Morning ladies & happy Sunday. You may recall a couple of weeks ago I mentioned I was off to work on an exciting project & that I would let you know in a couple of weeks what I'd been up to. Well today's the day I can share all the details!
I was recently asked by intu Derby if I would like to visit their shopping centre & take a look at what they had to offer & report back on some of the items that caught my eye during my visit. Needless to say I didn't need asking twice! One of the things I love most about my job is spotting the 'new in' pieces I feel are going to sell out fast & there's nothing better than hitting the shops with a client & helping transform their wardrobe & in return see their confidence & love of fashion grow. So a day spent shopping is my idea of heaven.
Now I've never shopped in Derby before but getting there couldn't have been easier. It took us approximately an hour & 15 minutes & isn't far off junction 25 off the M1. Alternatively if you'd rather travel by train, Derby Station is only an approximate 10 minute walk away. I don't know about you but whenever we go somewhere new I find it's always a worry that parking might be an issue but we parked straight away & found the car park to be well lit & with generous sized parking spaces & I have to say the actual shopping complex was so lovely & bright with a real airy feel.
As part of my brief I was asked to visit six stores, starting with All Saints, a brand I've not actually bought from in the past as I'd presumed that I was getting a little too old for it. How wrong was I?! There was so much in store that I could have bought & whilst I'd presumed their clothing would have more of an edgy I was really impressed by the tailored & well cut timeless pieces on offer.
I absolutely loved this lace top that has a separate camisole underneath & is also available in cream. So much so it was hard to leave it behind, although it is now on the wish list & as we all know you can never have enough pretty neutral tops ;-)
The next item to catch my eye was this stunning stud detailed tailored coat. Now I originally fell in love with style of coat last winter as I found them so much easier to wear than a bulky winter coat & they remind me so much of a blazer, that I suppose it would have been pointless trying to resist! But this coat has to be tried on to be believed. Yes I fell in love with the stud & leather detailing but the cut of the coat is so flattering that this may have come home with me ;-)
I also tried on this gorgeous oversized double breasted check blazer with the Lula Nisha Top & a pair of All Saints high waisted skinny jeans.
Before I go any further I must say how incredibly helpful all the staff were (& no before anyone says it none of the stores were aware of my visit). In fact every store I went in I came out saying how friendly & helpful they were.
I must admit I was sort of dreading going into All Saints as I presumed I'd feel uncool but that was far from the case & like I said the staff really couldn't have been more friendly or helpful. Two of the assistants even offered for me to try their blazers on so I could see the difference in fit to the above jacket. That does come up oversized. I tried the 8 on which was too big, a 2 which unbelievably fit but was a tailored look & then the 4, which again fit but I ended up going with a size 6 for a more oversized feel. Unfortunately this was sold out in store but the assistants managed to place an order online for me with free delivery to my home & even though it was showing as sold out in my size they checked stock availability at other stores & reassured me that one would be sent from another store. So like I say they really incredibly helpful & friendly, especially considering it I visited on a Saturday, which is no doubt one of their busiest days.
Then it was onto Debenhams Beauty, who had a great array of brands on offer & I happily whiled away some time visiting the various stands & trying out some of the latest products.
Including the new Chanel matt lip crayons. I was very tempted by the above nude pink shade Discretion.
Along with all the beauty products I also enjoyed trying out some new perfumes including 'Tiffany' by Tiffany & Co, which has the most gorgeous musky floral scent.
As well as looking for an anniversary present for hubby, including one of his favourite aftershaves, which is quite a spicy scent that is not only one of hubby's favourites but also mine!
Then after enjoying all things beauty it was on to Phase Eight, again another brand I haven't bought from in a while but I have to say ladies if you're needing a special evening or occasion outfit they've got some great pieces. Including this incredibly flattering jumpsuit, which is available in a wide range of colours & would make a great stylish addition to any wardrobe, not to mention perfect for the festive season, which is fast approaching! You might be wondering why I've got a glass of bubbles in my hand in the above picture. Well luckily for me the store were holding an event later in the day & they very kindly offered me a glass of bubbles whilst I tried my picks on & of course it would have been rude to refuse ;-)
As well as their special occasion dresses I was also incredibly tempted by some of Phase Eight's knitwear, including the above batwing jumper.
As well as the above stylish star jumper, that again has lovely batwing sleeves.
Together with the above asymmetrical one that would be perfect teamed with leather leggings.
Or these jeans that I'm actually wearing with all of the above jumpers. I wouldn't have thought to look at Phase Eight for jeans but these are a great fit & have stunning gold button detailing to the ankle.
My next stop took me to Marks & Spencer, where I immediately spotted the above stunning outfit. There's probably no need to explain why I love this tailored statement jacket teamed with a leopard print shirt & cigarette pants is there?!!
With coat season fast approaching my visit also gave me the opportunity to try on some of Marks' coat offerings for the season & all of the three I've featured I'd happily make room for in my wardrobe.
All look far more expensive & don't scream Marks & Spencer in a good way. Real timeless stylish wardrobe staples that would look as good dressed for the office as they would with your weekend wardrobe.
You could even perhaps change the buttons on the above peacoat to some gold brass ones to make it truly unique.
And whilst walking through their accessories department I couldn't resist taking a closer look at the above studded bag, which would create a great understated statement to any look.
Then it was onto Zara, a store most of us love & are often tempted by their latest offerings. The stand out pieces for me were this tweed detail coat with timeless shirt & leather effect leggings.
Plus of course this leopard print coat, which seeing as leopard print is the print of the season, if you've been tempted & never got round to 'clicking the button' then this is the year to be brave!
My final stop was for refreshments at Carluccio's, one of my favourite restaurants to eat out in. I mean who could resist the Italian food, especially when it's a fresh & as tasty as this. I don't know about you but I can never resist buying a couple of pieces from their in store food hall as it's far too tempting & tasty.
Calamari Fritti
Garlic With Provolone Cheese Focaccia
Sicilian Spritz
If you've never tried their garlic with provolone cheese focaccia then you must, it seriously has to be one of the best garlic breads I've ever had & I've tried a few. Equally their Sicilian Spritz is perfect for washing it down & consists of Tanqueray Gin, Limoncello, Lemonade & Prosecco.
In fact it was so good I may just have had to have a second to enjoy with the rest of my meal ;-)
You can see the rest of my picks as well as the other dishes we enjoyed at Carluccio's over on my Stories on Instagram here & also on Intu Derby's website here & Instagram here.
Back to today & we're off out for lunch, so perfect timing to break out one of my new purchases from my shopping trip :-)
Blazer - All Saints *
Top - Marks & Spencer *
Bag - Chanel
Leather Leggings - Massimo Dutti
Shoes - Sole Bliss *
Shop My Style
Blazer - All Saints
Top - Marks & Spencer
Bag - Love Moschino
Leggings - Next
Shoes - Marks & Spencer
So ladies anyone live near Derby or visited intu Derby? I don't know about you but sometimes I think it makes a nice change to visit a new shopping centre & make a day of it with a spot of lunch & a casual walk round the stores instead of visiting your normal town & after my recent visit I can highly recommend intu Derby. I honestly don't think I've ever visited somewhere that's a clean & bright not to mention filled with such helpful & friendly shop assistants, so it certainly won't be our last visit. If you'd like to see more highlights from my day at intu Derby, together with some of my shopping tips then take a peek here.
Enjoy your day ladies & as always I'll see you in the morning.
Please note some of the links contained on my site will be affiliated & should a purchase be made via such a link it may result in a small commission being paid.
* Items gifted or bought with a gifted gift voucher.
This post was written in collaboration with intu Derby.
* Items gifted or bought with a gifted gift voucher.
This post was written in collaboration with intu Derby.
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