My Favourite Things

It's December at last. I love the party season! Our spirits lift when we have the holidays firmly in sight, people are generally nicer to each other and there are countless opportunities to drink fizz. What more could you want?

Plenty, actually. Julie Andrews may have sung about "brown paper packages tied up with string", but I'm more partial to a Chanel carrier bag. While you're out there trudging the pavements or breaking a nail online to buy gifts for others, don't forget to indulge in some treats for yourself. Here are a few of my favourite things to kick-start a little festive personal pampering.

Stephanie Walker Jewellery - If you're a fashion addict, you'll have seen her gorgeous necklaces, earrings and bracelets at Koh Samui in Covent Garden. Stephanie works with semi-precious stones, Swarovski crystals and antique beads to create the most stunning designs. She also takes commissions, so I have a killer pair of moonstone and clear crystal chandelier-style earrings on the way. Lucky me! To order a bespoke bauble in anything from aquamarine to 1930's Venetian glass, email SJWJewellery@aol.com or telephone (020) 7794 3428.

Prosecco - Good prosecco is much better than cheap champagne any day and, as an added bonus, probably costs less. There's nothing better than a bargain and if it has bubbles as well, then I'm sold. I developed the prosecco habit while visiting Lugano, where it can be ordered by the glass in any cafe. I swiftly ditched the coffee for a far more uplifting, sparkling treat.

Annie's - I am absolutely entranced by this Chiswick restaurant's quirky charm and stylish decor. It's relaxed for brunch, fun for coffee and still glam for dinner. Not only that, but there's another one in Barnes. Annie's is clearly the spiritual home of 'I Am Fabulous', as it expertly balances a friendly ambience and a celebrity following with no air of pretension. There's a 3-course prix fixe menu in December, so that's all the more reason to beat the Christmas rush. Telephone (020) 8994 9080.

Prada - No, I am not talking handbags again. This time it's a funny little pink book called This Little Piggy Went To Prada: Nursery Rhymes for the Blahnik Brigade by Amy Allen. If you have fashion label withdrawal symptoms now that Sex & The City is off the small screen, this should top you up nicely with witty rhymes name-checking all your favourites. I once read that Prada was Italian for self-esteem - amusing, but also scarily true.

Satori - For those of you with spiritual leanings, that's bliss. For those of you who love beauty products, it's still bliss, but in the form of a scent. Satori is a sensual, new eau de parfum by Tara Herron, blending amber, rose and frankincense. Definitely one for a hot date! Order it online from http://www.yogicsolutions.com/.

Hafiz - It would not be an 'I Am Fabulous' chronicle without some kind of sustenance for the spirit, so for all of you who are obsessed with Bird Flu, here is a little gem from a 14th century Sufi poet that offers you a different kind of virus. It's also a bit of an incentive to dust off the mistletoe too ...

The Happy Virus

I caught the happy virus last night
When I was out singing beneath the stars.
It is remarkably contagious -

So kiss me.

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All material © 2005 Alison Porter. No article may be reproduced in full or in part without the express permission of the author. (Originally posted 1 Dec 05)