Stray away from the high-street stores when you’re shopping for your baby or friends kids – SugarPlumTree.co.uk has a large selection of cute clothes and gifts:

A: Washable Labellies Horse, £13.99 GBP

B: Washable Luckies Bunny ‘Comforter’, £19.99 GBP

C: Haba Flower Pram Decoration Toy, £16.95 GBP

D: Wheely Bug, £64.95 GBP

NotOnTheHighStreet.com is a great site that combines easy to use site design, high retail standards, and absolutely gorgeous (often handmade) products.  To give the kids something a little different this Christmas, why not consider something crafty, clever and cute:

A: ‘Enter At Ye Own Risk’ Pirate Door Sign,* £9.99 GBP by Giddy Kipper

B: Great Little Dinosaur Hamper,* £65.00 GBP by The Great Little Hamper Company

C: Child’s Jelly Bean Necklace,* £50.00 GBP by Molly Brown London Ltd

D: Personalised Green Robot T-Shirt,* £19.00 GBP by Sgt. Smith

E: Pink Stripey Hobby Horse,* Coming Soon (20 November), by Sally Shufflepants

F: The Pink Dolls House,* £135.00 GBP by I Love Toys

G: Money Bunny,* £35.00 GBP by Bob by Post

H: Giant Colouring Map,* £12.00 GBP by Doodlebug

I: Pirate Treasure Chest,* £9.00 GBP by Junior Geo

Christmas shopping can be a bit of a nightmare, especially if you have a large group of friends or a big family.  Thankfully there are destinations such as iWoot and Firebox that offer a huge selection of fun and unusual gifts, meaning you can cut down on your shopping time, stock up on a wide variety of pressies AND save on shipping.  Firebox is one of my faves, particularly as they tend to get some really clever gifts and gadgets that can keep even the most discerning of nerds entertained:

A: Caravan Birdhouse,* £14.95 GBP

B: Postcode Puzzles,* £19.95 – £29.95 GBP

C: Sparkling Vodka,* £34.95 GBP (700mL)

D: Voco Alarm Clock,* £24.95 GBP

E: Teacup Plant Pots,* £24.95 GBP

F: WoodStation,* £89.95 GBP

G: Tea Dam Mug,* £9.95 GBP

H: Blooming Decorations,* £8.95 GBP

Yet again, I find myself returning to the V&A for inspiration.  Quirky homewares? Check.  Artistic ceramics that are gorgeous and practical? Check.  Beautiful jewellery and accessories? Check check.  What more could a girl want?

A: Contemporary Yellow Chinese Teapot, £60.00 GBP

B: Cobalt Wreath Bracelet, £525.00 GBP by Bijoux Heart

C: Ark Print, £35.00 GBP

D: Turban Jewel Paisley Decoration, £6.00 GBP

E: Elephant Teacosy, £45.00 GBP

F: Lady Flying a Kite Mug, £10.00 GBP

G: Blue Ceramic Flower Necklace, £125.00 GBP by Maria Diana

H: Arts & Crafts Peacock Brooch/Necklace, £70.00 GBP

I: Kids Frog Face Bowl, £12.00 GBP

J: Bug Cufflinks, £200.00 GBP by Roger Doyle

K: Travel Journal, £15.00 GBP

L: Jade Pinch Vase, £60.00 GBP by Jonathan Adler

Long-time readers will know I am obsessed with the V&A.  Perhaps its their plethora of textiles, perhaps its their masses and masses of vases and jewellery, who could say for sure?  All I know is I squealed like a little girl when I clicked on to the V&A Shop website tonight and saw that they’ve completely redesigned the website AND launched the Autumn collection.  Cue Amy spending a few minutes in a quiet corner with a brown paper bag to stop hyperventilating.

A: Colour-In Knights Tabard, £18.00 GBP (even though this is for children I would totally colour it in pink and blue and wear it around the house over the top of my pyjamas.  I’m not strange, just an ex-history student)

B: Tartan Ruffle Necklace, £90.00 GBP

C: Green Draped Jewel Purse by Louise Bucah, £40.00 GBP

D: Squirrel Ring Box by Jonathan Adler, £85.00 GBP

E: Whale Salt and Pepper Shakers by Jonathan Adler, £50.00 GBP

F: Carved Shell Necklace, £60.00 GBP

G: Links Necklace, £80.00 GBP

H: Ceramic Horse Head by Jonathan Adler, £200.00 GBP

I found myself in the interesting position today of having coffee with someone who works as a contract researcher for the V&A.  He gets 40% off the items in the V&A store.  I almost had a heart attack.  In other V&A news, the Museum of Childhood collection that’s available at the moment is absolutely fantastic:

A: Mary Jane Wellington Boots at the V&A Store, £25.00 (GBP)

B: Gentlemans’ PJs at the V&A Store, £15.00 (GBP)

C: Paint Your Own Cat T-Shirt at the V&A Store, £16.00 (GBP)

D: Owl Breakfast Set at the V&A Store, £9.00 (GBP)