It is less than 2 weeks to Easter, and for most people that means an excuse to indulge in chocolate. But what about presents for those who are avoiding the dark and yummy stuff. After all, contrary to widely held believe, not everyone has a sweet tooth. And then there are those who are dieting, or don’t eat it for health reasons, or those who just get far too many eggs and so look for something different. What do you buy for them?

This year I am faced with a heavily pregnant sister who now has an aversion to chocolate. I would usually opt to buy clothing, but again, with a rather large baby bump, this is not really the best of ideas. So instead I have chosen this very nice white bracelet watch from Oasis, which is plastic and therefore wipe clean, perfect for a new mom who will soon be experiencing the joys of baby puke! Oasis currently have a gorgeous range of watches that I discovered when looking for an oasis discount code, and I think these are a great gift choice for not much more than a fancy egg.

Gorgeous Watches from Oasis

White Bracelet Watch Was: £25.00 Now: £12.00 click to visit Oasis

Dusky Pink Bracelet Watch Price: £35.00 click to visit Oasis

Sunray Dial Watch Was: £20.00 Now: £6.00 click to visit Oasis

My little boy, who is 4, has so many Easter Eggs from so many people, that I always avoid buying him more chocolate.  Instead, a trip to the Early Learning Centre is a must. With Spring now almost official, I am thinking of getting the Sizzling barbecue to put outside his playhouse – he loves to pretend to cook and I think this would definitely get the seal of approval.

Sizzling Barbecue £20 click to visit ELC

And then there is me! If I’m honest, I’m not such a fan of chocolate has I used to be, and would much prefer something pretty in place of the traditional egg. I have my eye on quite a few things from Evans at the moment, so, here, as a gentle reminder to my hubby, are a few things I would love this Easter.

Evans Bird Print T-Shirt Price: £18.00 click to visit Evans

Evans Navy Dragonfly Scarf Price: £15.00 click to visit Evans

Chain Wrapped Necklace Price: £16.50 click to visit Evans

Boohoo is embracing the new season with a fabulous array of new trends. From stripes to spots, with a little bit of ultra cool denim thrown in, the new season is about exploring new trends and ideas. And for those who think that Boohoo is a little bit young for them, think again. Pencil skirts, wide legged Palazzo pants and slim legged trousers all make up part of the trend report, along with the usual array of skater skirts and flirty dresses.

Here are five pieces for Monday that will not only look fabulous in spring, but will be useful during the seasonal transition period between Winter and Spring. My favourite is that dotted pencil skirt – channeling Minnie Mouse is so this season!

Leanne 7/8th Slim Leg Polka Dot Trousers With Belt £22 click to visit Boohoo

Amy Tie Front Shirt with Pearl Collar £20.00 click to visit Boohoo

Veronica Monochrome Striped Leg Trousers £20 click to visit Boohoo

Minnie Polka Dot Printed Pencil Skirt with Belt £12 click to visit Boohoo

Wendy Dogtooth Open Back Detail Bodycon Dress £25 click to visit Boohoo

Latest Promotion

Free Delivery over £30: 28^th January – 3^rd March

Code FREE30

Click here to visit Boohoo.com

If you want to update your wardrobe in the simplest way possible this season, add a touch of blue. Blue is most definitely the colour to be seen in, in any of the many shades of blue. From the azure sea shades, to the deepest of midnight blue, to royal blues and turquoise, all the shades are covered and styled, in so many different shades.

The celebrities are wearing it so well at the moment and offering divine fashion inspiration. Model of the moment Cara Delevingne shows that bronze is the perfect colour to clash with your cornflower blue shades. Lana Del Rey should be singing her rendition of ‘Blue Velvet’ in that midnight blue dress (and yes, I know it is silk she is wearing, not velvet…). I love the freshness of gorgeous redhead Jessica Chastain in a stunning turquoise ruffle dress, whilst ‘Girls’ star and new fashion favourite Alison Williams looks just incredible in her vintage style mid-blue dress. And, finally, in the week of  her husbands second inauguration, Michelle Obama looked almost regal in Reed Krakoff dress in, you’ve guessed it, yet another shade of blue.

Blue is also the colour at my-wardrobe.com

Farhi by Nicole Farhi Denim Erna Cotton Sheer Drape Top £65.00 click to visit my-wardrobe

See by Chloé Blossom Print False Wrap Dress £165.00 click to visit my-wardrobe

Joseph Gabardine Stretch Queen Straight Leg Trousers £195.00 click to visit my-wardrobe

MICHAEL Michael Kors Blue Aria Suede Platform Sandal £195.00 click to visit my-wardrobe

Moschino Cheap & Chic Cutwork Detachable Collar Short Sleeve Jumper £255.00 click to visit my-wardrobe

Joseph Crepe-stretch Doll Flare Dress £295.00 click to visit my-wardrobe

Jonathan Saunders Blue Helen Jacquard Shift Dress £515.00 click to visit my-wardrobe

Sophie Hulme Blue Medium Leather Tote With Gold Plated Hardware £567.00 click to visit my-wardrobe

my-wardrobe codes

Get free P&P from my-wardrobe
Code:  FREESHIPPINGSS13
* Expires February 18th 2013.

MY-WARDROBE SALE

NOW 50 – 70% OFF + FURTHER 10% OFF*

CODE FINALSALE10
*Code valid on sale items only. Live 21.01.2013 -27.01.2013

See my-wardrobe.com for full terms and conditions.

The Boden Spring/Summer collection was one of the most exciting I saw at the press days, and it is now hitting stores and online. This is a collection that is just bursting with colour of every shade, on dresses, knitwear and accessories. And, being Boden, all those gorgeous, quirky touches are there in abundance, from button back jumpers to colour blocking bags.

This collection reminds me of Miu Miu in many aspects. Stripes are teamed with spots, dresses have a 1960s feel with Peter Pan collars and colours seemed designed to be both clashing and matching in equal parts. The Highbury Dress, in particular, could be a Miu Miu design and is the sort of dress that Alexa Chung looks so fabulous in, especially when teamed with 1960s style sling-back kitten heels.

I think the Boden accessories are also going to be much sought after this season. The colour pop duffle style bags are fabulous, particularly in the mustard shade, whilst the colour clash satchel is a design classic given a new breathe of life.

Key Picks

Boden Button Back Jumper From £59.00 click to visit Boden

Vintage Ponte Dress From £79.00 click to visit Boden

Highbury Dress From £89.00 click to visit Boden

Lexington Skirt From £49.00 click to visit Boden

Colourblock Bag From £89.00 click to visit Boden

Colourblock Bag From £89.00 click to visit Boden

Modern Woven Top From £49.00 click to visit Boden

Audrey Jumper - £69 click to visit Boden

Offer: 10% off plus free delivery and free returns. New customers receive a free gift
Code: Q245
Ends: 27th Jan

Click here to visit Boden

It’s just a week now until we all break up and wait in anticipation to see what Santa has in store for us (or is that just me acting like an over excited kid…no, thought not!). So this Friday’s shopping special is dedicated to bringing you some last-minute ideas, stocking fillers and secret santa goodies, with nothing over £25.

And as an extra treat, I’ve added details of any early sales, voucher codes and discounts where possible.

La Redoute

The sale has started, with some amazing bargains offering up to 60% off many items.

Cropped Cigarette Trousers, Regular Waist Was £35.00 Now £17.50 click to visit La Redoute

Polka Dot Print U-Neck Cotton-Blend Sweater Was £17.00 Now £8.50 click to visit La Redoute

Dual Fabric Reefer Jacket, 60% Wool Was £59.00 Now £23.60 click to visit La Redoute

Pure Cotton Twill Chinos with Darts Was £13.00 Now £6.50 click to visit La Redoute

Click here to view all sale.

You can also get 40% off New ranges and non sale items

Latest Voucher Codes:

Offer: 40% off your order

Order Code: 8098

Ends: 06/01/2013

T&Cs: Offer valid on full price Autumn Winter 2012 and Spring Summer 2012 Collections. Offer not valid on green page, mini price, online specials, Vertbaudet’s Happy price, sale and already discounted items. Vanessa Bruno edition limitee hiver 2011/12 La Redoute collection is not eligible for discount.

My Wardrobe

Totally loving these fashionable stocking fillers from my-wardrobe.

Harper Collins Books Tale Of The Empress's New Clothes £13.00 click to visit my-wardrobe

Classics Christian Lacroix Papier London A5 Layflat Carnet £15.00 click to visit my-wardrobe

Cash Ca Exclusive Primo And Cashmere Tipped Eye Mask £20.00 click to visit my-wardrobe

25% sale preview ends midnight Sunday.

Simply enter code PREVIEW25 in the promotional box at check out for the discount to be applied.

*Exclusive offer valid on full priced items only. “New Season” and “Classics” items are excluded. Valid from 10th-16th December 2012. Standard exclusions apply. See www.my-wardrobe.com for full terms and conditions.

Boohoo  50% off Sale starts today

You can get up to 50% off selected sale lines at Boohoo.com from today. Perfect dresses for parties over Christmas, or for New Years Eve.

Suzie Studded Collar Bodycon Dress £15 click to visit Boohoo

Kimmy Metallic Bandeau Skater Dress £15 click to visit Boohoo

Lucie Cap Sleeve Quilted PU Front Midi Dress £15 click to visit Boohoo

Alexa Sequin Insert Skater Dress £15 (Save £10) click to visit Boohoo

Click here to view all Boohoo sale.

Cath Kidston

Queen of 1950s style cute Cath Kidston has some fabulous Christmas stocking fillers for under £20.

Buckingham Palace Pocket Mirror £3.36 click to visit Cath Kidston

Bleached Flowers Small 2013 Diary £10 click to visit Cath Kidston

Gircle Ditsy Make Up Case £10 click to visit Cath Kidston

Spot Oilcloth Bookbag £18 click to visit Cath Kidston

To view all gifts under £20 click here

New Look.

There are some really cute ideas from New Look – as ever at really reasonable prices. Loving the reindeer t-shirt!

Exclusive Red Reindeer Print T-Shirt £12.99 click to visit New Look

Black Horse Print Tipped Collar Sleeveless Shirt £16.99 click to visit New Look

Tall Gunmetal Sequin Pencil Tube Skirt Now £13.00 click to visit New Look

Offer

Up to 50% off Party wear at New Look. Click here to view all.

Phones are just totally indispensible come Christmas time (I know, anytime really) but at Christmas time they just come into their own. Just this week I’ve used to my phone to plan a birthday party for my little boy. Facebook all the invites, text my best friend to arrange a pre-christmas drink, and ordered a few extra pressies online. Indeed, whatever did we do before we had our phones?

Tesco Mobile currently have some special December offers that make them a great choice for families. This Christmas they are offering families some of the best deals on handsets and tariffs. Most notably the Samsung Galaxy Ace – available for £12.50 a month including 500 free minutes, 5000 texts and 500 MB of data. Or there is the classic BlackBerry Curve 9320 -  available on pay as you go for £125.

So why go with Tesco?

•  You can control your mobile spending with their capped tariff: This means that family members can’t use any more than their allocated monthly minutes, texts and data and you don’t end up with any nasty surprises on the bill at the end of the month. Perfect if you are buying the phone for a teenager who spends all their time on the phone to the person who lives next door…
• With two or more contracts you get extra perks with the Tesco Mobile Family perks offer – this means you can add all your family handsets onto one single bill and each member can choose from a selection of extra perks each month such as free texts, minutes or data.
• What’s more, if you’re a Tesco Clubcard customer, you’ll get triple points for every £1 you spend at Tesco Mobile, meaning your calls can be buying you that new dress you’ve had your eye on for ages.

More tips to save money

Saving money on your mobile is just one way to look after those pennies this year. Here are a few more tips that I have been personally using throughout the year.

1. Use price comparison websites like Kelkoo before you purchase an item. I saved £13 this way buying Rocky the Robot truck for my little boy, getting it at Boots for £51, when I’d originally seen in on another website for £64. Once you’ve found the best price, go through Quidco to buy your item and you can then get cashback from hundreds of retailers.

2. Look for 3 for 2 offers. Most stores offer these, Laura Ashley, Boots and Debenhams are just some of the stores that have offered these on various products, from Christmas decorations to toiletry sets. The Boots offer has been great this year for buying presents for my sons teachers – he has three of them!

3. Collect your store card points throughout the year. Nectar points, Boots advantage card points and Tesco Clubcard points can be collected throughout the year and then used to buy presents and provisions over the Christmas period.

4. Voucher Code sites are an invaluable way to make a saving on fashion, fragrance and accessories. You can find all sorts of money off codes and codes that offer free post and packaging. It is also worth signing up to email alerts from your favourite retailers, these will let you know about savings, early alerts about sales etc.

5. Shop the sales. This is more a tip for next year, but buy wrapping paper, tags, cards and any additional decorations when the sales start, and then put them somewhere safe for the next year. You will save an absolute fortune.

This post is part of the BritMums #XmasSavingTips Challenge, sponsored by Tesco Mobile.

A fabulous quote by socialite Susan Gutfreund in this month’s Vanity Fair “…You go to a black tie now and it’s so abnormal to see anyone wearing long. Most women it seems now wear their pyjamas out in the evenings.” I have to agree, and this is such a shame, especially at this time of year.

For Christmas is the perfect opportunity to really dress up. And this year there are just so many beautiful dresses that fit that term ‘full length and fabulous’. Here are a selection available now, with any voucher codes and discounts I could find to help your be a super-stylish-saver too.

Dorothy Perkins

Black embellished maxi dress Was £150.00 Now £105.00 click to visit Dorothy Perkins

Dorothy Perkins Offer: Up to 30% off everything online & in store
Valid from: Weds 28th November
Valid until: Sunday 2nd December
Discount applied at checkout

Click here to visit Dorothy Perkins

Wallis

Purple Embellished Trim Maxi Dress Was £60.00 Now £48.00 click to visit Wallis

Teal Drape Embellished Maxi Dress Was £55.00 Now £38.50 click to visit Wallis

Offer – Up to 30% off everything at Wallis

Ends 1st December

Click here to visit Wallis

Miss Selfridge

Embellished Waist Maxi Dress Price: £59.00 click to visit Miss Selfridge

Miss Selfridge treat week

Check out the surprise treat of the day here.

Reiss

Kerensa PLEATED PRINT MAXI DRESS RASPBERRY £350 click to visit Reiss

Reiss Offer

Get 20% off at Reiss

Full price items only, discount applied at the checkout.

Valid until 3rd December 2012

Click here to visit Reiss

Mango

Draped long silk dress £139.99 click to visit Mango

Jewelled chiffon gown £159.99 click to visit Mango

Sequins crystal beads gown £169.99 click to visit Mango

Phase Eight

Dolores Velvet Dress £120.00 click to visit Phase Eight

Monica Maxi Dress £130.00 click to visit Phase Eight

Cassini Cross Over Maxi Dress £85.00 click to visit Phase Eight

Free delivery at Phase Eight ends November 30th.

Coast

LORI LEE MAXI DRESS £195.00 click to visit Coast

VA VA DRESS £395.00 click to visit Coast

Christmas is an exciting time for those that love to shop; there are so many new ranges and potential gift ideas hitting the shops every week but with lots of choice especially when it comes to fashion and party outfits it may end up quite expensive. This can be avoided by using our simple tips in order to keep your Christmas this year completely fashionable yet remain on a budget.

Christmas Countdown Offers
Every year in the run up to Christmas Boots.com run their weekly star buys which are hugely discounted gift ideas, ideal to treat yourself or buy for others and other fashion stores have followed in this trend. From 1st December online shops, especially lots of fashion brands will launch their Christmas countdowns and advent calendars where there will be one day only deals and discounts on some of the most popular products available on the site.

Online Retailers
Online only fashion retailers such as boohoo.com especially typically have all of the latest trends at budget costs. If you are looking at the must have party dress for the season but know you may not wear it again spending a little less may help you justify the purchase. Sequinned peplum dresses are bang on trend this season, taking the popular peplum style and adding the sparkle for Christmas. These can be purchased guilt free for under £25 and you can save even more on postage or a discount on the total if you use boohoo promo codes.

Fashionable Gifts
Your fashionable Christmas doesn’t need to stop at the clothes you are wearing; you can spoil your friends and family with an array of fashionable gifts. New Look for instance have a dedicated gifts section full of accessories, slippers and handbags for the whole family and these can be picked up on a budget using a New Look promotional code.

Promotion Codes
The easiest way to cut the cost of your Christmas shopping, especially with fashion retailers who run regular offers is to hunt Down the latest available codes which have been released from the retailers. These can include the likes of free delivery, free next day delivery or a percentage off the total cost. Keep an eye out for these on the Promotion Code UK website.

Facebook
If you love a particular brand or store make sure you follow them on Facebook or even Twitter as there are lots of exclusive special offers and product news available for the fans of most of the high street brand. Sneak peeks will let you see what is coming up in advance both when it comes to offers and sales and new products. The new Facebook offers feature which is now open to popular brands means that there are regular opportunities to claim exclusive discounts.

Boxing Day Sales
Although this is post-Christmas chances are you will still need a dress or party outfit for New Years Eve! Instead OF planning too far in advance hold off until the Boxing Day sales start. With many stores such as Next offering cuts of at least 50% of their previous season’s collections which will include all of the Christmas party dresses and shoes it can be easy to get a full outfit for under £100 whilst still looking super stylish.

I am totally besotted with the new collection from Simply Be. Christened the ‘Must Haves’ collection, this is a plus size range that is both fashion forward and flattering. It seems that Simply Be have totally understood the needs of curvy girls who want to  enhance, rather than hide, their assets, but also want to disguise those parts that we are not so pleased with.

Hence the collection has dresses that actually have shape, with nipped in waistbands and knee-length skirts, but also have sleeves to hide the bingo wings. There are peplum dresses in stretchy fabric and fishtail tops that come in vibrant eye-catching colours that look great over skinny jeans, but also have that fishtail feature to hide the bottom.  And the collection has a varied range of colours shining through it, perfect for those of us (including yours truly) who love a wardrobe that echoes a rainbow, and does not want to live in dark shades every day.

The whole collection is absolutely perfect, so here are a few of my selected highlights.

Stud Detail Tunic Dress £48 click to visit Simply Be

Galactic Printed Cut Out Back Dress £55 click to visit Simply Be

Military Style Jersey Dress £40 click to visit Simply Be

Flock Baroque Pint Skater Dress £48 click to visit Simply Be

Bonded Lace Girly Dress £60 click to visit Simply Be

Animal Print Fishtail Top £38 click to visit Simply Be

Embellished Peplum Top £40 click to visit Simply Be

Click here to view the complete collection.

SIMPLY BE OFFER

Offer: 10% off for new customers *
Code: CQHC5
Dates: Live now

There are just so many great offers appearing online in the run up to Christmas, so each weekend I am going to try to share as many as I can with Fashion-Mommy readers. This week there are great money saving offers and sales from M&Co,who have up to 50% off a whole range of products. Monsoon has launched a 20% off deal, which can give you some decent savings on many items, whilst In Love with Fashion has 20% off partywear. Finally, A/Wear has launched a sale on all peplum styled items.

Monsoon

Pixie Peacock Embellished Jumper £55 click to visit Monsoon

Kaya Monochrome Fairisle Dress £59 click to visit Monsoon

Harlow Maxi £189 click to visit Monsoon

Monsoon has a special promotion running this weekend.

20% off Monsoon clothing

code: CHRISTMAS2012

Click here to visit site

M&Co Sale

Dogtooth pencil skirt now £12 click to visit M&Co

Lace print mesh detail dress £22.50 click to visit M&Co

Beaded collar blouse £22.50 click to visit M&Co

Faux fur collar coat £44.50 click to visit M&Co

M&Co Sale

50% OFF across Women’s, Petite, Plus, Lingerie, Kids & Kylie teen clothing ranges.

Starts 15th November 2012
Ends 25th November 2012
T&C. Selected Women’s, Kids’, Kylie and Lingerie lines only
All Women’s Jewellery  and Kylie Accessories also 50% off

Click here to view all sale.

A/Wear 25% off peplums

Gold Sequin Peplum Top £33 click to visit A/Wear

Black Bond Lace Peplum Top £22.50 click to visit A/Wear

Pretty Peplum Blazer £45 click to visit A/Wear

A/wear sale

25% off Peplum Pieces

Click here to visit A/Wear

InLoveWithFashion 20% off partywear

LOU LOU Black And Gold Sequin Cardi £44 click to visit Love

LOVE Ox Blood Velvet Cross Neck Cut Out Maxi £42 click to visit Love

LOVE Sequin Bodice With Black Chiffon Maxi Skirt £44 click to visit Love

To view all Love partywear, click here.