Tag Archives: Gift Guide

Florence’s gift guide #1: For your cool sister/friend

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I was in two minds as to whether I should put together some gift guides for Christmas 2012 this year as they take some time to do and I wasn’t sure how useful you guys find them. I decided to go ahead for two reasons. One, I love reading gift guides myself and spotting things on them that I wouldn’t have thought of and two, I love browsing gift guides and finding things that I would like for myself. ;)

Today’s gift guide is for the stylish, lovely female friend or maybe sister in your life who you love to spoil. The person that you think of about 25 things to buy for every year but have to settle on just one or two.


Girls Aloud, Ten [Deluxe Edition] // Lucas Jack Star Ring // Sequin wash bag, Ted Baker // Yves Purple Shoes, Reiss // Merino lined wellington boots, EWE Wellies // Caviar and Oyster Eye Pallette, Bobbi Brown // Ice Queen necklace, Banana Republic // Nail Polish gift set, Topshop // Candle, Fox & Crow // Young House Love book // Glitter Clutch bag, Miss KG

Happy Shopping!

Love,
Rebecca
xo

Florence’s Favourite: Children’s books

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Yesterday I was very honoured to become a Godmother to my friend Helen’s 16 week little boy. As most of you will know, I don’t have children yet and I really felt quite overwhelmed at the responsibility that lies before me, but it’s a role which I’m looking forward to and I hope gives me further insight and tips for babies in my own future! (Helen is akin to Super-Nanny when it comes to managing her little ones.)

However, my first responsibility was to find a gift! I was christened and I still have many of the gifts I was given then, but it has to be said that most of them are pretty impractical; things that I look at once in a blue moon rather than getting any use out of. I hate to give presents that are ‘dust gatherers’ as my Mum would say, but obviously the occasion requires something a touch more sentimental than a baby-grow.

Eventually I settled on a collection of books that I read as a child and remember my Mum reading to me or my sister. I figured it could be the beginning of his little library and I can add to it throughout his life, plus it has an intimate connection to me.

I chose:

I could have gone on forever though, The BFG, Harry Potter, The Water Babies, The Velveteen Rabbit, The Little Match Girl…

Before I came to this decision however, I asked the almighty genius of my twitter followers and received so many brilliant suggestions, I thought I would use them for a gift guide in case any of you required some similar help in the future. Most of them would make great gifts for any celebration in fact.

Other suggestions included a course of swimming lessons, (genius Aisling!) a tree planted in his name, or wine that matures on his 21st. (I’m not sure I would have appreciated fine wine at 21, but good idea!)

After an enjoyable afternoon scouring a couple of book shops and feeling nostalgic – it’s amazing how many memories children’s books bring back, I thought I would ask you all to share the books you were read at bedtime as a child that bring back lovely memories?

Love,
Rebecca
xo

Pssst! It’s a 3 post Monday! Pop back at 1pm to see who the winner of the Swoon Worthy Homewares giveaway was and then for a brilliant and ethical idea later on…

Florence’s Gift Guide #7 – Stocking fillers

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This morning, it’s a very quick last few ideas for stocking fillers before the Christmas shopping deadlines.

Most shops are still accepting orders for delivery before Christmas until the end of the day, (notonthehighstreet.com only until 11am!) so if you’ve got anything left to buy and can’t face the shops do make sure you get it done quickly this morning and save the time spent battling the masses on your local high street for Christmas fun with the ones you love ;)

  • Every year I buy someone (if not several people) these Gap wool socks. The picture doesn’t make them look good but they do different colours and patterns and are the warmest socks ever for wearing with boots in the winter. Without fail they go on my list too.
  • Party girl or cocktail lover? White Peach Puree – for an effortless Bellini.
  • For a perfect pout all winter long… Eve Lom Kiss Mix.
  • For the man who loves a kitchen gadget, give him uniformity with a Meat Baller!
  • A shade that ticks all the boxes for a great price, try giving Metallic nails (or any number of other reasonably priced makeup items) – Topshop
  • For the gardener in your life, string in a tin – Crocus
  • In a range of different phrases to tickle everyone’s humorous side and making a great fold up tote for inside your bag… Book Club Tote – notonthehighstreet.com
  • Save your own moisturiser from being depleted and treat him to his own… Nivea for men – to soothe his winter chapped skin.
  • Interiors fanatics and design afficionados will appreciate the credentials of the Pantone Bone China Mug in Custard Yellow.
  • And lastly, my favourite ‘find’. For handbag lovers, cat owners and the safety conscious alike (- that should have every female friend or relative you know covered then,) have you seen this genius and stylish Alessi Handbag Hook? Shaped like a cat, you keep it in your bag then balance it off a table edge where the tail keeps your bag close to hand. LOVE.

That’s the last Christmas gift guide for 2011! I purchased my last present last night (smug face) and am now facing a mountain of wrapping…

Pop back this afternoon for Florence’s book club!

Love,
Rebecca
xo

Florence’s Christmas Gift Guide #1

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Ok ladies, without wishing to strike the fear of God (or Christmas Shopping) into you all, it’s 5 and a half weeks to Christmas and that means it’s time to turn our attention to gifts.

I’ve been purposely putting off gift guides not wanting to engage in starting the ‘Christmas Fear’ too early this year but you know what, I haven’t bought a single present yet so this is as much a guide for me as you!

I know as I’ve got older (read ‘busier with more presents to buy’) Christmas shopping has become less of an enjoyable thing to do and more a chore to tick off. Of course there are still people I love shopping for, but many of my friends and family are so darn difficult it just becomes an added stress and pressure. The idea of these guides is that you get to find some little gems that perhaps your friends won’t have seen before and as a result you get bonus gift-buying points! They’re all available online too to make life even easier. :)

I’m starting with an easy one… finds for beauty queens and some retro style gifts.

  • I always try and get something limited edition for friends who are addicted to make up and it’s always such a treat to recieve so goes down well with any woman in your life. I love this Laura Mercier Face Illuminator (Limited edition) – Rose Rendezvous £31
  • Wipe clean make-up bags are an essential for travelling and organisation but not often as pretty as this Key-Per Triple Pouch, from Fossil – £35
  • New make-up brushes are always good for a beauty queen and this set from Marks and Spencers covers all the basics for a bargain £15. Try Mac for more specialist shapes.
  • We all have lots of basics in our make-up bag but sometimes don’t splash out on the real McCoy when we’re on a budget. Why not upgrade your friends trusty essentials to the top of the range brands? For the last word in lash curling get the Shu Uemura Eyelash Curlers or for brows, these Tweezerman for Benefit slant tweezers.
  • Got a friend who always has perfect nails? Update her nail wardrobe with the Nails Inc Heavy Metals collection – bang on trend metallics for party nails – £25
  • Everyone knows someone who’s addicted to lipgloss and this set has a good range of wearable colours in a cute gift box. Ticket to Glossy Town, Benefit – £19.50

Have you spotted something here that you know someone will love or are you cheating and compiling your own Christmas list?

Is there something you would like to see Florence’s gift guide cover to help your Christmas shopping? Drop me a comment below and I’ll see what I can do!

Love,
Rebecca
xo