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Are You Ready For Autumn?

August 28th, 2009 by Cate Sevilla

Burberry Fall-Winter 2009 . 2010 Ad Campaign 2.previewThere is a definite chill in the air these days.

The sun is going down earlier, and we’re currently about to embark on our last bank holiday weekend of the Summer.

Autumn is nearly upon us.  And do you know what that means?

SHOPPING.

There’s nothing I like more than a change in the weather, and a need to go out shopping for a new coat and scarf and all of the other glorious fashion accessories that you can only wear in the colder months.

No matter what papers tell us, the recession doesn’t exactly *feel* over, and we’re all still trying to watch the pennies, and look fabulous for less.

Obviously, Bicester Village is the perfect place to find a bargain on some of your favorite designers and brands, without breaking the bank.  So, if you do head over to Bicester Village for your Autumn shopping – what should you focus on?

Here are my top five items everyone should have for the Autumn months…

1) Trench Coat

A mid-length, lightweight trench coat is the way to go. Autumn can be both brisk and warm at the same time, so you don’t want to be stuck on a day out lugging around a massive winter coat, when it’s sunny out. Trenches are also perfect for layering – so while they’re not terribly thick, they’re perfect for wearing jumpers, long sleeve T-shirts and cardigans underneath!

To find a trench coat that fits your style at Bicester Village, why not check out Luella, Karen Millen, French Connection, or Burberry?

2) The Perfect Scarf

The Scarf is probably the best fashion accessory of all time. Who doesn’ t love a cozy, colorful scarf? While July and August proved to be hot and humid to be scarf-friendly, late September and October are prime scar wearing months. The trick is to find a scarf that is long enough to be wrapped around your neck or shoulders for warmth, but that is still thin enough to wear tucked into your new trench coat or just as an extra bit of warmth while wearing a cardi.

Make sure to pick something that’s colorful yet neutral, and can be worn with different outfits. Or, find a scarf you like and buy it in more than one color.

Hunt for your perfect scarf at Cath Kidston, Burberry, Vivienne Westwood or Monsoon!

3) Killer Boots

For me, the first time I can slip my favorite knee-high boots back on, I know Autumn has arrived. Finding the perfect pair of boots is essential to the colder seasons, and finding a boot that fits your calf and your personal style is a must. Make sure to find a boot that you can either dress up or down, and above all else, make sure it’s comfortable! Keep in mind if your boots are leather, they will stretch. When trying them on, also make sure that you’ll be able to wear them with tights, leggings, or skinny jeans tucked in, if that’s what you intend to do with them!

Look for you new boots at LK Bennet, Jimmy Choo, Clarks or Timberland.

4) Travel Mug

Let’s face it, those early morning commutes when it’s cold and dark and quite dreadful. Therefore, why not spice it up by bringing your morning cuppa, latte or herbal tea with you on the train? Having a travel mug with you can not only warm your hands up, but having you favorite morning beverage with you on your commute can be quite a treat. Even if you’re only walking or driving to work, I find bringing a hot beverage with you in on your way to the office is quite nice.

For your perfect travel mug, make sure to check out Bodum or Starbucks!

5) Cozy Candles

While Samantha on Sex and the City may claim that “women with candles have replaced women with cats as the new ’sad thing’ ” – we know better. A stormy autumn evening spent wrapped up in a throw blanket with a DVD boxset and lit candles everywhere is one of the best ways to spend an evening. Ever. There’s something about Autumn that just screams CANDLES. (Even if it’s mainly the tealight you put in your jack-o-lantern.)

For you cozy candles, make sure to drop by: The White Company, Versace, L’Occitane, or Penhaligon

With these five items, how could you not be Autumn Ready? Plus, we barely had a Summer anyway. I say, bring on the colorful leaves, the chilly air, and the trench coats!

Cate Sevilla is the founding editor of BitchBuzz.com. You can follow her on Twitter as @CupCate. At Bicester Village, you’ll probably find her in Bodum. Buying everything in sight.

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In Search of the Holy Grail of In-Flight Packing

August 14th, 2009 by Debbie

To pack, or not to pack: that is the question:
Whether tis better days before or with moments left to spare
To pack with folds or rolls – both have fans devout,
To take the kitchen sink or go light and purchase air side,
And by foresight or fortune survive?

Be a travel-savvy packer

In today’s era of modern life styles and relentless lists of duties and jobs to do, don’t let packing become ‘just one more chore’! It can be so much more than running around gathering up passport, keys, money, itinerary, and foreign currency – instead take inspiration from the latest cyber farm game – and know the joy of harvesting your own home grown crops and produce by turning your in-flight bag into a cornucopia of your favourite tastes and treasures. Never again look at in-flight packing as a necessary evil. Whatever your trip’s duration you will find ‘happiness is in the bag’ as you search for the holy grail to packing, providing you follow these 5 simple rules:

1. Focus on size!

Getting ready for your flight

Getting ready for your flight

Ensure you have ‘big and baggy’. Travel bags from Mulberry, Kipling & Radley are roomy and plentiful. This provides for extra cupboard space – critical for storing those last minute entertainment products, just in case a lightning storm hits the airport kicking out the electricity; leaving it with emergency lighting only; forcing the shops to shut, restaurants to close and a very long wait for flights to board!

2. Go For “bags inside bags”

This turns your in-flight bag into your very own sanctuary: a hideaway of treats tucked inside pretty pockets; bright fabric folders; and soft to touch ‘pochettes’ of different colours. Tumi has great travel packs and Cath Kidston more prettier ones. Going inside leaves you delighted with the surprise of what’s in store.

3. Follow your dreams!

An in-flight bag is your permission to follow your passions. If you have an unquenched thirst for writing; or, aspire to draw; want to learn to speak French or renew the art of writing love letters – let your bag be your pathway. Pack your favourite note book (a Smythson travel journal is a must-have investment) for capturing your thoughts; take travel size water colours; pack the French tapes or CDs and bundles of organically grown flower pressed note paper. Indulge fully in your passions for this uninterrupted time you have ahead of you.

4. ‘Know and be true to thyself’

Telling yourself you’ll feel better for reading your outstanding e-mails or writing that presentation during the flight – is only true if you actually do it. Making such promises but knowing deep down you would rather read that book you’ve been eyeing up; indulge in a nap, or chat to the people sitting around you – then forget the laptop, stop making false promised to yourself and be ready to follow your instincts!

5. Be your own best friend

Your carry-on should be a piece of the life you wish you could live every day! Pack a pashmina for that gentle softness and snuggle factor around your neck and shoulders: take two good novels so you can dip in and out of different lives in search of escapism; have L’Occitane or Molton Brown lip balm, and hand cream to cosset your sense of touch and taste; family photos to awaken your soul as you run your finger tips over their faces; and a small travel candle from The White Company or Kenneth Turner to inhale the scent (unlit of course) – with its promise of ‘green grass’ or ’sandalwood’ for your nights away from home.

By letting these 5 principles become your in-flight mantra packing can be a joy – Happy packing!

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Easter Holiday: Spa Getaway in Bath (or in your own Bath)

April 9th, 2009 by Jasmine
moltonbrown

Molton Brown offers a delightful array of bath and beauty products. On offer: Pick 4 Bath and Shower Gels or Body Creams for £37.56

Imagine you’re in an open-air pool in warm, mineral-rich, naturally bubbly waters. Relax with your eyes wide open because there is a rooftop view of Bath’s finest architecture. Bath is the only city in Britain with natural hot springs. And, I must say, its Thermae Spa, still ranks high on my list of natural hot springs.

For a weekend getaway, Samsonite has the perfect dark pink vintage overnight Duffel bag (£151, a 2-1 promotion).

If a holiday getaway isn’t for you, then why not treat yourself to a spa at home?

Set the right mood with candles from The White Company:  Fancy one Big Round candle (£56 reduced from £85) or a few of the thin tall candles (£32 reduced from £48)?

A squirt of the cool Molton Brown Mentha Hair and Body Wash will prep you for your at-home spa. Treat your hair by infusing it with healthy India Cress Instant Conditioner (£11.74 reduced from £15.65).

Wrap yourself up in a Descamps Bath Robe (£30 reduced from £100). Its thickness and warmth will leave you in blissful happiness, yearning for the next bank holiday weekend.

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Water Your Own Zen Garden

March 6th, 2009 by Jasmine

In this special feature, Barcelona-based Michael Black shares with you his secrets to finding calm in a busy world.  The key is to take care of your inner self. Treat yourself the way you’d treat your own Zen Garden. Go that extra mile. Tend to your emotional and spiritual needs.

It all begins with nurturing your inner peace. It’s important to stay comfortable and warm like Michael. Wrap yourself in an Angora blanket from the renowned Catalan designer Antonio Miro (La Roca Village). But first, don’t forget to shed your day clothes (and your worries), and slip into a cotton camisole and matching stretch pants from women’s wear Catalan designer TCN (La Roca).

Scented candles from Molton Brown and The White Company, available in vanilla or lavender, create the mood for relaxation and “me” time. Unroll your yoga matt and stretch those muscles that yearn for your attention. Slip-on lizard-skin shoes from Puma (La Roca) are for stylish easy-walking and can be stored safely in a Mandarina Duck 2-in-1 bag (La Roca), suitable for a day trip or simply a visit to the gym. Not a fan of exotic skins on shoes? Then stick with the ultra trendy purple and silver Puma’s instead.

Ready for a bath? Molton Brown offers a 4-piece set of body oil and cream to whisk you away into a sea of serenity. Wrap yourself in a thick lavender cotton bath robe from Descamps and then finally tuck yourself into bed under an Armani Casa blanket, also found at Descamps.

Breathe deeply, embrace your inner thoughts, and bask in the warmth of your own Zen Garden.

Items can be found at Bicester Village unless otherwise noted.

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