Affordable Summer Essentials from House of Fraser

Now I don't know about you, but House of Fraser has always been my go-to shop for something fancy. If I've got a wedding/Christening/big birthday coming up, I'll head to straight to the department store, safe in the knowledge I'll be able to pick up a gorgeous dress, or beautiful clutch.

The store hasn't, until now, always been on my 'must shop' list when I need, say, a handbag for work, or a new pair of sensible flat shoes. Sure, it's somewhere I'll happily go to browse the latest make-up must-haves, but somehow I always up up in Boots, where the beauty treats work out that bit better value thanks to my trusty Advantage Card.

Good news for people like me, then: people who are just after something that bit more affordable. House of Fraser has recently branched out to include items from high street retailers like Dorothy Perkins, Jane Norman, and Warehouse among its online shelves of higher end pieces.

Naturally, I just had to have a look at the site and pick out a couple of things:

Dorothy Perkins yellow satchel 

My bag collection, in fact my wardrobe in general, was practically crying out for a spot of cheery colour. So when I spied this vibrant yellow satchel (a bargain at £22) from Dorothy Perkins over on the House of Fraser site, I just had to snap it up.

I have something of a thing for statement earrings at the moment, so I headed to the jewellery section of the site and picked up this vintage-looking pearl-esque beauties from Jane Norman. Are you a fan?

Like sites like ASOS, House of Fraser is now a one-stop-shop (quite literally, really) for all your fashion needs - both high street and luxury. Perfect if you're looking for a new outfit for an upcoming event, eh?

I'm not always a fan of hitting the high street to get caught up among other frantic shoppers all trying to cinch a wedding guest dress just days before the event itself, so this is ideal.

Will you be checking out House of Fraser and its new high street offerings? Seen anything you like the look of?

Disclaimer: This post has been written in collaboration with House of Fraser. I have not been paid to write this post, neither am I affiliated with the brand in any way. All opinions are my own and 100% honest, as always.

Win: A Pair of Shoes from Cloggs.co.uk!

If you're looking at your shoe collection and thinking it needs a refresh, you're in luck! Today on A Lauren to Herself I'm bringing you a chance to grab yourself a pair of shoes - any pair you like - from Cloggs.

The site is an absolute haven for shoe lovers - they don't call it the 'Home of Footwear' for nothing, let me tell you. They have everything from these stunning white and floral print Ted Baker heels (below), to those stylish white ankle boots with cute wooden heel (also below).

But the great news is, if you win this here competition, you have your pick of the site. You could go for cool and comfy Converse, killer heels or casual flats. It's entirely up to you. You'll have £60 to spend, which makes you free to have a nosey around the site, picking your favourite pair. Heck, you could even get two pairs for that!

So, what do you have to do to be in with a chance of winning?

Rules of entry are simple, just see below. And don't forget to let your shoe-loving pals know, too. You could even enter on behalf of a friend and really make their day if you're lucky enough to win. Go for it - and good luck!

How to Enter

* Subscribe to my blog via Bloglovin (link in the right hand side bar) or find me on Facebook

* Leave a comment below telling me why you'd like to win the shoes

* Enter before noon on August 8

A winner will be selected at random via an online random number generator on or after the closing date and the lucky person will be notified soon after.

Ready to Bare All?

Oo-er. I don't mean like that - you saucy lads and lasses, you. But what I am on about is getting those pins out; perhaps exposing a bit of mid riff - that's right, holiday time is here. Even if you're not off to foreign climes, you can kick back and relax in the garden and enjoy the super hot temperatures we've been treated to lately.

According to George at ASDA (not the man, the brand - although I'm sure there's more than a few Georges who work at ASDA!) there's plenty of choice when it comes to choosing what to pack for your summer hols.

I'm bringing you this post in association with the supermarket, as the people behind the shop tell me there's plenty of gorgeous summery prints to tempt you this summer, with tropical-esque garments a plenty.

You'll find tropical prints and bright shades on everything from tops, dresses and bikinis, with the Latin spirit from the World Cup having a real influence where summer clobber's concerned.

Here's some pieces to look out for...

Vibrant summer staples from George at ASDA

Now, anyone who knows me will know I rarely wear pink, but there's something about this summery selection (above), which just transports me to a gorgeous tropical isle. Fuchsia pink doesn't work so well with my pale skin, but I've always thought vibrant shades like this the epitome of summer, and I love this crochet bikini top from ASDA above. In fact, take a look around the ASDA site, as you'll spot plenty of bikinis from George I'm sure you'll want to throw in your suitcase ahead of your summer hols.

This palm tree pencil skirt is perfect to pop on with that bikini top, and who can resist those coral jelly shoes for a spot of nostalgia. I used to live in jelly shoes like this as a kid, and I'm toying with the idea of getting another pair. Never mind that I'm now in my 30s. Groan.

Whether you're heading to Ibiza for a fun boat party, or relaxing here in good old Blighty at a quaint spot like the Chocolate Boutique Hotel, you'll be glad of these beautifully bright summer pieces.

Have you checked out the range at George at ASDA yet? Seen anything you like?

Disclaimer: This post has been written in association with George at ASDA. All views and opinions are my own, as always, as well as 100% honest.

Beauty Treats from Oriflame

With each season, I raid my wardrobe, pulling out all the bits and pieces I know I won't wear until the next one rolls around. This is as much about organising my clothes as it is making the most of a small flat. Then, out come the storage boxes and in goes my clobber, ready to be stowed away under the bed.

I do the very same with my make-up bag. OK, so I don't store unused stuff under the bed (I haven't quite got that much make-up!), but I do like to add a few new colours and products to suit the seasons.

In winter, I add plum, berry and scarlet lipsticks to my cosmetics stash, breaking out the pale pinks, corals and pastels in summer.

So it was great timing when, earlier this week, some pretty new summery products from Swedish brand Oriflame made their way into my hands...

Oriflame The ONE products - essentials for your summer make-up bag

While Oriflame's a brand I haven't had the pleasure of trying (until now), my Mum (who's bought from the brand in the past) tells me the products are lovely to use and reasonably priced. A quick glance on the Oriflame website confirms that, as always, my dear old Mum is right.

Pretty compacts featuring candy coloured bronzing pearls sit alongside vibrant nail polishes and even sleek-looking perfume bottles over on the Oriflame website. My Mum's spot on about the prices too, with most of the items coming in at around the £7 mark.

So, here's my thoughts...

The ONE Volume Blast Mascara

The products were kindly given to me by Stefanie over at Faith PR, who's recently won an account with the Swedish brand. Upon handing over this mascara - a new product to the brand's The ONE range - she told me it was a great product. With high hopes, I combed it through my lashes that very same day and was impressed with the results. Offering amazing volume in just a couple of coats, this has fast become a staple in my make-up bag.

The ONE Colour Impact Cream Eyeshadow in Shimmering Steel

I rarely wear eyeshadow, only sweeping on a subtle colour on evenings out. But after dabbing my finger in this deep grey cream eyeshadow I was blown away by the pigmentation. A little of this goes a long way, and even applied with the fingers it offers a sultry-looking smokey eye, perfect for day or night. I'll definitely be using this one more often.

Oriflame The ONE Illuskin Blusher in Pink Glow

The ONE Illuskin blusher in Pink Glow

This product immediately stood out, due to its pretty ombre effect and its gorgeous pink/coral shade - just up my street. Pigmentation-wise it's good, offering a subtle flush of colour for a gorgeous glow. Well worth a look!

Oriflame Gloss Booster lip gloss in Sugar Glaze

I've been wearing this lip gloss religiously for the last few days; it works equally well on its own as it does over a more vibrant lip shade, and its staying power is excellent. It's a tiny bit on the sticky side, but it offers a lovely sheen to the lips and smells like sweets - bonus!

Oriflame Gloss Booster lip gloss

If Oriflame's make-up is anything to go by, I'm sure the brand's skin care line is also a winner - and if you haven't checked out either, why not pop on over to the site and pick up a few products? I'll certainly be checking out a few more. Next on my wish list: this handy little eyebrow palette, and The ONE kohl eyeliner pencil.

Have you tried anything from the brand? I'd love to know what you think? Any product recommendations?

Disclaimer: These products were given to me for review consideration. I have not been paid to write this post, neither am I affiliated with the brand in any way. All opinions are my own and 100% honest, as always.

Picnic-ing!

I must have known today would turn out to be gorgeous weather-wise, as a few weeks ago the Mr and I booked a day off work. Just call me Telepathic Theresa. 

So, here we are, getting ready to head onto the patio (no grass for us, I'm afraid) for a picnic. We've gone all out; a bottle of wine, some M&S nibbles, and two individual desserts (ooh, I do love an individual dessert - let me at it!) for afters, and I fully intend to get a dusting of sun on my milk bottle white face.

But I won't be heading out without the iBeani, which made its way into my hands via a friend of a friend who's recently set up a company making these convenient little tablet holders.

I mean, who'd have thunk it, but what a splendid invention. Behold....

Bottom left: They're right, it really does hold your tablet securely. And your book, for that matter! (bottom right) 

I picked this red corduroy number - I love a spot of red - and I intend to put it to full use this afternoon. After finishing off my latest read (Veronica Henry's A Night on the Orient Express - well worth a look if you're after something to get stuck into on your summer hols, by the way), I'll be catching up on a few emails on my new tablet.

I've also recently entered the 21st century and joined that there Instagram, so I'll no doubt be having a flick through people's life in snaps, too. 

So, why get an iBeani, then? They fit iPads, Kindles and all other tablet devices, and because I often get arm ache holding up my book in bed (I know, I know) this has answered all my problems. Those relating to sore arms, anyway.

You can also adjust the angle to exactly how you'd like it. And guess what else? The iBeani contains a handy pocket, too. You know, for storing your memory cards. Or lip gloss. Ahem.

In short, the iBeani enables you to free both hands, in the office, car, on the sofa - or really anywhere you use your tablet device. There's also a 100% money back guarantee for those who aren't that convinced of its usefulness. But trust me, you'll be sold.

Don't forget to find the brand over on Facebook!

Right, I'm off for some mini quiche and a cool glass of something lovely.

Disclaimer: This product was given to me for review consideration. I have not been paid to write this post, all opinions are my own and 100% honest, as always.