If you saw my Enjoying Shopping In Person Again At Braehead blog post, you will know that I’ve been getting out and about a bit more. You may also know that I work part time at the magazine Decor & Design Scotland. So I always make sure to have a little look in homeware shops/sections when I’m out shopping. So I thought that I would share my favourite stores to shop for homeware at Braehead, as there truly is something for everyone and every budget.

Primark Home

Primark have really been hitting it out of the park with their home section recently. Not only is it super affordable but the quality is great too. If you’re looking to add a few new decor pieces without breaking the bank, I would definitely steer you there first.

Their faux plant and faux flower game is particularly strong. Whether you’re looking to add a spot of greenery to a space in your home. Or would rather put together your own arrangement of faux flowers, Primark have got you covered.

The variety of options available for everything from dinnerware to bakeware, candles and interesting decor pieces is fantastic. I also really loved this little dinner table setup that they’d created in the store.

Now that winter is here, I cannot rave about fluffy bedding enough. Seriously, once you try it in the winter months there will be no way to go back to your usual bedding. The fact that you can get the pillowcases and fitted sheets for such an incredible price at Primark, means you simply have to give the cosiness a try. I’ve got a feeling that you’ll be thanking me later.

When it comes to the prices, you really can’t go wrong with Primark Home’s options.

I also picked up this beautiful glass bottle fabric spray, which serves both the purpose of being useful and also being aesthetically nice to look at.

Marks & Spencer

Next up we have Marks & Spencer. As someone who’s in M&S on a weekly basis to do my food shop, I often take a walk through the home section to see what they’re adding. And at the moment all things winter and Christmas are quite rightly making an appearance.

I mean, how cosy does this bed setup look?

I was really excited to see these two silk pillowcase options in Marks & Spencer too. They look as though they’re from a Christmas gifting range. But if you’ve not already experienced the wonders that a silk pillowcase can do for your hair, preventing creases in your face and allowing your skincare to actually absorb into your skin instead of the cotton of your pillowcase, they are definitely well worth trying out.

I love the look of the sleep one!

Next Home

Next Home, located in the outdoor retail park really is the mecca when it comes to all things homeware. Set over two floors, I could spend hours (and have) wandering around.

For on-trend home decor, Next Home is normally where I head first. I adore the little polka dot vase (can you imagine it in my polka dot bedroom?).

I also couldn’t resist taking a photo of these little cuties. They have an entire range dedicated to Charlie The Cockapoo but this doorstop is just too cute.

If I had the room, their Holborn velvet accent chair would be making its way home with me. I’ve honestly been pining after it, in its various different colour options, for years now.

I also really appreciate the wooden and black metal accent living room setup that they had in the store too. I really like the contrast between the two materials.

The Next Home bedding section always calls my name, even more so in the winter months. They do velvet bedding and bedspreads particularly well. And this gunmetal grey one is a great option to totally transform a bedroom in the colder months.

I may have just splurged on this unbelievably special bath towel. Did you ever think I’d be uttering the words special bath towel? But that’s exactly what it is. The photograph doesn’t even truly capture the sparkle and shine of it.

I also loved seeing their Halloween homeware range in store. There were so many lovely bits and pieces. But the pumpkin casserole and cookware dishes were real standouts. I mean, how beautiful do they look? And think how much they would add to your enjoyment of cooking in the autumn/winter months.

Habitat at Sainsbury’s

If you didn’t already realise that you can get Habitat’s homeware range at Sainsbury’s/Argos, you have been seriously missing out. And the selection available at Sainsbury’s Braehead is always impressive.

When it comes to beautiful bedding options, the variety available at Habitat is out of this world. I mean, look how gorgeous these two are! Which one should I go back and get first?

We’ve already spoke about soft and cosy bedding and this polka dot version might just be my favourite of the bunch. I’m 100% ready for all things snug and cosy now that it’s started to get properly cold at night.

There are always some super special pieces to be found in the Habitat section. And the fact that you can pick them up as you do your food shop is a real bonus. Every time that I step through the doors at Sainsbury’s Braehead, I find myself drawn to at least one thing from Habitat. And it normally ends up coming home with me.

This time it was this funky embroidered eyes cushion. Doesn’t it look like it costs a whole lot more than £22?!

So those are my favourite places to shop for homeware at Braehead.

Where is your favourite place to shop for homeware? Did any of the items in today’s blog post stand out to you? And do you shop at any of these stores for homeware?

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Dementia Friendly Shopping

We are delighted to announce that Braehead has been named Scotland’s first Dementia Friendly Shopping Centre for our ongoing partnership with the national charity, Alzheimer Scotland.

Staff at the shopping and leisure destination have been trained by the charity as Dementia Friends, so they can make life easier and more comfortable for people living with dementia when they visit the centre.

The Alzheimer Scotland Purple Alert app has also been downloaded onto staff phones and linked to the Braehead Centre’s control room, as a vital tool in finding someone with dementia who is lost.

Signage has also been placed at eye level and coloured entrance mats introduced, as black mats can appear as a hole in the ground to someone with dementia. And one modern wash hand basin tap in each toilet has been replaced with a traditional pillar tap, as it is more recognisable to someone with dementia.

Anne McWhinnie, from Alzheimer Scotland, said: “Hats off to Braehead for everything they are doing and being hugely supportive. They are now officially the first Dementia Friendly Shopping Centre in Scotland.

“We’re really excited about what Braehead is doing for us and it’s fantastic. A recent survey we carried out showed that people living with dementia still want to go shopping and Braehead will give them a positive experience when they visit the centre.”

Braehead’s community development manager, Lydia Brown said: “We aim to make everyone’s visit to Braehead as comfortable and safe as possible.

“And we’ll do all we can to make sure people with dementia can enjoy the shops, cafes and restaurants like everyone else does.

“The staff have enjoyed their training from Alzheimer Scotland gaining more awareness of what they can do to make life easier for people with dementia, their carers, families and friends when they come to Braehead.”

Alzheimer Scotland’s 24-hour helpline is available by calling 0808 808 3000.

Many of us dread this time of year because, well, it gets cold but not only that…how do we style our outfits? We have to wear coats which cover them, layer to stay warm and what’s the point, how is it even possible to look good after that?

I’m here to tell you that it is possible. The right outerwear can actually make your outfit, and when done correctly, layering can elevate your outfits! Check out my lookbook featuring stores in Braehead and giving you recommendations on exactly which stores you can pick up your pieces.

LET’S TALK OUTERWEAR

Gilets have made a huge comeback this year, they’re a great piece for layering, H&M has different variations of this piece this season, so no matter your style you can hop onto this autumn/winter trend. But gilets aren’t the only trendy piece this season, varsity jackets are making a statement this season and is an easy way to make any outfit fun. However if you’re looking for a staple jacket, a trench coat is a classic especially for transitional seasons but for the colder months puffer jackets are perfect, the more duvet-like the better, seriously… both for practicality and this season’s trend, large puffy silhouettes are in! I would recommend looking in River Island for these.

STAPLE PIECES YOU HAVE TO HAVE

• I have to start by mentioning, and emphasising, BELOW THE KNEE BOOTS! Whether it’s a chunky heel or no heel at all this is a great way to add an element of sophistication and style to your outfit all at once. This year the height of the boot has dropped from over to below the knee, and I found the perfect pair in H&M. For a more casual shoe, get a pair of chunky trainers, otherwise known as dad shoes, JD Sports, Footasylum and Primark have great options.

• Graphic/band t-shirts are not only a trendy staple that are comfortable and easy to throw on but a great way to add edge to an outfit, they can be worn under a blazer, with a silk midi skirt, or classically with a great pair of jeans. These can mostly be found in Primark and H&M

• A good pair of joggers, contrary to belief, joggers aren’t just for lazing around in. With the height of athleisure they can be worn as a comfortable alternative to jeans or trousers, it’s all about the way they fit and how you style them. I suggest a straight-fitting/ wide-leg silhouette over baggy. I found a great pair in Footasylum, high waisted, straight fitting with a thick banded cuff at the ankle, all factors which make them more ‘dressy’.

• Tennis skirts aren’t just for sports but now a fashion statement. If you prefer dresses over skirts then a little black dress (LBD) and satin midi dress are fashion staples. Have a look in Quiz, Primark, and H&M.

COLOURS, COLOURS, COLOURS

Although earthy tones are great all year round, they’re particularly fitting for this time of the year. Greens, beiges, creams and of course brown! The luxurious chocolate colour has people wearing everything in brown and I love it (bias because I’m guilty). For more eye-catching colours this season try emerald green, burnt orange, fuchsia, royal blue, or olive.

To see how I styled these trends, see my lookbook and for my styling services visit fitted.uk

For more Autumn/Winter tips and tricks check out blog.

We are delighted that our customers’ old favourite music brand, HMV, has now re-opened within the centre.  Braehead customers know and love the products very well and we’ve no doubt the new store will be as popular as ever, especially as customers start to think about their Christmas shopping.

HMV celebrates its 100th anniversary this year and customers can now get down and check out the great selection of vinyl, film, books and all sorts of other amazing hidden treasures.

You can find the store located on the upper mall…. Enjoy

Alzheimer Scotland

For 1 week from Monday 4 October, Alzheimer Scotland will be setting up shop in the atrium of Braehead Shopping Centre.

They invite you to pop down and have a chat with a Dementia Advisor or one of the team from Brain Health Scotland who can answer questions from anyone that might be worried about their or a loved one’s memory, want to know more about protecting their brain health, or who simply have questions about dementia.

There will also be the opportunity to take part in a Dementia Friends session and learn a bit more about what dementia is and the small things you can do to make a difference in your community. This is part of an ongoing partnership to make Braehead Scotland’s first Dementia Friendly Shopping Centre.

For more information on –

Dementia Friends click here 

Alzheimer Scotland helpline click here