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.