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.

Liberty prints for less

With last weekend's unveiling of the new-look Liberty store in London, Liberty prints are hot news right now - not least with the latest incarnation of Nike Dunks in the store's famous fabric (so cute!).

The high street has been having its own love affair with Liberty prints, with both Gap and Topshop offering exclusive designs in Liberty fabrics. While the latter has gone all boudoir chic with everything from bras and knickers to bustiers and bloomers in saccharine-sweet florals, the former has put classic pieces in Liberty prints. And, the good news is that Gap is discounting its Liberty collection as part of its 'seasonal clearance' (yep, new stock was only just rolling into the stores a fortnight ago and now there's already reductions in store!).

My favourite is the dress above, reduced from £60 to £35. It nips in nicely at the waist and comes in a more abstract pattern than the more familiar florals. Liberty itself is offering 50% off this 'Poplar' design, so at £9.98 per m, you could run up some matching garments (bloomers perhaps?).

Gap has also turned the Poplar print into a pretty button-front skirt, down from £45 to £19.99, while its Liberty-print blouses are now all £19.99, too. There's also Liberty-print shirts for men, including the one above, which are a steal at, yes, you've guessed it, £19.99. Reduced from £45, they're a fraction of the price tag a Liberty-print shirt commands in the store itself.

PS. Kate Moss is getting in on the act, too - the supermodel is teaming up with Liberty for her next Topshop collection. I'll keep you posted!

Seen in the shops THIS lunch time

This is becoming a bit of a Friday thing, but still, do you want to know what caught my eye this lunchtime? This cool photographic flower-print skirt from Topshop. It must have been the clement weather and the promise of spring just around the corner that drew me to its pretty-as-a-canvas florals. With its muted greys and bursts of bright colour, it's easy to see why the sculptural mini version of this prom skirt has been selling out fast. Personally, I think this more demure length offers greater versatility - wear it with black opaques now and bare legs come summer.

At a reasonable £35, teamed with a plain white tee and a blazer, it definitely has the wow factor.

And, if the sculptural or prom styles aren't for you, Topshop also offers this photographic rose print as a pencil skirt with a frilled peplum detail. Va-va voom!

Seen in the shops THIS lunch time

OK, it's been a week since my first blog (maybe this should read 'Seen in the shops this Friday'...) and yes, it is another cardie with cropped sleeves, but isn't the bib detail adorable? That and the braiding around the buttonholes make it look a whole lot more expensive than it actually is (a bargainous £15.99 from H&M after a 20% promotion!).

A surefire sign that it really is gorgeous was being asked by a style-savvy girl behind me in the queue for the tills where I'd found it in the shop before she dashed off to get one!

The sleeve length is perfect for showing off this season's chunky bangles - I'm thinking wooden ones will look good against the cream. And, to luxe up the cardie further, I'm going to replace the rather plain buttons for prettier vintage ones. My best Friday find so far!

PS. Happy Valentine's Day for tomorrow x x x

Seen in the shops THIS lunch time

I've blown it on my very first blog entry. As a bargainista fashionista, my aim is to alert you to the latest affordable fashion this season and to share with you my best finds.

But I fell in love this lunchtime... with this adorable red cardie from Gap. Was it the bright scarlet? The cute bows around the neck? The three-quarter-length sleeves? Or the comforting look of homespun knit? For £39.50 my happiness was sealed.

Not quite a bargain, but not credit-card busting, either. It's an investment: I'll be wearing it layered over long-sleeved tops while the snow's still falling and teaming it with pretty tea dresses come spring. Plus, the fact that it reminds me of my favourite Sonia Rykiel pieces makes me love it just that little bit more.