Charity Shop Buys

In a time of recession charity shops are a particularly popular way of getting your hands on cut price clothes - whilst making sure some of your hard earned cash goes to a good cause. But the rise of fast fashion has brought with it charity shops packed full of nothing but last season's Primark. A lot of people must now put anything of value up for grabs on ebay rather than donating their unwanted goods to charity shops, but there are still designer bargains and vintage gems to be found - you just have to be prepared to hunt around or be lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time.

I've recently got hold of two great buys; a Barbara Hulanicki pussy bow blouse for £2 and a Roksanda Ilincic Edition cardigan for £5.99.

LFW: Catwalk Report

PVC and Ice Cream Colours at Mulberry and Richard Nicoll:

















Metallics at Christopher Kane and Giles:

















Open/ Two-Layer Skirts at Daks and Mary Katrantzou:


















Full, A-Line Midi Skirts and Autumnal Colour Palette at Burberry and Roksanda Ilincic:

Roksanda Ilincic / EDITION

Roksanda Ilincic is the latest designer to join the fold at Debenhams. It really is a winning combination - making Ilincic's effortlessly chic designs available on a high street budget! Her capsule collection for the Edition range, which showcases the latest designer talent, is available in store now alongside collections by Jonathan Saunders, Preen and Jonathan Kelsey.

Christmas Comes Early

It may be 151 days 'til Christmas, but I just might have to start writing my list for Santa a little early this year. I'm feeling all festive after seeing the gorgeous gifts on display at Debenhams' Christmas press show yesterday.

With fashion, beauty, toys, accessories and homeware all showcased you can rest assured that Debenhams will have everything your family needs for a truly fabulous festive season. At the top of my wish list is a Jasper Conran handbag (pictured above right) - fingers crossed that I'll wake-up to find this beauty under my tree on Christmas morning! But who am I kidding that I'll be able to wait that long - I'll be straight out to treat myself to an early xmas pressie as soon as they hit stores in September.

I was very excited to hear that Roksanda Ilincic is the latest designer to collaborate with the high-street favourite. Fashion Eds everywhere are already raving about the black lace midi dress with plunging neckline (pictured below right). Guaranteed come Christmas every fashionista worth her salt will want to hang around the mistletoe wearing this knock-out number!

The event also saw the launch of Ruby Hammer's new range of make-up, Ruby Recommends. These are great products at really affordable prices and make perfect girly gifts. Look out for the range in store from September.

It's too soon to say Happy Christmas, so I'll leave it at Happy Shopping for now!

www.debenhams.com