This morning, after being *asked for the millionth time “What do you want for Christmas?” I decided to actively go and seek out a few things that I would be delighted to unwrap on Christmas morning.

Anyway, I’m sure I’m not the only one who isn’t a fan of getting bought crap, not-quite-what-you-were-expecting-or-even-knew-you-wanted, Christmas presents. The things that probably cost at least a tenner, are a little bit gimmicky and that you would not even look at once twice, if you were in a shop buying for yourself. I hate that feeling of cold panic that settles in the pit of your stomach as you start to unwrap a present infront of your boyfriend or in-laws and are thinking “PLEASE. GOD. LET ME LIKE THIS.”

I don’t want to seem ungrateful, oh no. I love giving nice gifts as well as receiving them. Afterall, it’s the thought that counts… Emphasis on THOUGHT there people! But there are only so many pointless, leather murdering gloves, Christmas themed mug-sets and Tarten Baker boy hats that one girl can take!!! 

That is why, for the past 4 years, my boyfriend, JMG, and I have written each other little Christmas lists. OF COURSE, we don’t actually expect to receive EVERYTHING we write down (unless one of us has an unexpected, and not to be sniffed, at windfall on the lottery… now that WOULD be nice.) By writing down too many things, there is still a nice element of surprise AND it also gives other people an idea of the kind of things that YOU like.

So, this Christmas, living in my tiny new room in London, I need to be careful what I wish for… so to speak. My bedroom is the size of a box and by that I mean a shoebox matchbox, so really will not take kindly to too much new clutter.

I would like gifts that I’m going to able to use, enjoy, & maybe, even keep forever:

• Lovely Lingerie If in doubt gift vouchers for Selfridges, Fig Leaves, M&S or John Lewis will do. A woman knows what she likes, what suits her shape and what she feels sexy in.

• Untitled by Maison Martin Margiela,£49 30ml.
• Replica 3 Collection by Maison Martin Margiela

Alien Essence Absolue EDP by Thierry Mugler, £52.50 30ml.

• Miss Dior Cherie by Dior EDT, £51 50ml.

I fell IN LOVE with the Armani/ Prive Collections. My favourite fragrances from Armani were Figuier Eden and Rose Alexandrie, both £82 from the “Les Eaux” range. 

• I also loved Pierre De Lune and Cuir Amethyste, both £145 from the La Collection range.

• Amazingreen by Comme Des Garçons, £57 50ml 

• Precious Oud by Van Cleef & Arpels, from £125 75ml
• Private Blend Noir de Noir, by Tom Ford, £195 100ml.

• Oud & Bergamot by Jo Malone, £95 100ml
• Blackberry and Bay by Jo Malone, £76 100ml

You can read about my other favourite perfumes here:

• Beauty Products Look at the lovely beauty products you own and know cost an arm and a leg, but which you know you can’t live without. Why don’t you ask for a Gift Voucher for that particular Estee Lauder Doublewear concealor you covet or dread running out of? Or maybe your favourite Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Skincare regime… It’s always nice to have spares! 

(Read my Liz Earle Tried and Tested Cleanse and Polish Review here.)

• I.I.D.T.T meaning If In Doubt Think Topshop vouchers… Topshop is my ‘drug’ of choice. I, like many other of my friends, am ADDICTED to this place. GAH! 
• Archival Digital Print of a photo that means something to you. As a Photographer I am guilty of NOT having my photos printed. The VAST majority of my archive sits rather quietly on my LaCie Rugged and may never see the light of day again… BUT!! There are always those photos, those images that make you think: "I WISH I COULD GET THAT BLOWN UP REALLY REALLY BIG". For me, these images are a few of the ones that I took on a roadtrip around California with JMG a few years ago. I took my Mamiya C330 TLR medium format camera and my polaroid and we had a wail of a time! The Polaroids are great as they are Instant print, but the Mamiya slide film, which was developed almost as soon as I returned, still sits in a box waiting for prints to be made.
• Anthropologie Dinnerware and delectables… You can’t fail to impress if you buy them me something from here… 
• A Beautiful Print by one of your favorite Artists. In my case, I’ve been hankering after this Joe Wilson - Thousand Autumns of Jacob De Zoet Print for quite sometime… 
• Handbags at dawn… A pretty little clutch bag to step-in for your day-to-day work bag for those special evenings when a trusty leather satchel just won’t cut it. I adore this Monsoon Accessorize All Over Pansy and Lace Envelope Clutch, £32.

• A Moroccan Leather Pouffe by Graham and Green, from £139. Another thing I’ve been lusting after FOREVER! 
• A Pink Betsy Liberty Print Showercap, £20 because I think it’s gorgeous!!

Please note… this list is not finished! I’ve got a new crush on all things 'Oud’. :-)