Its not often I write to you, once a year in fact, only this time I feel it only appropriate to tell you what an exceptionally good girl I have been and that, if you needed direction in picking out my gifts this year as a reward, you might find a little inspiration below:

1. Ideally something from Tiffany would be perfect, however, I would be happy to settle for any accessories in the earrings, bracelet or necklace department. Something sparkly and that looks totally expensive, even if it isn’t. Like a stunning pair of butterfly earring from Oasis.
2. I have seen a sensational pair of shoes, they are to die for. They are black patent, gladiator style heeled shoes with ribbons for laces. I love them, and I would love you if you bought them and left them under the tree.
3. I’m going for the Venus look in the new year and would greatly appreciate a gorgeous animal and paisley print chiffon short dress with waterfall sleeves and of course the belt to match. It’s an amazing, slightly off-the-shoulder look that will greatly assist in my quest to look like I have just stepped off the set of Hollyoaks.
4. I have also had the pleasure of trawling the high street stops and finding a perfect match for my new top in the form of metallic black high gloss leggings. They don’t sound anything much, but believe me when I say, I will love them.
5. Finally, a large clutch bag with gold snake charm detailing. It will be perfect to hold the new mobile phone, lipsticks and purse you might find along the way.
6. World Peace
7. End to world famine and animal cruelty.

Love Jo

PS: Happy Christmas
PPS: I have also photocopied this and left it on the side for my boyfriend, just in case he needs some assistance too. I have also marked pages in the catalogue that list particularly lovely short dresses, saved web sites in the favourites section and stuck up a picture of the perfume I want on the fridge.

There…. that should do it!

If you love handbags it’s not just your day tote, your evening handbags or your clutch bag you’ll be anguishing over. It’s your make-up bag too. These necessities can be as cheap and cheerful or as large and luxe as you like, and most girls want a cosmetic bag that does justice to the fortune spent on make-up every year. The UK beauty industry takes £8.9 billion a year of our hard-earned cash, and packaging is a strong a selling point. We are bombarded by age-defying claims and an array of product lines, but the ‘bathroom-shelf snobbery’ as beauty guru Kathy Phillips calls it, plays its part in our choice of one product over another. And the make-up bag is the portable bathroom shelf. It travels with us to work, on mini-breaks, on holiday – so it has to be functional and look the part too.

Cath Kidston does a great range of oilcloth washbags that come in various sizes, all in her trademark fun prints. Lulu Guinness turns a stylish line too, but my favourite cosmetics bags are by Kate Spade. I challenge any girl not to find the large Manuela roomy enough for their maquillage and products, while the smaller size is neat but still accommodating. The patterns are always quirky and cool, and yes they are more expensive, but they last forever. Tricky to find in UK, you can order on line or purchase easily in US.

Anya Hindmarch has paired up with US retail giant Target to launch a handbag collection, and prices start from an incredible £11.50. You will be able to buy these handbags online - available in the UK via her website from 8-14 October, these will be as popular as her £5 I Am Not A Plastic Bag eco-line, which sold out in an hour in Sainsbury’s last year. The cotton totes, produced by Hindmarch as an alternative to plastic bags, became must-have items due to their exclusivity. On eBay they changed hands for up to £160.
The Anya Hindmarch for Target range is set to go the same way. The seven-strong range looks expensive due to linear design and subtle hardware – but cost is kept to a minimum by using faux patent leather and selling the handbags online. Clever thinking as you’d be hard pressed to tell the difference between PVC and patent leather from a distance.
All the bags are under £30, and the timing couldn’t have been better. Designer diffusion lines are the future of budget shopping for the style-savvy, and Hindmarch knows that by keeping availability limited and affordable, she’ll have mass market appeal yet remain exclusive.