Reflect her perfect.......

Sometimes finding random designer bargains is the easy part- it's putting them together to make paparazzi-snap-worthy outfit that is the issue! Copying a celebrity look needn't be too difficult though; all you need it the right mix of high-street and high-end discounts..........Today's style inspiration comes from the ethereal Olivia Palermo. 

Let's face it, this model and fashion expert  could make a bin bag look like a YSL gown , but  her simple  approach to looking fabulous means that the human among us can at least give it a go!

a. This Pepe Jeans India black coat is on sale at under £95 at the moment. Black faux fur like this never goes out of style and proves that black doesn't have to be boring. 

b. The coat is expensive, so save on the leggings by picking up this panelled topshop pair, £22

c. Nude pumps are essential. They just are. Don't question me on this one. Aldo's Ostlie nude flats are down to £24.95 at the moment too, what more do you want?!

d. I think bags are THE accessory to invest in- a cheap looking bag can ruin an entire outfit and won't last long. It's false economy. This gorgeous House of Harlow 1960 Lara Clutch certainly won't let you down. Tan is really versatile and the simple, clean lines would look fantastic tucked under your furry arm! It's £140. That is a lot, I get that - but one beautifully craft piece is far better than ten awful Primark creations. 

e. I genuinely think Olivia would wear these Diane Von Furstenberg sunglasses. Very Jackie O and, again, tortoiseshell will go with most of your existing wardrobe! At a mere £24.99 they are my pick of the day! 

Finish with a slick of pillar box red nail varnish and a couple of gold bracelets .......and you have an outfit fit for the front row. 

Tuesday's pick......

Today's pick is a total no brainer. I always go on about silk scarves being one of the quickest, easiest and cheapest ways to get a lux look - and here is an absolute winner. 

This silk scarf is Valentino yet - and I can hardly believe I'm about to write this - is available at T K Maxx for just £34.99! These retails at £179; something tells me somethings gone wrong with the pricing machine, but shhhhh don't tell them! 

They have other designs if this isn't to your taste, but I think this floral black number is just the thing to upgrade any high-street outfit. 100% silk, this bargain is already guaranteed to feel great on your skin (which will be glowing with pride anyway!) and has so many options for its use. Tie it around your neck, as a rockabilly head scarf or in a big bow around the handle of your favourite plain leather handbag to show it off, just as it deserves. 

Now, why are you still here?! There's Valentino to be bought! 

Pick Of The Day

I'm getting serious about this bloggin' malarky, so let's get down to business! Last night my pick of discount Agent Provocateur underwear went down well on Twitter so I'm going to keep my daily discount selections coming for the next couple of weeks in an effort to brighten the blogsphere even more! 

Yesterday was all about concealing your purchases- and there's no doubt that hiding some hand stitched satin or barely-there lace under your blouse can be a really empowering, but there are times when, frankly, you want people to see your stash. 

My Wardrobe has a tantalizing sale on at the moment, and here's a couple of my favourite items that you can whip out without the fear of being arrested:

 - Protecting your favourite gadgets from the wear and tear of your handbag is a very necessary step; why shell out hundreds of pounds, only to scratch the beautiful screen within days of unwrapping it?!

This Marc by Marc Jacobs iPad case it garish,  OTT, blindingly bright and...I LOVE IT! There is something so fabulous about an accessory that isn't afraid to be loud. I'm not a fan of items with designer names printed all over them, like some walking billboard for overpriced cotton threads, but I am a great advocate of those that grab a stranger's attention and force her to squeal "Ooooooooo where is it from?! It's amazing!"

This little treat is down to £36 and is the cheapest piece of Jacobs I've seen in a long time! 

If flash-trash isn't your thing, then go for a bold but chic print like this Diane Von Furstenberg Saffiano blue iPhone cover for £24. The vintage print will still attract plenty of inquisitive admirers  - and they won't need sunglasses if they get too close! 

   

Thanks to a kick from the fantastic Julie at http://sweetsaremyweakness.blogspot.co.uk/ I'm joining BlogLovin today, so just ignore the code below. All the cool kids have one..... 

<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/4548509/?claim=47zfnqjpnf9">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>

Here goes! 

What's in my bag......

I'm forever tweeting (@mySmokeMirrors) about how to get the designer beauty and fashion you love without having to forgo other luxuries....like rent or food. As it turns out, I kinda like them too.  So, I thought I'd better show you all that I really do practice what I preach - and here is what was in my bag today; just a selection of my guilt free stash!

Often when women have children, they take one look at the little bubba and gush that they never knew they could love something so much....well, I do the same with my handbag. MY pride and joy. 

This is Michael Kors -but you can call him Michael. I love this as an every day bag- the mock-croc tanned leather is extremely durable and it has plenty of pocket space, with a middle zip compartment so nothing gets lost! And the best part? I picked this little guy from Bicester Village with a tidy saving - I think I paid around £200 after the discount, which has translated into about 0.5p per wear! 

Designer bags really do stand out among cheaper high street alternatives and will instantly elevate both your spirits and your look!   

Now for the contents. Like I said, this is just a selection that I happened to be carrying today, but it does show just how easy it is to save on your favourite products! 

Here we have my make-up pouch. I carry around a few essentials in a smaller pouch so I can top up throughout the day. From left to right I have:
- Nails inc and Mavala nail varnishes. I like to carry around the shade that I'm wearing so I can do a patch up job. I'm forever picking up Nails inc free with Glamour magazine and I highly recommend as a way to get your beauty fix on the cheap. 
- Mini Benefit products; highbeam and benetint are staple products for me and these free magazine samples are perfectly sized for my handbag. Not sure if it's the make-up or the savings that makes me feel so good....
- Both pallets are Topshop and my favourite products of the moment. The packaging is simple, cute and slimline, while the products inside, from the same folks who produce MAC, offer what I think is the most pigment for your pound. I've tweeted about these so check that out for more details. 
- Oh sweet, sweet Clarins. You are so good to me. I always come back to these guys for cleansers as nothing else melts away makeup so gently, yet thoroughly. Here I have the 'HydraQuench Intensive Syrum Bi-Phase' which I'm trying out as I find I need plenty of hydration in these winter months, when my skin becomes ravaged by wind and central heating! 
The Clarins and Burts Bees (Deep Cleansing Cream and Lavender Hand Salve) were both bought in sets. This is such a fantastic way to try out new products and satisfy your beauty cravings. The Clarins counter in your nearest department store invariably offers discounts on sets, as will the websites of your favourite brands, so keep checking to catch the offers. As for the Burts Bees, I picked up a 'Mini-Essentials' set from Ebay - undoubtedly an unwanted present from someone who doesn't appreciate the sheer brilliance of Burt and his hive. I paid less than £10 with postage; an utter bargain. 

Now for the extras that I'd stuffed in this morning. 

-Before you go shopping, have a flick through your magazines for vouchers. January's Glamour had a free Body Shop voucher. It's £3 for a store that is far from designer - but, hey, they are an ethical store with some sweet little items and IT'S FREE!

- I adore my black pony hair Osprey Purse. This retails for £110, but I nabbed it for a mere £24.99 in T K Maxx. 
Inside the purse I have loads of store cards- why not get rewarded for shopping? This Liberty one even landed me a £15 voucher. What more do you want?!

- I wish I'd have captured my gorgeous Black.co.uk gloves better here as the picture just doesn't do them justice. They are leather and lined with inky blue rabbit fur (NB. the fur was a by-product, I do not support animals being killed just so we can look good) which means they are silky soft and warm. Black sells all sorts of luxury accessories and has a sale on at the moment, so why not treat yourself? 

Oh and one more product I can't do without - my trusty iPhone. Apps have revolutionised shopping for me as I have a constant stream of discount vouchers at my fingertips, and boy do I make the most of it. Half price on those cocktails? Great, I'll take two....
Make sure you subscribe to alerts for flash sales and pop-up outlet events as these caves of wonder are where you'll find the serious designer treasure. 

What are you most proud of in your handbag? Is there a bag you can't wait to get your hands on?