High Street Luxe Interiors Find: Purple Slub Silk Pleated Cushion £5

I enforce the same rules for buying high street home interiors pieces that I do for fashion. The essential reasons for buying are 1. Natural Quality Materials/Fabric: Solid Wood, Good veneers, Silk, Wool or Cotton, 2. Good Quality Construction, 3. Detail and 4. Buying at the right price.

With this in mind I was tickled to find a good quality slub silk cushion in Matalan at £5. Available in four colours, I think only the purple shade and the gold shade look of good quality, the others (red and light green) look a bit wishy-washy. Deep pigments always look better quality.

The UK isn't awash with Matalan stores, I think Matalan realise this and offer shipping at £2 and free shipping for orders over £40.

A similar detailed polyester cushion in Laura Ashley would cost around £30.

Super Offer: 10% off your entire purchase at H&M Online

At hm.com you’ll get 10% off* on your entire purchase until 21st August when you enter discount code 9349. * Only valid on new orders. Cannot be combined with other offers and does not apply to reduced items.

I like this Luxe High Street Find: H&M 100% wool felt plum hat at £12.99. The hat has a Gucci AW Fall 2011 feel about it. And to take advantage of the 10% off I have just ordered the H&M Tan Leather Gloves at £14.99 I recently blogged about.

Designer Investment Piece: Donna Karan Jacket in the The Outnet 4 Day Pop Up Sale 85% off.

The Outnet have a pop up sale for four days. With 85% off all items, there are some style steals... I like this Donna Karan Black wool-blend blazer reduced from £1,595.30 to £239.29 85% off.

There are some super bargains too like a pair of Dark Blue Denim Diane Von Furstenberg Bibita Low Rise Flare Jeans reduced to £6.25.

theoutnet.com

Designer Investment Piece: Hugo Boss Animal Print Scarf in the Flannels Sale

It's the last few days of the sale in most stores, there are still a few good buys with further reductions. I spotted this wool and silk blend Hugo Boss animal print scarf at Flannels Manchester. Available to buy online in either brown or blue hues, it is reduced from £115 to £60 (with the 10% discount £54). A perfect investment piece and perfect for day to evening wear.

A real multi functional piece like this is essential if you travel regularly, it's the perfect accessory for chic evening wear as well as strong career looks, both smart and relaxed. And of course subtle animal prints especially python are an instant style update for Fall/Autumn Winter 2011.

Flannels are currently offering 10% off your purchase from the sale and clearance sale (enter EXTRA10 at the checkout) and a reduced rate for postage of just £5.50. Online only.

flannelsfashion.com

Fashion Blog: Designer Investment Pieces for Under £51 in the Net-A-Porter.com Sale

The summer sales this year have been very generous, starting earlier than usual with the first selection in June. Further reductions upon final reductions, with some items at 80% off are the latest sale updates. We are now in the last throws of the sales with the final reductions presenting some unbelievable style steals. 

Here are my top designer investment picks under £51 from the netaporter.com further reductions sale that you can wear now, wear in the Autumn and keep until next year too.

KAIN Fiona draped jersey dress  Was £100 Now £21
Kain's black jersey cowl neck dress is a seamlessly chic day-to-night piece. Cinch at the waist with a skinny leather belt and step into statement black wedges for standout style with a casual touch. 100% micromodal.

SPLENDID Cotton and modal-blend cowl-neck top Was £57 Now £23.94
The perfect foundation garment. 50% cotton, 50% modal.

AUBIN & WILLS Dallington cotton-voile shirt Was £69 Now £24.15
Dark-taupe semi-sheer cotton-voile. 100% cotton.

J.CREW Cotton and silk-blend tuxedo tunic. Was £85 Now £23.80 

Quite sheer so you will need to wear a camisole underneath. Cotton & silk mix.

T BY ALEXANDER WANG Silk crepe de Chine shorts Was £120 Now £25.20 (A Couturenet Favourite!)
T by Alexander Wang's black silk crepe de Chine shorts will make a sleek addition to every capsule wardrobe. 100% silk.

3.1 PHILLIP LIM Cotton and modal-blend tank Was £145 Now £40.60
Work 3.1 Phillip Lim's contemporary aesthetic into your loungewear look with this cotton and modal-blend tank.

MICHAEL MICHAEL KORS Belted dress Was £140 Now £49
Kors' chocolate-brown stretch-jersey dress epitomizes the label's easy elegance. Cinch in your waist with the removable ruched belt, and cover up with a trench coat for a classic finish.

DKNY Ruffled silk playsuit Was £240 Now £50.40 (A Couturenet Favourite!)
DKNY's ruffled cream silk playsuit is a one-stop solution to elegant dressing. Style it with a bright clutch and tan flat sandals to work a polished city look.100% silk

MICHAEL MICHAEL KORS Woven shirt dress Was £145 Now £50.75

Kors' khaki woven shirt dress is a flattering daytime style. Wear it with a cross-body leather satchel and oversized watch for a utilitarian-chic look. 100% rayon

Luxe High Street Find: H&M Tan Leather Gloves

I'm an addict. I think this post confirms it (and all the previous posts too). Tan leather accessories are my guilty pleasure, when I spot a piece in a shop I have to go over and touch the leather and then I have to try on!

Today I spotted these tan leather gloves new in at H&M. They are £14.99, lined in wool and the length is great, they are slightly longer in the cuff and so look a little more luxe and chic with a wool coat or fitted dress.

They are available in black too. I love the tan! No surprises there then.

These are a must have item for me and will fill the emotional void left when I forgot my loved and cherished Diane Von Furstenberg plum leather gloves circa. Fall 2008 on a train early this year when the weather was freezing cold.

H&M Leather Goves in Tan or black. £14.99.

Luxe High Street Find : Zara Silk Top

If I buy something from the high street it has to follow a firm set of rules:

1. The fabric must be good quality, silk or wool are favoured and other fabrics that hang well and feel good to touch can win me over. Polyester, cotton sateen, nylon and velveteen are definitely out.

2. The item has to be £50 or less, if I am going to invest any more than this I'd rather jump up five levels in price and buy a designer item that will last for years in both quality and style.

3. The item must compliment other clothes that I have and it must be worn regularly, it must not be left in my wardrobe waiting to be worn.

4. The piece must have good seams and some detail that makes it stand out style-wise from what you expect to see on the hight street rails.

Zara is a quality high street store. They have a really good sale on right now and are continually adding more items and reducing items further every few days. Check back to the site regularly.

I have browsed on the Zara.com website for a few days looking at the sale items, I couldn't resist this 100% silk top newly added to the sale today, it was reduced from £39.99 to £15.99. I really love the detail on this top, the flattering cap sleeves and it is grey (not black). I ordered it online and will pick up in store as soon as I get an email telling me it has arrived, this will give me a chance to have a quick look around the store too. I have a tweed Prada Irise pencil skirt purchased from Flannels Manchester crying our for this soft contrast to compliment it.

I also spotted a pair of leather boots reduced to £19.99. The indulgent Bordeaux colour and luxe leather look remind me of the Gucci Pre Fall & Chloe Pre-Fall collections where the 70's luxe style embraces leathers and wools for Autumn. Also a great dark orange 100% silk scarf reduced to £12.99, such a perfect shade again for an Autumn awash with rusty hughes.

High Street Luxe Find: H&M Leather Cross Body Bag and Belt.

I have a deep love of tan leather accessories, nothing more so than a tan leather cross body bag. Always stylish for any casual look from jeans to summer dresses and essential for hands free shopping.



I recently jotted a note about this tan leather belt from H&M reduced in the sale from £7.99 to £3.99. Yesterday I spotted another H&M bargain, a tan leather cross body bag reduced to £19.99, this H&M bag bears a  style resemblance to the Chloe Marcie Bag, whilst I don't think the style of the Chloe bag makes it an investment piece worth spending on, you can certainly get the look with a leather bag from the H&M alternative. Wear together with a shirt dress or jeans and add summer wedges for effortless casual chic with seventies style.


Object of Desire
The Chloe Marcie Bag £695. (Shown above)
The Chloe Mini Marcie Bag £340
netaporter.com

Quality Cash Saving Alternative
The H&M Leather Cross Body Bag £19.99. (shown top)
handm.com

20% off the Best Hydrating Face Cream at Beauty Expert

BeautyExpert.co.uk is offering 20% off until end of 8th July. One of my favourite beauty brands is stocked here, Aesop. I've used the Aesop Primrose Facial Hydrating Cream 120ml normally £33, now £26.40 with 20% off. It is really hydrating and the texture is very luxurious, this would be my top pick to take advantage of the 20% off and the free UK delivery.

The details as written by BeautyExpert.co.uk... "Daily moisturising cream for normal to dry or stressed skin. This is Aesop's most lauded and coveted product; the High Priestess of hydrating creams. Fast absorbing, deeply penetrating plant extracts hydrate, soften and smooth the skin, whilst the subtle botanical aroma is an inspiration to all users. This preparation is high in gamma linoleic acids and is boosted with Primrose and Rose Hip Seed extracts, natural mediums for Vitamins E and C. This fabulous moisturiser also contains Sage, Wild Rosemary and Lavender. • Fast absorbing and deeply penetrating • Hydrates, softens and smoothes • Moisturises"

120ml is a big pot for £26.40 by most premium beauty product standards and it lasts for ages. Enter the promo code JUNE20.

20% off Your Purchase on Thursday 7th at H&M

To celebrate the grand opening of the 200th H&M store across the UK and Republic of Ireland H&M are offering 20% off your purchase on Thursday 7th July. Click here to print off the voucher to take in store to redeem your discount.

I like this tan leather belt from H&M reduced in the sale from £7.99 to £3.99. Wrap it round a summer dress and wear with tan sandals and a seventies style tan leather cross body bag for relaxed summer chic.

Designer Investment Piece: Ralph Lauren Collection Wedges

These super tan Ralph Lauren Collection Firana Leather Espadrille Wedges are reduced from £230 to £160. An elegant classic summer sandal that will have a place in the most stylish summer wardrobe for years to come (with careful re-soling when necessary). A great investment accessory, the tan colour goes with everything, wear with white or indigo jeans, trousers, dresses, kaftans for elegant casual dressing this summer. I am a huge fan of tan accessories and had been stalking these for a couple of months online!

Ordering from Ralph Lauren is a pleasurable experience, the online order is easy with lots of alluring images and information. The best bit is when the order arrives, the Ralph Lauren Heritage Style and quality is apparent before you have even seen the product, the dark blue leather look packaging with gold block print makes you feel like you've received something very special. All wrapped tastefully in dark blue tissue and thin ribbon. Ralph Lauren UK are offering free delivery on orders over £145.

ralphlauren.com

Couturenet Picks: 12 stylish gifts for under £20

This is my "go to" list for a special gift in a hurry! All stylish and all under £20. Perfect for birthdays and dinner party gifts.

1. Missoni Horoscope Bag.

Missoni for less than £20, irresistible! This canvas tote features a horoscope graphic at the front and a logo graphic at the back - a different coloured bag for each star sign. Double handles. 15"H x 17"L x 1.5"D. 8" strap drop.
£18.80 approx $29. shopbop.com

2. Havaianas Flip Flops

These world famous Brazilian rubber flip-flops feature 'havaianas' lettering at the thin strap. 1/2" sole. Available in eight gorgeous colours.
£15.56 approx. $24. shopbop.com

3. Heyland & Whittle Bed of Roses Hat Box.

Gorgeous soap, using natural plant oils, essential oils, flower extracts, herbs and spices. Subtly scented, entirely natural and leave your skin silky and soft. If you can't bear to use it leave it open in your sweater draw for fabulously scented clothes.

£6.00 fortnumandmason.com

4. Fortnum & Mason Classic Teas

These stylish tins contain two of the most popular teas: Royal Blend and Earl Grey Classic. Carefully blended using fine quality loose leaves, they will produce an excellent and refreshing cup of tea. 2x 125g tins.
£12.50 fortnumandmason.com

5. Top Hat Tea Strainer

This clever tea strainer allows you to brew your favourite loose-leaf tea directly in the cup. The fine mesh holds back the leaves while the generous size allows the full flavour of the tea to come through without the fuss of getting out the teapot. 

£9.50 fortnumandmason.com

6. Cabbages & Roses Linen Napkins
The subdued elegance of these vinatge stamped napkins will add nostalgic appeal to any breakfast, lunch or dinner. Available in white or natural.
Normally £6 each, currently on offer at £3 each so a set of six napkins would be £18. cabbagesandroses.com

7. CHANEL LE VERNIS Nail Colour
Intense colour and high gloss. Designed to be a real nailcare product, it respects the fragile nature of your nails. It feels very special to receive and open a Chanel gift, from the monochrome chic packaging and gift bag to the product design and irresistible colours. The Chanel Counter will gift wrap too.
£17.50 boots.com

8. CHANEL LÈVRES SCINTILLANTES Glossimer
A long-lasting, ultra-gloss look; intense colours and a perfect finish. The gel texture, fluid yet substantial, is easy to apply, giving a perfectly even finish. Great for everyday wear, the perfect colour for most skin tones is No. 19 Blizzard.
£20.00 boots.com

9. Set of 2 Water Hyacinth Storage Baskets with Handles.
So versatile and they look smart too, these are a John Lewis special buy. £20. johnlewis.com

10. Chanel: Collections and Creations

A beautiful book with chic pictures and a history of the classic Chanel pieces over the past decades. £14.12 amazon.co.uk

11. Laura Ashley Althea Floral Silk Cushion
This stunning silk cushion is embellished with beautiful floral ribbon embroidery. The Eau De Nil Colourway is £20. lauraashley.com

12. L'Occitane Pivoine Flora Collection

A new floral, feminine fragrance range from L'Occitane, The pretty cosmetics bag contains: Pivoine Flora Shower Gel (75ml), Pivoine Flora Beauty Milk (75ml), Pivoine Flora Hand Cream (30ml), Pivoine Flora Eau De Parfum (5ml). L'Occitaine is well known for it's high quality natural ingredients such as shea butter.
£20.00 johnlewis.com

Couturenet Picks: M Missoni & Missoni in the sales

As a firm believer in all money spent on fashion should be well spent, I am immersed in luxe to see some great deals on M Missoni in the sales. Missoni pieces are never cheap, but with a sales discount they make perfect investment pieces if the colours are selected carefully. Wear all seasons and year after year (you can wear these pieces for 5 years), the quality and design is outstanding and will stand the test of time.

I jotted recently about my investment piece M Missoni Halter Dress, I have worn it for a few dinners and drinks, in both evenings and afternoons as the design lends itself so well to "day to night" dressing.

M Missoni in the sales links below with my "all seasons" investment picks detailed.

The Outnet Sale : All Missoni www.theoutnet.com

My investment pick would be the Muriel Asymetric crochet knit, without the long skirt underneath. Reduced from £570 to £199.50 65% off. This is a great all seasons piece, wear as a top or as a dress, with opaque tights in the autumn, for summer it is a great kaftan style short dress with sandals and tanned legs. The detailing in the asymmetric flourish makes this true luxe for day to night dressing. Add statement long shiny stone pendant for more luxe.

Flannels Sale : All M Missoni www.flannelsfashion.com

Net A Porter Sale : All M Missoni www.netaporter.com

Two great dresses in the sale, the dress I recently blogged about The Crochet Halter Neck Dress reduced from £575 to £402.50 30% off and the Metallic Knit Sweater Dress Reduced from £410 to £287 30% off. The colours again complement all seasons, both dresses work beautifully with quality, tailored blazers in black or cream.

JULY UPDATE: Net A Porter has further reduced it's sale items. The crochet halter dress is now £288 50% off and the Metallic Knit Sweater Dress is now £205 50% off.

My Wardrobe Sale : All M Missoni

www.my-wardrobe.com

I love this Striped Three Button Long Sleeve Dress reduced from £383 to £229 40% off, neutral transitional colours and again day to night appeal. Very versatile. Shown with the Kors Michael Kors Wedges I jotted about recently.

The Corner Sale : All Missoni

www.thecorner.com

Free Delivery at Fortnum & Mason Online

Fortnum & Mason are offering free standard delivery until Monday 13th June if you spend £50 or more. Enter code FMF50 at the checkout.

The Ladies Favourites Basket shown is a delight to receive. £50.

www.fortnumandmason.com

40 Thrifty Style Tips from The Daily Telegraph

I am a regular reader of the Daily Telegraph Fashion, it is well written, interesting and insightful. Today's 40 Thirfty Style Tips did not disappoint.

Read it here. http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/

The net-a-porter.com sale is on

I called up a friend with delight to inform her that the Bottega Venetta Wedges we'd been drooling over had 60% off in the net-a-porter.com sale! She promptly informed me in the UK the sale has not started yet, so all items are still full price. Hey not fair! Anyway they are so gorgeous I had to show a picture of them here.

A great investment piece too, they are suited to both summer & winter and the colour and style will go with everything.

Object of Desire...

Bottega Veneta Intrecciatto Leather Wedge Sandals.

USA $525 in the sale. UK £720. May 2011 (shown above)

net-a-porter.com

Also at bottegaveneta.com UK site £740.

JUNE UPDATE: these have now been reduced to £370!

JUNE UPDATE: The Net A Porter UK sale has started! The Bottega Veneta wedges have been reduced from £720 to £360.

A high quality cash saving alternative...

Kors Michael Kors Wiley Rafia Rope Platform Wedge.

£239.00 reduced to £119.00 in the sale 50% off. (shown below)

my-wardrobe.com

Beauty Products That Work: One Love Organics Skin Saviour.

OneLove Organics Skin Saviour Waterless Multitasking Balm is the newest inclusion into my body beauty regime. When versatility is just as important as results, this does everything - cleanse, moisturise and condition.

This waterless multi-tasking balm can be used to sleek your hair, illuminate your skin, remove makeup and much more.

Loving the 100% natural ingredients. It's made with cold-press plant oils, beeswax and vanilla extract, it smells lovely without being over the top. Apply a small amount to hands, hair or anywhere that needs TLC. One balm, endless possibilities, very yummy. You can use this on your face too, but I love this as a body product, just because I have tailored skin care regime for my face and I stick with it as it produces results.

I love it, it's a real indulgence at a reasonable price. I also adore the packaging and the company name One Love Organics (with a heart).

This product is only available in the USA. One Love Organics Skin Saviour Waterless Multitasking Balm. $68. oneloveorganics.com

Colorado: Fashionable Flowers

I am a traditionalist when it comes to floral arrangements. I yearn for arrangements of neat roses with beautiful big headed tea rose blooms, I do however like the modern twists lent to traditional flowers such as fashionable colour coordinating and chunky quality vases.

I warm to this great feel good, clean looking bouquet from Cherry Creek Custom Floral in Denver. I love the fashionable colour blocked pink and orange roses with just the right bold shades of green interleaved. This season's vibrant bold colours with a spa like therapeutic effect, especially from the orange, must be why it's called the Deep Emotions Bouquet.

This is the perfect bunch of blooms along with the vase. You can literally move it around the house taking on the role of dining room table centrepiece on white linens, dressing table side show and a kitchen enlivener.

Cherry Creek Custom Floral

229 Clayton St, Denver, CO 80206

Local: 303-331-0766

cherrycreekflorist.com

High Street Luxe Find: H&M Shirt Dress (Yes another shirt dress!)

This H&M shirt dress (above image) is a super skin flattering colour for summer, a wardrobe staple for everyday with tan leather and a holiday essential.

Spotting this could not have happened at a more opportune moment, I was loving and on the tip of buying the Rag & Bone Ohara Shirt Dress £263.77 / $415.00 (bottom image) when next in Colorado.

I bought the H&M dress online and await delivery, it was a bargain too, reduced from £29.99 to £14.99, the delivery charge is their standard £3.90, but I did get the added 10% off one item discount for signing up to their email newsletter, total £15.14.

Looking at the H&M Dress online I think I will have to tidy up the hem at the bottom of the dress but I do love the unfussy pockets, slinky silk like fabric, nice shoulder detail and casual but elegant sleeves. I have tan leather accessories ready to add to this dress.

Investment piece? Perhaps for one season - it may not last - more like a functional chic piece. It certainly will be worth the price paid as I can see it worn time and time again. A great style buy too as the V neck option (undo a few buttons) elongates the body for a slimmer taller silhouette.

Object of Desire...

Rag & Bone Ohara Shirt Dress £263.77 / $415.00

Shopbop.com

Quality Value Alternative...

H&M Shirt Dress £29.99 reduced to £14.99

hm.com

Sign up to the H&M Newsletter and receive 10% off one item online.

UPDATE: Rag & Bone Exclusives at ShopBop - they ship worldwide!

shopbop.com

Investment Piece: M Missoni Crochet Halter Neck Dress

I am beaming with excitement over the lux investment piece that is my paws, an M Missoni Crochet Halter Neck Dress. Beautiful colours suited to both summer and autumn, the signature classic zigzag knit, all balanced perfectly with the thinly striped bandeau and V halter - stunning for day to evening. And as always Missoni is an investment piece to treasure for many years to come.

The fit is outstanding (after tailoring the tops of the shoulders as this part was a bit too long, creating a slightly baggy look to the V halter) with a firm feel to the bandeau, an exact perfect cut to the V halter and the dress itself feels super soft and hangs beautifully. I feel very lucky to have this piece just at the correct time in the season and will be styling it for an outing at the weekend.

I just love Missoni, I can't wait to keep re-wearing my Missoni pieces again and again as they look so good and adapt to so may occasions of wear. A true investment piece.

M Missoni Halter Neck Crochet Knit Dress SS 2011 £575

www.netaporter.com