Ciel de Paris

Last New Year's Eve I was in Paris with my boyfriend, brother and sister-in-law and we went for a long, late lunch at Ciel de Paris, the restaurant on the 56th floor of the Tour de Montparnasse with arguably the best views in Paris, until the Eiffel Tower sparkled and the sun set on 2013.

SEALS IN NORFOLK

My Dad moved to Norwich when I was about ten, so the city has become somewhat of a second home.  When I visit I like to take my road bike and enjoy the super flat coastal roads (I'm not the biggest fan of climbing hills) and, when in season, visit the seal colonies along the Norfolk coast which we've done several times over the years.

The Little Match Girl

I recently went to Sadler's Wells to watch celebrated choreographer Arthur Pita's The Little Match Girl, the dance adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's classic 19th-century story.  Set in an imaginary Italian city, Fiammetta, the little match girl living on the streets, sells her matches on a freezing cold Christmas Eve.

She encounters both good and bad, as she's left with nothing but a few matches to keep her warm. The snowy stage is set in front of the shining moon and rows of lit houses, with original live music from composer Frank Moon to the side, as the small cast of 11 bring the magical tale to life through dance and song.  It's an inventive, entertaining family show with a lovely message, on until 4 January.

Sadler's Wells, Rosebery Lilian  Avenue, London, EC1 - 13 Dec 2014 - 4 Jan 2015
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BOBBLE HAT

December is all about silly headwear - Christmas office parties fill every restaurant and bar with Santa hats or Reindeer antlers all month - and in the festive spirit of not taking yourself too seriously whilst keeping warm, I'm currently sporting this bright lilac bobble hat my bestie gave me. Shop all River Island accessories here.

FRIDAY'S FFFFOUND: CHANEL CHRISTMAS PRESENTS

Chanel, Christmas presents and a bike = my kinda editorial, from Vogue Paris, January 2012

CHRISTMAS IN PARIS

I hosted mon père in my little Montorgueil flat in Paris over Christmas last year and on 25 December we wandered around the near-empty city during the day before sitting down for a three hour lunch at the magnificent Le Train Bleu at the Gare du Lyon.

Christmas in Paris

Last Christmas I was in Paris and invited my Dad over to stay in my apartment for a few days - for Christmas Day we went and spent an extremely extravagant afternoon having lunch in Le Train Bleu, at the top of the Gare de Lyon.  It's expensive and the food is very rich, but it's a lovely place for a special occasion.

CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS

Twelve Christmas gift ideas - six for him and six for her - for last minute shoppers.

Balmain Extatic Eau de Parfum

Perfume is such a classic gift and a great idea as long as you know their taste...  The latest addition to my fragrance family is Balmain Xstatic which is perfect for the party season: a provocative, sensual oriental floral scent which opens with Bulgarian rose, moves onto the chocolatey Sharry Baby orchid, night jasmine and dark iris and ends with longlasting leather and sandalwood. Heady, glamorous and lasts all night.

FRIDAY'S FFFFOUND: NUTCRACKER GIRL

love this Christmas editorial in Vogue Girl Korea, inspired by the Nutcracker.  I went to the English National Ballet's production at the Coliseum last Friday and it was wonderful.  It's on until 4 January - check it out if you can!

SCANDI CHRISTMAS

Here's a nice festive dose of Christmas interiors inspiration with a minimalist, Scandi feel.  Bright white, clear glass, raw wood, green foliage, bare branches and natural materials are a great way of bringing the outdoors in during the winter months and keep your home looking fresh, simple and timeless.

MARCO ALDANY

I got a bit of a telling off on my last trip to the hair salon.  Quite rightly too.  I cut about five inches off last autumn before moving to Paris, and as much as it was needed (my long hair, especially after a summer in the sun, wasn't in great condition at all) and as ridiculous as it sounds (as it was still shoulder length), it was too short.  As a little girl I could sit on my hair and this was the shortest hair I'd ever had as an adult - I wanted to grow it out, so I didn't go for a haircut...  For ten months.  Ahem.

Step in Marc Aldany - or rather Daniel, the charming dude at the Mortimer Street branch of the Spanish salon brand - to save the day, trim off the unhealthy bottom couple of inches, slather on some Wella Salon Professionals conditioning treatments and the smoothing keratin luxe oil spray - made with argan, jojoba and almond oils to transform texture - and remind me never to neglect my hair for that long again.

Marco Aldany is inexpensive for a good, central salon and they have a loyalty program - buy seven haircuts and get your eighth free.  I've got my loyalty card and I'll be back (in weeks instead of months) - thanks for sorting me out, team MA!

Marco Aldany, 83 Mortimer Street, London W1W 7SL

PETIT BATEAU X CEDRIC CHARLIER

French fashion house Petit Bateau is no stranger to limited edition collaborations.  The Carven collab (as seen on Alexa Chung) in Christmas 2012 was fantastique, the Christian Lacroix collection for women and girls last winter was pretty special, then there was the capsule collection with Finnish designer Satu Maaranen this spring, mixing the brand's iconic breton stripes with a loose, wavy pattern inspired by toothpaste stripes, next were the printed T-shirts decorated with furry fashionista Fifi Lapin last month and now a line with Cédric Charlier.  What's French for 'busy bees'?

The Belgian designer (ex-Cacharel, Céline and Lanvin, now heading up his own RTW label) has reinterpreted Petit Bateau's famous sailor stripes with his signature brushstrokes and bold colours on a capsule collection for women, children and men.  I'll be putting this dress under the Christmas tree as a present to myself...  Watch the collection come to life with four contemporary dancers in Alfredo Piola's dynamic 360 degree video.

Petit Bateau x Cédric Charlier launches tomorrow, Saturday 13 December

in selected UK stores and at petit-bateau.co.uk

FRIDAY'S FFFFOUND: SNOWY FIR TREE

NOVEMBER INSTAGRAM PHOTOS

In November we went to Budapest for a long weekend, some friend's wedding at the beautiful North Cadbury Court in Somerset, checked out a few new restaurants like Crocker's Folly in Saint John's Wood, went to plenty of Christmas press days and got into the swing of things as party season began...

1. the glorious setting for dinner at Crocker's Folly 2. new red leather Diane von Furstenberg handbag 3. Stars, the new Jimmy Choo fragrance 4. so many pretty yellow buildings in Budapest 5. new plum dress 6. vibrant prints for SS15 from Clark's 7. Liberty Bridge at the beautiful blue hour 8. the stunning Palazzo Zichy Hotel 9. with my boyfriend, bro and sister-in-law at our friends' wedding

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MAGIC & SPARKLE

I love the competitive Christmas TV advertisements which have become a festive tradition over the past few years.  The big brands build up to the go live date with newspaper front cover takeovers, bus ads, campaign hashtags and teaser YouTube pre-rolls - then everyone talks about their favourites for weeks.  Mine this year is Marks & Spencer’s sparkling fairies.

And whilst we’re on the topic of shiny goodness from M&S, there are plenty of sequinned, sparkly and metallic things in store and online I've got my magpie eye on...

Limited Edition Floral Jaquard Skater Dress | Black Sequin Rucksack | Leighton Denny Hollywood Collection 'Where's My Limo?' Nail Colour | Sequin Embellished '98' Slogan Tunic | Diamond Jacquard Mini Skirt | Platinum Plated Diamanté Rings | Leather Lace Up Brogue Shoes

Browse more Marks & Spencer Christmas gift ideas

CLARKS SHOES

Like most girls, I have a thing for shoes.  I’ve had over 70/80 pairs for years and the first pair I remember were from Clarks, using the little shoe measuring device I used to be scared of when I was a toddler and grew to love as I got older because it meant spending a couple of hours stomping around the store in shiny new patent beauties.  My childhood was spent in Clarks shoes, until the blazing pre-teen rows with my poor mother arguing about heel height, then I rebelled – mainly with unwalkable platforms and six inch stilettos, often glittery – in my teens and early twenties.  It’s a rite of passage.

Now I have a good variety of styles and heights, from the strictly car-to-bar date night high heels to glossy neon stilettos and super sensible everyday pairs in good quality leather.  The latest addition to my shoe collection falls into the latter category - Clarks sent me a voucher to choose something from their A/W14 collection and I went for these extremely comfortable lace-up brogues.  I’m sure my mama approves.

FRIDAY'S FFFFOUND: RED GLAMOUR

BOULESTIN RESTAURANT

There's a fantastic French restaurant in St James's called Boulestin, which opened last year - if you haven't already been, December is a good opportunity to visit as head chef Andrew Woodford has devised a Christmas menu including all sorts of winter treats from quail, duck, oysters, steak, cassoulet to foie gras and truffles. It's as indulgent and delicious as it sounds.

VINTAGE STRIPES

I've had this vintage black and pink stripe jumper in the back of my wardrobe for yeeears and rediscovered it during my closet changeover since the temperature dropped.  This black midi skirt, a pleated, high-waisted little lunchtime treat from New Look, is super versatile with a band tee, cropped knit or fitted polo neck tucked in.  

At the same time I picked up these cheap and cheerful statement crystal earrings which I've worn every other day since, along with my trusty silver jewellery and pebble leather M&S bag for a nice and easy weekend outfit.

OH CHRISTMAS TREE, OH CHRISTMAS TREE

... Have you got yours up yet?  We were in Budapest this weekend and I've been in Paris for two days this week so I haven't turned the flat into my very own Santa's Grotto just yet.  On Friday night I'm going to make some mulled wine, put on Vince Guaraldi's Charlie Brown Christmas, unwrap all my baubles and get my festive on.

This editorial from ELLE Decoration Russia magazine features a fashionista magpie - excuse my Russian, but I don't know what her name translates as - who's been busy blitzing random objects with a gold spraycan for unusual Christmas decorations including pineapples, keyboards, boxing gloves, toy guns, plastic dinosaurs and Lego pieces.  What a cool idea for a unique, personal Christmas tree.

FRIDAY'S FFFFOUND: PARTY SEASON

have you ever SEEN such amazing dancing shoes?

OCTOBER INSTAGRAM PHOTOS

In October I went to Paris twice and Troyes, Yorkshire to see my school buddies, the Frieze Art Fair in Regent's Park for the first time, an awesome boat trip on the Thames, saw the total dude Pharrell and some jazz at Ronnie Scott's.  All good fun!

1. the Garry Winogrand exhibition at the Jeu de Paume 2. Pharrell at the O2 Arena 3. Place des Vosges 4. Tower Bridge and the Shard from the Thames on a rib 5. Temperley cashmere and Jaeger leather for brunch at Mama Shelter in Paris 6. David Renggli's ink painting on glass at Frieze London 7. jazz o'clock waiting for the Mingus Big Band late show to start at Ronnie Scott's 8. bright green nails 9. a spot of afternoon tea at Laura Ashley's The Manor hotel in Elstree 

1. personalised Calvin Klein fragrance from Debenhams 2. Throwback Thursday: Halloween 2010 3. Radley's new, minimal de Beauvoir tote in polished leather for next spring 4. Ilkley Moor 5. White Hart Lane stadium tour with my bro 6. Norman Parkinson's 'The Art of Travel' for British Vogue, 1951 at Frieze Masters 7. some seriously jazzy tights at the Wolford press day 8. gorgeous autumn colours at RHS Harlow Carr in Harrogate 9. printed ceramic bowls handmade in Poland

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MASH RESTAURANT

I went to the launch night for Danish restaurant MASH back when it opened in 2012 and had a great evening eating canapés, meeting lots of interesting people, drinking too much Champagne and vowing to return for a proper dinner.

Fast forward almost two years - time flies - and I finally went back.  We had an aperitif at the bar where there are lots of delicious cocktails along with beers, American spirits and bar snacks - I ordered the Lord of Dogtown (spice blend-infused Ketel One vodka, fresh white grapefruit juice, agave nectar and Californian sparkling wine, dusted with delicate plum sugar) and he ordered the Star Hill Negroni (Maker's Mark Bourbon, sweet vermouth and campari).  Both good.

Friday's ffffound: Black and White Polka Dots

American model Gigi Hadid wearing a beautiful Dolce & Gabbana polka dot lace dress in W Magazine

MARC BY MARC JACOBS

For the second day of LFW waaay back in September, I wore a blue ruched satin Marc by Marc Jacobs dress I had to have in the Galeries Lafayette January sale in Paris.  Over the top I wore a printed, fringed shawl from New Look, which in versatile black and cream is easy to throw on over all sorts. 

Onto accessories: on my feet are the black Jimmy Choo cut out suede shoes - my first Choos - I treated myself to at the brand's recent sample sale.  This patent croc-effect turquoise leather handbag is becoming one of my most worn bags this year - it's super glossy so pretty much water-repellent (handy for London), has a cross-body strap and on-trend top handle plus the boxy structure means it's kept its shape really well.  Then there was the best accessory at London Fashion Week this season: THE OUTNET's Sergio the shoe hunter. What a cutie.

PROVENCE

For the long weekend over Bastille Day back in July, we visited a charming little Roman town in Provence called Vaison-la-Romaine for a few days.  It's a pretty, 2,400 year old place sat on gentle slopes to the north of the Ouvèze river, most known for its Roman ruins, an ancient stone bridge and a huge flood in 1992.

ANA BEATRIZ BARROS

Brazilian babe Ana Beatriz Barros (always high up on my list of girl crushes, but strangely not featured on here yet) is the current face of Italian lingerie brand Intimissimi's Autumn/ Winter 2014 collection, featuring in the November issue of Madame Figaro Spain wearing plenty of the Italian label's underwear, on the roof, as you do.  Photographed by Richard Ramos, styled by Marta Lasierra and hair & make up by Miguel Angel Alvaraz.

FRIDAY'S FFFFOUND: ILLUSTRATION

wish I could sketch like this

BENGAL TIGER LONDON

I'm not the biggest fan of Indian cuisine and I don't have a favourite curry house, however one of the best Indian restaurants I've visited in London is Bengal Tiger down a little alleyway in the shadows of St Paul's - it's nothing fancy, but if you're looking for a cheap and cheerful dinner after a few drinks in the city, it's recommended.

JONATHAN SAUNDERS FOR DEBENHAMS

I'm currently enjoying one of the key colours of the season: plum, wine, burgundy, claret - whatever you call it: it's a warm, reddish, pinky purple perfect for autumn.  Jonathan Saunders has created a capsule collection as part of the Debenhams Editions range with a few contemporary designers and this Roll Collar Fit and Flare Dress with its 60s-style rollneck and simple shape is my favourite item.

JIMMY CHOO STARS

Last week I was sent the new fragrance from Jimmy Choo, Stars, and have worn it every day since.  Always a good sign.  The latest women's perfume from the British shoe brand was released this autumn as a limited edition, refined twist on the original 2011 eau de parfum and is a delicious winter gourmand chypre: feminine, sweet and warm, lingering on the skin for hours.

BODEN JEWELLED PUMPS

These glitzy, almond toe flat pumps from Boden are, in my opinion, their best product this season.  They've been incredibly popular, so I'm certainly not alone in thinking that their sparkling, glass and acrylic jewels are simply splendid.

Boden Jewelled Pumps

Good for day and night - gold with bare legs on warmer days and black or navy with opaque tights for winter - and Boden is running one of their diminishing discount promotions from now until Thursday, currently offering 25% off and free delivery.  Monday lunchtime treat?

M&S AW14

Earlier this year I attended Marks and Spencer's Autumn/ Winter 2014 press event and ended up staying until Chief Executive Marc Bolland gave a speech covering's the past year's results, explaining the strategy around growing their fashion business, before handing over to Style Director Belinda Earl who spoke with passion about her consumer and the new fashion focus.

FRIDAY'S FFFFOUND: BLUE LAGOON

need to go back to Iceland

BARBARA HULANICKI BACK AT BIBA

It was announced this week that Barbara Hulanicki is returning to Biba, the iconic label she created in the 1960s, which first saw success as part of the huge Swinging Sixties scene in London. The fashion designer telling the Sunday Times "I've got Biba flowing through my veins" and fans of the iconic Biba look rejoiced.

HARVEY NICHOLS HAMPER

Hey guys, it's November: that means we can officially get excited about Christmas!  Partly responsible for my Christmassy feeling bubbling under the surface, Harvey Nichols sent me one of their luxury hampers, launched in time for the festive season.

The Rise and Shine hamper is perfect for lazy weekend mornings at home and simple Christmas breakfasts, containing breakfast blend fairtrade ground coffee, English breakfast loose leaf tea, gooseberry preserve, strawberry jam, acacia honey with honeycomb, two black and white printed mugs and a bottle of Prosecco for a couple of cheeky glasses of fizz.

Just add warm crusty bread, fresh milk and the style supplements for a great way to start your day.  It would make a great gift for foodies, hosts or to share whilst opening presents on 25 December.

CHRISTMAS BALLET

Going to the ballet at Christmas is one of my favourite traditions.  It's one of my favourite things to do all year round, but a festive production is that bit more special.  My mum scraping frost off the car windows and driving to a matinee is one of my earliest memories.  On another occasion, I remember asking a lady sat in front of me if I could please look at her binoculars, probably around 5 or 6 years old, for which I got a mighty telling off.  Maybe you should have given me 20p to hire my own, HEY MA?

Sleeping Beauty at the Paris Opéra

As I was in Paris last winter I saw Rudolf Nureyev’s The Sleeping Beauty by the Paris Opera Ballet at L'Opéra Bastille.  I went to the opening night, so there were some wobbles, brushing of tutus and slightly asymmetrical formations, but overall it was wonderful.  I splurged on a fifth row stall seat so I could see the magnificent costumes, the splendour of the elaborate, golden set design, the Baroque court dances and beautiful solos up close.

This year I'm going to see The English National Ballet's production of The Nutcracker at The Coliseum, which I last saw in 2011 a couple of days before going to New York for Christmas. There are still tickets available here.

The Nutcracker at the London Coliseum

11 Dec 2014 – 4 Jan 2015

FRIDAY'S FFFFOUND: FLUFFY PINK

GARRY WINOGRAND RETROSPECTIVE IN PARIS

Garry Winogrand was an American photographer (1928-1984) who documented modern life on the city streets in his native New York, his primary working location, and across the United States.  He captured moments during the country's most vital and eruptive post-war decades, mainly the 1950s-70s, from Manhattan to Santa Monica and from the historical to the intimate.  

New York, 1962

SEPTEMBER INSTAGRAM PHOTOS

In September I attended a few London Fashion Week shows, did the circuit on the AW14/ Christmas press days, watched the Tour of Britain and took my boyfriend to Warsaw for his 30th birthday.  It was my first time in Poland and I loved it - more on that later...

1. beautiful hydrangeas 2. chocolate box buildings, Poland style 3. the divine new NARCISO fragrance by Narciso Rodriguez 4. with The Outnet's little Sergio the shoe hunter at Somerset House 5. shooting the new Sweaty Betty sports luxe collection 6. rose gold leather clutch and jewellery at London Fashion Week 7. metallic snakeskin leather court shoes from Lucy Choi 8. the Felder Felder catwalk 9. new Jonathan Saunders for Debenhams plum dress and faux fur

1. vintage gold Chanel necklace 2. pretty Warsaw Old Town at night 3. getting LFW-ready at home 4. fresh lilies and cabbage flowers to start a fresh week 5. scarf and sunglasses on the chilly yet sunny first day of autumn 6. invitations 7. fun and games at the Barbican's Digital Revolution exhibition 8. sipping Champagne and looking at pretty shoes to celebrate Faith turning 50 (every 50th birthday party should involve glitter rainbow heels) 9. the Tour of Britain peloton

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ROSIE IN VOGUE MEXICO

British supermodel Rosie Huntington-Whiteley is looking super-glam in the November 2014 issue of Vogue Mexico, shot by James Macari.  Wearing Versace and Miu Miu, bright jewel colours and OTT jewellery with huge coiffed hair set in waves and a full face of make up to compliment the 80s power dressing/ wealthy-housewife-means-business vibe.  Styled by Sarah Gore Reeves, hair by Jenny Cho and make-up by Lisa Storey.  It may not be tasteful, but I like it.

FRIDAY'S FFFFOUND: ALPHABET