I had a dream I can buy my way to heaven.

Oasis floral dress: coming soon. Karen Millen boots: £25, sample sale. Topshop bag: £25. Rotary watch: gift.

There may not be tinsel-covered jumpers and falling snow all over this blog, but it is beginning to look a lot like Christmas. A couple of weeks back, Sabby and I headed to Newbury racecourse for the Hennessey Gold Cup, and that little Berkshire town seriously knows how to make things feel seasonal. We started the day catching up with Kim and Stew on the way over, before heading to check out the races. We quickly realised that this wasn't 100% our thing (expectations: cosy drinks and a lil bit of entertainment. Reality: actual hardcore races, and people very loudly betting), so took the short walk into town for something a little quainter - including reindeer.

First things first, we stopped by a pub called Lock, Stock and Barrel, which overlooks the river Kennet. It served as the perfect cosy respite from the bitterly cold wind with fish and chips that get an A+ rating from me, and I think I miiight just have recovered from the previous day's Black Friday nightmare. We then took a wander through the town centre, made pals with the bloke above (#onthepull), and spent a little more time and money in Temptation gift shop than I care to admit, but I'm definitely not ashamed. We then travelled back to the big smoke for more festive-themed (read: camembert) activities as we met up with a few more friends to catch-up well into the night. As far as days go, they don't come much more perfect than that.

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A day at the races - win Newbury Racing tickets and a John Lewis voucher!

Here's your ready-made excuse to dress up. I'm heading off to Newbury Racecourse with my BFF at the end of the month and the lovely lot there have offered you the chance to come along too. They'll even throw in a £30 John Lewis voucher (do. not. think. of. #ManOnTheMoon) to help add a little somethin' somethin' to your outfit. I've only ever been to the races once before, but really relished the opportunity to don a posh frock and dust my heels off. If you're anything like me, the days of getting dolled up for a night out are well and truly over, instead plucking for something a little more casual in order to ensure a evening dancing into the next day. Fancy the opportunity to treat yourself to some new shoes? Have a look at the widget below and try your luck.

One of those 'but I never win competitions' sorts? No fear. Use the cheeky code FUN15 for £5 off Premier or Grandstand admission on the Hennessey Gold Cup Day (28th November - same day I'm going!) when you purchase through this link or call up on 01635 40015. This means your save £ on tickets and gives you a little something extra to use at the bar instead. Excellent.

enter to win

Newbury Racing competition

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Now I'm off to the races.

Asos beaded necklace dress: £36 (similar). Christian Louboutin Pigalle: £75, charity shop. Whistles clutch bag: House of Fraser (similar). Pandora bracelet: Joshua James Jewellery. Vintage and Forever 21 rings. Essie 'Maximillian Strasse Her" nail varnish.

From black skinnies to stiletto heels - could this outfit possibly be any more different to my last one? I was invited to Ladies Day at Royal Ascot on Thursday by Sky, and I thought this was probably the one day of the year I needed to make an effort. Please do note that attempted smoky eye. Followed by suncream and an always magical off-peak journey on the Waterloo and City line (how does that train exist?!), I met Charlie by the dinosaurs at Waterloo to head West, off to the races.

I've never been to the races before (I know, I know, I lived in Liverpool for three years and never made it to the Aintree Races), so I tried on about eight dresses before going for an old faithful - I don't know how those Made In Chelsea types cope with at least one black tie event a week. Everyone else seemed to have less difficulty than myself and looked effortlessly amazing, without a circle of shame in site. The day itself involved a constant supply of sunshine, cheering and royalty, and although I may not be totally convinced of the morals of horse-racing I'm glad I managed to pop along and try it out at least once.

Turning up to a Shoreditch pop-up bar afterwards in a posh frock afterwards did make me feel like a bit of a knob, but a swift change later you'd be hard-pressed to imagine I'd been sharing glances with Queenie earlier.

Want to have a read of some (very well-dressed) attendees' blogs? Click through below!

Charlie | Monica | Jessica | Lottie | Scarlett | Lana | Jess | Josie | Hayley | Gemma | Nicole

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