ELIXIR DRINK THAT MAKES SENCE

You have to agree, this is one of the prettiest drinks around and we've now launched SENCE™ Rose Nectar exclusively. Already considered an elixir in Japan and Korea, this refreshing and rejuvenating alternative to soft drinks can be mixed with Martini or Champagne for the perfect summer cocktail.

Organically produced, fat free and high in vitamin C, as well as being caffeine and cholesterol free, SENCE™ is made from the Kazanlak rose. The flower is only harvested during a three-week period from the end of May until early June in central Bulgaria, and the harvesting and production of rose nectar is a time-honoured tradition

The drink boasts a remarkably intense aroma and soft pink colour, while the striking bottle created by world renowned designer Adam Tihany has made it a fashionista’s favourite.

SENCE™ Rose Nectar costs £2.95. A lighter version, SENCE Silver, is also available with 33% less sugar.

HOW TO PLAN THE PERFECT PICNIC

The glorious outdoors, a checked rug on the grass and a wicker basket filled to the brim with yummy afternoon treats. There is nothing like a spot of al fresco dining – lazy, hazy summer days with your nearest and dearest munching fresh cucumber sandwiches and perfectly warmed scones. In reality though, it seems limp lettuce, dried-up sandwiches and potato salad that looks like it has given up ghost are most people’s idea of a picnic lunch. But as Harvey Nichols proves, it doesn’t have to be that way. To get the most out of your summer dining experiences, here are our favourite goodies to ensure the poshest picnic in the park.

Sur Les Quais – Un Air de Picnic Set, £9.50: A petit range of condiments from France (pictured), containing extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Bloody Mary ketchup, Dijon mustard and a bijou salt and pepper. Perfect for a picnic, or any impromptu seasoning emergency.

Ouse Valley Foods - Fairy Queen's Elderflower Jelly, £5.95: A magical jelly to have kiddies enthralled - delicately flavoured elderflower, it contains real edible gold.

The Pickled Village – Bloody Mary Chutney, £3.95: Produced in small batches using traditional methods, and in the most amusing flavours. This one contains all the ingredients of a Bloody Mary, in a chutney – tomatoes, celery, a bit of spice and, most importantly, a dash of vodka.

Harvey Nichols Japanese Pickled Ginger Mayonnaise, £3.45: Made by hand in small batches, using only natural ingredients, extra virgin olive oil and free range eggs. This yummy mayo includes thin slices of ginger pickled in the traditional Japanese way using rice vinegar.

Harvey Nichols – Red Hat Box, £45: No picnic is complete without Champagne – and it doesn’t get more stylish than this. This exclusive set contains four mini Piccolos of sumptuous own label Rosé Champagne along with individual straws.

NEW SEASON SCENT FROM JOHN RICHMOND

Inspired by all things rock 'n' roll, John Richmond launches his latest fragrance - For Men. Fresh, modern and edgy, this creative blend sparkles with top notes of bergamot, ginger and orange flower. There's also hints of cardamom, pepper and rosemary, as well as energising watermelon, to give it a real sexy boost. The packaging is bang on trend too, with the guitar plectrum charm hanging from the bottle and the iconic John Richmond tattoo effect on the box.

The John Richmond For Men is launching exclusively in Harvey Nichols tomorrow (Saturday) priced at £49 (100ml).

THE PORE-FECT FACE TREATMENT

Here at HN HQ, we can't resist a bit of high-tech beauty magic ... and this latest arrival has certainly got us in a spin.

Ladies, let us introduce you to the shiny new Bliss Pore-Fector Gadget, a power purge for plugged pores. This clever little complexion perfecter uses sonic vibrations, which coupled with Bliss's Daily Detoxifying Facial Toner, create micro-jets to deep clean clogged skin.

Impurity-extracting, skin-smoothing and complexion-improving, it’s the latest in a new wave in at-home beauty wonders. Safe and sanitary, the gadget tackles impurities that get trapped on the skin and result in gunked-up pores. By gently jostling this area with sonic waves,it helps to loosen up that debris, creating a cleaner, smoother surface to apply your daily skincare products. Vibrations help to remove the bad stuff (debris, dirt, grime) and help revitalize the appearance of skin with the good stuff (antioxidants, proteins, hydrators).

Priced at £125, the Pore-Fector Gadget kit includes: The gadget tool, recharge base unit, power adapter and full instructions, as well as a Daily Detoxifying Facial Toner and two samples of Steep Clean 15-Minute Facial Mask.

It arrives in store this Saturday (June 26), so get deep cleaning!

MEN'S SUMMER SALE MUST-HAVES

Go on guys, treat yourself to something stylish in the sales that's perfect for summer picnics, a day trip to the beach or watching footie in the bar:





















For an uber cool hat, this Paul Smith straw trilby was £60 now £36.





















D&G distressed denim shorts, were £190 now £114.

FABULOUS SALES BUYS FROM McQUEEN

Shoes don't come much finer than this ... who couldn't resist treating themselves to a spot of Alexander McQueen magic with these fabulous court shoes, with nearly 50% off in our sale.

























Heart peep-toes, were £375 now £190 and skull courts, were £595 now £300 – both Alexander McQueen.



















Prices correct at time of publication. Please note, sales items are limited and therefore sell out quickly.

BEHIND THE GLASS: STORE WINDOWS

We've gained quite a following for our striking windows - from shopping blogs to Twitter there's always much talk about the designs we use at the store.


















This season, they're no exception. Taking inspiration from the natural world, it's fashion meets David Attenborough with life-sized elephants, crocodiles and zebras. We think you'll agree that they really are a talking point.

Windows designed by our in-store Visual Display team.

SALE MUST-HAVES: DESIGNER DIFFUSIONS

Day three of the Harvey Nichols sale, and here's our pick of the bargains today from two of our fabulous designer diffusion collections:

























From Sarah Jessica Parker's fave label, this Halston Heritage dress was £265 is now £130.

























One-shoulder Aztec dress from Paul & Joe Sister - was £200 now £100

CELEBRITY MUST-HAVES IN THE SALE

Throughout the Harvey Nichols sale, we're going to be picking our favourite items that we're finding too hard to resist. Our top buys today are:
























Off the cuff: Yves Saint Laurent resin logo bracelet, was £270 now £162

























A-listers favourite: Wildfox glamour puss T-shirt, was £75 now £45

Prices correct at time of publication.

HOW TO SURVIVE THE SALES

They may not be the most fun-filled shopping trips we take, but you can make buying in the sales a little more bearable if you follow some simple rules. Here’s the Harvey Nichols guide to enjoying hunting for a bargain.

As a nation, we take the sales pretty seriously - it's all elbows and rugby scrums in a bid to grab the best bargains.

For the canny fashionista though, shopping the sales is more akin to a military operation. So follow our strategy and you’ll be ready to exercise the plastic like a professional.

1: Think about out the time of the day you're going to make your expedition. There's no point heading out at lunchtime on a Saturday and then getting uppity when you can't find a parking space or anywhere free for lunch. Many shops offer late-night opening so visit during the quiet hours and you will have a much more enjoyable experience.

2: Make sure you're dressed for it. Comfortable shoes and clothes are a must, especially if you're going to spend much of your day in and out of the changing rooms. Go for a pair of flips flops and a light weight dress that be whipped on and off in and instant to stop you getting all hot and aggravated.

3: However long the waiting line is for the fitting rooms always make an effort to try things on. That way you won't make too many mistakes and you'll be spared the hell that is the returns queue.

4: Take a bottle of water and a few snacks to keep refreshed throughout the day and make sure you stop for much-needed tea breaks to recharge the batteries.

5: Resist the temptation to buy something just because it's cheap. We've all done it ... and we've all regretted it. There's enough tat in our wardrobes without adding to it. Think about whether, if you had the money, you would pay full price for an item. If you would, buy it. If you wouldn't, then move on.

6: Use the sales as a time to splash out on a designer label, something you wouldn’t normally justify at full price. A well selected item from the likes of Alexander McQueen, Marc Jacobs or Donna Karan is a far better investment than something reduced to 25p in the bargain bin.

SALES MUST-HAVES OF THE DAY!

Throughout the Harvey Nichols sale, we're going to be picking our favourite items that we're finding too hard to resist. Today's must-haves are:















FOR HER: Jimmy Choo multi strap heeled sandals, were £725 now £435















FOR HIM: Dolce & Gabbana leather hold-all, was £790 now £474.

Prices correct at time of publication.

TOP HONOUR FOR TAMARA MELLON

What woman doesn't long for a sparkly pair of Jimmy Choo's? The ultimate in must-have shoes, it's one of the UK's most renowned fashion brands.

Since its launch in 1996, this most luxurious of accessories labels has become a red carpet essential and its list of celebrity fans continues to grow.

Now its founder and chief exec Tamara Mellon is to be awarded an OBE in the Queen’s birthday honours as recognition for her creative development. "I am so thrilled to be receiving this great honour and to be recognised in this way," she says. "I am grateful to everyone at Jimmy Choo and our customers around the world for helping make our success possible.

"While our brand has global reach, the roots and heritage of Jimmy Choo are uniquely British so I am especially pleased and proud of this honour."

Congratulations!

DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT: MARKUS LUPFER

With a celebrity client list that reads like a who’s who of some of the world’s biggest stars, Markus Lupfer is fast becoming one of the country’s hottest design talents. His easy-to-wear and flattering designs have become a firm favourite with trend-setters including Rhianna, Katy Perry, Sarah Harding, Madonna, Gwen Stefani, Jade Jagger, Daisy Lowe and Lily Allen.

Renowned for his trademark lips “logo”, sequins and patterned knitwear, his quirky style breathes new life into the everyday basics, creating wearable clothing with an ornamental feel.

A regular at London Fashion Week, his attention to detail and ground-breaking use of fabric have captured the attention of many other brands and created opportunities for collaborations and consultancy projects alongside his own label.

For AW10, the theme is Sunday Best and features a polished palette of oyster, grey, silver and black. Luxe lounge wear in relaxed jersey is mixed with more sophisticated fabrics for grown-up glamour, and key pieces include camouflage knits, a cropped ruffle jacket and a ruched, zip-through dress that we guarantee will be spotted on countless celebrities over the coming months.

FASHION ICON: HOULIHAN JEANS

If you've been holding out to discover this season's most lusted-after jeans, then you can finally breathe a sigh of relief. Because, ladies, they are none other than J Brand's Houlihans.

Fast reaching iconic status, these striking skinnies have been spotted on more celebs than we can shake a stick out, but let's just say amongst that illustrious list of super fans is the likes of Rhianna, Cheryl Cole, Charlize Theron and Gwen Stefani. And rumour has it that a number of top fashion magazines have even set up a rota system because so many staff now own a pair.

These must-have cropped cargo-style denims will update your urban chic look in an instant. We're talking sexy military here, wear with ankle boots and a strong-shouldered blazer to march into the new season in style.

A sell-out when they were first launched in America earlier this year, they'll be in store by the end of the month ... and boy, we couldn't be any more excited to get our hands on a pair.

THE CITY'S MOST STYLISH SALE!

THE HARVEY NICHOLS SALE - STARTS WEDNESDAY JUNE 16 AT 10AM

It's one of the most hotly anticipated events on the fashionista's shopping calendar and the chance to save an incredible 50% off some of the most famous designer brands around.

Yes, the Harvey Nichols sale kicks off this Wednesday (June 16) and boy, have we got some fabulous buys for you. You'll find irresistible savings from the likes of Christian Louboutin, Jimmy Choo, Yves Saint Laurent, DKNY, D&G, Gucci and Alexander McQueen. Put it simply, we're talking temptation. Big time!

The discounts feature across all departments and for the first day we will even extend our opening hours from 10am until 8pm to ensure you get the most out of your bargain hunting.

And what's more, if you pay with your Harvey Nichols Card during the first four days, you'll get a further 10% off.

Over the next week or so, we'll be blogging and tweeting about our favourite must-haves buys and also offering advice on how to make the most out of sales shopping. So keep checking to discover our hottest finds.

As the saying goes, miss it miss out ... See you in the queue!

GET BUSY WITH THE FIZZY!

The most iconic drinks machine from the 1970s has had a stylish make-over and is set for a very fashionable comeback this season. SodaStream has teamed up with international interior designer Karim Rashid to create the limited edition version that is tipped to be the season’s most desirable accessory. Launched at an exclusive event in Milan, it features Rashid’s trademark geometric designs and is guaranteed to add a splash of colour to summer socialising.

Award-winning Rashid is renowned for his contemporary and inspiring designs and his latest collaboration is a first for SodaStream. The designer drinks maker will go on sale exclusively this month (June 18) priced at £69.95. A selection of natural flavours will also be available in the Foodmarket, at £4.95 each.

“When the team at SodaStream told me that they’d evolved their concept I was intrigued,” explains Grocery Buying Manager for Harvey Nichols, Claire Mossford. “True to their word, this latest collaboration is definitely the hottest fashion accessory for any hostess this summer.

“It’s very is easy to imagine this colourful, retro-style drinks machine taking centre stage at any event which involves sunshine, cocktails and socialising with friends.”

WE LOVE: WILDFOX T-SHIRTS

A favourite of Cheryl Cole, Beyonce, Halle Berry, Megan Fox, Lindsay Lohan and Katie Perry, Wildfox Couture is the summer's most talked about T-shirt label.

The cutesy collection features a range of tees with stand-out slogans such as “Born To Be Wild”, “Make Love Not War”, “I Love Boys”, and “Let Me Eat Cake”, as well as hearts, peace and 80s-inspired images. With a quirky humour and a range of colours, these cool tees have become a hit with A-listers and fashionistas who want a casual look that oozes quality, originality and stands out from the crowd.

The American cult brand was launched by childhood friends Emily Faulstich and Kimberley Gordon, with inspiration coming from Native American artwork and vintage rock ‘n’ roll fashions. The company’s President is world-renowned jazz saxophonist Jimmy Sommers, who has helped propel Wildfox by cultivating a strong celebrity following and getting the fashion press talking. Prices start from £65.

WINE SHOP: A SEXY LITTLE NUMBER!

You've seen the film now enjoy the drink ... we've teamed up with Skyy Vodka (the official tipple of Sex and the City 2, don't you know) to create a mouth-watering cocktail.





Skyy High and Fabulous:
35ml Skyy Vodka
15ml Cointreau
6x Raspberries
35ml Pineapple Juice
7ml Vanilla gomme
Top with Champagne (20-30ml).

Muddle the raspberries with the vanilla gomme in a Boston glass, add the Skyy Vodka, Cointreau and pineapple juice. Shake hard to froth the pineapple and fine strain into a Martini glass, before topping with Champagne. Garnish with three raspberries on a prism stick balanced across the rim of the glass.

Pick up you Skyy Vodka SATC2 limited edition gift set - designed by none other than Patricia Field - exclusively in store, priced at £25.

OUT NOW: HARVEY NICHOLS MAGAZINE

We're very excited by the launch of our first ever glossy magazine for Harvey Nichols Birmingham.

It's packed to the very stylish brim with the hottest fashions for men and women, accessories and great food and drink buys. There's advice on the hottest looks for the poolside, how to get the summer's coolest styles and the perfect scents for the season.

There's also great ideas for dining outdoors and even a look ahead to AW10 fashions.

You can pick up your free copy in store or view it on-line http://tiny.cc/kubrh

KIM CATTRALL'S BEAUTY SECRET

If you've been to see the new Sex and the City film it's hard not to be spellbound by how fabulous Kim Cattrall is looking. At 54, the actress is undoubtedly one of Hollywood's age-defying beauties ... so what's her secret, we hear you ask.

Well, we can reveal that the glam star's amazing complexion is thanks to Crème de la Mer's The SPF 30 UV Protecting Fluid.

Kyra Panchenko, Kim's make up artist on SATC 2, said: "As a film make-up artist working long hours, often outdoors, what I like about La Mer's SPF 30 UV Protecting Fluid is that it is a sunscreen that is actually good for your skin. It works really well as a primer under make-up too".