Get your glad-rags ready, party season is approaching!

I know, I hear you, why talk Christmas already?! I haven't had my summer holiday, the labels are still on my swimwear and I haven't even had blisters from those gorgeous 'too high for me' sexy sandals yet! It will silently creep up and be here before we know it, whether we like it or not. The summer sales will clear (thankfully) and the shops will start showing heavier, richer items ready for the Autumn season. 

Thanks to many firms wanting to save a few quid, a lot of businesses hold their Christmas parties as early as October, so realistically the planning of your seasonal party attire isn't far away. Not just your works Christmas do, but meals with family, nights out with friends, they all require suitable outfits. 

This years party season will be all about jewels. Embellished pieces in jewel tones are exactly what you need to look for. Emerald greens, Ruby reds, Sapphire blues are just a few to mention. Men and Women will look the most regal they have done in many seasons. Fabrics should be satin, velvet, jacquard, think royalty, think heavy. 

If you don't want to buy a new outfit, a jewelled bag or stiletto would be the perfect addition to an existing ensemble or a jewel toned tie or shirt would accompany an existing suit. If your outfit is simple, then jewellery is the key to staying on trend.

The skies the limit! Earrings, think Pat Butcher, the bigger the better. Necklaces, rings, cufflinks, if it can be a jewel, let it be a jewel. Statement pieces will be extremely eye catching this party season. 

If some of this sounds too over the top for your taste, a simple brooch or decorative hair pin is an easy answer. Stylish, classy and elegant. 

Our great British high street will once again, treat us to a party worthy wardrobe ready for the seasonal festivities! 

These are just a few shiny accessories from Zara 

High Street Hero Handbag

The place that is personal to every woman in the world. The place no gentleman dares enter.  The sometimes bottomless pit that even we are shocked by its contents. There are many variations of the handbag. We call them many things, but essentially we have a day bag or in my case, 'a Mum bag', 'a going out bag' and probably 'a work bag'. The 'Mum bag' contains sticky things, wrappers, toys from £1 machines that come in a plastic ball and a packet of those wax crayons that contain a red, blue, yellow and green that you get in a pub with free colouring sheets. This is the least of the glamourous bags, I'm sure goes without saying. The 'work bag' is slightly more sophisticated. Small make up bag containing concealer, lippy and Vaseline for those dauntingly air conditioned offices. Probably a pen, possibly even a notepad, a small piece of fruit, bruised of course and a wandering hair bobble. The 'going out bag', the one I want to champion today is the most glittering of all, in the collection of bags. Its sometimes forgotten when buying an outfit, you always think you have one in your wardrobe that will suit, plus another £20-£30 on a bag would in fact get you more in a way of cocktails than in actual wardrobe snaps. I'm totally guilty of this. Surely you cant get to 30-something without having a medley of suitable going out bags. However, my recent wandering fashion eye has spotted that the high street is teasing me with a new type of going out bag that I really need to add to my collection. Call it what you will, Camera bag, Boxy bag, Shoulder bag, they are all of similar small size, but large enough for essentials, phone, purse, lippy, eye liner. The ones that have caught my eye are below, now its the choice of which one will I use the most!
At £20 and less, I'm sure I can stretch to that and once used more than once, the cost per wear makes it totally deductible! Treat yourself girls and spare the liver that extra Cosmo!

Top left: Black Velvet Mini Cross Body Bag - River Island £18

Top right: Tan Cross Body Small Bag - Mango £17.99

Bottom Left: Shell Pink Metal Chain Shoulder Box Bag - New Look £12.99

Bottom Right: Navy Badged Camera Bag - Next £20

All these bags come in a variation of colours - check websites for options.

Remember, you're never fully dressed without a smile!

How do I look?

I turned 30 last year. 30. Where did that go?
For as long as I can remember I've thought about my age and in turn, what I look like.
I wore scrunchies, first time round. I wore leg warmers, second time round. I love looking back at old photos and laughing. My friends and I have made some major fashion faux pas in the last 30 years, but at the time, we looked fabulous! I love showing my daughters what I used to wear. Their giggles and 'What is that, Mummy?' echo around us and our photo albums.
A little deeper than fabric, I've always had issues with my weight and what I look like. I've always had a muffin top, prior and post babies, I've never had nice boobs, and I've contemplated a nose job! Turning 30, and very happily married with a Husband that finds me very sexy (or so he says!), I'm finally learning to love the skin I'm in! I've accepted that I won't ever be a size 10! I enjoy wine and chocolate too much. I enjoy the little things that make me happy, including food, cuddles and shoes! I still enjoy the gym, but in the same breath, I go for that time out just as much as I go to feel healthy. Your size is no-one else's issue but your own. Recently I read, Moderation is my mantra. Repeat that. Tall, short, size 8 or 16. That's you. If you want to change the way you look, then do something about it. If you don't, then I encourage you to be happy in the skin your in and let that show!
With smiles and confidence!