So it’s Christmas: the time of year we all love and hate the most. We get to shop til we drop for our friends and family, but also try not to throw fits over the crazy crowds on Oxford Street and long queues for the must have items! My Amex heart, or should I say Amex itself, loves my zipping the little black card through machines at every occasion. My bank manager, however, will not be so pleased come January when the season has ended and reality hits hard with big credit card balances needing to be paid.

Over the next two weeks, leading up to the big day I am going to take you shopping with me and show you what everyone’s buying for the special someone in their lives. So be sure to check back regularly for updates and ideas for last minute grabs.

My first trip out and I decided to try a “themed basket” for the ladies who have been so dear to me this year in London, New York and Los Angeles. I’m putting together a huge wicker case that contains an item to satisfy every one of the five senses. I’m going to be a little extravagant here with my choices so let me say that, although I am giving these all together, each item is an excellent gift to wrap up on its own.

Smell:

Very Hollywood by Michael Kors

I am a big fragrance person. How big exactly? Well I actually stayed on the tube for two stops longer than necessary once simply because the man sitting next to smelt so divine I thought I may have been in heaven. So I am always on the lookout for the next best thing. Today, I’m proud to say I’ve found it with the new Michael Kors fragrance. Ladies, this will have him staying two stops to take you in…Men, gift this present with great caution. Your lady is going to have noses following her everywhere!

Touch:

Coco Mademoiselle Shimmering touch by Chanel

Well this really is for all the senses. This gorgeous body gel will make you sparkle and shine like a new penny. I am, personally, in love with the bottle itself. My guilty admission here is that I bought the bottle just to keep on my shelf at home as it looks so beautiful and luxurious. I then was yelled at by a good friend (who also happens to be a leading makeup artist in London) that I was a moron for not having tried it yet. Now I have one bottle on the shelf, that remains untouched, and one bottle always in use in the shower.

Sight:

Chanel Tweed Highlighter from the Christmas Collection

Unless you have a house in St. Bart’s, around Christmas time we all tend to look a bit pale and bland. So imagine my excitement when a friend gave me something that could take away the dullness and make me look as if I actually had a bit of life left in me – the Tweed Highlighter from Chanel. Don’t allow your recipient to be scared when they first open the compact. They won’t want to dip into this little piece of heaven as it is a perfect replica of the classic Chanel tweed.
Just keep telling them you bought it as makeup and it must be used as such. All it will take is one stroke just below the cheekbone for them to fall in love with what it is capable of doing rather than its aesthetic value in the package.

Taste:

Soufflé Body Crèmes Sampler by Laura Mercier

This is really bad (and I can’t believe I am admitting it in a public forum) but I actually wanted to eat my arm when I put this crème on initially. I was standing in the middle of Selfridges and I dabbled a few spots on my  forearm and with one rub my eyes transformed my arm into a delectable Crème Brûleé. That happens to be my personal favourite of the three crèmes available in the sampler. The pack comes with two other blends which are Almond Coconut Milk and Crème de Pistache. I will make you this promise. If you satisfy one sense for your loved one, make it this one and you will be a Christmas hero!

Hearing:

The present here is for you really. You will be showered with praise for your expertise in gift giving. Sit back and enjoy it. Although I hope you are better at this than me. I went out and bought all of these items and they never went into a box, in fact never left the house. They’re mine, all mine! The greatest gifts of all are sometimes the ones you give yourself, our little secret