Valentines 2013: The Classics

(background image from here)

It's that time of year again. It's such fun if you're loved up, but less so if you're a single pringle. 

Bitterness aside, there is no denying that we can all appreciate the truly adorable pieces that can be found in the stores at the moment.

From the spine-tingling sexy lingerie through to the kitschy cutesy cards, there is something for everyone this time round. 

I'll be doing a few gifty guides over the next week, but i'll ease in with these unadulterated, romantic goodies that are classic but not even remotely cliche. 

If you would quite happily never see another heart-cuddling teddy bear again, you best direct your other half to this little post quick smart!

1. These cute cards from Topshop are the perfect little gesture for a loved one (£3.50 here)

2. It's a cheesy old chat up line, but this Paperchase card is also very cute. (£2.50 here)

3. I'm getting really into stamps just now (I'm that cool, yup) and this little Love Hearts stamp is an adorable little Valentines gift or treat. (£7.50 here)

4. Okay, this Paris Love bracelet by Mademoiselle Felee is a total beauty! It is delicate but stylish and a really unique present. (£34.50 here)

5. I'm weak at the knees for Mimi Holliday and this romantic Confetti Bomb balconette bra in an explosion of  coral and cherry polka dots is divine! Next on my list for sure. (£54 here)

6. Nicolas Feuillatte champagne is absolutely beautiful, and this rose offering is ideal for your pretty in pink lady. (£30 here) 

7. Sickeningly sweet, I know, but some people LOVE that. This key is an adorable gift for the person that truly does hold the key to your heart. (£8.50 NOTHS)

8. What lady wouldn't love a little Mulberry pouch on Valentines morning? This cherry red offering peppered with golden hearts is a romantic keepsake for your significant other. (£195 here)

9. I was lucky enough to receive these earrings for my birthday in a delicious aquamarine shade, but I love this pinky coral option for a more lovey-dovey twist. (£22 here)

10. What's the point in getting a bra without the matching knickers, boys? If you're treating your lucky lady to the Confetti Bomb bra, i'd be sure to pop these cerise lacy knickers in your basket as well. Tres jolie! (£40 here)

11. For another sickeningly adorable gift, why not invest in this gold-plated 'Cosy Lovebirds' pendant from Alex Monroe. It truly is beautiful and is most thoughtful! (£132 here)

12. How about these pillowcases for a you lovebirds to rest your sleepy heads on at night? I LOVE these (£45 here) 

13. Another little Mulberry indulgence, this is atop my wishlist at the moment, and i'm sure your other half would be more than grateful for one of these on the 14th. (£60 here)

14. More lingerie, this time you may go a little naughtier with a trip to Agent Provocateur. This silken Novah bra is truly glorious, even more so on. In rich raspberry satin with a kiss of scarlet lace, this bra is worth every last penny. (£95 here)

15. Pucker up! If you're looking for a little kiss this Valentines, then this Lulu Guinness lip clutch is sure to help you on your way. A modern classic! (£375 here)

16. These Charlotte Olympia limited edition Delphine heels are nothing short of yummy! They will 100% have you in the good books from here to eternity. (£595 here)

17. If you're looking for a little beauty product for your little miss, this limited edition 'Fracas' nail polish from Chanel should be just the ticket. It's sure to sell out fast, so get yourself to Selfridges to snap up this passionate bubblegum pink.  

18. These Novah lace trim silken french knickers are practically essential if you're buying the bra! The quality is superlative. (£65 here)

19. Yet another adorable card to swoon over. Not On The High Street always do 'em best, boys! This one contains a personalised love note- all together now: AAAAW. (£4.50 here)

The ANTI-DETOX

A gorgeous burger at the delectable Hotel Condes de Barcelona - perhaps my proudest culinary moment of 2012!

This first week of January is always a bit of a blur... Discounted sofas, cheap Christmas decorations and more sales than you can shake a candy cane at, it's a pretty bizarre time.

In addition, early January is also the only time of year when we are urged to watch our waistlines more than usual. And this is really quite a feat for a woman living in Britain in this day and age.

Each year I never cease to be amazed by how many ridiculous diets we are fed: the cleanses, the detoxes and, even more worryingly, the fasts. 

As much as i'm a firm believer that a new year offers a new start, I am also a believer that you should actually enjoy yourself! Why deprive your body of lovely food, great nights out and pleasurable activities just because your weekly glossy says so?..

 Life is for living, after all.

In all honesty, I can think of far more reasons NOT to detox than I can to detox, and these are detailed below. As much as I will be trying to get fit this year (see here), this is purely for my own health rather than aesthetic reasons, so in addition to my ever-so-slightly depressing fit-spiration, this blog post shall act as my FUN-spiration. 

After all, I shall be damned if I spend another day of my life beating myself up for eating a box of choccies or crying over a bowl of pasta (yes, that did actually happen)

1. I don't know whether you can read this Paperchase card (£2.75) but it has two pictures of otters with the simple words "My Significant Otter"... Anyone who knows me will understand my appreciation of this.

2. Mm mm mm! These passionate La Maison du Chocolat chocolates, available just in time for Valentines Day 2013, are the perfect incentive to stay well away from the detox. Kate Moss once said "nothing tastes as good as skinny feels" but I implore her to try some of these divine new chocolates and stand by her word? With delights such as aromatic pepper vanilla and smoky woody caramel, these romantic chocolates could tempt even a saint.

3. All together now- aaaaw. This "You're So Sweet" card from Paperchase is just that- ridiculously sweet! (£2.50)

4. And what lady can be without her champagne, really? A diet or detox that deprives a woman of such is just terrible. This divine Brut Rose edition from Nicolas Feuilallatte is just the ticket! (£30 for 75cl from John Lewis) 

1. This Sakura Scrub from Rituals is perfect for boosting circulation and thus reducing cellulite. It also smells and feels absolutely delectable. With a delicate cherry blossom aroma, this soft scrub is a treat to use! (£14.50)

2. Supposedly this Sit Tight body-firming serum from Soap and Glory works a charm. I am extremely keen to try it, but if any of you guys have please do give me your thoughts! (£16.50)

3. I use this NIP+FAB Upper Arm Fix religiously and made my way through two bottles in 2012 - I genuinely do think that this caffeine rich gel firms up my arms a treat, without having to slave away on bicep curls or whatever those made gym bunnies call 'em. It is also a bit of snip at £12.95, and it also has a zesty citrus scent.

4. I am dying to try out the Bliss FatGirlSlim treatment regime- it must be iconic for a reason, surely! It is £30 for these minis- if you've tried FGS, please do comment or email me with your thoughts.
 

I feel like a big, fat AMEN is in order for this one! The DKNY S/S 2013 collection was full of relaxed denim (image from Catwalking) and you can shop Topshop's fabulous £42 slim boyfriend jeans here. 

1. The best detox? Drink plenty and plenty of water! My new years resolution (well, one of them) is to do so and I have already noticed my skin to be that little bit clearer. I also have a little tip for curing a hangover before it even begins... No matter how sleepy you may feel, drink a pint of water before bed and all those nasty toxins will be diluted. Quench your thirst in style with this rather lovely DVF Edition of Evian from Harvey Nichols (£3.95)

2. If you are really serious about cleansing your body, green tea is a good place to start. This Organic Matcha from Teapigs is an award winning "super tea" which is absolutely swimming in anti-oxidants that your body will certainly thank you for. It isn't the cheapest at £24.95, but i've head some great things about this pure, fine blend.

3. If you want to pack in plenty of protein and fibre, check out the Bodyism cleanses at Space NK. They aren't exactly cheap (this Ultimate Cleanse chap will set you back £45) but they promise all sorts of treats for  your body from anti-ageing through to weight loss.  

Gift Guide: The Romantic

Christmas is, undoubtedly, a time to spend with loved ones, and if you're lucky enough to be all loved up this Christmas, then you'll no doubt be hunting for the perfect gift for your special somebody.

 And, as a much as i'm sure a lovey-dovey Christmas is beautiful, I must admit that I don't really envy you- buying the perfect present is a total nightmare.

In saying that, though, I simply must put my hands up and say that it is even harder for the boys. We're a picky lot, us ladies, and the worst part is that when men feel defeated and deflated after a good few hours of trawling the department stores, they will simply march to the lingerie department and buy some'it there. 

STOP. Read this first. Underwear is not as simple as "Ooft, that looked fit on Miranda Kerr so my girlfriend will look equally amazing in this hot pink lace corset with nipple tassels and suspenders."

Shopping for lingerie is a bit of a tricky one, but Marks & Spencer are reaching out a helping hand to you lost souls, with a lingerie buying guide on their website. This little godsend goes alongside their gorgeous collection of beautifully crafted, understated underwear (shop it here) that any lady would welcome with open arms on Christmas day.

You can read it here, but here are a few of my own little tips to ease you in... 

1. PICK THE RIGHT RED

For some reason, you guys seem particularly drawn to bright red lingerie, but you have to be careful. The wrong red is tacky, tomato bright and, more likely than not, cheap and nasty satin. Pick something a rich, black cherry shade with subtle lace detailing like this featured Rosie Huntington-Whiteley for Autograph set in Ruby... I just received this set and I think I am a little bit in love, it is decadent but still demure enough for everyday wear, and it fits like a dream.

2. KEEP IT SIMPLE 

It's all too easy to go a bit OTT when browsing the lingerie department, but you need to remember that this is a gift for her, not you. She is probably more drawn to pretty and feminine lingerie, so think about what she likes to wear rather than what you like her to wear.

3. ALWAYS GET THE RIGHT SIZE 

This is an obvious one, but a tricky one at that. She will not be grateful to unwrap a luxurious silken bra on Christmas morning, only to find that it does not fit. That will almost certainly have you in the bad books. Make sure it's the right size before you buy. Always.

1. This black lace set by Autograph at Marks and Spencer is sexy but still flattering and sophisticated: the balconette bra is a favourite of mine as it elongates the neck and boosts a smaller bust. The bra is £27.50 and the matching french knickers are £17.50.

2. A little champagne goes a long way, and is the perfect little extra for your lovely lady this Christmas. This Oudinot Rose champagne from Marks and Spencer is £28... It's also deliciously indulgent.

3. Light up her world with this heavenly candle by Diptyque. Nothing is more romantic than candle light and this delectable scented offering by Parisian favourite Diptyque has a heady and sensual Jasmine aroma that she will simply adore.

4. Give your girlfriend the gift of relaxation with this Jo Malone bath oil in seductive Pomegranate Noir. The scent is powerful and darkly luxurious and leaves skin soft and supple £52

5. My pick has to be this Rosie for Autograph set in Ruby. The rich dark red is glossy and festive, but still sophisticated and elegant. This underwear is the perfect balance of sexy and wearable. The bra is reduced to £18 and the matching knickers are reduced to £10.

6. My favourite set also comes in a number of other pretty colourways, including this soft oyster pink. Peachy pink lingerie is feminine but still sexy, and will always be a hit.

7. Another hit of jasmine comes from this ridiculously indulgent Tom Ford Private Blend fragrance in Jasmine Rouge. It smells seductive, sensual and richly opulent. A heady floral with a woody note, a little goes a long way and this £135 bottle will look fabulous in any boudoir.

8. All I want for Christmas is a man who is happy to buy me Agent Provocateur lingerie until it is coming out my ears. This little Selena set is beyond hot- I absolutely adore it. The bra is a cool £110 and the matching knickers are £96.

9. If you fancy buying something a little more pretty, then this Rosie for Autograph teddy in oyster pink silk is just stunning. It is flattering but still exudes glamour. This lovely piece is £45.

10. I absolutely adore Mimi Holliday by Damaris, and always keep my eyes peeled for it in post-Christmas sales, but if you're lady friend is an innocent one, then stick to this crisp cream set. The bra is just £45 and the matching lace knickers are £39.

11. Last but not least, if all else fails, buy 'er some chocolate. These passion fruit flavoured salted caramels by Artisan du Chocolat are so moreish that I could just eat them all day. Perfect with champagne. These are £13.45

Champagne Toasting, Chestnuts Roasting

TIS THE SEASON TO DRINK BOLLY!

... And Moet, of course!

I felt that with December in swing, i'd do a little Christmassy post to get you in the mood.

the lovely Christmas tree at Chelsea's favourite hotspot

I have to admit that I am not overly familiar with the Chelsea area, but at Christmas I do find that the Kings Road really does flourish, and the real jewel in the crown has to be The Bluebird.

A former garage, The Bluebird bar, shop and restaurant is a little bit of a Chelsea institution- and, for you MIC fiends, it is a permanent fixture on your screens.

is there anything quite so festive?

 
Having dropped by The Bluebird a couple of times over summer, I was rather excited when I received an invite to the launch party of their Winter Pop-Up bar, sponsored by Moet et Chandon.

These are dangerous words when you are as obsessed with the sparkly stuff as I am.

constant top-ups of Moet are dangerous- you have been warned

The charming Winter bar stands in front of the Bluebird bar and shop quite some way up the Kings Road, and is open from the 26th November through to the 3rd of January.

With twinkly fairy lights, candles and plenty of drinks to warm your cockles, this really is the perfect spot to unwind after a long day of exercising your credit card.

these little baby burgers were beyond delicious- perhaps my favourite canape, fabulously indulgent!

In London there really are some fantastic festive events going on, but it's the little details that set pop-up events like this apart- they even give you toasty red blankets when the evening turns particularly icy!

At the launch party I treated myself to far too many canapes including these tangy mini burgers, crispy whitebait, zingy prawn and avocado spoons and creamy mushroom croquettes, all washed down with far too many glasses of Moet. 

With chestnuts roasting on an open fire, a heated outdoor area and some lovely bar snacks on offer, I really would recommend The Bluebird for a little Christmas treat.

More details here!