Is there really anything better than Selfridges at this time of year!?
I challenge you to think of anything more festive than perusing floor after floor in our favourite department stores, selecting gifts for our loved ones and of course finding that killer Christmas party get-up.
Selfridges is my one stop shop for both of those things, it's the perfect destination shopping haunt for all your shopping needs. Whether it's your sister who is "sooooo hard to buy for", your mum who loves ANYTHING Jo Malone or your best friend with expensive taste shopping at Selfridges is just too, too easy.
Up here in Manchester, we're lucky enough to have TWO Selfridges to choose from but I must say the Exchange Square store is by far my favourite. This is due partly to the fact it is so handy, situated in the centre of Manchester, but more recently due to it's little revamp of the third floor.
Selfridges kindly invited me along to the store twice, firstly to have a good ole nosey at the new and improved third floor womenswear destination and to have a V fancy-shmancy personal shopping experience to get me all suited and booted, quite literally, for the Cosmopolitan Awards a few weeks back and secondly to experience all things Elfridges.
Let me start by showing you around the all new contemporary womenswear destination.
The top floor of Selfridges has been a hot spot of mine for as long as I can remember.
It has always housed contemporary favourites such as Topshop and All Saints but has more recently gone all Parisian on us after introducing French faves Claudie Pierlot, Maje and Sandro whilst continuing to champion the very best of British fashion with the likes of Joseph, Ted Baker and an all new addition with a Missguided concession.
This combination makes it the perfect shopping destination for contemporary styling for each and every woman around.
But that's not all, as well as British and French designers the third floor is now exclusively home to MO&Co in the UK and I must say this is one of the best new brands on my radar of late, it's super edgy however with a really classic almost 1960s touch, I am really, very keen to add some MO&Co into my wardrobe ASAP.
The floor as a whole is seriously spacious and provides a really lovely, stress free shopping experience, even at this time of year. The design and layout of the floor, including v on trend marble floors and a Christmas neon ceiling installation which is giving me all the festive feels, it truly is a beautiful place to shop. However, I must say that my favourite part of the entire floor is the new floor-to-ceiling windows which showcases the most gorgeous of Manchester skylines, there's something about day light, however minimal it may be right now, that really makes for a relaxing shopping moment.
Now for a spot of one-on-one styling time at the Personal Shopping hub, this time situated on floor two.
I was treated to a glass of champagne whilst the awesome and seriously attentive team worked their magic to help me locate the perfect awards night get-up. I had the idea of going all out androgynous with my look, as the invitation stated "Glam" and we all know by now that that word isn't something I take to lightly.
So a suit was something I was extremely attracted to.
We tried on various suits from across the third floor of Selfridges, varying from Maje, Sandro and Topshop eventually opting for this absolutely incredible tailored three- piece suit by The Kooples... I always knew they wouldn't let me down.
The jacket of the suit had a detachable waistcoat zipped into it which was the perfect way of protecting my modesty whilst still looking somewhat sexy... For me anyway.
I felt utterly incredible and the Selfridges Personal Shopping Team were kind enough to say the same. We then set to work on the footwear, which really didn't take long at all; as soon as I laid eyes on these Prada beauties I knew it was love at first sight.
It was a great experience to be totally pampered like that and I must say I felt really bloody good and actually quite confident at the awards, it really is testament to what a good suit and good advice can do for the ultimate boost.
Now for my favourite ever experience at Selfridges ,made all that more special by two bloody gorgeous mega babes Baylie and Amy; Manchester's Exchange Squares very own Christmas Elves.
Aptly named Elfridges these girlies are on hand to make all your Christmas nightmares fade away. Equipped with knowledge unlike anything I have ever seen in a store, Baylie and Amy kindly took me around the entire store, giving me gift ideas a plenty. From Selfridges Exclusives such as lurex Bella Freud Knits, Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Advent Calendars, mouth watering Christmas Hampers and fragrances from Roja and Burberry to name but a few, there is quite literally a gift for everyone all under one roof.
Also, exclusively available at Selfridges is the perfect finishing touch to any gift... PERSONALISATION!
You lot know how I get when something has my name on it so I truly believe this is the perfect way to make someone smile this Christmas; whether it's a Skinny Dip phone case, their favourite perfume, a smooth leather good or even their favourite spirit, give it some sass with a special personalised touch.
Wahey, Christmas is nearly here and I hope I've inspired you with some truly awesome gifting ideas. I'm yet to start my Christmas shopping (eeek!) but I know where I'll be heading to treat the special people in my life thats for sure.
x M
this makes me so so excited for Christmas shopping! you looks AMAZING in the suit, and them heels are sent from heaven!
Rose and Weston x
BBY you look INCREDIBLE in that suit.. I LOVE! Also, I bladdy love Selfridges at Christmas time.. the perfect one-stop-shop for all gifts!
Hayley xo
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So firstly, the suit and shoes are bloody fab – Kooples never let you down! And I love the shopping experience in Selfirdges, even if it’s for something small it feels luxe.
Lauren x
Britton Loves | Lifestyle Beauty Wellbeing
Love the post 🙂 I love Selfridges :)<3
http://www.ivanasworld.com
Great post!
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Great photos! Seeing the Christmas decorations is getting me excited for Christmas x
http://emmaboughtwhat.blogspot.co.uk/
Yes!!! Manchester and a fellow Mancunian. Love Love love the post. You do look fabulous in the suit!? How can you not love Selfridges. I absolutely love the one in The Trafford Centre. Xx