Sunday 29 November 2015

Gift Guide #2: 100+ Ideas to Make Everyone Happy...

Tearing your hair out over what to get the man/woman/child/foetus who has everything this Christmas? Whether you have £6 or £600 to spend, I challenge you not to find something they'll want here...

Click on product descriptions for more info/to buy, and don't forget to check out my Secret Santa and stocking filler ideas here...

Oh, and there are plenty of cheeky Black Friday weekend/Cyber Monday deals still waiting to be snapped up too, so go go go!!

Best Fashion Gifts for Christmas 2015, For Her, Gift Ideas
1: '70s Tassel Necklace, Accessorize, £15; 2: Cutwork Sandals, Karen Millen, £165 (25% off this weekend), 3: Cutwork Clutch, Karen Millen, £99 (25% off this weekend); 4: Retro Style Sunglasses, Mango, £9.99; 5: Personalised Diamond Initial Necklace, Ernest Jones, from £44.59; 6: Black Suede Tassel Cape, Warehouse, £80 (£56 this weekend); 7: Multi-Tassel Collar Necklace, Warehouse, £22 (£16.50 this weekend); 8: Bag, Skinnydip London, £30, 9: Pom Pom Gloves, Coast, £49 (£39.20 this weekend); 10: Alona Bella Ear Jacket, £95; 11: Cable Knit Pom Pom Bobble Hat, Warehouse, £14 (£12.60 this weekend); 12: Bijoux De Famille Dress Me Plastron Necklace, £325; 13: Faux Fur Ear Hat, Quiz, £7.99; 14: Faux Fur Cuffs, Quiz, £5.59; 15: Belt, Baukjen, £59; 16: Filipa Grey Faux Fur Scarf, Reiss, £90; 17: Ava Hardcastle Hard Clutch Bag, Accessorize, £34.30; 18: Marbled Faux Fur Cape, Accessorize, £40 (£28 this weekend); 19: WOW Suitcase Bag, Accessorize, £32; 20: Black Fur Trim Hooded Cape, Quiz, £34.99; 21: Bijoux De Famille Eat Me Choker Necklace, £340; 22: Foster Hobo Bag, Jaeger Outlet, £59; 23: Helene Berman Veiled Pom Pom Beanie, £99; 24: Chocolate Milk Carton Bag, Accessorize, £29; 25: Black Sequin Collarless Cape Blazer, Lavish Alice, £68
Best Beauty Gifts for Christmas 2015, For Her, Gift Ideas, Gift Guide
1: Get Your Party On/Paint the Town Glam Gift Set, Benefit, £39.50 (Worth £81); 2: Limited Edition Pink Pepper and Mint Cleanse and Polish Gift Set, Liz Earle, £20.75; 3: Laura Mercier Matte To Metal Caviar Stick Collection, £39; 4: Laura Mercier Honey Bath in Fresh Fig, £33; 5: Penhaligon's Ladies Fragrance Collection, £35; 6: The Gift of Great (Big) Hair, Bumble and Bumble, £30; 7: Lily Lolo Vegan-Friendly Luxury Makeup Brush Set, £49.99; 8: REN Luxury Rose Collection Gift Set, £49 (Worth £59); 9: Facial Kit by Grown Alchemist, £34; 10: Lana #10 Lashes by Huda (Kardashian fave), £15.50; 11: L'Occitane Jasmin Immortelle Neroli Sensual Collection, £55 (Worth £73); 12: NUXE Prodigieux Addict Gift Set, £40; 13: Trust in Love Set by Stila Cosmetics, £30; 14: Models Own Chrome Gift Set, £10; 15: Clarins Perfect Lips Collection, £19.50 (Worth £42); 16: The Award Winners by Eve Lom, £75; 17: Spoilt Cow Vanity Set, Cowshed, £50 (£40 this weekend); 18: Omorovicza Introductory Christmas Gift Set, £59; 19: Molton Brown Mesmerising Oudh Accord & Gold Body & Home Collection, £95 (Worth £110); 20: Ultimate Bath Jewels by Aromatherapy Associates, £58; 21: Nutty Body Butter Sweethearts, The Body Shop, £12; 22: Flash Tattoos Set, £20
Best Gifts for Him for Christmas 2015, Gift Ideas, Guide
1: L'Occitane Collection for Men, £49 (Worth £75); 2: John Smedley Cashmere and Silk Hat and Scarf Set, £199; 3: Liz Earle Men's Shave Duo, £16; 4: Uniqlo HEATTECH Touchscreen Windproof Fleece Gloves, £12.90; 5: Modern Gent's Post Party Rescue Kit, The Body Shop, £16; 6: Wallet, Jaeger Outlet, £45; 7: Religion Canvas Shoulder Bag, £7.99; 8: Molton Brown Re-Charge Black Pepper Cracker, £20; 9: Reindeer Beanie, Forever 21, £9; 10: Alain Delon Framed Print, £195; 11: Birchbox Man Limited Edition Box, £25 (Worth £58); 12: Reiss Personal Shopping Experience, from £250; 13: Silk Knitted Bow Tie, Reiss, £50; 14: Personalised "I Love You More Than" Coaster, £6.95; 15: Puma x McQ Trainers, £100; 16: Christmas Jumper Hip Flask, Accessorize, £10; 17: Emporio Armani Logo Scarf, £39.99; 18: Smart Phone Projector, Not on the High Street, £17.95
Best Gifts for Kids and Teens for Christmas 2015, Ideas, Guide
1: Cath Kidston Spot Mini Satchel, £38; 2: Timberland Junior Classic Boot, £110; 3: Talking Paddington Bear, £18; 4: Make Your Own Lip Balm Kit, £15.75; 5: Mi Pac Americana Backpack, £17.99; 6: Make Your Own Bracelet Kit, Accessorize, £10; 7: Helen Moore Children's Faux Fur Collar, £30; 8: Marshmallow Toasting Kit, £14.75; 9: Girls' HEATTECH Knit Double Bobble Hat, Uniqlo, £7.90; 10: Maui and Sons Twister Stunt Scooter, £44.99; 11: Kickers Lovehearts Ankle Boots, £33; 12: Fox Cross-Body Bag, Accessorize, £25
Best Gifts for New Mums and Mums-to-Be for Christmas 2015, Maternity
1: Cath Kidston Baby Bag, £95; 2: Isabella Oliver Extra Long Skinny Belt, £65; 3: Isabella Oliver Slogan Maternity T-Shirt, £45; 4: Fortnum & Mason New Arrival Gift Box, £110
Best Homeware Gifts for Christmas 2015, Ideas, Guide
1: Molton Brown Frankincense and Allspice Reed Diffuser, £39; 2: Winter Christmas Candle, Cowshed, £36 (£28.80 this weekend); 3: Personalised Clock, £19.99; 4: Biba Faux Fur Throw, House of Fraser, £140 (£70 this weekend); 5: Glazed Apple Scented Candle, The Body Shop, £10; 6: TOAST Natural Soy Wax Candle in Porcelain Jar, £34; 7: Personalised Heritage Plaque, £19.99
Best Gourmet Gifts for Christmas 2015, Food, Foodie, Drink, Alcohol
1: Chocolate Teapot, £19.95; 2: Fortnum & Mason Rose & Violet Creams, from £5.50; 3: Brownie Club Subscription, £75.99; 4: Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut, £29.98 (save over £15); 5: Signed Copy of Marco Pierre White's White Heat 25, £25; 6: Discovery Dozen Gift, Laithwaite's Wine, £72 (save over £20); 7: Personalised Embossed Rolling Pin, £26; 8: Fortnum's Cocktail Truffles, £13.50; 9: Lily O'Brien's Christmas Chocolate Shoe Box, £40; 10: Pink Espresso Coffee Pot, £16.95; 11: Chocolate Egg & Bacon on Toast, £12
Best Fitness Gifts for Christmas 2015, #FitFam, Ideas, Guide, Gym Goers
1: Sweaty Betty Yoga Fan, £15; 2: Puma Carson Cheetah Print Running Shoes, £60; 3: Sweaty Betty Media Armband, £30; 4: Puma Eskiva Metallic Boxing Boots, £75
Best Luxury Gifts for Christmas 2015, Beauty, Fashion, Novelty, Ideas, Guide
1: Design Your Own Fragrance, £99; 2: Lulu Guinness Limited Edition Silver Polaroid Camera, £450; 3: 25 Heritage Heroes, Elemis, £225; 4: Men's Cashmere & Silk Hoody, John Smedley, £599; 5: Smythson 2016 Soho Diary, £180; 6: GHD Black Gold Value Set, £145 (save over £80); 7: Smythson iPad Mini cover, £275; 8: Cashmere & Silk Roll Neck Sweater, John Smedley, £399

Join Me On:

 Follow Me On Bloglovin’RSS FeedFacebookInstagramYouTube

Saturday 28 November 2015

Gift Guide #1: Secret Santa and Stocking Fillers...

Secret Santa-induced sinking feeling setting in again? Step away from the bath lilies and stick something they'll really want in their stocking, with my ultimate hacks to gifting on a budget, starting from a weeny £3.15... Click on product descriptions for more info/to buy.

Sam Muses' 2015 Secret Santa and Stocking Filler Gift Guide - £10 and Under; Gift Ideas, Presents
1: NUXE Christmas Cracker, £10, 2: Molton Brown Gingerlily Shower Gel Bauble, £10; 3: Faux Fur Ear Muffs, Quiz, £5.59; 4: Caudalie Divine Oil Christmas Bauble, £8; 5: Stone Bangle Set, Forever 21, £5; 6: Elegant Touch Christmas Snow Globe Nails, £4; 7: Playing Card Case, Linea at House of Fraser, £15 £7.50; 8: ThumbsUp Nail Wraps in Honeybee, £6.99; 9: Burt's Bees Naturally Nourishing Baobab Edition Gift Set, £7.99; 10: Fries Case for iPhone 5/5S, £8; 11: Cath Kidston Christmas Tea Towel, £10; 12: Bicycle Rider's Luncheon Lunch Box, dotcomgiftshop, £4.95; 13: Faux Leather Makeup Pouch, Forever 21, £3.15; 14: Pom Pom Keyring/Bag Charm, Oasis, £7; 15: Cowshed Bullocks Christmas Cracker for Men, £10 (£8 this weekend); 16: Liz Earle Glossy Nails Gift - Strengthening Nail Colour in Ebb Tide, £8.50


Sam Muses' 2015 Secret Santa and Stocking Filler Gift Guide - £10 and Over, Christmas, Beauty, Novelty, For Him, For Her, Luxury, Budget, Gift Ideas, Presents
1: Trilogy Handbag Heroes, £12.50; 2: Metallic Patent Card Holder Keyring/Bag Charm, Karen Millen, £25 (25% off this weekend); 3: Shadow Polka Dot Pocket Square, Jaeger Outlet, £15; 4: Sparkle Skinny Scarf, Warehouse, £16 (£11.20 this weekend); 5: Gilded Panama Pencil, Smythson, £20; 6: Inspiration and Ideas Notebook, Smythson, £65; 7: Lulu Guinness Lipstick iPhone 6 Case, £35; 8: "It's What's Inside That Counts" Hip Flask, Accessorize, £12; 9: STEAMCREAM, £11.15; 10: Chocolate Brussel Sprouts, £9.95 / Boozy Brussels, £12, Not on the High Street; 11: Lulu Guinness Glitter Lip Coin Purse, £65; 12: Skinnydip London Rope Earbuds, £16; 13: Burt's Bees Uncap Flavour Collection, £11.99

Join Me On:

 Follow Me On Bloglovin’RSS FeedFacebookInstagramYouTube

Monday 23 November 2015

3 Ways to Wear... Flared Dungarees

If you're going to do dungarees with flair this season, then you really have to do them with flare. Stradivarius (one of Zara's "little sister brands") has pulled out all the stops with this pair, combining slinky '70s styling notes with a curve-friendly high-waisted fit. How are you wearing yours..?

Putting on the Glitz

How to Wear Flared Dungarees, Overalls, Flares, AW15, 70s, Stradivarius, Polo Neck, Glitter, Gold, Top, H&M, Sock Boot, Ankle Boot, Snakeskin, River Island, Sam Muses, UK Fashion Blog, Stylist, London, Style Blogger, Outfit Ideas, Style Inspiration

Untitled

Untitled

Untitled
Dungarees: Stradivarius, Top: H&M, Boots: River Island

Red Alert

How to Wear Flared Dungarees, Overalls, Flares, AW15, 70s, Stradivarius, Geo Print, Geometric, Blouse, Tie Neck, Pussybow, Dorothy Perkins, Fun Fur, Oxblood, Maroon, Red, Jacket, Coat, Primark, Faux Fur, Key Ring, Pom Pom, New Look, Sam Muses, UK Fashion Blog, Stylist, London, Style Blogger, Outfit Ideas, Style Inspiration

Untitled

Untitled
Dungarees: As Above, Top: Dorothy Perkins, Jacket: Primark (Past Season), Boots: Truffle at shoebou, Bag: Boohoo (Past Season), Bag Charm: New Look

Layer Cake

Untitled

How to Wear Flared Dungarees, Overalls, Flares, AW15, 70s, Stradivarius, Polo Neck, Roll Neck, Worker Boots, Desert Boots, Timberland, Fleece-Lined, Primark, Sam Muses, UK Fashion Blog, Stylist, London, Style Blogger, Outfit Ideas, Style Inspiration

Untitled
Dungarees: As Above, Jumper: Zara, Boots: Primark



Join Me On:

 Follow Me On Bloglovin’RSS FeedFacebookInstagramYouTube

Friday 20 November 2015

Advent Calendars for Adults: My Top 10 for 2015...

If there's one advantage to being a "grown-up" at this time of year, it's this - we get way better advent calendars (not that I am, or ever will be, above having my name iced on a little Thorntons number). Get some brownie points in the bank with mum/the other half, or treat yourself to 24 little somethings to steel you through the forthcoming festive frenzy - a flat-backed chocolate snowman might not do it, but a daily tot of whisky (or the promise of a new nail polish when you get home) just might...

For the Beauty Addicts...

Advent Calendars for Adults, Susanne Kaufmann, Cowshed, Cheeky, Nail Polish, Body Shop, Beauty, 2015, Review, Blog, UK
L-R: Susanne Kaufmann Beauty Advent Calendar 2015, Cowshed Cheeky Advent Calendar 2015, The Body Shop Beauty Advent Calendar 2015

1. Susanne Kaufmann Beauty Advent Calendar 2015, £99
24 timely treats to stave off the pre-Crimbo crazy, from warming foot cream to anti-ageing tea.

2. Cowshed Cheeky Advent Calendar 2015, £49
A cheeky new Cheeky polish every day - yep, paint each digit a different shade and by Christmas Eve you'll still have spares...

3. The Body Shop Beauty Advent Calendar 2015, £60
Indulge your inner tween and save a massive £33.50.

For the Homebodies...

Adult Advent Calendars, 2015, Review, Candle, Yankee, Not on the High Street, Gardener, Seeds, Seedlings
L-R: Yankee Candle Reindeer Carousel Advent Calendar, Gardener's Seed Advent Calendar

4. Yankee Candle Reindeer Carousel Advent Calendar, £31.99
Conjure up your very own Winter Wonderland with 24 evocatively named and, no doubt, exquisitely scented, tealights and votives... who wouldn't want to take a trip down Candy Cane Lane?

5. Gardener's Seed Advent Calendar, £29.99
Ensure the urban gardener in your life never forgets you by furnishing them with Forget-me-nots... along with Ragged Robins, Bluebells, Oxeye Daisies, Angelica...

For the Drinkers...

Adult Advent Calendars, Whisky, Whiskey, Gin, Fortnum & Mason, Not on the High Street, Beer, Craft Beer, Tea, Blog, Review, 2015
L-R: Fortnum & Mason Whisky Advent Calendar, Craft Beer Advent Calendar, Fortnum & Mason Wooden Tea Advent Calendar

6. Fortnum & Mason Whisky Advent Calendar, £160
Whisky connoisseurs can indulge in a new tot of their favourite tipple each and every day in the run-up to Christmas - will it be an old favourite or a rare find..?

Not a whisky fan? Gin freaks can turn December into Ginvent...

7. Craft Beer Advent Calendar, £80
Skip the Christmas crowds down the local and put your feet up with one of 24 crafty craft beers, sourced from breweries as far flung as Japan, and retailing at up to £5 each.

8. Fortnum & Mason Wooden Tea Advent Calendar, £125
Don't fancy a drunken December? Maybe settling back with this selection of rare teas sourced from India and the Far East is more your cup of tea (sorry). An investment, but you'll be able to refill this beautiful keepsake calendar year on year...

For the Foodies (and the Couples)...

Adult Advent Calendars, 2015, Blog, Review, Not on the High Street, Personalised, Fortune Cookie, Hotel Chocolat, Couples, Sharing, Romantic, Chocolate, Truffles, For Two
L-R: Personalised Fortune Cookie Advent Calendar, Hotel Chocolat Truffles for Two Advent Calendar

9. Personalised Fortune Cookie Advent Calendar, £44.99
You've doubtless had your fill of fortune cookies over the years, but have you had an Apple Pie fortune cookie? Gingerbread? Sicilian Lemon? No..? Then you're probably as intrigued as I am right now... Oh, and you get to write each and every fortune yourself... buy for your other half and amaze them with your prescience (tee hee).

10. Hotel Chocolat Truffles for Two Advent Calendar, £26
Is advent just not advent without chocolate? Then at least make them chocolates to remember - Mulled Wine, Pecan Gingerbread and Cinnamon Praline truffles, anyone? Buy as a gift and the recipient will be honour bound to share them with you - win win.


Join Me On:

 Follow Me On Bloglovin’RSS FeedFacebookInstagramYouTube

Thursday 19 November 2015

The Perfect Equation: £50 ÷ 3 Pairs of Shoes = Change.

If there was one thing I was in dire need of, it was a few more pairs of shoes and boots with which to supplement the 76 to which I recently edited my footwear wardrobe down... Thankfully, those little pom pom and in-betweeny-boot shaped spaces didn't take too long to fill with these lovelies... And at these prices, I doubt they're going to hang around for too long, so I suggest giving Santa a nudge, or getting down to a spot of self-gifting, ASAP. Oh, and if you're in the market for a velvet pencil skirt, this little Primark number is eight pounds.

Heeled Pom Pom Sandals, Peep Toe, Faux Fur, Perspex, Ombre, Red Herring, Debenhams, Black, Mid-Calf Boots, Burgundy, Truffle Collection, 70s, Shoebou, Pom Pom Loafers, Slippers, Flats, FFOMO, How to Wear, Sam Muses, UK Fashion Blog, London Stylist, Personal Style Blogger, AW15

Geo, Geometric, Tie Neck, Pussybow, Shirt, Midi, How to Wear, AW15, Sam Muses, UK Fashion Blog, London Style Blogger, Stylist

Untitled

Untitled

Untitled

Untitled

Untitled

Untitled

Untitled

Untitled

Blouse: Dorothy Perkins, Skirt: Primark (£8), Heeled Pom Pom Sandals: Red Herring at Debenhams (£10.50), Boots: Truffle at shoebou (£24.99), Pom Pom Flats: Truffle at FFOMO (£12)



Join Me On:

 Follow Me On Bloglovin’RSS FeedFacebookInstagramYouTube