Gift Ideas for Men

Impossible. Buying presents for men that is. Luckily The Handpicked Collection has got it taped. Their selection of gift ideas for guys is brilliantly thought out and manages to cross that tricky territory between presents men love to receive (books, books, books) and presents we love love to give them. I'd highly recommend their Leather Perudo Set and ultra smart weekend bags.

A Secret from Saigon - Cochine

I'm very excited to write about this one, as I've watched the brand grow from an idea into simply the most covetable, yummily luxurious range of home scents. Cochine is a new collection of fragrances which have been translated into hand wash and body lotion, reed diffusers and candles - all presented in packaging that's so beautiful you can't throw it away. The scents are all of Vietnamese origin and each one is worthy of being a stand alone scent to wear. I think I might be one of the fussiest people on this planet when it comes to perfume (I can name 5 that I would even consider wearing and I am one of those irritating people who will sit down next to you on the plane having tried everything on in duty free)so I am eagerly awaiting the launch of Cochine Eau de Parfum. I can't decide if it's the soft, fresh floral Water Hyacinth and Lime Blossom, the richer, oh so feminine, Vietnamese Rose and Delentii or the heady summer garden that is the Gardenia and White Jasmine that tickles me most. But all of them make me want to woop with joy! Really!

They should be retailing soon in the UK...watch this space.

Tom Ford Jennifer Sunglasses

A new addition to my lust list, alongside a Violet Lake bikini (Domino top, Tiffany bottom) are a pair of Tom Ford Jennifer sunnies. They're frames are feather light for summer (which might have just arrived?) and lots of colours mean that one pair just wouldn't be enough. I'd like brown and purple pleeease!
Sunglassesdirect have them for a good price.

Nest Goodies

I'm looking for a flat to buy and find myself coveting things I've never really thought about before...nesting I think it's called. A perfect source of inspiration is Nest Goodies a gorgeous blog that picks out gorgeous things for your home. I'm loving the Sleepy Owl Hooks Natalie wrote about yesterday (how very appropriate that wise owls are in)and I defy you to make a visit without finding something you find yourself wanting very, very much.

Den Kit - High Street Dreams

As an aunt to 6 nephews ranging between 5 and 11, I was thrilled to hear about The Den Kit on High Street Dreams with Jo Malone and Nick Leslau last night. That age group of boys are impossible - finding gift ideas that they haven't already been given 5 of at their last birthday party or think is utterly dull is like the quest for the Holy Grail. Are they just warming up for the endless birthdays and Christmases to come when really all they want is list of books from Amazon?

But I think I've found the answer to all my Christmas gifts! If you missed the programme, the kit is a cool green napsack containing all you need to create a hideaway in the woods (or maybe just at the bottom of the garden) - rope, tarpaulin, cammo pain, tin cup, mallet, pegs etc...all that's missing is a bow and arrow.

I love it because it gets children outside...away from their computers, the wii, covered in mud, learning about wildlife, having proper fun. Just as it should be.

Hello M. Bond...my name is Violet Lake...

...you know the scene...Ursula Andress emerging from the sea in that white bikini...a look we all hope we emulate as we emerge from the shallows on our hols. Some of us less successfully than others (more running, less toast, more running, less toast). Thankfully some help is at hand with the launch of Violet Lake – a gorgeous swimwear brand which has been created to give women glamorous flattering bikinis which fit and can be worn in an almost endless combination of ways. Each of the four styles of top and bottom comes in eight complementary colours which if you’re lucky enough to own the full collection would give you 1,024 different bikinis. Now that’s what I call choice. All the bikinis are aptly named after Bond girls which just adds to the Riviera gorgeousness.

Check out their fantastic website www.violet-lake.com which has an ingenious bikini mixer to show you how your particular combo choice would look. Well it shows you how it would look on their utterly beautiful Victoria’s Secret model…more running, less toast…

Mirror Mirror

It's not for the faint hearted but I am very excited about the latest piece from iconic British designer, Jake Phipps.

His new Stellar mirror is a statement piece to the extreme, but what an awesome statement to make. I love the fact that it's as much (maybe more?) about the frame than the reflection staring back and the multi facets means it will throw light and shadows around the room - an ever changing artwork in itself.

Mirror, mirror, this surely is the fairest on the wall?