For Christmas, what do you give the person who has everything? Easy… something that couldn’t possibly be for anyone but them. Enter Pattern & Press. Not only do they specialise in personalising gifts and homeware, they do it in the most beautiful way – their touch is subtle and understated, and shows someone that you’re willing to go the extra mile when choosing their present. I love their gold-rimmed tumblers (not least because they could have been made for my husband and I…E&T), and how perfect is the monogrammed luggage label for the frequent flyer? So if you’re struggling to think of what to get that particularly particular family member or friend that everyone always has, then I would recommend hopping over to P&P’s online store. Also worth remembering that P&P aren’t just for Christmas, so if you’re stuck for wedding or birthday gift ideas, this gem of a company could be your new best friend.

{all products available at Pattern & Press}

Not only does Collette Dinnigan make great clothes, she also makes great homes. Seriously great homes. This particular house in Paddington, Sydney, which Collette has now sold (why would you? Why?), is a stunningly restored sandstone residence built in the 1880s, but brought beautifully into the 21st century with its clean lines and elegant living spaces. The front porch and the fact that the whole house is simply flooded with light would have been enough to sell it to me, however it’s the kitchen that steals the show. I wouldn’t change a single thing. If I were lucky to live somewhere as out-of-this-world as this, I think I would just spend the whole time declaring, à la Carrie Bradshaw in Heaven on Fifth, “Hello, I live here!”

{images via Updated Home}

I’ve always been in awe of people who can take a good photo, it must be such a satisfying talent to have. If I’m able to make a New Year’s resolution this early on (the Christmas Bublé has already had an airing, so as far as I’m concerned it’s festive full steam ahead), it’s to learn the art of photography and how to edit images. One man whose talent knows no bounds is Max Wanger who, as well as lifestyle and fashion photos, takes some breathtaking reportage wedding shots. Not that I should really call them ‘shots’… ‘artwork’ is far more apt. One technique that Max is especially skilled at is his use of negative space. The subject takes up a minute part of the overall image, which makes for some truly beautiful and dramatic results. I’m particularly in love with the first picture, so the fact that it’s available from his online store makes me extremely happy. What are your thoughts on negative space in photography?

{images via Max Wanger}

Every so often you receive an email that immediately brightens your day, for example Kate Spade announcing their ‘Friends & Family Sale’ on pay day. Or when online fashion giants Boohoo.com send you a message to say that they’d like to write a post for your humble blog. Seriously, throw in a jolly fat man and some elves and you’ve got Christmas! Without further ado, I’ll pass you over to Rachael from Boohoo to talk about one of the season’s hottest trends:

{images via camille over the rainbow, fashion gone rouge & pinterest}
“There is no shortage of the colour ‘oxblood’ this season. It is everywhere this A/W taking over anything from boots to festive dresses, and it will quickly become your favourite neutral, offering a more exciting alternative to greys and blacks. The gory name is short for oxygenated blood, the colour blood turns when it is exposed to air; it is a very festive hue somewhere between burgundy and reddish-brown. The rich, deep, sultry tones give red an edgy and sophisticated twist, tying in perfectly with the luxe, jewel-tone trends at the moment. Don’t go overboard with the colour, less is definitely more. This colour should be worn with other neutral tones to give maximum impact.”
Here are some of Rachael’s oxblood picks from Boohoo.com:

{1. Nail varnish – £4 / 2. Box pleat skater skirt – £12 / 3. Chelsea boot – £30 / 4. Gold detail belt – £12 / 5. Wrap front dress – £20 / 6. Quilted shoulder bag – £30 / 7. Skinny jeans – £20 / 8. Slipper shoe – £18 / 9. Bow gloves – £10}
Thank you Rachael! Now, tell me lovely readers, what do you think of this über-trend?

For long-time readers of this blog, you may remember last year I posted about Ben Pentreath and his gorgeous shop of ‘curiosities’ (see here). Now, not only does he have a website packed full of seriously covetable items, I also stumbled across the Interior Design section, which documents his architectural and design projects. Pretty jaw-dropping stuff. The interior that appealed to me the most was Ben’s former flat on Great Ormond Street, London. This early Georgian townhouse is brought alive by an injection of colour and individuality. It may not be the largest of spaces, but boy, does it have a personality. Ben is currently creating a new interior in a flat on Queen Square, and I can’t wait to see the results.

{images via Ben Pentreath}