THE ULTIMATE GIFT GUIDE 2014

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! A time to spend with family and friends, to eat, drink and be merry - it's also about finding the perfect gift for your loved ones. Feeling well and truly festive, I have once again compiled my annual gift guide for your perusal. More fabulous presents for your BFF, sister, mother.. one's self? Without further ado, go forth and browse...

Lingerie Set - Topshop ∙ Faux Fur Coat - Miss Selfridge ∙ Ring Polish - Dior ∙ Embellished Gloves - John Lewis ∙ Star Ring - Accessorize ∙ Lace Heels - Topshop ∙ Clutch Bag - Accessorize ∙ Velvet Slippers - Boden ∙ Mini Eyeshadow Set - Bobbi Brown ∙ Red Lipstick - Dior 

Luxury Dressing Gown - M&S ∙ Christmas Ornament - Jo Malone ∙ Eye Shadow Palette - Bobbi Brown ∙ Mini Lipstick Set - Charlotte Tilbury ∙ Star Hoop Earrings - Accessorize  ∙ Necklace - Accessorize ∙ Essie Polish - Boots ∙ Pink Make-Up Set - Nars ∙ Purse iPhone Charger - John Lewis ∙ Super Model Set - Charlotte Tilbury ∙ Silk Pjs - Marks and Spencers  

Velvet Slippers - Liberty ∙ Pink Purse - Kate Spade ∙ Floral Note Pad - Rifle Paper Co ∙ Pencils - Kate Spade ∙ Pearl Hoops - H&M ∙ Truffles - Liberty ∙ Cheek Blush Palette - Nars ∙ Lip Pencil Set - Nars ∙ Tea Cup - Liberty ∙ Make-Up Bag - Charlotte Tilbury ∙ Good As Gold Purse - John Lewis 

Rifle Paper Co Calendar - Quill ∙ Best of Both Worlds Set - Origins ∙ Kate Spade Stapler - Quill ∙ Phone Case - Kate Spade  ∙ Teeny Star Necklace - Accessorize ∙ Sewing Jar - M&S ∙ Adventurer Mug - Topshop ∙ Pineapple - Urban Outfitters ∙ Rhubarb & Custard Sweets - Liberty ∙ Pencil Set - Liberty ∙ Pink Mushroom Mug - Topshop 

Teddy Robe - Topshop ∙ Monogram Journal - Anthropologie ∙ iPhone Case - Riffle Paper Co ∙ Body Cream Set - Laura Mercier ∙ Try Me Kit - Philip Kingsley ∙ Measuring Cups - M&S ∙ Muffin Tray - M&S ∙ Rolling Pin - M&S  

Journal - Sugar Paper ∙ Star Necklace - John Lewis ∙ Brushed Scarf - Topshop ∙ Travel Set - Nuxe ∙ Pigment Set - MAC ∙ Brush Kit - MAC ∙ Eye Shadow Palette - Charlotte Tilbury ∙ Winter Gift Set - Nuxe

Buster Dog Socks - Oliver Bonas ∙ Christmas Socks - H&M ∙ Shirt Collar Insert - River Island ∙ Red Lip Set - MAC ∙ J'adore Jumper - Oliver Bonas ∙ Brush Set - Feel Unique ∙ Lip & Cheek Set - Topshop ∙ Thermal Mug - Kate Spade ∙ Purse - Kate Spade ∙ Lipgloss Set - Laura Mercier 

Cashmere Scarf - Warehouse ∙ Tortoise Dish - Urban Outfitters ∙ Gin Zing Set - Origins ∙ Cashmere Knit Gloves - Johnstons ∙ Bunny Ring Holders - ASOS ∙ Leopard Print Purse - Topshop ∙ Midi Ring Set - Accessorize ∙ Bird Earrings - Marc Jacobs ∙ Monogram Mug - Anthropologie ∙ Initial Wash Bag - Alphabe Bags ∙ Gift Set - Nuxe ∙ Essentials Set - Ren 

 Pineapple Photo Frame - Paperchase ∙ Coper Wire Recipe Stand - Oliver Bonas ∙ Note Books - Rifle Paper Co ∙ Watch - Kate Spade ∙ Blush Palette - Hourglass ∙ Tote Bag - Alphabet Bags ∙ Radiance Gift Set - Ren ∙ Foil iPhone Case - Marc Jacobs  ∙ Owl Measuring Cups - M&S ∙ Lipstick - Charlotte Tillbury ∙ Cashmere Socks - Warehouse ∙ Star Earrings - John Lewis ∙ iPhone Charger - Anthroplogie 

Secret Garden - Anthroplogie ∙ Map Mug - Topshop ∙ Pencil Set - ASOS ∙ Sensitive Set - Ren ∙ Bizarre London - Amazon ∙ Cashmere Blanket Scarf - Topshop ∙ Diary - ASOS ∙ First Aid Beauty Kit - Feel Unique ∙ Cleanse & Polish Set - Liz Earle ∙ Earphone - Cath Kidston ∙ Lip Balm Set - Khiels 

For the girl that has everything, I certainly know a few gifts on here I'll be penning on my list to santa! Even more so with these tempting offers...

∙ ASOS - 20% off with code CYBERWKND20

∙ Selfridges - 20% off with code SELF14

∙ Topshop - 50% off selected lines here

∙ Feel Unique - 15% off with code CYBER15

∙ Whistles - 25% off everything 

∙ Boden - 30% off with code F4V7

∙ Anthropologie - 20% off everything 

∙ Warehouse - 25% off with code CYBER25

∙ John Lewis - price match 10% off 

∙ House of Fraser - 40% off Brand Event (with up to 20%! off beauty)

∙ M&S - 30% off selected lines

∙ Space NK - free delivery

∙ Urban Outfitters - 50% off selected lines

∙ Cath Kidston - 15% off with code SNOW15

What gift would you like to receive from above? I would love to know!

The Next Instalment: Rifle Paper Co.

Long gone are the days I sigh and swoon over the latest must-have handbags (ok, that's a lie) but my interests have somewhat shifted. Rifle Paper Co certainly have me weak at the knees, quite impressive I dare say for a stationary brand. Featuring a wide range beautifully hand drawn illustrations and prints, Anna Bond's boutique range of stationary including notebooks, cards, calendars etc are a haven for floral lover.

Having spoken about my trip to their H.Q in Florida last year, I may have indulged a little in my fleeting visit to NY earlier this year...

Flying home with me came a selection of postcards just asking to be framed and adorning the house I am yet to own. Excitedly I also bought some sheets of printed gift wrap much to my parents amusement, which I also plan to frame! The calendar was a sweet birthday gift from my work friends, but I dare say another calendar also made it home with me from NY too. Next on my Rifle Paper Co list are more city prints - I may as well spray paint my future home with Rifle, thank goodness they sell wallpaper eh?

Enough ramble, here are a few stationary shops worth writing home about are:

- Paper Source, NY. A calm amongst the bustling streets of Lower Manhattan, I spent a good hour looking through their range of cards and stationary. A fabulous section on crafting, it was hard to return home with a suitcase full.

- Posman Books, NY. The most wonderful bookshop I stumbled across in the Chelsea Market, they have an excellent range of hand-picked titles - admittedly I found a great deal of gifts for people! Not to be missed are their extensive number of notebooks, heaven.

- Quill, online. My go-to for Kate Spade stationary and just about everything stylish in correspondence. I'm shouting loudly about Quill, and so should you.

- Liberty, London. Getting lost in the stationary hall is my favourite thing to do in the Liberty department store. It's so British it's wonderful.

Tell me, what other stationary shops should I visit?

Thoughts: She believed she could, so she did.

It's been a while since we last sat down and had a chat, over the last month my blog has somewhat become an ode to Kate Spade (sorry not sorry) and although my blog doesn't really get much deeper than that, sometimes I like to ramble. So here goes.

Since turning the grand old age of 25, I've definitely suffered a quarter life crisis. Symptoms include: buying two bedside table lamps for the non-exsistant house, hurrying to book in for dentist and smear tests (I'm too young for dentures!), drafting a saving plan so I can buy non-exsistant house and basically, everything on this Buzzfeed list. Career/money/health worries, 25 has been hard already.

Following the manta 'buy less, choose well' truly backfired this month, online shopping cursed me like a scorned women with terrible sizing - and whilst I may not have any wardrobe additions (sob), I actually bought most of my Christmas shopping. Which theoretically means that I totally get to blow my December paycheck on presents for oneself right?

Speaking of the festive season,  I'm going all out this year already. Who knew planning your gift wrap was so important? My Christmas jumper(s) are just itching to be worn, festive recipes are waiting patiently to be baked, merry dates are filling my diary and alas, the biggest gift guide post known to man is taking shape on the blog (watch this space).

Indulging in: The Rosie Huntington-Whitely plush dressing gown for M&S has become new obsession, I feel like I'm wafting around in a soft heavenly cloud / slash / wearing a big cloak on The Wall ala Game of Thrones style. 

Beauty Pick: Feeling fierce I totally rocked a red lip to work (thank you Nars Cruella), brightening up a dull day - I've totally got this statement lip down. Also, a strange one. But the Radox Nourish shower gel leaves your skin feeling silky smooth, get on it. 

Lust: These fur lined slippers with a fluffy pom pom from Boden - I say no more.

And just because, it would be rude not too - there is 20% off the new UK Kate Spade website with code 'BEMERRYGB'. Hop over to Charlie's blog and enjoy her stateside posts. For many crimes against drunk vlogging, see me debut in Corrie's vlog here. Note, naughty ribeana's should totally be a thing and Kim K's bum is massive in RL. Go watch the video.

So what's new with you?

Beauty Talk: The Matte Lip

I'm seriously late to the party, but boy am I a convert to the red luxe lip. For such a bold look, it took some major baby steps but fast forward a couple of months, I've well and truly smitten. What do you ask is my lipstick of choice? The overly hyped (and with great reason) Sephora Matte Long-Wear lip colour in Scarlet. A lipstick hybrid of gloss meets stick, this ultra light-weight formula is impressively long wearing, beautifully pigmented and moisturising on the lip. Quite possibly the perfect balance. Not quite completely matte - there's a slip, with a slight sheen. I'll take one in every shade please!

What is your go-to red lipstick/gloss of choice? 

The Sephora lip products are available to ship to the UK with free shipping on orders over $100. Tempting. 

Home: The Jewellery Tray

God, I love me a trinket. Especially in the shape of a dinky ceramic tray with nautical thin gold stripes. Who even knew J.Crew did such pretty little treasures? A home for every day essentials after a busy day at work, I snapped up this little bargain stateside.

And whilst J.Crew have a pretty fabulous UK website, but with the pound sign replacing the dollar - you really don't get much bang for your buck. Although I would certainly pop into their Regent St store for a browse, word on the grapevine their sale section is worth a rummage. A challenge I plan to accept.

Taking pride of place is the Kate Spade knot ring, a recent addition that's pretty understated and chic. Then the most beautiful pair of crystal studs and dainty star necklace that I happened to chance upon in a tiny boutique whilst exploring a little seaside town on holiday.

What are your most coveted jewellery pieces at the moment?

Style Notes: All That Glitters

I've touched on my love for statement jewels many a time, especially as we enter the cooler months ahead. Perfect for dressing up a plain knit jumper, an embellished necklace can certainly take your look from zero to hero in an instant. Building up quite the collection, I knew when I landed state-side last month that J.Crew would be my first port of call. Serving up a wide range of embellished necklaces season after season, despite their horrendous price tag, they are surely an investment piece - it's a rare day I don't rush to reach for one of these beauties.

As it happens I was lucky to find these treasures in an outlet and they both came to a total of thirty bucks. Not too shabby eh? Back on UK ground I'll be sticking to my favourite haunts, most notably Accessorize for their trend-ticking offerings.

Necklaces - J.Crew / Jewellery Box - Anthropologie 

Tell me I'm not alone here with my passion for statement jewels?

Style Notes: Taking A Walk On The Wild Side

Making the stylish pact to add more print into my wardrobe, baby steps were needed when entering the world of leopard print. Coming in the shape of these darling J.Crew sandals bought stateside, I'm slowly but surely holding on to my pact.

The smoking slipper style has become steadily more on trend in the last few months, with the high-street awash with different textures and hues. Effortlessly cool (dare I say hip?), they easily pair with jet-black skinnies and oversized grey knit for a relaxed but polished look. Needless to say I now have my eye on these J.Crew flats and am looking to add this purrrfect printed jumper into my wardrobe.

Who doesn't love another pair of statement flats? See Accessorize's similar pair here, they're a dead ringer.

One In A Million: Kate Spade Initial Necklace

Well let's be honest here, it's pretty apparent that i'm having a full blown love affair with Kate Spade. Sue me - I just can't get enough. More so when I clocked the effortlessly beautiful gold initial pendent necklace. Having been on the hunt for an initial necklace since the beginning of time, I just couldn't find one that was right or within my budget. I may have even accosted (read: asked nicely) a lady on the overground who was wearing a beautiful letter 'e' necklace but with no such luck, I gave up.

Letter Necklace Pendent - Kate Spade

That was until I spotted this beauty online, heavily hinting to Mathew in the lead up to my birthday. He won some serious boyfriend brownie points when an 's' made it's way across the pond and into my grasp. The perfect size and colouring with an extended fastening, the initial necklace has become a true treasure in my collection and just as the reverse states, one in a million.

Anyone else falling helplessly in love with Kate Spade with me?