In our last blog in the run-up to Christmas, we discussed the small things we can all do to keep sane this Christmas.
Sanity and public holidays can feel at odds, and we've all experienced moments of regression to our childhood selves during the Christmas break!
So here are 5 brands to help you stay sane and look after yourself. Two are very old favourites of mine (Completedworks and Beauty Edit), so apologies to any Insiders who've seen them before (at least I'm consistent)! Hope you love these as much as I do!
Andrea xx
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I tend to start my mornings with a couple of minutes doing my makeup (less is more!). The one handy tool that I absolutely adore is this brow setter from Beauty Edit Mayfair. Founded by Sherille Riley with decades' experience in the beauty industry, Sherille set out on her own, opened her boutique in Mayfair and created her own range of beauty products including the brow styler. It gives my brows volume and shape without any residue - it's so light, I often forget that I have it on.
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I still love my Completedworks jewellery. They use recycled metals and materials to create stunning jewellery and ceramics. Creative Director Anna Jewsbury incubated Completedworks in London. Her story is an inspiration: she's an Oxford mathematics and philosophy grad who decided to build a creative career. Although she's left maths and philosophy behind, you'll see that theme running through the jewellery naming convention. I love how they use the humble pearl in wonderful and creative ways. This year, these earrings are on my Christmas list! (ehum ehum, to any friends and family reading this! 😉)
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There's nothing like the right scent to transport our minds. My favourite fragrance brand is the boutique brand, Gabar. Gabar means 'World' in Burmese; it's is a London fragrance brand founded by Phway Su Aye, and inspired by scents from Burma, Phway's motherland. My favourite scent is this one, Ground. I love their fragrances and oils, and would highly recommend them. A small tester set and gift card for a loved one makes the perfect gift!
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I'm hesitating to include this because they're a large and growing brand and don't need any publicity, but I can't help myself. Swiss chocolate brand, Laderach, is simply the best I've found. I love dark chocolate, so I regularly treat myself to their 70% or 80% single-origin darks, as well as the little choco- mousses and truffles (only available in some of their larger stores, I think!). I suggest keeping a some handy and helping yourself to some at strategic moments. Some people call it comfort eating, I say it's self-care. 🤷♀️
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Last but not least, this is the absurdly expensive luxury that I'll never get but have been gawking at for some time. Velvet loafers from Crockett & Jones. I love the Coronet design here. Another brand that really doesn't need our help, so if you have alternatives, please share them below!
And in case you're wondering what I'll be gifting friends, colleagues and family, here are my picks from Paradisefold!
These silk trousers - they're my absolute favourite. I get compliments on these every time I wear them. (I dress them down loads with trainers, adding that small touch of elegance even on an 'off' day.) For stocking fillers and work gifts, I'm going for the Turtles Triptych (practical and beautiful!) and the Visions Cloud sleep-mask (especially perfect for men!). For my girlfriends, hands down it's the Killing Socrates Fold, made with a print inspired by embroidery indigenous to Gaza and Hebron and the Turtles Turban - perfect for travelling, at night, and fits perfectly under a woolly hat in winter!
Hope you love these picks as much as I do! If you have some brands you'd like to spotlight, please comment below! 💚
Have a great Christmas and holiday period!
Hugs,
Andrea xx
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