THERE IS no putting it off any longer — Christmas really is just a few days away, and any last-minute preparations and shopping need to be done ASAP or it will be too late.
With this in mind, I decide to make a list this week of those last few presents I haven’t quite decided upon: something for my agent, my visiting cousin and my stepbrother. Book vouchers spring to mind, but on second thoughts, they always seem so impersonal.
Before I embark on my final spree, I know from experience it will be twice as long, big and expensive as I intend it to be. I always do the same: even when I go into Sainsbury’s for a pint of milk I come out with two bags of shopping, and of course I never take a basket on my way in. Why would I? I only want a pint of milk! I end up balancing it all between my arms and trying desperately not to drop anything as I queue at the checkout till.
As I was saying, before I embark on my final spree, I decided to go for some pampering by treating myself to a ‘Winter Facial Booster’ at the Charles Worthington salon in Percy Street. Well, a girl needs to look her best at such a social time of the year!
The treatment is divine and is designed to combat the moisture loss due to the cold weather, temperature changes and central heating. A ‘power recovery’ multi-vitamin mask containing vitamins A, C & E is applied to the skin, followed by a ‘barrier repair’ which will protect against environmental pollution and daily damage.
Not only does the treatment relax me and made me feel a million dollars, it also ends with a shoulder massage designed to ease any aches and pains. And I really enjoyed talking to Michelle, my therapist for the day.
On my way out I noticed that the foyer is full of gift pack ideas of Charles Worthington products. What a great start to a great shopping day! I went for the Dream Hair Vanity Case, primarily because it’s pink, but also because I couldn’t resist the ‘Heavenly hairwash outrageously rich shampoo’ and the matching ‘Seeing is believing outrageously rich conditioner’. I also went for the men’s grooming pack, which is very ‘now’ in its army-green case.
Just as I was thinking that I’d love to have someone to bounce off my choices with, my phone rang and it was Ambrosia!
“Darling, I’m the airport. Came over for business and pleasure and — of course — to do a spot of shopping with you!”
She said she’d be in town by 6pm, so I booked us a table at ‘202′ on Westbourne Grove, Nicole Farhi’s lifestyle in-store café. The place is buzzing with bohemian style and good-looking waiters. I sat near the window, ordered a pot of Earl Grey tea for two, and picked up an Evening Standard.
As the tea arrived, a cab pulled up outside and it was Ambrosia. We sat down to make plans: London beware — we are going to shop until we drop!
Laia Farran Graves
202 Westbourne Grove: 020 7792 6888
The Winter Facial Booster £29.30 is available at Charles Worthington, Percy Street Salon 020 7631 1370
