The Play of Light
This winter Kensington Gardens has played host to Anish Kapoor’s mirrored installations. Wear the essence of Kapoor’s work by investing in a Water Ring (Louise Guinness Gallery) this festive season. Set in 22kt yellow gold with a diamond cut exterior.
Bespoke for £4,405.00 at www.Couturelab.com
Instant Retreat
Alla S has launched an audio retreat for all those wishing to find inner peace and joy this Christmas and beyond. It is an extraordinarily effective meditation CD that calms and soothes. An added bonus is its beautifying effects on the face – think glowing skin, brighter eyes and a more relaxed brow! This is the beauty secret of the season! For more information, read our interview with medically trained, fifth generation Russian healer – Alla S here
£24.99 at www.allasvirinskaya.com
Heart and Soul of the Party
The Ruby “Heart ‘n’ Soul” evening bag by Judith Leiber is embellished with red Austrian rhinestones. Snap open the push lock or carry the bag on the silver stone chain for the ultimate in party glamour.
£1,345.00 at www.Couturelab.com
Master of Glass
Luigi Benzoni is a master in glass sculpture, bronzes, painting, drawing and etching. Benzoni is a well-known personality in Venice and on the island of Murano. His work has been exhibited from Milan to Miami and from New York to The Hague. This gold glass sculpture will add strength and purpose to a room long after the Christmas decorations have been removed.
Saffron Interior Arts
Price on request
Butterfly Magic
This pretty butterfly candleholder will bring delight to women of all ages. Ethereal yet structured, the shadow it creates is as beautiful and light as the construct itself. Made by Pier Lorenzo Salvone, famed for creating unusual hanging candleholders and lamps.
Saffron Interior Arts
Price on request
Imperial Tresses
This is an extremely expensive shampoo. However, the treatment has won numerous awards and taken the hair-world by storm. Its rich restorative and colour protective formula continues to infuse locks with instant life and brilliant shine. Just remember, we wear our hair everyday – so it makes sense for us to invest!
Philip B Russian Amber Imperial Shampoo, £100
The “Chenonceau”
This crocodile clutch with chain handle by Singapore designer Ethan Kow is a gem of a bag. The designer hand-picks luxury pelts from the same tannery that supplies couture names like Prada, Stefano Ricci and Testoni. His signature clutches and mini-audieres are softly constructed and daringly styled. Named after the French renaissance palace at Chenonceau, this crocodile-skin clutch projects a timeless glamour that’s always on-trend.
£1,565 at www.couturelab.com
The show off plate
Impress your guests with these Gingko-Leaf Cocktail Plates, by Sylvie Coquet. Nest of 4, hand-made and engraved porcelain plates are handmade at the designer’s Limoges atelier. Stack the pieces when not in use to form an exquisite two-tone nest.
£230 at www.couturelab.com
Creature Comfort
Book a festive weekend away at Hotel Le Bristol, Paris and meet the city’s most glamorous pet cat. Fa-raon is a sacre kitten from Burma, with majestic looks and an affectionate personality. She makes a perfect addition to the hotel team and glides around the courtyard and bar with all the elegance and know-how of a regular.
Everything is Rosie
Ila’s Beyond Organic, Glowing Radiance range – have a heavenly scent and a rich oil base making them luxurious and feminine. Bath time becomes the ritual it deserves to be and skin feels hydrated and vital. The Face Oil is a ‘little miracle’ product. Boys, buy this for the women in your life and you can do no wrong.
Texture Me
Women dreading winter feasting may like a date at Michelin starred restaurant Texture. The curious, creative dishes by award winning, Icelandic chef, Agnor Sverrisson will leave your palette refreshed, engaged and indulged. And minus the guilty feeling that usually attaches itself to a very delicious meal. Try the organic smoked salmon to start, Gressingham Duck and Valrhona White Chocolate for dessert. The wine list is spectacular.
Hiroyuki Arakawa is based in Tokyo and over the last 35 years has photographed some of the most famous people in the world including Luciano Pavarotti, Keith Richards and Antonio Banderas. He began photographing “White Flowers” in honour of his mother – a master of Flower Arrangement and the Tea Ceremony. Hiro held his first exhibition of “White Flowers” in Tokyo in 2008 and has developed a loyal following around the world. “White Flowers” are the infinite reminder to us all of peace and a feeling that all is well with the world” – Hiroyuki Arakawa, Tokyo, 2010
Saffron Interior Arts,
Price on request
Glow Girl
Benefit make-up is always a treat at Christmas. A particular favourite with 17-25 year olds – the range has a step-by-step guide for application newbie’s. “Her name was Glowla” gift-set has the famous high-beam inside and bad girl lash for maximum impact. All you need to get a winter glow.
Writers in Black & White: Contemporary Authors Discuss the Writing Life
Delve into the lives of famous authors with this beautiful coffee table book, a must-have for lovers of literature and photography. Two journalists and budding authors, Alanna Lynott and Solange Berchemin, tracked down and interviewed respected and established authors from a variety of genres, including Hanif Kureishi, Joanne Harris, Lee Child and Minette Walters. New writers can seek inspiration from this unique insight into the writing life, while anyone who loves to read will be intrigued by what goes on behind the scenes. The beautiful black and white photographs by Anne Mortensen will lend a touch of elegance to any coffee table.
Available from www.amazon.co.uk and all good bookshops
Annabel’s Hamper
A Christmas hamper with a seriously stylish pedigree. The wicker basket has been packed to the brim with goodies inspired by the legendary London members’ club: Annabel’s chocolate truffles, Sicilian pistachio biscuits, Foie Gras de Canard, Torroni Baci nougat and Panetonne as well as a book explaining and illustrating some of the Club’s secrets (and secret recipes) with contributions from Lady Annabel Goldsmith and Sir David Tang.
£200 + delivery
www.themountstreetdeli.com or call 020 7499 6843
No one says no to Tom
A creamy pressed perfume, dark aubergine nail laquer and
lush lip colour come together to create this glamorous party handbag trio. Like the Tom Ford Black Orchid fragrance, the balm blends rich dark floral accords with an alluring potion of black orchids and rich woods. Fantastic for the sophisticated fashionista.
Tom Ford Black Orchid Set, £90
Dragons of Walton Street Dolls House
Is this the perfect present for the kid who has everything? We think so. Dragons of Walton Street have the ultimate doll’s house, complete with a working miniature plasma TV. Those are some seriously lucky dolls!
Dolls’ House £1,499
Mini plasma TV £140
It’s Wonder-oil
Aromatherapy Associates know good oils. These divine bath and shower oils are perfect for those in need of a deep slumber or a pick me up in times of need. Santa should pop these in every tired person’s stocking this Christmas.
Aromatherapy Associates Heavenly Oils, £14
www.aromatherapyassociates.com
The WOW treatment
Make your loved one feel like a star with this red-carpet ready experience. Several trained experts work simultaneously to pamper you literally from head to toe. It starts with the exclusive Mist-ifying treatment (an invigorating and exfoliating scalp massage followed by a deep conditioner to nourish and repair hair), followed by a classic blow-dry for a healthy bounce. While your hair is styled to sparkling perfection, the professional therapists perform a deluxe manicure with deep tissue hand massage and pedicure with leg drainage massage, as well as elements of reflexology.
The Ultimate WOW Treatment at Neville Hair & Beauty, from £150
http://www.nevillehairandbeauty.net/
The Beauty Boost
This luxurious night cream brimming with powerful skin nutrients is the one to want on the dressing-table this winter. Its deep purple leather box with suede lining is pure indulgence.
Oskia Bedtime Beauty Boost, £115
Compiled by Antonia Pearce and Reena Patel