Christmas Gift Guide

If you’re still looking for Christmas gift ideas for stylish ladies, here are some of my top picks to help with your Christmas shopping this week. The only “person” I’ve bought for so far is my dog, so I need a little inspiration myself! (And if any of my family are reading this, this is pretty much my wish list, hint hint 😉).

Stocking Fillers

No lady’s maid would be without a fully stocked sewing kit – This Liberty print sewing scissors and holder would be a stylish addition to it for a budding seamstress.

liberty

My favourite chocolates at Christmas time from Hotel Chocolat; best to only buy the pocket selection or I won’t stop eating them 😋

hotel chocolat

Please don’t think me weird for including a stapler in my wish list, but there’s something about Ted Baker’s “let’s get together” rose gold stapler that I love! Perhaps one for those who are hard to buy for, have a sense of humour and like a tidy desk.

 

I love Christmas scented candles – these are two of my favourites from Marks & Spencer – Frankincense and Myrrh and Mandarin and clove.  Really good value and they smell amazing.

A Royal Christmas – a great Christmas book, published by the Royal Collection Trust, exploring the Christmas traditions of royalty, past and present.

royal christmas

Luxury Gifts

I know you shouldn’t be swayed by packaging, but when it’s a Fortnum’s hamper I don’t really care what’s in it – just save the basket for me 🙂

fortnums

This world class tech case is a really good buy for jet-setting ladies who travel a lot – keeping all your gadgets organised in style on the move. Available in different colour combinations, but this is my favourite.

 

 

I love Smythson notebooks and diaries. I especially like this Soho diary as it has a “To Do” page for notes each week as well. The cobalt blue is super stylish.

Aspinal currency wallet – I have a similar wallet to this one that I bought from Heathrow Airport several years ago when I was travelling a lot and didn’t want to carry different wallets for multiple currencies – really useful.

aspinal

Wilbur & Gussie make the most stylish clutches. It’s impossible to pick a favourite, but this gold glitter clutch is a wardrobe classic.

wilbur and gussie

For hat-loving ladies with a busy social calendar in 2019 – an unlimited hat hire voucher for a year from The Cotswold Hat Club. Wear a different one each weekend if you want! Great value if you have a lot of formal day dress events to plan for.

hat hire voucher.png

You can’t go wrong with a cashmere scarf as a gift. These ones from John Lewis are great value for cashmere, and available in a large range of colours, I like this coral red to brighten up wintery days.

scarf

Add a glamorous touch to your winter coats with a brooch from Susan Caplan. I like this wreath of pearls and turquoise – it would look great on a winter white coat. (20% off with the code LADYSMAID20).

susan caplan

I couldn’t not mention my book! If you’re bored of the family on Christmas afternoon, then dip into a copy of Wardrobe Wisdom and start planning your New Year Wardrobe for 2019.

cover

 

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Vintage Jewellery – Susan Caplan

The Lady’s Maid’s top Vintage Jewellery picks from Susan Caplan

Most stylists will agree that accessories complete an outfit. Glance at my Instagram page and you’ll see all the outfits are accessorised with earrings and sometimes brooches – my two favourite jewellery accessories for lifting a look. Whether it’s cheap costume jewellery or expensive precious stones the visual effect is the same. This week I’m focusing on vintage jewels and teaming up with vintage jewellery expert Susan Caplan to offer my followers 20% off their entire jewellery range. Perhaps you’re looking to add some festive sparkle to your winter outfits, or maybe you’d like something a little different as a Christmas gift for ladies who love a bit of bling. I often feature Susan Caplan pieces on my Instagram page – I love the touch of glamour that her vintage pieces bring to a winter outfit. I’ve picked out some of my favourite pieces from her collection here. Head to their website here to see their full range. The discount code for 20% off is: LADYSMAID20.

Brooches

1980s Vintage D’orlan Owl Swarovski Crystal Brooch

owl brooch.png

Owls are a symbol of wisdom, so I feel like adopting this little owl brooch as the mascot for my book Wardrobe Wisdom. Made of 22ct gold plate, featuring round-cut green and clear Swarovski crystals, it’s at the top of The Lady’s Maid’s wish list for Christmas. The owl always lends itself well to jewellery design and I love the piercing emerald eyes of this one. £135 (£108 with discount).

1960s Vintage Trifari Crystal Brooch

crystal brooch

A simple but stylish silver-plated floral sprig brooch, featuring round and marquis-cut clear Swarovski Crystals. A great choice to add a finishing touch of understated elegance to an outfit. £125 (£100 with discount).

1950s Vintage Silver Marcasite Brooch

marcasite brooch

I love marcasite – it has a subdued sparkle to it that’s great if you want something a little less flashy than crystals or diamonds. This silver brooch features a scrolling floral design embellished with faceted marcasite. £145 (£116 with discount).

1970s Vintage Attwood & Sawyer Stylised Brooch

stylised brooch

A decorative ribbon twist brooch featuring teardrop and round-cut clear and red Swarovski crystals. I love the Christmassy colours of this one – I’d wear it on a burgundy or red winter coat. £95 (£76 with discount).

1980s Vintage Swarovski Crystal Floral Brooch

floral brooch

Another particularly festive brooch – a silver-plated star embellished with clear round-cut and emerald green marquis-cut Swarovski crystals. £48 (£38.40 with discount).

 

1960s faux pearl and leaf brooch

Holly leaf

This leaf brooch looks like a sprig of festive holly – a great way to add a touch of Christmas to your outfit in a stylish way. £95 (£76 with discount).

 

Earrings

1970s Vintage Monet Red Chandelier Drop Earrings

chandelier earrings

Top of my earrings wish list are these beautiful ruby red chandelier earrings featuring red lucite drops and round-cut Swarovski crystals. The perfect accessory for a red Christmas party dress. £145 (£116 with discount).

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1980s Vintage Kenneth Jay Lane Swarovski Crystal Snake Earrings

snake earrings

I really love these striking snake hoop earrings. Embellished with round-cut clear crystals with red Swarovski crystal eyes. A stylish statement accessory for a glitzy gown. £185 (£148 with discount).

NYE_Ball

1990s Vintage Gold Plated Swarovski Crystal Star Earrings

star drops

Jazz up any Christmas ensemble with these gold-plated star drop earrings. £18 (£14.40 with discount).

1980s Vintage Statement Swarovski Crystal Drop Earrings

statement earrings

 Another statement red earring that would be a great accessory for festive frocks at Christmas time. £125 (£100 with discount).

1980s Vintage D’orlan Swarovski Crystal Drop Earrings

 

crystal drops

If you prefer a slightly more understated look, these mini 22ct gold-plated glitter ball earrings featuring Swarovski crystals might be the ones for you to add just a touch of sparkle to your party look. £135 (£108 with discount).

1980s Vintage D’Orlan Swarovski Crystal Clip-on Earrings

amethyst drops

These 22ct gold-plated classic drop clip-on earrings, featuring round-cut clear and oval-cut amethyst-coloured Swarovski crystals, are so elegant and could be worn day or evening. I’ve pictured them here in a regal winter wedding look. £95 (£76 with discount).

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1970s Vintage Attwood & Sawyer Crystal Clip-on Earrings

emerald earrings

 The Duchess of Sussex favours discreet studs over statement earrings, so if you want to emulate her style these contemporary faux emerald triangle clip-on earrings are a good place to start. £95 (£76 with discount).

1980s Vintage Kenneth Jay Lane Bow Swarovski Crystal Clip-on Earrings

crystal earrings

 

A stylish statement clip-on earring from Kenneth Jay Lane, featuring a bow design embellished with round-cut Swarovski crystals. £225 (£180 with discount).

For more ideas on how to style all these vintage treasures, keep a look out on my Instagram page between now and Christmas as I will be featuring them in my festive ensembles!

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