Blinging In the New Year

Remember, sequins are for life, not just for Christmas... I begged Santa for this gorgeous little necklace-embellished jumper, having spied it on a "This Morning" festive fashion feature teamed with a sequinned pencil skirt for a '50s-fabulous feel... Enter: the lower half of the beautiful Boohoo co-ords I've been wearing pretty much non-stop since Christmas Day...

Perhaps a teeny bit too bling for ballet at the Royal Opera House, though, even for me... so, for New Year's  Eve, I decided to go tonal, whilst retaining the festive '50s vibe, with last year's cranberry velvet midi... Topped off with the classic camel-coloured version of my  favourite Collectif midi trench, which Santa was also kind enough to pop in my stocking...










Jumper: Wallis, Skirt: Boohoo, Shoes: Primark, Earrings: Topshop

Jumper: Wallis, Skirt: Boohoo, Tights: New Look, Shoes: Marks & Spencer, Coat: Collectif, Earrings: eBay

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Last Minute Gift and Party Wear Ideas and Deals for Every Budget

Hands up who's still shopping? Well, one big advantage of not being a smug November present buyer is that you can snap up some amazing bargains in the sales which are already popping up all over the place... I've put together a guide to some of the best value buys still available for Christmas delivery, ranging from £6 to £100+, so whatever your budget, and whoever you're buying for (hey, why not treat yourself if you've already done your Santa bit?!), I think you'll find something to tempt your mouse...

Click on product names to open links to your favourite items in new windows. Additional special offers are in bold. Last ordering dates stated are for UK delivery.

Who Wouldn't Love? Stocking Stuffers (£5-£50)

1. Bird Pendant: Accessorize, £6 - Order by 2pm on Friday 21st December
2. Birdcage Tea Light Holder Lantern: Dot Com Gift Shop, £9.95 - Order by 1pm on Thursday 20th December
3. Santa's Little Helpers Gift Set (Fabulips and High Intensity Hand Cream): Bliss, £10 - Order by Saturday 22nd December (plus get 20% off full size products and Christmas Collections with code XMAS2012 or save £20 if you spend £100 with code AFFSS20)
4. Cowshed Pocket Cow Bullocks for Men: Luxury Hair & Beauty, £18.50 - Order by 2pm on Friday 21st December
5. bareMinerals Trend Report: Frill Seeker: Luxury Hair & Beauty, £22.10 - Order by 2pm on Friday 21st December
6. bareMinerals Tutorials Eye Lining Set: Luxury Hair & Beauty, £25.50 - Order by 2pm on Friday 21st December
7. Heathcote & Ivory Birdcage Gift Set: Luxury Hair & Beauty, £22 - Order by 2pm on Friday 21st December
8. Bellini Box: Fortnum & Mason, £30 - Order by 12pm on Thursday 20th December
9. Owl Jumper: Wallis, £35 - Order by 4pm on Friday 21st December
10. Animal Jeans: Evans, £35 - Order by 4pm on 21st December, or 12pm on 23rd December for store collection
11. Cupcake Charm: Links of London, £45 - Free Express Delivery until 1pm on Friday 21st December
12. Personalised Petal Charm Necklace: Not On The High Street, £44 - Order by 11am on Thursday 20th December
13. Jewellery Box: Marks & Spencer, £20 - Order by 7pm on 21st December
14. Trinket Box: Marks & Spencer, £15.60 - Order by 7pm on 21st December
15. Royal Apothic Eau De Parfum: Anthropologie, £26 - Order by 12pm on Thursday 20th December
16. Personalised "I Love You Because..." Print: Not On The High Street, £36 - Order by 11am on Thursday 20th December

Best of the Sales Bargains (£5-£35)

1. Kate Benjamin Pearl and Black Crystal Cuff: Accessories Direct, Was £22.98, Now £6.89 - Order by 2pm on Friday 21st December
2. Rosie Fox Diamante Hair Clip: Accessories Direct, Was £21, Now £10.50 - Order by 2pm on Friday 21st December
3. Metal Toe Cap Brogues: Dune, Were £70, Now £35 - Order by 12pm on Thursday 20th December
4. Black Lace Cut-Out Dress: Madam Rage, Was £28, Now £10 - Order by 4pm on Thursday 20th December (plus get an extra 10% off sale purchases with code XMASTREAT)
5. Clutch: Accessorize, Was £45, Now £30 - Order by 2pm on Friday 21st December
6. Kate Benjamin Deco Black Crystal Necklace, Was £70, Now £21 - Order by 2pm on Friday 21st December
7. Shoes: Stylist Pick, Were £40, Now £20 - Order by 2pm on Thursday 20th December
8. Shoes: Stylist Pick, Were £45, Now £22 - Order by 2pm on Thursday 20th December
9. Victoriana Blouse: Oasis, Was £35, Now £17 - Order by 3pm on Monday 24th December (plus get 10% off full-price items with code FULLPRICE10)
10. Scuba Peplum Skirt: Oasis, Was £30, Now £15 - Order by 3pm on Monday 24th December (plus get 10% off full-price items with code FULLPRICE10)

A Touch of Luxury (£50+)

1. Champagne and Chocolates: Fortnum & Mason, £55 - Order by 12pm on Thursday 20th December
2. Beaded Feather Trim Dress: Lipsy VIP, £130 - Order by 9pm on Friday 21st December
3. Bronze Sequin Clutch: Karen Millen, Was £95, now £65 - Order by 12pm on Monday 24th December (plus get 20% off dresses with code DRESS20, or 20% off full-price footwear and accessories with code COMPLETELOOK)
4. Elemis Ultimate Travel Collection For Her: Elemis, £68 (Worth £91) - Order by Saturday 22nd December (plus get 20% off full-size products and Christmas Collections with code XMASTREAT, a free Best of British Kit worth £22 when you spend £45 with code AFFDEC12, or £20 off when you spend £100 with code DEC12AFF)
5. Lips Clutch - Lulu Guinness - Get 30% off selected lips clutches (including this one) with code LIPSLULU12
6. Elemis Jetset Travel Collection For Him: Elemis, £48 - Order by Saturday 22nd December (plus get 20% off full-size products and Christmas Collections with code XMASTREAT, a free Best of British Kit worth £22 when you spend £45 with code AFFDEC12, or £20 off when you spend £100 with code DEC12AFF)
7. Crystal Panelled Collar: Ted Baker, £55 (also available in black) - Order by 12pm on Friday 21st December
8. Christmas Tea Hamper: Fortnum & Mason, £150 - Order by 12pm on Thursday 20th December
9. Colour Block Shoes: Karen Millen, Were £140, Now £70 - Order by 12pm on Monday 24th December (plus get 20% off dresses with code DRESS20, or 20% off full-price footwear and accessories with code COMPLETELOOK)

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This Week's Must-Click Fashion and Beauty Deals

It's shaping up to be the best week ever for Christmas shopping (or a little pre-Christmas treat or two for yourself, just maybe). And the best thing of all? You can nab all the best offers from the comfort of your onesie!

For this week, and this week only (until Monday 19th November), you can save up to 25% at Madam Rage (on the Decadent Collection, with code MR1911), 30% at Benefit, 30% at Wallis, and 50% at Wonderbra! Plus, the latest M&S sale goes live online at 8pm tomorrow evening (Wednesday 14th November - it hits the high street on Thursday). Read on if you need a little inspiration to encourage you... Hello? Don't tell me you've left me already...

I am deeply in lust with this black lace cut out dress from the Decadent Collection at Madam Rage - sexy but still somehow demure with its high neckline, perfect for upping your glam goth ante, and for some reason I just can't resist a cut-out - I'm so glad wintry versions are popping up all over the place now (also loving this berry-hued velvet one from Lavish Alice)!

Benefit are taking 30% off 9 best-selling products - I'd recommend taking a chance on lookin' to rock Rita if you haven't tried their fragrances before - they're heavenly! You can also get a free Hervana powder worth £23.50 if you spend £60 - use code HEAVEN at checkout.

If you're still in search of your perfect winter coat, I heartily recommend the current selection at Wallis - my top 3 are this '60s style dogtooth funnel neck, rock chick style shaggy faux fur jacket, and old-Hollywood-glam midi-fur. And that gorgeous bronze pleather pencil skirt, cruelly snatched from under my nose once before (someone pipped me to the post for the last one in my size the last time they had a special offer on) is once again up for grabs.

All these offers end on Monday 19th November, so get your skates on! You can also get 25% off everything at Dorothy Perkins online until Sunday (bar the Kardashian Kollection, booo) with code DPFWE, or print out a voucher to use in store.

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AW12 Lust Haves... This Season's Sensational Skirts

A few more of the separates on my shopping list/in my dreams this season...

1: Primark

Love the '50s circle skirt structure, and it looks so cute with the top!

2: Next, £35

Everyone needs a polka dot pencil skirt in their lives, surely? This would look scrumptious with a peplum top or tucked-in shirt and heels to max out the vintage secretary vibe, or grunged up with a relaxed knit and leather jacket.

3: Matalan, £18

One of my favourite takes on the Baroque trend so far, Matalan is really stepping it up this season! It's so sumptuous - sort of Anne Boleyn brought into the 21st century!

4: Missguided, £22.99

Beautiful printed mixi for AW - the leather waistband just gives it that little extra edge.

5: Primark

I've bought this in a creamy/nudey colourway, and would so love to complete my sheer maxi collection with the black version, but the last couple of times I've been on pilgrimage to the new Tottenham Court Road store, the same lone size 16 has been hanging sadly by itself. I'd urge you to nab one if you can - the little built in shorts are really cute and comfy, and it's the best value option around for creating those gorgeous full length sheer looks all season (and beyond, I'm sure).

6: Glamorous, £25.99

A dropped hem gives the classic pleated midi a modern twist, and you can't let claret mania pass you by (no, I'm not calling it oxblood - I'm a vegetarian).

7: Marks & Spencer, £49.50

This skirt has been bandied about everywhere, since well before the first leaves turned russet, but I'm still yet to find a more perfect mirror print garment...

8: Matalan, £16 (available here)

Another beautiful berry mixi - fab with black or blocked with other rich autumnal tones.

9: Primark

See - you don't need to put your tutu away just because it's nearly November, or you're only going to the supermarket! Would look fab with a ladylike blouse and killer heels for a dressier look too - the below-knee length gives it an elegant feel.

10: ASOS

A high waist and structured feel give this bodycon mini a veneer of sophistication, but still allow it to retain a sexy-as-hell underwear-as-outerwear edge. I'd wear it with a slinky-knit batwing top or fierce bralet and skyscrapers for evening, or a sloppy knit, opaques and chunky ankle boots for day.

11: New Look, £27.99 & 12: River Island, £30

Two delicious baroque skaters; the choice is yours... I originally featured the River Island piece in my How To Wear Metallics, from Dawn to Dusk post. I love the structured shape of the River Island skirt, and its eye-popping preponderance of gold, but the New Look one may be more wearable if you want a subtler look.

13: Primark

My favourite flapper-style skirt to take to the shop floor so far this season. I would wear it with a denim shirt or chunky knit for day, because I refuse to let my sequins languish in the wardrobe, even if it is 3pm, but it would also pair amazingly well with the embellished Matalan top in my recent AW12 Tops Edit for top-to-toe '20s glamour.

Bonus Round: Wallis, £35

Up to now, Wallis has definitely not been on my "feverish new-in browsing" hitlist, so I was gobsmacked by this amazing metallic pleather pencil skirt, and its price! I originally posted it on my new AW12 Lust Haves board on Pinterest, where you can find a direct link to buy it online, and I'm also adding other objects of desire as I discover them... please do pop over and join me!

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