M&S Advent Calendar- 45K waiting List

This year, the M&S Beauty Advent Calendar is bigger and better than ever.
 Behind the 25 doors lies an edit of the most coveted beauty products.
 Filled with beauty treats worth over £250, the Advent Calendar is just £35 when you spend £35 on clothing and home.But be warned it currently has a waiting list of 45,000 people online!

 Each M&S Beauty Advent Calendar contains the following:
• Filorga Meso + Mask
 • Rodial Dragon’s Blood Sculpting Gel, 15ml
• Korres Wild Rose Advanced Repair, 16ml
• Autograph Hydrating Primer, 15ml
• Ultrasun Ultralip (full size)
• Percy & Reed Session Hold Spray, 50ml
 • Pixi Lift Max Sheen in Honey, 1g
• Diego Dalla Palma Ciglione Mascara (full size)
• Alpha H Liquid Gold Rose, 50ml
• Eyeko Black Magic Mascara, 4ml
• Ameliorate Skin Transforming Body Lotion, 50ml
• Shay & Blue Blood Oranges, 10ml
• Nuxe Prodigieux Shower Oil, 30ml
• Formula Innovate Radiance Reveal Peel
• Ren Instant Firming Beauty Shot, 10ml
• Leighton Denny Glitter Nail Polish, 12ml
 • Stila Stay all Day in Perla, 1.5ml
 • Formula Absolute Ultimate Sleep Cream, 15ml
• Rosie for Autograph Amazing Radiance Body Glow, 50ml
• Gatineau Melatogenine AOX Advanced Rejuvenating Cream,15ml
• Balance Me Rose Face Oil, 10ml
• Pur Correcting Primer Illuminate & Glow
 • M&S Cosmetic Bag
The M&S Beauty Advent Calendar will be available in store from 9th November and is £35 when you spend £35 on clothing and/or home

Christmas in July at M&S

NOEL in lights gives the first inclination of a dazzling Xmas event hosted by M&S.

Metallics rule for the party outfits with one silver clutch saying YES to a sparkling and fun Christmas Eve.

Chic mid length skirt provides an alternative but still glamorous outfit to the party mini

Season's must have faux fur accessories are teamed with the on trend pastel powder shade coats

The Best of British Collection goes dramatic in classic monochrome updating with a mix of bold patterns.

Lingerie looking sexy in lace, black and florals.

Getting ready for Santa's visit in the still popular onesies and festive red pyjamas.

Xmas day sees glamorous casual outfits with statement embellishments on jersey fabric and subtle metallics teamed with classic black. Not too tight so you can have your (Xmas) cake and eat it too!!

Available soon from www.marksandspencer.com

Glamming up the Long Sleeved Dress for a Night Out

To change the long sleeve dress from day wear  to a night out is quite easy. All you need are some accessories and a pair of heels.

Mixing patterns and textures can add interest to an outfit.
The dress is of a soft fabric so here I've teamed with a thicker and more structured biker jacket for an edgier look, and a  pair of suede ankle boots to balance the broader shoulders of the jacket.

Only the collar of the jacket is in the classic black (faux) leather, the rest is a wool mix with a navy and black Aztec pattern. This pattern doesn't clash with the dress because it is muted and allows the bolder print of the dress to be dominant.

To inject a pop of colour and more layers I've teamed with a purple fringed scarf.  The purple brightens up the neutral palette of the outfit whilst enhancing  my own colouring.

When wearing a colour close to your face it is important to choose not only the right colour but also the right shade. Being pale with fair hair I cannot wear bright bold and deep colours. This shade of purple is the deepest and brightest I can go without draining my complexion.

The scarf also has a pattern, a very subtle polka dot in dark purple. Wearing three patterns can be daunting, but as  long as they are not all competing for attention  you can create an eclectic touch to your stylish look.

Hopefully I won't be keeping my jacket and scarf on all night so what to wear underneath?

The low V neckline on this dress is the perfect frame for a statement necklace.
Here I've gone for a chunky black and silver design, keeping the monochrome look. OK the dress is actually navy but it is so dark that you can get away with black accessories which are easier to come by than navy itself.

For the night out, I've swapped my thick day tights for a sheerer pair and I've chosen black suede ankle boots for an edgier look.

Loving this outfit and how easy it was to put together, it has seen many an evening.

Above I am with the gorgeous Honor Blackman at an evening  press event and to the right with the lovely Peter Braithwaite of Amore at another.

This time, instead of wearing one large chunky necklace  I've opted for two necklaces creating a layered effect. One is a black beaded multiple layered necklace. Hidden amongst the layers is a pendant of a shoe on a thin chain.

This is better for those of you with a small bone structure as a chunky necklace can look too heavy and overpowering for your frame.

Layering necklaces or choosing a necklace with multiple strings like the one I'm wearing, will  still create a statement 

And here is an image just to remind you what the dress looks like on its own.

Details are:

M&S Collection pleated front abstract print dress with ¾ length sleeves.

Colour:dark navy and beige.
Fabric: 92% polyester with  8% elastane for that perfect fit.
Price: £39.50

Direct link to dress
To check out the full range of M&S dresses click on:

http://www.marksandspencer.com/Dresses-Womens/b/43091030

 

 

Accessorizing the Long Sleeved Dress on a Cold Day

The long sleeve dress is a great addition to a woman’s winter capsule wardrobe and with the right accessories the transition from day to evening is smooth running.


As you may know from my last post I chose M&S long sleeve abstract print dress for my winter capsule wardrobe.
Link to older post

And as promised I’d like to show you how versatile it is.

For a day attending press events, it is important to be comfortable as it does entail a lot of running around.

The long sleeve dress enables me to wear a lighter coat and still keep warm without the need of a bulkier and cumbersome coat.

The classic trench coat in both short or long length is ideal. Plus the colour of this short trench coat completely matches the beige in the dress.

Long sleeve dresses also look great with boots low or high heeled.  Here worn with mid heeled boots.

A long sleeved dress gives a sense of elegance so try not to cover up the sleeves with a cardigan.


Instead I've layered with a thin polo neck jumper underneath choosing a matching beige colour. Add a pair of thick tights and you're ready for the colder weather.

The jumper/dress combo creates two necklines. You still have the flattering V which suits both the small to the large bust, whilst the polo provides warmth and coverage on a cold day.

Plus the space in between the necklines is perfect for a statement necklace.



One of the press venues included a footwear store so I just had to try on some of their shoes.

 Don't you think this pair of ankle boots with the beige piping goes really well with the dress?





And just to remind you what the dress looks like by itself, see image below:

M&S Collection abstract  print dress with ¾ length sleeves.

Colour: dark navy and beige.

Fabric:  92% polyester with  8% elastane.

Price: £39.50

Direct link to dress

To see the full range of M&S dresses click on:

http://www.marksandspencer.com/Dresses-Womens/b/43091030

The M&S Long Sleeved Dress - Perfect for AW13

We’re truly into Autumn now as the cold weather sets in. So it’s time to pack away our little summer frocks and start unpacking (or buying) warmer long sleeved equivalents.


 In the summer we love to show off our tanned arms in sleeveless dresses, but in the colder months when the tan starts to fade so does our confidence as we become self conscious of our not so toned upper arms.


 Long sleeved dresses bring back that confidence and keep us warm without hiding under bulky knitwear.

However sometimes it is hard to find a sleeved dress but M&S have come to the rescue and increased their range of sleeved dresses by 80% this season.

And now it’s which one to choose from the wide selection of choices? Decisions, decisions!

Finally I chose the M&S Collection abstract print dress with ¾ length sleeves. The colour is navy and beige, but the navy is so dark it would also go well with a black jacket or cardigan.

The fabric is 92% polyester with  8% elastane for that perfect fit.
The price is a steal at £39.50

Direct link to the M&S dress

I love the length of the sleeves as any bracelets or watches are still proudly on display whilst arms are kept warm and covered.

This dress also has front pleats which are great for camouflaging the tummy area.
And the abstract print is good for hiding any lumps and bumps.

The length of the sleeve is important as the eye is drawn to where the sleeve finishes. 
Short sleeves will bring attention to the bust area, elbow length the waist and 3/4 to the hips.
So keep this in mind when choosing your sleeved dress.






To see the full range of M&S dresses click on:

http://www.marksandspencer.com/Dresses-Womens/b/43091030 

 

Watch out for future posts to show how I wear my new long sleeved dress for different occasions

Wartime Princess - Flying the Flag Vintage style

The young Queen Elizabeth II ascended the throne in 1952, so let’s celebrate the Diamond Jubilee by flying  the flag vintage style.

The Wartime Princess

This distressed cotton Union Jack shirt was inspired by the flags and celebration of VE day (8 May 1945) when our queen was still a princess.  Price £60 and available from www.tarastarlet.com

The shirt would look great with the high waisted and wide legged Swing trousers or shorts but let's glam it up with Tara Starlet‘s satin Hourglass skirt in rich red.

This below the knee ladylike look is one of the key trends this year.

 Price £65

Seamed stocking were all the rage in the 40s and when they were scarce during the war that didn’t stop those fashionistas from having gorgeous pins. 

Firstly they stained their legs with tea and then they’d ask a friend, sister or mother (the one with the steadier hand) to draw a line down the back of their legs. 

 No problems here with these M&S Limited Collection ‘Made in Britain’ back seam tights.

Price £9.50 www.marksandspencer.com

 

With Upper Street you can design your own pair of shoes, and for the Jubilee they’ve produced the Rule Britannia Mary Jane peep toe shoe using navy suede, red snakeskin and white leather. Price £285. But you still can customise it by changing the material and rearranging the colours. Shoe sizes range from 1.5 to 10 and fittings from narrow C to extra wide EE.

http://www.upperstreet.com/shoe-galleries/shoe-of-month/rule-britannia/

 

The Autumn/Winter Shift Dress- Get the French Chic Look

The shift dress has a simple straight silhouette which suits the more boyish frame or the apple shaped women who carry most of their weight around their waist. 

French women go for a quality capsule wardrobe and so make sure most items will mix and match. The shift dress  is a great staple piece because of its versatility –it can be worn on its own or over a jumper, blouse and tee shirt which can be in a tonal colour or a more contrasting colour for the more fashionable colour blocking trend.  The camel fitted shift dress from Elegance is a blend of 60% new wool and 40% angora. Price £249.00. Here worn with a black polo neck top in 100% silk jersey £119 and black leather bag £249.

All from www.elegance.co.uk 

M&S mini beret headband

Give a nod to the French look with the black M&S wool mini beret headband. Price £18 www.marksandspencer.com

Laura Ashley cape

Instead of a cumbersome coat, team with a cape. A cape is a good alternative to a coat for the transitional months, plus its simple tailoring complements the simple shift dress.  This Laura Ashley camel cape has a stylish black trim. Fabric: 75% wool 25% polyester Price £105 www.lauraashley.com  

Then add long leather gloves plus your bangles and bracelets and rings on the outside to give some drama. 

Most shift dresses have high necks so may make the larger bust look boxy.  One solution is to wear a mid length necklace (but not so long that it is dangling over your bust) or scarf to create a v shape and break up the area.