surprise yourself ...

As a special treat for our customers, we are running a competition in conjunction with Visit Scotland for Christmas. Easy peasy to enter, do have a go! The prize incudes:

2-night stay for 2 adults at the 5 star Blythswood Square Hotel * Full Scottish breakfast served each day * A delicious evening meal at The Bothy in Glasgow's fashionable West End (dining here was voted one of the top ten things to do in Glasgow by Lonely Planet) * A jewellery making experience for both winners * Free entry & transport to all of the wonderful Mackintosh properties located throughout the city with free transport* 3 course lunch at House for an Art Lover, with wine* £300 spending money

Good luck!

have a fan{tache}tic christmas sir!‏

Forget the socks, here are some rather gorgeous gift ideas for the man in your life.

1. British Isles Type Map Print £43

2. Stemless Cognac Glasses £35.50

3. Fan{tache}tic Christmas Card £2.98

4. Tonfisk Black Tea/Coffee Pot £71

5. London Tray £17

6. Perpetual Calendars £65

7. Wine & Bar Bottle Stoppers £18

8. Urbanears Plattan Headphones £50

day of rest

I try to be strict with myself and have one whole day off each week - usually Sunday. So yesterday ... blackberrying, snuggling up by the fire, Sunday papers and making a crumble with my daughter (with the previously harvested blackberries) to finish off our traditional Sunday roast (this week a treat - roast beef). Oh, and we've discovered the absolute best way guarantee stunning rare roast beef - up to 1kg, blast it on the bbq, 14mins one side, 13mins the other, then wrap in lots of foil and leave to rest for a good 40mins. It never fails.

i'm finding it difficult to concentrate ...

My daughter has finally persuaded me to buy her 1st jar of Nutella (she is 7) and I must say, it is rather moreish. When researching my new acquisition I spotted this fabulous waistband splitting recipe on the Ambitious Kitchen blog for

Nutella-Stuffed Brown Butter + Sea Salt Chocolate Chip Cookies {my favorite cookie ever}

Wow. Test run this weekend.

my greatest asset

My beautiful little girl Georgia, aged 7, has turned into my personal shopper. Even as a baby, she loved shopping for clothes with me, and her finger is now firmly on the fashion pulse. She sees through flighty trends and frippery and identifies classic, investment buys with the eye of a seasoned stylist. She is absolutely my greatest shopping asset (as well as life asset).
Here she is in a Gucci men's winter hat - I think looking quite gorgeous.

the power of perfume ...

 

Bossa Nova Print by One Must Dash

 

I am absolutely thrilled. After being fixed on Coco by Chanel for 2 decades, I have been on the hunt for a contemporary frangrance to ring the changes. I had a very pleasurable search, discovering some superb perfumes from artisan fragrance houses, finally chancing upon Signature but Ruth Mastenbroek. It ticks all my boxes ...  fresh citrus top notes, flowers and woods in the heart, and sensual, beguiling base notes. Love it love it love it. As a special treat, I also ordered the heavenly body lotion and am now swanning around in heavenly aromas throughout the day. The best compliment came from my 7 year old daughter - 'yummy Mummy'.

happy things ...