Aldiss homewares buyer Laura Bell shares the must-have essentials in her handbag that she never goes without
When it comes to having an eye for style, Laura Bell has plenty of experience and a natural flair for spotting what looks great in any home. She has worked as a buyer for major department stores across the country and is currently homewares buyer for Norfolk company Aldiss. “I started my career at Debenhams in Norwich as a management trainee and as part of that I spent time in the buying department in London. I absolutely loved it and began working my way up to my first buyer’s role,” says Laura. “I was working for an independent department store in Bishop’s Stortford, but then the job at Aldiss came up and - being a Norfolk girl - I persuaded my husband it was time to move home.” She loves the variety of her work and the fact that no two days are the same. “One moment I will be looking at glassware suppliers, the next I will be researching a soft furnishings brand. You have to always remember you are not buying things for yourself though, but for your customers.”With two small children and a busy job, Laura says her handbag needs to be practical above all else.“I do love handbags, but with a toddler who likes nothing more than emptying out the entire contents, it has to have a decent zip, and lots of compartments, so I know where everything is.”
Rimmel London Oh My Gloss lip gloss, £5.49
I always have a lip gloss with me to pop on during the day. I don’t like to wear too bold a colour though and this one is perfect.
A5 diary, butterfly design
Not only do I like the pretty design, it has a little popper to hold it closed to keep safe my bits of paper. I do use my phone sometimes as a diary but nothing beats being able to write it down, especially with work, children and moving house to organise.
Hardback notebook
I carry a notebook everywhere to jot down shopping lists, ideas for work and pretty much everything. I keep it by my bed so when I remember things in the middle of the night, I write them down. Then I won’t lay awake worrying I will forget by morning.
Black leather compact mirror from Radley, £25
I like to check my appearance or pop my lipstick on before I go to a meeting; I don’t want to meet new clients with smudged make-up!
Two mobile phones, HTC and iPhone 5.
It might sound greedy but I like to keep my work and home phones separate. For work, it is great for emails and also being able to access information when I am out with suppliers and for taking photographs of new product ideas.
And a little something else... Black leather card holder
I have so many loyalty cards, there is no room in my purse, so this was a present from my husband. I love it because it has a photo panel on the front where I keep my first scan picture of my daughter, who is now four.
Aldiss, Hall Road Retail Park, Norwich, NR4 6DH; Oxborough Lane, Fakenham, NR21 8AF; www.aldiss.com
