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

Gift Guide: Sweet Tooth

So, in a stark contrast with my previous gift guide (ahem, here) I bring you something a little sweeter.

A lot sweeter, actually!

Terrifyingly, the average person puts on a maahooosive five pounds around Christmas, but who can blame us when there are so many gorgeous treats around?! It really is rather difficult to stay in those size 8 skinny jeans when faced with a selection box and copious glasses of champagne... Lord help me!

Anyway, there are very few girls- or, indeed, boys- who would not thank you for something sweet on Christmas day so here are a few suggestions that are sweeter than honey.

Who? The sweet tooth is pretty much any boy or girl who goes gaga at the thought of a big bag of fudge or weak at the knees when faced with the Selfridges food hall (me? of course not...)

What does a sweet tooth love? Chocolate, biscuits, cup cakes, marshmallows, meringues, baking, sweet smelling goodies, gummy sweets, macaroons, cocktails- if it's sweet, they shall take it. 

Aah, easy peasy, so what's out there this Christmas?!

1. Hotel Chocolat The Yule Buche Collection (with slate) £25
2. The Biscuiteers Little Shoes Tin £30
3. Lily Vanilli's Sweet Tooth Cookbook £8 from Amazon
4. Black Cherry Candy Cane 99p each at Mrs Kibbles
5. Salted Caramel Drinking Chocolate £6.50 by Artisan du Chocolat
6. Laura Mercier Creme Brulee Candle £29
7. Art of Mallow Salted Caramellow Marshmallows (available here- such lovely flavours!) £2.75
8. Individual Alternative Mince Pie by Hotel Chocolate- so tasty!
9. Gingerbread Cookies white chocolate fusion bar £3 at Artisan du Chocolat
10. Harvey Nichols "Fashionista" hamper- £75 (contains chocolate toffee, chocolate and nut biscuits, red berry tea bags, Baci di Nama chocolate hazelnut biscuits, marzipan fruits, wild flower honey, pink grapefruit marmalade and sauvignon blanc)
11. Fauchon Macaroons and Champagne gift set €37

SW Fashion Giveaway

A Box of Treats for one lovely reader!

If you've been following this blog for a while (and you're not my mum) then you'll know that it's not like me to do a giveaway... But i'm feeling all lovely and Christmassy so thought i'd put together a little box of goodies for one of you guys to win!

Rather than just one pretty little thing, I thought i'd put together a big box of gifts to fill you with festive cheer including a pendant and cocktail ring by Chelsea Doll, a River Island laptop case, a classic Nails Inc gift set, an adorable pill case by US brand Miamica and some sweet treats!

To enter, all you have to do is:
* follow the blog via G+ and on twitter
*  pop your email address in the comment box below

A winner will be chosen at random towards the end of December ! 

Patriotic Puddings

I am proud to be British for many reasons, one of which is the puddings. Does that make me a pig? Totally trivial? Obsessed with food? Perhaps all of the above, but i'll hold my hands up to that. I love puddings and British ones are the best.

Sure, i'll take your Grasshopper Pie or your chocolate dipped churros, i'll even scoff that Tiramisu if you want (my best one yet? Missoni in Edinburgh), but if you were to offer me a glorious trifle, all jewel bright jelly and unctuous vanilla custard, i'd be putty in your hands. I am equally passionate about the Eton Mess; a mountain of whipped cream, chewy meringue clouds and swirls of seasonal british strawbs. And let us not forget the comforting warmth of the great British apple crumble- the satisfying softness of cinnamon dusted apples followed by the crunchy, sugary crumble.

Let's just say it: Britain do puds best. Just deal with it Michel Roux Jnr, Mary Berry's got you beat.

That is not to say, though, that every Brit has a secret talent for pudding production- I am a case in point. I once left it to my lovely mother and grannies to feed my sweet tooth and fatten me up Augustus Gloop stylee with their sticky toffee puddings and pavlovas, but now i've fled the nest I have been left to my own devices. As you are aware, my cooking style is less "made" more "microwaved"and as a result my sweet tooth has been deprived.

If you're also a fan of the ready meal, or baking-phobic, then fear not! While there are a million and one beautiful Jubilee recipes around at the moment, shun them all and get your pudding fix from Montezuma's chocolate (available online here and at Liberty)

The union-flag emblazoned choccy bars are delectable and now several new flavours, inspired by only the best British puds, have hit the stores in time for the jubilee next weekend. Choose from apple crumble, spotted dick, lemon meringue, summer pudding (mmm), treacle tart and the ubiquitous Eton Mess. Or, if you're feeling peckish, click here and purchase a cheeky box of pudding inspired truffles.

Apologies if this post has made you hungry... I'm also salivating, if that helps?

Your all time favourite British pud?

Cash or Cals?

As Easter approaches, and shops fill with enticing chocolate-y delights, I have never felt hungrier. Constantly. I WANT CHOCOLATE NOW... Please.

I have decided, after finding out that the majority of easter eggs contain an excess of 800 calories- a thought that sends shivers down my spin, I will be good about being bad and simply ask for a small box of Charbonnel et Walker pink Marc de Champagne truffles, despite the hugely tempting eggs that wink at me from the new Hotel Chocolat store in Edinburgh.

Or, instead of gaining several hundred pounds, I could lose several thousand pounds and buy a Fabergé egg pendant from their new online store? Different kind of pound, but still.

The beautifully intricate trinkets are extravagantly expensive and coincide with the lovely Big Egg Hunt in London (London, I miss you). The website states that the dazzling rose gold and diamond offering at £6738 is the perfect easter gift, and if that is the case my parents have been slacking, big time.

If I receive another pack of Mini Eggs expect a full diva strop, this sapphire and diamond one should do  nicely. 

Mother's Day Gift Guides: Yum Mum

by Shona Wallace, @SWfashion_

Nothing makes a woman feel better than chocolate. Fact. 

Okay, that's maybe not the case for everyone, but I personally have yet to be faced with something so stressful that a Nutella-smothered digestive wont fix. And a box of tangy or creamy or crunchy chocolates is all the more stress-relieving and uplifting. Thus, mother's day is the perfect excuse to buy a tonne of choccies for your mum, with every intention of pinching one yourself.

Or you could go down the cake route. Buy them at the Hummingbird or go all Nigella and make a delicious cake yourself (by, ahem, Nigella). A coffee and walnut number always goes down a storm!

As far as sweet treats goes, however, I would happily give birth if it meant my kiddies would buy me macaroons from Laduree- the rose ones are just heaven! Failing that, i'd happily take the "All About Mum" Sleekster from Hotel Chocolat... Presumably I can still eat them despite being a proud mother of none?

SHOPPERS TIP! If you're buying your mum some chocolate, always go to Artisan du Chocolat in Selfridges. They have the best selection of chocolates ever, and their salted caramels and golden chocolate pearls are delectable. The best part? The Selfridges concession often gives out freebies! The embarrassing part? I think the shop assistant recognises me as I visit so frequently...

(make Mother's Day extra sweet at Laduree, Hotel Chocolat, Artisan du Chocolat, Mrs. Kibbles, Nigella, Hummingbird Bakery and Notonthehighstreet.com)