The major fun part of Christmas is the emotional blackmail you can bestow on friends you haven't seen for a while, when you throw a last minute party and force them to come over... I jest, sort of. After the burglary we decided we wanted to create some happier memories in the flat so threw together some food on our fancy new crockery and put the cheesy tunes on loud.

Hope you don't mind that I didn't do that many pictures of the party itself (thats what too many glasses of Chandon does to you) but I did manage to capture some of our latest La Redoute acquisitions. I have wanted to have a proper crockery set for ages, or at least more than 4 of the same plates and when I saw these I knew I had to have them.  I swiftly bought the large plates here, small plates here, small bowls (amazing for dips at parties as well as limiting the amount of ice cream you can eat), larger bowls (for no-limits Haagan Dazs sessions).

I also smuggled in a marble platter for the cheese (which we use as a candle stand when we've eaten all the forage), a fancy pants gold tray here which we keep permanently on the end of the sofa now as a bit of a feature, and some new pretty candle holders in a star shape and ones dipped in gold leaf here. Gus didn't even moan when they arrived, they're boy-friendly (I get told off when anything new arrives at home now, we're seriously running low on space).

La Redoute has been there interiors find of 2016 for us. When I was first told about it, I passed it off as just a mail order clothing catalogue for the French... Then I saw a few furniture pieces from them and completely changed my mind. When we moved into the flat we essentially got everything from there, from the wardrobe rail to the table... 

We were very stubborn about not wanting anything from Ikea in our new home; we wanted to feel like we were progressing. La Redoute's stuff is a cut above the Swede's offering, without spending a fortune (and there is usually an additional offer on, at the moment you can get an extra 30% off homeware with the code HOME30).

On top the more important stuff = our party. Considering we arranged it a week before and it was the weekend before Christmas, lots of our favourite people came to say hello. Some swiftly ate the mince pies, others stayed till the small hours playing Cards Against Humanity and letting Gus play mixologist (don't ever let him do this unless you want to be motionless for 48 hours afterwards).

Most importantly the plan worked, we're back to loving our home. 

I'm wearing (pretty much) head to toe Monsoon... Longer term followers of my blog will remember I paired up with them over the summer during my trip to the Amalfi Coast. Before that it had been a while since I'd even considered shopping there, I'd assumed the collections wouldn't suit me. But after wearing pieces like this black dress and this white and blue number the brand are firmly back on my radar (as it seems to be for the majority of fashion peeps these days, the bun fight over this shirt this season is quite funny). 

The coat was the first thing I picked out, it was on my hit-list since their press day. The colour goes with everything. I mean everything - it's work acceptable, more interesting than the standard neutrals and stands out as a bit special. It's also incredibly soft, like wearing a blanket. Find it here, they also have a super bright-pink crombie coat here that I've got my eye on...

The jumper is a really solid staple. The peplum hides a multitude of sins, again very soft (and - nerdy comment - washes really well). Navy goes with everything, I've packed it for over Christmas as it's smart and shaped enough to wear with jeans and heels, but also good for this kind of thing (walks, Sundays, etc). Find it here. 

Now the boots. An unexpected success... When I first saw them I thought they might be a bit, old, if you know what I mean. Then they arrived and - first things first - they are so warm and snuggly I didn't know what to do other than giggle. They remind me of proper winter walks as a child and the nostalgia just makes me love them. They look great with skinny fit jeans (although these cropped ones perfectly sit on top of them) too, and mean that I can chase after the dog when he decides to show a poor, unsuspecting squirrel whats-what... Find them here (pssst they're also in the sale...).

Eeeek it's party dressing time. My worst nightmare... I really hate being told how to dress, particularly when I plan to consume the intake of a small country over the course of the next few days, so usually pyjamas are the way forward. I'm also not really all that dressy... So when Topshop asked me to pick my favourite festive look I initially thought it was going to be tough. Then I found an outfit that makes me feel so carelessly Ziggy Stardust that I'm positively relishing wearing heels inside (seriously, it's the only day we ever do that isn't it?!) this weekend...

For those of you who wear tonnes of colour all the time I apologise, I get that this outfit isn't off-the-scale-groundbreaking. However for me, the idea of wearing sequins is a bit of a revolution. I follow a blogger called Fran who mentioned on Instagram that she was seeking out an all-sequin top and it set the idea in my mind. Then I found this! It's brilliant and so fun to wear, particularly around babies who just stare at you for hours on end. As a further point, it's fitted around your shoulders and then loose everywhere else... So no post-lunch pain.

outfit credits at the base of this post

Next, frayed denim. Followers of my Twitter will no I've been harping on about getting a pair for ages. I originally wanted this pair from Net A Porter but they were so, so expensive. As much as I believe in investing in denim when something is so trend focussed as opposed to a solid investment piece, I just couldn't justify/afford to buy them. Then I found this pair from Topshop and knew I had to have them. They're fun without being mental, and they make denim party-acceptable.

For anyone nervous around sizing (buying Topshop jeans has been known to cause a breakout of hives over sizing) I bought my regular size and although it took an initial wrestle to get them on, they now fit perfectly. As a side note, old people really like these jeans. A lovely lady at the post office told me they were wonderful when I was dropping off some packages last week and it made my week. Find them here, and I've put a couple of colour options at the base of this post.

outfit credits at the base of this post

Accessories wise, I got my red stuff out. It is Christmas after all. My shoes were from a super fun project earlier in the year, find them here. I save them for special occasions which is stupid given how much they cost, I really need to get my cost-per-wear out of them. The block heel is really good for parties as you stand up for ages and look like you made an effort. Bag wise followers of my Instagram (if not do so here, pretty please) will already know what this is = my precious L.K.Bennett x Boyarde Mariel bag (here) and initial stickers (here), which if you are looking for a last minute gift is most definitely the way forward...

Whatever you are doing over Christmas I really hope you have a wonderful time. I'll take this as a little opportunity to say thank you so much for all your hits, clicks and support with the blog this year. I really considered stopping blogging this summer but you guys and your positive words have kept me going and I'm back to loving it again. So thank you from me and from Lopez (who can, thanks to you, continue to eat his organic chicken for dinner and would otherwise be back to Pedigree chum).

Outfit details (click links to go through to their site)

sequin top = as worn, Topshop 

jeans = as worn, Topshop / similar in black here / similar in dark blue

shoes = as worn, Chloe at Net A Porter

bag = as worn. L.K.Bennett / initial stickers, L.K.Bennett

This post was in collaboration with Topshop, all content my own -without editing or input. Photos shot using the Canon 5D available at John Lewis, by Ben.

Christmas is suddenly here, sh*t. We've got one more weekend to sort everything and if you're anything like me nothing is sorted. I'd actually been a little ahead this year thanks to the following images and last week's gift guide here but sadly we were burgled, so I'm now starting from scratch. I thought I'd focus this post on some really special show stopper presents as well as some ideas for those people who are a nightmare to buy for...

Firstly I really wanted to share a friend's company, The Workbench. Unless you've been living in a wifi-less ditch (zone 4?) you'll have spotted these guys running evening prosecco fuelled ring making classes around London. Essentially you carve your own wax ring over bubbles with friends (with the careful guidance of their team) and a couple of weeks later your creation arrives in the post. It's a brilliant idea for birthdays, hen dos and catch ups. Brilliant idea. Gus bought me a ticket last year and together we made our own, unique ring for my pinky finger. Find tickets and dates here.

Oh hello, December. How the hell did you come around so quickly?! Everyone is saying it but I can't believe how quickly 2016 has come and gone. Quite frankly I'm ready to see the back of it. Between Brexit, Bowie and Trump this year has been a right sh*tter. On a personal level we lost my beautiful Mamgu... 2016 can do one. So, if we ever deserve to treat ourselves friends and family it must be now, right? Without further a do here are my gift guides. I tried to put them into logical order but chaos creative genius got in the way so you'll just have to take them as they come...

I'm also very keen for anything that makes looking good easy so Charlotte Tilbury's handbag sizes Legendary Eyes stocking filler is a must, here. Equally easy-wear bling from Missoma (so shocked how much this gets commented on, as it's so simple) is a must have for me this Christmas, my necklace here and pinky-finger rings here (£34!!!) are two of my favourite things. Lets not forget the practical world too (having moved into a new place this year); Hay is the best for stationary, storage and trinkets and this pine desk tidy is gorgeous.


Adding a few cheeky extras into the mix I've just stumbled upon these amazing Nike trainers which are amazing all rounders (I've worn them solidly for work-out and play ever since they arrived). The rose gold detail, combined the with black/white colours makes them pretty much perfect. Find them here. Secondly, from the moment Jo Malone's Orange Blossom arrived my boyfriend and I have been fighting over which of us wears it. Literally the most gorgeous scent ever, here.

A few ideas for things to get people who have everything; an actual Christmas tree from Bloom and Wild. This bad boy fit through my letter box. I've sent one to my granny because I feel horrid thinking about her not having one until she comes to stay... Find them here. Next. who doesn't love copper interior stuff? These Tom Dixon candles are incredible (look dead fancy and fill the room with posh smells = win) and these coasters from Oliver Bonas make lovely stocking fillers (a bargain at £8) ...

Oooh and the Bare Minerals sparkle trio here is a brilliant find for anyone looking for a little bit of a Christmas "glow" as opposed to going full-pelt Essex style "done." I've been using it and people have asked where I've been on holiday...


Finally for this post, for him. A tricky one so here is what my boyfriend is actually getting for Christmas (only hoping he doesn't read this). He's really tricky because even though he goes shopping once a year he has a remarkably strong opinion on clothes. So I've gone for sturdy basics; leather black driving gloves from GANT here, brown suede Chelsea boots from Grenson here and a (wild card) Acne navy woollen scarf from Mr Porter here.

He appreciates things that are "well made" (hence sticking to premium basics with the clothing) so I've also got him a decent Whisky from Woodford Reserve here, and a HAY sand timer here because he's the kind of person who will spend ages marvelling over it... In the same mix of design and practicality I know he's going to love this Native Union slate (actual stone) phone cover here - check out their whole collection here too as they don't some super phone accessories...

Last up, he never says no to Kiehls which for me is hands down the best mens' brand to buy if you're a bit unsure on skin type etc. It seems to work for everyone. I steal his Facial Fuel stuff all the time so it's pretty much just a replacement, so John Lewis' scrub and cream combo offer is great, here. Ooh and if you're trying to get him into candles you can tell him this one is made of tin, made for cooks and can double as a shot glass if he lets you burn it out. Thank you, Falcon!

Stay tuned for the second round of my gift guide on the blog next weekend!