M&S Home Event | Voucher Giveaway!

The M&S Home event starts on the 27th March and runs until the 4th April with up to 30% off home items. To celebrate the launch, M&S have asked me to share my top picks from the current range and in return, they've given me a voucher to give away to one lucky reader.

We're 3 years in our house and like most people, when we moved in first, there was so much expense involved, we just made do with much of our furniture and bits and pieces and only spent money on the essentials. Now I'm starting to think about updating each room as some of the bits we brought from our last home are looking tired after 13 or 14 years of being in our lives.

First up for our bedroom is lighting and I've shown these bedside lights in-situ in my post from last week - 'what's by my bedside'. I think they are amazing quality for the price with their solid marble effect base, brushed steel and the rotating head. It's given a lovely cool clean scandi look to my bedside drawers and I love how just this one item has updated the whole room.

Archie Table Lamp

What's on my Bedside Table...

My bedside table has had a bit of a makeover in the past month. It started when I replaced my old clock radio, which after about 10 years of faithful service was regularly wiping all the radio stations and more worryingly, the alarms 😱 So after a bit of googling, I went for this Phillips model from Argos which had good reviews and was only £19.99.

Laser Hair Removal | The Laser Clinic, Belfast

Since I did my swimming lessons last summer, I've been mulling over laser hair removal. But I had all the usual concerns about cost, effectiveness and pain. Given I'm a '5 minutes in the shower' kind of hair removal girl, would it just be more hassle than it's worth? Then we booked our holiday - the first time in a bikini for 10 years. It was time to do some research.

It's definitely something you need to get recommendations for as I've heard lots of mixed reviews from different places locally so when my skincare go-to expert, Katrina Doran (who blogs over at The Beauty Equation and has a brilliant Instagram profile) told me to speak to her friend Judith from The Laser Clinic, I did. The Laser Clinic is long time established in Ballymena but just recently opened close to me on the Lisburn Road, Belfast and I had driven past a few times and admired the lovely frontage and waiting area. I exchanged some direct messages with Judith and a date was made for me to come into the Belfast clinic.

A Classic Camel Coat | Wardrobe Staples

I looked for years for the most perfect camel coat, with mixed success. I would find the colour I loved but not the shape, or vice versa. The search finally ended last year when I found the elusive mix of shape and colour in the Jaeger Outlet shop in Banbridge. 

It was an investment. From memory, even though there was an extra lot of discount on the day and I had some vouchers, it was still about £150 and I was nervous of handing over the money but what an investment. As well as just looking amazing and giving me proper Marie Kondo joy every time I wear it, it's genuinely the warmest (non-padded) coat I own, thanks to the cashmere in the mix.

The two things I love about camel is how it warms up my cold but favourite grey and black clothes and how it works so well with my favourite print - leopard. As demonstrated so well with this outfit: 

Getting the legs out | Warehouse Sale & SS18

I had a quick look in what's probably my favourite shop, Warehouse last week. It's a dangerous one going in there as I always see something I want and that day was no exception because I fell in love with the Marianne print range. But there wasn’t a long dress - only a jumpsuit, which is gorgeous but I wanted it to be a long dress. I even mulled over having it altered (has anyone ever done that?? Jumpsuit to a midi dress? One to ask my friends at the zip yard next time I'm in)

The shorter, flippy style dress was lovely but would I wear it? It's been so long since I got the legs out in a short floral dress. Which is a shame as this is the time of year I feel happiest showing my legs thanks to opaque tights. On a whim, I bought it but held on firmly to my receipt. 

But when I put the dress on, the receipt was no longer required. Wearing it reminded me how youthful it can be to wear a shorter dress. The added bonus is that it's work appropriate and perfect for wet weather, where I struggle with longer dresses and skirts.

Zohara Handbags | Clearance Sale

Just a quick post to give you a heads up that local handbag company Zohara have a clearance sale on all their Causeway collection bags with prices for their gorgeous leather bags starting at £49! The sale is happening over on the Bellamia Boutique website - which is the retail arm of Zohara and I thought I'd share my favourites from the sale, starting with this orange beauty, which I've featured here before..

Romney Small Handbag - Orange - £49 (was £149)

It also comes in a more practical black colour

Romney Small Handbag - Black - £49 (was £149)

Slightly bigger in navy, the Fitzroy is £65

Fitzroy Handbag - Navy - £65 (was £179)

My personal favourite is the Camberwell in burgundy...it's got magnetic sides that open up. A beautiful structured bag

Camberwell Handbag - Burgundy - £69 (was £189)

In tan saffiano leather, this tote would be lovely for summer

Gresham Tote Shopper - Tan - £59 (was £139)

and finishing with this gorgeous grey option, the Portland

Portland Handbag - Dark Grey - £65 (was £179)

Perfect Mother's Day gift perhaps?! No cross body bags in the sale unfortunately - there were a few when the reductions started but they're sold out now and I expect these other well reduced ones will be gone within a few days. 

Hope you're all starting to see a bit of a thaw where you are. I'm so looking forward to a week of clear roads and to wearing something other than snow boots and thermals!

Back soon...

Ax

Disclaimer - I was not asked to or paid to write this post. The links are affiliate links which means that Zohara will know you came to their website from mine and may pay me a small commission if you buy and keep one of their bags. 

The Most Perfect High Waisted Bikini | In the snow ❄️

Yes...it's snowing and feels like -10C outside but I'm talking bikinis because it won't be long until I head away on my first sun holiday in 10 years. To say I'm excited would be an understatement. In fact, I'm so excited, I've decided for the first time in over a decade to wear a bikini.