I have to say, this year, like never before, I just can’t be bothered with presents (for me, obviously). It must be the recession, which seems to have gotten under my skin, it seems to have stopped me from lusting after all those superfluous things that normally make me happy (because, let’s face it, who really needs that extra pair of skinny jeans, especially with that rear end of yours? “but you see, it’s this shade of cobalt blue, is totally different from that ultramarine shade from last year!” Yeah, right).
But I must be the only one, because there isn’t a blog – not one – whose author didn’t make his (ok, hers) pretty Christmas wish list (for herself, obviously). Now, as anyone who knows me knows very well, I am a big fan of lists, especially gift lists. The ones you make around the 23 October, because by then you obviously know the A/W must-haves that you still don’t have and that needs correcting, but you also already have some hints about the new S/S trends and you want to impress everyone during the holidays with that midi skirt (with the results that most relatives and friends will wonder why you’ve decided to dress up as Mary Poppins this year). That same list that will then be delivered in two copies (one paper one digital, ’cause you never know) to parents, relatives, friends and most importantly to the unfortunate boyfriend.
And yet, this year I just couldn’t be bothered. But, given the unexplainable abundance on blogs of presents not only economically inaccessible to most people, but also, frankly, bordering ridicule (a 39.50£ scented candle. Now, it’s a candle, it burns out, just mix some essential oils, make a winter stew, some mulled wine for fuck’s sake), I decided it was my civic and moral duty to balance things out with a much, much less ambitious list (there is a Guccini’s book, for crying out loud; anymore unassuming than this, only a canvas bag from the fair-trade); moderate, somber, meek I might say, to stay in line with the times (hoping that Monti won’t do a spending review of my list as well. Ah, wait, Monti resigned, now we can do what the f**k with want, apparently).
1. Tatty Devine Grrrrr Necklace. Recently I’ve developed an obsession for laser cut acrylic necklaces. I’ve flirted with the idea of having a “spectacles” one, since when your eyes are missing ten (10) degrees, glasses are not just an important part of your life, they are the line between life and death. Then I decided that maybe I was overkilling it, with a pair on my nose and one around my neck, and, most importantly, that it was a bit too hipster for my tastes. I then discovered this super-cute Tatty Devine necklace for Hoxton Street Monster Supplies. Proceeds from the sale support a charity working with young people in East London. I love the Grrrr and I think it reflects quite well my default mood!
2. Sheep jumper (H! by Henry Holland). It’s Christmas and I’ve always been a huge fan of kitsch Christmas jumpers, the ones with reindeers à-la Bridget Jones to be clear. This is a version with some adorably round pink sheep (to indulge my passion for chubby animals or at least looking so, like sheep).
3. Food Processor Kenwood Multi Pro FP250. Now, I know that nowadays if you don’t have at least a KitchenAid stand mixer you can’t even have a bowl of plain boiled rice, but as I said, this is a recession, modest mores list. I am not here everyday baking croissant and brioches like Marie Antoinette. I just want a single object (and not a food processor, plus a mixer, plus electric whisk etc., since I don’t have Nigella’s kitchen!) that can smooth, chop, whisk and maybe knead if I really want those damn croissants (I make pizza from scratch thank you very much).
4. Lillie Swing Coat (Coast). It’s not that I don’t have a coat, quite the contrary in fact, but I always end up wearing my trustworthy red one, to give that pop of colour to my otherwise grey winter wardrobe. This pink?/orange?/lobster? swing coat would be a great alternative, wool and cashmere, a length that doesn’t make me feel like a Red Army officer, a roll neck and a hint of puff sleeves. Perfect.
5. Dizionario delle cose perdute, F. Guccini (Mondadori). A collection of stories from the past, to bring together my love for history and the easy-going but reflexive tone of Francesco Guccini.
6. Nigellissima (Chatto & Windus). Ah, Nigella Lawson. Where do I start? The queen of food-porn, she is also very down-to-earth and has a lot of imagination (and she knows not to take herself too seriously IMO). The recipes showed on the BBC were great and some even became staples in Casa Sonoinritardo (like the chicken with peppers and leeks) and I am always looking for new culinary ideas.
7. Idylle di Guerlain. I am always looking for a perfume I like and some time ago I sniffed For Her from Narciso Rodriguez from my brother’s flatmate, inexorably attracted by the powder-rose bottle. Then a shop assistant in the perfume shop made me try Idylle, telling me in a very conspiratory tone that it was created by the same “nose” (I swear) of Narciso Rodriguez, “but with the advantage that is not a designer fragrance”. Now, why that should be an advantage is not really clear to me, since it still costs a gazillion pounds, but I really like it and I hope it will be my next fragrance.
8. Ballerina (Chanel). This is the only real frivolity, an 18£ nail polish. In my defense, the Chanel Ballerina gives you that well-finished hand “au naturel” that you feel you could even go out in sweatpants a jeans and a t-shirt and you will still feel like Audrey Hepburn. At this point you might say: if you really want to do a recession-proof list, a sad, unpretentious list, then surely you can get that same effect with a 4£ polish, you don’t need to disturb mademoiselle coco! To all you I say: it is how it makes you feel, to know that you are wearing the best of the best. Besides, since when luxury and pleasure have anything to do with practicalities? And if you are asking that question you don’t deserve to read my blog anyway.
9. Recessionista (Essie). I am back on track after the Chanel detour with a nail polish called “Recessionista”, and that therefore belongs to this list honoris causa. Essie polish is fantastic, but this shade seems to be made for me. I only wear nail polish in winter and I rigorously wear only three tones: nude, red and burgundy. This is just a perfect burgundy, with purple undertones but without the dark edge.
10. Sulla strada (De Gregori). De Gregori is my music love, the one and only, despite repeatedly breaking my heart in the most recent years with his new arrangements (doesn’t he has friends? “France’ c’mon, the electric guitar is obviously not for you. Get over it dude”). But you never forget your first love, and I haven’t listened to one single song from the new album yet.
11. The Jolly Old Whale, print (Stay Gold Media). I’ve already mentioned my weakness for animals of the round disposition, and now I am gonna also mention my love for minimal print and for her majesty the whale. How pretty is this print?