High Street Hits: Arm Candy

I have always been a bag girl. Whether you're wearing a dress or jeans the bag is an accessory with the power to change an outfit and fill you with glee, which is always good with me! No matter how horrendous your bad hair day might be, a fabulous handbag will never let you down. The new season fashion trends seem to have brought some really lovely ones to the high street, especially satisfyingly boxy structures and a whole menagerie of bright and beautiful colours for Summer from pastels to neons. Below are some of  my favourites I've been spying this week.
I've also spotted some wonderfully cheerful plus size clothing for Summer. The sunny months will be perfect for showing off fun and vivacious prints as well as bright block colours with pretty details from pleats to a intricate crochet trim- no more hiding beautiful dresses under Winter coats!
 

1. Strawberry Across Body Bag, £25 Accessorize

2. Limited Collection Appliqué Satchel Bag, £39.50 Marks and Spencer

3. Delicious Apple Basket Bag, £40 Ollie & Nic at House of Fraser

4. Scallop Shoulder Bag, £25 Accessorize

5. Stone Gertie Bow Structured Bag, £12.99 New Look

6. Tassel Bowler Bag With Rabbit Fitting, £35 ASOS

7. Pink Bag, £29.99 H&M

8. Hello Kitty Town Satchel, from £110 Zatchels

9. Patent Messenger Bag, £24.75 Forever 21

10. Purple Glitter Across Body Bag, was £35 now £17.50 Jonathon Kelsy at Debenhams

11. Roxy Grab Bag, was £49 now £24.50 Therapy at House of Fraser

12. Touch- Rivets Shoulder Bag, was £34.99 now £16.99 Mango

High Street Hits: Winter Coats

Jack Frost has been to town and it's time to get the gloves out- boo! However, this does mean the perfect justification for a fabulous new coat and I love picking one which will brighten up the coldest of Winter days.
There are some beautifully rich jewel colours around on the high street at the moment and also some really lovely embellished details such as a beaded collar at Miss Selfridge, swirling embroidery at Uttam Boutique or adorable bows at ASOS's plus size fashion Curve range.
What coat will be keeping you warm this Winter?

1. Belted Button Front Coat With Full Skirt, £85 ASOS

2. Green Boiled Wool Double Breasted Coat, £54.99 New Look

3. Coat With Cute Bow Front, £75 ASOS Curve

4. Beaded Collar Velvet Coat, £89 Miss Selfridge 

5. Embroidered Coat, £120 Uttam Boutique

6. Louise Jacket, £129.95 Kling at Nelly

7. Large Notch Lapel Coat, £89 Per Una at Marks and Spencer

8. Flared Coat, was £32.75 now £22.93 Forever 21

9. Wilfred Coat, £149 Monsoon

High Street Hits: Frocks to Thrill

The festive season is nearly upon us, bringing many a chance to dazzle, but what to wear? I've been spying some absolutely beautiful dresses on the high street lately, all with a little something special to make you feel fabulous, so I grouped some of my favourites together to suit many a budget. Let me know which one you fancy twirling in!
If you're still on the look out for the perfect accessories or gifts why not take a peek at Hsamuel Watches from the classic to the cheerful colour pop, or gorgeous sapphire designer rings from Gems TV.

1. Pink Foil Lace Prom Dress, £135 Miss Selfridge
2. Sequin Skater Dress, £65 Topshop
3. Lace Bodice Soft Prom Dress, £68 Warehouse

4. Swing Dress With Lace Insert And Peter Pan Collar, £45 ASOS
5. Deluxe Gabby Sequin Dress in Iridescent Purple, £58 Motel Rocks
6. Pink Lace Print Pleated Dress, £175 Karen Millen

7. Light Pink and Black Lace Prom Dress, £75 River Island
8. Scoop Neck Jacquard Dress, £89 Marks and Spencer
9. Lace Chiffon Skater Dress, £60 Oasis

10. Embellished Prom Dress, £35 Ice Blossom at Clothing at Tesco
11. Lulu Lace Bandeau Skater Dress, £20 Boohoo
12. Ophelia Dress, £109 Monsoon

Little Black Bag: Kate Benjamin Clutch

Kate Benjamin clutch via Accessories Direct, Autograph by Marks and Spencer dress via PDSA charity shop, Miu Miu headband, Dorothy Perkins shoes, H&M tights, Wallis cardigan.

The Little Black Dress is a wardrobe staple that can be transformed for different occasions. I was very lucky and found this one in a charity shop and it suited me so much better than anything else I'd found for the event I first wore it to, making me one very happy shopper. Since then I've worn it to a couple more occasions and I love it.
When Accessories Direct asked me to look at some images of their lovely items and tell them my favourites I was immediately drawn to this bag. I was absolutely delighted when they emailed me back and said I could have it, my first choice, to review! The clutch has that comforting squishy factor that I love but it's also smart and sharp with the very modern clasp structure. It's versatile, elegant aesthetic reminds me very much of the LBD and I'm now calling it my Little Black Bag. 
OK so it's not actually fully black but I think this just makes it more versatile to go with more dresses. Shimmering below the lovely black lace we have a beautiful subtle pale gold fabric. The fabric manipulation is also in this stiffer layer with pleating, whilst the lace sits as a soft layer on top. It's really very cleverly done and can work with modern or classic styles to lots of occasions. I'm definitely impressed when it comes to the construction and quality of this bag.
This Kate Benjamin's black lace clutch bag has the huge bonus of being rather big without being bulky. Sometimes an occasion calls for a charming evening bag but practicality calls also. I like the fact I can fit as much junk as I need in it!
I am so, so pleased with my beautiful new bag and it's one I can foresee turning to again and again. Do you have an item you keep returning to that gives you that little extra confidence for special occasions?

I couldn't resist showing you the deer friends I made during the making of this outfit post- how I love Cannock Chase!

A recent outfit

Today's shopping outfit: =]

This season:

Coat- H&M

SS09:

T-shirt- M&S

Bag- Marc by Marc Jacobs

Skirt- Moschino Cheap & Chic

Shoes- New Look

Photo by J Clarke