Stocking Fillers

In my view, Mavala always nail it with their fashion forward new shade releases such as this winter 2010 Woodland Collection. Ranging from Mink and Onyx to Cedar Green with a deep ruby too, they always hit the mark. Although I think that the very best thing about them is the fabulously low price and the small bottles - just enough polish to reach that boredom threshold and guiltlessly move on to another shade!

They have some lovely little gift boxes that are perfect for stocking fillers or something small for your best friend or sister. This Deep & Dark set holds the perfect winter shades and a classic red.

Who wouldn't love this?

Carine Leaves The Building

After 10 years at the helm of French Vogue, Carine Roitfeld is leaving to mysterious pastures new. Previously a model and talented stylist, she graduated to editor-in-chief of the world's most chic title. Along the way she became VBF with Tom Ford - someone she is suspected to be collaborating with now. Rumours are abounding about her career intentions but no doubt they will be under wraps until she chooses to release the truth.

I love this shot of her by The Sartorialist; a divine ensemble and a fantastic way to wear fur. It should be fake of course, however it is probably real....but it's definitely beautiful ( and is that a plaster on her knee?!)

Carine's star will continue to rise with many of us below looking upwards to her for inspiration.

Bon chance Carine!

Ooh Shooes

Navy suede, charcoal ribbon bow, great heel and toe shape. I'm lusting after these shoes from Anthropolgie.

Santa?

Truthful Chocolate Factory

I just think this is hilarious!

Blondey Brows

Calling all you who are fair of brow, I have found your best solution. This brow pencil by luxuriously lovely Sisley in Cappuccino is the perfect shade to add soft definition without looking too dark and a frankly, a bit cross! It's a great texture and the brush at one end is ideal for grooming unruly hairs and it comes with it's own sharpener. Just feather the nib of the pencil through the natural brow shape concentrating on the top of the arch rather than the lower hairs - your aim is to lift the brow not drag it down.

One for the stockings, methinks....

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For Tiny Toes

I was searching for shoes for Lulu online and came across this gorgeous site. Unfortunately I'm too late for Christmas delivery but they are so, so pretty aren't they! How beautiful are these suede ballet slippers with bow on the heels....

I'd love Lu to have some brogues to follow in my passion for them... although she'll probably hate them - isn't that always the way with parents putting their taste on to their kids!

These ballet pink Mary Janes are by old-school brand Start Rite... I remember loving my navy t- bar navy Start Rite shoes when I was 5!

A Good Nude

I thought I'd share with you this lovely nude lip combination that I've been using a lot lately. I have grown rather tired of the ubiquitous 'total nude' lip; one that looks like it's covered with concealer.... I think that faces look better with some colour on the lips or you will run the risk of looking corpse-like. So this is Saint Nude by Australian lipstick guru, Poppy King. Her colours come in Saints (sheer) or Sinners ( full coverage ) and for this nudey look I think the Saint performs the best. It's basically a light brown-ish nude so it does leave the lip with some colour. It's fantastic with golds and bronzes on the eyes and some peachy shimmer on the cheeks.

I line under the lipstick to ensure lasting staying power and my latest and greatest nude liner is Nuance by Chantecaille. It's like a better MAC Spice as it's not too orange; more a nudey fleshy brown. I think it's worthy of cult status. Buy it from Space NK in Harvey Nichols...