As you’re aware, people on the front line of the COVID-19 response around the world are showing total bravery by risking their lives and helping others.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is an independent humanitarian organisation that is directly responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and helping some of the world’s most vulnerable people, such as those living in countries affected by conflict. This includes sanitation work to prevent the spread of the disease and supporting vital health infrastructure such as hospitals. It also involves working to ensure access to clean water for countless communities and resilience-building activities to mitigate the impact of the pandemic.
HOW TO SHOP WITH KLARNA
Klarna gives you different ways to pay for your ASOS orders – so you can shop easier, and budget better.
To pay for your order with Klarna, tap ‘Change’ under payment type when you’re in checkout. Then tap ‘Add New Payment Method’ and add your chosen Klarna payment method. Place your order, and you’re done – £1 of your purchase will automatically go to the ICRC!*
Plus, don’t forget to share this one-day initiative with your friends and family, because every little bit counts.
*Only applies to eligible customers 18+ years of age in the UK, Germany, USA, Norway, Finland and Sweden. Klarna will donate to the International Committee of the Red Cross £1 from every successful ‘Pay 30 days later’ or ‘Instalments’ purchase made through ASOS on 29 April 2020.
The big day is just shy of a month away…. but there is still time to treat yourself or gift a loved one with a brilliant Advent Calendar, from booze to beauty, theres something for everyone! Advent Calendars are a real tradition in our house – it really marks the start of ACTUAL CHRISTMAS! But gone are the days of eating stale chocolate come the 1st December, (unless you’re weird like me and actually really love the cheapest Kinnerton calendar you can get your mitts on!). So, cheapo chocolate aside, here is my pick of the best Advent Calendars that are available online, now.
The must-have jewellery advent calendar of 2018, Orelia’s 12 Days Of Christmas Jewellery Advent Calendar contains a stunning gold plated necklace and bracelet chain, along with an eclectic mix of charms behind each door, so you can create your own piece, layer up with lots of charms or pick your favourite to wear alone.
They’ve also included a pair of the bestselling gold plated Micro Hoop Earrings, which you can add a charm to or wear alone.
Each door reveals a new Christmas track culminating in an awesome Christmas playlist for Christmas Day. Ideal Music Lover Gift.
Choose any name to be printed on the advent calendar.
Open a door each day and hold your phone or tablet up to the calendar to hear the Christmas hit for that day. Each track plays straight away and after that track, the album that the track is taken from continues to play.
The perfect gift for every Music Lover or to help ease those Bah Hambug’s into the festive spirit throughout December!
The carefully curated tracks have been selected based on the most popular Christmas Hits of all time, including classics such as:
All I Want For Christmas Is You by Mariah Carey, Do They Know It’s Christmas by Band Aid, Driving Home For Christmas by Chris Rea, Fairytale of New York by The Pogues, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas by Frank Sinatra, It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas by Michael Buble etc.
On Christmas Day, scan the Spotify code to listen to all 25 tracks as your Christmas playlist throughout the big day.
made from:
Our personalised advent calendars are made from 350 gsm box board card and comes with a small clip to hang the advent calendar with. Size – A3.
The countdown to Christmas will be merry, warming and aromatic with this Edinburgh Gin Advent Calendar of 25 mini 5cl gin bottles. Enjoy a variety of tastes including clean, fresh and spicy on-the-nose gin. Delighting the palate of gin connoisseurs, hints of juniper, pine, floral, lavender, soft spice and citrus wait behind each calendar window.
5x Edinburgh Gin, 5cl
4x Seaside Gin, 5cl
3x Cannonball Gin 5cl
13 x Fruit Gin Liqueurs, 5cl
Suitable for: Vegetarians, Vegans, Gluten Free. Does not contain Nuts.
Start every December day leading up to Christmas with the joyful feeling of giving. Perfect for the season of goodwill, this Advent of Change calendar reveals a new charity recipient every day that benefits from the purchase of your calendar.
With this one simple purchase you will be making a donation to 24 amazing charities – helping the environment, endangered animals and even improving the lives of children.
Each of the 24 perforated doors represents a £1 donation, and will reveal:
1. The registered charity recipient for that day.
2. How your contribution can be used, showing you how you’ve changed the world for the better.
With 85% of the sale price going directly to charity, Advent of Change serves as a thoughtful conversation piece and the most meaningful gift for family, friends or, of course, yourself.
Open up to change this year and help 24 charities to make a difference, this Christmas and beyond.
Each calendar is wrapped in a biodegradable potato starch film and manufactured in the UK using FSC-certified paper, vegetable oil-based inks and biodegradable glue.
Advent of Change is a not-for-profit organisation, and gives £24 of the sale price directly to charity. The remaining £3.95 is used for production, operational and fundraising costs.
When you choose Advent of Change, you’re making a donation to the following 24 amazing charities – to see full details, take a look at the John Lewis & Partners product page, here.
A beautiful wooden advent train, personalised for the festive season! Use year after year!
A fantastic alternative to the usual paper advent calendar to be used for years to come, this amazing wooden train engine with two carriages has with black, white and gold paint detailing as well as fixed shiny round wheels. Each carriage features 12 drawers (6 on each side) ready to be pulled out and filled with sweets and tiny trinkets!
All 24 drawers are labelled with the numbers 1 to 24, so every day is covered over the advent period until Christmas day.
The carriages and engine are connected via small metal hooks and can be linked or left separate depending on your preference, and each drawer can be removed to rearrange if you want to create a search game for the kids!
Personalisation:
A name of your choice printed in black on one train, with ‘Santa Express’ to follow on the other train. We can allow up to 10 characters, including spaces and punctuation. Your font size will be adjusted accordingly.
This train is a decorative item and not a toy.
made from:
Wood
dimensions:
Engine – width 13cm x height 13.5cm x depth 8cm
Carriage – width 15cm x height 10.5cm x depth 10cm
Inside of drawers – width 3.2cm x height 2.4cm x depth 3.1cm
Mixed case of 24 craft beers, by the team at HonestBrew.
Feast your eyes upon a seasonal selection of 24 festive brews that will light up the life of any self-respecting beer lover over December! Containing a range of beer styles, from light and hoppy, to dark and roasty, there’s a beery surprise each day. Tis the season to be jolly… and drink great beer.
After selling out in 2015, 2016 and 2017, the HonestBrew Craft Beer Advent calendar is once again back & better than ever before.
24 beers, 15 styles, 12 countries, 7 exclusive beers, plus free standard shipping! Guaranteed fresh & on time.
Only the best breweries go into our advent calendar. That means award-winning, quality-driven and innovative producers from 12 countries behind every door. This premium selection includes 7 exclusive beers, limited edition collaborations, and seasonal releases for a festive journey across the craft beer landscape.
Expect a wide range of beer styles to sample. Including: IPAs, Pale Ales, Saisons, Pilsners, Porters and Stouts. Breweries include Magic Rock, Cloudwater, Northern Monk, Buxton and many more!
made from:
Beers come in glass bottles & craft cans.
All beer is made from mighty fine ingredients (water, malt, hops and yeast) and some love.
Packaged in recyclable cardboard box with protective packaging.
I hope this gives you some idea’s for the lucky ones in your life! For us, we’ve already got the LEGO City calendar for Eli, which our Elf on the Shelf Scout Elf, FRODO, will be bringing on 1st December, as he does every year.
&Other Stories is one of my favourite places to shop in store, browse online and take general inspiration. I love their forward-thinking, on a not so expensive level that doesn’t make your pursestrings tight. I was browsing online the other day, looking for more shoes, of course, and came across the recycling scheme that Stories are currently involved with. I thought it was bloody great, so wanted to share! They’re recycling both used & Other Stories Beauty packaging and Textiles (from any brand).
See full details below on how you can get involved in-store; you will also receive a 10% off voucher as a thank you!
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RECYCLING WITH US IS EASY
We want to reduce the environmental footprint in the fashion world, and recycling is a big part of that. We try to find solutions for it in every part of our process and have, since our launch in 2013, established an in-store recycling program for our beauty packaging. Starting in 2015, our stores in Belgium, Denmark, France, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom and the United States offer in-store textile recycling too. To make the most of this exciting task, we cooperate with experts within this field, and rely on you to recycle with us.
BEAUTY RECYCLING:
We have an overall sustainable approach within our beauty range, using standard packaging and keeping the paper use to a minimum by printing all necessary information on the inside of the boxes instead of on a separate folder. To recycle & Other Stories’ beauty packaging, bring back the empty containers from our colour cosmetics, bath & body and skin care ranges to any one of our stores.
This is how it works:
1. Simply return one, or more, of our empty beauty containers to one of our stores, and get one voucher with a 10% recycling treat as a thank you. Please note that your voucher can be used once and is valid for three months.
2. The packaging is sorted according to material directly in the store and then passed on to the nearest recycling station.
TEXTILE RECYCLING:
Bring any textiles from any brand (old socks and tired towels are welcome too), to any of our stores in Sweden, Belgium, Denmark, France, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, United Kingdom and the United States and wish them luck in their new life as insulation material for the construction materials industry, geofleece, carpet underlay, and rear shelves in cars, stuffed toys, shoe insoles, among many, many other things.
This is how it works:
1. Simply fill a bag with any textiles (all brands are welcome!) and bring it to your closest store, and get one voucher with a 10% recycling treat as a thank you. Please note that your voucher can be used once and is valid for three months.
2. Your bags are then collected from the store by our recycling partners. They have the infrastructural solutions in place to sort the items ensuring that the different materials are handled in the best possible way. Each piece (no matter its age or condition) is a valuable source of raw material – a treasure ready to embark on its second chapter. By recycling with us you create a circle that keeps all these raw materials from being produced again from scratch.
3. All textiles are passed on for their next best use via our recycling partner and are sorted into the following categories:
• Recycling – everything that is not suitable for producing new garments is converted into recycled fibres and non-woven fabric.
• Rewear – garments that are still wearable move on as second-hand clothing.
• Reuse – textiles that can’t be worn anymore are turned into special products, such as cleaning cloths.
• Upcycling – when the product is turned into another product of higher, or equal, quality.
Read more about our partner I:CO and their process on www.ico-spirit.com
Oh Saint Laurent, how I love thee, let me count the ways…
The rumours were rife ahead of the L.A showcase that this collection could indeed be the last from Saint Laurent Creative Director, Hedi Slimane. I sincerely hope it isn’t the final showcase – but if it is, he’s certainly gone out with a massive bang. The Fall / Winter 2016 collection is incredible. I want every. single. piece.
The showcase was presented during New York Fashion – Men’s Collections – but included around 40 Women’s looks, revealing a heavy influence of 70’s-glam-luxe wear. Lavish embroidery, fringing and signature Slimane leopard print adorns the Women’s collection – with highlights of gold and snake print added for good measure. I love the mixture of texture and print. The delicate beading and brash boots.
A glimpse of David Bowie was captured throughout the Men’s collection with 70’s tailoring and that glam-rock essence that was magically brought to life through Ziggy Stardust himself.
This is definitely not a subtle collection and I imagine not one for everyone, but my goodness, this is definitely a collection for me!
The showcase was brought to a close with a bow from Slimane, something unusual for the Hedi who would notoriously walk from the stage with the models. An added smile and short wave also hinted that this could indeed be a “goodbye wave”. Which makes me incredibly sad. Let’s hope the rumour-mill is simply in overdrive and Slimane is simply just ecstatic to be showcasing such a wonderful collection in his adopted hometown of LA.
Saint Laurent Creative Director, Hedi Slimane, decided to drop the ‘Yves’ ahead of the ready-to-wear collection during Fashion Week last year. A bold move, that of course did not come without criticism. A spokeswoman for Slimane said “he was drawing inspiration from 1966, when the ready-to-wear line was launched as Saint Laurent Rive Gauche. The name changed again after Saint Laurent retired. He produced the label’s last haute couture collection in 2002, and died in 2008. The founder himself may have approved, as he enjoyed making radical changes: he became the first couturier to diversify into ready-to-wear, pioneered the trouser suit and introduced the first black models to Paris catwalks.”
I was confused when I first saw ‘SAINT LAURENT’. I steered clear. But now I am well and truly obsessed. The re-brand has been magnificent. I want it ALL.
SAINT LAURENT – Gold Vermeil Bapteme I.D. Bracelet, £260.00 | Available from MatchesFashion.com
SAINT LAURENT – Polka Dot Silk Blouse, £605.00 | Available from MatchesFashion.com
SAINT LAURENT – Medium Bucket Bag, £1265.00 | Click here to purchase from Selfridges.com
SAINT LAURENT – Rock Suede Chelsea Boots, £695.00 | Available from MatchesFashion.com
SAINT LAURENT – Zip Jersey Sweater, £395.00 | Available from MatchesFashion.com
SAINT LAURENT – Slit Detail Leather Pants, £3, 395.00 | Available from Net-a-Porter.com
We’ve always just wanted Mr Eli to wear his Converse – just like Daddy (and occasionally Mummy too!). But we noticed that the Con’s just weren’t offering him much support around his ankles; and frankly, his new red Hi-Top’s are absolutely massive a wee bit big.
Eli’s Size 4 Black Converse trainers were too small, his toes are end the toe cap, so he had been wearing his new Red Hi Top Converse – which are a 5. We went to Clarks at the weekend where Eli was measured – his feet came up as a size 3F. The assistant did advise that Clarks sizing does vary against branded shoes, but it did make us think that Eli is really not wearing correct footwear right now. He requires a pair of shoes that will support his feet as he gains confidence in his walking, but also a pair that will encourage him to keep walking. The Converse he has right now seem to deter his walking as they’re ill-fitting, so he’s been mainly in stocking feet. Obviously, he can’t go outside the house like this, so we need to find him so First Walker shoes.
Here the issue begins…
It’s very common for children with Talipes to have odd-sized feet or feet that are on the smaller side. One foot could be a size 4, while the other foot could be a size 6. Meaning many children are bought two pairs of shoes to ensure they have correct fitting shoes for each foot. Clarks DO offer a discount for children affected however – you can read all about the Clark’s Odd Sized Feet Scheme on the STEPS charity website. Luckily, Eli’s feet do match up perfectly – but they are small. We didn’t realise until we started looking at the First Walker shoes in the shop… all of the shoes start at a size 4. The Pre-Walker/Cruiser shoes start at a size 3. But the sole is very thin on these styles and there isn’t the support on the shoe for a child who IS indeed walking.
We were looking online last night. Call me ridiculous if you will, but there are A LOT of boring or frankly unfashionable First Walker shoes out there. I know Eli is not par-taking in a fashion show, but we do take pride in our little man’s appearance, he has his own style. Also, these shoes are not cheap, so we want to make sure we’re all happy with them as he’ll have them on most of the day.
We don’t want velcro – we’re not a velcro family. We’d prefer Eli to be in Desert Boots, Brogue style shoes or at a push, some fashionable trainers. Take a look at the styles we’ve seen so far below…
Digby, Zip up Brogue Boots, £40.00 – Available from StartRite.com
Sullivan Brogue Shoes, WAS £49 NOW £18.00 – Available from StartRite.com
Sullivan Brogue Shoes, WAS £49 NOW £18.00 – Available from StartRite.com
As you will notice, all of the lovely shoes above start at a size 4. So we’re in a wee pickle. If you have purchased from StartRite.com before, do their shoes match the size guide of Clarks? I’m so tempted to just get the size 4F shoes, especially considering the rate of growth; but can’t be sure that they will fit Eli correctly. So would ideally like to go into a shop to be able to have them expertly fitted.
Can you recommend any other stores where you can buy similar styles to the above? That perhaps start at ‘Clarks size 3F’ or the measured equivalent? (And styles that don’t cost an arm-and-a-leg, to boot).
I’ve been looking at Womenswear for some style inspiration this week and I’m noticing a lot of check prints across online stores. Check print is a great way to jazz up your Winter wardrobe – you can go for full on geometric digital prints or more muted tones to suit the weather.
Here are some of my favourite pieces, on my must-by list!
(Some check’s might be cheating as they’re not quite your stereotype check’s… but you’ll catch my drift, I’m sure).
Following the amazingly successful sweater collaboration last year, Meadham Kirchhoff and online retailer, Amazon, have joined forces again for this incredible 4-piece silk scarf collection.
London Fashion Week design duo Edward Meadham and Benjamin Kirchhoff are famed for their rebellious take on fashion. This second collaboration with Amazon Fashion is an exclusive collection of four distinctive scarves, in the spirit of the designers’ main catwalk collections.
I was absolutely thrilled to be asked to get involved with this collaboration as I’d very much enjoyed their initial offering with Amazon – and we all know how Meadham Kirchhoff flies out of Topshop!
My absolute favourite scarf from this collection is ‘PEARLS’. The print is so pretty, and of course, I love all things gold. I really like how it’s been styled on the model too (take a look at all the below photos for some unique scarf styling!).
Each silk scarf is pretty massive and measures 120cm x 120cm! So LOTS of value for the £75.00 price tag. These scarves are all limited edition and can only be purchased from Amazon Fashion, here: MEADHAM KIRCHHOFF FOR AMAZON FASHION. PLUS, if you’re UK based you already qualify for FREE delivery – BOOM!
“Pearl scarf is an ornate design of baroque gold detailing and drop pearls that we featured in our S/S 13 collection”. Click here to purchase the PEARL scarf.
“The Curtains scarf features signature imagery from our Spring/Summer ’13 collection, in this case opulent swaggered curtains with ornate gold fringes”. Click here to purchase the CURTAINS scarf.
“The Ballerina scarf features the tiny ballerina motif from our Autumn/Winter ’13 collection in a fresh new colourway. The artwork originates from a vintage silk scarf”. Click here to purchase the BALLERINA scarf.
Which is your favourite scarf? And are there any different ways you’d style any of these scarves?
MM.
NB: I was sent the Meadham Kirchhoff x Amazon ‘PEARL’ scarf, for free, for the purposes of this review. All opinions in this review are my own and are 100% honest.
As it’s London Fashion Week this week, I’ve been really drawn to what’s actually going on, right now, on the high street. One of the first places I always turn to is John Lewis. I’m a little bit of a John Lewis mega fan… But that’s just because I always get the best service there; as well as the best selection from all of the designers and brands they kindly house under one roof!
This week, I’ve had a good rummage through one of my fave British High Street brands, Whistles. As the weather is absolutely abysmal, I thought I’d try and brighten your afternoon with my edit of Whistles treats that are available in store and online at JohnLewis.com!
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#1 – Whistles Katlin Heart Blouse, £125.00 WHISTLES SAY: Crafted from luxurious silk, the Katlin Blouse from Whistles is a playfully lux addition to your new season wardrobe. MM SAYS: Got to start off with this heart print shirt, reminiscent of Burberry’s own heart blouse that has taken celebritydom by storm. I actually prefer this Whistles one however! It’s got more going on, more interesting, lovely colourway. Tucked into skirts and trousers – or even jeans, this makes the perfect addition to your trans-seasonal wardrobe.
#2 – Whistles Lula Tailored Trousers, £110.00 WHISTLES SAY: These smart tailored trousers from Whistles are the perfect style for summer. MM SAYS: I’d have to disagree with Whistles here, I think these smart tailored trousers are a perfect style all year round! Love the cropped length and side-slit detailing.
#3 – Whistles Blake Dress, £135.00. WHISTLES SAY: Chic and directional; this elegant shift dress from Whistles offers a round neck, short sleeves and a flattering waistband for feminine appeal. MM SAYS: I’m really enjoying jewelled tones at the minute – think it’s that shift into Autumn and Winter. I love this emerald green dress. The shape is beautiful, will give you wonderful definition and silhouette.
#4 – Whistles Kir Royale Ankle Boots, £150.00. WHISTLES SAY: A smart pair of round-toe ankle boots that are a perfect heel height to wear throughout the day and into the night. Versatile enough to be worn with either skinny jeans or a dress. MM SAYS: I love these boots! Much like the infamous ‘Pistol Boot’ from ACNE, these boots look really comfortable – yet fashion-conscious at the same time. I’d team these boots with midi skirts and dresses, jeans and smart tailoring. Great versatile footwear style for your Winter wardrobe!
#5 – Whistles Cora Exposed Seam Cardigan, £165.00. WHISTLES SAY: This luxe cashmere cardigan from Whistles has a relaxed open neckline with a minimalist shape, raw exposed seams and two draping side pockets – ideal for layering. MM SAYS: Don’t you just want to cosy up in this cashmere beauty? Again, the perfect piece for your wardrobe; perfect for smart or casual, plus great for layering on those chilly days!
#6 – Whistles Long Sleeve Sculptured Dress, £110.00. WHISTLES SAY: Update your wardrobe with this contemporary, chic style from Whistles. It has an on-trend midi length, side panelling and a simple straight shape, it’s feminine and functional. MM SAYS: POW! Check this amazing dress out for a pop of vibrance in your life. I just LOVE this dress (I was saving the best till last). Great colour, again, for all year round. Definitely put a smile on my face on this absolutely miserable September afternoon that’s for sure! I love the length of this dress; as well as the sleeve length. It would certainly hide a multitude of sins when you’re not feeling your best. I think it looks REALLY expensive. It’s worth the pricetag this one!
Hope you enjoyed my picks from Whistles. Don’t forget you can shop Whistles online at JohnLewis.com – they offer FREE delivery for all order’s over £5o too. Bonus round!
BRRRRRR, anyone else absolutely freezing today? Good job Boden have some amazing pieces to take you straight into Autumn! Take a look at my favourite pieces below… And you might even find a little discount treat at the bottom too! Happy browsing!
BODEN SAY: Our new, lightweight denim offers a clean, sophisticated look. This must have shirt has signature Boden spots inside the cuffs and collar.
MM SAY’S: LOVE a denim shirt and this one is perfect for A/W. I’m currently tucking all my tops, blouses and shirts into jeans. This is top of my must-have list!
BODEN SAY: This on-trend, panelled dress is a sound investment. Subtle stab stitching, elegant elbow-length sleeves and Italian milled wool make it a must have.
MM: Absolutely LOVE this colour! The panels on the dress will also give a great silhouette.
BODEN SAY: This versatile coat is made from supple moleskin, which is a lovely fabric for cooler months. Try the trend for ‘Winter white’ in our Pearl option.
MM SAYS: Great fabric and lovely detailing. This coat comes in lots of different colours too! Uh oh…
BODEN SAY: A great alternative to a jean, that moulds to any body shape and feels more substantial than previously, thanks to this season’s thicker fabric.
MM SAYS: I struggle with jeans, the Ponte Roma Trouser sounds right about perfect to me!
BODEN SAY: We’re really excited about this new, Sixties-inspired tunic dress in four retro prints. It’s pared down with a relaxed, drapey fit.
MM SAYS: Brilliant dress. The Boulevard Tunic Dress encompasses that Sixties vibe perfectly with the monochrome – although other colourways are available too! Love the relaxed fit, perfect for those ‘not feeling so great’ nights out!
BODEN SAY: Embellished knitwear is a big deal this season and this jumper feels like the sort of gem you might happen upon in a vintage shop.
MM SAYS: Great design work on the collar of the Chelsea Jumper – love the vintage feel of this piece. Definite LOVE.WANT.NEED item for any wardrobe! And how lovely is the Notre Dame Skirt (£79.00) too? They work perfectly together! THE LOAFER, £99.00
BODEN SAY: This blocky heel is bang on trend. It makes this loafer sexy and modern, as does our contemporary patent leather.
MM SAYS: If you buy one shoe this Autumn, make it the Heeled Loafer. I love the height of the heel, perfect for dashing about with the little one, or going to the office or even dinner! The patent leather makes this style very versatile indeed.
So there you have it, hope you like my picks! Let me know what you think!
Also, GET THIS!! Boden’s infamous Diminishing Discount is back! Grab yourself a bargain this week with 20% off from Monday 9th – Thursday 12th, 15% off on Friday 13th (oo-er!) and 10% off on Saturday 14th September. All orders also have free delivery and free returns – spoil yourself!
OFFER RECAP:
Monday 9th – Thursday 12th September – 20% off plus free delivery and returns
Friday 13th – 15% off plus free delivery and returns
Saturday 14th – 10% off plus free deliver and returns Live: Monday 9th September Expiry: Saturday 14th September ENTER CODE: DIM5 CLICK HERE TO GET SHOPPING!
