Dressing up for Christmas

I'm off to a big concert event that my husbands company puts on each year, I'm told it's an informal Christmassy evening, oh no... what do I wear to that! Well this is my idea of easy concert dressing! You can't go wrong with black legging/jeans by Rag and Bone and a statement sequin cami from good old Topshop!  (And of course, my fav Raf trainers!) 

Next we're off to our friends fantastic Christmas Party at their gorgeous home in Belgravia, I've got this dress from Saloni, it's new in and I bought it to have for my holiday but I think it works brilliantly well as a coat over my Zara velvet slip dress.... Lucy Choi glitter shoes, always a winner during the festive season, also super comfy!!

Or... try the Zara slip dress with a cardi and heels for a Christmas supper.

Finally, Christmas eve without sequins just isn't festive!  Try this cheeky sequin pencil skirt by Malene Birger... my Christmas treat!

Have a sparkly Christmas!

My Top Christmas Gifts

This year I have been been very organised and got most of my presents early, here's my selection of the top gifts I found. Spoiler alert: friends and family look away now...


Simply Nigella by Nigella Lawson £10.19, Honey & Co by Itamar Srulovich & Sarit Packer £12.00
In my view Nigella still rocks! and Honey & Co is the best for middle eastern cuisine, bang on trend!


Broste, Concertina vase £14.95
Lovely scandi vases, guaranteed to spruce up a table or mantle piece.


Dalesford, Good Health Gift Set £39
As we all want to be clean and healthy after Christmas I thought this was a fab idea for one of my super-fit friends.


Hot Chocolate Cups £16
Hot chocolate cups, need I say more... we all love a good mug!


The Holiday Kit (for men), Anthony £25
Perfect for those jet-setting chaps... this might encourage my husband to go away for a few days!


Minecraft, Stop-motion movie creator £29.99
I love finding interesting and fun, interactive toys. I'm hoping this will keep the young amused on Christmas Day and beyond.


Robo Turtle £7.99
Nice little bath companion for Boxing Day!

Smartwatch £34.99

Is this the Apple Watch for kids? Well at £34.99 it will do!

Sock Monkey Popper £7.99
A pressie for the stockings!

Christmas trees

I thought I'd just share a Christmas ritual with you...
Don't you think its funny that at the beginning of December we see so many people strutting down the streets that they live on carrying THE best Christmas tree, taking photos of 'Daddy' hoisting it carefully through the front door and 'Mummy' positioning it in the window adorning it with the most wonderful decorations, for ALL the neighbours to see (and envy!)....
Then come January, whats everyone doing, desperately trying to rid themselves of this thread bare manky tree stalk! Now, not so keen to be seen, quickly leaving it by the bins for those 'oh so lovely in December bin men', to take away. Or if you live in a 'trendy media' suburb everyone walks the tree to the park for a group ritual dumping!
Well, in Camden, we just lob them out of the windows into the street and hope for the best.... I'm sure this is all worth it but I do struggle with the disposal of said tree!

My Christmas Gift Guide

Christmas shopping drives me crazy, I buy a few pressies in November, feel extremely proud of myself, then completely forget to buy any more and hey ho Christmas is upon us and I have a measly selection of gifts!

So this year... yes, its going to be different and I'm going to share it all with you!

Here is my super organised planner...

Husbands
(do we still do pressies after 21 years??)
Penelope Chilvers Dandy slippers - Penelope Chilvers have an amazing bespoke slipper service, choose your colour and design, I will be getting my husband's initials. A brilliant personalised gift for the man that has everything!

Teenagers

Nike x Liberty trainers - A great collaboration, the perfect gift for a teenage girl!

Brooklyn We Go Hard sweater - I picked up this sweater from Present, a great menswear shop in Shoreditch, crammed full of bits that any fashion conscious teenager would love!

Young Ones

I've got gorgeous step grandkids, so top tips for kids under 10.
Sew Heart Felt rabbit slippers - Super cute slippers, they have loads of animals to choose from!

Sew Cool Sewing Studio - A great sewing machine that is threadless and needleless! They're flying off the shelves, I was behind a lady the other day who bought 5! 

Zoomer Dino Boomer - The most technologically advanced robot dinosaur that you can teach and train, perfect for a little boy. I'll be buying all of my toys from local toyshop, Cachao, a fabulous shop stocked full of the best toys!

Girlfriends
Skinny champagne - Sugar-free, half the calories, champagne that tastes great, fab for a girlfriend that is forever on a diet!

ANNA candle - My favourite sent, fig!

Brother

Anything from the Paul Smith sale shop - Paul Smith has individual style, it's never seasonal, so always shop in the outlet! Great prices!

Sister (in law)
Whistles medium cracked clutch - I love Whistles clutches, great as an evening bag or a wallet (how I use mine). My sister in law loves all things gold, so this clutch will be a dead cert!


Oldies

Kusmi tea and tea pot - Fab flavoured green teas, great way to drink something healthy without realising it!

Fig and Yarrow facial care kit - Organic artisan beauty products that smell delicious.

The Whole Family

Failing all this get a rather large hamper for the whole family! Fortnum and Mason have a great selection.

Secret Santa

Also my top tip for ghastly 'secret santa', a 'Pochette surprise' (a lucky dip) from Colette, Parisian purveyor of all things cool.

And finally... My Wish List...

Charlotte Simone Popsicle fur- Pure luxury!

Annoushka ear cuff - I am lusting after this ear cuff from my favourite jeweller!

Chinti and Parker Love sweater (available at ANNA) - No christmas is complete without a cashmere jumper, this year I'm all about the slogans!