Beautifully Wrapped 2011: It's Good to Give V.2

'Tis the season to be jolly, generous and festive and what better way to feel the festive flavour than giving away beautifully wrapped gifts? I love creative ways to wrap presents, so I thought I'd share with you all if you haven't done your gift wrapping yet! If you need more inspiration check out the first 'Beautifully Wrapped' series here.

Whilst some of us may not be expecting much this Christmas it is good to receive something, even if it is handmade or small but beautifully wrapped and even if you're not feeling the festive mood, it is good to give. I don't know about you guys, but here in Greece, times are pretty hard. I haven't gone crazy on the X-mas shopping front, but I will be personalising and making my own gifts to give to others and doing my bit over this X-mas.

I found out via Glamour UK that you can donate your paypacket - well an hour of your wages each month to any given charity you wish via: whatsonehourworth.co.uk, not sure if there's an equivalent in the US or anywhere else in the world.

As blogger's we post pictures, share and write a lot. Well, you can put that pen & paper to good use for postpals.co.uk which is supported by the BBC Children in Need, the Prince's Trust and Fearne cotton's inspiration. Postpals.co.uk features the profiles of not so very well children (approved by their parents of course). You can help by writing letters, sending emails or even sending a gift to brighten up their day or put a smile on their face. Anyhoos, they're always on the lookout for volunteers and fundraisers! Do your bit and have a heart!






If any of you have any fantastic giving sites, charity links that help support others this Christmas, please drop me an email or leave a comment below, I'll be more than happy to update this post with the relevant links.

Thank you lovelies! You're awesome!

Images via Pinterest, YourdesignPartner.com, JonesDesignCompany, GreyLikesWedding, Olderandwiser.blogspot.com.

Super Stylish Reads: Perfect Christmas Gifts

I was recently asked what which book I'd love most for Christmas by Vanessa of Decadance for Divas and my mind just went completely blank... All I remembered was 'Thank God for Amazon wishlists'! That's where I save all the buys I want for a rainy day. All the above are via Amazon UK.

From top left-right:
Gucci: The Making of £29. YSL £20. True British: Alice Temperley £22.62
100 years of fashion Illustration £16.10. Tom Ford: 10 Years £45. Carine Roitfeld, Irreverent £42
Jonathan Adler on Happy Chic Accessorizing £12. Glamour, Making it Modern £17. Interiors Now V.2 £18

Anyhow, in answer to her question, I'd love Pictures by Tim Walker. If you don't know who he is, eeeeek! This guy is such an amazing genius of a photographer who literally creates visually mind blowing dreamscapes and imaginative modern photography. I've featured his amazing work in the 'I heart Vogue UK: The December issues' previously here, his 'Greatest show on earth' editorial was epic. He did an brilliant editorial for Vogue Italia in October here and also as usual he is Vogue UK's pick for the December Issue 2011, titled An Awfully Big Adventure. Can you tell I like his work much?

See?, highly imaginative, beautiful photography at it's best!

I've heard great things about Carine Roitfelds book, Irreverent (currently sold out on Amazon UK), which just sounds fascinating to me. This woman has worked 15 years as a stylist for French Elle, been a consultant & muse to the likes of Tom Ford at Gucci & YSL for around 6 years, plus 10 years of which she was editor-in-chief for French Vogue, where she did some magnificent things! Definitely a force not to be reckoned with!

The making of Gucci book is one super stylish read for the coffee table, I love a bit of Fashion History, which this luxe label has plenty.

One of my fave UK designers has to be Alice Temperley, I love her feminine, bohemian and glamourous designs plus her cool attitude towards life and fashion. She always looks like she's having fun too. It's hard to believe she's been on the industry for 10 years now, True British: Alice Tempereley is so on my wish list for now!

I also included 100 years of Fashion Illustration as a super stylish read - I could look at someone else's doodles all day long. My other huge crush is to do with Interior & Styling, love Jonathan Adlers work and again I could never get bored of looking at other peoples interiors and styling.

What reads do you currently have on your X-mas wish-list?

images above via Amazon.co.uk, Tim Walker Photography, Alice Temperley

Festive sparkles: What I wore

Hey there blogger bunnies! How do ya do?

Some of you may already know about my die-hard addiction to sparkles and all things glittery. As it happens, I've been going through December with a sparkly & shiny attitude to get me in the festive mood.
So, blogosphere, I thought I'd share a very rare outfit shot of me wearing one of my fave Vintage dresses of all time by Vintage Mavens as featured previously here. It always feels very festive with all the gold, silver & copper leaves whenever I put this frock on and there's an eternal hint of nostalgia too. I always want to dance the night away! What's your go to dress for the festive season? Please do share!

Why I've been m.i.a from blogosphere...

Just kidding, but I did have one of these nights with my gal pals recently... felt really wrong after gorging on sweet stuff!

Ok, you're going to have to forgive me for not being around of late, but it is the busiest time of the year and I am frankly a bit manic. I hope all is rocking for you guys!

NB: Little tip: Vintage Mavens always has really cool, stunning Vintage one-off pieces at great prices (especially when you compare to say Zara or Topshop which can sometimes be more expensive), so shop around and see if you can score a real treat. Click here for the shop and here for her blog with beautiful photography.

Image sources: Pinterest, Style Me Pretty, Crafty so and so & The Glitter guide