What we want in our Advent calendar this year! Part I

I think it is ways nicer to make your own Advent calendar instead of buying one. The most common Advent calendar filler are probably sweets, like chocolate, bonbons or other dainties. Chocolate, twenty-four days in a row...not very eventful. Therefore it's nice to buy some other things as well, as a kind of weekly highlight if you want. That might be a bit more expensive than sweets, but it is definitely healthier :)

Here are some ideas for sporty ones, Jetsetter, Karl Lagerfeld fans and girls who know how to enjoy their lives

Super stylish Martone Mercer Bike in more colours available £795 

Benefit Do The Bright Thing Kit £24 ; Johny Ive and Marc Newson Leica M Camera
It's limited edition that's why it costs $7000 upwards (there are cheaper ones for abut £500) 

The World According to Karl £19

Fleur Of England "Belle de Nuit" lace briefy £99 and lace bra £89; Rosé Champagne and Prestat chocolate £11

Valetine's Day Gift Guide - For Her

Valentine's is near....the day of celebrating LOVE. Some couples take it easy with chocolate, flowers or a romantic dinner night. I actually prefer it the easy way, because I think you should show everyday how much someone means to you, but for those who want to make their darling's day I have some lovely gift ideas

1. Silver Heart Ring Pandora ₤45

2. Rose Gold Ring by Roberto Marroni ₤705

3. Miu Miu Round Glitter Sunglasses ₤185

4. Miu Miu Crystal Earrings ₤115

4. Pink Yves Saint Laurent Leather Clutch ₤580

5. Love Disc Rose Gold Bracelet by Astley Clarke ₤375

6. Sexy Black Bra ₤35 &  Slip ₤21

7. Prestat Chocolate Fine Chocolate Heart Box ₤9

8.The Allure Of Beauty Book ₤32

9.Rose Duet Candle Limited Edition ₤42

If you have time, why not organise a weekend city trip or a wellness weekend?

Happy Valentine!

Countdown: Holiday Gifts

It's getting hectic in London's streets and shops, everybody is busy looking for T-H-E perfect present for their family, friends and loved ones. Every year the same stressful procedure...but that doesn't make it easier. Here are some gift ideas and inspirations, which will help you finding the perfect present for EVERYONE

If elegance would have a scent it would be Chanel No°5. A classic parfum, feminine and floral. Matches perfectly with 'The Little Black Jacket' book, which contains Karl Lagerfelds photographs of celebrities wearing the iconic little black jacket. Stunning photographs! Ideal for...

The Little Black Jacket ₤56, Chanel No°5 Eau De Parfum ₤65

Cute golden star necklace, super soft around-the-world panties and this sleeping eye-mask are the perfect presents for...

Dinny Hall Star Necklace ₤75, Cheek Frills Around-the-World Pantie Set ₤70, Eye-mask ₤15 

I love Moleskine notebooks and the new metallic Satchel bags (available in 4 sparkling colours), not only for...

Cambridge Satchel Bag ₤125, Moleskine Notebook ₤9

A must-have for every creative person in your life: Lomography camera and Helmut Newton's book 'Sumo'. 480 pages full of stunning photographs!

Lomography camera ₤40, Helmut Newton: Sumo ₤100

For 'Mad Men' fans and Whisky drinkers! The new limited Mad Men edition includes all seasons, four Whisky glasses and drink mats. Cheers!

Mad Men Dvd Set ₤95, 1988 single male Scotch Whisky ₤140

Penguin re-issued the classics! Limited edition hardcover books for all F. Scott Fitzgerald and classic book lovers...and of course some sea salt caramel truffels, what is a reading night without chocolate?

Set of 6 Fitzgerald books ₤90 each book ₤15, Charbonnel et Walker Truffels ₤10

iPad, iPod, Blackberry...everybody has one of these devices. Embellish your friend's iPad/iPhone with this unique gadgets

Rebecca Minkoff Don't Bother Me iPad Case ₤96, Marc by Marc Jacobs heart headphones ₤35

 Ultra-cool retro radios available in different colours. The perfect present for...

Roberts Revival Digital Radio ₤160

Taste the magic....for all cooking and food lovers. This Alchemical larder contains sixteen magical ingredients. Salts, spices, petals, saffron and more! And of course luxury tea from the Selfrigdes Selection

Alchemical Set ₤30,  White silver needle loos tea ₤17

Kate Moss...the supermodel's photos are unique and impressive. This hardcover tome shows photos of the icon's twenty-two year modeling career. A must-have! Combined with this small candy turnlock bracelet it is the perfect for....

Kate Moss, by Fabien Baron ₤50, Marc by Marc Jacob bracelet ₤79

Wow! Christmas-Crackers with beauty gems inside...perfect for your beloved Mom.

Estee Lauder Christmas Cracker set ₤45

Neaten your boyfriend's jeans pocket: a classy money clip from Hugo Boss

Banknote Clip by Boss ₤55

Something classy for Daddy, Auqua di Parma eau de cologne gift set and Launer luxury card case

Auqua di Parma eau de cologne gift set ₤80, Launer card case 6₤5

By giving the OPI new top ten collection you can make a Nail Polish lover's (Christmas)day

OPI set: top 10 ₤29, and a sparkling investment Azure 267 carat black diamond nail polish ₤160,000 (no that is not a comma mistake)

For people who like to enjoy their drinks in style. Super classy silver flask and cocktail shaker

Izola Small Flask ₤25, Cocktail Shaker ₤45

This cosy hot water bottle and the cashmere gloves will save your loved ones from cold winter nights

Aroma hot water bottle in grey ₤25 , Jardin des Orangers Cashmere gloves ₤63, Diptyque jasmin candle ₤170 

Dates, dinners, events, notes....a woman's life needs to be organised! Do it in style...with this Alice Temperley filofax

Alice Temperley filofax ₤399, Diplomat Traveller Pen, Stainless Steel ₤34

Glamorous beauty kit with everything a beauty queen needs: Lipstick, high-luxe compact and powder

Mac Beauty-kit ₤30

Home accessories of style are always a good idea. Especially when it's a classic black pair of candlesticks, an aura footed bowl and a 'Mr and Mrs' frame made from vintage playing cards

Vintage playing cards frame ₤60 , Jasper Conran @ Waterford bowl ₤60, Vera Weng @ Wedgewood candlesticks  ₤60

KitchenAid: a dream and must-have for every hobby cook and baker. It's more than an eye-catching kitchen accessory, this stand mixer includes a wire whisk, flat beater and dough cook. For sweet inspirations: Lily Vanilli's Sweet Tooth cooking book with delicious recipes

KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer ₤430 (available in more colors), Lily Vanilli's Sweet Tooth cooking book ₤20 

Bvlgari makes every woman feel like a lady, combined with this classic Marc Jacobs bracelet it is the perfect presents for....

Bvlgari pour Femme Eau de Parfum from ₤54 on, Marc by Marc Jacobs leather bracelet ₤80

Guest post: London Christmas shopping

Christmas shopping is probably the most hectic time of the year. First you need to think about the perfect present for everyone and then you need to go on a hunt for it and find it!So which are the best places to do this? I'll put them in a list for you:

Christmas shopping

The first christmas present paradise is Westfield. There are two of them in London - east and west - and they are really large shopping malls which consist almost everything you need. From high end brands like Louis Vuitton and Miu Miu, to mid-priced like Kate Spade and Bimba & Lola, so high street like Topshop and M.A.C. If you're looking for a present for your boyfriend/ father/brother there are shops like Nike and Apple. 

Ice rink at Westfield

The good thing is that you'll most likely find everything you need here, without having to run around too much. And it's warm inside! Find lists of all the shops here and here. 

Secondly, I'm a big fan of department stores. Just like malls, they contain pretty much everything you need in terms of presents. All of the following department stores offer a huge range of products and clothes, and they'll have exactly what you need. 

Selfridges is one of the biggest department stores in London. It has a great food hall and the best range of make-up brands. In here, you'll find more mainstream brands. 

Liberty has the most amazing christmas shop on the fourth floor with special tree ornaments and presents. It also has much more unique brands than the other department stores. Another plus is that it feels like you're shopping in an old house, so cozy! 

Liberty 

Harrods is the more touristy option, but also good for christmas shopping. Especially if you're looking for a present for an animal lover or pet, the Pet Kingdom is the place to be. If you're looking for a real gadget present, Harrods is great.

Lastly, there are several areas and streets which are also good for christmas shopping. 
- New Bond Street: for the fancier gifts (Tiffany, Chanel, Victoria's Secret, Louis Vuitton)
- Covent Garden: for the best christmas atmosphere and shopping
- King's Road: more unique and special shops like Blue Bird 
- Marylebone High Street: a good street for mummy christmas presents, it has cooking shops, a Conran, Diptique and much more. 
- Oxford Street/Regent's Street: less original, but has plenty of department stores like House of Fraser, Liberty and Selfridges

Happy holidays!

Athena
www.whiskersandlions.blogspot.co.uk