The Last Minute Christmas Gift Guide

Christmas presents sorted yet?  No, me neither...  For my fellow last minute gift buyers, I'm sharing a mix of what's on my and my friends and family's wishlist to hopefully inspire you with some final ideas to get that list ticked off this weekend.

for the friend with Bake Off aspirations: Dartington Crystal Cake Stand

for the friend who always has fresh flowers: West Elm Fluted Brass Vase

for the fragrance lover: Gucci Bloom Eau de Parfum

for the glamorous homebird: Cire Trudon Ernesto Scented Candle

for the luxe beauty addict: Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Lift & Firm Foundation

for the queen of comfort: The White Company Cashmere Bed Socks

for the friend who makes a damn fine cuppa: Le Creuset Stoneware Breakfast Jug

for the friend who always has salon-smooth hair: Olaplex No.3 Hair Perfector

for the magpie in your life: Astley Clarke Medium Interstellar Diamond Hoop Earrings

for the skincare queen: Clarins Beauty Flash Balm

for the crafty person in your life: Pen Heaven Gold Calligraphy Set

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Twelfth Night

I adore this winter editorial from the January 2019 issue of Harper's Bazaar.  A wintry fantasy of flowing silks and tumbling tulles adorn this magical fashion story's heroine, as she leads her menagerie through the fairytale forests and spellbinding sands of Holkham Hall in Norfolk. Model Kati Nescher is styled by Miranda Almond and photographed by Richard Phibbs.  Drea-my.

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The Girl With The Pearl Earring

My new favourite pair of earrings come in three metal colours to suit everyone - so whatever your preference, I recommend you add them to your jewellery box, pronto.

The Vera Pearl Drop Hoop Earrings from luxury British jewellery brand Astley Clarke feature lustrous pearls suspended on polished sterling silver hoops, or in yellow or rose gold vermeil, which is a very thick layer of 18 carat gold plated over the top of sterling silver.

They have a secure click fastening, offer a chic, modern take on a classic design, and make the perfect Zoom accompaniment.  They go with everything, and suit everyone.  LOVE.

Vera Pearl Drop Hoop Earrings, By Terry Baume de Rose Lip Balm, & Interstellar Diamond Ring

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Roses Velour

I'm a self-confessed, obsessed anthophile, and one of my very favourite flowers is the rose.  It's a classic for a reason and such a versatile bloom with many varieties - over 150 species and many more hybrids - including antique, old and new, climbing, rambling, tea, French, Chinese, sprawling Damask roses and fragrant English garden roses, in every shade of every colour from traditional red to vibrant magenta, peachy pink, dusky lilac, pure white and sunny yellow.  There is a rose for every style and palette.

I'm at my happiest in beautiful gardens at home and abroad, and a place which has been high on my wanderlust list for years, and combines my love of travel and flora, is Morocco - especially the garden city of Marrakech.  I can't wait to go and explore the rose valley in the Atlas mountains, the royal gardens of Mamounia, Yves Saint Laurent's Jardin Majorelle, the imaginative Anima Gardens and the Islamic Le Jardin Secret in the heart of bustling Marrakech medina.  In the meantime, I'll happily tide myself over with these beautiful products from marocMaroc, made with Moroccan rose extracts...

marocMaroc Jardin Mille Roses Perfumed Water 200ml & Roses Velours Moisturising Body Milk 200ml

Inspired by ancient Moroccan rituals, and stocked in some of the very best hotel spas including the Four Seasons, Royal Mansour and Palazzo Versace, marocMaroc is the one of the world's most luxurious spa brands.  I've fallen in love with layering these two products: the Roses Velours Moisturising Body Milk, a soothing, refined moisturiser with a delicate texture which melts into the skin, and the relaxing, refreshing Jardin Mille Roses Perfumed Water, which calms the mind and hydrates the skin.

The body lotion is beautifully fragranced with wild rose extracts and lily notes, whilst the argan and sesame oils soften the skin.  I've been spritzing the rose water throughout the day for a hydration boost - the light mist blossoms into sweet rose with a soft hint of violet, and I am obsessed.  All products are free from parabens, silicon and mineral oils, and available at Vilasa.

PR gifts, but all thoughts my own - you HAVE to smell these products

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#InstaRainbowChallenge

One of my favourite things to come out of lockdown has been adding a creative dose of colour to my day thanks to the #InstaRainbowChallenge, created by London stylists, vintage aficionados and colour queens Zeena Shah and Natalie Wall.  Inspired by the cheerful rainbows displayed in windows up and down the country showing support for key workers, the challenge invites everybody to embrace colour and dressing up, even if they have nowhere to go (another good hashtag).  Get involved to brighten your grid with multicoloured looks, reignite your passion for fashion and give the leggings, jumpers and top knots a break.  I really enjoyed dressing up, going through old travel photos and sharing rainbow content, so I thought I'd share here too...

Vow London Sherman red glitter sunglasses (made with recycled and biodegradable acetate), old H&M hoops, Charlotte Tilbury So Marilyn lipstick & vintage floral blouse

FaceGym

Reframing indulgence as self care, I've been going for a massage or facial at least once a month for over a year.  For some people that's normal, but for others (hi mum) that's being an extravagant lush, a label I'll gladly embrace if it means taking an hour to myself every few weeks to relax and unwind, and emerge feeling refreshed.