Remember the good ol’ days when playtime seemed a little simpler; there wasn’t any of Wii this or Xbox that? I used to love saving up my pocket money for a new dolls dress and hosting miniature tea parties with all my favourite toys.

Times have changed, and brighter, shinier toys are becoming more and more popular. Whether you’re a bit of a tech head or more of a traditionalist at heart, we have a host of toys that are perfect for your little ones. So, which will you choose this Christmas?

Retro Classics

Forget the batteries. From cuddly characters to classic games, you have everything you need right here.

Contemporary Cool

Destined to impress, these ultra-modern toys will keep kids thrilled for hours.

Christmas Toys: Modern VS Retro is a post from: House of Fraser Blog

Christmas Competition : You shouldn’t have! is a post from: House of Fraser Blog

With only 3 days to go until Christmas Day, we’ve been talking, thinking and dreaming of nothing else.

But, if you’re eeling a little bah-humbug this year, then let us give you some festive encouragement with the results of our office poll…

We LOVE Christmas because:

1. The smell of real Christmas trees, cinnamon, orange and roast dinner are simply unbeatable.
2. We drink before lunchtime, eat more than is socially acceptable at any other time of year, oh, and then laze around while it all goes down.
3. The family ‘get togethers’ make us feel warm and fuzzy – and only marginally resemble the Eastenders’ Christmas special.
4. Jigsaw puzzles make a comeback – and keep fuzzy heads entertained.
5. Kitsch Christmas jumpers make for interesting conversation – ‘did you see Uncle Albert’s 5-legged reindeer jumper? Oh, that wasn’t a leg?’
6. We never get tired of The Pogues’ ‘Fairytale of New York’ – quite simply the best Christmas song EVER.
7. Television programmers pull it out of the bag – the Father Ted Christmas Special anyone? Gavin & Stacey? Cranford? Oh, the decisions!
8. Twiglets come out of hibernation – and rock our worlds.
9. The Coca Cola ad reminds us that even ‘commercial’ can be beautiful
10. And finally…we get in touch with everyone we love and never see as much as we’d like…

And, on that note dear readers, we wish you a very Merry Christmas indeed!

It’s Chriiiiiisssssssssttttmaaaassssss! is a post from: House of Fraser Blog

Hoping for kisses under the mistletoe? Or perhaps you’re looking to slow dance with a certain someone? Or maybe you just want to show Janine in accounts who the hottest girl in the department really is. Whatever your motivation, finding the perfect party dress can be a daunting proposition. But that’s why we’re here, we have been tirelessly testing our top party dresses to find out which ones are sure to earn you serious style points this party season. We have drunk copious amounts of cocktails, we have eaten ten too many canapés, and we have partaken in one too many dodgy dance moves, just so we can find you the perfect party dress… don’t say we’re not good to you.

Here’s our top office party dress picks:

Will get the bosses approval

Left to right: Embellished dress, £135, Linea, Lace dress, £180, Karen Millen, 50s dress, £110, Linea

Dance-floor worthy

Left to right: Sparkle jumpsuit, £85, Linea, Prom dress, £120, JS Collections, Sequin dress, £99.90, Mango

Sure to earn a kiss under the mistletoe

Left to right: Low-back dress, £87.50, Label Lab, Corsage dress, £35, Oasis, Low-V dress, £150, French Connection

For even more party dress ideas click here

Dazzle at the office party is a post from: House of Fraser Blog

Christmas is almost upon us and if you’ve been wondering what to buy your loved one, or yourself then stop wondering right now! For the answer is simple… a delicious new handbag. No woman can resist the allure of a gorgeous new handbag, plus you don’t have to worry about whether it will fit or not, it is in fact the dream present. So if you’re now wondering which bag to buy, check out our guide below to make your handbag buying experience a doddle…

Lady in red

This is perfect for women who have quite a neutral wardrobe but enjoy a pop of colour, red handbags were a major feature on the AW10 catwalks and look great paired with a camel coat. Made for drama queens.

Left to right: Love Moschino, £170, Lulu Guinness, £325, Michael Michael Kors, £149

Berry Brights

If you’re worried that postbox red is a little too bright, then berry tones are far more subtle but equally fun. These shades are wonderful in winter paired with greys and teals. Made for eclectic stylistas.

Left to right: Biba, £125, Patrick Cox, £125, Hobbs, £199

Far from boring black

Every woman needs and desires the perfect black bag. But black doesn’t mean dull, opt for an unusual shape or eye-catching detailing to give the basic black an on trend update. Made for power dressers.

Left to right: Lulu Guinness, £225, Ted Baker, £169, Jaeger, £199

Mad for metallics

Gold, silver and bronze shouldn’t work on handbags but they really do. It’s a great way to dress up your look and add a touch of glamour to your everyday wardrobe. Made for glamour pusses.

Left to right: Aspinal of London, £295, DKNY, £230, Biba, £125

Nearly neutral

If black isn’t quite right, and colours don’t quite hit the mark, then neutral shades may be the key. Stone washes are perfect for the casual girl who loves her jeans and tees. Made for laidback chic lovers.

Left to right: Mango, £39, Stefanel, £295, Pied a Terre, £59.40

One for the rock chicks…

Studding, fringing, bucket bags… so hot it hurts, handbags have been getting a hardcore makeover. For a new statement bag make sure it’s got plenty of attitude. Made for fashionistas.

Left to right: Label Lab, £81, Aspinal of London, £675, Nine West, £85

Click here to shop handbags

All I want for Christmas… is a fabulous handbag is a post from: House of Fraser Blog

It’s party time! Well… almost, and that means a new party frock is most definitely in order. If you’ve been umming and ahhing over what to wear to your Christmas party… then never fear because Biba’s party collection is here to save the day.

Daisy Lowe reprises her role as the ever gorgeous face of Biba and the new partywear line, the collection is titled Stardust, and it will turn you into a glittering star, minus the dust bit. Beaded ’20s inspired dresses look subtly sexy, whilst velvet mini dresses are so hot you’re going to be fighting for air under the mistletoe.

I’ve got my eye on the cowl back sequin number, I do love a low back, and I think I’ll be pairing mine with some sky high platforms and an eye-popping cocktail ring. But to be honest, I am quite tempted to invest in the  red maxi velvet dress, and the mini black velvet dress… I’ve got a lot of parties to go to ok? No, I’m not lying, and in no way am I going to be sitting around my flat in the velvet maxi dress watching X Factor… nope not me, not at all.

So, moving on, Biba partywear is a must this festive season, it’s the perfect blend of vintage glamour with a touch of sex appeal. Perfect for all Christmas parties… and a spot of X Factor watching.

Click here to check out Stardust

Click here to shop Biba

Daisy Lowe glitters in Biba’s party collection is a post from: House of Fraser Blog

Daisy gift set with necklace, £63.62, Marc Jacobs

This is without doubt one of THE gifts to be given this Christmas. No girl can resist a hat box, particularly a gold one filled with Marc Jacobs goodies. Inside you’ll find a 100ml eau de toilette of Daisy, a 150ml body lotion and a necklace with solid perfume inside the charm. Daisy has become a bit of a cult classic thanks to its fruity, feminine notes. We’ve been so very very good this year… we really do deserve it.

Click here to buy

We love… Marc Jacobs’ Daisy gift set is a post from: House of Fraser Blog

Flight bag, £210, Paul Smith

Have you been looking for a new bag? Or perhaps you fancy one for Christmas? This flight bag from Paul Smith is our personal favourite. With an iconic Paul Smith photographic print and stripe luggage tag it’s perfect for taking on a flight or just about town.

Click here to buy

We love… Paul Smith’s flight bag is a post from: House of Fraser Blog

Having trouble finding Christmas presents? Need a little helping hand? Then download the free Perfect Presents iPhone App. Available to download now, the App allows you to browse the top gifts, gifts by recipient and decorate your home with Christmas cheer, amongst many other useful functions.

It’s a very handy App, and it’s perfect for busy people on the go, or those who wisely wish to avoid the Christmas scrum. Gifts have been created into themes, and the top ten gifts are updated frequently. You can buy from the App where you will be directed to House of Fraser, and you can pay by gift vouchers, card or PayPal.

There is also a send to a friend feature, so you can get their input, and there’s a fantastic gift list function which allows you to pick presents for those in your contact list.

But if you’re thinking a trip into store is more your thing, then use the store locator feature. This will tell you where your nearest stores are, it gives you directions, contact details and opening hours.

Make your Christmas shopping feel like a walk in the park with the Perfect Presents App.

Click here for more info.

House of Fraser gets an iPhone App is a post from: House of Fraser Blog

It’s time to chat, chat, chat:

Lady GaGa, could she be any more gaga?

What is with this girl? Her music is good, you’d be hard pushed to find someone who hasn’t referred to at least one of her tracks as catchy. Yet, her fashion sense is totally bizarre. But it’s not even fashion, it goes beyond fashion and just seems to be entirely headline grabbing, attention seeking ensembles. Her latest outing was for the Accessories Council Excellence (ACE) Awards, where Lady GaGa was awarded the stylemaker award. Not to ever be out done, GaGa turned up looking like a Rocky Horror Picture Show reject. With a huge blonde afro, a lace stocking style mask, a bizarre head piece and an outfit to make Jordan blush, was this a step too far? [Daily Mail]

See the full article and pictures here.

Vogue to the rescue

In order to support young British design talent the fashion Bible that is Vogue has teamed up with the British Fashion Council. Today they have announced that they are creating a £200,000 fund to help new designers. As part of the BFC’s 25^th anniversary celebrations the BFC Vogue Designer Fashion Fund was launched. Designers can now apply for the fund but do need to be UK based, have an established business and UK and international stockists. The deadline is 2^nd December, and the winner will be announced next April. This is actually really quite groundbreaking, we have such great talent that it’s wonderful that our designers are getting the backing they deserve. [Vogue]

See the full article here.

London’s Christmas Carol

Today is the day when adults become children again and children get confused by their parents’ excitement. It’s the switching on of the lights in London. This year’s theme is Disney’s Christmas Carol and to oversee the festivities stars of the new film will be there. Jim Carrey will be at Oxford Street and will be joined by The Saturdays and Taio Cruz. Colin Firth will be switching on the Regent Street lights and he will be joined by The Noisettes and Daniel Merriweather. Then Bob Hoskins will be at St Paul’s Cathedral to stage a world record attempt for the most people singing a Christmas carol, this will be led by Andrea Bocelli and numerous other acts. The world premiere of the film will then take place in Leicester Square.

Click here to find out more

Daily Gossip: is a post from: House of Fraser Blog