Giveaway - Win A Wonderbra

This may not be the most Christmassy of posts, but I'm back with another bra review courtesy of Debenhams, and I have to say, I think this one might be the best yet! As always, my UK readers will have the opportunity to win the bra in a giveaway at the end of this post. If that's not a great start to the new year, I don't know what is!

As most of you probably know by now, I'm working with Debenhams on their #knowyoursize campaign, which aims to spread the word about the importance of going for regular bra fittings. It's amazing what a huge impact the right size bra can have on your figure, and as a result, on your confidence. A staggering 8 out of 10 women are wearing the wrong size bra, so if you haven't been measured for a while, I highly recommend it! If you're based in the UK, you can't go far wrong by popping into your local Debenhams and heading straight to their lingerie department. The service is free and their fitters are well trained and friendly. I personally had a great experience at their flagship store on Oxford Street, which you can read about here if you like.

So, onto the latest bra they've sent me for review - the Wonderbra Ultimate Deep Plunge Multiway Bra.* Well known for providing a fantastic "boost" to your assets, I've always found Wonderbra to produce attractive underwear and this is definitely no exception to the rule. Not only is this bra incredibly sleek looking, with its smooth lines and minimal satin trim, it's also pure genius. Completely seamless and cut breathtakingly low at the back as well as the front, this is the bra your plunging dresses and wrap around blouses have been crying out for.

Debenhams says:

"Unique patented technology offers unrivalled support and the famous Wonderbra cleavage. A must-have bra for deep and plunging necklines. Experience an endless irresistible cleavage and the sexiest effect you have ever had.”

As if that wasn't enough, the multiway straps allow you to wear this as a regular bra, strapless or crossed over at the back. Basically, no matter how challenging that new party dress you've bought, this bra is equal to it.

I've worn this out on a couple of occasions now and it feels comfortable, but reassuringly firm. It features boning in the centre and at the sides, so although the band sits quite low, the cups mold themselves to your cleavage and hold you in place. This is definitely the most useful addition to my collection for a while and I know it's going to come in handy for a long time to come.

Fancy winning one? Here's what you need to know!

• This giveaway is UK only
• The prize is for the Wonderbra Ultimate Deep Plunge Multiway Bra only
• The bra is available in sizes 32-36A, 32-38 B-D, 30-38DD-F and is worth £35 - the winner will have a choice of black or nude, but, as always, the prize is subject to availability
• The prize is non-transferable, non-refundable and non-negotiable. No cash alternative is available
• Debenhams Retail PLC will not be liable for any prizes which are lost, delayed or damaged in the post for reasons beyond their control

Enter here, and best of luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Are you a Wonderbra fan?

Kate x

 *Item gifted for review. All opinions, as always, are my own.

Christmas Gift Guide - The Huge Homeware Edit

Today I have one last Christmas gift guide for you, just in case any of you still have shopping to do. (I still have and I'm trying not to panic!) I've decided to dedicate this one to homeware. Some of you might remember that I moved house this year, so I have decorating on the brain! I've picked a real mixture of things from some of my favourite homeware stores, so hopefully there's something here that takes your fancy, whether you're still shopping for presents or maybe looking to treat yourself.

1. Zara Bathroom Accessories Set - How chic are these?! 

2. Zara Glass Jar - I'd store cotton wool pads in this and keep it on a bathroom shelf.
3. Zara Dish - Perfect for jewellery, trinkets or keys.

4. Zara Faux Fur Blanket 5. Zara Tray 6. Zara Embroidered Cushion Cover 

7. Zara Mother of Pearl Photo Frame - Zara Home photo frames are my favourite! 

8. Zara Lantern - How beautiful would this look next to a fireplace with a big candle burning inside? 

9. Zara Jug 10. Zara Mirror
11. Next Glasses - I actually own these, and they're gorgeous.

12. H&M Tray 13. Zara Lamp - The perfect bedside lamp.
14. The White Company Hand & Nail Gift Set 15. H&M Salad Servers
16. The White Company Pomegranate Candle - Almost too pretty to burn.
17. The White Company Mirror
18. The White Company Faux Fur Throw - Possibly more luxurious than the Zara one. Definitely more expensive!
19. H&M Cushion 20. The White Company Oven Dish
21. The White Company Bed Linen - Fit for a swanky hotel, or your bedroom. 22. H&M Candle
23. Next Tea Towels -  Cute as a stocking filler. 24. Zara Mug
25. Next Bed Linen - Two sets in a pack, both reversible. 26. Homebase Wall Clock
27. Dunelm Mirror - I have this as well! Love it. 28. The White Company Rug
29. H&M Carafe - Looks way more expensive than it really is.
30. Zara Photo Frame - Did I mention I love Zara photo frames?!

Well, that wraps up my final gift guide of 2016. Will you be giving anyone any homeware themed gifts this Christmas, or hoping to receive any yourself?

Kate x

Christmas Gift Guide - One for the Boys

A couple of weeks ago, I published my Beauty Lovers' Christmas Gift Guide. Since I think most girls aged 15 to 150 would find something they like there, I've decided to dedicate this next one to all the gorgeous men in our lives. After all, men are notoriously harder to shop for, right? I've put a mixed bag together here, so hopefully there's some nice ideas that would work for anyone's partner/dad/brother etc. There's also a mix of price points and brands, although I do feel I should apologise for the amount of Hugo Boss stuff I've included - it's a favourite of my husband's, and, apparently, of mine!

1. Howick Jumper - I love buying knitwear for Mike at Christmas, as it's something he doesn't often buy for himself. This style is so classic I think it would suit most guys, and it's available in grey as well if you're not crazy about the blue. A "goes with everything" winner.

2. Sony Headphones - If he commutes to work and hates it, these could help. They're noise cancelling, wireless and have an impressive battery life. I think they're quite stylish too, and reasonably priced compared to some other brands.

3. Clinique For Men Gift Set - This set has a face scrub, soothing aloe shave gel, a face wash and a moisturiser with SPF, all wrapped up in this smart toilet bag. Very handy for travelling. 

4. Skate Hut New Era beanie hat - You can't go wrong with a beanie hat. Classic, warm and cosy and definitely a necessity throughout the winter months! I really like the colour of this one, and the flecked detail.

5. Linea Scarf - To go with the hat!

6. Ray Ban Sunglasses - I know I would love to receive sunglasses as a gift, so I'm sure guys would too! Ray Ban is always a surefire people pleaser, whoever you're shopping for. 

7. Hugo Boss Kimono Robe - There's something a little bit James Bond about this dressing gown, no?!

8. Hugo Boss Gloves - Real leather gloves always make a nice little luxurious gift at Christmas time. These are wool lined and I like the cuff detail - perfect for keeping his wrists warm.

9. Professor Puzzle Tangram - No, I didn't know what a tangram was either. Apparently it's a brain teaser, where you take all these wooden shapes out of a frame and then attempt to fit them all back in again. I think puzzles make a nice change as a gift, and they can come in handy on Christmas Day when people get bored!

10. Hugo Boss Watch - A slightly swankier gift, yet this is still reasonably priced considering how nice it is. I really love the simplicity of this style and think a lot of guys would love it.

11. Hugo Boss Holdall - This is expensive, but would last a lifetime. My husband has something similar to this and loves using it for weekends away. (I, on the other hand, need a full size suitcase and a massive tote bag.)

12. Hugo Boss Socks - Always useful, always smart. The perfect stocking filler.

Are the men in your life difficult to buy for? What will you be getting them this Christmas?

Kate x

*This post is in collaboration with Skate Hut. All opinions, as always, are my own.

Party After Party

 

One of my favourite things about Christmas is the parties leading up to it. I love the glitz and glamour of a smart venue, getting together with friends for a natter and a giggle over drinks and nibbles, and of course, the excuse to get glammed up! I've always loved the ritual of getting ready for a night out - to be honest, for me it's as much fun as the event itself. In my ideal world, that ritual involves a bubble bath and a glass of champagne, followed by hours wrapped in a silk kimono while I apply scented body cream, do my nails... you get the picture.

In reality, there might be time for a quick shower before I throw my dress on and go straight into the hair and makeup. Everything else needs to be done the night before, or else it probably isn't happening!

I was really excited when Boohoo invited me to their Christmas party at the W Hotel in Leicester Square this year. It sounded like a fantastic venue, I'd get to say hi to a few bloggers I'd met before, and best of all, plus ones were allowed, so I was able to bring my sister with me. Boohoo also very kindly offered to gift me a dress for the occasion. What more could any girl want?

Preparation began a week or so before with my favourite tanning routine. The dress I was going to wear was quite demure, but there was still going to be a bit of flesh on show, so I wanted a bit of a glow. Often, instead of a regular fake tan, I'll use Dove Summer Revived for a few days leading up to an event. It's much less hassle to apply and gives a similar effect if you let the colour build up over a few applications.

Next, nails. I always find that manicures take me the longest time to do, and there's nothing worse than rushing it and going out with a smudged nail (first world problems!) Often, I'll give myself a mani pedi the night before an event, so I have time to do it properly. This time, I went for the shade I'm Not Really A Waitress by OPI - a gorgeous ruby red with a pearlescent finish that's just perfect for this time of year.

As my dress was black, I decided to go for a red lip, and in fact the makeup I ended up wearing for the occasion was very similar to the look I posted here. The biggest difference was that I used Mary Lou Manizer by theBalm as a highlight instead of Mac Soft and Gentle, as it packs a bit more of a punch. I didn't do anything different with my hair - just curled it like I always do and applied half a can of hairspray to protect it from any weather related mishaps on the journey there.

With my dress being quite simple and understated, I allowed myself a little bit of sparkle when it came to accessories. The gold clutch bag and ring are years old, but I did treat myself to some new shoes from Topshop. How gorgeous are these? The shape of them is just perfect, and I'm completely in love with the beautiful embroidery and ballerina style ribbon ties. I honestly think the detail on these makes them look so much more expensive than they really are, and thanks to the block heel I can actually walk in them too! They're also available in plain black velvet and a sort of mermaid-esque shimmer finish. The embroidered ones are definitely my favourites, but given how amazing the shape is I'm seriously tempted to buy the plain black as well.

Of course, in the middle of getting ready, you need to take a quick break to check social media. It's compulsory.

Then put your shoes on...

Dress* - Boohoo, Shoes (Reduced to £40!) - Topshop

And when you're finally ready, you need to take a blurry as hell mirror selfie. Because otherwise, you're missing the point.

Haven't Boohoo done an amazing job with this dress? It's so pretty and easy to wear. I felt like a princess in it, but also super comfortable. I actually don't think the pictures on the website do it justice. Because Boohoo clothes in general are really affordable, it does leave you wondering about the quality, but I was pleasantly surprised when I received this. The dress feels weighty and soft to the touch, and I love the sheer striped overlay on the skirt. At just £25 I think it's a brilliant buy, and I'm tempted to snap it up in another colour, possibly the white.

The party itself was so much fun. Held in the glamorous and very cool nightclub on the first floor of the W hotel, the atmosphere was buzzing. There was champagne aplenty, and all sorts of delicious food to snap up as it whizzed by on trays, including adorable mini cones of fish and chips. There was a photobooth, fabulous glittering face paint, great music and more. The following set of photos was taken by Boohoo, so thanks to them for allowing me to share them here, not to mention inviting me to such a great party!

I didn't steal the balloons. Honestly.

When the night was finally over, I was so happy I'd invested in this Zara Faux Fur (featured in my Coat Wishlist) to cosy up in on the way home. Not only did it look great over the dress, it worked equally well over jeans and a jumper the following day. This is yet another piece that looks and feels so much more expensive than its price tag would suggest, coming in at well under £100.

Have you got any Christmas parties planned in the coming weeks? And if so, what are you going to wear?

Kate x

*Gifted item. All opinions, as always, are my own.

How to Smell Like a Snow Queen - Beautiful Perfumes to Wear This Winter

Taking the seasons into account when it comes to perfume is something of a new thing for me. I've always had a fondness for floral fragrances, and in the past I've tended to wear my favourite scents all year round. Lately, though, I've been branching out and trying different things, and I've noticed myself reaching for the perfumes in my collection that have more warmth and depth to them now that the weather is colder. I thought I would share those with you, as well as mention a couple of others I don't happen to own right now but think are perfect for this time of year.

Black Opium - Yves Saint Laurent

Before I owned this fragrance, I lusted after it for the longest time, gazing at it longingly every time I popped into Boots and dropping countless hints to my husband/mum/sister/whoever happened to be with me at the time about upcoming birthdays, etc. I wound up being given both the original and the eau de toilette last Christmas, and then for good measure received the Nuit Blanche version at a press day a few months later. All three are gorgeous, but if I had to single one out as the most "wintry", I'd go for the original. A heady mix of black coffee, white florals and vanilla, it's a strong, sexy and highly addictive fragrance.

By Invitation - Michael Buble

Christmas without Michael Buble is like the tree without fairy lights. Well, maybe not, but this gorgeous fragrance definitely lends itself beautifully to the winter months. With sparkling red fruit top notes and a warm base of amber and vanilla praline, this is definitely going to be my go-to scent for Christmas parties this year. I wrote a detailed review of it here in case you'd like to know more.

Mimosa and Cardamom  - Jo Malone

Ah, Jo Malone - the queen of fragrance. I love everything she does. Mimosa and Cardamom surprised me - I thought it was going to be strong and spicy, but instead it's quite delicate. This is definitely an all year rounder - light and fresh enough to wear through the summer, but with a beautiful creamy depth that seems to work perfectly in the colder months as well. While we're on the subject of Jo Malone, there's another two perfumes from the brand that I don't currently own but think are perfect for winter. One is Amber and Lavender -  musky, opulent and exotic - and the other is Pomegranate Noir, which is possibly the most sophisticated sweet fragrance I have ever come across, laced with the faintest hint of spice.

Vetiver Insolent  - Miller Harris

The strongest and most distinctive perfume I own, winter is a great time for this to come into its own. Again, I reviewed it here if you're interested in checking it out in more detail, but essentially this is an earthy, spicy combination of bergamot, amber, vetiver and tonka bean. If you like your perfumes to be a talking point and/or totally unique, this is one for you.

Do you change up your perfumes according to the seasons? And which ones are you loving right now?

Kate x

Christmas Gift Guide - The Beauty Lover's Edit

Well, hello! It's been a while. How is everyone? I've been so busy with work over the last couple of weeks that I haven't had time for my blog - definitely not the way I like things! But I'm back today, and seeing that it's now just over a month till Christmas (gulp!) I thought I'd throw a little gift guide your way.

I'm not sure how many of these I'm going to get around to doing this year, so I'm going to get a beauty list under my belt straight away. Can't go wrong with beauty, right?! This post has not been sponsored in any way - I've just had a nose around the festive offerings of some of my favourite makeup and beauty brands and collected a few ideas to show you. Let's start with the makeup, shall we?!

1. Urban Decay Full Spectrum Eyeshadow Palette - I spotted this at the launch party of the new Urban Decay flagship store in Carnaby Street the other week, and I couldn't take my eyes off it. It's so beautiful, like a rainbow! While it might not be as useful as the Naked Palettes, if you're a lover of brights this would make a wonderful gift. Urban Decay shadows are well known for their outstanding quality, and this palette contains 21 shades - more than any other UD palette, apparently. I'm particularly drawn to the mauve and burgundy shades.

2. Make Up Forever Artistic Smoky Eye Set - I'm a big fan of Make Up Forever's Excessive Lash mascara. It's fabulous for both length and volume, and fans out the lashes beautifully. This set gives you a mini tube of it, together with two mini Aqua XL eye pencils for £14. As one full size eye pencil retails for £15, I'd say this makes a great value gift.

3. Charlotte Tilbury Mini Lipstick Charms - For £29, you can get this adorable set of Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution travel size lipsticks in the shades Red Carpet Red, Very Victoria and Amazing Grace. As if that wasn't enough, each lipstick has a little bow on the lid so you can tie it to the Christmas tree. Sounds like my kind of ornament!

4. theBalm Balm Appetit Palette -  I love my Nude 'Tude palette from theBalm and have been really impressed with its quality. The shades in this Balm Appetit palette look so pretty, and they're versatile too. There's a selection of mattes, shimmers and foils and they can be used wet or dry.

5. Mac Nutcracker Sweet Peach Face Palette - My next three picks are all from the Mac Nutcracker Sweet collection. It's fair to say I'm a little bit obsessed. How gorgeous is this face palette? It contains an Extra Dimension blush in At Dusk - a warm rose shade - and a stunning Extra Dimension Skinfinish in Tutu - a pearlescent pink-peach. 

6. Mac Nutcracker Sweet Red Lipstick Kit - Mac lipsticks are always a winner, and the special edition packaging of these is just so cute. This kit comes with four minis, and in my opinion there's not a dud shade among them. The four on offer are Lady Danger, Diva, Rebel and Mac Red.

7. Mac Nutcracker Sweet Warm Eye Compact - I know, another eyeshadow palette. But this one really is a thing of beauty. Featuring nine eyeshadows in warm caramel shades, it literally looks good enough to eat and, I think, would be universally flattering. To be honest, the smoky palette from the same range is also stunning, but there was something about the warmth of this one that drew me in a little bit more.

1. Lush Christmas Bathtime Favourites - My favourite products from Lush are definitely the bath bombs, bubble bars and melts, so a box packed full of them makes the ideal Christmas present in my opinion! This one boasts some real gems, including Butterbear, Golden Wonder, Mistletoe, Northern Lights and lots more.

2. The Body Shop Spa Of The World Luxurious Body Collection - The Body Shop's Spa of the World range feels deliciously indulgent to use, and this gorgeous box would make the perfect gift for anyone who loves a good pamper night. It contains Japanese Camellia Cream (one of my favourites - light and velvety on the skin with a beautiful, subtle fragrance), French Lavender Massage Oil, Egyptian Milk and Honey Bath Milk and African Ximenia Scrub. I would have a hard job handing this over if I bought it as a gift for someone!

3. Caudalie Mix And Mask Trio - Face masks are an essential part of any pamper night, and this Caudalie set has everything you need for a nice little multi-masking session. There's a natural clay detoxing mask, a glycolic peel to brighten and a moisturising mask too.

4. Zoeva Rose Golden Luxury Brush Set - Wouldn't this be lovely to open on Christmas morning? I don't own any Zoeva brushes, but always admire them whenever I see them online. Every brush in this set looks really useful, and they're so pretty too! I love the addition of the handy and oh so attractive rose gold bag.

5. The Best Of L'Occitane Gift Set - Consistently one of my favourite brands, this gift box from L'Occitane contains a selection of their best selling products, including the Shea Butter Hand Cream, Almond Milk Concentrate and Cherry Blossom Shower Gel. A lovely present for any L'Occitane fan or the perfect introduction for a beauty lover who might not be familiar with the brand.

So there we have it - my first Christmas Gift Guide of 2016! Anything here you might ask Santa for?

Kate x

Caudalie Resveratrol Lift Face Lifting Soft Cream

Caudalie is one of those brands I seem to constantly hear good things about, but have never got around to trying for myself, so I was excited to get the chance to test one of their new launches, the Resveratrol Lift Face Lifting Soft Cream*, a few weeks back. It's a moisturiser which forms part of the Resveratrol Lift firming, anti-wrinkle range.

Designed as a light day cream, the product contains nourishing grape seed oil, plumping hyaluronic acid and firming resveratrol. Caudalie claims that it will firm the skin, smooth lines and wrinkles, and nourish and soothe to give a more youthful appearance.

The packaging is very pretty, from the shiny, light pink box with its etched floral design to the glass jar with silver lid that contains the product itself. There's even a little spatula to use to avoid getting germs from your fingers into the jar.

There is a very light, pleasant herbal scent to the product - so light, in fact, that you don't really notice it at all unless you deliberately smell it. The texture is also light as air, just as promised, and it sinks effortlessly into the skin once applied, which is perfect for a day cream when you don't want to wait ages before moving on to makeup. Basically, this cream is a delight to use.

As for the results, I'm going to make the same disclaimer I usually do here because I think it's important to stress that I'm already using a skincare routine that works well for me, and this cream has replaced just one of the products in that routine. I'm still using the skinChemists products I reviewed here in the evenings, and as I documented in that review, I had already experienced firming effects from them. That makes it hard for me judge how well the Caudalie cream performs on that score, although I can say that introducing it as my day cream hasn't resulted in my skin feeling less firm.

However, in the four or so weeks I've been using this, I do feel as though I have noticed a slight softening of my fine lines. While this could be in part due to The Body Shop British Rose Plumping Mask, another recent addition to my routine (and a lovely moisturising mask if you're currently looking for one), I don't think I've been using it regularly enough for it to take all the credit. The Caudalie Soft Cream, however, I have used every morning, and I'm confident that a lot of it is down to this.

I've really enjoyed using this day cream and am very happy with the results, so it's definitely one I can see myself repurchasing in the future.

Are you a fan of Caudalie? If so, which other products do you recommend?

Kate x

*Item gifted for review. All opinions, as always, are my own.

21 Winter Coats That Won't Break The Bank

Did everyone have a good Halloween? Any fun parties and cool costumes? I went out for Sunday lunch, so not exactly much to do with ghosts and ghouls, but it was very nice nonetheless! 

I guess the next thing on the cards is Christmas - I don't know what it's like where you live, but here in my local town the decorations are already up - and of course the weather continues to get colder and colder. So I thought it was about time I started looking at winter coats, and naturally I've decided to share some of my favourites with you.

There's a little bit of everything here. Smart and casual, practical and fabulously frivolous. Apart from one, though, they are all very affordable, and in fact the vast majority of them are well under £100. So have a little browse, and let me know which one's your favourite!

Wool/Wool Look

For me, a classic wool (or wool look) coat is an absolute staple in my wardrobe. You can throw them on over anything and they always look smart. Coats with a very high wool content tend to be pricey, so realistically I'm not going to have a huge selection of those. Luckily the high street brands always come up trumps with gorgeous lookalikes, like these.

1. Missguided Grey Coat, £50 - A classic, belted style that would look good with everything. I love the light grey colour - makes a nice change from black.

2. Boohoo Double Breasted Coat, £40 - Camel coats never go out of style, and this double breasted one from Boohoo looks sharp, sleek, and definitely more expensive than it actually is.

3. New Look Faux Fur Collar Coat, £59.99 - This one looks so cosy, but chic at the same time. I love the faux fur collar!

 Military

Military coats seem to be on trend year after year, and I for one don't think I'll ever get tired of them. There's something about the sleek lines and brass buttons that's just effortlessly stylish.

1. Missguided Black Military Coat, £55 - This coat is a trench with a military twist, which I think is fabulous. Perfect for milder days.

2. Zara Military Jacket, £89.99 - I think this one might be my favourite of the three. As well as brass buttons, it has just enough decorative piping to add interest without looking like it might actually have been worn during the Crimean War. Gorgeous.

3. H&M Double Breasted Jacket, £69.99 - This looks almost identical to a jacket I bought from Zara last year. The only difference is, this one is more versatile. You can detach the fur collar and open out the lapels, which gives it a very different look. It's practically two coats in one.

Faux Fur

Is there anything more glamorous than a faux fur coat? Absolutely heavenly to snuggle up in, plus they make you feel like an old Hollywood star. What's not to love?! I've chosen all three of these from Zara, as I feel like their faux fur looks the most luxe of all the high street stores.

1. Zara Sand Faux Fur Coat, £79.99 - I love, love, love the colour and texture of this one. You could wrap this around you on chilly evenings like a very luxurious blanket.

2. Zara Black Faux Fur Coat, £89.99 - This one is a little sleeker. Just imagine this over an evening dress, with red lipstick. Perfect.

3. Zara Multicoloured Faux Fur Coat £229 - The most extravagant coat I've picked out. And probably the least classic. But just look how beautiful it is!  If you're looking for a serious statement coat, this one fits the bill and then some.

Leopard Print

Leopard print coats are definitely having a moment this season. Yes, they can look a little tacky if you're not careful. I also think they can look amazing - it just depends on which one you pick and how you wear it!

1. H&M Leopard Print Coat, £79.99 - This one is my favourite - I think it's such a chic take on the leopard print coat. I love how H&M have styled it here too, leaving it open to show much more understated clothes underneath. It does come with a belt, though, if you wanted to wear it wrapped around you on cooler days.

2. Zara Leopard Print Coat, £69.99 - A slightly "louder" leopard print than the H&M one, but the simple lines keep things looking elegant.

3. Topshop Leopard Print Collar Coat, £65 - If you can't face full on leopard, the cute collar on this Topshop coat is a nice way to dip into the trend.

The Duster Coat

Ah, the duster coat. A very popular piece I've yet to experiment with. I think the length of these has always put me off - being 5'3, they'd realistically only work on me if I was wearing heels. Also, they're pretty thin, and I get cold, so I've always thought they weren't that practical. However, I've fallen in love with these. They're all from Missguided and are basically the same coat, but the different colours lend each one a different character. They might not be the warmest coat out there, but I do think they look elegant, so maybe they'd work for car to bar situations?!

1. Missguided Khaki Duster Coat, £35 - Loving how they've styled this one with the mid blue jeans and the leopard print bag - such a lovely, rich combination of colours.

2. Missguided White Duster Coat, £35 - I saw Josie from Fashion Mumblr get this in a recent haul. She talked about wearing it for smart evening occasions with a gold belt, and I thought, "this girl's a genius." What a lovely idea!

3. Missguided Pink Duster Coat, £35 - Like the khaki one, I'd probably wear this with jeans, but the softer pink shade gives it a completely different, much more girly vibe.

Casual Jackets

Sometimes you don't want a full on coat, so it's always nice to have a selection of jackets to suit different occasions. These are just a few I currently have my eye on!

1. Boohoo Parka, £55 - I'm not a fan of parkas as a rule - it's not a look I can really pull off on a day to day basis. However, they're usually warmer than wool coats, and perfect for more casual occasions when you're going to be outside for any length of time and it's freezing - country walks, bonfire night, etc. The faux fur trim on the hood of this one adds a touch of luxe, and I love the colour of it against the khaki.

2. River Island Aviator Coat, £90 - I absolutely love this jacket. I think it's fabulous! Imagine how gorgeous this would look over a black polo neck. It looks a million dollars - no one would guess this was River Island and not designer.

3. Zara Bomber Jacket, £79.99 - It's burgundy. It's velvet. It's embroidered. And it's a bomber jacket. Need I say more?! OK, strictly speaking, it's not real embroidery. Zara calls it patchwork. Personally, I think it's applique. But who cares? It's bloody gorgeous, and ticks so many of this season's trends in one go it makes me giddy just looking at it.

Something A Little Bit Different

Because sometimes it's good to step outside our sartorial comfort zone!

1. Missguided Faux Wool Cape, £50 - I've never worn a cape, and I can't help thinking the whole fabric draped over arms situation might drive me crazy, but I just love how chic this looks. If you're a "cape person" I would love to know, are they comfortable to wear? Can you actually move your arms? Enlighten me!

2. Zara Embroidered Coat, £119 - Now this actually is embroidered and it's so pretty. Despite the embellishment it's still completely wearable, and I love the nod to one of this season's most feminine trends. If you wanted to wear a scarf with this you could keep it tucked inside so you're not covering up the decorative yoke. This would look great worn day to day with jeans, but I also love what they've done here with the over the knee boots.

3. River Island Grid Print Coat, £115 - I love the grid pattern on this coat and the grey and pink colour combination as well. This just offers a fresh spin on the traditional, belted wool coat.

So, do you see anything you like here? Will you be adding any new coats to your wardrobe this winter? If so, what do you think you'll go for?

Kate x