait to try, too.

It wasn't just all beauty though. Steph and I both fell for some hot pink fabulousness.

I mentioned before that faux fur was a big feature in many of the collections and it probably comes as no surprise that I fell for hot pink faux fur. I love this H! by Henry Holland leather motorcycle jacket and the faux fur collar just takes it to a whole other level. Leather, zips, hot pink---I'm sold!

Steph fell for this blinged out hot pink clutch evening bag that would be perfect for dressing up a little black dress or for a night out on the town. She's just as much a sucker for bright colour and sparkles as I am.

We had a great time and as much as I'm sad to see summer weather go I'm looking forward to what autumn fashion has in store for us all. I have a feeling I won't be getting my flip-flops out again any time soon!

What AW trends are you most looking forward to this year?

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What I Wore Wednesday: Debenhams SS 2014

I always look forward to attending Debenhams Press Shows and the SS14 Fashion and Beauty Show did not disappoint. Spring weather, let alone summer, hasn't arrived in Glasgow yet but SS fashion trends definitely have. I was lucky enough to have the fabulous Steph join me so I actually have decent photos for once, too!

The show was once again at the gorgeous Blytheswood Square Spa Hotel one of my favourite places in Glasgow. After grabbing some yummy cocktails we got to check out some of the upcoming season's finest on display before we headed upstairs for the main event.

How gorgeous is this Reger by Janet Reger lingerie?

I'm always a sucker for H! by Henry Holland's fresh take on fashion. 

How cute is that heart print playsuit and I have got to add that dark pink striped skater dress to my collection.

Steph totally fell in love with this pastel yellow cut out satchel by Red Herring and the matching Principles by Ben de Lisi yellow patent bow slingback pumps. I'm pretty sure where Steph is headed on pay day! 

After I pried Steph away from those shoes we headed upstairs to check out beauty.

All of your favourite brand from Debenhams beauty hall were there including Benefit, Bare Minerals, Fake Bake, Essie and more. I managed to get a manicure from the fab Tammy of DIY Nails in Essie's new Naughty Nautical, a turquoise polish with just the tiniest bit of glitter.

One of my favourite things I found out about on the night is Crystal Clear Lift Away The Years a clinically proven innovative anti-ageing applicator that is designed to create a skin that appears firmer and more toned. The wand uses sonic technology to instantly lift the skin while dispensing a serum to diminish the appearance of lines and wrinkles and enhance elasticity. I honestly was very sceptical before I tried it out but I had a cheek bone magically appear in less than 5 minutes and I'm a believer! 

After we were spoiled by the best in beauty we headed over for the finale of the evening, and my favourite part, the fashion show of Spring/Summer 2014 trends.

Biker chic is still in this season but it pastel pinks and corals like this this Preen/Edition pink biker jacket and black tapered trousers. I love the side zip and the bright colour makes it perfect for Spring.

Y'all know I'm a sucker for sequins so it should come as no surprise I loved this Butterfly by Matthew Williamson navy chino trousers, neon sequin vest and print kimono jacket combo. Kimonos are so on trend this season and I'm determined to dig my unworn one out of the closet for Spring (if I type it, it will be done!). 

I think you can tell what Steph's favourite colour for spring is based on her favourite outfit! She fell in love with this Butterfly by Matthew Williamson lime embellished crepe jacket that was paired with a kaftan top and blue shorts. I could 100% see her rocking this outfit!

Finally we both loved this Star by Julien Macdonald monochrome bodycon dress. The angled stripes made it so flattering on the model and again I could totally see Steph rocking this dress.

It was a great evening and I'm so excited for better weather to come so I can start to wear some of SS14's must have trends. Brights, florals, pastels, retro, tribal, new nudes---what trend are you most excited about?

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What I Wore Wednesday: Debenhams A/W 13 Preview

So last week was so insane I never managed to get a post up. Oops! On Wednesday itself though I was invited to the Scottish preview of Debenhams Autumn/Winter collections. This season they upped the ante by not only having beauty, women's wear, menswear  and accessories on display but there was a fashion show, too! I really enjoyed the Spring/Summer preview and A/W was just taken to the next level with a fashion show at the gorgeous Blytheswood Square Hotel.

One of my favourite upcoming trends, as I've mentioned before, is tartan. It immediately makes me think of going back to high school sophomore year, post Clueless, in a mini kilt, crop top, knee high socks, black patent Mary Janes and a tiny backpack. Debenhams didn't disappoint my inner Cher Horowitz: there were mini kilts, tartan slippers, tartan backpacks and my favourite these amazing Call it Spring Ankle Boots..

Knits are one of my favourite things about A/W (especially when you live in Scotland!) and this year there are lots of funky and fun patterns from hearts and stars to pirate bears. 

My favourite was this adorable Polka Dog sweater from H! by Henry Holland.  It's sweet without being overly cutesy and the cute Frenchie faces make me think of my sister!

If you are looking for glitz and glam Debenhams have that covered too! There were so many amazing dresses but favourite had a subtle hint of sparkle. Depending on how you style it I think this Marios Schwab Fit and Flare Crystal Belt dress could work for the office or a night out!

There were so many amazing looks during the fashion show but it's not easy to capture them sitting in the front row and armed only with your iPhone! I did manage to get a fairly good video of the models on their closing walk. It was such a great evening and I'm so honoured to have been asked to attend.

I had been feeling pretty upset that summer has already been and gone but with such cute stuff for fall I'm feeling a bit better about it now. Sure I'd much rather warmer weather but you can't wear heritage knits and leather bomber jackets in summer! 
What fall fashion trend are you most looking forward to rocking out this year?



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What I Wore Wednesday: Henry Holland Striped Skater Dress

Summer is slowly but surely slipping away in Scotland. It is getting cooler. the sun has all but disappeared and the grey, rainy season has begun. It makes getting dressed in the morning harder because I don't want to get soaked but it also still isn't quite coat weather yet. Trying to plan an outfit that will go from work to night and factors in the weather is almost impossible. I basically always end up compromising on shoes. I'd love to wear heels but it isn't practical on slick cobbled streets when I'm accident prone so I tend to wear flip-flops on my commute and flats in the office. I'd love to be Carrie Bradshaw running in stilettos but it ain't gonna happen without me falling on my face.

I've gotten into the habit of window shopping online a lot lately. I tend to only shop at online shops with free shipping and with an actual physical store where I can return things if they don't fit. Since I have quite an exaggerated hourglass figure it isn't clear cut what size I am. I'd bought a few dresses from Debenhams sale (I love when they have free shipping!) but they didn't fit quite as I'd like so I returned them to the store. I was super sad as one was a cute striped Red Herring dress but I looked like a line backer as the stripes continued across the bust through to the sleeves. I did however find this Henry Holland striped dress on sale when I returned the others!

Commute

The Office

H! Henry Holland Striped Skater Dress-Debenhams

White Cardigan- Ann Taylor Loft

Black Leggings- Marks and Spencer

Black Studded Ballet Flats- New Look

Silver Heart Bracelet- Merci Maman

Black and Blonde Glasses- Vivienne Westwood

So you can see I wear a cardigan and flip flops (or gyms shoes if it's raining) on my way to work. Also I promise I had a pedicure and my toenails are painted; I have no idea why it looks like they aren't in that photo and I'd never ever ever have my toes out if they weren't painted. I love the full skater skirt and the pleats at the front on the H! dress. I've been trying to find a cute stripey dress all summer so I'm glad I've finally found one. Shopping online is definitely great now I'm working full-time and don't really have time to browse shops like I may have before.

I've just learned about a cool new extension from London fashion startup Shop Of Me that knows the instant something you've looked at goes on sale, sometimes before a retailer even announces they’re having a sale! How freaking cool does that sound? 

It uses your shopping cookies to then send you an email when any items you've browsed have gone on sale! How cool is that? It works in the US and UK with over 100 retailers so far! Just download the extension, enter your email,  window shop til you drop and get an email when what you like goes on sale. How easy is that?

Do you shop online or do you prefer to shop in store?

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