The Sneaky Magpie

Thank you so much for the lovely messages, I had no idea I had so many wonderful readers! You are all amazing. I promise to update as often as possible but it is definitely encouraging to know you will be back even if I have breaks. Yay. Onwards and upwards then. Here are few things I am obsessed with at the moment (because you need something to keep you going in January):

I have a new found love for Anthropology. When the shop first opened I found everything in it too pretty and fluffy but it has grown on me since, both clothing and home wares. So I purchased a pair of boots which I adore, I have been looking for such a pair for a long time and couldn’t find anything that was right. The stripy tops are Petit Bateau – great thick cotton, I have one and so does my son. All the bangles and the bracelet are Alex Monroe.

As you know I got really into Dickens and was looking forward to Great Expectations on BBC but sadly it was very disappointing. Firstly, it is a real shame to squeeze such a wonderful novel into 3 hours, it felt really rushed and a lot of very important things and characters got missed. Gillian Anderson was not right as Miss Havisham and Ray Winston played basically himself (as usual). Pip was more beautiful than Estella. Joe Gargery was much gentler and more humble in the book, and so was Magwich when he came back to reveal himself to Pip. Perhaps it would feel different to me have I not read the book. The art direction and set design were stunning though.

Next week we have The Mystery of Edwin Drood directed by Gwyneth Hughes (she did Emma and Little Dorrit) with very Dickensian cast like Alun Armstrong. It should be good.

And I am reading, for the first time, David Copperfield – what a great book this is. I am nearly at the end of it and I shall miss all the characters hugely. I think I will pick something light afterward, any recommendations?

Something to look forward to in the spring, a new Sue Townsend book.

And new Douglas Coupland book which is out now.

These two should bring me back to the 21st century for a bit. And of course another author I only discovered few month ago – the wonderfully witty India Knight!

I have been obsessing with my skin which gets very irritated in winter, I find rose and honey products the best.

From top left: Dr Hauschka’s body balm, Ren’s body scrub, Neal’s Yard’s facial wash, Ren’s delightful Moroccan rose bath oil, a smelly candle to improve one’s mood, Nuxe’s honey lip balm and Ren’s Mayday rescue cream. There is another cream that I swear by – a very wallet friendly Dr Organic’s Manuka rescue cream.

Sitting on a sofa drinking tea, eating lebkuchen and thinking of the gifts I yet have to buy – books spring to my mind! Here are few literary suggestions, I hope you like.

Kindle! Yes, it is the best thing ever. I know that real books are great, the smell, the touch but Kindle is so handy if, like me, you have no space to house all the books you want. It can store up to 1500 books and you get them within seconds. And just imagine how easy it is to read on a packed public transport not to mention how light it is for your poor stressed shoulders. From Amazon.

The funny, witty and smart author, India Knight, writes about four Christmases she hosted. Pure joy. From Amazon.

If I had enough space I would get all the Penguin Classics with covers by Coralie Bickford-Smith. They are so beautiful.

This great edition of Master and Margarita and many more stunning books at The Folio Society.

The Making of a Marchioness and other wonderfully rediscovered 20th century classics from Persephone Books.

A Kindle cover which is not a Kindle cover – it’s a Whistles make up bag! But it fits perfectly and is so much more stylish. Also comes in dusty navy blue.

PS Apologies for the messy pictures but for some reason WordPress won’t center, argghh.