Plaid Enough??

In case yesterday's post didn't make you fall in love with plaid here are some of my favourite pieces out in stores now ranging from shirts to coats to scarves! Happy Shopping!

Something New

I love when something beautiful lands on my door mat and this week I was greeted by this little pretty thanks to Jennifer (check out her blog here). The Phillip Lim for Target Collection sold out fast online but luckily Jennifer is the queen of Target, so I was beyond thrilled when she offered to ship this bag out to me! This bag will be coming out with me all weekend! 

J Crew is Coming....

The day I discovered J Crew, my bank balanced decided to never forgive me, and it's not going to like me anymore when J Crew opens its doors on London's Regent Street later this year! I can't wait to visit the store and how amazing are these taxis above the store front?! Can all the London Taxi Cabs be pink & gold from now on please?


In the meantime you can shop J Crew online here and these are some of my favourite picks (I may have made some purchases recently) from the fall collection.

A Little Treat

I am not someone who normally spends a lot of money on make up because I keep my routine pretty simple, but when I saw this Chanel illuminating powder I knew I had to track it down. Unfortunately it was sold out everywhere I tried, until I went to London back in April and was killing some time in the Chanel store in Covent Garden smelling perfumes and on the off chance asked if they had any left and my luck was in.
 This powder is almost too pretty to use with it's little rose detail and it was a bit of a splurge for me. I've had it for just over a month now and can't bear to ruin the gorgeous design but something this pretty needs to be used and not just starred at!

The Shopaholic Tag

Thank you to the lovely Pam from Yes it is, Kevin for tagging me to do the shopaholic post! Since I don't make youtube videos I'll just do mine as a regular post! 

image

Questions:

1. Would you consider yourself a shopaholic?

Yes, I guess you could say that, although in the past couple of years I've become a lot more practical with my shopping choices and I've cut down on my shopping a lot! 

2. How would you classify your style?

I'd say it's pretty girly and simple, and comfortable, I hate wearing things that aren't comfy! Oh and I can't forget that I love a bit of sparkle in my outfits. I like to mix a bit of everything in there.

3. What store can you not leave without buying at least one thing?

I don't think there is a store I always have to make a purchase in before leaving, but I do always find things I want every time I'm in Zara, or Anthropologie when I'm in London.

4. Where do you find the best deals?

It has to be online! I hate paying full price for anything, I am always hunting around for some kind of discount code. I always make sure to check cash back sites too like ebates, Mr Reabtes and Top Cash Back before making any purchases online, the rebate money is always a nice little surprise when it comes in! I also like going to T.K Maxx when I'm in the right mood to hunt through the racks, I found some Valentino sunglasses for £22 once. 

5. What designer are you willing to splurge for?

If money was no object I would say Chanel & Miu Miu (I have my eye on a bag there at the moment), but for me I guess J Crew is more a luxury for me but I always try to purchase on sale or with a discount. 

6. Do you have a go to shopping outfit?

Normally jeans, flats and a tee, if I'm planning to try lots on. I also like taking a cross body bag so my hands are free to search the rails.

7. What is your guilty pleasure? (Not including makeup)

I guess for me it's probably handbags, the most expensive thing in my wardrobe is my Miu Miu bow bag that I saved up for. At the moment I have also been purchasing a lot of jewellery, I'm addicted to Baublebar right now.

8. What is one staple clothing piece you cannot live without?

Jeans, I am a jeans girl and wear them most of the time.

9. What is a trend you hope never goes out of style?

Stripes, polka dots and glitter.

10. What trend did you love that passed way to quickly?

I'm not really sure, I wear what I want whether it is in style or not! 

11. Who is your fashion icon?

I love Rachel Bilson and Lauren Conrad's style, but I love to find inspiration from pinterest and from bloggers. Some of my favourites right now are Gal Meets Glam, L.A in the bay, Devon Rachel and Stephanie Sterjovski. 

Stacey's Smiles

I am so ready for this weekend! I am spending it with some of my best friends in London, and on Sunday I will be cheering one of them on in the London Marathon, whilst thinking about the awful event that happened in Boston earlier this week. Have a great weekend everyone and stay safe!

My latest shopping haul. 

Comfy clothes for a day off from work.

A book on super clearance, full of recipes I can't wait to try! 

These always make drinks look better.

The sweetest package to arrive home to from Jennifer, I love the Stella & Dot Earrings! 

New Purchases

Yesterday was officially the first day of Spring, but with all this cold weather and small flurries of snow it doesn't really feel like Spring is here quite yet! I haven't made very many purchases for my wardrobe this season because the weather has been so uninspiring, but I had seen this Topshop bag floating around on some blogs as a much cheaper alternative to a Celine bag. Once I saw it in person I knew it had to be mine for Spring. It has plenty of room and it zips across the top so you won't lose all your belongs, and the gold accents set it off perfectly.

Topshop Winged Tote, Sprinkles, Lush Mask of Magnaminty

My other purchases for the day were some sprinkles for some baking next week and one of my favourite Lush products, the Mask of Magnaminty. A random combination I know!

Has anyone else made any Spring purchases they are in love with yet?

Equipment Nixie Cold Shoulder Blouse VS Forever 21 Cutout Shirt

Last year I fell in love with this Equipment blouse after seeing Emily from Cupcakes & Cashmere wear it in both black and nectar. Unfortunately $208 is more than a tad out of my budget so whilst browsing Forever 21 earlier today I got more than a little excited when I saw this shirt for only £11.50. That's means saving over 90%. It comes in black, cream, mint and light pink. And the even better news my shopping ban is over tomorrow!

Equipment Nixie Cold Shoulder Blouse $208

Images - Cupcakes & Cashmere

Forever 21 Cutout Shoulder Shirt £11.50

I am gutted that I have to miss out on the Shopbop code happening right now, since the code ends before my ban. Did anyone else pick up anything from the sale?

If you haven't you still have time using code 'SPRINGEVENT' and save up to $300.

Shopping Ban Update

Well I only have 7 days left to go on my shopping ban and it has been a lot easier than I thought it would be! I was almost tempted by the 40% and free shipping at J Crew on Monday but I resisted! I have been deleting all the offer emails as soon as they arrive in my box without opening them.

I do have a wish list for March and these are a few of things I've been eyeing.

Forever 21 Striped Georgette Shirt 

I haven't shopped at Baublebar yet but they have the most amazing selection of jewellery for affordable prices. These earrings I saw over at Nicole's Guide To Style would be perfect for spring.

Baublebar Marquise Leaf Cascade Earrings 

Current/Elliot The Boyfriend Jean in Loved Destroy

As much as I love the Current/Elliott Jeans  I want to find them on some sort of sale so until I do, I might try these instead.

Gap Sexy Boyfriend Jeans

EllandEmm Rose Gold Emmie

And I will just carry on dreaming about this one.

Miu Miu Madras Shoulder Bag

Net-A-Porter Review

When consumers are spending less and retailers are facing tough competition for business the one thing that is going to keep people (or me) coming back is the customer service they give. Unless you live under a rock I am sure you have heard of Net-A-Porter.com. I have spent hours of time drooling over all the luxurious goodies they have in stock but until last month I had never made a purchase! They stock every brand a girl could dream off from Hunter to Miu Miu to Maje to Valentino, and whilst most of these are far far out of my everyday budget it is the place to go to, for a special occasion. They do have amazing sales and that is when I decided to make my first purchase! I ordered a J Crew sweater I had been stalking waiting for it to come back in stock in my size, and as soon as it did I pounced!

My order shipped within the day and then only took another day to arrive and that was the standard shipping option. When my packaged arrived it was beautifully wrapped and well packaged (you can see a reveal on Vine - fine me under Stacey). Unfortunately my sweater came and it was damaged, one of the bobbles was missing and it had left a hole in the fabric. I was so disappointed but the Net-A-Porter customer service could not have been better! They replied to me on twitter and emailed me. The returns process was super easy and my package was picked up from my work place. I even had a call (although I was out so they left a message) from a member of the Net-A-Porter team apologising about the situation and offering me any help I needed with my return and they had already refunded my card (and the shipping costs) before my return was received,which only took a day to get back to them anyway and they also gave me some store credit for a future purchase.

Although my first order with Net-A-Porter didn't work out I can't wait to order from them again because the customer service was hands down the best I have ever experienced from an online retailer. I've been browsing all the new spring clothes on the site for when my shopping ban is over and dreaming of the pieces I could never afford and hoping they might go on super sale later in the year!

Valentino Lace Dress 

Tucker Striped Skirt

Miu Miu Flared Skirt

The Ban

For the month of February I have decided to put myself on a mini shopping ban! I treated myself to a pair of Rag & Bone Newbury booties the other week and after that I thought to myself no more for a little while! So for this month I am not allowing myself to buy any new clothing, shoes or accessories. There is only 28 days this month and I'm 4 down already! Just 24 more to go! I am allowing myself one exception and that is for an item I have wait listed on Gilt (I waited listed it in January) and I have already put aside the money just in case it happens to come back in stock!

Rag & Bone Newbury Booties

So with all the money I save this month I am going to make a wish list of items I've been wanting for a while like these jeans but have never decided to invest in!

Has anyone else put them self on a shopping ban?

Sale Purchases

I wasn't too keen to go sale shopping this year, I hate crowds now! So instead I waited until it had all calmed down a bit and went and hunted through what was left! I was very good and made sure I didn't purchase anything just because it was 'on sale', because I always get home and regret those! The Philosophy products were on my 'hunt down on sale' list along with the purple H&M shirt that I'd seen earlier in the year. The Wonderstruck perfume has been on my list to try out so when I saw the gift set on sale I grabbed it! I picked up a few gifts to put away and all of my gift wrapping supplies for next Christmas since everything was between 50%-75% off, I like to be prepared! I've also picked up a couple of things online from J Crew and H&M which I'm waiting to arrive!

New Look Peplum Dress - 50% off

Zara Studded Flats £16.99, New Look Candy Cane Sweater 40% off

Philosophy Goodies - 50% off

H&M Trend Peplum Top

Taylor Swift Wonderstruck - Half Price

Accessorize iPhone Case - 70% off in store

Steals & Deals

My inbox has been inundated with so many emails for sales and discounts all weekend and I tried to just delete them all without opening them but I did end up making one order from J Crew Factory because everything was 50% off and there was free shipping too! Although the the 50% off has finished now you can you still get 30% off your order using the code 'XOFACTORY'. It was made even better by the double discount at Ebates meaning I got 6% cash back on my order! If you haven't already signed up for Ebates you can here and earn cash back on lots of your online shopping!

J Crew Factory Ponte Pant

J Crew Factory Crystal Necklace 

J Crew Factory Merino Classic Crewneck Sweater

I also ordered this bracelet from one of my favourite Etsy seller's Oia Jules just now! Every Wednesday Elizabeth is having one item on special offer for that day only and today's is this gorgeous rose gold and dark grey rhinestone bracelet for just $20!

Oia Jules Dark Grey Rhinestone Bracelet

And these weren't on any offer but I couldn't resist ordering these Target pajamas last week after seeing them all over Pintrest! And I did get cash back on them from Ebates!

Target Xhilaration Gold Polka Dot Pajamas 

What has everyone else been buying with all these amazing discounts?

A Day At Harrods

Happy Friday!! At the beginning of the week I took a day a of holiday and headed down to London with my mum. The main reason of our visit was spend the day with my baby sister at Harrods and see all the Christmas window displays! We also checked out the Disney area, Cinderella's Shoe Room, Christmas World, and of course we made a visit to the  Beauty and Food Halls!

I'll just share a few quick pictures from my Instagram & twitter for now! I used the hashtag #adayatharrods for all my posts and I'd love if anyone else that heads to Harrods over this holiday season would share their pictures using the same hashtag! I love seeing pictures from my favourite store!

I'll be back with another post soon with pictures of the amazing window displays! 

Follow me on Twitter Here - @fiveminutestyle

Follow me on Instagram Here - spark1988

And don't forget to use #adayatharrods to share your pictures with me on Twitter and Instagram! 

Recent Purchases

The best part of visiting Westfield Stratford last weekend was getting to see my sister and having Pinkberry. I know that must sound weird when I was surrounded my all these amazing shops, but it's true! However I didn't leave empty handed because that would have been just plain foolish! I got some more of my Christmas shopping done (I'm almost there now) and I did pick up a few goodies for myself but I was very very good (this lot came to less than £50). My favourite purchase of the day was the super soft Reindeer throw which is perfect for snuggling up with this holiday season!

Forever 21 Sweater (on sale and it was Buy One Get One Free so I got a plain pink top too), H&M Gloves, Primark Clutch

I visited a Victoria's Secret store for the first time and I got to check out the H&M home collection in person (and I picked up some gifts because it was all so cute)! They also have a Kiko Store (I first discovered this brand in Paris) so I go to pick up a nail magnetic to go with my polish which I forgot in before!

Primark Throw, Victorias Secret Goodies & Kiko Nail Magnet

Free People Arrives In The UK

I was so excited to receive an email today to say that the UK Free People site was now open! Us UK girls can now enjoy free returns in the UK and no pesky customs or duty fees! YAY! I've been a fan of Free People for quite a few years now and mainly had to purchase from the US although Urban Outfitters sometimes had some Free People items in their stores!

Quite a few months back I participated in an online survey which made me think Free People were planning on having a UK based site and after some research and finding some job opportunities being advertised online I was certain and I couldn't have been more excited!

Some pieces are priced higher than the US site whilst others work out to be the same but now we no longer have to pay any extra fees the prices seem to be a lot better and they will arrive on our doorsteps a lot faster!


And if that wasn't enough until the end of November you can enjoy Free Shipping on all orders and be sure to sign up for emails because I received a code for 15% off my first order!

Here are some of my picks for winter!

Fluff Jumper £88

Sergeant Bell Sleeve Jacket £168

Holland Tall Socks £20

Cozy Cabin Swit Dress £128

Natalie Marled Scarf £58

Now I've just got my fingers crossed we'll get some Free People stores in the UK! Is anyone else a Free People fan??