London Wonder

I've been meaning to write up this post for a while now, and it wasn't until I re-visited Selfridges' 2013 Christmas Windows yesterday evening that I HAD to do it!
Within it's usual splendour and glamour of faux green twinkling shrubbery, stood the intricate and very detailed Christmas Story of the store. Each window had been themed using giant products as it's display. A much simpler idea than last years' windows, but I reckon a lot more effective! The giant display draws you in, and the beautiful detail memorises. It's incredible how much work, time, organisation and planning is put into creating these displays. I make such a big deal out of them every year as they're not only crucial to the retailer as a form of attracting customers in-store to purchase, but they're also a great way of communication - your shopping experience (from your thoughts, feelings, senses, everything) has begun and enticed before even stepping through their doors. Clever.

Each window really does have something for everyone, from the giant Beats by Dre headphones, to the eye-wateringly beautiful Charlotte Olympia signature Kitty flats. Decorated with hundreds of penguins, snowmen and Santa's, it's clear that no stone was left unturned. The incredibly detailed Fornasetti Profumi candle, rotating Play-Doh pottle, giant Givency high-top trainer and beautiful pendulum-style swinging Yves Saint Laurent monogram tassel clutch bag all added to the 'something for everyone' fun and playful theme they were going for. You could say that the merch team at Selfridges have shot themselves in the foot, by having the challenge of making a bigger, better and even more imaginative display than the last.

The show however was stolen by a celebration of London's lost architectural gems by recreating them in gingerbread form! Intricately made, with every ounce of detail remembered, the cityscape looked more than good enough to eat! Watch the creation of the beautiful display by Bompas & Parr here. The section took a mammoth 400 hours to complete with every window, door handle, postbox, and everything in-between been made a priority.
Special mention to: the Barbie display - it makes me want to jump in and play! They've created such a fun feeling atmosphere, a kind of Barbie does The Alps, followed by chic apres-ski.

So my last post was about Ciaté's Mini Mani Month 2013, and after a little bit of digging, I've found a bunch of other great alternative Beauty Advent Calendars. Eeeek!
Each year, more and more beauty brands and retailers come up with new and innovative Christmas gifting ideas, so I've found some of the best ones for you to have a little think about :)

First up; the Selfridges Christmas Advent Calendar, known to me as the holy grail. Selfridges' exclusive bijoux Christmas advent calendar brings you the best in beauty. From Viktor & Rolf, Yves Saint Laurent, Kiehl's and Giorgio Armani to Lancôme and Maison Martin Margiela, you can discover a precious treat behind every door to make you dazzle, sparkle and shine this festive season. SOLD.
At £84, it isn't the cheapest on the market, but you're definitely in for a treat with this one. I think one of the biggest turn-ons about this set is that you're getting such an assortment of top quality products - just enough to sample and try before you buy. Available to buy now.

Next up; the Boots Beauty Advent Calendar, an absolute steal at just £30! 2013 will be Boots' first venture into Beauty Advent Calendars, but they're making sure they start of with a bang! Wake up every morning to a new beauty treat and fill the month of December with gorgeous gifts to pamper yourself from head to toe. Featuring brands such as; Soap & Glory, Nails Inc, Paco Rabanne, Juicy Couture, Rimmel, Mavala, Umberto Giannini and Many More...
Perfect for the bargain hunter, what's great about this calendar is that it features all of Boots' best sellers and all of our fave's too! Available to buy now.

The last one I'm going to talk about is the Benefit Countdown to Love Advent Calendar. I have to admit, this is the one that I am most excited about. I very rarely venture outside my make up comfort zone, and all my friends absolutely love Benefit cosmetics. Other than a short stint quite a few years ago where I tried (and loved) BADgal Lash Mascara, the furthest I've ventured to Benefit is the MAC make-up counter next to the Benefit one, and now there is absolutely no excuse not to have some fun! Our one-of-a-kind advent calendar comes in a show-stopping Pop Art box and is filled with 24 fun and flattering beauty treasures! It contains a bevy of Benefit bestsellers and three glitzy little look goods…a charm necklace & bracelet and an adorable barrette. It’s the gift that gets more gorgeous every day! 
This selection comes in at a very reasonable £50, and will be available to buy from 2nd November 2013 at selected Debenhams stores, Benefit Boutiques and www.benefitcosmetics.co.uk.

Which one are you most looking forward to opening? It wouldn't be right to buy all three... would it?? Anyone know if Latest in Beauty or Liz Earle will be doing another one this year?

So, early last month Ciaté released their Mini Mani Advent Calendar for 2013. Back by popular demand, this should of been on every girls Christmas wish list last year, and should most certainly be on your wishlist this year - I've already sent a not-so-subtle link to Ciaté's website to my mum!
Only in it's second year, Ciaté London have put together 24 of their best selling shades of the year in this fun spin on the traditional Christmas Advent Calendar. The pack contains 17 mini Ciaté paint pots, 7 textured toppers from Sequin (eeek!) to Caviar, and a surprise full sized pot! Ciaté have confirmed that the line-up this year will be brand new with no repeats! Hoorah!
This years colours look gorge, lots of pastel and nude-type shades - great for the Winter - which you can also jazz up with the sequins or caviars for the party season, and a couple of bold numbers to brighten up those especially dark Winter days. I love the packaging this year too - much more Christmassy than last years' Aztec style set.
After selling out just a week (yes one week!) of it's release in Selfridges, Ciaté have opened pre-order on their website, to be dispatched between 21st October 2013 and 4th November 2013 with an estimated delivery time of 5 to 7 working days so you'll receive it with plenty of time to open your first door - the problem may be making sure you have the restraint not to open them all at once (my Christmas 2012 disaster). The set is a very reasonable £42.
I love the idea of a beauty advent calendar, there are a few beauty brands already doing them and they're slowly becoming more mainstream. It's a fabulous idea - They look great, make perfect gifts, and everyone goes crazy for them.