Inspiration from Bicester

So before life threw a curve ball and back when things were normal (seems random thinking about how unsuspecting you are at how your whole world can change in one phone call but that's life I guess...), I was lucky enough to be able to go to Bicester last Wednesday with one of my best friends.

And I was immensely abstemious.  I had gone with the intention of looking for a new man bag (well, a holdall really, he's not into bags of the clutch variety) and the only one I found that would have been ideal was a small Clipper in Mulberry.  Which would have been ideal.  Had it not been leopard print.  Funnily enough, didn't bother buying.

Also managed to snag a Mac eyeliner (well I bought two actually) in a dark marine blue (which, according to a friend of mine who is a make up artist, is a good shout and won't make me look like Princess Di circa 1984).   For the last couple of months I've been using face paint from Claire's Acessories as my eyeliner - the "Cat make up" pencil we got for Halloween.  All the class.

Oh and some Ojon hair oil. Which I bought out of desperation as my hair becomes more straw like with every wash...

But that's all rather mundane isn't it?  Fear not though, I did not let you down. I have one amazing amazing gem that I am so pleased with.  

A new leather cuff.  As my friend pointed out "are you obsessed with these?  Cuffs and clutch bags..."  Yes I think I might be.  I was very good and didn't cave on any of the gorgeous clutch bags that I saw and could have bought in a heartbeat.  There are only so many clutch bags you can have (yes this is me typing..) and I currently have filled my quota (yes, still me typing...).  Can I just add though that the latter sentence doesn't apply if it has a cross body strap as that makes it eminently wearable during the day as well.  The versatility clause means that you can (within reason...) have as many of these as you like (I will say, within reason...) 

But a cuff though?  Well I wear these pretty much every day.  Best thing about them is they're fabulous for layering too.  My favourite style is a leather version which, I think, looks great with metal bangles or bracelets.  Add more or less depending on your mood. They work so well with jumpers, tees, shirts - anything in fact and are instantly transferable from day to night. 

They also make the perfect present (for yourself of course...) as they're generally not tooo expensive (compared to a bag anyway). 

Especially when you get them from Bicester and you snaffle around in the men's part of the store.  Seemingly men don't wear leather cuffs that often so the reduction there is much better than in the women's section.

Look and behold - the Alexander McQueen leather cuff.  Reduced to... £40.  From £195.

As I said you can never have too many - I have four that I love.  One from Coccinelle (also from Bicester), one from Hultquist which I bought 8 years ago and wear pretty much every week and another that I got about six years ago for a Christmas present from Mulberry.  As you can see, they definitely fit into that department of investment dressing, so get one of these on your Christmas lists. 

Another McQueen option is at Selfridges and this is slightly less in your face than that chunky number I have.  Much more along the lines of my Mulberry one.

Alexander McQueen Double Wrap Cuff £135

They also have a silver version.



Reiss always has some amazing options and this season is no exception.

These I adore.

Black Gino cuff £38 from Reiss



And in the grey. 




A mix now of metal and leather. 

Linx Black Buckle Metal Cuff from Reiss £40



Full on metal now at Made.  This one would be the ideal cuff to take you into the Spring. 

Made White Stone Cuff £35



Plain brushed gold at Topshop £8.50


Gold again and a chain mail style and whilst I would say this is a bracelet as opposed to a cuff (which I would define as a solid shape as opposed to a flexible one), they call it a cuff, so in it goes.  I would be ever so slightly concerned that this fine mesh might catch on thin knitwear but that might just be me being super clumsy..

Mesh Horn Cuff from Banana Republic was £29.50 was £20




Mixing metal with stones now and a more delicate version of a cuff at New Look for a bargain price.

Brown Gemstone Fine Cuff was £14.99 now £6




Another one from New Look but this time with a blue floating stone cuff.  Not reduced but this time on buy one get one free. 

Blue Floating Stone Cuff £6.99



Slightly different now with resin cuffs and yet again, Reiss has an amazing selection. 

Maple Black Chunky Cuff £35 from Reiss




And a brown version £35 again from Reiss



And.. drum roll... just to prove how appropriate my obsession with cuffs is, look what they have at Hobbs.  No this is nothing at all to do with me - purely coincidental.  

Brown Kat Cuff from Hobbs £39 Let the 70s vibe hang out.  This with all black though would be fantastic.  A hint of red - just perfect for Christmas.



If you didn't want a huge statement cuff, there is a genius option at Hobbs (with matching earrings too which would work perfectly) with a much thinner version. 

Beige Tortoiseshell Dana Cuff from Hobbs £39