Liberty promises stellar Christmas experience

Luxury emporium Liberty in which, in my fantasies, I would happily shop for eternity, revealed a gorgeous 'advent calendar' concept for its Christmas campaign, which will - scarily - be in store in a matter of months, with the glitter and bauble-laden Christmas shop opening later this month.

A six foot high mock up of the store replete with giant advent calendar windows and scenes behind, in a room strewn with fairy lights, set the Christmas anticipation flowing, even if it is a little premature. I particularly loved a dining scene featuring a languorous hostess in a ochre silk dress draped across her finest china. Will be trying a new approach to entertaining at this year's seasonal drinks party.

Needless to say the quest for perfect birthday gift continues, and in one of the tableaux spied this gobstopper of a ring by Mawi - an eau de nil crystal set on a gold ring, which may jostle for a position on the wishlist. Also noted these rather luscious teal stilettos by Nicholas Kirkwood, a name buzzing on the lips of every shoe aficionado in the know, and really can see why.

Fantasy eyelashes courtesy of Shu Uemura and Viktor & Rolf

Gratuitous for a Tuesday lunchtime, perhaps, but there's nothing like a pair of Swarovski-embellished false eyelashes to pep up a work-a-day face. I nipped into Liberty to peruse their Christmas fantasies and came out sporting some fab Shu Uemura falsies, lustrous black with a strip of silver glitter and mini diamante at the root, slick eyeliner-style. Added vim an otherwise pedestrian outfit of black shirt dress and flesh tone heels, and made returning to the office altogether more exciting. I was very disappointed when the sheer quantity of slap applied in the morning meant they were soon working their way of my eyelid - before I could get a pic too - boo! Upside is that they last up to 10 wears, so next time a pic will materialise!
That said, the these lashes were great, but Shu Uemura's collaboration with fashion's Viktor & Rolf trumped them hands down - three ultra-ultra glamourous false eyelashes which sang from the Dutch duo's design songsheet - looped black lashes, princess cut gold metal numbers, plus an exaggerated, elongated option like a bird's wing in flight,all presented on a white mask like demi-face in a white presentation box. You'd never want to wear them, but they are something to covet, plus they are oh so timely, given the current House of Viktor and Rolf showcase at the Barbican.
Only marginally less showtastic were the Shu Uemura black lace falsies and teal marabou option, again, my sparklies were pale in comparison to these beauties.
It sounds like Shu Uemura has a fair few exciting tricks up its sleeve, product-wise, in the near future, so watch this space as I have been promised early heads up!