Argos’ Ace Must Haves!

                                             

So we attended the Argos press event where they showcased their best products for Christmas 2011.

In a cool quirky loft style building, Argos presented us with the coolest gadgets, the cutest soft toys, the chicest cosmetic brands all under one roof! There was definitely something for everyone- As we rushed upstairs to have a girly chat about our nails and makeup, there was also a young boy who was jumping with excitement over flying a giant fish!

So let’s begin with the giant fish in the room, which was definitely attention grabbing and even got us jumping for a while until we remembered we were in a professional environment. The Air Swimmer (£39.99), clown fish was an inflatable balloon with attachments that allowed you to fly it with a remote control. Seems really simple, (we didn’t crash it when we had a go! We flew it perfectly smoothly…) the remote control, battery is all included with the product all you have to do is add the helium and it lasts you up to 120 hours!

There were of course many boys toys, a section almost seemed like a man cave! Great gadgets with new ideas such as the iBuggy phone controlled car (£79.99) is a racing car that you control with your iPhone! How awesome is that!

Turning corners it seemed that we entered a young girls dream. Not only were there T-shirts with Justin Bieber printed on them (deep breath Bieber fans) but the cutest gadgets that we don’t see often enough aimed at young girls. There was the Fifi Friends Interactive gadget (£59.99), which is guaranteed to be a girl’s new best friend as well the exclusive range of Designa-Friends doll (£19.99). These dolls were the cutest, for which you buy outfits for; each outfit comes with a charm to add to your bracelet! The packaging of the outfits was so cute; they come in little boxes wrapped up in tissue paper…better than anything we’ve ever received!

Moving onto something on the same level of cuteness was the cookie monster! (Yay! We all love cookies!) With the cookie monster were these novelty cookies that you put in its mouth and then it munches them! Now we think this is bound to impress both the kids and their parents as it definitely impressed us!

So stepping away from classical, nostalgic products we came across the latest gadgets. Mostly tablets, but now not only for adults but for kids too! The Lexibook First Tablet (199.99) endorses great fun and learning. There was more fun to be had, Nintendo displayed their game tablet called UDraw Wii (£52.99), where you colour stencils or just spontaneously draw or play traditional games like Pictionary, which will definitely guarantee family fun on Christmas. 

Finally we came across the cosmetics; there was a great display of Me Me Me products which were beautifully packaged. The collection seemed vast and really appropriate for what’s on trend. They had the cutest lip gloss called Light Me Up (£6.99), which literally lights up when you open it up! They had great individually packed products and collection which look so luxury. If you’re a fan of TOWIE’s Lydia, then you would like to know that she loves Me Me Me and even better…so do we!    

Debenham’s Press Day: A personal Account by our Claudia :)

Our assistant Claudia Vendetti headed down to the Debenham's press day today and has shared with us her views below...Enjoy!

The Debenham’s Press day was not at all what I was anticipating as it unleashed a number of quite unexpected and very pleasant surprises. Collaborating with top designers such as Matthew Williamson, John Rocha and Jasper Conran, Debenhams exhibited a whole new look which was young, modern and fresh for the coming new year. The target audience of Debenhams seems to have expanded to include the younger generation, and the clothing, bags, shoes and jewellery have all undergone a complete transformation to meet this new, younger and more fashion conscious market. The high street department store has successfully re-produced a number of trends and designs from the catwalks at much more affordable prices. Every rail was bursting at the seams with beautifully designed floral prints, elegant, feminine cuts and dazzling colours.

My favourite piece was the butterfly print maxi-dress by Matthew Williamson, at a very affordable £80. This piece, for me, encapsulates perfectly what the trends for spring/summer 2011 are all about: elegance, colour and femininity. Another favourite has to be the camel-coloured cape by John Rocha, for only £85. For me, when deciding what to wear in the morning fashion always comes before practicality, which often leaves me facing the brutal British weather in little more than a dress, tights and a light jacket which is not at all waterproof. This cape, however, combines fashion and practicality perfectly, making it the ideal spring coat. The Henry Holland daisy print dress (£25), ideal for a festivals when put together with a pair of boots or wellies, is another piece I’ll definitely be adding to my spring/summer wardrobe next year. This piece, for me, symbolises perfectly the new look Debehams is taking on this coming season, embracing fun patterns and strong, vibrant spring colours.

Above pic: The Matthew Williamson Butterfly dress

The accessories presented at the Press Day were also very striking and not at all what I would expect to find at Debenhams, covering a vast range of designs and colours by designers such as Julien MacDonald and Henry Holland with prices ranging from £6-15.



The Press Day revealed a whole new image to Debenhams. It’s collections for spring/summer 2011 are more dynamic, more innovative and significantly more up to date and in keeping with the latest trends. Whereas before Debenhams might not have been my first port of call when out shopping for a new wardrobe, after visiting it’s Press Day, however, I will definitely be paying a visit when hunting for a new outfit.


To find out more information on Debenhams please visit: www.debenhams.com