There are some products that I use all year round and then there's the SOS products that I stock up on especially for the Winter.

The change in elements can be particularly trying for my skin (and my mood), so I'm drawn to creams and potions that have rich, uplifting scents and are big on nourishment. There are four must-have products that I can't live without during the colder months, strangely enough they are all in green packaging! Not only do they look give the bathroom shelf a boost of fresh colour, they boast some pretty impressive ingredients to keep my skin supple and protected from the cold.

Weleda Skin Food - £6.95
This deep-penetrating replenishing skin repair cream is perfect for dry patches of skin and for added winter protection. The key ingredients are extracts of soothing chamomile, calendula wild pansy and a blend of enriching oils.
Available at www.weleda.co.uk

Vaseline Lip Therapy with Aloe Vera - £1.14
This is an oldie but a goodie; it does exactly what it says on the tin. Chapped lips are soothed with the Aloe Vera and the petroleum jelly creates an enriching barrier of protection.
Available at www.superdrug.com

Body Shop Tea Tree Body Wash - from £4.00
I love this product not only because of it's fantastic purifying properties but because it's ethical; made from The Kenya Organic Farmers’ Association (KOOFA), it's a Community Trade product which means you're helping to give back every time you buy. The key ingredient is Tamanu oil, which is a natural anti bacteria.
Available at www.thebodyshop.co.uk

Molton Brown Warming Eucalyptus & Ginger Body Scrub - £28.00
My biggest investment is this divine Molton Brown Body Scrub that is a miracle worker on dull skin. I use it twice weekly for an all-over smooth feeling. Aside from making my skin feel gorgeous, the smell of eucalyptus & ginger gives me that boost and picks-me-up when I'm feeling lethargic in the mornings.
Available at www.moltonbrown.co.uk

On days like this, nothing makes me happier than slipping into my thermal booties, lounging with a cuddly water bottle and doing a spot of online shopping.

Here are a few of my favourite things to buy this season, from the oh so divine Moschino Cheap & Chic Gloves (my star buy) to the luxe Manoush Gilet Jacket; it's gorgeous finds like these that make Winter all the more indulgent.

1. Manoush Black and Cream Gilet Jacket - £382.50
www.fifiwilson.com

2. Shepherd Sheepskin Ballet Pump Slipper Stone - £35.00
www.riftshoes.com

3. Luxury Faux Fur Hot Water Bottles - £19.95 each
www.vagabondcosmetictoiletbags.co.uk

4. Moschino Cheap & Chic Stab-stitch Gloves - £50
www.houseoffraser.co.uk

Yes, it's that time of year again, the Christmas rush has officially begun. Thankfully, I've been scouring the high-street and online to bring you rich pickings for the festive season, including some fabulous gift ideas and sweet treats for yourself too.

Every week until Christmas day, I'll be selecting one thing you really need to know about, and this week's post goes to The Filofax Beauty Giftbox.

How ingenious is this? It's a Filofax Organiser complete with a handy Mirror, Perfume Pen Atomiser and a Beauty Gift Voucher. When I recently attended a press day for this new launch, I could tell most of us where thinking the same thing; where has this been all our lives? Clearly the team behind this new Filofax product know what we busy women want. Personally I've never seen anything quite as adorable and practical as this. It costs a surprisingly affordable £40.

Picture the scene: You're running late for work, you've applied you're makeup in record time and now you're sitting on the train. Suddenly you have a sinking feeling your makeup is a little too heavy on one eye... out pops your Filofax; everyone around you thinks you're simply checking today's to-do list, whilst you're safe in the knowledge (thanks to the in-organiser mirror) that your makeup is just fine. And there was no need to worry about carrying a full size bottle of perfume in your handbag - out pops the Perfume Pen Atomiser and voila! You've got an instant spritz of your favourite scent with no fuss.

I love the choice of design, there's three options to choose from; a hot pink leather-look, an oatmeal 'snakeskin' design and the trendy kitsch 'Fresco' fabric. I'm particularly smitten with the uber sophisticated Oatmeal, I love classic looking stationary so this is my favourite.

The Filofax Beauty Gift Box makes a brilliant gift idea for the girl-on-the-go. But I get the inkling you may well want to treat yourself with this... just as well that it comes with a Beauty Voucher worth up to £100. The voucher is redeemable against either a free treatment, a haircut and finish or a fashion makeover session. So you can indulge yourself with the Organiser and pamper a friend or family too. Result!

To buy visit www.filofaxgifts.co.uk or call 08705 143702. Be quick, it's a limited edition release and only available via the website so when it's gone, it's gone.

Congrats to readers who entered the FREE Rush Hair Blowdry competition last month. I love it when everyone's a winner!

You've won a fantastic blow dry with one of Rush’s experienced stylists – the perfect treat when you’re in need of pampering or looking to impress on a girls night out. In addition to the fabulous blow dry you will receive complimentary refreshments, a Personal Hair Consultation and a luxury Kérastase Treatment Ritual, which will be individually prescribed for you to ensure your hair glistens and shines.

Check for your name on the winner list below and email me (editor@prettystylishlondon.com) with your full address and contact number. The team at Rush will contact you to arrange your complimentary treatment and blowdry. I'd love to know what you think, leave a comment below with your feedback on how the pampering session went. Enjoy!

Visit www.rush.co.uk










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Recently I had the pleasure of staying overnight at the Jumeirah Lowndes, a boutique hotel where city chic meets intimate elegance. After a rather stressful week, I was desperate for a moment to have some me-time and relaxation.

The hotel has a package entitled Weekend Chill Out, which includes overnight accommodation in a Superior room, an unlimited selection of the latest in-room films and a complimentary bottle of wine. It was the perfect combination to help me put the week's hectic schedule behind me. As I stepped into the reception area, I was greeted by a friendly concierge who showed a great deal of patience as I fumbled around irritated looking for my credit card in my oversized bag, annoyed that train delays had made me late for the body wrap appointment I had been looking forward to it for days prior.

Still, he checked me in speedily and called the spa to push my appointment back by 30 minutes so that I could settle in. He was such a sweetheart. Just when I thought it couldn't get better, he told me that I'd been upgraded to a suite. It was a such a thoughtful gesture, and at that point I knew I was finally going to enjoy the weekend ahead.

I've stayed at many hotels, some uber posh, others more understated. What I particularly liked about the Jumeirah was the balance it had between a décor that spoke of high end sophistication and the service that was refreshingly family oriented. There are 87 bedrooms at the Jumeirah Lowndes, all with amenities and finishing touches which made my stay all the more pleasant, from the coffee machine to the bowl of fresh strawberries, grapes and plums that awaited, the rooms were cosy, inviting and above all relaxing. The rooms are decorated in neutral tones, whites, creams, golden browns. Tastefully done and not too overpowering.

After a quick power shower and a short walk to the sister hotel, Jumeirah Carlton Tower, I booked into the Peak Spa and had the Tropical body wrap I was waiting for. To start my skin was exfoliated before bring wrapped in a cocoon of mango and passion fruit cream, gently massaged and moisturised. The Pevonia products used were picked especially to help brighten the skin and infused with Vitamin C for an added boost. 90 minutes later, my skin was super smooth and smelling delicious. It was more about smoothing and rejuvenating the skin, than a inch-loss session.

After retiring to my room for a few hours, I had a meal at the Mimosa Bar and Restaurant within the hotel. It's vibrant Mediterranean menu was impressive and the al fresco dining was great, given it was a mild evening for Autumn. If you're ever at the Mimosa you have to try their scallops, they are divine.


Later I had a stroll along the nearby shops, admired the beautiful shoes in Louboutins and finished with a glass of bubbly in the champagne bar at the Jumeirah Carlton Tower. It's a 6 minute walk between both hotels, and whilst the Carlton has more facilities, the Lowndes is the quieter of the two and much more intimate. My stay at the hotel set me in good stead for the weekend, it was just what the doctor ordered.

For me this hotel is the place to go for essential rnr. It's not a 'rock n' roll' hotel by any means, you'll find more business guests and families / couples than an influx of red carpet celebrities and this has its advantages. So if you're looking for somewhere cosy, wholly unpretentious but still classy, I'd recommend the Jumeirah Lowndes.

The Weekend Chill Out is valid in Friday - Sunday stays until 31st December 09 and starts from £196 + VAT per night. Based on two guests sharing. The Peak Spa facilities are available to use complimentary if you are staying at either hotel and the Tropical Escape Body Wrap costs £85.


Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel
21 Lowndes Street,
Knightsbridge,
London SW1X 9ES
Tel: (0)20 7823 1234
Web: www.jumeirah.com