'We Love Denim'

Good evening folks,
Debenhams women love their denim, a true wardrobe staple and necessity. It can be difficult to find the perfect jeans, especially for the smaller lady.

So last Friday, upon our visit to the haven of brand spanking new Oxford Street Debenhams... I was politely thrown into a styling assignment.
Take a pair of bootcut jeans and put my little spin to them. Easyyyy.... And then I was told that I had the reign of the ENTIRE store.
Now, I went a little 'Pretty Woman' and got very very excited. After a quick stop off to the lovely ladies at Urban Decay (fabulous make up and excellent service) I begin the supermarket sweep of fashion.

I've never been one for a simple outfit, I must have a staple. Something to catch the eye. As you can see from the below.... I went for a quiet, quirky peach H by Henry Holland blouse to offset the dark J by Jasper Conran jeans the whole outfit was centred on. The main focus of my outfit quickly became my favourite Floozie by FrostFrench bag. The bag is the one.

It became apparent that I would have to own the bag.... So it's now kept in pride of place on my shoulder at all possible moments. The focus of an otherwise stylish but quiet outfit. And for £29 - it was a bargain!

Blouse - H by Henry Holland - £22

Jeans - J by Jasper Conran - £30

Bag - Floozie by FrostFrench - £29

all available at Debenhams and online at Debenhams.co.uk

Life Made Fabulous...

On a grey Friday afternoon, me and the Tall One were summoned to the brand new Debenhams flagship on London's Oxford Street for a tour of the brand new surroundings and some well earned retail therapy. Perfect after a bit of museuming.

The store front is nearly finished, so I can happily share these impressions of the finished shop. I will be taking a trip back to see how the flagship looks in the end....

 

The interior of the store is immaculate, stunning and unforgettable. It's big, it's bold and fabulous. I would happily move in to the home department, or better still any of the three new eateries in store.

Brand new champagne bar on the basement floor

 

Debenhams recently hit the headlines for introducing size 16 mannequins in store. I am pleased to say that I spotted a few on our tour and these will hopefully find a place on the whole of the British High Street in the not too distant future.

Another fun fact - Debenhams in Oxford Street has the biggest Dior pop up beauty shop in Europe, which is one of only five in the whole world! If you want Dior in the capital, this is the place to find it... Immaculately presented with excellent staff - in fact, the entire beauty department is a thing to behold.

To finish, because I am a massive geek, the Debenhams new flagship store by numbers:

• 7 floors
• 21 Designers at Debenhams | including personal fave Henry Holland
• 80 new product lines
• 201st year of business in 2014... An oldie but a goodie :)

 

Baking : Pie 2

Last night, the Tall One and I set to work (with a soundtrack of Mr Timberlakes greatest) making a 'Chicken, Bacon and White Wine' puff pastry pie. Also - to up the smug factor, we managed a round a Dauphinoise Potatoes as well. 

Delia eat your heart out. 

Now I was much too busy panic cooking to take photos of the process. Just imagine lots a flour, 2 attempts at Roux Sauce and Sadie the Dobermann licking up all spillages from the floor, this will give you the kind of understanding of the state of things.

Anyway - an hour and half (and a glass of white) later...

TAH DAH!  Everything tastes better with wine in it! 

Remember - it's Pie Day on Thursday! 

Emily does nails

I'm not much of a beauty expert and up until recently I only owned 5 nail varnishes. Santa was good to me and I've easily tripled that now! 

So. On a lazy Saturday morning what else is a girl to do but her nails. This morning I have gone for a pink glitter shade. A lovely Xmas pressie from my sis (who actually owns about 100 varnishes). 

Now, even with my limited knowledge I know that you can't go wrong with a Barry.M Nail Paint, affordable and effective. So this be the colour of the week :) 3 coats to the perfection...

Barry M Nail Paint, Pink Silver Glitter. Available EVERYWHERE. :) 

Pie-ty time...

In my older age (post-uni) I'd like to think I've become a dab hand in the kitchen. I can successfully not set the hob on fire and people say my tea (mug of) is exceptional. 👍

I'm at least a seven out of ten. Not quite Nigella but not needing a visit from Ainsley Harriet any time soon.

Last night me and the tall one made a cottage pie. For those who do not know, a cottage pie is with dead cow. Shepards pie with dead Shepards. 

Or sheep. Whatever takes your fancy really. 

So, I'm not about to go into the recipe or the logistics of said pie so take a look at the excessive amount of cheese, and my very happy (and very cool) papa Anstee. 

Serve with buttered courgettes and a smile. Food is the best. 

FYI - next Thursday (23rd Janvier) is National Pie Day. I accept the position of official pie tester. Send all pies my way :) 

Clever Lucy...

My sister is superior to me in many ways. 

Obviously not as funny, smart or fineeeee. 

But she is something special, currently studying for a degree in fashion and costume. 

Please see the below images of the start of her 'sleeping beauty' project. Baring in mind this costume is not in any way finished (I will share when it is!).

All work by Clever Lucy. :) 

Pennies

So, today I quit the gym and I made NO New Years resolutions, I am happy with myself and who I have become. As always, a few inches on the height wouldn't go amiss but I can live with it.

Instead of the gym I can keep the money for flights and postcards and AWESOME BURGERS when we embark on our trip to the US.

If anyone fancies sponsoring a bloody lovely couple to travel around North America we would be grateful. I've never been a saver so trying to raise ten grand is a shock to the system. Trying to convince myself that I don't need to visit Greggs every morning and that it is perfectly acceptable to drink water from the tap instead of coca cola (not so cheap anymore), I'm effectively breaking the habit of a lifetime.

I have enough clothes and recieved plenty of new shoes for Xmas. I've learnt to cook and don't have a credit card. I am set for saving. So why isn't it easy? Why?

I do, however, have this very cute, very useful money bank - it's for coppers and I've been filling it for some time. It's near full and I am very excited to count it.... 

Keep the pennies and the pounds sort themselves

Sunday reading...

So occasionally I am one for a big thick chunky multi-layered novel. 

However, when parents give you pointless... You owe it to yourself to read it. Especially when you have a very 'interesting' infatuation with Richard Osman. Mmm. Anyway.

The book is genius - I'm 5 questions in and have already nearly dropped in it in bath twice from giggling. 

Get it now from all GOOD retailers :) 

Making plans...

This map has become a major obsession. Proof that the world is so big but has now become so small! 

This map has created plans and the saving has begun for the crazy yet long North American adventure! Work hard and get to the US! :) 

Blog Tie and Dresses

New Years Eve 2013, Winter White Party. Aylesbury

And no one wears White... 

As a group of young, stylish ladies there was plenty of fashion to keep everyone busy.

We are never a team to wear a uniform. And for anyone who doesn't know me, I'll be the one on the end bringing down the average height!

In terms of my choice, due to England being FUREEZING all year round, the faux 'Furlero' was necessary, teamed with a floor length fitted black gown and simple jewels. In all honesty I felt like a Bond Girl all night. SIMPLE BUT EFFECTIVE. I can promise you none of us looked this good on New Year's Day.

Not to be biased, but this gentleman scrubs up rather well. Bow Ties (as reinforced by the Doctor) are cool and shall be a staple of men's fashion in 2014. The skinny tie has had it's time. Classic tie your own Bow Ties will rule this year.

Speaking of Men's Fashion, please see the dapper gentleman below, reinforcing the Bow Tie trend with matching silver ties. Please take time to giggle at the lovely photobomb in background.

Dresses from L-R H&M, River Island, ASOS, Topshop & TFNC

Suit from Red Herring @ Debenhams

Silver Bow Ties from House of Fraser

Blogging is the new Black

Happy New Year!
It's about time I got my brain working again. After a year or so on 'hiatus' it's time to share my wonderful life! A blog about life, love and learning. I'll start softly - we're almost a week into twothousandandfourteen and already it's looking to be a beautiful year. With friends all over the world, working and playing I will be in a very privileged position to share some awesome things.

Culture. Fashion, Media. Art. Travel. It will be a fantastic year!
Keep your eyes peeled. :)