It was all about the accessories today in London! Our first appointment today was with Weston Scarves, a beautiful selection of silk scarves that we've just taken on for spring/summer 2012. The lovely Mackenzie hosted our appointment and helped us choose our autumn/winter selection. The colour selection was so inviting and vibrant and as usual it's the brand's iconic prints that make Weston stand alone.

After picking our favourites off we went to our next appointment with Candice Copper. We selected the coolest selection of high top trainers featuring lamb lining inside – seriously cosy and perfect for teaming with J brand skinnies and a slouchy vince knit. Love, love, love!

We've had such a positive start to the week so off we went to The Riding house Cafe to meet our fellow fashion loving friends Mary and Margaret for a chilled out drink and some delcious dinner. Snuggled up in bed by 11.30pm, early start tomorrow!

Touching down in London I always get a rush of excitement. It's a wonderful city. There is always a fantastic buzz in the air and I love how creative it is. Our first buying appointment is with the charming Ruthie from Paul Smith to view the brand's main line collection. There was a real masculine vibe to the majority of pieces with oversized blazers, beautifully tailored tuxedo trousers and shirts in a variety of luxurious fabrics.

After leaving the Paul Smith showroom and saying goodbye to Ruthie for another season we were off to our next appointment at Dom and Ruby. Mary Claire was deep in thought studying the cool leather leggings and shearling – I could see she wanted every single piece! I'm really looking forward to getting this collection in-store next season. Dom and Ruby is the ideal choice to keep warm without compromising on style. We leave the appointment and make our way out into the snow. It's really so cold – glad I wrapped up in my Vince wrap-around cape and flats, no flitting around in snowy high heels for me! With a 10.15pm flight we make it into bed before midnight.

If you're searching for a can't-fail gift this Valentine's Day then prepare to impress the lady in your life with a gift from SAMUI Cork. With many years expereince helping the most indecisive men and women select presents for that special someone in their life, I've shared my top 5 gifts to help relieve the presssure!

A favourite of Lauren Conrad and all the hottest LA ladies, an Equipment shirt is a must-have piece for every wardrobe – why not pick one in a fabulous seasonal colour! Priced from €295

As with everything at SAMUI we love a fabulously unique product and fragrances are a natural choice for almost any gifting occasion. Put the two together and pick up a bottle of our Escentric Molecule (€75) or Intelligence & Fantasy (€150), two of the hottest fragrance ranges on the market today with a huge celebrity following right across the globe.

Accessories are always a super way for any woman to update her wardrobe for the season ahead and a luxurious silk scarf from Weston Scarves is the ideal choice. Printed in Italy on the banks of Lake Como by the world's finest digital silk printers, the edges are then hand rolled and sewn – the final proof of a world class scarf. Available in a selection of stunning prints and colours priced at €210 each.

Happy Valentine's Day!

We had the most amazing dinner last night in Trattoria Bagutta on Via Bagutta, a contemporary Italian restaurant with a wonderful atmosphere. We woke this morning to discover our luggage had arrived – just in time for us to check out! Thankfully our good friends Nicki and Helen were staying in the same hotel so we could borrow the essentials such as cleanser and toothpaste!

It's snowing in Milan today. Absolutely beautiful to look at but very cold indeed. Mary-Claire is looking very chic in this winter wonderland in her Vince wool coat while I'm keeping warm and cosy in my trusty Moncler. It's becoming like a second skin! Today we had an appointment with Parosh. It's very special when you can view a collection right in the city it is designed.

We have introduced Parosh to SAMUI for spring/summer 2012 and are really excited to see the new collection for AW. Parosh specialise in the most amazing furs. The collection has a very feminine vibe but with an edgy twist and the detailing is just incredible. After a long morning going through the entire collection we stop off in Paper Moon for lunch. It's a bustling lunch location for the busy working Milanese.

After having our last taste of true Italian cuisine, off we go to the airport whizzing through the snowy streets of Milan. It's been very cool in many ways!   

It was a very early rise for the SAMUI team this morning with a 4 am call time! We flew to Milan via Amsterdam and after making all our early flight times, sadly our luggage did not do the same. Frustrated without our trusty capsule wardrobes we headed off to check into our hotel consoling ourselves with amazing Italian coffee in the lobby.

No point on dwelling on what we didn't have and instead get super excited about what we do have – an appointment to view the amazing Moncler AW12 collection. A favourite of celebrities the world over, from Madonna and Victoria Beckham to Sarah Jessica Parker, we hailed a taxi and off we went to our Moncler buying appointment. Moncler arrived to SAMUI for the first time last season and it went down so well with our customers. It really is a super wardrobe staple for anyone who loves to hit the slopes. I'm not a big skier but find it a god send for our temperamental Irish weather and any outdoor pursuits throughout the year. Mary-Claire and I both fell in love with the brand's new colour palette for AW12 and their use of fur throughout the jackets and accessories is stunning.

After the appointment we returned to the hotel bar to mull over our purchases and wait for our suitcases. We may even have to go shopping for replacements – any excuse right?!

Up with the larks this morning to check out of our lovely hotel. It's our last day in Paris which means I get to see my little girl tonight when I get back to Cork – very excited! Before we can make our way to the airport Mary-Claire and I have some business to attend to, a highly anticipated appointment at Helmut Lang. Ten minutes after entering the showroom we wanted every piece. It's such an effortless brand to wear. I can see so many of out lovely SAMUI customers wearing it and of couse teaming it with other in-store favourites such as Acne, Rick Owens and MM6, Maison Martin Margeilla's diffusion line which is new to SAMUI for SS12. Speaking of spring/summer 2012, I'm really looking forward to popping into the shop later this evening to see my lovely girls who have been working so hard while I was away (thanks guys!) and who have been screaming down the phone with excitement at the arrival of all the fabulous new collections! Roland Mouret and Moncler were met with particular high pitched noises when I called to check in. The deliveries are all coming fast and furiously right now, so you know what they say about the early bird ladies. Find your new spring/summer collection favourites now!

It's finally time to say au revoir to Paris, go home, unpack and unwind for the weekend and then repack to go to Milan on Monday morning. Another hectic week of appointments to find the very best pieces for SAMUI and our customers. Keep up to date with all the action on the SAMUI Blog – personally I can't wait!
 

As always Vanessa Bruno doesn't fail to disappoint with a stunning collection that is as soft and romantic as always with that sexy rock chick edge. We fell in love with the collection's sharp tailoring in coats and fabulous tuxedo jackets – I just know that our customers will fall in love with every piece.

As usual Mary Claire is even charming the French! She's a super travel companion and buying partner, always bringing lots of energy and fun to our appointments! Our next buying appointment is with one of my all-time favourite designers Rick Owens. From the romance of Bruno to the androgoney of Owens, today is a true fashion juxtaposition in Paris!

Bonjour! We've arrived in Paris, where it is raining and cold, but nothing could dampen our spirits as we are beyond excited about viewing the new AW12 collections.

We are staying at The Westin on Rue de Castiglione. SAMUI's first appointment was with the iconic Roland Mouret. The fall 2012 collection is awash with an amazing burgandy and fushia colour palette, rich jewel tones and as always his body con fitted dress really bring the WOW-factor! Can't wait to have them in-store.

Buzzing with the excitement of such an amazing collection arriving to SAMUI we went to Cafe Marly overlooking The Louvre to toast the day. Now it's back to the hotel to prepare for another busy day tomorrow. Bon nuit x

Why not take a rummage on the bargain rail and find even bigger reductions throughout the month! For those who love a special discount there are Carven skirts reduced from €200 to €50, a Tim Ryan Dress which was €365 now €75 and a wonderful Tibi dress that will always be a super wardrobe staple which was €455 now reduced down to €75 euro. Or why not nod to the heritage trend and pick up a Vivienne Westwood red tartan skirt reduced from €265 to €133. Now who's good to you?