Unfortunately I am suffering from the effects of too much food and drink this Christmas. When it came to eating and drinking, I took the view, ’so what it’s Christmas’. The Christmas nibbles, glasses of mulled wine, a huge meal on Christmas day and more chocolates than you can imagine have had a devastating effect on my waist line. Yesterday whilst slumped in front of the TV I had to loosen my belt and undo my top button - not good.

Of course I know that come new year with my new years resolution to give up drinking completely and only eat healthy food and walk every where, the Christmas bloat will disappear in no time. But what about in the mean time?

I will be employing a few tricks to help make myself look slimmer. Did you know that you can take pounds off your weight and inches off your waist by wearing the right clothes.

• Head to toe black - this is a great way to get a streamlined silhouette and look slimmer. You can always brighten the look up with some colurful accessories.
• A long scarf or necklace. This will make your torso look longer and slimmer.
• Wrap tops and dresses - These just look great and are very flattering.
• Long trousers that cover your shoes - again these will make you look longer and slimmer.

This retro chiffon circles and stripes scarf will look great worn around the neck with plain black top.

This year Santa has really excelled himself in choosing stylish and lovely Christmas Presents. I was greeted on Christmas morning by a great big stack of Christmas presents to open. Probably the most presents that I have had for Christmas since I was about 11 years old. Not one single useless or tasteless present this year and some money and gift vouchers to choose myself some lovely clothes as well, so thank you very much to Santa. Amongst my presents:

• Some luxury foods, condiments and hot chocolate cups with a little plate/ stand for putting my biscuit on.
• Mango body butter
• A plain white short sleeved T shirt
• Lots of hard backed note books for scribbling doen all my list and ideas.
• Some scented candles
• The fluffiest warmest dressing gown ever and a pair of spotty slippers.
• Jewellery - a celtic style necklace and earrings and some grey and black beads.

I am now trawling the online sales hoping to spend my Christmas money on a new jacket, some good basic black, white and grey tops and a pair of ankle boots, plus some new make up and underwear.

This leather look jacket will be a great buy as I can wear it with a jumper in the winter and it will last me right through spring.

I thought I may just drop a few hints in case anyone is wondering what they could buy me for Christmas. Of course I am not really expecting anyone to buy me much (or anything at all) and it is definitely the thought that counts. But just in case, they have no idea at all, I may be easier for me to outline a few ideas.

If it is good enough for Paddington then it is good enough for me. The duffle coat is back in fashion. The boxy shape of this one gives it a really up to date look. I love it for it’s practicality, warmth and preppy style.

Statement necklaces are in this year. I love this one, it will go really well with my black polo neck jumper for a smart and stylish outfit.

You can never have too many handbags, although I am not sure that my husband would agree with me on that. This Catwalk Collection Brown Dispatch bag is practical and has plenty of space for me to carry about my worldly possessions. It will also look great with the duffle coat.

Of course, if Santa is feeling the effects of the credit crunch and global recession, I will be very happy with my favourite fashion of the year. Some brightly coloured tights.

I have just returned from a visit to my local Woolworths. Following announcement on the TV last night that there would be (up to) 50% off, I decided to see if I could find a few bargains for Christmas presents. The scene was shopping mayhem. The queue went up and down the shop and then back up again. People were throwing anything and everything into their baskets and the aisles were so chocca, you could hardly move. What bargains did I manage to get? Nothing!

The Nintendo DS games only had 10% off, the same as when I went two days ago. Almost everything I saw was 10% off with a few things at 20% off. My point is, that I have had it with frenzied Christmas shopping. The discounts are rarely as good as they sound, the things I want are always sold out and I am just no good in a scrum. So from now on all of my christmas shopping will be done online to the sound of calming music with a cup of tea in hand.

 I have found the perfect present already for my husband. This Freshjive T Shirt that looks like a leather biker jacket is perfect.

I am resisting the urge to buy presents for my friends that I want myself. Instead I am trying very hard to think about what each person would like. How do I know what sort of thing they would like? Well one way of finding out is thinking what they bought for you last year and this will probably be along the lines of what they would like to receive themselves. Here are some ideas.

Miss Sixty Beauty T Shirt

The Fashionista Friend - The fashionista friend will probably love designer labels and will really appreciate some thing with their favourite label on. If you can’t afford very much it doesn’t matter as long as it has the label on. Try hats, scarves or T shirts.

Dear Cashmere Jumper

The Mum Friend - Friends with children will probably spend their time thinking about practicalities and practical clothes. Come Christmas, they will be delighted to be treated to something a little luxurious .

Aftershock Evening Bag

The Young Free and Single Friend - This category also inlcudes the young at heart. These friends are likely to be partying hard over Christmas and New Year so you can’t really go wrong with a lovely accessory for their party outfit.

Billy Bag Leather Savannah Key Ring

The Work Friend - You may meet at the coffee machine every day for a chat but don’t really know too much about this persons style or what they like. You will probably only want to get a small token gift so  a keyring is perfect.

D & G Ladies Watch

And last but most importantly

The Best Friend - treat your best friend to some thing really special this year. No doubt she has supported you through all of your ups and downs this year so really deserves it.