Interiors
If hitting the shops doesn’t appeal, you can find a world of exciting goodies online. Portero.com is a luxury auction site for accessories where all items are certified and quality checked – it’s like Ebay with insurance, so you can pick up a Birkin in mint condition. For less designer and more organic, etsy.com has lovely bespoke handmade loveliness – more of a marketplace than a shop, where you can trade everything from glasses to scarves to soap. Allthingsoriginal.com is also a great site full of interesting stuff, from cassette tape-themed iPod holders to delicious knitwear. Over at celtic-sheepskin.co.uk is a great alternative to Ugg-style boots and gifts for everyone. Beauty addicts will love anything from cultbeauty.co.uk – a great “insider’s guide” to the best beauty products, from nails and hair to eyebrows and tools – the choice is huge. And if it’s affordable but trendy jewellery you want, try reddirect.co.uk. Heading to the hearth and home, skitsch.com has wonderful European stylish bits for interiors, while drinkstuff.com should answer all your zaniest home bar needs (great for fun gifts). And finally, our source hesitated to divulge this because the smoked salmon is so good, but her top secret tip for delicious smoked salmon is dunkeldsmokedsalmon.com.
WHAT, WHERE AND HOW MUCH
1. Robin and snowmen baubles, £2, www.habitat.co.uk
2.Christmas botanicals cranberry and spice candles, Heal’s, £20 for three, www.heals.co.uk
3. Ruby red velvet upholstered sofa, Talisman, £5,400, www.talismanlondon.com
4. Fire kit lamp, Skitsch, €120, www.skitsch.com
5. Bibendum easy chair, Eileen Gray, £2,160 (felt fabric); £2,845 (leather), www.aram.co.uk
6. Eichholtz Brass Bond Street clock, £190, www.occa-home.co.uk
7. Harrods exclusive velour stocking, £10.95, www.harrods.com
8. Soda stone lamp, Louise Bradley, £1,495, www.louisebradley.co.uk
9. Piers Gough rug, hand-made in Uttar Pradesh, India. £2,820, www.aram.co.uk
10. Number two of Marcel Wanders’ limited-edition, deer-shaped crystal candelabras for Baccarat. £8,160, www.harrods.com