Day 55 - ipod's Darker Side

The Carbon Edition is unique in that it uses a one piece form-factor and is… black..

This means that the amplifier and dock elements are built into a single piece chassis, thereby providing an elegant and high impact design. The specification has been uplifted to include 2 pairs of source inputs (plus the iPod dock), a remote control which handles volume and tonal changes for all three sources, (plus all the iPod functionality) and a huge increase in power to 25w per channel. Coming in two versions, (with matching speakers or without), the Carbon Edition is a logical progression from the standard iTube.

Designed for those with a darker side.

Remote
The iTube ValveDock Carbon Edition with Speakers comes complete with full function remote control.

Main Features
iTube Vacuum Tube Amplifier with integrated Dock for Apple iPod
Gorgeous black high-gloss finish
Valve processing gives warm, rich, audio characteristics

Specifications
Power Output: 25Wx2
Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20KHz (±1.5Db)
Harmonic Distortion: ≤0.5%
Signal-To-Noise Ratio: ≥86Db
Input Impedance: 100KΩ
Output Impedance: 4Ω, 8Ω
Valve Type: 2x6N1(ECC85)
1x6E2(EM87)
Power Supply: AC100~120V/50~60Hz, AC220~240V/50~60Hz
Dimensions: (Amp) 360x148x172mm (WxHxD) Weight (Amp) 3.97KGs

What's In The Box?
iTube Vacuum Tube Amplifier with Dock
Banana Plug speaker cables
Aux source audio cable for connecting CD player
Video cable to connect docking station to TV

iPod Compatibility
ipod 4th generation
ipod 4th generation (colour display)
ipod nano 1st generation
ipod 5th generation (video)
ipod 2nd generation (aluminum)

£429 fromFat Man

Day 55 - Mabel

Mulberry's Mabel handbag available in a multitude of colours. Internal & external pockets, small tassels on the zip pulls.

Patent leather

23.5cm x 29.5cm x 11.5cm

£695

Day 56 - Hopelessly Devoted To Shoes

Maloles are one of THE labels to watch for 2007/2008.

Their quilted pumps are the new ballerinas to be seen in.

£145 available from Matches

Day 56 - Mussel Eaters

Great looking accompaniment to mussels at your dinner party. These mussel eaters allow you to devour with ease! Sold individually

£12.95 each from Culinary Concepts

Day 57 - One of Five Only

Chanel's J12 Haute Joaillerie 38mm automatic watch.

White gold & black high tech ceramic, entirely set with baguette-cut rubies & baguette-cut diamonds.

Baguette-cut ruby indicators

P.O.A.

Day 57 - Don't Skimp On The Shoes

Top quality English or Italian bench-made shoes may seem expensive, but the long service they give you means they're actually better value than mass-produced pairs.

Hand-stitched welt (the ridge where the sole meets the leather upper) means that they're properly waterproof, and you can get hem repeatedly resoled by a cobbler when they need reinvigorating.

£195 from jeffrey-west.co.uk

Day 58 - Online Discount 20% Figleaves until 30th October 2007

Promotion Code NOV20

Day 58 - Just Desserts

Welcome to The Cupcake Company where they lovingly make the most delicious little cakes in London.

They have found that people feel less guilty about eating a small sweet treat, and they are here to provide the finest! They attribute their superior flavour to the use of organic products as much as possible, sourced fresh from organic supermarkets and local farmers markets. Naturally they don’t use any additives, preservatives or artificial flavourings and for this reason the cakes are best eaten fresh on the day they are baked.

Unlike other bakers, they do not have a “standard range”, instead offering their customers a choice of ten delectable cupcake flavours which will be decorated exactly to your specification.

This bespoke service means that you could have cupcakes for your child’s birthday decorated with the face of his or her favourite toy, or as a sophisticated choice for morning coffee or afternoon tea, or decorated with your logo for a corporate launch, or even with decorations in Dad’s favourite colour for Father’s Day. They are delighted to advise and assist you.

The Cup Cake Company take enormous care and pride in their cupcakes. After experimenting with the best ingredients and flavours they promise your cupcakes will taste superb and have a wonderful hand-crafted look which will have everyone asking “Where did you get those?”...

Available in:
Vanilla
Chocolate
Lemon
Coffee
Carrot
Banana
Pumpkin
Fruity Bran
Butterfly
Seasonal

Day 58 - Safe Seat

The Bumbo Seat is a snug and cozy environment for your baby. This revolutionary infant chair is designed to fit a baby’s posture. Babies can sit upright in a Bumbo Seat as soon as they have head control. More importantly, it helps them develop the trunk control they need to sit up on their own. It is recommended by pediatricians, orthopedists, and physical therapists so you know it is good for your baby.

They're made out if moulded foam rubber in pretty colours. Portable, durable, secure and comfy

£30 from Blooming Marvellous

Day 59 - Art of Gold

Exclusive to Selfridges (Wonder Room) London, Theo Fennell has created this piece for their recent opening.

On 18-carat gold, this medium winged-heart pendant £6,000 looks amazing with yellow sapphires and black diamonds

Theo Fennell

Selfridges

Day 59 - Silver & Gold

Silver and gold embroidered sequin Moroccan leather slippers.

Shoe sizes 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42

£24 pair from Graham & Green

Day 60- Basso & Brooke

Sky HD Box Limited Edition designed by Basso & Brooke

£299 from

Also available:

• Giles Deacon


• Preen


• Gareth Pugh


• Jonathan Saunders

Designer Box

Tel: 0870 240 2038

Day 60 - Beauty Roll Call

Save yourself scrabbling around a make-up bag for brushes with Smythson’s Clementine make-up roll £275. Inside you’ll find five super-soft sable brushes and an assortment of tools from tweezers to brow combs.

DIY grooming has never been so chic.

E-UP BRUSH ROLL
CLEM-SL7187
From £275.00

Leather make-up brush roll complete with professional brushes and tweezers.

• Clementine crocodile finish calfskin beauty accessory.
• Enamel clasp to secure.
• Ideal for use at home and rolls up when travelling.
• With 8 professional quality brushes and tweezers.
• Presented in a tissued lined Nile Blue gift box.

Day 61 - Crocodile Tears

Harrods has been looking beneath the surface to reveal what makes a luxury brand great.

Dior is one of those brands.

We have included a version of this bag in a previous blog in September, however Harrods is currently selling a crocodile version of the Samurai bag at £12,500 it’s sheer luxury.

Day 61 - Emiselene

Emiselene is a truly striking designer bed, modern and glamourous. The curving stucture incorporates an ingenious concealed storage space. Available in cherry.

Price includes fabric cushion roll; leather cushion roll also available. Bedside table and matching chest of drawers sold separately.

Designed by Luciano Dalmonego for Mazzali.

Fits mattress size 165 x 195 cm. (Mattress not included.)

Dimensions*: 240 x 180 x 55cm (94 1/2 x 71 x 22h in)

Delivery Time: 6-8 weeks

£3,032

Available from EuropeByNet.com

Day 62 - Famous In Your Own Living Room

You Are Art was started to offer lovers of original modern art an alternative to both overpriced galleries and mass-produced prints. They offer people the chance to buy fantastic original modern art that is deeply personal. Offered at highly competitive prices.

You Are the Art Director
Whether you opt for a photo on canvas or an original portrait, they believe that you should be in control of your work. With You Are Art, you are the art director. You decide on the image you want the work based on, the portrait style, size, and colour. You can even choose your medium. Their artists really do work for you. This is about involving people in their art like never before.

A unique offering
This is a unique offering. You Are Art allow people to design works to fit in with their tastes and interiors. You Are Art is perfect for those of you who have a good idea of what you want, but lack the facility or artistic skills to realise your vision.

Quality of our work
To ensure standards are kept high, every piece of work that leaves the studio must be vetted by their creative panel. You Are Art are very aware that this is a business driven largely by recommendation, so it is in their interest to deliver only the very best work. From the work itself, to the materials used and the way they frame and pack your picture, everything is completed to the highest quality.

Exhibitions
To keep their prices down, they do not have a permanent gallery space. They do however, exhibit their original modern art in various bars and restaurants across London on a revolving basis. To truly appreciate the drama and presence of any piece of original modern art you really need to see it in the flesh.

The artists
You Are Art bring together the skills of Painters, Illustrators, Graphic Artists and Digital Artists to bring you original modern art at prices that represent outstanding value.

Prices vary enormously, however to give you an idea:
40 x 40 cm Warhol style picture on stretched fabric would be £277
15 x 10 cm (postcard sized) stretched canvas on a wooden frame, oil painting £99

Day 62 - Night Out On The Tiles

The ultimate in luxury Dolce & Gabbana’s silk tulle and lurex dress, and metal belt. Both available from a selection. Prices available on request.

Day 63 - Heavenly Nibbles

The Ladurée story

The history of Parisian tea salons is intimately tied to the history of the Ladurée family. It all began in 1862, when Louis Ernest Ladurée, a miller from France’s southwest, created a bakery at 16 rue Royale in Paris. During the same year, the first stone of the Garnier Opera was laid, and the area surrounding the Madeleine was rapidly developing into one of the capital’s most important and elegant business districts. The most prestigious names in French luxury goods had already taken up residence in this neighborhood.

In 1871, while Baron Haussmann was giving Paris a ‘‘new face’’, a fire made access to the transformation of the bakery to a pastry shop. The decoration of the pastry shop was entrusted to Jules Cheret, a famous turn-of-the-century painter and poster artist. M Cheret sought inspiration from the painting techniques used for the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel and the Garnier Opera. By incorporating them in his work, he added depth and relief to the ceilings ornamented with cherubic children.

Under the Second Empire, cafes developed and became more and more luxurious. They attracted Parisian high society. Along with the chic restaurants around the Madeleine, they became the showcases of the capital.

The beginning of this century found Paris wrapped up in a frenzy of distraction and going out in public. Parisians flocked to the Exposition Universal. Women were also changing. They wanted to make new acquaintances. Literary salons and « les circles » were outmoded.

Ladurée’s wife, Jeanne Souchard, daughter of a well-known hotelier in Rouen, had the idea of mixing styles: thus the Parisian café and pastry shop gave birth to one of the first tea salons in town.
The ‘‘salon de thé’’ had a definite advantage over the cafés of the pooch: they permitted ladies to gather in freedom. Jeanne Souchard succeeded in combining the turn-of-the-century trend to modernism with knowledge of the merits of a craft transmitted by her family.

The rue Royale tea room was enlarged in the middle of the twentieth century by Pierre Desfontaines, second cousin of Louis Ernest Ladurée. When he retired, his son, Jean Marie, and his niece, Dominique, presided over the tea salon. In 1993, they decided to buy this Parisian institution, and promote and enlarge the famous ‘Maison’. In 1997, a new prestigious Ladurée address both a restaurant and tea room opened on the Champs-Elysées.

The story of the Macaroon

These small, round cakes, crisp on the outside, smooth and soft in the middle, are the most famous creation of Ladurée.

The story of the Ladurée macaroon starts with Pierre Desfontaines, distant cousin of Louis Ernest Ladurée, who at the beginning of the 20th century first thought of taking two macaroon shells and joining them with a delicious ganache filling. The way of making them has never changed since that time.

These small, round cakes, crisp on the outside, smooth and soft in the middle, are made every morning in Ladurée’s "laboratory". The pastry chefs measure out very precisely the required amounts of almonds, eggs and sugar, before adding one final ingredient, a pinch of unique "know-how", essential to the making of such a delicacy.

Once cooked and filled, the macaroons are put to one side for 2 days before going on sale, the time it takes to achieve a perfect balance between texture and flavour.

Macaroons come in two sizes: the mini-macaroon or "gerbet" and full-size macaroons.

With each new season, Ladurée pays tribute to this its most famous creation by creating a new flavour.
The existing range of macaroons is always the starting point when a new one is created, as the variety of colours is as important as the range of flavours and a vital part of their appeal.

The new flavour for autumn:
Macaroon “Ruby Kiss” aroma of chocolate, berries and spices.

Flavours that are permanently available:
Chocolate, Dark chocolate, Vanilla, Coffee, Rose petal, Pistachio, Salted butter Caramel, Cherry amaretto, Raspberry, Orange blossom, Liquorice.

Seasonal flavours :
Lemon, Praline, Ice mint, Coconut, Chestnut, Grenadine.

Special & temporary creations:
Java Pepper - Apricot Ginger - Muscovado - Candyfloss - Havana - White amber - Indian Rose - Aniseed - Champagne - Orange Saffron - Lily-of-the-valley - Strawberry Poppy - Gingerbread - Rosanis

Available from Harrods or the store at 71-72 Burlington Arcade, London W1

Day 63 - Airbrushing Magic

Now you see it…now you don’t. One swoosh brightens, conceals and starts to treat dark circles, unsightly flaws and spots. The water-resistant formula stays color-true all day without fading, shifting or settling into creases. Instantly eyes look refreshed and radiant. Over time, it helps visibly firm skin and minimize the appearance of lines and wrinkles.

After 8 weeks, 84%* of women tested experienced improvement in the overall appearance of the eye area. And skin like this is nothing to hide. *In clinical tests.

Prescriptive’s Site Unseen Brightening Concealer SPF15 £16, US $22

It’s like a good nights sleep in a tube!

Day 64 - Butterfly

Sori Yanagi Vita’s stool made from plywood with palisander veneer, moulded in a shape reminiscent of a butterfly's wings, with brass fixings. Also available in maple.

Dimensions
42w x 39d x 31h

Product Code: VIT-1371
Delivery time 6-8 weeks

£331 available from TwentyTwentyOne

Day 64 - Too Many Shoes?

If you have too many shoes and fashion accessories laying around the apartment. The Hotel Box was made for you.

When you buy a new pair, you can just throw away the original packaging and put them into this easy to stack box. As there is a window in the box you can now show off your fabulous collection of shoes if you like .

They are available in many colors and prints.

£13.50 each available from DesignMyWorld

9 Weeks & Counting

Here at Ribbons & Bows weblog we're always busy coming up with daily ideas for all your year round gift purchases, or even ideas for treats for yourselves.

As it's now 9 weeks...or 64 days until Christmas Day is upon us, we're now stepping up to meet those Xmas expectations.

We'll be publishing 2 ideas a day until the big day, as well as encouraging you to get yourselves organised in plenty of time, and letting you know where the latest shop/online offers are to be found.

For those of you who would like some assistance with your every Christmas purchase requirements, please check out our website Ribbons & Bows , give us a call 020 7193 1806 or email us at Ribbons & Bows

We also provide an ultimate annual wishlist service for yourselves and all your friends and family. Allowing your loved one to purchase, or have purchased their ideal gifts in any price range.

Additionally a monthly gift and card service. Please see our website Ribbons & Bows for all further details.

Chocolate, Chocolate & Nothing But The Chocolate

This has to be my favourite chocolate shop in the world. Small but perfectly formed and to die for confectionary. Rococo Chocolates began the Real Chocolate Revolution in the UK in 1983, in London’s King’s Road. Rococo transformed the experience of buying and consuming chocolate into something of an art form, but always with love and humour. The second shop opened in Marylebone High Street in 2004.

Their truffles come in the following delicious flavours:
Milk: plain milk, rum, passion fruit
Dark: plain dark, coffee, orange, chilli, cognac, single malt whisky, mozart
White: vanilla, pink champagne, cardamon and saffron

£6.00 per 100g

Also available are Hampers:
Nebuchadnezar £145
Balthazar £67.50
Melchior £47.50
Caspar £26.00
Premier Cru ‘Batteux Busson’ with champagne truffle box £55.00

Don't Return To Sender

Knickerscription is the creation of the owners of the amazing boutique Coco Ribbon.

A year’s supply if thongs or briefs will be delivered by your postman, so you need never to be caught out in greying stretchy pants in the gym’s changing room ever again!

Prices are a minimum of £55 a year, which will deliver two knickers every three months, with other options available.

Also available is international delivery

Party Season Will Be Here Before We Know It

Butler & Wilson jewellery is cheap enough to be affordable and expensive enough to look the part.

This colourful mirror crystal & teardrop elaborate necklace featuring multi-coloured jewels, along with it’s matching bracelet is ideal for the winter party season.

The necklace is 38cm with a 7.5cm drop.

Product Code: 70000multi

£98.00

The bracelet’s length is 18cm.

Product Code: 68599multi

£48.00

Pink Mother of Pearl

I came across this in my local Primrose Hill branch of Graham & Green. It’s not the most traditional of colours, but is beautiful as well as fun to look at. Graham & Green’s chosen pieces are a must for anyone’s home. It’s also available in bone inlay £1,200 and embossed metal £835.

Unique mother of pearl inlaid four-drawer chest of drawers. Mother of pearl and resin onto wood.

£1,395

H 86 x 50 x 108cm

Steinway's Latest Baby Grand

Steinway, best known for their magnificent piano’s are about to launch their own take on the humble loudspeaker.

The item they have created are 250kg monstrosities, produced in collaboration with Danish speaker manufacturer Lyngdorf and paired with a similarly shiny CD unit, all for the modest price of £75,000.

Only 100 Model D systems will be made this year, and if you buy one, Steinway Lyngdorf will send an audio engineer to your home to take readings and tailor its set-up precisely to suit your space

steinwaylyngdorf.com

Saving For A Rainy Day

I’ve recently bought one of these for my daughter to be (due in December). I’m extremely good at finding money, from a penny to a 20 euro note on Regents Street.

“Find a penny, pick it up and all day you’ll have good luck” as the saying goes.

All the money I now find is going to go straight into this little fellow and should give our daughter good luck for many years to come.

Available from Graham & Green priced £6.25 (smallest) and £10.95 for the largest.

The Making of the Mini Cigar Bar

Can’t wait until the 19th hole? No problem - light up your own fine cigar and enjoy a dram whilst you are still on the green with Max Benjamin’s portable Mini Cigar Bar.

Inside is a cedar-lined humidor for your Cohibas, space for a bottle of scotch, a cool box that keeps your ice frozen for up to four hours, and a lighter that will spark up on the windiest of Scottish of Scottish links.

£150

25th Anniversary

This little brown bottle is the latest evolution of Estee Lauder’s nearly 25 year old night repair formula. The company boasts, rightfully so, that “this formulation utilizes technology which provides an environment in which the skin’s natural repair mechanisms can flourish, to boost skin back to optimal health.” Contained within this little bottle are ingredients to fight all the major theories of aging - free radicals, inflamation and stress.

To use this product, apply it nightly for 21 consecutive days, repeating every 3-4 months. You can also use it before and after dermatological procedures, after harsh environmental exposure (sun, wind, cold), and as a post seasonal rejuvenator.

550 individually numbered Limited Edition 100ml bottle £66.00 exclusive from Harrods

Boydie

“Boydie” was designed by fashion designer Tracey Boyd £4.99 for Cancer Research UK shops for October’s Breast Awareness Month.

For stockists +44 207121 6699 or visit Cancer Research UK

New Direction In Lighting

Motorlight is the first variable angle uplight, enabling you to vary the light angles to suit different environments and needs - from ambient lighting through to spot lighting.

It can be set to a precise angle of light or can be activated to cycle through continually adjusting angles to enhance the mood of the environment.

You also have the option to experiment and achieve the exact angle of the light for a given situation. The effect of continually cycling the angle of the light can be likened to ‘active’ mood lighting. This type of lighting can enhance an environment, with washes of light causing the room to feel like it is lifting and breathing.

Motorlight has a modernist aesthetic, which can work with any decor, whether minimal, clean and futuristic or retro chic.

Designed and manufactured by Jake Dyson Limited.

Motorlight is produced in exclusive batches of 500 units, and is available in 5 colours:

White Gloss
Black Gloss
Red Glow
Blue Glow
Clear Glow

Special edition colours are available on request.

£495 info@jakedyson.com

Love- Dolls Never Die

This is a recreation of the late Bob Carlos Clarke’s last London Exhibition in 2004.

This landmark exhibition was the first time he had embraced the digital revolution and was his first show in London in 12 years.

In discussions about the exhibition he said “My new show is the antithesis of everything I have ever preached. I’ve gone for brutal clarity & intense manipulation. It’s a complete fusion of old & new technology: Traditional darkroom ”wet“ processes and state of the art photoshop retouching. The files are huge and are going to be printed 5 foot high.”

For the exhibition one complete set of very large prints were made, eventually to be available in an edition of 9 and smaller “trade” edition of 100. Due to his untimely death very few prints were made and signed.

The Entire Collection of Exhibition prints was acquired at the time by a private collector who has now consigned them to 20 Ltd.

20 Ltd has also available a number of prints in the smaller format also signed by the artist.

- Fantasy Females Are Impossible To Satisfy
- Faithful Unto Death
- Sex Kitten
- Automatic
- For Dolls That Do Dishes
- Nookia
- Total Control
- Men Have Feelings Too
- Domestic Appliances For The Modern Housewife
- Tease Maid
- Unexploded Female
- Femme Fatales Threaten Family Values
- Infanta Electronica
- The Tinsleys & Their Au Pair
- Dream Tea
- Wind Me Up
- Adult Females Attack Without Provocation

The photo above is called Adult Females Attack Without Provocation. It is available in 2 different formats:

large print (43“ x 56”) dry-mounted on aluminum and accompanied by signed numbered certificate.

This large format print comes in its original exhibition frame. Although the announced image edition in this format is 9, this is the only known print signed by the artist.

Price £21,625
Delivery 2 weeks

Small format print (24“ x 36”) signed and numbered on the recto by the artist. They are numbered out of 100. In most cases only 12 or fewer were produced and signed by the artist.

Price unframed £8,225
Delivery 2 weeks

Price Framed £8,570
Delivery 4 weeks

Underwater Dreaming

Floating, underwater hotel, where you sleep in an underwater aquarium.

The Utter Inn is the brainchild of Mikael Genberg, a local artist and sculptor who has chosen to focus on "making art for the public". It lies 3m below the surface of Lake Mälaren in Västerås, Sweden and contains only twin beds and a table.

The Utter (Otter) Inn opened in June 2000 on the coldest, rainiest day in the whole summer. Despite that it was a great success. Not only did all the untested solutions work, it also attracted a lot of people. The Utter Inn stimulates the most typical of Swedish dreams; to have a small Swedish red house with white garbles on your own island. On top of that you can spend your night three meters underwater with panoramic windows in all directions.

This alternative dwelling also includes a sense of risk taking and adventure that tends to expand the sensory input. One should not forget the psychological term "transfer of exaltation". Roughly explained it is about man's tendency to transform the experience of fear to an experience of love. You don’t want to feel afraid so the brain changes the emotion to something far more pleasant. You feel more alive. In this sense arranged, controlled fear can be very important.

The guests of Otter Inn arrive at the port of Vasteras and they are taken the 1 km out on the lake Malaren with an inflatable boat, they get instructions and are then left alone. If they have selected the deluxe version they will get a visit later with their supper. They have the opportunity to use an inflatable canoe to visit the closest uninhabited island. Most have enough courage to swim and sunbath and watch the fish (both upstairs and downstairs) at the hotel. There is a remarkable feeling to go to bed while the fish are surrounding and watching you carefully. You are in an aquarium - for fish to be beholders of man. Often boats come quite close to get a glance of the daring inhabitants. Swedish boatpeople are however always very polite and never takes more than two trips around your room!!!

You’re guaranteed a memorable night!

The Utter Inn is very popular during the summer months and we recommend you talk to the Vasteras tourism team of Pernilla, Sara, Jonna or Kristin to find out when there is availability. There are 2 daily flights on Ryanair to Vasteras direct from Luton in the UK with good availability, so you can talk to the ladies, find availability and confirm your flights online at the same time!

Address: The Utter Inn, Lake Malaren, Sweden
Location: Vasteras, Nr Stockholm, Sweden
Type : Island
Average Room Tariff :         US$250 - US$350
No of Rooms : 1
Nearest Airport : Vasteras
Airport Distance: 20 mins

Facilities
                  Limited room service        

                  Entertainment        

                  Swimming Pool        

Telephone +46 2139 0100
email malarstaden@vasteras.se

Hit The Links

With the exception of a dress shirt, cuff links should only ever be worn with a double cuff ehich, in turn, should only ever be worn with a tie.

Those with an eye for detail will be careful to co-ordinate their steel/silver or gold cuff-links with their watch and rings.

Novelty cuff-links are not an option!!!!

With organic curves, the sterling silver and hand-carved Pebble cufflinks make and excellent addition to any man's wardrobe.

One of the more exotic cufflink designs in the Links of London collection, they make a bold and sensual statement with a white shirt and, are cool enough to wear day, or night.

£98.00

Material : Sterling Silver
Product Code: 2515.0366

Alternative Rug

These Reindeer hides not only look and feel great, they are also

weatherproof. The hides come from Scandinavian reindeer and are a by product of producing meat.

In Lapland, the indeginous Sami peoples still use every part of the reindeer for food, clothing and decoration.

These Reindeer hides measure approx. 120 cm x 90 cm

£110 available from The Real Rug Company

Ah The Smell Of Him

If you haven’t got £20k to splash out on a bespoke fragrance for the man in your life....

Roja Dove “Roja Dove No3” starts with a burst if bergamot, underscored by lemon, lavender and a hint of chamomile. £1,100 per 250ml

Next comes “jasmin de Grasse” at £26,000 a kilo, which is 3 times the price of gold! Everyone says they can’t believe a fragrance can be so erotic.

Loyal Customers

I’ve been an extremely loyal customer at Jo Hansford’s hair salon for many years. After a disastrous hair dying experience at a very well known salon left me looking like Ozzy Osbourne, resulting in my having to get many many inches cut off after colour correction went badly wrong. I searched high and low for the best London had to offer. After all how you look is, in this day and age, what appears to matter.

Colourist Charlie at Jo Hansford’s in Mount Street along with Sarah or Sonia for your cut and blow dry are the prefect combination. Resulting in many “where do you get your hair coloured?”

I feel completely at ease letting them all do what they want with my hair, a first!

With clients ranging from Alison Goldfrapp, Angelina Jolie, Elizabeth Hurley, Erin O’Connor, Yasmin Le Bon to Nigella Lawson.

Prices for full highlights range from £400 for Jo herself to £180 for a junior colourist. Cut and blow dry from £100 with Derek to £70 with Steve.

Oh My...... How They Grow

The cutest children’s wall chart!

Engage the children and measure how fast they grow up with Graham & Green fun Plant measuring vinyl chart.

Add pictures, names or dates to the leaves to personalise the chart.

H 2m x 30cm

£36.75

Exquisite Design

Philippe Starck has designed the exquisite Miss Lacy chair for Driade at Viaduct

The armchair is cast in stainless steel with a floral pattern cut-out.

W.58 x D.58 x H.77 cm. seat H.44.5 cm

£1,074

The Bag

Smythson bags are heading in a new direction. Soft, light and lined in purple silk, the Nancy has that old-school appeal.

The Nancy Collection comprises three bag designs all handmade with an elegant vintage leather covered clasp, framed opening, luxurious satin lining and innovative hand pleating.

"..luscious quilted styles with a retro leather slide clasp that are light on blingy hardware and heavy on effortless chic.." - Harper's Bazaar Sep '07.

• Handmade in a luxuriously soft calf leather, available in three stylish colour ways; taupe, dark brown and black.

• The Large Nancy is a very comfortable shoulder bag with an exceptionally roomy interior considering the neat, attractive exterior shape.

• The bag is lined in a rich, dark mauve satin reminiscent of exquisite vintage vanity cases and bags. With practical, generous internal pockets allowing one to keep contents organized and spacious enough to hold everything one could possibly need.

• The Large Nancy £950 is complemented with a range of accessories.

• Photograph pendant sold separately.

• 50 x 28 x 20cm

Everlasting Butterflies

Every home must have something extraordinary, a prized possession.

The Niagara chandelier by Lladro is just that, and you will look forward to beholding it everyday. It’s delicate porcelain butterflies create a dramatic chandelier inspired by the magic of nature.

Lladró Boutique, 194 Piccadilly, London W1J 4EX, 020 8971 1790, www.lladro.com

The Niagara Chandelier £24,500