This year I am going to have to get my act together because I am having an operation on my foot on the 18th and will be on crutches and be unable to drive for 6 weeks. Thank goodness for the internet. My groceries will be delivered so we will not starve and I have collected quite a range of catalogues so that I can order the presents online. No wandering round the shopping mall for hours looking for the ideal gift this year.
Yet I will miss all the hustle and bustle, I may moan and groan about the hours I spend looking for gifts but the feeling of satisfaction when you come across something that you just know grandma will love is just fantastic. Will the internet give me the same high? I will let you know next month.
Top tip
The moths have been having a nibble at two of my cashmere jumpers. I thought I had them well protected with cedar balls and some lavender oil but I must admit I had forgotten about them over the summer. I have managed to save one jumper with some minute stitching and it is now in the freezer. Yes the freezer as it is the only way to kill the eggs. I will also sand down the cedar balls and have bought a lavender spray and will spray the wardrobe every week. It has got to be a nicer smell than moth balls.
25% off at Sainsbury's
If you have time this week-end take a look at Sainsbury's clothing department. There is 25% off all clothing till Monday. At the moment you cannot buy their clothes online.
This cashmere sweater which comes in other colours is reduced to £28.00. The quality is superb and they wash beautifully.
There are various styles and cardigans as well.
If you have any young children to buy for this Christmas have a look at the children's range as I think it is tremendous value for money.
Sleevless jumpers
This winter the sleeveless jumper is everywhere. If like me you feel the cold they are a great way to keep warm. They are also an alternative to a jacket if you are going shopping in a Mall.
This grey one is from Wallis and is reduced to £23.00. It also comes in Teal, Purple, Red and Lime. You can buy at www.wallis.co.uk
Most stores do something similar but if you are looking to keep warm the more wool content the better. This one has 15% mohair.
Spotlight on Dubai
I am not a city person so would not have put Dubai on my list of Places to Visit. But as my son now works there it was a chance to spend some time with him and his partner.
The first day I thought I was going to hate it. The skyscrapers are just so high. We did a tour of the city and I thought 'No way would I want to live here'. But guess what the city actually grows on you.
Once I started to really look at the buildings and how very different they all are I began to appreciate their beauty. At night when they are all lit up it looks quite magical.
The shopping is out of this world. The Mall of Emirates is the largest shopping mall in the world, it is huge. I was like a child in a toy shop and totally overwhelmed by it all. Seeing New Look and Accessorize next to Karen Millen was a bit bizzare but it really is a fantastic experience and for any shopaholics a must.
The prices were about the same as here but there was much more choice. What surprised me was that they were selling winter clothes even though the temperature outside was 35 degrees but I suspect this is because they want to attract tourists to come and visit and spend money.
Eating out is from reasonably priced up to how much do you want to pay, but many restaurants do not sell alcohol and it is expensive in hotels. We took some duty free with us and had a drink before we went out. I thought it would seem strange being on holiday and no wine with the meal but it was surprising how quickly I got used to it and I actually came back slimmer than when I arrived.
If you have a favourite city or town you like to visit please let me know so that I can share it with others?
Website of the month
www.piajewellery.com is a great place to start for your Christmas wish list. The website sells beautiful jewellery, watches and handbags.
This coral teardrop necklace is £35.00.
The red leather pleated handbag is £140.00. If you wear a black or a cream jacket or coat a red bag will brighten up your outfit.
I just love my red bag. When the weather is dark and dull it helps brighten up my day.
What I am loving this month
I love trying out organic products and I have fallen in love with Desert Essence Organic Green Apple and Ginger shampoo. It is a gentle shampoo that smells absolutely wonderful and gives my hair volume and bounce.
You can buy it from www.amazon.co.uk under Health and Beauty products and delivery is free.
A friend swears by Clarins products and has fantastic skin so I decided to go and have a look what the local Clarins beauty counter had to offer for my dehydrated skin.
The HydraQuench cream is an ultra-moisturizing cream that is quickly absorbed for instant hydration and radiance with an SPF of 15. I like to change my skincare products every now and again as I think the skin has to work harder when it has a new product put on it.
I took the HydraQuench with me to Dubai where it was pretty hot and dry and found it really, really good. My sensitive skin just loved it. I also used the serum that goes with it. Around £30 from any Clarins beauty counter.
In the news
It may look odd but this unusual bra could become the most
popular item in your lingerie drawer.
It is called La Decollette and claims to banish the wrinkles left on a woman's cleavage when she sleeps on her side.
Rachel de Boer, the Dutch designer behind the bra, says it provides a layer of cushioning between the breasts to prevent them squeezing together, the cause of vertical wrinkles in the cleavage.
Whether it can help with sun damage and ageing remains to be seen. Buy it at www.decollette.co.uk
Book of the month
Work Your Wardrobe by Gok Wan
I love the way that Gok and his team keep coming up with new iways to help women make the most of what they have. He really does seem to care about the women he meets on his show.
His latest book Work Your Wardrobe shows you how to breathe life into your existing wardrobe and create a fresh new look using the clothes you have.
It also gives advice on how to invest in simple style statements that never go out of fashion.
It costs £9.49 from www.amazon.co.uk
Quote of the month
'Take care of your body. It is the only place you have to live.'
Jim Rohn
Week-end Retreat
If you feel you are stuck in a rut or think there has to be more to life then take a look at www.thegamoflife.co.uk where life coach Louise Presley Turner is organising a retreat next spring. The whole week-end is about what kind of life you want to lead and then creating a plan of action to make sure it actually happens. I shall be doing a slot on image and giving ideas as to what to wear to flatter your colouring and body shape.
What Can I Wear? ebook cd gift card
If you are looking for an unusual stocking filler take a look at my new cd cards. On the cd you will find my book What Can I Wear? which is full of easy to follow ideas to help you create a wardrobe full of clothes you love to wear. There are tips on skincare, make-up, colour analysis, clothing, hairstyles and much more. There are also 12 colour charts one of which will suit your colouring and will be a great help when it comes to which colours will flatter your colouring.
'If the shoe fits'
'Especially for you'
'With Style'
'Shopping Heaven'
The cards with the cd book inside cost £5.99.
'Happy Shopping'
Lilian
Last Updated: January 15, 2010