Four Fail Safe Gifts For Fathers Day

Dads are a special breed, well they are to me anyway. I distinctly remember being asked to write about my hero at primary school and choosing my dad as my subject (sorry mum you're awesome too!) I've always thought my dad is the bees knees (he's just an all round good egg) so whenever Fathers Day comes knocking I like to spoil him, only trouble is he's a nightmare to buy for and he's never been one to hide his feelings! Enter my four fail safe gifts that mean I never have to endure a disappointed dad again, yes he really is that bad.

1. The luxe necessity - think the everyday item that he can’t be without and then up the ante, a Barbour tee instead of their usual Urban Outfitters pick or a pair of super cosy UGG slippers instead of their usual M&S ones. I actually got Craig this pair of Scuff slippers* from Amara (those guys know how to do luxe gifts) as an early Fathers Day gift from Sadie and I can confirm they feel like walking on clouds. Craig literally wears them from the moment he gets in from work until bed and I wear them most of the day (shhh!) The perfect Fathers Day gift? I think so.

2. That's entertainment - this might be an obvious one when it comes to buying for men but I think it's definitely one of the most fail safe gifts around. Think DVDs (The Revenant has just come out and if your dads anything like mine he’ll love this), boxsets, tickets to see his favourite comedian or a CD for his car will always go down a storm. Tell me I'm not the only one who still buys CDs?

3. The edible one - I’ve got two words that win my dad over every time, Hotel Chocolat. Those chocolate making wizards can do no wrong in my eyes and I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t love to be gifted a box. Fact.

4. The personal one - possibly my favourite type of gift to give but promise not to tell the others? Choose a simple brass or copper photo frame and fill it with a picture of you both together (go for throw back snaps for the extra cute factor) or try a humorous mug filled with their favourite tea/coffee/hot beverage of choice. Failing that anything monogrammed is always going to make the most memorable gift and I guarantee you won't see a disappointed face.

What's your fail safe gift when it comes to buying for the men in your life?

*These slippers were kindly sent to me by Amara, all cloud like thoughts my own.

UGG Fall Collection

Last week I took a hop, skip and a jump and found myself in one of my favourite Northern cities, Leeds - it has a Space NK and a Harvey Nichols, for a perusal of the new Fall collection from UGG. UGG are very much a marmite brand and whilst I despise marmite I absolutely adore UGG - I remember having my first classic short pair in beige when I was thirteen or fourteen and they never left my feet. Since then I've had many a dalliance with UGG and purchases include a chestnut pair, a black pair and a Jimmy Choo collab pair so I was just a little excited to visit the store. 

With a glass of elderflower presse in hand I was shown the new collection, all while feeling a little concerned for my the safety of my credit card - surprisingly I actually showed some restrain, for now...

The Jena Boot in Java - easily my favourite of the day

                                                                                                      

Look how versatile the Jena is

A close contender for favourite - Short Dylyn

Hello Chelsea boots - Caraby

Conor Studs

A magpies dream - I heart the Classic Mini Lizard

How chic are the Blaise Patent?

I love the Pocahontas vibe of the Somaya boot

J'adore the tweed print on Marielle

Meena - the perfect driving shoe

Alloway Studded

The most divine Christmas gift? Classic Short Sparkles

The Gershwin

Could these be my new dog walking boots? The Grandle

The inspiration behind the Fall collection is the streets of New Orleans - UGG have really immersed themselves in the New Orleans culture and have taken thought from the Mardi Gras parades to the brass bands that play deep into the night to the cobblestone streets and architecture of the city. Seeing the collection for the first time I love how UGG have given little twists to the heritage styles which are instantly recognisable whilst introducing real trend led footwear too - both equestrian and bohemian styles are prominent in the collection. So I know what you're thinking, which pair do I need in my life? Without a doubt It's got to be the Jena style in Java which not only give a cheeky nod to the military trend but still feature my beloved shearling. I was surprised to spot a menswear collection in store (who knew?) and was ahh-ing and swooning in equal measures, the boyf would be suitably impressed with UGGs stylish and cosy offering - true story.

This September UGG turn 35 and are celebrating by going back to the beginning with vintage advertising and embroidering the number 78 (get it?) into a limited edition capsule collection - the offering is super cute, think red, navy and polka dot bows! If pink is more your bag then keep your eyes peeled - for the second year running UGG are doing their bit for charity teaming up with Haven for October's Breast Cancer Awareness month by designing a classic short boot and Ansley slipper - £10 from each pair sold will be donated to Haven. Warm feet and a fuzzy heart? Sign me up!

What are your thoughts on UGG boots? Which pair from the Fall collection are your fave?

Snow Is Falling

Grey Ombre Jumper & Nude Waist Belt: Topshop
Faux Fur Gillet: Zara
Bobble Hat: River Island
Gloves: Moschino, a Christmas gift from 2011
Coated Jeggings: Warehouse
UGG Boots: local boutique

So it's official... it's a snow day! I can't remember the last time I had a snow day, probably when I was back at secondary school. It's crazy to think the boy spent most of the day clearing our drive yesterday and both our cars only for us to wake this morning to a freshly covered drive way and roads which even 4x4s have been moving slowly on. Last year I lived so close to work in our little flat but now I'm at my mum and dads house we are seriously out of the way in postcard snow territory - not that I'm complaining! I plan on spending the day reading some of my favourite blogs, catching up on Mr Selfridge and maybe even looking at Summer holidays.

Todays pictures were taken mid drive clearing yesterday, I'd just enforced a hot chocolate (with marshmallows) break a few minutes before - hey I'd been hoovering and doing washing all day, so I deserved a hot chocolate break too. The arrival of snow and ridiculously low temperatures make me want to layer up to the max so I knew my Zara faux fur gillet would be the perfect choice to keep out the chill. Now don't get me wrong it's never going to win any prizes for being the most flattering of garments but belting it at the waist certainly helps plus sometimes it's ok to be warm and look like a relation of the yeti. I teamed my faux fur gillet with this grey oversized ombre jumper from Topshop - it's incredibly soft and snuggly particularly with a thermal vest and Uniqlo thermal tee underneath, told you I like to layer. My coated jeggings were the only trouser of choice, with knee high socks underneath I may add - these jeggings have become a serious Winter wardrobe staple and prevent my get up from looking overly casual. Controversially I pulled on my black UGG boots to complete the outfit - these are definitely a love/hate piece in the fashion world but hey they keep my feet lovely and toasty whilst being comfortable, you can't say fairer than that. The finishing touches to my outfit include my wooly bobble hat from River Island and my super cute Moschino gloves which I was gifted two Christmas' ago. Now who wants to make a snowman?

Whether you're enjoying a snow day or have managed to get your bum into work (a huge well done if you have) I hope you all stay safe and warm and try not to stress - after all it's only snow.

What have you been wearing this snowy weekend? Have you been lucky enough to get a snow day?

New In: Christmas Presents

A beautiful Jo Malone Wild Fig candle & a personalised Nails Inc polish 

A selection of beauty & blogging books including a personalised note book

A Hush gift set from the boy including hot chocolate, pyjama bottoms, a book & a tea pigs herbal tea

A Hello Kitty for Liberty gift set, a Topshop gift card & a pair of cream sequin touch screen gloves

A pair of UGG ear muffs/ head phones - I can't wait to try these out 

Our Christmas Day Table plus me rocking my new French Connection Christmas jumper

Happy Friday guys - I am seriously shocked and appalled by my lack of blogging over the Christmas period and for this I apologise. I had the best intentions of sharing all my Christmas festivities with you but what can I say, relaxation and now a stupid head cold has taken over. Since my last post on Christmas eve eve the past five days have been a blur of family fun, eating a grand total of three roast dinners and stuffing myself silly with more Celebrations than I'd like to acknowledge - Maltesers, Galaxy Caramels, Snickers & Twix' in case you were wondering. Oh and did I mention that yesterday included a trip to Manchester? All I can say is hello Space NK sale! 

I was well and truly spoilt this Christmas and I thought a fitting welcome back post would be to show you some of the wonderful gifts I received from my very thoughtful family, friends and boyfriend. How cool is the personalised nail polish from my best friend Gemma? It even says Cagney & Lace on the bottom! One huge surprise on Christmas day was a Sony Cyber-Shot DSC camera which my parents bought for me - I couldn't believe my eyes although I'm still trying to master the many functions it has but I'm sure it won't be long until my photography skills improve (fingers crossed!) Another beautiful gift I received was from the boy - after a recent traumatic time with my favourite Pandora ring I was gifted a replacement in the form of a yellow gold Astley Clarke ring with moonstones in, it may just be my new favourite thing.

I hope you're all enjoying the festive holidays, it seems crazy how New Years Eve will soon be upon us (personally I'm not a huge fan after a pretty disastrous party last year) so I'll definitely be the one hanging onto Christmas for as long as possible, having said that I've got a very good feeling about the year 2013 - one of my closest friends is expecting, another friend is getting married and let's not forget the boy and I may just go and buy a house! A new years resolution of mine is to be more organised and to keep my blog posts more regular so I know my brand new personalised blogger note book will help massively (thank you Lauren!) To see my other new years resolution  click here.

What were your favourite Christmas gifts?

I hope you all enjoy reading this post and don't feel like I'm bragging about my Christmas gifts. I for one am incredibly nosey and love to hear what you've got for Christmas so was I dying to do this post. I'm incredibly grateful for all my Christmas gifts and realise I'm a very lucky girl.