CHRISTMAS 2013: FOR KIDS

Clockwise from top left: a knitted fox, stacking penguins, and a wooden dachshund. A Christmas favourite to watch every year. A LEGO log cabin (complete with LEGO drumsticks). A red bike horn and magnetic blocks. A children's classic and clicking frogs for stocking fillers.

And, because it's always worth watching...

CHRISTMAS 2013: FOR FOOD LOVERS

Clockwise from top left: a new Mociun Baggu, fennel pollen and Pedro Ximinez vinegar (or any number of other things from Sous Chef), hand woven placemats, a two tone marble platter, a perfect tea towel, all the essentials for a British version of a French 75, a gold glass coaster, new enamel, a book to bring back memories of New York, indigo linen, an iron candlestick and beeswax candles for the table.

And one final suggestion: http://www.trusselltrust.org/donate

CHRISTMAS 2013: FOR HIM

 

Clockwise from top left: Fellow Barber candle, a whale knife, an original copy of a favourite album, Douglas Fir incense and something good-looking to hold it, the best toothpaste and a striped tin cup, solar system magnets, a new book from Peter Liversidge, the bottle opener that everyone wants, beers and a brewery tour, and finally, because sometimes it's true, a print from Stephen Powers. 

1ST DECEMBER

Is it too soon for Christmas Creature Comforts...

CHRISTMAS 2013: FOR HER

It's that time of year again. A few things I like, I hope you like them too.

Clockwise from top left: Galaxy clutch, grey nails and pink lips, burgundy and navy cashmere, an Aran jumper to go with everything, wool socks, a small vase, a Malteser Reindeer just because, Merino boots for permanently cold feet, a ring from a favourite jeweller, a good read, pistachio baths, a pen for (my annoying habit of) doing puzzles in bed, a new favourite mug and a trivet to rest it on, a copper can for earrings, an infinity ring, tinted vaseline, and some pretty Maine gems. 

REMEMBER, REMEMBER

The temperature has plummeted. On Saturday it rained on and off all day. On Sunday it was bright but cold. Friends came for brunch, waffles with bacon and maple syrup for three of us, with bacon and sriracha for one with a limited appetitie for savoury sweet. After brunch we headed out for a walk, over to the Botanics, through the gardens to Inverleith Park, the temperature dropping more as we went. Our friends peeled off and we holed up in a quiet corner in Stockbridge with Guinness for me, Landlord for him. Last night it was -2, today there is a freezing cold mist hanging over the city.

In previous years the 5th November has been and gone with conversations about how mild it seemed. How mild compared to those childhood bonfire nights when we wore layer upon layer upon layer, heading outside a little bundled mass to look at the Guys that had been entered for the competition (the winning Guy destined to be carried aloft, flung onto the roaring bonfire). The brown paper bag heads with features drawn on, the old pair of trousers, shirt, tank top or jumper, all stuffed with newspaper and secured with string.

As we got older there were other bonfires. One with teenagers and adults walking with flaming torches to light the fire. One in our garden, the wood a little damp, a dubious decision regarding petrol, matches, and singed eyebrows (not mine). My favourite bonfire night as an adult, in London, watching from our balcony as the sky was lit by fireworks, spotting the glow of bonfires spread across the city.

But those bonfire night memories that I come back to the most are memories of Milland, the village we lived in until I was six. Maybe that's when this night felt the most magical. Going out after dark, watching the fire start and grow, holding sparklers with mittened hands, watching the fireworks. Halloween was fun but bonfire night felt special, otherworldly.

Today feels like one of those bonfire nights. Built for layers, for warm drinks, for frosty breath over sparklers.We'll be at home this evening, the heating will be on, bangs will pepper our conversation. We'll look outside, we'll see fireworks from Leith, from Calton Hill. It still feels special.

DUSTY SUGAR PINK

 

'The first cashmere sweater I owned was dusty sugar pink, and I wore it so a boy I liked would want to put his arms around me.'

Words: Sophie Dahl for J Crew

Lambswool jumper: YMC