Fashion - Leopard Print Shoes

I'm a huge fan of leopard print... I seem to be drawn to all things leopard print when I'm shopping... I just can't help it! 

I used to have a pair of leopard print boots from Boden that I wore to work but they've now seen better days (my old colleagues used to say it was giraffe print anyway!) and my Boden leopard print gladiator sandals are also on the way out so I'm on the hunt for some other additions to my wardrobe!

Boden Cordelia Heel in Tan Leopard Pony, £139

Boden Alexis High Heel Boot in Snow Leopard Pony, £149

Dune Golled Slipper Cut Espadrilles, £41 in the sale at HOF

Mint Velvet Leopard Zola Sandal, £39 in the sale at HOF 

Dorothy Perkins Leather Leopard Print Sandals, £18 at Debenhams

And how cute would these be for the littlest!!

Boden Chelsea Boots in Leopard, £50

Christmas Sale Shopping - Fashion

It used to be that the Christmas sales started on Boxing Day, however these days there are 'end of season' sales starting left, right & centre! I can barely keep up (I'm in granny mode again!!). I have so many emails arriving at my inbox tempting me with 25% off here or 50% there. It's very difficult to resist!!

When I was younger, maybe aged 14, 15 and 16, my mum, sister & I would queue at Next from the small hours on Boxing Day morning to grab a bargain and we would stumble out of the shop with carriers full to the brim.

Online shopping is more accessible now and I'm much happier sat at my computer or phone in hand so I don't have to face the crowds. Did you see the footage of Silverburn Shopping Centre on Black Friday? It was crazy!!

If money were no object, I'd be snapping up some of the bargains at Baukjen and Boden. I never buy anything full price at Boden and tend to always wait for the sales!

I love an embellished jumper. This one is from Boden. Was £99, now £49.50

Dartmouth Tunic Dress, from Boden. Was £99, now £69.30

Natalia Dress in Pewter, from Boden. Was £129, now £64.50

Chic Ankle Boot, from Boden. Was £119 now £83.30

Aaaah....so many pretty things and not. enough. money!!

That said, in my lunch break yesterday I did purchase two dresses from Baukjen. I absolutely love their clothing and I do need a few more work outfits for my new job, at least that's how I'm justifying it! The dresses that I've had previously stood the test of time and washed well too. Without further ado, here are the ones that I selected:

Zoe Knit Dress in Nile Blue, was £99 now £49 at Baukjen

I've had the Zoe Knit Dress before in Berry which you can see here in a previous post, but sadly the zip broke (It was two years old and had been worn week in week out, washed countless times...). So I'm happy that I've been able to replace it. I used to wear mine to work, but also dressed it up for drinks & dinner :-)

And whilst I was on the Baukjen website, I spotted this 'wardrobe hero' ruched jersey dress. I'm hoping the ruches will help hide my lumps and bumps!

Ruched Jersey Dress in Caviar Black, was £99 now £59 at Baukjen

What are your go-to shops for the festive sales?

{Personal Shopping}

So, those of you that follow my blog (thank you btw!) will know that I had arranged a personal shopping trip at House of Fraser as a very special treat for reaching and maintaining my weight loss.

My sister and I had an excellent day and I'd highly recommend it - it was a fantastic experience and the personal shopper selected lots of clothes that I wouldn't have necessarily picked out myself. I now have a capsule wardrobe of mix and match items that actually works.

In the private dressing room.

Here are the items that I bought:

Mint Velvet khaki hooded waistcoat

Mint Velvet khaki and stone stripe tee

Mint Velvet khaki long sleeve tee

Mint Velvet check tassel scarf

Mint Velvet black ruched leggings

Mint Velvet mocha lace detail tunic with leggings (also works great with jeans)

Warehouse beaded shoulder slouchy tee (with jeans or leggings)

French Connection Berrie Jersey Frill Dress

Mint Velvet Black Bandage Skirt

Oasis Mono Envelope Neck T-shirt

Oasis Feather Print Envelope Neck Top

Both these Oasis tops look great with my Mint Velvet Bandage Skirt for work or with skinny jeans & boots for smart-casual.

Mango twisted neck blouse (for work with pencil skirt or with jeans for dinner/drinks)

Warehouse Cowl Pussy Bow Blouse (again, works with jeans or pencil skirt)

I didn't manage to get a pair of work shoes whilst at House of Fraser to complete my collection of shoes but I bought these from Boden the day after....They are so comfortable and stylish... 

Boden leopard print ankle boots

Here I am wearing some of the outfits...

Going into work for a 'Keeping in Touch' day wearing

Mango twisted neck blouse with Mint Velvet Black Bandage Skirt and Boden leopard print ankle boots

Mint Velvet khaki and stone stripe tee with Mint Velvet khaki hooded waistcoat and jeans

{What I Wore Wednesday #4}

I'm linking up with Transatlantic Blonde for her 'What I Wore Wednesday' blog hop and I'm sharing an outfit from yesterday (I think I'm a bit out of sync with the posts, so I apologise, but I thought I'd join in anyway!). I went to get my hair cut and coloured and then had a lovely lunch with my good friend Becky from The Olive Dragonfly blog.

Here I am...

Glasses - Dior

Necklace - was my mums

Grey tunic with brown leather trim - Wallis

Boden patent trainers

I'm off on my personal shopping trip with my sister this weekend, so I'll hopefully have lots of fab outfits to share over the coming weeks! Hope the hubby is ready as it's all going on his credit card...!!!