05.12.11- Monday Must-haves: The Christmas Countdown

With less than three weeks to go until Christmas Day, it seems fitting that the Must-haves posts which I'm putting together for December should have a festive theme. I'm winning the war against my Christmas shopping at the moment, with only a few more things to pick up before I can sit down and enjoy a mince pie (or three!) However, as I've been browsing the shops over the last few weeks, I've been feeling quite uninspired by what I've seen and have found that the pennies don't seem to be stretching as far as I'd like them to. So, with this in mind, I've put together a little gift guide- this week featuring a whole hosts of items which come in at £20 or under- to offer a bit of thrifty present inspiration:

These cupcake moulds may just be my ideal present, combining two of my greatest loves in life: tea and cake. Perfect for a baking aficionado or a happy amateur (like me!), and a really cute present. I think this ring from Urban Outfitters is lovely too- it's a really great way to give a personalised gift without breaking the bank. I included this beautiful notebook from Topshop as I think it's a perfectly practical gift, whether it's for someone who loves making lists or who has a long list of resolutions which they intend to conquer in 2012. My Week with Marilyn (the book by Colin Clark upon which the recently released film is based) would be a brilliant present for any Marilyn fan, or for anyone who has had their curiosity sparked after seeing the film. This ring from Accessorize is beautifully ornate, and would be a lovely finishing touch to any festive outfit (and perfect for a jewellery magpie like me!) Again, no party season would be complete without the perfect red lipstick, and this offering from Paul and Joe is the perfect shade of Christmas cranberry. Speaking practically once again, this adorable jewellery holder from Forever 21 is an ideal gift, which I'm sure would prove invaluable all year round. This Whittard cup and saucer set is a beautifully ornate present for any tea obsessive- although I almost think it's too pretty to use! Finally, this Yves Saint Laurent colouring book is a steal at under £5, and is the perfect way to incorporate a touch of (affordable!) high fashion magic into Christmas.

How are you getting on with your Christmas shopping? And what do you think of my under £20 picks?

(Image credit: Amazon, Urban Outfitters, Topshop, Accessorize, Paul & Joe, Forever 21 and Whittard.)

06.11.2011- Forever 21

On Wednesday, Sarah and I were invited along to a preview of Forever 21's SS12 collections. The venue, 24 Kingly Street, was transformed into a series of themed booths for the evening, beautifully showcasing each collection, and making us both very eager for the return of the warmer weather:

The beautiful, brightly coloured Riviera inspired collection made me want to reach for my suitcase- nautical touches, sharp tailoring and colour blocking showcased a sophisticated take on summertime chic. 

There was an amazing array of jewellery on display, and I adored everything. The amazing Shine team also created this origami swan from scratch to display all the pretty accessories on offer for next season!

The final booth we visited was home to my favourite collection of the evening-60s Doll. Beautiful lace details, peter-pan collars, pastel shades and patterns encapsulated an airy, whimsical feel- and I added almost every piece to my must buy list for next year. 

There was just time for a sneaky outfit snap on the way home (against the glamorous backdrop of Victoria station!)

Coat- Topshop

Jeans- Topshop

Loafers- River Island

Overall, it was a lovely event, and great to see what Forever 21 have up their sleeves for next season. I wasn't overly familiar with the brand before, but was really impressed with what I saw, and can't wait to snap up some of the SS12 pieces when they hit stores in February. 

What do you think of Forever 21? Do you like the look of their new collections?

(Image credit: Sarah Farrell, please do not reproduce without permission.)