Forevermissvanity - A UK Lifestyle Blogger : November 2013

Handmade Gifts: Hime Neon X Jewellery

When it comes to opening presents on Christmas day, there's nothing I love more than to open the present by one of my best friends. In the last few years a few of my friends have taken to making jewellery as birthday and Christmas gifts and each time I receive one of their pieces, I'm always taken aback by how beautiful and intricate they are. The best part about receiving a handmade gift is that it feels more personal and you know that not many people out there have it. I'm a huge supporter of shops on Etsy for this. I like having items that are individual and you know that you won't find several of the same ones on the high street. Martyna from Hime Neon X Jewellery saw that I've been writing a lot about jewellery on my blog lately and decided to send me a few sample pieces to show you. All the items on the Hime Neon X Jewellery shop page are handmade with love and created with quality in my mind. I love my Lapis and Rutilated Quartz bracelet as its light, easy to wear, but you can feel it won't break at a drop of the hand. If you're looking for a more personalised gift, you could also try look for a birth stone that matches the person you are buying for.

As well as bracelets, the Hime Neon X Jewellery store also offers a selection of fabulous earrings to match and these were also sent as part of the parcel. These earrings are really cute and would look great worn with a casual outfit giving evoking a chilled back persona or teamed with a blue evening dress. The best thing about these bracelets and earrings is the fact that they are all quite versatile and will go with most outfits and moods.

Be sure to check out the Hime Neon X Etsy Jewellery store to see Martyna's other fabulous creations.

Camouflage is currently all over the high street, taking a turn from the brass button formal military jackets to frontline uniforms. This autumn and winter sees an array of green and black camouflage gear bracing the clothing rails as well as a variety chunky boots to get you through what could potentially be a cold and snowy season. The military trend is something that I've always looked at on other people and thought it looks edgy and cool, yet I probably wouldn't be able to pull it off. I have an envy over those who can sling on a camo jacket, flick down their long brunette locks and look instantly like a catalogue model, when I wear camouflage gear I look rather frumpy. My favourite part of the army gear type clothing is being able to wear really thick, hard wearing boots like the Magnum boots shown above. When it comes to the winter season, I love being able to wear my walking boots through the snow and it to actually look rather trendy. I've paired up these sturdy pair of Magnum women's boots* with the pencil skirt and top duo from New Look, creating a feminine yet grungy appealing outfit.

If you don't feel like going too full on camouflage, you can easily incorporate the style into your outfit with a pair of camo print shoes like these from Topshop or you can always team up a pair of basic leather trousers with a camo crop top. There are many ways of introducing camouflage into your wardrobe, without you looking too much like a tomboy - unless that's the look you're personally going for.

What do you think of the Camouflage trend?

Sometimes you can be drawn instantly to a product by package alone and today was definitely one of those cases. I didn't care for what was in the box, but out of the corner of my eye whilst shopping in TK Maxx I saw a glimpse wonderful floral box and knew I had to have it.

This box has Versace written all over it. Floral, highly decorative and above all it stands out from the crowd. Until today I had never come across the Versace Bright Crystal gift set and I can pretty much guarantee if I saw it any earlier I would have bought it months ago.

The Versace Bright Crystal box set is a perfect present for a loved one at Christmas. Not only is the box beautifully designed, but also inside you have two bottles of perfumed body lotion and shower gel, as well as a 50ml bottle of the Versace Bright Crystal perfume. Versace Bright Crystal is a really feminine, sensual floral scented perfumed with base notes of Planter Amber and Musk and top notes of Yuzu and Pomegranate. The majority of my perfume collection is made up of floral scents and I don't know, why it has always been something that I'm drawn to. I put this down to being a really girly girl and unleashing my inner hippie.

As TK Maxx is renowned for it designer discounts, this box was an absolute bargain. The retail of the Versace Crystal 50ml is alone £44.99, but at TK Maxx I was able grab this wonderful gift set for £39.99. I have looked at various other perfume websites and I think this may be one of the older gift sets, however I just love how neatly presented the gift box is and overall I think it would make a lovely asset to anyone's dressing table.

Have you bought anything from TK Maxx lately?

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A few weeks ago I wrote a blog post about participating in the John Lewis Secret Santa and this weekend my wonderful presents made their arrival to my doorstep. If you haven't read my previous post a few bloggers were picked to be part of the John Lewis Secret Santa, where bloggers were paired up with someone they didn't know and they had to pick a present off the John Lewis gift list to send to their new blogger pal. I've always loved Secret Santa challenges and as I like to think of myself as a giving person, this blogger challenge was perfect for me. I was paired up the with the beautiful Mel from Mel's Wall of Mirrors and both us had to pick a surprise present for each other. For Mel I picked a wonderful Liz Earle gift set as she is a fan of skin care and seems like a busy person that could do with a pampering treat. Unfortunately I cannot mention what her next present is as she still hasn't received it, but I'm pretty sure it's something that she would love. If you do have time, please make sure you check out her blog.

Mel, my Secret Santa was very generous and picked this beautiful combination present of the Molton Brown- The Jetsetter gift set and the Cochine Saigon Juniper and Ginger Scented candle from the John Lewis website. I've been a fan of Molton Brown for quite a few years and I find their shower scrubs and gels so delightful to use. The products I've had experience with in the past have always left my skin feel invigorating and soft. The Molton Brown Jetsetter set is perfect as I love to travel and these will also make great products to take with me to shower at the gym. The Molton Brown Jetsetter gift set can be purchased for £26.00 from the John Lewis website.

My next present was the luxurious Cochine Saigon candle. I've always been a fan of candles, but I am yet to try this brand. According to the John Lewis website, the fragrance within the candle comes from Vietnam and the ingredients are all 'ethically and sustainably' sourced. The candle has up to 50 hours burn time and I'm sure I'll definitely make the most of out this when I move house in the new year. Mel didn't know it, but she's given me a wonderful new house warming gift for when my fiance and me move into our first house together. I think every room will be full of candles knowing us. You can purchase the candle for £45 from the John Lewis website.

If seeing this wonderful Christmas presents have got you in a Christmas shopping mood, make sure you stop by the John Lewis gift section on their website. You may find the perfect present for your loved one this Christmas.

Are you part of a Secret Santa group this year?

During the winter time, there's nothing I love more than a candlelit bath and soaking amongst a wonderfully scented Lush bath bomb. The winter period is the time of year where I become almost addicted to Lush as a nice hot bath does wonders for seasonal aching joints and Lush are great for adding fun to bath time as well as adding moisturise in their bath bombs to aid drying skin. Every year Lush brings out a fabulous section of bath bombs and this year is no exception. There's everything from Snowmen to Santas and a wide variety of other Lush Christmas inspired products.

Recently I was sent the Lush Snowman bath bomb to review and I thoroughly enjoyed my Lush Snowman experience. The Snowman has a Christmas red scarf and a nose made out of the Carrot bubble bar from a collection last Easter. To help moisturise your skin at the time you need it the most, the Snowman also contains cocoa butter, which gives a creamy soft feeling to the bath water.

I love watching bath bombs fizzle as I get undressed and the Snowman not only smelled beautiful, it gave an array of red, blue and yellow colouring to my bath water that looked as though I was bathing in the remains of an oil painting. Having tried many Lush bath bombs in the past, I have to say that the Snowman is one of my favourites alongside the much loved 'Big Blue'. The Snowman can be purchased from the Lush site for £2.50.

Have you tried the Snowman yet?

Around the UK there are rumours that the snow is upon us. It was supposed to happen this week in the North West, but we had a lucky escape. This has got me thinking about what outfits i'll be wearing to keep warm this winter and more importantly, the shoes that will keep me safe from the cold, slippery weather.

When it comes to winter shoes I like something that is sturdy and will keep me from slipping on the ice. Falling over in the winter weather is one of my biggest fears since I fell over ice-skating and damaged the cartilage in knee. Since that day my knee has overgone surgery, physio and unfortunately now has arthritis so I will do anything to prevent further injuries. Just because you need to cover up a little bit more and wear winter boots, it doesn't necessarily mean you need to be unfashionable. There are plenty of quirky boots on the market and wellies aren't the boring shade of green they used to be years ago. There are plenty of shoes out there to whet your fashion appetite and one brand in particular, Brantano has a good quite a good selection.

The first outfit I've chosen screams warmth with the snuggly fur top boots from Brantano and the suede coloured Sheepskin waterfall jacket from Topshop. At a pricey £595 for this beauty, it's unlikely that I'll be buying it this winter, but for those who have the money to splash out it looks like a fantastic, versatile piece for your wardrobe. The skinny jeans are yet again from Topshop and they come in a variety of colours. My favourite colour of skinny jeans at the moment has to be the plum red shades that are taking over the high street. They have the ability to look sophisticated and classy and they make a great alternative to the regular black and blue colours.

My next outfit features this wonderful silk blouse from Miss Selfridge, boots yet again from *Brantano and a comfy pair of leggings from New Look. I've got a little bit of an obsession with high calf boots, because if you find a pair that fits properly they can give the illusion of slimmer, taller legs - just like heels. The other two items are from two shops that I spend a considerable amount of time in and I can't get wait to get my hands on those leggings after payday.

What do you think of my outfit wish lists?

When I first discovered the brand Bijoux Bazaar, it felt like love at first sight. I was presented with a wonderful website full of beautifully crafted jewellery and ever since then I've been hooked. I've mentioned Bijoux Bazaar many of times on my blog and I have also bought several items from their latest collection. Their products are inspiring, creative and once you buy one, you cannot help but buy more. They are so wonderfully made that the pieces I own puts a lot of my more expensive jewellery to shame. It's fair to say that Bijoux Bazaar is probably one of my favourite jewellery brands. When I first visited the website I was torn between purchasing the Bloomsbury bracelet and the Brent bug earrings. I initially went with the Bloomsbury bracelet and finally when I next got paid I purchased these lovely earrings. What I love about this pair of earrings is the fact that they are charming, unique and they look really vintage. They feel very comfortable to wear unlike some bigger earrings I've had in the past, overall they make a fab statement piece for my Christmas outfits and when looking at these earrings you really wouldn't think they cost as little as £8.

To prove how much I really do love the Bijoux Bazaar brand and their amazing Brent bug earrings, I've teamed up with them to give one of my lucky readers to win their own pair of Brent bugs in time for the New Year. To be in with a chance of winning all you have to do is follow the steps in the form below and be a resident of the UK. The competition will launch on the 22nd November and finish on the 22nd December.

Bijoux Bazaar are also running their own Facebook and Twitter competition, so be sure to enter those and be in with another chance to win some fab items.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Whenever I need confidence, a pick me up when I'm feeling blue or a product to make me look rosy, I always turn to red lipstick. For months I've seen bloggers write about this wonder product named 'Ruby Woo' and dreamt of having it in my collection. I had been to the nearest MAC store a few times and to my horror it was all sold out. I very rarely buy a lipstick without trying it on or swatching it across my hands and when its MAC prices, it's definitely better to see it for yourself. A few weeks ago when I went to the Trafford centre for the first, I finally had the opportunity to buy the lipstick and in all fairness, it's so much better than I ever expected.

Ruby Woo for as long as I can remember has been hailed as one of the best red lipsticks by beauty bloggers. It's very to come across a blog that hasn't mentioned the wonders of MAC or this lipstick. The temptation to buy said product has been niggling at me for months and now I have it in my hands, it's a product that will always say in my handbag.

I don't know whether it's the beautiful vintage red colouring or the long matte staying power that pulls me into this product, but both of these factors combined makes for a fabulous lipstick. The formula unfortunately can be quite drying, but it makes up for it in longevity and the fact that this lipstick won't budge when you're sipping a glass of wine on a Friday night, it even passes the kissing factor. It's not completely kissable, but it leaves less of a print than much lipsticks I have worn and that's something even my fiance can be happy about when it comes to Ruby Woo. The price of this lipstick is £15 which is a little bit pricey, but nevertheless a good investable price for a lipstick that will keep on giving.

Have you tried Ruby Woo before?

When I was little I was obsessed with vinyls. My parents are much older than most of my friends, therefore their music was predominantly fifties, sixties and seventies based and in a corner of the living they had a big stack of vinyls. I often used to say: " What are those big round things?" and my mum used to put 'I'm in the mood for dancing' by the Nolans on so I could hear what they sounded like. It comes as no surprise that as I've got older my music taste very music remains stuck with the bygone decades. I love the sound of bands like The Beatles, The Kinks, Marianne Faithfull, Simon and Garfunkel and many more that a lot of younger people wouldn't have heard of today. I love the fact that my parents have conditioned me to what I would call 'good talented musicians' rather than over edited vocals and sounds mixed on entirely on a board. Of course I still love modern music - I could listen to The Vaccines all day and when I've had a bit to drink I secretly like Tinie Tempah and Nicki Minaj. There's still nothing like listening the crackle of a vinyl and hearing the purity of barely edited voices. One of my favourite all time songs is the first released Beatles song 'In Spite of All The Danger.' It is incredibly rare and the sound is raw, yet beautiful. You can hear the mistakes, but also hear how beautiful the vocals are. I'd definitely recommend it.

A few days ago I came across the company Vinyl Clocks and fell in love with them. Me and my wonderful partner are currently house hunting and looking to move in together shortly after the New Year. I began talking to the team at Vinyl Clocks and to my surprise, I was offered one to review*. There was one rule when agreeing to be sent the item and it was that I wasn't allowed to pick which one I wanted. I was asked what music or songs meant the most to me in my life and I was told that when I recieved the item it would be more like a surprise Christmas present. I liked this idea as it felt more personal and I was really intrigued as to which item I would receive.

The parcel arrived this morning wrapped in Christmas paper and underneath was this beautiful baby pink packaging with the Vinyl Clocks sticker. I couldn't wait to see what was inside.

When I finally opened the final layer, I was presented with this beautiful Thin Lizzy - Jailbreak vinyl clock. I was so happy. The clock was much smaller than I thought it would be, but it looks so much cuter and easier to place in the house. The clock handles are really pretty and overall I'm really impressed.

So what memories does the song Thin Lizzy Jailbreak evoke for me? Well, for a start I'm marrying an Irish man next year and Irish culture and music are a big part of my life. When I was younger my parents used to listen to Thin Lizzy and now I associate them with my in-laws as they are massive fans. Me and my fiance are both big fans of Thin Lizzy too and my love for irish music was a big factor that brought us both together. It will be so nice to a have a little bit of Irish music memorabilia in our next year.

http://www.vinylclocks.com/

What songs are important to you?

If you said to me two years ago that I would be personally invited to the studio where they design Ted Baker, Vivienne Westwood and Karen Millen jewellery for a private tour and talks with their team, I would say that you're probably having a laugh. Each day blogging opens up more amazing experiences that years ago I would have only dreamt of. A few months ago I wrote a post for Zalando and blogged about a beautiful pair of Ted Baker earrings I was gifted and shortly after I was contacted by the Ted Baker jewellery team asking if I would like to browse their studio. I had planned to go down to London for some university work and decided that I would pop by. What I was about to experience was to enhance my admiration for beautifully crafted jewellery and make me fall in love with Ted Baker jewellery even more than I knew was possible. The only negative part of this experience was that my bank card now is screaming at me on a daily basis telling me to resist temptation and buy even more of their winter collection.

With Ted Baker jewellery, everything has a story and these tales are told through the intricate detailing of their products. This Alana Tiara cuff is made to resemble the Queen's jewels and looks exquisite. When you lift the cuff it feels sturdy, well made and you can really see the beautiful craftsmanship that goes into the product. When I was at the Ted Baker jewellery studio I was shown how they use state of the art equipment to design these pieces in the studio, then use 3D printers to make dummy copies before hand making all the prototypes to see what they will look like ready for the final production.Everything is made with precision and the results look fantastic.

The Ted Baker winter line is made up of shimmering silvers, vibrant golds and lovely deep red, purple and brown autumnal colours, all embossed with the signature T sign. There are a lot of bows which look fantastic for Christmas, cute animal jewellery and of course the classics like the tempany earrings that I already have. What I loved about the collection is that all of the products look to have personality and a classic, yet elegant look to them. These products evoke the sense of 'treasure' and I could easily imagine an avid Ted Baker collector picking up all these items and passing them on to their future relatives as they're all timeless designs. One thing that really made me chuckle is that James, the Sales Director told me that one member of staff at the office loved her dog so much that she asked for her pride pooch to be featured on a piece of jewellery. That was the creative story behind the Carlar Cameo pendant that features a classic British Bulldog on a beautiful rose gold chain. Much of the Ted Baker jewellery line is made from unique ideas like these or a concept based around British heritage. Ted Baker is a British brand and you can easily see this shining through their pieces. If you love celebrating the fact that your British like me, Ted Baker is the perfect brand for you.

I had an amazing time at the studio and in all fairness, I enjoyed talking to the staff so much I could have stayed there for hours. As a leaving present, I was given this Glitz Beaded Cluster bracelet which I fell in love with when I first saw it on the counter. I love the colour,the fact that it glistens under the light and I'm sure this will look fantastic with a sparkly Christmas dress. I don't think I'll ever stopped being mesmerised by how beautiful it looks and I'm truly grateful to the Ted Baker team for giving me an unforgettable experience during my time in London.

What's your favourite item of Ted Baker Jewellery?

When it comes to cosmetics my collection is a mixture of affordable and luxury beauty, but admittedly there aren't many affordable products that often makes the cut. My skin has always suffered from bursts of dry spells, therefore i'm always very careful of what products I use. Beauty UK has always been one of my favourite affordable makeup brands due to their innovative products and their use of very pretty colours. Today I thought I'd introduce you to two of their latest products 'The Posh Pout* - Power to the Purple' and the 'High Brow Kit'* both of which I have become quite obsessed with during the last few weeks.

I know what you're probably thinking, the photography evokes a sense of spring with all of those pink flowers. The reason I've used that background is due to the purple colouring looking almost identical to this fake flower bouquet I've had in my bedroom for years and I've always loved the colour. Power to the Purple isn't so much a purple colour, but more of a deep petal pink. The colour is vibrant and the product is effortless to use and lasts for a considerable amount of time for the price tag. One of my favourite aspects of the Posh Pout is that my lips feel moisturised after use and still stays feeling fresh after a few hours usage. Many lip products can be quite drying and almost irritating when it begins to smudge off and leave flaking bits hanging off your upper lip. This product is really hydrating and it makes your lips look shiny and healthy. The Posh Pout chunky lip crayons comes in six vibrant colours and costs only £2.99 making it easy to buy the entire collection. I'm looking forward to trying the 'Would I lilac to You?' in the near future - I love the name.

The High Brow kit is probably the best brow kit I've ever tried. A few months ago I spent a considerable amount of money on a higher end brow kit and was left disappointed. After my experience I vowed to only use pencils and to avoid powders for good. However, the High Brow kit has completely changed my mind. The brow wax is sticky enough to hold down the colouring, but doesn't feel sticky to touch or too heavy on your eyebrows and the trio of colours and highlighters blend fabulously to define your eyebrows. The best thing about this kit is the fact that it matches my coloured hair so well and helps my eyebrows look naturally striking. The High Brow eyebrow kit comes with a mini pair of tweezers perfect for on the go, a double ended applicator and a trio of colours to play around with all for the small price tag of £4.

Have you tried any Beauty UK products lately?

A few of you may have noticed that I've been a little M.I.A recently and that's because i've been living it up in London for two whole days doing research for my university case study. My case study is based around the topic on 'How Effective Blogger Engagement is in Fashion and Beauty PR' and for the research element of my case study it's important that we talk to industry professionals. I've been looking for the excuse to go shopping in my favourite city for awhile now and going down to London and doing my interviews was perfect. I met two lovely PR ladies and talked endlessly about their careers and then on the evening I shopped and dined with my wonderful fiance. I had the perfect time down there and I completely miss it.

When I arrived in London on the Monday the weather was gloomy and it poured down with rain when I was shopping around Oxford Circus. In typical British weather fashion, the day I left seemed a lot more warmer and the rain had stopped - at least we got the chance to walk along the Embankment before I left.

Of course no trip to London is complete without a little bit of shopping. I surrendered to these beautiful Alloway studded UGG flats that I've wanted for a long time and I invested in a beautiful navy and black leather jacket from French Connection. Given the chance I'd be back to London in a heartbeat and right now I'm missing the city life. At least now I have the comfort of my own bed and lots of lovely memories I've brought back with me for the time being.

Have you done anything interesting lately?

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I feel like a giddy little child looking at the date and knowing it it getting so much closer to Christmas. My Ciate advent calendar is teasingly resting on my beauty cabinet and every day I get the overwhelming urge to go open a door. To help relieve me of my 'Pre Christmas Tension', yep the time of the year where I'm getting way over excited about Christmas and turn into one of those annoying little children who repeatedly asks:"Is it time yet?", John Lewis has invited me to join their Blogger Secret Santa Campaign, with the promise of an early Christmas present.

The John Lewis Secret Santa campaign is where each participating blogger is allocated another blogger to gift a Christmas present to. We have a set amount of days to read through our selected blogger and learn all about them and when the time is up, John Lewis has kindly allowed to us to pick a present off the list to send to the blogger. On November 25th, Christmas will have come early for us bloggers and we will be able to share our wonderful surprises. I love the idea of this campaign as i'm always in such a giving mood around this time of year. Neither bloggers will know who has each other and it's going to be so fun seeing what they have selected for me.

This isn't my first time playing Secret Santa, I've done this at school and amongst friends several times before. However a blogger secret santa sounds so much more exciting and I can't wait to share my experience with you.

Have you been a 'Secret Santa' before?

Recently my hair hasn't been in the best condition and as a qualified hairdresser, it saddens me that I've left myself go. A few months ago if you asked me what my haircare routine was I would say I did a conditioning treatment at least once every two weeks and I always use heat defense. These days it's shampoo, conditioner and a lot of heat from the hairdryer. Since becoming anemic my hair has been shedding a ridiculous amount and the thought of having thinner, duller hair has been really upsetting me. When I went to the hairdressers a few weeks ago she told me that she noticed a fair amount of my hair in the sink after shampooing and mentioned that I need to work hard at protecting my hair so it has a greater opportunity of getting back to good health when my iron improves. During the last month I've taken all this information into account and really changed my haircare routine. My hair is looking and feeling better, but it's still early days.

When I'm having a bad hair day my first port of call has always been Macadamia. I've done so many Macadamia reviews in the past and I believe that none of them really does the brand justice, their products have really changed the look and feel of my hair more than any other products that I've used. The Macadamia Flawless is great for giving your hair the ultimate shine and condition. Macadamia Flawless* is a 6-in-1 hair treatment, giving you a conditioner that cleanses, cuts blow-drying time, detangles, gives volume and eliminates frizz. If you're searching for the 'just left the salon' look, Flawless is the perfect product. My next Macadamia favourite is the Deep Repair Mask*. The Deep Repair Mask helps add moisture to your hair and it's perfect for a little home salon treatment once every couple of days. My hair is feeling more vibrant and the dryness has started to disappear since using this mask on a regular basis. Finally for the Macadamia section is the Macadamia hair oil*. The hair oil is probably not my favourite hair oil, but it does a great job, I use it regularly and it smells nice too. If you like the look of all three of these products, Macadamia are have lots of pretty gift sets incorporating all of these products in time for Christmas.

When it comes to heat defense, I'm in love with the Magical Quick Dry Potion by Cloud Nine. My hairdresser suggested this product when she asked about my haircare routine and advised me to buy a travel sized bottle to try it out. The Quick Dry Potion not only smells divine, but it leaves my hair feeling silky soft and it's quicker to dry my hair. I wouldn't think of blow drying my hair without it these days and I'll definitely be purchasing a bigger bottle in the near future. This was my first experience trying out Cloud Nine products and so far they have won me over with this little beauty.

Even though I shouldn't really be colouring my hair on a regular basis, one of my favourite products is the Garner Olia Iced Chocolate hair colour. It makes my hair look vibrant, gives me a beautiful chocolate brown colouring compared to going almost black like most brands and I'm always happy with the results.

What's your favourite haircare product?

At the moment I'm really obsessed with adding more leather to my wardrobe and channelling my inner rock chick. There are so many pieces on the high street that evoke the rock'n'roll vibe and look on trend this autumn. Since I'm trying to save money until December, I've decided to show you my current wish list and see what you think of the items I'm currently lusting over. The first item I would love to buy is the Hatched Horses Shirt by French Connection. I came across the website Divine Trash when I was searching for French Connection stockists and this was the first item to grab my attention. The beautiful print would look great all year round and teamed up with the leather pants from Topshop, it would make a fabulous indie style outfit. The earrings are from one of my favourite jewellery boutiques Bijoux Bazaar, a brand that I featured many times on my blog and the handbag is another French Connection beauty which is currently on sale for half the price on the Divine Trash website.

My second outfit is more of a glam evening style arrangement and I would love to wear something similar to this outfit during winter. This season there's a lot of skater inspired dresses about and ones that frequently combine the skater and leather trend. This dress is the Solar Panel dress from French Connection online. The dress has a structured body and incorporates leather into the body panel and pleated skirt. If you haven't read my blog before, it would come as no surprise after reading this post that I'm a massive French Connection fan as I love how their dresses fit me effortlessly, that their outfits always look timeless and the fact that every season they bring out clothes that I easily fall in love with. We all have a brand that we really admire and French Connection has always been rated highly in my fashion stakes. I would complete this outfit by adding the sexy, sophisticated heeled boots from New Look, then teaming the entire look with the Miss Selfridge clutch bag and I would finally add the eagle necklace featured on the Divine Trash* website.

What do you think of these outfits?

Today I was kindly invited to the The Sweet Shop breakfast event at Manchester Trafford Centre. Although it was a struggle getting out of bed at the early hours of this morning, it was definitely worth the travelling.

The sweet shop invited a handful of bloggers to look around their new store, sample a few of Manchester's culinary delights and provide exposure for the various wonderful stores showcased in the Trafford centre. In attendance was a few girls from Lush giving us demonstrations of their products, two of The Perfume Shop girls talking about their Christmas stock and of course, the beautiful hostesses Georgina and Paula who organised the event.

To start the event off, the bloggers were treated to yummy strawberry shakes from the Boost shake bar that resides in the Trafford centre and various pastries for breakfast since we all arrived at 8am in the morning.

After we sampled some of the sweet breakfast treats, we then gathered around the hosts to learn more about The Sweet Shop business. The Sweet Shop has been running for 2 years and started out at a stall in the Great Hall at Manchester Trafford centre. Following the success of the stall, a shop was opened in the Trafford centre in March followed by a Kiosk in Cheshire Oaks this June. The Sweet Shop are currently in partnership with Event City and Smart Hospitality, providing pop up sweet shops for corporate events, parties and exhibitions. If you don't have access to a branch near you, you can always shop online at www.thesweetshops.co.uk, where they deliver traditional, retro and American candy all across the UK. If you have a sweet tooth like me, you can treat yourself using my exclusive blogger offer, where if you quote the code "Bloggers10" you will be able to receive a 10% discount online - perfect for stocking fillers and Christmas presents.

The next stage of the event was to mingle with the brands and learn more about what the Trafford Centre and The Sweet Shop had to offer. When I first caught sight of the Lush samples, I knew I had to head straight over to these girls. The Lush reps were demonstrating the new Lush Rose Jam shower gel and their massage bars. The Rose Jam shower gel reminds me of Christmas time and smells delicious, whilst the Lush massage bars are probably one of my favourite Lush products.

The Perfume Shop and Win Naturally both had goodie bags for us to take away and talked to us about their products and why we should visit their Manchester stores. If you're like me and haven't heard of Win Naturally before today, they are a health food store in the Trafford Centre and supply a variety of products for those who are health conscious and like to stay fit. In our goodie bags we had samples of Whey Protein, yummy protein bars and really healthy snacks like chilli nuts and all natural gummy sweets. The Perfume Shop gave us samples of a variety perfumes currently on sale in store.

Finally we were treated to some samples of Shu Uemura's award winning cleansing oil to try out and a few skin care sachets. I will be reviewing these in a post soon - so keep an eye out.

Other brands that contributed to the Bloggers morning was Regis hair salon that gave us an exclusive bloggers discount and Carluccio's Italian restaurant. Unfortunately due to time limitations I was unable to pop by these stores, however I'd definitely recommend a visit if you're in the area.

As if we haven't been given enough, just before we left we were given a cupcake by the Manchester bakers Zara Cakes to take home with us. This has to be one of the best cupcakes I've ever had and I'm not overly fond of cake. I loved The Sweet Shop logo on the top and the icing felt like it melted away in your mouth. I could have eaten a whole box of them so it's a good job I was only given one.

I would like to thank The Sweet Shop for the invite and the chance to share all these lovely companies with you all. Remember to use your "bloggers10' discount - it will come in handy for Christmas.

http://www.thesweetshops.co.uk/

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