Wedding vibes // Wedding outfit

Life lately in two words: Wedding Season. Every year for the last few years I've been honoured to be asked to be bridesmaid, but this year I had a little break from bridesmaid duties. Before now I've taken for granted the ease of knowing what I'll be wearing on the big day, and now fully appreciate how bridesmaids dresses can save you from weeks of indecisiveness about colours, lengths, strapless or not... Every time I found the perfect dress it would go out stock / not be available for home delivery or collection / potentially not arrive on time. Initially I was excited to pick out my own dress and choose a colour that I liked... but it seemed like fate was against me. Until I found my ideal dress from Miss Selfridge through the Debenhams website.

Light blue, strapless, not obscenely short AND in the sale. It was a sign. Then I noticed that frustrating word... "petite". Tall, curvy and proud of it, I am in no way petite. But the thought of letting the perfect dress slip through my fingers was too much to bear. I did a risky thing. I went ahead and ordered the dress - knowing full well that it would almost certainly be far too short on me. When it arrived and I found it wasn't a knicker flashing affair, it was a very special moment. Perfectly versatile for every day wear as well as weddings, this dress has already had lots of wear. With the added bonus of being quite so cheap in the sale, it saved me a fortune that I could have splurged on new wedding outfits.

If you like the look of the dress, it has now reduced down even further in the sale. Initially £25, it went down to £17.... then £12.50.... and now is £10.

I paired with a Forever 21 blazer, a New Look clutch (recycled from my previous bridesmaid duties!) and New Look peep toe heels. All of which were already in my wardrobe - so no further spending required!

Feeling festive with Debenhams

It feels weird to be talking about Christmas in July, but today I headed over to Debenham's Christmas press event where fair isle, gingerbread, knitwear and sparkles were left, right and centre.

 I can scarcely believe that it's less than five months until Christmas!

As ever, Debenhams had unique and interesting ways of presenting their collection

I recognised a few items from their other press event but there were plenty of new products on display too. There was certainly lots of Christmas gift inspiration

I know someone who would love these drone sets!

These glittery retro sweet cups are right up my sisters street! 

And one of my best friends would love this bunny cushion!

Debenhams also featured a personalised selection of gifts, hampers and bouquets

Seeing their festive season party dresses got me all excited for Christmas and NYE!

.... however Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without a Christmas jumper!

... or Christmas pyjamas. How cute are this gingerbread man pair?

... and let's not forget festive table decoration inspiration. I loved their silver woodland theme!

Also on the agenda for today was a Christmas cookie decorating session - the finished designs hung up as Christmas decorations, or for the less patient.... nibbled upon there and then!

I loved this next use of visual merchandising. The whole ideal of waking up on Christmas morning and finding gifts around the fireplace, feeling like a kid again. Anyone would be excited to wake up and find these particular knee high boots and bags on Christmas morning!

MOST WANTED

And the award for my favourite item goes to... I'll take these in a UK size 6 please!

Oh I do love a cape

Copper pans. Need I say more?

Imagine receiving one of these beautiful boxes tied with with a red bow on Christmas day and inside finding one of these beauties. I love the plum set and the red (bottom centre and right)

Those leather gloves though

This red dress with the beautiful lace overlay. LOVE

And more of my favourite.... lace. But this time in my favourite colour!

I was literally about to leave when a lady came over and asked if I'd like a bouquet of flowers to take home with me. The bouquet in question was composed of the most beautiful red roses and what looks like thistles. These were on display on the day so was a lovely little memento to take home.

A huge thank you to the Debenhams team for inviting me. Never did I think I could feel festive and excited for Christmas as early as July, but I've been proven wrong! Roll on Christmas!

What are your favourite items from the collection?

Debenhams AW press event

I know what you're thinking - it's wayyy too early to be thinking about autumn winter. It's barely summer as it is. Although with the gales and rain we're experiencing in London at the moment, I'd forgive you if you did think it was autumn. The Debenhams AW press day couldn't have come at a better time. I was especially excited when the invite read fashion AND homeware - for reasons perhaps best explained here.

My first impressions of the Debenhams press day? Complete awe over the autumnal decor.  Warm lighting with an orange hue, autumnal leaves, arrangements of wild flowers, flower pots and crates upcycled with gold and copper detailing... the visual merchandising of the event was genius.

The homeware department was really inspiring and got me even more excited about the prospect of owning my own place. I loved the neutral colour palettes - however the pink flamingo lamp was - and still is - is a brilliant statement piece.

 I loved the Mad Hatter tea party feel of this dining table set

... and my dream kitchen would be filled with copper pans like these

The homeware department was full of inviting looking beds that I wanted to slip under the covers of

I loved this end of the bed feature with the candles and champagne flutes - perfect for a night in!

 In terms of fashion, Debenhams presented my ideal wardrobe - capes, coats and beautiful boots.

 

... along with a whole host of party dresses ideal for party season in December

MOST WANTED

This coat. The warmest of shades. So autumn, don't you think?

The softest and cosiest sheepskin aviator jacket

Another must have for autumn - rust shorts

The camel coat - an autumn winter classic

And let's not forget these Mary Jane shoes. Very Alice in Wonderland.

... and then most of their lingerie. It was housed in the most atmospheric of settings with dim lighting, a white fluffy rug and a glass table (the latter two I seriously need in my life!) My favourites - as ever - are lacy affairs

Thank you so much to Debenhams for inviting me over that day to preview such an incredible collection. Is it so terrible that I'm willing summer to be over just so it's autumn...?!