Gift Guide: The Good Time Girl

Leaving it to the last minute? So are the majority of us, don't worry.

Christmas has come upon us all rather suddenly, hasn't it? And now you may be ready to join the majority of the United Kingdom in trawling the high streets hunting for "ANYTHING" to buy for friends/family etc.

If you're still stuck, check out this year's gift guides on the blog including : 

* The Sweet Tooth

* The Gym Bunny 

* The Goth Girl

* The Glitter Girl

* The Cosy Cutie

* The Romantic

And, last but not least, the Good Time Girl!

Who? The Good Time Girl is the life and soul of the party, the girl who everyone counts on to light up a room, the girl who never says no to a night out and the girl who knows that life is for living! 

What does she love? She loves to have fun, first and foremost!

Where does she shop? Topshop for party dresses, Nails Inc for fabulous nail art, Urban Outfitters for fun bits and bobs and Dannijo for sparkling jewellery. 

1. This little embellished romper from Topshop is a cool £200, but it is the ideal gift for the belle of the ball.
2. I love Wildfox tees for Christmas presents, and this Young Hearts Run Free tee is £68
3. I adore this little sparkly 'Glitterball' iPad case from Kate Spade- so sweet and fun ! $80
4. Girls With Class Don't Need A Glass- this hip flask is great for any good time girl. £12 at Urban Outfitters or 2 for £15
5. Time does indeed fly when you're having fun, so do something thoughtful this Christmas and give her this Urban Outfitters photo album, full of pictures from the time of your life- £18, exclusive online.
6. Speaking of fun, how gorgeous is this bottle of Absolut Unique Edition vodka? The perfect gift, each one of these pop-art bottles is different, and what crazy girl doesn't love some crisp, clean Absolut vodka? £21.50 from Harvey Nichols and Selfridges
7. I think that Philosophy bath shower gels make for the best presents- and this Senorita Margarita hit is a bit of a cult classic. It smells zingy, fresh and fun, £14.
8. I love Nails Inc polishes, and I think that their Couture service is just fabulous for a quirky Christmas gift. You can get it done in a few stores, or order online, and choose a pretty topper, your favourite colour and personalise the label to suit the giftee. I opted for this zingy neon coral topped with a gold sparkly lid, this combination would set you back £20.
9. This hot pink postmans lock organiser from Mulberry is simply a gorgeous present, and any lady would be lucky to have it! £295 from Mulberry stores. 
10. These fabulously sparkly crystal drop earrings from River Island are the perfect accompaniment to any show-stopping little sequin dress, £10.
11. This stuff smells just divine! This Bliss 'Berry Bubbly' set of Raspberry Champagne bubble bath and body butter smells fruity and sweet and is the perfect pre or post party pampering routine, £29.
12. I absolutely love this stunning cuff by Dannijo. You can buy it as a set with several cool bracelets in what The Man Repeller Leandra Medine calls the Wanderlust Arm Party for $595, or you can stick to this bold but sophisticated Smyson cuff at $420.
13. Last but not least, keep chilly hands at bay with these fun Hi 5 mittens from Kate Spade- I love them ! $47.00 on sale.

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

Gift Guide: The Gym Bunny

All I want for Christmas is abs.

This is a fact.

However, some lucky little duckies already have abs, chiselled ones at that, and such ladies are known as Gym Bunnies.

So while they may appear to have everything, these fitness freaks need Christmas treats too.

Who? The gym bunny is the sort of girl who is all about health and fitness. It's in the name, really. While she could well spend every waking moment down the gym, she could also simply be a yoga fan or even a bit of a health food fanatic! This is one lady who wont need to detox post-Christmas, that's for sure!

What does she love? While it may be tempting to renew her gym membership, or buy her some trainers or some'it, be a little creative yeah? These presents are all treats which any fitness fan would go weak at the knees for- particularly that Wildfox set- I. NEED. THE. CROP. TOP.

So where shall I head for my little gym bunny?!

1. WILDFOX "I Need Coffee" Crop Top $50 at Dolls Kill and Trousers £90 on the Wildfox site
2. Elemental Herbology SOS Circulation Serum £27 here - dying to try this!
3. North Face E-Tip Gloves £30 - touch screen gloves for freezing fingers
4. I Am Off To The Gym tote bag at Not On The High Street £30
5. GO TO THE GYM Cushion (spotted on Pinterest, but buy here for $89)
6. New Generation iPad Nano £129
7. Stella McCartney for Adidas CLIMAPROOF Running Shorts £50
8. David Kirsch's Abs and Arms at Space NK £20
9. Bounce Balls Coconut and Macadamia Protein Bliss around £2.50 each- my favourite high protein snack
10. Yoga Fan Practise-A-Day Guide at Sweaty Betty here £15
11. Nip + Fab Tummy Fix Daily Ab Gel here £19.25

Gift Guide: The Glitter Girl

Ding dong merrily mince pies! 

Yaaay it's less than a month till Christmas and I have finished all my work and am now ready and raring to dive headfirst into my Christmas shopping and obsessive Pinning of festive frivolities!

And, yes, I am more than aware that I sound like a raving loser but I don't care, ok?

So, without further a do, here is my prettiest gift guide yet- all for the glitter girl! 

Who? She's a girly girl at heart, but when the festive season comes around she moves from her love of all things pretty and pink, to all things shiny! If it's a little bit sparkly, she'll be a smitten kitten!

What does she love? Everything that is pretty and shimmery. Nothing tacky, nothing plasticky, just glimmering treats from frosted shower gels to Cinderella-esque Nicholas Kirkwood platforms.

So where shall I head for The Glitter Girl?

1. Rebecca Taylor Dress £350
2. Accessorize Necklace £20
3. Tatty Devine Necklace £27
4. OPI James Bond Polish in You Only Live Once £11
5. Ted Baker Wash Bag £25
6. Philosophy Cherry Christmas Sparkly Shower Gel £14
7. Incredible Nicholas Kirkwood Shoes £695
8. Lara Bohinc Necklace £690 at Atelier-To-Go
9. Bobbi Brown £35
10. Accessorize Notepad £7
11. AMAZING Jimmy Choo iPad case £260
12. Anya Hindmarch Glitter Clutch Bag £450

Gift Guide 2012: The Cosy Cutie

Hello there ladies and gents, feeling festive yet? If not... Look away, for this post is about to get as festive as Buble's Christmas album (which has been on loop since the 1st of November)...

Following my initial Goth Girl gift guide, this one is for a slightly girlier girl, less about edge, more about choccies and woolies!

Who? She's the easy going girl, whatever you buy her, she'll love it. She's the one who ooh's and aah's at all the latest festive knits, and she loves nothing more than curling up in her pyjamas, hot choc in hand and a bit of Gosling ont telly. 

What does she love? She loves everything about Christmas, to be honest. She is a family girl, and is always smiling and chirpy. She loves gingerbread men, cool fair isle sweaters and everything that is a little bit kitsch. She is also rather partial to a few cheeky eggnog lattes in Starbucks. She is a cosy cutie pie, at the end of the day.

Where does she shop? Everywhere, really, she is not particularly fussy, but she loves Urban Outfitters around Christmas time, and Jack Wills' jammies are her absolute vice. She is crazy for cosy winter warmers and knows that Christmas is the best time to indulge, be that in delectable chocolates from Hotel Chocolat or super sweet marzipan body souffle.

Oh, but, what do I buy her?!...

1. Brrr-illiant hat by Markus Lupfer at Whistles £55
2. Fair Isle leggings from Jack Wills £29.50
3. Gorgeous little mittens by Jack Wills £24.50
4. HILARIOUS Feminist Ryan Gosling book at Urban Outfitters £8.99
5. Incredible "Woodzip" Candle by Popup Paris at Harvey Nichols (literally smells like an open fire!)
6. Little choccy gingerbread men from Hotel Chocolat £6.50
7. The Cookbook collection by Philosophy (the most incredible smelling minis ever!) $30
8. Love sweater at Miss Selfridge £39
9. Cosy fair isle slippers at Accessorize £20
10. Limited edition Christmas sweater by Isabel Marant at Net-A-Porter £350
11. Delectable chocolate honeycomb treats from Artisan du Chocolat £19.95
12. Super soft cream fur snood from River Island £30
13. Smoothie Star body cream from Soap and Glory (it literally smells like marzipan- yum!) £10.50