Friday Treat: An M&S Round Up

All the cool things, none of the tat...

[unpaid/affiliate] I must admit that I was very excited about the M&S collaboration with Bella Freud but in the event, it was a bit of a damp squib and I didn’t buy anything at all. The slogan sweatshirts that Bella is famous for were just nothing-y and not nearly edgy enough to be cool. Same with the Sienna Miller collection – the day I need to step out in a white wool suit hasn’t ever yet come and I’m not expecting it any time soon.

But, good news! A new Anya Hindmarch x Uniqlo collaboration has been announced for November 21^st – it’s completely wearable featuring jumpers, gloves, hats and scarves that we need far and above a silk slip dress. Anya relies on embroidery over sequins so all the items have a cute pair of eyes as their distinction.

Last year’s Anya x Uniqlo collaboration was an on-line bun fight – by the time I got to the site at a reasonable 8am, most of the items had already gone because the site went live in the small hours. I ended up buying some items from their US site, having it shipped to my friend in Arizona and ended up paying an extra £50 in postage. The one thing I really wanted was the grey cashmere polo neck sweater but that had long gone. However, my sister, who had randomly been awake in the middle of the night when the site went live snapped me one up and gave it to me for Christmas – best present ever because it was the last thing I expected.

Collaborations like these are keenly watched by eBayers who buy as much as they can to sell and make a profit on. Within hours of the Anya x Uniqlo launch, eBay was rife with items. But, just FYI you can buy iron on embroidered eyes very easily on Amazon. Just saying.

Friday Treat this time is again M&S heavy but they’re none of the usual suspects from collaborations. Take this sequined shirt, £99 HERE – only 500 of them available and that’s all there will ever be. Not only that, but it’s gorgeous – utterly, delicately lovely. I’d pair with faux leather jeans, a Uniqlo bra top and some chunky boots but if you prefer tailored trousers and heels that will work just as well. Don't forget that you can access the M&S Beauty Advent for £50 if you buy any of these things - it's got a £350 value. 

Bear with me on this – I know that you might think you’ll look like you’ve been Bacofoiled but I promise you won’t with the right accessories. I love this shirt – I have one in black from a while ago it’s the most sexy thing I think I own. Style wise, I’d always wear this metallic shirt open, shacket style, with a white vest top underneath.

I’d also sling as many long chains as I have in gold and silver round my neck to add an additional break up of intensity of the silver. Bottoms can be anything from a mini-skirt, floor length satin skirt or black trousers of any variety. Go big on bracelets, too. It's £39.50 HERE.

These midnight blue (or black), high waist skinny jeans with just a touch of sparkle are perfect if you’re more of a minimalist with party-wear. They just bring a touch of magic to everything you wear, from chunky knits, sweatshirts or a white shirt and black blazer. They’ve got stretch which I always love because it means they’re never uncomfortable.  They're £32.50 HERE.

This dress! There’s something Vampire’s Wife about the style of this beautiful black dress – it’s flowy, lacy, sheeny, fabulous for curves and somehow rather sexy - a bit of a snip at £55 HERE. Wear it minimally with dark nails, chunky boots and the reddest lipstick you can lay your hands on or throw on a Madonna-style bejewelled cross necklace such as Ranee’s Colourful Cross, £70 HERE, at Wolf & Badger.

Finally, the one place that the colour burgundy can't drain every last drop of good health from your face is your feet. Burgundy is the colour of the season, very hard to wear but because it's equally at home with denim, camel or black these leather Chelsea boots pay attention to the trend without someone calling 999. They're £69 HERE in sizes 3-8 but size 4 and 5 are already gone. They’d be fab with the black dress.

I know I said finally, but I've this moment discovered that there's a Scotland candle in the M&S Light Up Candle range - in my basket faster than you can say Dundee because it's perfect for my Scotland dwelling sister in law. 

There are more options - I think I bought the Paris one for myself last year but this year it will be the Townhouse. Not only do these smell beautiful (fresh and citrussy) but they look glorious when they're lit. Best yet, they're £10 each (adds another to basket....) HERE.