All I Want For Christmas – a Safari Holiday at Singita Grumeti Reserves, Tanzania
BY The LUXE Editors
Walk on the wild side [Photo: Singita]
What: An eco-safari holiday at Singita Grumeti Reserves to witness the great wildebeest migration – staying at the swanky Sasakwa Lodge with its stunning panoramas, and a couple of nights beneath the stars in Singita Explore Mobile Tented Camps to get closer to the action.
Where: The western corridor of the Serengeti plains, Tanzania, part of the annual migratory route crossed by more than a million wildebeest, 500,000 Thomson’s gazelle, and 200,000 zebra.
Why: We love Sir David Attenborough’s BBC documentaries, but there’s nothing quite like experiencing one of the most dramatic wildlife spectacles on earth with our very own eyes.
How: singita.com. Don’t forget to check migration seasons before booking. However, you might find the guides telling you their favourite time for game-watching is after most the migration passes through, when the resident game returns and the plains are filled with wildlife of every kind.
How much: From US$1,700 per person per night at Singita Sasakwa Lodge during high season; and Singita Explore costs from US$1,300 per person per night.
There's always room for bling in our Christmas stocking
What: Gold-plated silver and zircon ring.
Who: Online boutique Callixto – set up by Sasha Dennig featuring jewellery and other trinkets she finds on her travels.
Where: callixto.com
Why: Aren’t golden rings the traditional gift for the fifth day of Christmas? We’ll take five, please.
How much: US$493
Shoes, glorious shoes [Photo: NET-A-PORTER]
What: The Ultimate Shoe Subscription for well-heeled boys and girls – that’s one pair of shoes every month for a year, and includes personal styling advice, sneak previews of new collections, and express shipping.
Who: Just about every designer you’ve dreamed about.
Where: net-a-porter.com and mrporter.com
Why: Do we really need to explain why we’d like 12 pairs of shoes for Christmas? The only thing better than this would be getting all 12 pairs at once.
How much: £8,000 for NET-A-PORTER gals; £3,500 for MR PORTER guys.
Guest Blog: All I Want For Christmas with Franki Durbin – Discontinued Wedgwood Demitasse Cups and Saucers
BY The LUXE Editors
Alright darlin’, fancy a cuppa? [Photo: chinasearch.co.uk]
Hello poppets. Today’s ‘All I Want For Christmas’ is a guest post by the very lovely Franki Durbin, a Dallas-based interior designer and blogger. Check out her lifestyle blog for grown ups, Life in a Venti Cup, and spin-off Life in a Sippy Cup with the focus on wee stylistas-in-training and their mamas.
What: Wedgwood bone china demitasse cups and saucers from the now discontinued Grand Tour collection, each set showcasing a landmark from a major European city. I own both London sets (the British Museum and St. Paul’s Cathedral) as well as the Palazzo Vecchio from Florence, yet somehow never acquired the San Marco, Venice set, or either of the Paris sets (Notre Dame and Palais du Luxembourg).
Who: Wedgwood
Where: That’s the problem, I don’t know where to buy them! My only hope is to keep checking replacements.com and ebay. Or perhaps your lovely readers can help me out!
Why: I was 22 when I purchased these, and hadn’t begun to travel abroad yet. Now that I’ve acquired some great stamps in my passport and have actually been to these great cities, it would mean so much to me to complete the set. Especially since my missing sets are from two of my absolute favourite destinations, and they symbolise several things I’m still passionate about today: craftsmanship, artistry (especially illustration), espresso, travel, architecture and art.
How much: If the price is right…
All I Want For Christmas with Shauna Mei, Founder of AHAlife – Python Jewellery Box
BY The LUXE Editors
Wouldn't mind a couple of sparkly surprise gifts inside too
Dear hearts, today’s ‘All I Want For Christmas’ comes from Shauna Mei, founder of ahalife.com, the online retailer that offers one-of-a-kind lifestyle goodies handpicked by influential tastemakers – Donna Karen, Lauren Bush, Tim Gunn and Tina Brown are just a few of the names you’ll recognise from its roster of curators.
What: Oversized python jewellery box with suede lining.
Where: ahalife.com
Who: Elisabeth Weinstock Design, Los Angeles.
Why: It’s the most over the top, luxurious way to store your baubles, and at the top of my Christmas wish list!
How much: US$1,910
Hey Nellie!
What: A three-night adventure package at the beautiful Four Seasons Tented Camp in the Golden Triangle.
Where: 180km north of Chiang Mai, in the misty mountains of the Golden Triangle, where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar converge by the Mekong River.
Why: Über-luxe seclusion with plush beds, deep, hand-hammered copper baths, jungle trekking atop elephants, sunrise breakfasts, sunset rafting, and village and market visits – the question isn’t why, but why not?
How: fourseasons.com
How much: From 79,000 baht per night in a tent, inclusive of all meals and beverages, one spa treatment per person, a host of activities, private round-trip transfers between Chiang Rai International Airport and the Tented Camp, exclusive of tax.
Va voom red carpet style
What: Carl Kapp Gaia fire dress or Falling singlet and drawstring pants.
Who: Carl Kapp, South African-born, Sydney-based glamour gown designer, who’s worked for Kenzo and Donna Karan, and worn by the likes of Cate Blanchett, Rose Byrn and Miranda Otto.
Where: Carl Kapp boutique, Paddington, Sydney.
Why: Because you need a gorgeous, head-turning outfit for the party season and to see in the new year.
How much: Gaia dress: AUD1995; Falling singlet: AUD595 and matching lounge pants: AUD695. Made-to-measure outfits from AUD800.
Sumptuous scents [Photo: Neiman Marcus]
What: A take on classic leather scents for a unisex(y) perfume, infused with intricate notes of saffron, raspberry, thyme, frankincense, night-blooming jasmine and a rich woody undertone.
Who: Fashion and film darling, Tom Ford.
Where: Tom Ford stores worldwide, or major department stores like Harrods and Neiman Marcus.
Why: It’s like catnip for the opposite sex, and a couple of sprays will last all day.
How much: US$195 for a 50ml bottle on neimanmarcus.com
All I Want For Christmas – Adam Brown, Founder, Orlebar Brown, Shares His Wish List
BY The LUXE Editors
Deer Santa, please see my list below
Dear hearts, today’s ‘All I Want For Christmas’ comes from Adam Brown, founder of Orlebar Brown, the so-hot-right-now swimwear brand wrapped around the bottoms of the most stylish men the world over. A secret island hideaway, the perfect timepiece and a custom surfboard. We like…
Embroidered reads [Photo: Jillian Tamaki]
What: Penguin Threads edition of The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett, published to celebrate the 2011 centennial of its publication.
Where: us.penguingroup.com
Who: The original jacket embroidery is designed by illustrator and cartoonist, Jillian Tamaki.
Why: We just love the whimsical jacket for one of our fave classic children’s tales. While the original embroidered cover isn’t in production, the embossed version is still texturally and visually appealing. Why not complete the whole Penguin Threads series by getting Emma and Black Beauty while you’re at it.
How much: US$16.
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