Editor's picks: Holiday edition
With the holidays coming up, I always find myself in the best of moods. Around the house, the Christmas tree is lit first thing in the morning, our Christmas playlist is on and the smell of freshly baked madeleines comes from the kitchen where K is already busy making me breakfast.
Mind you, this has been reality since the start of December (I'm a happy woman).
The holiday season wouldn't be the holiday season without gifting. And for this year's gifting, I've selected some of my favourite items this year. To gift to your loved ones or yourself — these items will bring good cheer for this season.
1. The YSL monogram cuff
I am obsessed with jewelry, especially pieces that are unique yet subtle. When I saw this YSL cuff I knew I had to have it. It's the perfect adornment on your wrist to go with your cocktail dress, evening gown but even with something as simple as an oversized blazer and white tee. It dresses up nicely and yet can disappear mysteriously in your sleeves. It's also not that pricey so treat yourself to one or your loved ones!
2. The Charlotte Tilbury holiday cheek palette
This palette is the talk of the town at the moment. Charlotte Tilbury can never do you wrong. With every drop I've tried and tested so far, I am always left amazed at how well the brand is able to accentuate and highlight the face of today's contemporary woman. You can go subtle and look naturally flawless or build up to go all the way. The beautifying cheek palette (that's also part of the Pillow Talk line) comes in two shade variations; one for fair to medium and one for medium to deep. I have used the latter for a couple of weeks now and cannot let go of it. There's three blush shades and one highlighter. Overall the blushes have such a lovely sheen that they leave your skin looking effortlessly flawless and glamorous. This isn't just a holiday palette but I will definitely be using this palette year-round!
3. Alterna hair care
With my being pregnant, my hair health has gone up tremendously. Due to the hormones, my hair is somehow much more voluminous, shiny and smooth than ever before. Of course that doesn't mean I can let go of my hair care routine. Recently I was introduced to the Alterna brand (or the Rolls Royce among hair care, or so I've been told). I myself am now using the My Hair My Canvas line, a vegan hair care line that smells of bergamot and jasmine aroma. It has made every hair washing routine pleasant and a treat lately!
4. Molton Brown baubles
Every year I look forward to the Molton Brown baubles. They're festive, they're bright and come in a range of colours and the glitters always send you into the holiday mood instantly. This is one of those perfect gifts you can give to your friends and family. Just don't forget to also buy a set for yourself. It'll be a highlight of your December month, whether you'll see it in the shower or in your Christmas tree!
5. Prada Paradoxe
I am very picky when it comes to perfumes and with a collection that is exploding out of my bathroom cabinet already, I have to start reining it in anyway. I didn't expect to like the new Prada Paradoxe perfume but ever since I've got it, it has become my daily go-to perfume. It's fresh, it's floral and it's feminine. And when people start asking what perfume you're wearing, that's when you know you've got a good one.
6. Burberry wool cape scarf
Maternity fashion has definitely been a challenge so far because everything somehow screams I'm pregnant. So far, I've only loved wearing my sleek Toteme or Joseph knit dresses. They're comfortable and warm and still give off a stylish vibe. To keep myself warm in the office, I recently got a Burberry stole / scarf to drape around my shoulders when I was shopping at the Designer Outlet Roermond (read all about my shopping trip in my November editor's note). Not only is it soft and warm, it also is infinitely chic and a timeless investment piece as well.
7. Chanel logo earrings
One can never go wrong with Chanel earrings. They're the perfect jewelry to finish any outfit, no matter the size or style. Chanel has a way of dressing up any outfit you're already wearing. Whether it's a casual look or a sleek evening look — adding these earrings have been the easiest way for me to add just the right amount of style without overdoing it. When these Chanel logo earrings came out four years ago, I missed the boat. Every shop I went to in Amsterdam and London, these babies were sold out. I hadn't given it much thought since but this year I started looking for them on sites like Vestiaire Collective, hoping someone would sell their pair. The good thing about Vestiaire Collective is that you usually find what you are looking for — and for a decent price as well!
8. Hermès lipsticks
In recent years, my love for the Hermès brand has grown exponentially. I love what they're doing with their brand and the direction they're taking and I especially love every beauty drop they've come out with so far. I am now even eyeing my first Kelly bag now (something I know K won't be particularly happy with, considering my ever-expanding bag collection). Anyway, back to beauty — I have particularly been enjoying the Rouge Hermés drops this year. Every shade I've tried so far has been marvellously creamy and rich on the lips. I love the package design and having one or two of these bullets in my bag to rely on during the day. They also always come in perfectly packaged Hermès orange boxes, which is already a gift in itself!
9. Bulgari Man
I always get the question what I buy for K. K is one of those men (and I'm sure most men are) who buys what he wants instantly, leaving me with no options whenever I want to spoil him with something new. One of the things I still like to buy for him, is perfume. His perfume collection, I daresay, is ever-expanding as well and I know he loves new notes to wear. The new Bulgari Man is his latest addition from me — an amber floral perfume with notes of tobacco, leather and tonka bean. It's soft, it's classy and I somehow imagine this is something Lucifer (from the Netflix show Lucifer would wear). Buy this for your man and you can thank me later.
10. Loewe Puzzle bag
Last but not least, my favourite splurge of the year, has without a doubt been the latest addition to my bag collection: the Loewe Puzzle bag. I like to plan my wardrobes ahead and I know that when the baby is here, I'm not going to feel like dressing up all that much in the months after labour. Instead, I imagine I will want to be able to dress up casually and more efficiently for the baby. So I was looking for a bag to fit that idea. I was already eyeing the Puzzle bag but somehow never pulled the trigger because it always looked too slouchy to me. Then came this new collection this fall, with a sturdier calfskin leather. It gives the design structure yet it's still as practical as all Puzzle bags (large compartment, fits a ton). This is definitely a splurge for yourself but I can fully recommend this bag if you don't have a casual bag in your collection already. It's super (super-duper) light-weight (always a plus) and doesn't look too casual either.
