Post-Christmas sales: the best of
Clockwise from top left: Carvela boots, ASOS jumper, Casa Couture vase, Topshop leather culottes, ASOS coat, Tom Dixon bowls, Chloe Baylee mini tote
I hope you all had a lovely Christmas! Mine was spent in North Wales with lots of family, food and champagne - perfect. The few days after Christmas are for sales shopping for me (in between eating chocolate and drinking endless cups of tea) but the idea of actually going shopping and wrestling other women for the best pieces really doesn't do it for me; I'll do it from the comfort of my sofa, thanks.
These are my favourite picks from the sales this year; I'm into buying timeless, classic pieces that are good quality but still have a generous discount. There's a danger in sales of just buying things because they're cheap and then you wear them once, only to shove them in the back of your wardrobe never to be seen again. These are stylish pieces that will see you well into next season and beyond (and make your home look good, too). Happy shopping!
Outfit: The scuba sweater
Jumper: Zara
Culottes: ASOS
Heels: ASOS
I bought this jumper in the Zara Black Friday sale - such a steal at £15 (find similar here). I love the texture of it - it's softer than actual wetsuit material, but it's still got that stiffness to it. I've teamed it with my trusty culottes (you can't prise these away from me) to give a slightly oversized silhouette and just had to brave the bare ankles! These culottes seem to be sold out but you can find similar ones here and here.
In other news, Christmas is but a few days away (as if you didn't know already) and I for one cannot wait to get up North to my family home, get involved in all things Christmas, eat my body weight in food and have a well-deserved rest. Part of that rest is going to involve a bit of a break from the internet. This is my last post for about a week or so but no doubt I'll be posting festive selfies on Instagram and tweeting really insightful tidbits on Twitter.
Merry Christmas!
Outfit: Oversized shirt with skinny jeans
Shirt: ASOS
Jeans: Topshop
Heels: ASOS (similar)
A non-fitted shirt is a must in every woman's wardrobe; if I was disciplined enough and went for the 'capsule wardrobe' with only the necessities, a shirt like this would definitely be one of my carefully selected items. To me, there's something chic and very Parisian about an oversized shirt and your favourite black skinnies. I bought this ASOS shirt a couple of sizes up than I would normally go for to give me that slouchy feel.
Lust of the week: ASOS WHITE jumpsuit
Party season is well and truly upon us and it's time to get your outfits sorted for all the various festivities this month brings. However, it can get pretty expensive, which is why I invest in a couple of items that I can create different looks with using different accessories. A black jumpsuit is a great piece for this; it's cooler than the LBD, will score you major fashion points, and can easily be dressed up, down, and in between.
This jumpsuit from the ASOS WHITE collection is a real luxe number with some interesting style details. Plus, there's 20% off at ASOS at the moment, using the code DECEMBER20 - even better!
Christmas gift guide for her: beauty
From top left: Nars bronzing powder, Guerlain eyeshadow, Lulu Guinness makeup bag, Bobbi Brown ink liner, Nails Inc Be Gelous collection, Yves Saint Laurent Fusion Ink foundation, Lancome cheek and contour brush, Benefit They're Real mascara, Tom Ford lipstick
My last Christmas gift guide this year (see my fashion one here and jewellery one here) for those of you who like to live a little dangerously and leave your shopping until the last minute (I've still got a few to buy myself...)
I don't really touch on beauty much on this blog - I love makeup and skincare but tend to just stick to the same products and routine and keep my makeup pretty simple. Having said that, I love receiving a luxury beauty product as a gift; to me, there's something really decadent about a designer lipstick that is really good quality, will last, and looks pretty on your dressing table.
Outfit: The blanket scarf
Scarf: Zara (similar)
Jacket: Boohoo (similar)
Tee: Mango
Faux leather trousers: ASOS (similar)
Flats: Zara (similar)
I think this blanket scarf from Zara is one of the best things I've bought this winter; it's so big and warm and I've been wrapping myself up in it pretty much on a daily basis. Given the size of it, I like to make it the focal point of the outfit, as I've done here. Keeping the rest of the outfit simple, the scarf really stands out, whilst still adhering to my minimalist tendencies.
Phase Eight Advent (closed)
In the countdown to Christmas, Phase Eight is holding its very own advent calendar, teaming up with a different blogger every day to give away some incredible accessories every day until the 24th. Today it's my turn and I'm giving away this tartan scarf; a real classic piece that's great for wrapping up this Christmas - perfect as a stocking filler for one of your nearest and dearest, or simply keeping for yourself and brightening up your winter outfits.
All you have to do to enter is follow @Phase_Eight on Twitter, and reply to my tweet about the competition using the hashtag #PhaseEightAdvent (follow me at @angharadbjones). This competition runs until midnight tonight so get tweeting if you want to win this beauty! I'll be picking a winner after midnight and the gift will be sent out asap.
To see the full Phase Eight advent calendar, click here. Full terms and conditions, click here.
Good luck!
Lust of the week: Selected roll neck jumper
The roll neck is showing no signs of losing popularity; it's been the fash pack's jumper of choice for the past few winters and I for one am all for it. For those whose style errs on the minimalist side, it's a great alternative to the standard crew neck and is great if you're wanting to try the hair tuck. I love this jumper from Selected; its unusual neck and oversized shape would look great over a pair of skinny leathers.
Christmas gift guide for her: jewellery
From top left: Mango earrings, Links of London ring, Marc by Marc Jacobs watch, Made bracelet, Topshop ear cuff, ASOS rings, Mango necklace, Links of London watch, River Island necklace
Another Christmas gift guide because hey, what girl doesn't like jewellery? I love jewellery that is pretty simple but still makes an impact and can transform an outfit; these are some of my favourites that I've seen around at the moment.
If you're looking to get someone (or yourself) a huge haul of jewellery, feast your eyes on this incredible competition - Links of London is giving you the chance to win your entire wishlist, up to the value of £1200, this Christmas! Click here for full details.
That's right, £1200 worth of jewellery of your choice from Links of London - who could resist?!
Outfit: wide brim hat and wide leg trousers
Jacket: H&M (similar)
Jumper: Selected (similar)
Trousers: ASOS
Flats: Zara (similar)
Hat: H&M (similar)
How beautiful is the sky in these pictures?! I love London when the weather's like this; crisp, sunny and warm enough to wrap yourself up in your favourite winter woollies. I've pretty much been wearing this hat to death the past few weeks - it's too cold for my head to be going unprotected for long periods of time, and it adds a real statement to any outfit. Plus, I'm yet to find a beanie that suits me and doesn't make me look like I'm wearing a condom on my head, so it's currently the only option.
Lust of the week: ASOS White longline coat
We Brits seem to wear coats the majority of the year and I don't know about you but I get pretty bored wearing the same one day in, day out, which is why you need to invest in a few to see you through our winter months (at least, that's my excuse...my coat collection is getting increasingly large!)
I'm loving oversized, masculine coats at the moment; they create an interesting silhouette and are classics that will work for years to come. This one from ASOS White is a great twist on the ubiquitous black coat and will look equally as good with evening wear as it will during the day.
Outfit: Leather trousers, green jumper
Leather jacket: Topshop (similar)
Jumper: Mango
Watch: Uniform Wares (similar)
Faux leather trousers: ASOS (similar)
Flats: Topshop (in silver)
I think green is my favourite colour at the moment; it's not one that you see that often in clothing and a dark green is a great alternative to my usual black. I pinched my man's watch for this outfit - I love men's watches because they're big, minimalist and completely free of diamante - try this one, this one or this one for similar.
Christmas gift guide for her: fashion
From top left: Topshop bra, Whistles dress, Whistles bag, Mango jumper, ASOS trousers, Mango coat, Esprit leather trousers, Carvela boots, Helmut Lang skirt
We're getting scarily close to Christmas and I'm currently trying to find gifts for my nearest and dearest...but every time I sit down to look at what our wonderful high street has to offer, I'm immediately drawn to all the things I want and find my wishlist growing and growing, while I still haven't actually bought anything for anyone else. Oops. So I thought I'd put this together just in case there's anyone out there who's struggling to buy for me as much as I'm struggling for them (hint, hint), or you're lacking gift inspiration for the women in your life.
Outfit: Khaki coat and chunky knit
Coat: ASOS
Jumper: Selected (similar)
Jeans: Topshop
Shoes: Senso (similar)
A pretty simple look that I wore last Sunday - when it comes to the end of the week all I want is comfort and warmth so a big thick jumper and duster coat I can wrap around myself is perfect.
I did my first batch of Christmas shopping yesterday; I can't believe how quick it's coming around! I took the day off work and it was so worth it - there is nothing worse than central London on a weekend at this time of year (well, Oxford Street is a bit of a nightmare pretty much any time of year) and it meant I could actually enjoy the experience. There are so many incredible things on the high street at the moment - I had to do some real restraining - but it's given me all sorts of inspiration so I've got a little gift guide coming up at the end of the week.
Lust of the week: Esprit military jumpsuit
Party season is quickly encroaching on us and the shops are
filling up on all things sequin and sparkle. I love an excuse to dress up (I’m
from Merseyside after all, where most women put their heels and glad rags on just
to go shopping), but there comes a point over the Christmas and New Year period
when I start to get a bit sick of the gold and the glitz, and I want something
relatively simple to wear that doesn’t require too much effort.
That’s why I always get a back up for when I don’t feel like
getting totally dolled up, or if I’m off to a casual event or party that calls
for more than my usual shirt and leather trousers. A jumpsuit is great for this
kind of occasion; it’s a full outfit in one so doesn’t take much thought ,and
can make a real statement without being flashy.
I love this one from Esprit – it hits the military trend (seen
at the likes of Balmain and Alexander Wang this season) on the head and would
look great with a pair of killer heels. I’d pair it with a chunky masculine
watch (like this one) and a vampy lipstick to make it party-appropriate, but
otherwise keep accessories and makeup to a minimum to let the jumpsuit do all
the talking.
This jumpsuit could work for day time too, dressed down with
a leather jacket, chunky scarf and a pair of Nikes. Not bad for £59, eh?
Outfit: Grey and black layers
Coat: Zara (similar)
Shirt: H&M (similar)
Jumper: Uniqlo (similar)
Jeans: Topshop
Boots: c/o Missguided
I've eventually reached that point where my skin becomes paler and my hair darker on a daily basis...ahh, winter. I seem to always be going on about layering at the moment (apologies for sounding like a broken record!) but it really is the best way to dress at this time of year, especially when you're going from the freezing outdoors to hot stuffy public transport, then out again to the cold and straight back into central heating.
I'm loving these boots at the moment (they're sold out, but try Topshop for similar); I've been wearing them over jeans and with tights and dresses - perfect for rainy days! Wearing a shirt under a jumper is a great way of layering without heating up too much, and it adds a nice bit of extra detail to an outfit.
Outfit: Faux fur jacket and wide leg trousers
Faux fur jacket: Vintage (similar)
Jumper: ASOS
Trousers: ASOS
Flats: Zara (similar)
I'm really loving the 70s trend this season, and what better way to rock it then with wide leg trousers, a roll neck jumper and a big chunk of faux fur? I bought this jacket back when I was a student in Newcastle for a mere £10 and it's one of the best purchases I've ever made - I get it out every winter; it's so warm and cosy and is a real stand-out piece. There are loads of similar jackets on the high street - try Missguided or Topshop.
Outfit: Printed kimono
Kimono: Boohoo (similar)
Top: Oasis (similar)
Faux leather pants: Topshop (similar)
Boots: Public Desire (similar)
I'm loving all things with a longer length at the moment, especially long-ass coats, which is why I thought I'd bring my kimono out of my summer wardrobe and start wearing it as a jacket this autumn. It's quite a full-on print so for this look I've teamed it with all-black - this makes it more season-appropriate too.
Lust of the week: ASOS Pensive heels
Party season is fast approaching and this year I'm going to try and steer away from my usual Christmas black and gold combo. I spotted these ASOS heels in the new-in section this week and fell in love with the colour straight away. I think they'd look great paired with winter whites and would be a great alternative to the usual festive colours.