Back to Work Handbag Treat!

My poor Radley and Osprey black handbags are on their last legs, I have had both for 8 and 9 years respectively and the time has come to think about replacing them, something which makes me feel quite sad as I do get attached to my bags.

With that in mind, I have a few weeks off work coming up and in an almost 'Back to School' type thought, I think a new handbag is the perfect treat for returning back to the office.  Whenever I buy a new handbag, I always think about what I need to carry in it as opposed to what I always shove in there and this is what I have come up with:

Michael Kors Rhea zip grey stud backpack which I absolutely adore the design of. It is a lovely shade of grey and the studs really stand out and capture the attention, more so than the name 'Michael Kors' even though it is present. It is deep enough to house most of my needs and almost colourful enough not to be bold and brashy.

Coccinelle Blue mini hobo bag is such a beautiful shade of blue that I am almost tempted to buy it for that reason! I love the design of Hobo bags and whilst this one is called a small bag, it would still just about everything I really need to have with me on a daily basis and would stop me adding items to fill the space.

The sensible options comes with Radley and this black Millbank shoulder bag. I like Radley bags because they are strong, reliable and dependable and pretty indestructable. Most of my handbags are, as I have said been black, it is a colour that goes with everything, doesn't really stand out amongst the crowd and is just a beautiful bag. 

The final option is a cross body bag, perfect for London life, doesn't make people hate you on a packed tube as you cram into that precious space in rush hour and they comes in all shapes, sizes and colours. Ted Baker Ellen purple cross-body bag is just beautiful and I love everything about it - the purple pink outer shade, the interal leopard print design and even the gold clasp is stunning. Again, perfect for fitting in the essentials with no room for extras and a great travelling companion in London during rush hour.

The question is, which one is the most practical or does that really matter?

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise/collaboration

My Jewellery Wishlist

I don't really wear much jewellery on a day to day basis, whatever I do wear has to capture my mood. My staple items are always my wedding and engagement rings, which I never take off and I will sometimes wear a necklace or bracelet if the mood takes me.

Outside of work, I attend quite a lot of functions and sometimes they require a little more dressing up.  For me that is usually a little black dress and heels with a clutch bag, something quite understated and not too out of my comfort zone. 

Christmas is also looming and people complain I can be hard to buy for, well hopefully this post will help!

When it comes to jewellery I can be quite picky, I know what I like and what I don't.  I have never been someone who wants a massive amount of bling, I'd be too scared to have it on show firstly and secondly, I just don't think it is me.  So as I have very small ears so would always opt for stud earrings as to not to draw attention to them and these Thomas Sabo Earrings are simply divine.  Around my neck, I really don't like necklaces or pendants too chose to the base of my throat, so this Fiorelli Silver multiheart pendant really caught my eye because it will work with all types of outfits. I never tend to wear watches, but this Karl Lagerfeld watch is quite petite and again, I have small wrists, so watches with a big face don't suit me.  I really love my Pandora bracelet and this Folli Follie Aegean Breeze would make a nice alternative and it matches quite nice with the necklace.  Finally rings, as I said I only tend to wear my wedding and engagement rings so these Folli Follie love and fortune rings look great stacked or on their own and I like having the either/or option.

I absolutely love all of the jewellery featured on my list and I hope you do too. To take a look at a wider selection click here.

*

Shabby Chic from the flower Garden

Life for me at the minute is pretty chaotic and between work life, home life and blogging, it is sometimes really hard to find the right balance.  This month is super busy and we are only just into February and I am already exhausted. 

Coming home in an evening on the off chance I have no plans what-so-ever, I like to ensure I get time to sit back, relax, have a hot bath, read some blogs or my Kindle and generally wind down and leave my day behind.  So once dinner is out of the way, the bath is run and the bubbles are flowing, I like to ensure I have some mood music and some candles lit around the bath, perhaps a nice glass of chilled wine, a facemask and away we go.  Failing that, a nice lay down on the bed with my iPad to watch an episode of Brothers and Sisters in total peace and quiet is also good.  

Whichever way I choose to relax, a candle or two are always part of that process because I find them deeply relaxing and they help create a nice atmosphere.  Candles are one of my favourite items to be gifted, given or things to buy.  I was sent this Shabby Chic From the Flower Garden Gift set and it's such a lovely gift.

The set contains two votive candles nestled in these beautifully designed glass holders and a 50ml diffuser with fragrance notes of Cassis, Red Fruit, Jasmine, Lily, Rose and Musk.  The diffuser is really lovely, to use it you put the decorative flower head and reeds into the oil to absorb and diffuse the fragrance throughout your room, it is said to last up to 4 months and the scent really is just lovely, it isn't too overpowering but it is strong enough that you notice it.

The candles have a burn time of 10 hours which is really good and the scent that they give is again not too overpowering, but strong enough to be noticed.

I think this is a really lovely little set and it is still available from House of Fraser it would make a really lovely gift.

Valentines Day Gift Ideas

I am apparently hopeless at deciding what I want for gifts, be it birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas or just because.  With that in mind I have cobbled together a gift idea post for Valentines Day, for that special lady in your life, be it your Wife, Girlfriend, Fiancée, Mum, Nan or a secret crush you want to surprise.

House of Fraser has an incredible selection of gifts to choose from, the list is literally endless and whilst I would ideally love them all, these are some of my favourites.

You can never go wrong with a perfume and as a brand, Issey Miyake has always impressed with both male and female fragrances.  City Blossom which you can see below sounds absolutely wonderful and the kind of fragrance I would choose. With top notes include citrus accords, pink pepper and calone. Its floral heart comprises of white petals such as osmanthus, freesia and magnolia, while the base hosts natural white Virginian cedar, white musk and ambrox.  It is limited edition and has an RRP £51

The second item I absolutely love because A) The tin is just brilliantly designed and B) Kiehls is an amazing brand and C) I am a lip balm obsessive, so put them together and before you, there is this beautiful lip balm set which is exclusive to House of Fraser and has an RRP £28

The third item on my list is this Laura Mercier Ambre Vanille Honey Bath. What sold it to be was the explanation behind the product and the fact I love spending a good hour in the bath with my book/Kindle.  

Twirl the Ambre Vanille emulsion into your bath and watch it transform into a decadent foaming experience. The thick, rich bubbles leave your skin supple and your senses calm and relaxed, while Shea Butter and Vanilla Extracts leave skin velvety soft. Sweet Almond Proteins, Hydrolyzed Rice, and Oat Proteins along with Pro-Vitamin B-5 offer skin moisture balance and protection. For skin that loves to be pampered, indulge in this luscious Honey Bath.  This has an RRP £32

The final three items on my list are jewellery related. Most people think jewellery when it comes to Valentines Day and quite a few people are proposed too or do the proposing.  Now I personally think Diamonds are a girl's best friend to coin a phrase, but for Valentines perhaps a little something different for that woman in your life.

This Radley watch I love firstly because it is pink and secondly because it is just so pretty, retailing at just under £100 it is an absolute bargain.  It hosts a leather strap, is water resistant up to 30 metres and comes with a 2 year guarantee!

Diamond earrings are very useful accessories to complete and outfit and I love the simplicity of this pair from JamesAllen.com. At a price of £246, it is a great gift for the special someone who loves bling.

Finally, we have these stunning Ted Baker Studs.  For anyone who knows me or reads my posts regularly, you will know that I adore Ted Baker products, be it makeup, bath and body, perfume or jewellery.  These Studs are heart-shaped, so perfect for Valentines Day and retail at just £19! 

So there you have my Valentines Day gift ideas, I hope you find them useful.