Checking out the Sparkly New Debenhams!

I hooked up with two blogger mates, Jacqui and Rachelle, for lunch and some light shopping** at the sparkly new Debenhams on Oxford Street.

It’s the same address (couple of blocks up or down either way from Oxford Circus and Bond Street tube stations), but the popular department store has been given a whole new look in time for the Christmas shopping season.

Debenhams re-launched with a Fabulous Fortnight of activities including shopping discounts, family-friendly activities and designer catwalk shows.

I was invited by Debenhams to come and check out their makeover. The store has spent £25 million on its revamp and has apparently performed some kind of shoppers’ Feng Shui to make you part with your cash and leave smiling.

On entry, I was struck by how sleek and inviting the new beauty hall looks, literally stacked with goodies. Sunlight streams in through the glass roof, bathing you in a warm glow on the central escalator taking you all the way up to the top floor.

We fuelled up in the 2nd floor cafe which has a chic and modern redesign, although we couldn’t figure out why there was no toilet inside. There’s actually a bigger, more family-friendly restaurant on the 5th floor where you can also find great baby-changing facilities.

The cafe is a decent pit-stop for hot food and sweet treats. I tucked into a yummy Chorizo and Bean stew. Then Jacqui dashed off with her little monkey and Rachelle and I hit the clothes rails.

The Women’s section has designer, diffusion and high-street brands like Warehouse, Kaliko and Oasis. Rachelle and I were especially taken with the Christmas jumpers in H! by Henry Holland.

I got a great deal on a Quiz Aztec knit cardigan (top photo) before we moved up to the 5th floor to scope out their kids and toys department.

You’ll find all major toy brands here – LEGO, Angry Birds, Furby, kids tablets and more, and I picked up some Christmas treats for the babes. The kidswear selection looks good although, typically more girl-friendly and I’d love to see a bit more diversity in their boys’ fashion.

We also oohed and aahed through their home, kitchen and furnishings section, featuring Scandi cool items from Bloomingville, covetable cookware from Le Creuset, Jamie Oliver, Joseph Joseph and other top lines.

I’m sure we could have spent half a day here, but the school run clock was ticking. So we said our goodbyes, after a spritz of perfumes in the beauty hall, and left slightly giddy and more fragrant.

But I’m already planning a comeback in the sales. After all, we didn’t even get to explore their revamped shoe hall!

Visit the new look Debenhams at 334-348 Oxford St, WC1 1JG. Opening hours: 9.30am-10pm (Mon-Sat); 12-6pm (Sun).

**I received a shopping voucher