autumn

My Christmas List.

I’m back!! It has been so long since I did a post. I’m sorry my blog had pretty much come to a stand still as I’ve been busy with my final year of uni. But I am back and I’m gonna try and be disciplined enough to post every few days especially as we are getting closer to Christmas (my favourite time of the year) I really want to share with you my Christmas must haves and ideas for the winter months.

This year I have been super organized -or maybe just a bit too keen, but I have written my Christmas list. I like putting a list together, it helps friends and family have an idea or the sorts of things I am after and it also gives me some things to look forward to and not just buy them for myself -which is me all over, if I see something I like I always find a way to justify buying it.

My birthday is on Boxing Day so I have to wait the whole year for pressies, but it does make Christmas time doubly, extra special for me 🙂 while everyone gets the Christmas blues on boxing day morning I wake up to even more gifts hehe.

katies christmas list

As you can see it’s a mixture of all sorts of things, jewelry, clothes, tec and home wear. I know some people have one main something they are after but for me it’s lots of smaller things catch my eye.

I’d love to add a few more charms to my gorgeous Pandora bracelet and these, mostly taken from the spring 2015 collection with the white flowers are so pretty and make great additions to my grey leather bracelet.

I love my Canon camera but this lens with its shallow depth of field would make portraits extra special.

Marc Jacobs Decadence is to literally die for, each time a pass a store with a bottle on display I always give a little spritz and melt a little inside.

Lingerie and nightwear is an area of my wardrobe I don’t spend much money on but a matching set always makes you feel more pretty.

Ahhh a thick, fluffy feather duvet mmmm luxury especially now its colder outside.

This Diva Mac lipstick is the perfect autumn shade as well as gorgeous for Christmas.

And finally anything french bulldog, ggah I am obsessed with their little squished faces.

So there you go a little run down of a few things that have made it on to my Christmas and Birthday List.

Have you written a list yet? Maybe I’ve inspired you, there’s only 6 weeks to Christmas so the count down has begun.

Be a Savvy Shopper.

Making your money go further appeals to everyone, but sometimes a new pair of shoes here and a new dress there all adds up to more than you were expecting. Here are my top tips for saving you money…

Shopping online isn’t for everyone but I really think it has its perks. Online you can short the products low to high, compare similar items from different stores in browser tabs and view sale items refined to your size without the rummaging through a disorganised and messy clothes rail.

Picture1

An absolute must for me is to google a discount code for the site. There are lots of different websites and forums where people post discount codes for online stores and it is crazy how much you can save by simply finding a code.

http://www.vouchercodes.co.uk & https://www.vouchercloud.com   are a couple of sites that often have a valid code running. The other day I saved 25% with a code I found for Newlook just my simply googling “newlook discount code”.

If you are a student then I’m sure you already have UniDays, if not then why not… download it now! -It gives you discounts and deal at hundreds on high street retailers online and in store. If you are thinking of buying something online don’t forget to check for student discounts.

If you have found something you are considering ordering I think it is always a good idea to wait a couple of days; sites such as boohoo.com or missguided.com often have flash sales such as 20% of dress and so on. Keep checking a website for a few days as you could get lucky and get it cheaper. Same with free delivery. Delivery costs are often what put people off shopping online but free click & collect from store and free delivery codes make it hassle free and literally free to deliver products to your door or local store.

Check whether the store offer free returns. Asos, Boohoo, Newlook, riverisland, topshop, ect offer free returns with collect plus (you drop your return off at your local corner shops and they collect it from there, making it easier than ever to return unwanted packages) or free returns to store when you keep the invoice. This means you can order two sizes to ensure a good fit and simply and easily return the unwanted pieces.

Sign up for the newsletter. Sites often offer an introductory discount to people who sign up with their email. Sign up with a different email each time to get the code over and over.

Keep the tags on!! You often have 30 days to return something so keep the tags on until you wish to wear it just encase something better/ cheaper comes up somewhere else.

Be critical. Try something on at home. If it’s not right for you -return it, its silly to keep something and not wear it when you can simply return it for a full refund.

Know the market. Even if I am going shopping I like to look online first to get an idea of what they will have in store. This way I will be prepared and I can create aims to ensure I don’t buy unnecessary pieces.

I hope this will help everyone to find a good deal and save you money.

Check out my post on how to create the perfect wardrobe and put your money saving skills to the test. https://katielouisaclarke.wordpress.com/2015/09/07/the-perfect-wardrobe/

Easily Suede.

The 70’s is back this autumn with a modern twist; new colours, new shapes, new textures but for me its the suede that needs to be the key piece in your wardrobe this season. Suede is such a luxorious fabric when to get it right, there are so many great pieces out there is it hard not to. My favourites are a draping suede jacket, the suede A line skirt and the suede shift dress.

For me it has to be the shift dress that steals the show, its so easy to wear day or night and so effortless. This little khaki suede number is from missguided £25 but the the clean shape, seam detail and side zips make it looks much more expensive. Pair it with some loafers and a camel coat or heels and a clutch for the perfect autumn look.

Newlook are killing the suede skirts. Go super 70’s with the button through mini skirt, add a modern twist with this leather and suede trim skirt or dress it up with this suede midi skirt starting at £12.99.

new look suede skirts

Or the suede jacket adds a touch of texture to your look with this tan suede waterfall jacket by Zara £49.99 or this sleeveless khaki waterfall duster for £25 from Boohoo.

Image 1 of FAUX SUEDE OVERSHIRT from Zara

https://www.missguided.co.uk/dresses/suede-dresses/suede-t-shirt-mini-dress-green

http://www.newlook.com/shop/womens/_/N-cm2?No=0&Nrpp=120&Ntt=suede+skirt&filtered=1

http://www.zara.com/uk/en/woman/jackets/faux-suede-overshirt-c269184p2773874.html

http://www.boohoo.com/restofworld/new-in/emma-suedette-belted-blazer/invt/dzz97396

Do you love a bit of suede? What are your newest Suede purchases? leave it in the comments below.

suede lap shot

Rich and Earthy.

I can’t quite describe my excitement over this seasons colour palette. Earthy tones are sweeping the streets and all the stores are stocking that rusty orange, easy khaki and soft tans to welcome in the autumn season. They are such gorgeous colours- so rich and warm they go perfectly against your summer skin.

natural

These colours are so easy to wear and look so effortless and chic on any skin tone. I am in love. Remember to also think textures, in these street snaps above we have a satin draping cami dress, suede A line dress and a ribbed bodycon racer back dress. So elegant, simple and bang on trend.

So Nails.

There’s nothing more girly than painting your nails. It looks so pretty and stops them breaking. Wack on some colour and look fabulous all week and then surprise yourself a week later with how much your nails have grown. Also a good colour on your nails finishes your look and makes you feel like you’ve made more of an effect even when you haven’t. Right now I am wearing Barry M Matte in Crush- its a dark burgundy berry colour- the matte finish is so sophisticated, in my opinion its just more subtle than the glossy finish making it more wearable. All the colours in their matte range are so nice and at £3.99 a bottle and often on offer with 3 for 2 they are definitely well worth a try.

Barry-M-Matte-Polish

Another nail vanish range I am in love with is Essie’s Autumn Collection- I know we are heading into spring but theres still plenty of time was those autumn shades. Essie is a little more expensive but the vanishes do last longer without chipping and the colours are so scrummy. I have Sew Psyched which is a neutral pale khaki tone.essie

A cashmere-soft sage pewter nail lacquer is perfectly suited to set off fall and winter styles. dressed up or down, this shade is sure to start a fashion frenzy.

Its something a little bit different and I think it goes really well with my skin tone and being neutral it goes with everything.

http://www.boots.com/en/Essie-Nail-Polish-Sew-Psyched-13-5ml_1347605/

http://www.boots.com/en/Barry-M-Matte-Nail-Paint_1388205/