Well I don’t know about you but I am feeling more excitement about this Six Nations campaign than I have for a while! It feels like a clean slate for England – a new squad with no baggage and a fresh young side bursting with potential.

There will be lots of people basing their expectations on what happened at the World Cup, but I don’t think any team’s performances in New Zealand will have a bearing on this Six Nations. It is all a bit unknown, what with new coaches at England, Italy and France, and the start of the next four year cycle towards 2016.

Wales have been hit with some injuries which disrupt them slightly, but expectations from their fans will remain huge as they have so many talented youngsters alongside a familiar and experienced coaching team. Ireland did not play well at the World Cup, however when I watched them play Australia in Dunedin, it was the best game in the whole competition, and with their players performing so well in the Heineken cup they will have great confidence. France, with my old mate from Phillipe St Andre at the helm, have a fairly settled side and appear a threat, however Italy have to hope they can find another gear with a new coach.

As for my beloved England, the team will have to put their catalogue of errors both on and off the field behind them, and I genuinely don’t know what we will see from this new squad. They will be a little raw and inexperienced with new captain Chris Robshaw, who has never played at Murrayfield.  The first game up will be crucial for the lads to get a decent start, and as long as they play with passion and commitment English rugby will receive a massive boost.

We all know that when Scotland are at Murrayfield they take on a whole new aura, and I can remember clearly the intimidating atmosphere they create up there. What the new guys need to do is feed off the atmosphere and direct their energy into silencing the crowd and those bagpipes! New coach Stuart Lancaster is a good guy and knows most of his players from the U21′s and Saxons, so he should be able to get the best out of them. As long as they learn and develop whatever the result, we will have taken a step forward. It is a real privilege to play for your country and test yourself against the best and I believe Stuart has selected a group of players who will give their all. For all the teams, even as a proud Englishman, I want to see us showing the rest of the World how good northern hemisphere rugby can be. For all you rugby fans out there this weekend is going to be unmissable.

Shop the Raging Bull menswear collection by Phil Vickery

Phil Vickery’s thoughts on the six nation campaign is a post from: House of Fraser Blog

Gents, there’s nothing like style with a little more substance… and Without Prejudice has just the ticket.

The contemporary British menswear label has designed an exclusive men’s suit for The Institute of Cancer Research’s Everyman Male Cancer Appeal. Featuring Everyman’s signature blue in the buttonhole stitching and lining, this contemporary suit is the chic way to raise awareness for a great cause.

Priced at £450, 10% of all proceeds will go to the Everyman appeal.

Suits will be available from House of Fraser from the beginning of February.

> See the suit at houseoffraser.co.uk

Without Prejudice Designs Suit for the Everyman Male Cancer Appeal is a post from: House of Fraser Blog

It’s January, it’s just after Christmas and the student loan has come and gone. Here at House of Fraser we know as a student you need all the help you can get so you can stay at the top of class in the style stakes each term! So we’re offering a 10% discount everyday for every NUS Extra Student card holder.

All you need to do to benefit from this fab student discount is like us on Facebook, this will then enable you to generate your exclusive code using your 18 digit NUS Extra number, for use on that day, then simply return the next day to retrieve your next one and so on. Remember to share this exclusive offer as well to be sure your friends don’t miss out!

Only valid NUS Extra numbers can be used. Each code is unique and can only be used once. Only one code can be generated per person per day.

So what are you waiting for?! Get your code now!

Terms and Conditions apply.

Students! Get your exclusive NUS Extra Student Discount is a post from: House of Fraser Blog

Forget about the dull January weather and instead, anticipate the warmer months with a sneak peek of Howick’s Spring Summer menswear collection.

We went behind the scenes of the brand’s latest photo shoot to give you a glimpse of what’s in store for the upcoming season. There’s plenty to look forward to, including Howick’s signature preppy style and contemporary takes on wardrobe classics. Tan chinos, quilted gilets, and breezy cotton rugby shirts all receive the 2012 treatment – perfect for the gentleman who desire’s laidback staples for easy everyday dressing. Here are a few snaps for the photo shoot…

P.S. The new collection will arrive in store and online shortly!

Behind the Scenes at the Howick Spring Summer Photo Shoot is a post from: House of Fraser Blog

It’s our favourite time of year (other than Christmas) !! SALE! If you’ve had enough of the family, can’t bear to think about turkey and didn’t quite get everything you wanted have a sneak peek at some of our top sale picks and start spending your Christmas vouchers…

Picks for the girls

Mary Portas Utility shirt was £105 now £63

Karen Millen satin shift dress was £175 now £120

Planet Pea coat was £179 now £99

J’adore Dior gift set was £98 now £68.60

Biba lip palette was £24 now £19.20

Clarins Gorgeous Getaways was £44 now £30.80

Picks for the guys

G-Star denim shirt was £105 now £78.75

Jaeger merino jumper was £115 now £65

Mango jeans was £49.90 now £34.90

Picks for the pad

Cuisinart coffee machine was £150 now £75

Linea crystal glassware from £7

Panasonic 3D TV was £1099.99 now £749.99

Picks for the little ones

Uttam girls dress was £29.99 now £14.99

Timberland puffa jacket was £85 now £51

Little Joules t shirt was £29.95 now £20.96

Looking for something else? shop the rest of the House of Fraser sale.

Our top sale picks is a post from: House of Fraser Blog

With Christmas in just over a week (!) you should be well over half way through that Christmas shopping…OK, perhaps that’s wishful thinking but at least the thought should be there?! There’s always those few that cause a bump in the not so often smooth road of Christmas shopping.  Whether it’s a difficult aunt, new beau or problematic parent we’ve come up with some fail safe options to keep anyone happy.  It may seem like a cop out but sometimes the most obvious gifts are the most well received!

For the new (or old!) girlfriend it’s all about indulgence. Winter is about getting cozy and feeling comfortable and there’s nothing girls love more than taking this to the extreme! These cozy PJs are perfect for lounging around in all Christmas day, throw in these sheepskin slippers and she won’t be leaving the house until Spring!  End the day with these beautiful bath melts, they look exactly like delicious cupcakes so she can really spoil herself without the guilt after all that Christmas dinner!

For those trickier members of the family or perhaps the in laws, you can’t go wrong with a hamper. Got a foodie in the family? This Cottage Delight Globetrotter hamper contains favourites from Jamaica to the Mediterranean so it’s sure to tantalize their taste buds after all that Christmas food.  More of a cheese and wine connoisseur? This Port & Stilton hamper is ideal, it contains a ten year old bottle of Tawny to perfectly compliment this finest English Blue Stilton potted cheese, the perfect accompaniment to those cold cuts for supper on Christmas day.  Perhaps you want to treat her to something special?  Show her you care with this divine hamper of champagne and chocolates, if you can’t indulge at Christmas when can you?!

For him it’s best to keep it to basic, useful gifts.  This expert shave kit from Clinique contains everything he needs to stay silky smooth with aloe vera shave gel, a face scrub, post shave healer and moisturising lotion, just in time for the New Year! This Howick jumper is great for Christmas day as well as months after and this Original Penguin pack of boxer shorts will be sure to last him until next Christmas!

Looking for more inspiration? Look no further than our Christmas shop!

What do you buy for someone who has everything? is a post from: House of Fraser Blog

With Christmas around the corner are you struggling to find that perfect gift? You needn’t stick to the same old boring socks and selection boxes.  We’ve picked our favourite gifts whether they’re traditional, modern or kitsch, your bound to find some inspiration to please the most discerning of tastes.

Traditional

These gifts are ideal for those who like to stock up on old faithfuls for the new year. This Howick Robe is great for Dad’s, Uncle’s, Big Brother’s, any man, or woman for that matter, who loves their home comforts.  Searching for something a little more tempting? The traditional Christmas Morning hamper is sure to keep everyone happy with it’s popular festive treats! Keep it classic for that special lady with this gorgeous lingerie set from Elle Macpherson.

Modern

For the beauty addict in the family the Urban Decay Book of Shadows IV palette is an absolute must. With 16 neutral, smouldering and vibrant eyeshadows this palette is perfect for New Year’s eve and beyond. Encourage him to shape up with the Babyliss for men iStubble or treat them both to this Krups Pixie Nespresso coffee machine.

Kitsch

This Yoyo from Ridley makes an excellent stocking filler, or these retro style cufflinks from Paul Smith are perfect for a cheeky treat for him.  I absolutely love this cushion from Horrockses as a welcome addition to any house proud family member.

Need some more inspiration? Shop our range of handpicked gifts in our Christmas shop.

The Perfect gift is a post from: House of Fraser Blog

On Saturday 12^th November the Label Lab mat at House of Fraser Oxford Street became our very own version of Wembley Stadium as it played host to Edinburgh natives The Stagger Rats. Bringing their own individual blend of Rock ‘N’ Roll to the Label Lab mat they were styled exclusively in men’s Label Lab and treated customers to an intimate set from their up and coming album set for release in the Spring.

Get The Stagger Rats style with our top Label Lab picks.

Find out more about The Stagger Rats.

Browse more Men’s Label Lab.

Label Lab presents The Stagger Rats is a post from: House of Fraser Blog

It’s our favourite time of year, our 2 Day Brand Event is here! We asked House of Fraser staff what they had their eye and here’s what they said…

Biba Faux Fur Sheepskin Coat was £225 now £135

‘I’m definitely treating myself to this cozy number, I’ve had my eye on it for ages and now the temperatures dropped, as well as the price, it’s the perfect excuse!’

Gant Lambswool Jumper was £80 now £70

‘I am going to be buying my dad this Gant V-neck jumper, he has about 3 already but has requested another in a different colour, they are his fave!’

Wolford Tights was £21 now £16.80

‘As with every event, I try to re-stock my tights collection before they get mid-winter bobbly-ness. Buying Wolford tights feels decadent, but when they’re such good quality and 20% off, I can’t resist.’

Bobbi Brown Smokey Eye Collection was £52 now £46.80

‘I’m a big fan of Bobbi Brown’s make-up, as are some of my best friends. I’m buying this for one of them this year (it’s also on my Christmas wish list – hint hint santa!).’

Toshiba 22DL833 LED TV/DVD Combi was £279.99 now £229.99

‘I have just moved in to my dream home and this is the perfect reason to nab this TV, it’s such an amazing offer I don’t have any excuse not to!’

Cath Kidston bath robes from £22.40 – £26.40
‘This is a lovely fun bathrobe for little ones, absolutely love the prints and sizings great so will keep them cozy for years to come!’

Linea merino wool jumper was £50 now £30

‘My boyfriend has these in every colour as it’s a 100% merino wool jumper for just £30. Effortless daily outfit for work with a shirt underneath and smart trousers, perfect! And here’s a tip, it says hand wash but so far they have survived on a 30 degree wash – even better!’

Bare Minerals Get Started Light Kit was £48 now £43.20

‘I’m getting every female friend and family member this as it is includes the best foundation within an amazing value pack. Top quality brushes x 3, 2 shades of foundation [one for pasty winter one for ‘with a tan’ summer, concealer, bronzer, finishing powder and a DVD to show you how little you actually need to use! We have all bought Medium as we are all have ‘not too pasty’ skin – it includes the medium beige and medium foundations which when I was testing the colours in store most people were being offered!’

What have you got your eye on in the months 2 Day Brand Event?

**2 Day Brand Event ** What’s in your basket? is a post from: House of Fraser Blog

Love FLY53?  Then don’t miss out on the brand’s fantastic competition – which has now been extended until midnight Saturday 1st December.

Simply follow the steps below for you chance to win a £53 voucher to spend at FLY53.

The competition will be running in the following stores:

Belfast

Birmingham

Bournemouth

Bristol

Croydon

Gateshead

Huddersfield

Hull

Leeds

Manchester

Middlesborough

Nottingham

Plymouth

Wolverhampton

Good Luck!

Win with FLY53 is a post from: House of Fraser Blog