susiestickgirl.blogspot.com has moved!

Susiestickgirl.blogspot.com has got a new home! Yes, I've only gone and got myself a website! You can now find my bargain fashion blogs at my new address: www.bargainistafashionista.com - I hope you'll come and visit.

Whistle-stop shopping spree

I had a mini shopping spree at Whistles the other day. Well, with up to 75% reductions in the sale, how could I resist?

Three dresses and a pair of shoes later, I was only £160 down.

My best buy? These Chie Mihara shoes - reduced from £195 to £50. Their zigzag cut-out detail is right on trend with this summer's gladiator sandals. And I love how they ooze plenty of attitude. I feel fierce, aggressive and empowered when I'm walking tall in these!

Since Jane Shepherdson took over as chief executive at Whistles (following her departure from Topshop), the brand has slowly but surely reasserted itself on the high street. Previously, I would have shopped in Whistles for pretty tea dresses, but now the label offers new-improved design credentials, with pieces that are more confident, more stylish and more designer-led.

One angle of Whistles that's still going strong is its support of other designers. Shopping there is like visiting an exclusive boutique, with brands such as Sass & Bide, Velvet, Won Hundred, Unconditional and Alex Monroe stocked alongside Whistles' own label.

Which brings me back to Chie Mihara. This Japanese designer focuses on design, comfort and quality - and I could tell the minute I slipped on her shoes. Thoughtfully designed and well-made, my sandals are so comfy they make wearing heels a pleasure. At just £50, I think I've bagged myself an excellent bargain.

Utterly frilled

Remember the ruffled tote bags from Gap that I blogged about back in April? Well, I was thrilled to discover that the Liberty-print version for Gap's Product (RED) range (which went on sale last December alongside my Gap Mulberry Bayswater bag - see June's blog) has been wheeled out in the sale. Was £25. Now £6.99.

Made from Liberty's iconic art fabric, it goes without saying that the material feels reassuringly expensive. There's a handy inside pocket and the tote is completely lined. So yes, be swayed by the sturdy construction and quality of the bag, but let your head be turned by the pretty print, too (it reminds me of delicate oriental parasols). Cheap and chic.

The new LBD

If there's one think every girl should have in her wardrobe, it's a little black smock dress (LBSD). Why? Because it's so versatile. For starters, it's so easy to dress up or down. Plus, its shape is very forgiving - and easy to wear.

Right now, my favourite LBSD is this sleeveless cotton version from Uniqlo for £19.99 (which I've customised - but more of that later). With T-shirt trim around the neckline and armholes, it has a cool urban appeal that reminds me of Alexander Wang (a past collaborator for Uniqlo's Designer Project ranges). Plus, it's got hidden side pockets - a LBSD must. It's the perfect number to keep me cool all summer long. But if you find black too sombre for the heat, the dress also comes in white and cornflower blue.

As to how I've customised my LBSD, it's all down to a £1 piece of beaded ribbon that I found in a haberdashery shop. Originally destined to be the bib detail on a plain navy vest, my plans were scuppered when a shopping trip to Uniqlo resulted in one dress but no vest. But, thinking that my simple LBSD could benefit from a touch of embellishment, I got the needle and thread out and, a few stitches later, this is the finished result. I'm liking the black and navy combo a lot. And the understated elegant. Not bad for £21.

Love hearts

I've wanted a pair of heart sunnies ever since I saw Alison Goldfrapp wearing some Cutler & Gross ones at a gig a few years ago. Thankfully, there's been plenty of these Lolita-style sunglasses around since last summer - and I think I may just have happened upon the cheapest ones on the high street.

These are a mere £1 from Primark (or Primarni as me and my friends like to call it). At such a bargainous price, I snapped up a pair with white frames, too. If you're going to any festivals this summer, these are the ones to heart.

Full exposure

I do love COS. And I love it even more when there's a sale on. This rather plain and unassuming fine-knit top is my latest buy from there. With 50% off, it was just £9.50.

I was attracted to its classic-yet-modern style. It's the exposed zip that does it. Zips are on show everywhere right now, with everyone from 3.1 Phillip Lim to Whistles getting tough with zip details on pretty dresses and tops. It adds a gritty urban edge to saccharine-sweet designs, turning a practical element into a feature.

I'm thinking this new acquisition will look great under a skirt suit or teamed with jeans and a statement necklace. It's the perfect foundation for my autumn/winter wardrobe - not that I want summer to be over just yet!

It's good to be square

Remember I was looking for some chunky bangles to go with the braided bib-front cardie I blogged about back in February? Well, these ones from Banana Republic fit the bill nicely. And, at £19.50 for all four, that's less than a fiver each.

I've been meaning to write about Banana Republic for a little while now. This American brand hit UK shores last year, opening up on Regent Street in March 2008. Opposite COS and Liberty, it forms a little triangle of my favourite shops in London.

Banana Republic's clothes may look rather corporate at first glance, but if you look beyond the smart workwear, there are well-made, classic-with-a-twist designs to be had. We're not talking bargainista prices exactly but, based on cost per wear, the quality and longevity of its pieces mean you get excellent value for money. One of my most-loved dresses is a simple black silk with a latticework neckline that I've worn so often since last summer it is most definitely worth every penny of it's £95 price tag.

As for these bangles, being just shy of £20 isn't too expensive given their contemporary style and the fact that they look and feel far superior to cheaper high-street counterparts. Plus, you can wear them how you like - by the armload or solo - giving ample opportunity for various outfit combinations. Convinced yet? I hope so.

Free flip-flops (almost)

Summer wouldn't be summer without a pair of flip-flops and my all-time favourites have to be these LK Bennett ones. I love their traditional floral designs, which hint at classic Liberty prints, and the comfort factor, combining sturdy cotton with cooling rafia.

I discovered them a few years ago, when they were free with a magazine. Usually, free flip-flops tacked onto a women's glossy aren't much cop, but these LK Bennett pairs in pretty rosebud and floral sprig fabrics were surprisingly quite good quality. So good, in fact, that I've hunted them down on eBay and stocked up on some more. That's the beauty of eBay - there's always someone selling something that you may have missed out on first time around. And, while they were no longer free, I really didn't mind paying a couple of quid for them.

Gap Design Editions

Want Alexander Wang at high-street prices? Get yourself down to Gap first thing tomorrow morning. The latest Gap Design Editions initiative sees the American designer's twist on khaki, along with new up-and-coming label Vena Cava and milliner Albertus Swanepoel.

Collaborating with the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund winners, this is the third year Gap's Design Editions has helped to bring emerging US design talent to the high street. And we couldn't thank them more, as previous years have seen the likes of Rodarte, Phillip Lim and Thakoon reinterpreting the white shirt.

I've successfully managed to avoid tomorrow's stampede after bagging a ticket to a preview shopping event at Gap's flagship Oxford Street store this evening. And the first thing I made a beeline for? This gorgeous khaki dress by Vena Cava. Featuring design duo Lisa Mayock and Sophie Buhai's trademark hand-drawn prints, I love how the neckline looks like it's covered with heavy embellishment or chunky jewellery. And, considering they're one of the hottest name to watch, £48 isn't bad for a limited-edition piece.

Albertus Swanepoel (he's the US version of Stephen Jones), meanwhile, has recreated the sunhat in khaki with four cute designs. As for Alexander Wang, his urban take on khaki classics has resulted in two jackets, the ultimate khaki pants and the sweetest, flirtiest, super-short, pleat-fronted shorts.

Prepare for a designer collaboration sell-out!

Gap's Mulberry Bayswater bag

It was the Mulberry sample sale last week and, geared up with the promise of bargains, I got there bright and early. But, aside from some amazing Jonathan Kelsey for Mulberry ankle boots, reduced from hundreds to a paltry £75, the sale wasn't a steal.

I've been dreaming of snapping up the classic Mulberry Bayswater bag in oak at one of these sales... but nada. Although this time around, the mock-croc version was there for practically half price at £350.

Anyway, it wasn't until the weekend that I suddenly remembered I already own a Bayswater bag (sounds ditsy, I know, but I can explain). And not any old Bayswater at that. For lurking in my wardrobe is a limited-edition red-jersey number which went on sale in Gap as part of its Product (RED) range.

I still remember that cold, grey day in December last year when I joined a queue that snaked around the block at Gap's flagship Oxford Street store to get my hands on one of the 500 bags available. But it was worth it. At £95, it's a fraction of the price a normal Bayswater bag commands, even if it's not made of leather. Plus, the limited run gives it cult status - I knew I'd landed myself a good investment when I saw bags swapping hands for over £200 on eBay.

So, the reason my Mulberry bag has been languishing, forgotten about, in my wardrobe is this: it clashed with my red winter coat. Factor in the bad-weather conditions and the thought of toting around a bag that soaked up more rainwater than a pair of leaky shoes somehow just didn't appeal.

But now that summer's here, it's time for my Bayswater to make its first appearance. Isn't it nice when you discover something you've forgotten about? I feel like I've got a brand-new purchase and I can't wait to show it off. Yay!

Gilt-y pleasure

I've long admired this necklace. My friend Claire has one and every time she wears it, it just looks fabulous. It quietly makes a statement of every outfit it adorns (from party dresses to jeans and a T-shirt) and there's an antique feel to its tarnished-gold lustre.

She's had it for ages (we're talking previous seasons here so it's practically vintage!), so I was thrilled to discover it's back in the shops. So, want to know where to find this classic treasure? Good old Topshop. It comes in silver, too, while my friend Tracey (another early adopter) has it in black.

At just £7, how can you resist?

Hats off to Marc by Marc Jacobs

I thought I'd make it a hat trick of blog entries today with this, er, hat. Yes, I know it's the hottest weekend of the year so far, but this bargain was irresistible, even if I'm not going to be able to wear it until the autumn comes around.

This cute beanie hat by Marc by Marc Jacobs was just £3! Yes, really! It's from the 'Special Items' range at the new Marc by Marc Jacobs London store which opened last month. At 56 South Audley Street in Mayfair, it's just a stone's throw from the main Marc Jacobs store.

I've only just managed to make the pilgrimage there, but walking into the store is rather like entering a sweet shop - or a deluxe pound shop. As well as the Marc by Marc Jacobs fashion line, the store is filled to the rafters with Special Items. These bargain buys are too numerous to list, but range from cute lipstick pens for just £1 and heart-shaped compact mirrors for £3 to cotton tote bags with some playful/ironic Jacobs branding for £14.

If you're liking the beanie, hurry as there weren't many left - yep, they're selling like hot cakes, even when the weather doesn't demand it! Oh, and did I mention that the hat's reversible, too? I'm looking forward to working stripes one day and plain steely grey the next. One designer label, two looks - all for £3. It's Christmas come early!

Four buttons and a Breton top

As Hollywood's best-dressed hit Cannes last week, I decided to work a touch of Riviera chic myself. Cue more Breton stripes from Gap. This time, a cute boatneck style for just a tenner.

Inspired by a nautical version from French label Petit Bateau (which was 38€!), I raided the button tin I'd inherited from the Stickman's grandma Ellen and set to work customising my Gap number. Two navy buttons stitched into place on each shoulder and the top was transformed. Simple, easy and quick.

All it took was four little buttons to make this top my own. Plus, it's given a casual jersey an air of Gallic charm. Très chic, non?

This season's white T-shirt

You can't beat a cool white T-shirt when the temperatures are soaring. And this oversized tee from H&M fits the bill nicely. Here's three reasons why:

1. Its metal square embellishment taps into the futuristic trend - a look that's set to run from this season into the next. I love how the op-art pattern looks like giant paste gemstones from afar, helping to up the ante on the T-shirt's luxe factor.

2. Its generous sizing rocks an 80s vibe, too - harking back to the decade where XL T-shirts were de rigueur. Reaching down to almost mid-thigh length, it's perfect for pairing with floral leggings by day or wet-look leggings by night, especially if you opt for the black version of this tee.

3. It makes a cool minidress (if you dare!) - certainly for the beach and on holiday, if not on the high street.

Oh, and it's made of organic cotton, too. Not bad for just £19.99.

Smalls for small change

For a cheap treat, how about these cute cotton knickers from Gap? The pretty print reminds me of Orla Kiely's designs and the colours are so summery. At just a fiver (well, £4.89 after the VAT adjustment), they're also part of a 3-for-2 offer - or if you've got a copy of this week's Grazia (just £1), use the Gap 30% discount voucher to knock the price down to a mere £3.42.

If you're loving the print as much as me, there's a matching bra, camisole and shorts, too. Plus, the design pops up in Gap's beach collection, on everything from bikinis and swimsuits to sundresses. With more retro-chic colours to choose from, just pick and mix.

Fab finds for under a fiver

These two vintage bags have got to be my best bargains of the year so far. I got them both from eBay and, even with postage, they easily came in at under a fiver each. I kid you not! The tan leather satchel was just £2.70, while the black woven leather bag was a mere £1.24.

The adjustable strap on the satchel is genius - it allows me to use is as a shoulder bag or to carry it slung long across the body. With three compartments, one zipped, it's great for keeping my belongings neat and orderly.

As for the black bag, it may not hold much but I love its quirky charm. It's garnered many an appreciative glance and much comment, with people either wondering how to open it (the top flips up) or comparing it (favourably, I'd like to think) to a binocular case!

Their cool designs and gently lived-in state (a little worn, a lot loved) is what I like most about them - that and the price!

Little Blog Awards

I'm soooo excited! The Stickman secretly nominated my blog for the Little Blog Awards, run by Dorset Cereals, and my entry has been accepted. What a great surprise!

I'd love it if you could spend a few seconds to vote for me. As a thank you for voting, you could win yourself a whole case of yummy Dorset Cereal! It would be fun to win the prize trophy, or rather prize egg cup (with a seriously cute egg cosy!).

Just click on the egg cup below to vote...



Thanks so much! x x x

Pushing daisies

Excuse me if this comes across as a bit Gok's Fashion Fix, but I wanted to share my first make-do-and-mend project with you.

Take a plain bra and some lace trim and with a few careful stitches you've got yourself a pretty piece of lingerie. Easy! Or, to imitate Gordon Ramsay: Bra. Lace. Sew. Done. All in less time than it takes to make a cup of tea!

Whether you want an instant update for your existing underwear or need to buy bras on a budget, it really doesn't cost that much for nice undies.

This little project cost me just over £6 - for both the bra and the daisy lace trim!

Marks & Spencer is offering 25% off all bras until 25th May, so my already bargainous £15 two-pack was reduced by £3.75 and, after the VAT adjustment, it came in at £10.93 - that's just a couple of pence shy of £5.50 per bra!

As for the daisy trim, that was a mere 65p (£1.30 per m) from John Lewis. I was on the scout for a more luxurious lace, but couldn't scoff at such a cheap frill! I'm liking the mauve and white contrast (I tested the trimming wouldn't run in the wash by running a swatch under the hot tap first!). Maybe the second bra will have to benefit from a sexier (lacier) revamp, too.

Sweet hearts

Tried the Tabio heart tights with my M&S T-bars yesterday. Don't they look sweet? Thankfully, I didn't snag them, either. Phew! Am loving how the teeny-tiny hearts look like polka-dots from a distance. What a nice surprise when you see them close up!

I heart these

I had a bit of a mid-week splurge today. Blame it on the weather. One minute, it's gloriously sunny, the next it's cold and drizzly. It's just not warm enough for bare legs when the skies are having an off day, but not too cold for 60 deniers, either. Sheer tights are what I need.

So when I stumbled upon these sweet tights in the Tabio concession in Selfridges this lunch time, my heart almost skipped a beat. They'll look so cute with my M&S T-bars. Plus, they're exactly like the Viktor & Rolf for H&M ones (which came in red and in black).

At £8.50, they're not quite a bargain. But hey, 20 denier is the right direction towards bare legs and a teeny splurge of under a tenner doesn't really count, does it? Let's hope I don't ladder them on their first outing!

A word of advice: the sizing comes up small on this Japanese brand so buy bigger. And take your pick from brown and beige, too (although Tabio, red would be good!).

Summer dresses

There's nothing quite like the purchase of your first summer dress to bring the promise of sunshine, bare legs and good times ahead. Right now, my favourites are these from H&M.

I love the pop brights on the strapless number, the hidden side pockets and the price - just £24.99. Don't worry if a strapless dress isn't quite your style - the coolest way to wear this is over a tight white tee. Alternatively, with a little bit of sewing, you could turn the belt into a halterneck. This is the perfect summer festival frock.

As for the dress at the top, it's the graphic print I'm crazy about. Even more so, the pleat-front skirt. It's this tailored detail that makes the dress so special and worth every penny of it's £34.99 price tag. Oh, and the fact that it's got adjustable bra straps, a boned corset-style top and is fully lined. This dress is the perfect figure-shaper and definitely one for cocktail hour.

All that's left to do is add a tan!

Sale shoes

Finding a pair of shoes when the shops are awash with summer sandals is a bit of a nightmare. But, on the plus side, stores are likely to be doing the hard push on out-of-season footwear. Which is what I discovered in (whisper) Marks & Spencer.

On the hunt for simple black shoes to go with my outfit for a wedding this weekend, I trawled the whole of Selfridges, finding nothing more than a boring court shoe and hundreds upon hundreds of sandals. A last-ditch attempt to buy something, anything, led me to M&S, which is where I discovered these sweet leather T-bars from its Autograph range.

OK, they may not be über-stylish, but they are a classic that will see me through many a season. And understated and elegant is just what I'm after. I'm liking the red ones better, especially as they have a contrasting wooden heel, but they clash terribly with my wedding outfit (a 3.1 Phillip Lim dress with orange crocheted flowers, which sounds mad/bad but is actually the most beautiful dress I own - after my wedding gown, of course - and is an amazing bargainista story I'll have to regale you with at some point).

Anyway, I decided to take both red and black T-bars because they'd been reduced from £45 to just £19 a pop! So two pairs of shoes for less than the price of one seemed like a very good deal to me. Let's hope I can wear them in before tomorrow!

Cheap frills

One of my favourite sale buys this year is this cream cotton frilled tote bag from Gap (above left). I'd admired it all winter long, clocked the Liberty-print version for Gap's Product (RED) range at £25, and then somehow missed out on buying one altogether... until one day, sifting through the remnants of the sale, I found one lonesome bag, clipped onto a hanger as though it were an item of clothing. And what a bargainous sale find - reduced from £10 to £2.99! It's served me well ever since, being the ideal size for carrying magazines and carting around the overload that I can't fit into my handbag (umbrella, make-up bag, lunch...).

It's so good I'm tempted to buy another and this season's jersey version is very enticing. It is slightly pricier at £12.50, but you do get more fabric for your money as this time round the tote is lined. Plus, with Gap's 30% discount voucher valid from now until 4th May, you can bag yourself one of these cute totes for £8.75 (find the voucher at www.moneysavingexpert.com - Martin Lewis is my bargainista guru!). Obviously, with my love for all things in grey jersey, the plain one is a winner, but the stripy tote does look so summery. I think I'm going to have to have both!

Mischa Barton's wearing MY skirt!

When I saw this photograph of last night's pre-launch evening for the Matthew Williamson for H&M collection, I had to share it with you. The designer is pictured with Mischa Barton and she's wearing the skirt I bought! Doesn't it look cute? (Which is a darn sight more than I can say for the dodgy MW for H&M leather waistcoat she's teamed it with!)

Matthew Williamson for H&M

I love designer/high-street collaborations. For a bargainista fashionista, it means designer style at high-street prices. Stella McCartney for H&M? Yep, been there. Celia Birtwell for Topshop? Sure, done that. So when my friend Claire invited me along to tonight's pre-launch evening for Matthew Williamson for H&M, I eagerly accepted.

I have to admit, I'm not really a Matthew Williamson girl. Jade Jagger, Sienna Miller, Kate Moss - they all look stunning in his designs. But, personally, I find his collections a bit too loud and, dare I say it, a bit brash. However, this latest H&M collaboration, following on from last autumn's hugely successful team-up with Comme des Garçons, promises to be even bigger and better as it rolls out to 1,600 H&M stores around the world tomorrow, so I was curious to check it out.

Williamson has raided his design archives, reworking his most popular designs to product a 20-piece collection for H&M. And its launch couldn't have come at a more perfect time. With the sun shining in the hottest April this decade, this summer-perfect collection definitely set the temperature soaring. In Williamson's trademark fuchsia and cobalt-blue colour palette, with bold, bright prints and peacock-feather and butterfly motifs, think Ibiza, think colourful, think fun.

The star buy (judging by the myriad shoppers milling around H&M's flagship Regent Street store where the pre-launch event was held) was the colourful abstract-print sequin dress - a Williamson signature piece for a mere £149. Claire snapped up the butterfly tee (£19.99) and the turquoise cashmere cardie with embroidered peacock feather curling over one shoulder (£49.99). Also available in fuchsia, Williamson says this cardie is a reworking of a piece Kate Moss wore in his first-ever catwalk show.

And me? Well, I discovered this rather cute tulip-shaped skirt (£39.99). In a fabulously textured navy and gold brocade, it's got two discreet side pockets and doesn't scream 'Matthew Williamson', which I like.

Anyway, content with our purchases, Claire and I left with Pixie Geldof (she hopped into a waiting car, we carried on to the Tube) and walked smugly past the snaking queue that had grown around the block. Matthew Williamson for H&M goes on sale tomorrow at 9am sharp, so get there early!

PS. Williamson's next instalment for H&M, including bikinis (Ibiza here we come...), hits stores on 14th May.

Seen in the shops THIS lunch time

Inspired by the Alexander Wang T-shirt dress from theOutnet.com, I ended up in COS trying on this grey cotton-jersey version. I've admired it several times before for a number of reasons. Firstly, like cult blogger Susie Bubble of StyleBubble.co.uk, I, too, have a love for all things in grey jersey - and the grey marl of this one is the perfect shade of darkness. Secondly, the slightly batwing sleeves are a subtle nod to the 80s trend without being too try hard. And thirdly, the asymmetric pleat detail is oddly pleasing.

Now, I've overlooked this dress on previous occasions. I guess it's just one of those items that doesn't look that hot on the hanger. But wow, when I put it on in the changing room, it was amazing (and I should have shown a shot of me in it to get my point across - but I'm shy!). The asymmetry somehow works, giving the dress an edginess that looks both sexy and cool. Worn cinched in with a thin belt or loose, it works both ways, making it the perfect day-to-night number. I can also picture myself wearing it everywhere from the office to the beach, making it a versatile buy for £39.

As the April showers have shown up in full force, this T-shirt dress also offers the perfect excuse to slip back into tights again. For a touch of spring fever, I'm thinking the floral versions that are cropping up everywhere from River Island to Topshop will offset the grey nicely. My favourites are these Topshop ones in a vintage rose print for just £8.

Welcome to TheOutnet.com

As I may have already said once before, designer pieces with HUGE reductions is every bargainista fashionista's dream come true. So you'll understand why I was very excited to finally see the launch of theOutnet.com today.

My picks of the day were the cotton scribble-print dress by See by Chloé (soooo fun for summer), reduced by 50% from £93 to £46.50, and the black cashmere and jersey T-shirt dress by Alexander Wang (a timeless classic), with a massive 80% off from £210 to £42.

Needless to say, the best bargains were snapped up within hours of theOutnet.com opening for business. This is, after all, the discount designer fashion outlet from Natalie Massenet, the woman who founded Net-a-Porter.com, and it's set to redefine designer sale shopping as you know it.

Forget camping outside Selfridges waiting for the doors to open, the mad rush up the escalators and the frenzied search among instantly messy rails for that 3.1 Phillip Lim dress or that Stella McCartney jacket in your size. Now, thanks to theOutnet.com, you can go designer sale shopping 24/7, all year round, from the comfort of your home - with a plethora of labels (think Luella, Marc Jacobs, Christian Louboutin, Vivienne Westwood...) slashed by up to 80% just a mere click of the mouse away.

OK, the pieces are out-of-season, the availability is limited and, yes, you may recognise many of them from Net-a-Porter.com's previous sales, but as Massenet wisely states, 'Good fashion doesn't date' and it sure beats buying a bedraggled sale item that's been tried on by many and left limply hanging on the rail with maybe a make-up smear or a missing button.

For me, theOutnet.com is designer sale shopping from your sofa. And with no queues and no tussles, I'm sold.

Je t'aime

The dreamy print and subtle shades of this H&M smock dress instantly won me over. Faintly reminiscent of Marimekko's cowslip design, it stood out among a sea of plain-coloured fabrics in the shop. But the real clincher was that it looked like it could be a dress by A.P.C. The chic Parisian label does the loveliest simple-yet-pretty smock dresses, and this little H&M number had that je ne sais quoi about it.

At £24.99, it's a fraction of what you'd pay for its French counterpart, but you still get all the details: the fabric-covered buttons, the pin-tucking, the hidden side pockets... plus, it's made of organic cotton.

I have to say, H&M does a good line in organic cotton. It's really soft and nice to wear, it washes well and has great longevity, too. I've been a supporter of its organic cotton range since it launched in 2007 and my favourite steely-grey leggings (not too Lycra-y, nice thickness to the cotton, comfy ribbed elasticated waistband, super-long length) from its first collection are still going strong. Not bad for £9.99. So, H&M, if you're reading this, please make some more!

Sale bargains

I always find the Gap sale is perfect for stocking up on wardrobe basics. Breton stripes for £5.99? Well, if you insist. Navy cardie for £19.99? Oh, go on then.

You may have noticed that I've got a penchant for cardies. They're my wardrobe staple. I spotted this particular one back in February, when it was a full-priced £35, and noted its advantages: a sweet ruffled bib detail that keeps this classic from looking boring; a fine-gauge knit that ensures it's wearable from spring through to summer, and the versatility of wearing it either as a top or as a cardie (layered over long-sleeved jerseys, vests, dresses...). What's more, the colour is going to come in handy for working summer's nautical trend, too.

Which brings me to the Breton stripes. Every wardrobe should have a Breton stripe or two. And the scooped neckline, cropped sleeves and cheerful red of this Gap number just puts a smile on my face. As does the price, which is down from £10.

As a bargainista fashionista, you can't go wrong if you shop in the sales, especially if it's for wardrobe classics that aren't going to fall by the wayside when a trend reaches its expiry date. And I've hit upon another of my smart shopping secrets, too: be familiar with the shop's stock so you're ready to snap up your favourite pieces come the sales. I know it sounds obvious, but if you identify and try on what you like early on in the season, you're all set to snaffle it up in the right size when it hits the sale rail.

Seen in the shops THIS lunch time

If you're like me and fancy working this season's tailored look without looking too, well, smart, then this H&M jacket is just the ticket.

This is what summer tailoring should be all about. A neat, flattering cut that works in two discreet front pockets? Check. A lightweight cotton and short sleeves to keep you cool? Check. Smart but not corporate? Check.

In this season's neutrals, it's a snip at £16.99. OK, it might not be lined, but the seams are all overlaid with satin for a tidy finish and if you replace the button for a 'smarter' version, you'll never guess it was less than 20 quid.

While it's still spring, layer it over fine long-sleeved jerseys, then replace with delicate-print camisoles or longer-length vest tops to counter the almost cropped cut of the jacket. Just don't add a white shirt!

I'm planning on wearing mine with a ribbed white tank from Gap, the Uniqlo skinnies and Converse.

Kate Moss for Topshop

Remember the Poppy Liberty-print dress by Kate Moss Topshop that I mentioned at the beginning of March? Well, here's a sneak previous of Mossy herself modelling the sexy strapless number. It's £65 and goes on sale this Thursday.

I can't believe it's not butter-soft leather

This is for my friend Liv (and others like her, such as Stella McCartney). It’s a faux-leather bag. Yes, can you believe it really isn’t made of leather? Me neither. It looks and feels so realistic that I had to do a doubletake in Zara. It was only when I clocked the price – a bargainous £39.90 – that I knew it to be of the non-leather variety. But the quality makes its feel far more expensive.

I love the weave. I love that it can be carried in a multitude of ways (thanks to the fold-down opening and a detachable chunky woven strap). I love that it's so roomy. And I love that there are three inside pockets to keep my wallet, mobile and travelcard from getting lost at the bottom of the bag. Most of all, I love it because it looks luxurious without the price tag. And Liv, it comes in cream, too!

Gap sale

Do you remember that sweet little red Gap cardie that launched the beginnings of this blog? Well, if you were smitten with it, too, I've got bargain news for you - it's gone into the Gap sale and is now only £24.99!

Its heavier knit may seen somewhat cumbersome now that the sun is out and March is proving to be so mild, but, oh, isn't it worth buying for those cute bows alone? And, if the colour - what I'm now terming Rykiel red - doesn't do it for you, well, get it in chaste cream instead.

Lara Bohinc sample sale

I love sample sales. Designer items at hugely reduced prices? It's a bargainista fashionista's dream! So when I heard about the Lara Bohinc sample sale (on today and tomorrow) - with reductions of up to 90% - I was there bright and early.

I have to admit, I'm not actually a very good sample-sale shopper. The sheer amount of bargains to be had often overwhelms me. This sample sale was a case in point. Even with jewellery from £50 and heavily discounted wallets and handbags, nothing particularly screamed 'buy me, buy me' enough for me to part with my money (my friend Marina got a beautiful black patent bag with chain straps for £180 though). Instead, I ended up delving into the £5 bargain box and walked away with the five pieces of 'tat' (as the Stickman called them when I showed him my treasures) pictured above.

They may seem like 'tat' to him, but to me there's potential in these broken pieces of jewellery. For example, the rectangular item is a cast-off piece of belt. I'm picturing it as a brooch or maybe a belt buckle. And the broken bracelet in the centre? I'm all for mending it some way, somehow! So, watch this space and see what magic I can work. I've already turned the piece in the top left corner into a necklace...

COS I love it

With bursts of yellow popping up everywhere as clusters of daffodils and branches of forsythia, it wasn’t surprising that my eye was drawn to this citrus-bright skirt in COS. The zingy colours and the textured silk make it such a standout piece and one that I want to celebrate spring in. Plus, it works this season’s block-colour trend perfectly. The elasticated waistband means I can twist the skirt around to wear the coloured panels as I like – I'm thinking the side lime patch would work well at the front for one look and at the back for another. I can’t think of a better buy to liven up my wintry blacks and greys. And, at £45, it’s a luxe buy that will take me gently from tights to bare legs.

I love COS (aka Collection of Style). I love the understated designs, the cut of the clothes, the fabrics (soft combed cotton, fine-gauge knits, silk, cashmere, leather...), the quality and the price (very good value for money given the aforementioned pluses). And I love the fact that because there's only three UK stores at present (at London's Regent Street, Westfield Shopping Centre and Covent Garden), it retains that exclusive factor... for now.

As H&M's upmarket sister store, COS launched last year with a brief to offer classics with a contemporary edge, focusing on fabric, fit and finish. Well, it does that in spades with simple, chic clothes that are well designed and well made. COS makes your wardrobe basics feel sophisticated and stylish; it offers contemporary classics at their best. Which, by my book, makes it a hidden gem for bargains on the high street.

Seen in the shops THIS lunch time

My friend Em and I were wedding-outfit shopping today when we spotted this gorgeous clutch in Topshop. Its combo of florals and snakeskin (faux, I hasten to add) made us instantly love it. Taking turns to model it in the shop, we agreed that it’s definitely a head turner and one that will garner much admiration. All for just £25.

Accessories are an easy way to work spring's floral trend and this clutch gives the perfect lift to a plain outfit (like this season's block colours and neutrals). The realistic-looking snakeskin gives the bag an expensive edge and it's roomy enough for all those wedding essentials (confetti, camera, lipstick...). So, my advice is take a leaf out of the bride's book and carry something floral.

Why I'm a skinny girl

I know it's all about the flared jean right now, but I'm staying loyal to my skinnies. They're a wardrobe staple. They go with heels, boots and trainers, they can look both dressed up or dressed down (depending on how you style them) and, if you get the right pair, they flatter your waist, bum and legs all in one hit.

This month, I’ve mostly been wearing my new blue straight skinny jeans from Uniqlo. I got them before Christmas when they were on offer for £19.99 instead of £24.99 and completely forgot about them until I found them under a pile of laundry (whoops!). I’m so glad I discovered them as they’re now my favourite skinnies. Not so leggings-tight or as dangerously low-waisted as my former faves (Topshop Moto Baxters in washed-out grey), they’re perfect for concealing any signs of a muffin-top, are the ideal length to wear with my Converse and – the reason why I’m practically living in them – they’re the softest and most comfiest of denims.

If you fancy getting in on the skinny, they’re on offer again! And, for spring, Uniqlo has expanded it skinny range to include a rainbow selection of 10 different colours (from white to pink to green to blue to purple to orange). These aren’t on offer, but at £24.99, they’re still a great price. And, if you get the April issue of Glamour (£2), there’s a 20% discount voucher!

Liberty prints by Kate Moss

Remember that I mentioned a few weeks ago that Kate Moss was collaborating with Liberty on her next Topshop collection? I promised to keep you updated, so here's the latest scoop. Mossy has reworked three iconic Liberty prints from the store's fabric archives and used them for her latest range, due to hit Topshop and Liberty on 2nd April.

Here's a sneak peek at Kate's new designs (her ninth collection for Topshop), with the Liberty prints 'Kate Nouveau', 'Lilabell' (named after Kate's daughter Lila) and 'Poppy' adorning a camisole, full-length gown and strapless dress respectively. See you in the queue on 2nd April then?

Seen in the shops THIS lunch time

It's all in the detail. Those extra elements that turn an ordinary piece into something special. Such as the delicate cobweb-like crochet around the neckline and cuffs, and the row of dinky buttons down the back on this sweet smock top. These finishing touches really luxe up a high-street item and makes it look more expensive. So, when you see the price tag's just £24.99, your H&M buy is even sweeter.


And take this H&M top in this season's neutral colour palette. It's the satin origami-style folds at the front that really sells it. Which is why it's a steal at a mere £14.99. Add a blazer and some peg-leg trousers and you're good to go.

There, I've just imparted one of my bargainista fashionista secrets to smart shopping. Details matter. So, to get the most out of the high street, look for clothes with finishing touches - detailing that turns cheap into chic. But, remember, it has to be the right detail: think luxe not tacky, classic not trashy.

While I'm sharing my shopping wisdom, here's another hot tip: versatility goes a long, long way. Clothes that suit a variety of occasions, which can be dressed up or down, or which can be worn a number of ways make a good-value purchase.

Which is why the H&M smock top is a clever buy. Wear it with the buttons down the back (as intended), with the buttons down the front, unbuttoned over a vest top, with a contrasting tee underneath so the colour peeks out between the crochet, or over a bikini when you need to cover up from the sun (yes, I'm already dreaming of my summer wardrobe!). Just taking you from spring to summer makes it versatile enough, but with a plethora of ways to wear it, you get a whole lot more wardrobe for your money.

Oh, and if summer's on your mind, too, you may like the cream version of the smock top. Let me know how many different looks you can get from it!

Seen in the shops THIS lunch time

Now bear with me on this one as, at first glance, £250 isn't exactly a bargain. But, if like me, you're hankering after the classic Chanel 2.55 bag (which commands a four-figure price tag), then trust me, this Jaeger Bond Clutch is a close match.

In quilted leather not too dissimiliar to the Chanel version, this bag has this season's key detail: a chain strap. The added bonus is that the strap is detachable, turning this elegant shoulder bag into an oversized clutch. And the hardware is not bad either, with discreet Jaeger branding and a fabulous locking mechanism that's very satisfying to use.

And, if £250 is really too much to spend, you don't have to. Jaeger is currently offering £50 off when you spend £250 - which by my calculations takes this chic bag down to a cool £200.

When you think you could get four or more Jaeger Bond Clutches for the price of one Chanel 2.55 bag, it seems just that little bit more of a bargain. Hell, I'll take the Bond Clutch in purple, too!

PS. For an absolute steal, Topshop's faux-leather version of the classic quilted bag comes in at just £25.