the dungaree quest

I've been in want of a pair of overalls for some time now. A little pair of short dungarees with french flavour. Khaki, demin, sky blue, red, off white, I'm not fussed.

This forest green overall dress is as close as I've gotten so far. It's cord and has a lovely big pocket, highly practical and a little unflattering in a sort of guilty pleasure way. A pouch in that area just below your belly button that is self consciously sucked in on other occasions, but when stuffed with old tissues and a couple of pens is sturdy and comforting.

However, the quest continues for the right pair of dungarees.

To be worn with a little cotton tee shirt, or a simple long tee, maybe printed with leopard spots or breton stripes. Gallic flair and carelessness, a non descript hairstyle, perhaps a ponytail or bun tied in a rush with paintflecked fingers. To be thrown on with tights and trusty brogues, riding around the city on the bike, running errands, collecting gifts for friends and ingredients for that bike salad you're already concocting in your head.

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advent season: day three: gifts for the guys

present buying for boys will remain one of life's mysteries. just as we may never know what exactly martin margiela looks like or whether the big bang was behind the creation of the earth (okay, okay, it pretty much was..) I am of the opinion that boys shall never cease to be so carefree and so laidback and downright tricky when it comes to present buying. I gawp at the thought of how I can continue to come up with original gift ideas for my Father for the foreseeable future (especially when they're met with a shrug and 'thanks, though you really needn't have..') Alas, I have wracked my brain and these are the fruits of my labour, a hearty american chocolate bar, a graphic tee shirt, a book of poetry by bukowski and a prickly little cactus to match (in my experience) their prickly present receiving disposition.

'great moments of the 20st century' tee shirt by print liberation, potted cactus from ikea, jw anderson woven belt from liberty, henri vibskov socks from asos, hersheys 5th avenue chocolate from cybercandy, wesc foldable headphones from asos, initial mug from liberty, mini fjallraven backpack from fjallraven, days away like horses, charles bukowski poetry from amazon from cybercandy.

advent season: day two: stocking fillers

It's easy to get yourself in a bit of a tizzy when it comes to present shopping. I say avoid panic buying novelty socks and bath salts and have a little fun with it, even if your budget it meager. How about japanese candy, a book of WH Auden poetry, a 'grow your own crystals' magic garden kit, some pretty stationary, a paris themed silk scarf?..

pink bra from monki, magic garden kit from amazon, japanese candy (kasugai lychee gummy) from cybercandy, rhodia stationary from journalingarts.com, faded flag print scarf from topshop, brooklyn tote bag from maptotes, wristwatch from amazon, bunny ears headband from topshop, wh auden book from amazon, stacked animal rings from asos

Christmas @ TheCorner.com

Imagine a Christmas market where every stall featured limited edition swag from your favourite designers. Too good to be true? Hardly. If you'd rather brave a Baileys hot chocolate and the comfort of your laptop than the Baltic freeze of an outdoor bazaar; log onto TheCorner.com. Choose from a selection of mini-stores featuring exclusive Giles Deacon party frocks, Nicole Brundage cage heels, unisex jewels by Neil Barrett, Liberty scarves and a limited edition motorcycle made by Parisian atelier Ruby and customized by Maison Martin Margiela. If you're still scratching your head, there's a bespoke gift selection from the fashion capitals of the world. Now there's absolutely nooooo excuse for that soap-on-a-rope.

advent season: day one

image, tabitha gwyn osler

Ah, December is upon us. Let the festivities begin; watch as your diary fills with seasonal get togethers -friends frantically meeting up before the new decade is upon us, ladle up some mulled wine, root around for that Christmas hits CD and sigh at the familiarity of 'War is Over' and 'Fairytale in New York'. Also in keeping with tradition, I'll be posting those annual Discotheque Confusion Advent posts.

Some of you will know what to expect from the past few Christmases (remember the 'Paris Vogue Nativity Scene' from last year?..) but if this is your first blogging Christmas be sure to keep your eyes peeled each day for slices of seasonal posting (and of course usual posting shall also resume, so all in all it'll be quite a busy month!)

To kick of the festivities is a cover of Carol of The Bells by The Bird and The Bee..

What I Want for Christmas

Santa time! Time for the man in the red suit to pony up. I'm looking for some major swag this year mister. OK, OK...I know he doesn't curry favour to greedy girls but ain't nothin' wrong with a fantasy fashionista list, starting with these beauties. Behold Marc Jacobs' metallic leather ankle boots. A quirky nod to gold lamé, these clogs are perfect paired with all-black and the perfect transitional toe-tapper into Spring/Summer 2010. €560 @ Net-a-Porter.com.