On the door step of the Royals, The Rubens at the Palace is a truly stunning place for a spot of afternoon tea. Sitting in the window facing Buckingham Palace Road, we dined with fine china and a faultless service. 

As you'll find with some afternoon teas, the sandwiches and scones were unlimited, and I seem to always opt for more cucumber after my first round. The scones were gorgeous, with a mix of plain, fruit and even cheese on offer, with preserves, cream and curd also. 

Of course dessert is the best part, and I ended up taking more home with me than I managed to eat there if I'm honest. Afternoon tea quenches my hunger like no other. We were treated to hazelnut cakes. a chocolate orange choux, tarts and my personal favourite, the blackberry, vanilla and white mouse crown.

At £70 a head for the Royal Afternoon Tea, £90 for champagne and children's tea at £45, this really is a treat perfect for special occasions. I highly recommend The Rubens and hoping to get back there soon myself!









I feel like 2025 is the year that I go back to who I was before. These shots attest to that, being shot at Bank, one of the first places I used to go to when my Instagram first started up. The outfit is neutral, with basic and classic items such as white trousers, matching suede boots and bag, a tweed blazer, crisp white shirt and a cable knit. I've toned back my overly girly, pink looks in the past year or so, as I found whilst heading towards my 30s, I just don't suit that style as much any more. Of course I still opt for a white roll neck and tweed skirt, but the tweed will be brown rather than baby pink. 

The wedding plans have ramped up. We've booked the venue, photographer and videographer, and I've asked my bridesmaids too. 

Basics wise, I'm channeling my inner 13 year old and going back to reading too. Driving home from work all I can think about is getting under a blanket with a cup of tea and getting through another 17 chapters of my book. Last week I managed two books, this week is a bit slower but I did do a few chapters of one and gave up before switching so it's not completely my fault. 28 year old me is into hockey books and cowboys however. Booktok is my favourite. 

2025 me is looking forward to a slower year, full of wedding spending I'm sure, but looking forward to doing more of what I love, whether that's photography, reading, or writing again.


 



The final guide in this year's series is of course, the guide for her. This year I've included everything, from high end perfumes to bargain gift sets that you need to snap up before they sell out.

Let's start with perfume. When I think of Christmas scents, I truly think of Viktor & Rolf. One Christmas they posted about this gorgeous pink tulle dress as they advertised Flowerbomb, and since then I always think of that perfume at this time of year. Marketing at it's finest. This year The Perfume Shop have matched his and her scents together. I picked up Spicebomb for the other half, and I can't wait to be the best smelling couple at the NYE party.

L'Oocitane have released some gorgeous sets this year, as we saw in my stocking guide. My favourite is the Invigorating Verbena Collection. The set includes four generous sized products, including a shower gel and fragrance, and the box itself is a keeper in my opinion, The Verbena scent is lemony and fresh, a personal favourite of mine.

I couldn't write a gift guide for 2024 without including one of the most wanted items of the year, the Stanley Cup. I have one, and now so will a few people on my gift list. Obsessed. 

Mario Badascu is a brand that I'm yet to try, but have been hearing more and more about. When I saw that they were included in the Boots 3-for-2 offer, I picked up a one for them and one for me to give them a try. The set comes with three decent sized travel minis, including a body cream in one of my favourite ever skincare scents, coconut.

I'm a firm believer in giving someone what they need, not just want they want. Therefore this year I'll be gifting one of the women in my life a Katie Loxton black handbag. A simple, classic wardrobe staple that some of the ladies in my life are lacking in. Call me a hero. 

Would it be a gift guide without a Charlotte Tilbury set? The Iconic Pillow Talk set is just that, iconic. The Pillow Talk lipstick has been my favourite for some years now, and I use it pretty much daily, so to get a set like this, topping up my little collection, is perfect.


Olivia Blake is a name that I rarely see, but is a great alternative to that well known high end perfume and candle brand, down to the packaging. I own an Olivia Black perfume and it is gorgeous and lasts for hours, so when I saw the Freesia & Pear gift set with the body mist and shower gel, I popped it in my basket and just know they're going to love it.

Aveeda is known for their gorgeous hair products, so when I found this gift set with shampoos to hair repair, I picked it up for myself from The Cosmetics Company Store. I also found this Estee Lauder set, full of minis. I save them for travel and seem to be collecting the makeup bags that they come in now. Estee Lauder are at the top when it comes to higher end, but not unaffordable skincare, and a set like this would be the perfect introduction to a fabulous brand.

The final gift in my 2024 guide, is from a gorgeous brand, Emu Australia. Slippers are a classic, and these are far more luxurious. The Mayberry slipper is made from natural sheepskin, meaning it is super fluffy and incredibly soft. They're the first things I look for in the morning since receiving them, and I'm sure I'll be asking Santa for a pair each year from here on. The Sharky Scuff are both slippers, and outside shoes. I've gotten a little precious about them, and have worn them for coffee shops runs and hairdressing appointments solely. Beyond comfy and of course, top of the trend list come winter too. Whether it's the classic slipper or something multifunctional, both would be perfect gifts to find under the tree this Christmas.






























 




Building a stocking for the closet people in my life is becoming a game I start early on in the year. If we walk past a bar of chocolate and you point it that you like it, stocking filler. Your favourite beauty brand does minis? Stocking filler.

This year stocking fillers in the shapes of baubles and crackers have been everywhere. This cocktail mixer cracker from Primark is both affordable and would make a great accompaniment to a bottle for the host this year. Similarly, Ballycastle's cracker with a mini liquor and chocolates probably wouldn't make it past lunch.

Beauty is my forte at this time of the year, picking up some classic products and new in bits I want to try myself. I love when beauty brand release gift sets of the most popular products. Essie often releases sets of mini versions of their varnishes. I usually pick mine up in TKMaxx and they are around £10 for a set of three which is great value in my opinion. 

Coco & Eve's Like a Virgin set is lovely for anyone new to the brand. It comes with a nourishing hair masque, and a tangle tamer brush, and the box fits perfectly into a stocking.. mine included for anyone reading this... Buy it here.

Something I received recently and couldn't not include, is one of Bath and Bodywork's minis. New to the UK, B&BW isn't something I tried myself before last month, but oh my goodness are their scents divine. From mini hand creams to body wash and sanitisers with their own pouches, I've quickly become a fan and need to try them all. The Winter Candy Apple scent is my choice for this festive season and would make the perfect addition to a stocking I'm sure. Buy them here.

Another bauble shaped filler is the Sparkling Pear set from the Luxury Bathing Company. I've seen a few of these over the year and the Sparkling Pear set both looks gorgeous and the body wash and lotion smells gorgeous too. Buy the brand here.

The final bauble on the list is from Ghost. Their fragrances are absolutely stunning so when I saw they they released quite a few baubles with different fragrances and with a lip product inside, I snapped up a few straight away. I've found most are under £10 on different sites too. Buy them here.

L'Occitane at Christmas. Does it get anymore classic? This year they have released a gift that literally keeps on giving. Whilst the set would look perfect under the tree, their Festive Beauty Crackers can be used individually, maybe at the dinner table when you're hosting, and each come with two gorgeous products inside. For under £25 too, this set is an absolute bargain and I may have to pick another set or two up to divvy amongst the girls this year. Buy them here. *

Finally something that feels a little luxury, pink champaign truffles. Hotel Chocolate happen to be one of my favourite chocolatiers, and when I stumbled upon these beauties the other week, I knew that I had to include them. The tin is gorgeous in itself, but with real champagne, the truffles are the treat we all deserve this year. Buy them here.

Affiliate links used. Products with an * were kindly gifted by the brand.













 



Is there any harder task than finding a gift for the men in your life at Christmas? I struggle every single year as you'll be able to see if you've read any of my gift guides over the past few years. This year I've taken it back to the classics. Fragrances, cosy items and gifts that they probably wouldn't buy themselves.

Fragrances
First up on this year's guide is Viktor Rolf Spicebomb. With notes of bergamot, white leather, and saffron to name a few, this scent is masculine, fresh and quite frankly; addictive. The bottle is stunning, and only a few spritz will last all day. The Perfume Shop have matched up scents for him and her, so click here to find your perfect match. *
Buy Spicebomb here

Whilst Blue Jeans by Versace is a firm favourite amongst everyone I've mentioned it to recently, it is a new one for myself. That said, with its citrus and woody notes, it made for a classic fragrance. I was surprised at how affordable it is too, at around £15-£17 depending on the store.
Buy it here.

Comfort items
As I reach my late 20s, comfort has been at the heart of everything recently. Gifts should contain no less comfort too. This year I have opted for a cashmere scarf from Barbour. Barbour are a gorgeous British brand who craft the most stunning pieces. A cashmere piece is one that will be looked after and worn for years to come, and of course is perfect for the cold winter days. I went for their dark blue mix, and I'm eyeing up one for myself if I'm honest too.
Buy it here.

Slippers, can you ever go wrong? I wear mine to death, as does my partner, so by the time Christmas rolls around, a new pair is much needed. I picked up this super soft pair from Totes. Size up definitely, and watch him put them on immediately after unwrapping, I can guarantee it.
Buy them here.

The beer lover. My partner enjoys nothing more than a Friday night beer after a long week. Draft dispensers are expensive, or so I thought until I found the Draft Genie in B&M for £45. An absolute bargain and months later, I still see a few knocking around the shelves. He always tells me that a draft one is better than the rest, so I'm sure this'll make his Friday nights a little more exciting.

The little bits
From Terry's Chocolate Orange in stockings to this sweet little candle set from Aldi, candles are a big hit in this house with both him and I. He is forever eyeing up my nice 'display' candles, so he can have his own set to burn to his heart's content. And when they're around a fiver, you can't go wrong. one of the other men in my life, who I believe would live on a plane if he could judging my this year's traveling habits, is getting this lovely leather (I believe..) travel tag set too. I love when someone buys me a gift based on a hobby, or something that they know I enjoy doing, so I like to do the same, although in his case, plane tickets was a little out of budget, sorry.

This post contains a gift item labelled with an asterisk (*)
Affiliate links used.












 

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