Mulberry & Me

It seems we just can't get enough of one another at the moment.

Only the other day I was telling you about my Bayswater, and this weekend my collection grew once more.

One of the best things about where my parents live in Somerset is that they are a mere 30 minute drive from Shepton Mallet, the home of Mulberry.  And the best thing about visiting the weekend before my birthday?  Getting utterly spoilt by my mother in the factory store.

And what did I come out with?  Meet Lizzie.

The soft gunmetal grey, the mulberry embossed studs, the chunky strap and the leather you know will just get better with age, all in a clutch?  Perfect.

I buy a big statement clutch about once every two years and have one with me on every night out.  Much better than a tiny shoulder bag,  I can shove in everything I need and still fit it under my arm.

It's also the perfect size for the day when I can't face lugging my Bayswater around, which all in all makes it a great investment...and the perfect Birthday present, a week early :)

Oh.  And I love my balloon.

Are you a clutch girl? Got a special relationship with a certain designer?  Or are you an ardent high street bag girl?  Spill!

Sudocrem - the handbag essential?

For me, like many others, Sudocrem is one of the most unglamorous but hugely essential skincare essentials.  I slather it onto my skin to fight spots, bites and sunburn, and even though he laughs at me with my white blobbed face, my boyfriend does it too.

Sudocrem as we all know it...nice pot eh?

So I was no doubt delighted to be sent a few samples of the new Sudocrem skin care cream...in a tube!  Yep, no more scraping into those big grey pots - the cream can now fit into my handbag and be utilised at every opportunity. Which for the summer (and holiday packing) is a Godsend.  Bites and sunburn (which I never advocate....stick on the spf people!) can be dealt with then and there, and it definitely doesn't feel anywhere near as thick and obvious as the usual version.

Sudocrem have launched a facebook app in conjunction with this handbag friendly tube - Bagology - what does your handbag reveal about you - so I thought it was a good opportunity to have a natter about bags.

I have to admit, I'm not really a 'bag person' in that I usually make an investment on one bag and use it every single day until it gives up the ghost.  The current investment? My black Mulberry Bayswater.

I've loved Mulberry bags for years. Whilst 'designer' the prices are not hugely ridiculous and I love that the majority of the bags (except the Alexa which has been outsourced due to demand) are produced in England...just down the road from where my parents live in Somerset.  My parents bought me a slouchy Oxford tan shoulder bag a few years ago and having felt the need for a 'grown up' bag I could use for work and play, I decided to invest in my Bayswater.

That was almost 8 months ago and I haven't taken it off my arm since.  Cost per wear so far?  Pretty damn amazing if I do say so myself.

So what does my bag say about me? I'd like to think it shows I have an eye for quality and classic style...without being too stuffy.  I mean, if it's good enough for La Moss and co, it's good enough for me.

Back to the Sudocrem, I have another two tubes of this so if you are keen to give it a go for yourself, just comment below with your email address and I'll send one to two of you...and yes, I know it's not glamorous, but trust me - you will love it!

Oh, and tell me...what does your handbag say about you?

Deja Vu

ASOS have done it again!

Mulberry Tillie (£812) ASOS Leather Keeper Satchel (£70)

Bewitched by the Mulberry Tillie satchel?  Don't have £812 to your name? Try ASOS, for this rather similar offering, priced at a rather more respectable 70 quid.

Wish List Wednesday

After slacking a little on the ol' blog recently *slaps wrist* I've decided to add a new weekly feature to showcase my must have fashion/beauty item(s)...and in doing so, invite you to tell me yours. 

What are you unable to get out of your mind? Have you found yourself reaching for your credit card as despite being a week before payday, you just cannot go another minute without a certain something in your life?  And what, if money was no object, would you snap up in a second?  Let me know :)

Topshop Chiffon Maxi, £65

 I ADORE this dress.  The colour is spot on for this season and the shape is perfect for a pear shaped leg hater like me.  I think it would look lovely with a gold plaited waist belt and delicate sandals for all of those occasions in the spring and summer months.  I'd also be tempted to toughen it up with a cropped leather jacket and stacks of necklaces.  See...it's totally versatile!

Mulberry, £51-117

Since I bought myself a Mulberry Bayswater just after Christmas (thank you Christmas money!) I now cannot stop lusting after their wonderful key rings and bag charms...wouldn't the pink bunny look adorable against the soft black leather? Or perhaps the secret love charm jangling as I walk, bag in arm?  Mulberry, you have cast your spell on me, and I am happily under it :)

John Frieda 3 Day Straight, £6.99

With my thick curly mane of hair, anything that promises three days of straightness is an instant pull for me...the only thing holding me back from purchasing is the worry that I can't use it with any other styling products such as moroccan oil, which is a godsend for me.  I also have a whole bag full of tried, tested and unconvincing products at home which makes me reluctant to shell out my cash (albeit only 7 quid) for something that will just add to this pile.  Have any of you tried this? Is it worth forsaking all other products for this...or should I hold out until something else better comes along?

So that's my wishlist for this Wednesday.  What's on yours?

Is it too early? Christmas Wish List...

Considering I've bought the majority of my Christmas presents already (I'm ridiculously organised and also like to spread the cost so I can be more generous) - thoughts have begun to turn to what I would like to find under the tree.

So here is my (probably first draft) Christmas wish list...what's on yours?

Topshop tunics

My wardrobe staple.  Forever and always.

Babyliss Big Hair

I love a good hair gadget or two....and this has definitely tickled my fancy.  With such thick hair, it takes me forever to get a good blow dry at home.  I have a big round brush but this only usually gets used on my fringe...I do not have the patience, or upper body strength, to try and do my whole head!  So when I saw this it was as if my prayers had been answered.  Has anyone tried this?  Am I being optimistic or will it actually give me a salon-like blowdry at home?

House of Harlow jewellery

I already have a couple of pieces from House of Harlow and I would love to expand on my collection.  The jewellery is very me - statement pieces that are delicate and feminine at the same time.  I especially love the horsehoe necklace and the key and peacock rings.

Cath Kidston...anything!

I am after some nice bits for the kitchen and also love all of the crafty pieces around at the moment.  I already have quite a lot of her signature florals but I can't get enough...though there is only so much I can get away with at home - these boyfriends, honestly :)

*Edit*  Mulberry bags

Oh Mulberry, why do you send me through a gift suggestions email on the day I write my wish list?  If anyone would like to buy me any of the above bags, I will love you forever!!!

Stocking Fillers

Ooh I'd love a few Mac lippies (though a voucher is probably best...the MUA's tend to scare my poor boyfriend), Essie nail varnishes (because I obviously don't have enough already!) some Soap & Glory goodies (I'm too stingy to buy them for myself) and some nice winter bits from Topshop or Accessorize...scarves, snoods, hats and gloves...anything to keep me warm in these chilly months!

So what about you?  What's on your Christmas list so far....or is it still too early to even mention the 'C' word?