The Perfect Gift to a Blogger Soon-to-Be Columnist

A few of my friends have been giving me the same present over the last year or so, thinking that this was indeed, the best idea for someone like me - a blogger. The pride in their eyes gleamed when they handed it over to me, the little Smythson diary.

"You'll be a columnist one day and I will continue to gift you with this present until you become one. I am SUCH a supportive friend." Indeed, such supportive friends I have. "Thanks" I would say, loving and embracing their support, yet wondering where it suddenly comes from. I NEVER said I wanted to be a columnist! Why the sudden urge to turn me into Carrie Bradshaw! Anyhow, I have been enjoying these little gifts. Not because I am deeply hoping that these aspirations of my friends will come true but because they feel quite nice in your hand, they are quite handy, and they fit right into your blogger purse. Whip it out when you've got a genius idea for your blog. It looks so professional, so Sherlock Holmes. It's a great gift, for non-columnists and non-bloggers alike. And it's a daily reminder that we still enjoy our little paper-made items to write random notes and draw funny pictures in. We are not obsessed with technology, and can live without it. In fact, sometimes, a little Smythson notepad can fulfill the note-taking desire much better than your Blackberry or iPhone. 

Smythson can be found all over London, from your favourite department store, Sloane Street and New Bond Street, to the adorable Westbourne Grove. It's no secret gem, but it's quite a fantastic place if you're on the hunt for the perfect last-minute gift.

This Winter, Ecclecticize!

I've sort of been obsessed with fun bright pieces of jewelry lately, as you've probably noticed. Again, I guess I've probably been craving a little bit of colour in my life.

It's time for you to meet the latest addition to the jewelry scene, Spaniard jewelry and design sensation, Monica Vinader, whose majestic rings and other jewels alike are not only befitting of "Victorian" queens of Spain and England, but also bring the flavours of Mexico, Argentina and Marrakesh right to your fingertips thanks to a splashy selection of candy-coloured stones and perfectly-cut semi-precious drops of personality. 

When it's cold and snowy (more like rainy, yuck) outside, I say, it's all about the colours.

The above and below pieces are available now at the beautifully Christmas-decorated South Kensington Conran Shop, an always enjoyable Liberty's and at its much anticipated launch location (and for that keep your eyes peeled real wide!), the Harrods' Stone Bar!

I've recently been given a ring of hers as a present, and I must say that I'm having trouble putting it to rest at night. 

So enjoy it daytime and nighttime, with a pair of jeans or a dressy outfit! Mix and match and have fun with her pieces! The point is, ecclecticize!

Chop Choppity Chop at the Urban Retreat

The Gwyneth. The Katie. Let's face it ladies. A great haircut is hard to come by. I have lived in a little over 5 different big cities in my life, where I have had probably a total of 7 great memorable haircuts. And I am no young sprout. So yes, those are slim pickens. I have to admit, I am obsessively inclined to change my hairstyle every three months. I mean, drastically change my hair. I can let it grow for years, then chop it all off. I can decide to grow the boy cut out into a feminine bob and decide it's too cutesy. The long tedious process of letting the hair grow. I have been there...way too often. I am simply never satisfied with one hairstyle. Maybe that's because I associate a change of hair with a change of lifestyle, or a change of hair with a change of mood. Or a desire to start anew, to start afresh. I don't know. But looking back at my 7 successful cuts, I am starting to think that I may have a real problem. I was living in NYC for a total of 4 years. Tried  different hair dressers, ended up with one great one (Monique at Paul Labrecque , you have shears of gold and I trust you with my life!) The only problem was, before I knew it, I was moving again and the search for the perfect hairdresser was about to begin all over again. Blerg.

But there's no point in moaning about it, is there? We must find a solution (my advertising friend, who is the best motivational speaker I know, used to say: "there's no point in bitching," she would authoritatively remark, "the key, Emily, is to find a solution"). So there I was, freshly arrived from across the pond, conveniently in need of a haircut again and desperate to find a solution to my ever so bothersome problem. So I asked around. Prices were always too high. Senior stylists always too busy. Excuses excuses excuses. To my own surprise and delight, I nailed an appointment with a young lady called Natasha (recommended by a friend) at the Urban Retreat , upstairs at Harrods, and was determined to make her my loyal hair chopper. I went, she saw, she conquered. The cut was £55.  I left feeling happy, satisfied and ready to tackle the big city of London. I have had 2 haircuts since I've arrived in London. 2 different lives, I guess. Or 2 different moods. I'm not sure. I am eagerly waiting for the next mood swing to come creeping down my scalp. It's way too eery, I know. Tell me hair fairy, what will I do next?


                               The Urban Retreat at Harrods

  A recent nearly successful cut (making it the 7th)  at the Urban Retreat

Don't leave the Urban Retreat without checking out the Roja Dove Haute Parfumerie . The boudoir room adjacent to the salon is a gorgeous jewel filled with vintage and modern scents alike. Watch your nostrils flare as you breathe in the variety of magnolia, florals and musky odors emanating from the sparkly bottles.


                             Roja Dove Haute Parfumerie, Harrods