If you were to go to the Firetrap website right now, you wouldn’t see anything amiss.  Business as usual, no flash pre-Christmas sales, no massive reductions, nothing.  If you were, however, to click on this link right here, you’d be taken to a SECRET section of the Firetrap website with loads of reductions.  Don’t say we never give you anything!!

Folks, I’m telling you this because I love you.  I’m telling you this because I know that this year is tougher than most for a lot of us and is hitting us hard in the bank balances and hip-pockets.  I’m also telling you this because as far as good sales go, this is really good.

iWoot, otherwise known as IWantOneOfThose, is holding a flash pre-Christmas sale that starts today at 10am and ends on Sunday at midnight.  There will be up to 50% off some items, with many others reduced to some degree.  The best part is that their range is broad and perfectly suited to those awkward, geeky, male friends and family members you have in your life, so this is the perfect time to get shopping.  Click the banner below to start browsing:

Welcome to yet another Friday Fry-Up, where we tell you exactly what’s been making Desirable HQ rock ‘n roll over the last week.

Leeds Shopping Week Festival: The town of Leeds has announced it will be going all shopaholic for a week starting 15th of October (pictured above, A), offering shoppers all sorts of fun and fashionable events to get their hearts racing.  Top on our list?  A trip to Hotel Chocolat for samples, a stop off at the Harvey Nichols Beauty Evening, followed by a browse through The Stalls Arts & Crafts fair.  Ready your bank balances ladies!

Mathmos Fireflow Lamps at Prezzy Box: I adore Prezzy Box regardless of their newest addition but I have to confess, a lava-lamp powered solely by a tea-light?  It did make me love the Prezzy Box crew just a wee bit more.  The Mathmos Fireflow Lamps come in a range of colours (including glitter and purple, pictured above, B) and are a snip at £29.95 GBP.  Remember, they’re powered by candle – that means no electricity bills!  Genius!

Autumn: The chilly, crisp air.  The dappled sun-light through amber leaves (above, C).  The smell of wood fires.  Ah, who am I kidding?  I love autumn because it means I can get away with wearing ugg boots and snoods.  As long as it doesn’t rain, this season is fine by me.  Bring on the mulled wine!

Noir Rings at Kabiri: These gorgeous pyramid inspired rings make me want to hold them close to my chest, stroke them and murmur the words ‘my precious’.  Thankfully, they’re just out of my price range at present, meaning I won’t have to scare my nearest and dearest by turning into Gollum.  Still… they’re so pretty!  The Four Point Ring (above, D) retails at £65.00 GBP, the Cone Pyramid Ring (above, E) retails at £70.00 GBP, and the Pave Trim Pyramid Ring (above, F), at £71.00 GBP – all from my favourite jewellers, Kabiri.

The Warrior Queens by Antonia Fraser: I love Antonia Fraser’s books because she makes history interesting. Remember the movie Marie Antoinette (starring Kirsten Dunst and a massive wig)?  That was based on the biography of the French Queen written by Fraser.  I’m currently delving into the lives of warrior queens throughout history (pictured above, G) – Cleopatra, Boudicca, even Elizabeth I – and loving every second.  Ms Fraser, I salute you and your slightly scary warrior ladies.  Available from Borders on sale for £7.99 GBP.

Debenhams Half Price Sale: Er, I shouldn’t think I should have to remind you all, but Debenhams happen to have a pretty massive sale on right now and it’s epic proportions have shocked even the hardiest of bargain-hunters (ie. me).  Top of my list?  A gorgeous Dark Turquoise Panel Detail Purse by Fiorelli (was £32.00 and is now £22.40, pictured above, H), and a beautiful pair of Blue Aztec High Heel Shoes by Carvela (were £120.00, now £59.00, pictured above, I).

The wonderful people over at Dorothy Perkins are currently offering 25% off ALL JEWELLERY – not just sale jewellery, but ALL of the current range.  I’m sure I don’t have to spell it out for you – whip those purses out ladies and get clicking!

A: <Mesh Chain Necklace,* £20.00 GBP

B: Peacock Cuff,* £9.00 GBP

C: Opaque Bead Bangle,* £8.00 GBP

D: Rhinestone Ring,* £9.00 GBP

E: Fabric Flower Collar,* £15.00 GBP

F: Faceted Rings Collar,* £15.00 GBP

G: Enamel Wire Cuff,* £9.00 GBP

H: Pop Bangle,* £12.00 GBP

I: Black Rhinestone Ball Ring,* £9.00 GBP

Prices listed above are pre-discount; the 25% discount will be deducted at the checkout.

I can’t tell you just how much I love love love LOVE these shoes.  They would make my puffy eyes, my frizzy hair and my money woes all go away in an instant, I’m sure of it…

A: Beyond Skin Bella Wedge, £60.00 GBP on sale (was £150.00)

B: Beyond Skin Sammy Courts, £96.00 GBP on sale (was £138.00)

C: Terra Plana Chennai Flats, £63.00 GBP on sale (was £90.00)

Although the sales have been going for a few weeks now, some brands still have a huge amount of stock left that they’re clearing out.  TFNC (Time For New Clothes) is one of those brands!

A: A Pocket Detail Tulip Dress, £32.00 GBP on sale (was £49.00)

B: Mixed Tie-Dye Dress, £27.00 GBP on sale (was £39.00)

C: Shift Dress, £33.00 GBP on sale (was £59.00)

D: Check Print Pencil Skirt, £15.00 GBP on sale (was £30.00)

E: Tulip Strap Dress, £33.00 GBP on sale (was £42.00)

F: A Colour Block Zip Tulip Dress, £22.00 GBP on sale (was £45.00)

Lipsy has been a fashion-mag favourite of late, and it’s not hard to see why – some of their summer sale items are to die for:

A: Colour Block Skirt in Blue,* £15.00 GBP on sale (was £35.00)

B: Bow Sash Tulip Skirt,* £15.00 GBP on sale (was £40.00)

C:Floral Tulip Skirt,* £20.00 GBP on sale (was £35.00)

D: Colour Block Body-Con Dress,* £25.00 GBP on sale (was £45.00)

E: Origami Pleated Shift Dress, £25.00 GBP on sale (was £45.00)

F: Zip-Contrast Top,* £18.00 GBP on sale (was £40.00)

G: Zip Edge Strapless Dress,* £35.00 GBP on sale (was £65.00)

H: Patent Bow Belt, £9.00 GBP on sale (was £18.00)

I: Skinny Leather Belt, £6.00 GBP on sale (was £15.00)

J: Patent Bow Clutch, £20.00 GBP on sale (was £35.00)