Desirable.co.uk is doing the Twelve Days of Christmas! Celebrate with us:

On the tenth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, ten silk ties, nine party dresses, eight lovely milk jugs, seven summer swimsuits, six feather beddings, five golden rings, four calling phones, three French hen homewares, two bluebird shakers and a reed warbler in a pear tree.

Who needs lords a-leaping?  Give your man a lovely silk tie and let him dress to impress:

A: Navy Placement Spot Silk Tie,* £20.00 GBP by Ben Sherman at Debenhams

B: Peacock Blue Navy Floral Pure Silk Tie, £40.00 GBP at Savile Row Co

C: Grey Paisley Skinny Tie,* £7.00 GBP at Burtons

D: John Lewis Floral Silk Tie, £19.50 GBP at John Lewis

E: Tartan Tie,* £28.00 GBP at French Connection

F: Ted Baker Silk Rose Tie,* £35.00 GBP at House of Fraser

G: Kenneth Cole Silk Flower Tie,* £35.00 GBP at House of Fraser

H: Sydney Zig Zag Tie,* £19.50 GBP at Oliver Bonas

I: Navy Joshua Silk Tie,* £19.08 GBP at Oliver Bonas

J: New & Lingwood Silk Plain Tie,* £35.00 GBP at House of Fraser

Traditional Christmas gifts they may be, but there’s no reason to give the men in your life ugly or uncomfortable gifts when Poshtogs has luxurious versions for very affordable prices:

A: Cotton Lisle Short Contrast Heel & Toe Socks, £8.80 GBP by Pantherella

B: Cashmere Short Stripe Socks, £25.00 GBP by Pantherella

C: Cotton Lisle Long Over-the-Cuff Ribbed Socks, £10.80 GBP by Pantherella

D: Merino Wool Short Vertical Stripe Leisure Socks, £9.80 GBP by Pantherella

E: Pure Cashmere 2 Ply Solid Colour Woven Scarf, £49.00 GBP by Alan Paine

F: Cotton Lisle Paisley Socks with Contrast Heel and Toe, £10.30 GBP by Ted Baker

G: Lambswool Young Weathered Tartan Highland Scarf, £24.50 GBP by Young Weathered

H: Pure Cashmere 3 Ply Multi-Colour Stripe Woven Scarf, £74.00 GBP by Alan Paine

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

I’m not usually a fan of Americana but when I stumbled across American Retro London a few weeks ago, I will confess, it did tickle my fancy.  Perhaps it’s because they manage to blend American and British memorabilia without seeming twee – either way, I’m impressed:

A: Bailey Taxten Cap, £43.00 GBP

B: Shoulder Bag, £35.00 GBP by Fred Perry

C: Nooka Zub Zoo DB 38 Watch in Deep Blue, £125.00 GBP

D: Timezones Wall Clock, £35.00 GBP

E: Flying Ducks Wall Hangings, £12.50 GBP

F: Simon Carter Union Jack Cufflinks, £20.00 GBP

G: Card Mini Boombox, £25.00 GBP

Being that I have both a bachelors and masters degree in history, it should come as no surprise that I absolutely love museums.  My favourite part of any museum isn’t the actual exhibits however, it’s the stores.  I know, how uncultured of me right? In my defense I have to say that the British Museum, the Victoria & Albert Museum and the Science Museum all use their store space wisely, with merchandise that reflects the awesome collections their walls contain but which is also completely useable in an every-day situation – no tacky souvenirs here folks, just fun homewares, gifts and accessories.

A: Mosaic Image Tin Plate,* £5.99 GBP at the British Museum Shop

B: Feng Shui Cats,* £5.50 GBP at the British Museum Shop

C: Cuniform Men’s Watch,* £8.00 GBP at the British Museum Shop

D: Silk Medallion Coaster Rug,* £14.99 GBP at the British Museum Shop

E: London Silhouette Mirror (Part 1), £45.00 GBP at the V&A Shop

F: White Whale Jug, £65.00 GBP by Jonathan Adler at the V&A Shop

G: Don’t Break the Bottle Puzzle,* £25.00 GBP from the Science Museum Store

H: Portland Vase Watch,* £19.99 GBP at the British Museum Shop

I: China Flowers Parasol, £18.00 GBP at the V&A Shop

J: Fairtrade Wooden Elephant Ornament, £5.00 GBP at the V&A Shop

K: Create a Night Sky,* £10.00 GBP from the Science Museum Store

L: Cube Photo Frames, £8.00 GBP for set of 3 at the V&A Shop

M: Enamel Persion Bowl (Large),* £95.00 GBP at the British Museum Shop

I’ve always admired men who mix up their formal attire with bright, bold accents, and no one does this better than Jon Snow, Channel 4 News Presenter, blogger and all-round straight-talker.  Behold the abstract rainbows that are Jon Snow’s ties:

(Images courtesy of ICA, BBC News, Manchester Evening News, BBC Nottingham, Telegraph)

There are a number of factors that have piqued our fascination with the way Mr Snow wears his ties: first of all, he often accompanies them with equally bright socks which – we suspect – he intentionally reveals when crossing his legs at the news desk during interviews.  We also suspect that his trouser-leg hems are tailored so that when he sits down the trousers rise half way up his calves, showing his socks to all and sundry – yet another nod to the fact that Jon Snow is known (and recognised) for his colourful accessories.  Finally, we appreciate the fact that when weather conditions dictate the covering up of his neck-tie, he comes up with humours alternatives: Read the rest of this entry »

God save our nation’s Queen, something-something-something (I’m Australian, I plead ignorance). Anyway, has anyone else noticed the overwhelming array of Union Jack fashion paraphernalia?  If you don’t want to look like you’re following the crowd, go for a non-traditional colour combination:

A: Union Jack Bag in Black or Traditional, £7.00 GBP from New Look

B: Wow Union Jack Sequin Clutch, £30.00 GBP from Accessorize

C: Diamante Union Jack Purse, £22.00 GBP from TopShop

D: Wow Union Jack Sequin Clutch (Rainbow), £30.00 GBP from Accessorize

E: Flag Print Bag, £6.00 GBP from New Look

F: Union Jack Sequin Clutch (Sepia), £30.00 GBP from Accessorize

G: Paul’s Boutique Metallic Union Jack Quilted Wallet, £30.00 GBP from ASOS

H: Union Jack Men’s Wallet by Ben Sherman,* £15.40 GBP on sale (was £22.00) from Debenhams