It’s ever-so very nearly time to break up from school. Otherwise known as the last day in the office before the New Year. Words can’t even touch on how excited that makes me… combine that with the fact I’m flying to Berlin tomorrow, and excitement reaches epic proportions. Y’see, for someone like me who throws themselves into Christmas 110%, that city is perfect. I don’t care how many stalls there are featuring homemade tree decorations… I will look at them all. Twice. With bells on. I hope you’ve all got lovely weekends coming up – what do you have planned?
With cards starting to drop through the letterbox (many coated in a generous amount of glitter – how well my friends know me), I’ve been looking around for inspiration on how to display them. Last year I went for the simple trick of stringing up some tinsel and lining the cards up along it. But for something a bit more creative, the ideas below caught my eye, especially the cards hanging from branches. You can’t beat a bit of Martha magic:

{images via pinterest & Martha Stewart}
For my look of the week, I’ve gone for Brooklyn Decker (if you haven’t seen the movie Just Go With It, please do… unexpectedly hilarious) in a skater-esque dress with a very daring shoe choice. But somehow it works. What do you think? And for my favourite room, well, who wouldn’t want to curl up on that sofa with just a good book and a blanket for company:

{images via prphotos & creamy life}
I hope you have an amazing weekend whatever you’re doing and wherever you may be…

Ahh, one of my very favourite posts to do. The gift guide. Basically I get to take a tour of my choice online spots and pick out what I’d like to see under the tree this Christmas. It’s a tough job, but I’m happy to do it for you, my friends. So here you have it… some pieces that I think would make for very stylish gifts, whatever your budget. Especially #6. The perfect party accompaniment:

{1. Kate Spade Prize Ball Thermos – $35 / 2. Mulberry Bayswater bracelet – £200 / 3. Jonathan Adler hot pink throw – £295 / 4. Archipelago peony scented candle – £24.95 / 5. West Elm safari rug – from £67.27 / 6. Miu Miu two-toned sequin clutch – £595 / 7. See by Chloé patent wallet – £120 / 8. Anthropologie faux fur collar – £158 / 9. Oliver Bonas Valeria agate cuff – £22 / 10. Toast knee high boot – £275 / 11. Vanilla Paris Bertie bag – £125 / 12. Zara sequined ballerina – £49.99 / 13. Graham & Green feather cushion – £38 / 14. Rose & Grey linen and leather armchair – £655 / 15. Accessorize stripe slippers – £16 / 16. Alyssa Smith Tweetie necklace – £65 / 17. Hello Monkey ‘Learning to dance’ print – £14}
What you are you secretly (or not-so-secretly) wishing for this Christmas?

The countdown to Berlin has started (we leave on Saturday), and I cannot WAIT to be in a city that consumes itself with Christmas. It will also be the start of two whole weeks off work… which has me grinning from ear to ear. We’ve visited Berlin before at this time of year and from experience I know that I’ll need to pack many many layers, since it’s on a par with the New York winter I endured seven years ago. Ergo, it’s a bit nippy. To say the least. So here are some cosy pieces that would keep me nice and warm between market stalls. How gorgeous are those fur-topped Hunters?? Smitten:

{1. Topshop large spot jumper – £40 / 2. A/wear leather glove – £11 / 3. Toast cable knit long socks – £39 / 4. Hunter wellington boots – £78 / 5. Warehouse knitted aztec snood – £25 / 6. BHS knit and fur trapper – £18 / 7. French Connection fur collar coat – £190 / 8. my-wardrobe.com skinny cords – £204 / 9. Oliver Bonas Vero Moda long jumper – £45 / 10. UGG Kensington biker boots – £255}

First Kate Spade brought some gorgeous bangles to the arm party (including this beauty), then before you can say, “load ’em up”, the Big H gets in on the act. Now, I’ve drooled on about Hermès’ products before (see here), but these enamel bangles are something, else. I don’t think I can even choose favourites. Just don’t look at the price tag. Oh, you did? Yep, I thought it was a misprint too.

{all products available at Hermès}

If I need a party dress and I don’t want to schlep round every single store to find one (there are a LOT of shops on the high street and I usually lose focus after looking in about two), then there’s one place that won’t fail to deliver: French Connection. The brand formally known as FCUK. Remember those days? Best not to. Thankfully the days of sex selling are no more, and French Connection has transformed from a cheap hussy into a classy lady. Check out my pick of the pleated, sequined and bejewelled dresses on offer… all topped off with sparkly heels and a mock croc clutch. French Connection, with these beauties you are really spoiling us:

{all products available at French Connection}
Which dress would you like to find under the tree?