Hot on the Highstreet Week 80

It is December, all of a sudden, and time to stock up on stocking fillers, buy your Secret Santa present and try to desperately find something suitable to buy your grumpy great aunt and fussy father. It all seems so exciting, pay day comes and you just can't wait to get out there onto the highstreets, hot chocolate in hand to browse round the shops and wait for those perfect, affordable and appropriate gifts to just fall into your basket. Unfortunately it usually doesn't work out quite like that and a week before Christmas manic late night internet shopping becomes the only possibility. That’s the case for me anyway.

This year I have been scouting round for purse friendly presents, here are my top three under £20 gifts, all available on the highstreet or online now:

- The pear notepad, pretty and useful this desk accessory is a delightful present for under a fiver. Adding a fruity touch to your desk, featuring 150 pages which you can tear off as and when you need them. Buy here, £4.50.

- Markus Lupfer's letter brooches, these designer sequin pins will jazz up any Christmas outfit, and are suitably sparkly for festive parties. A thoughtful and fun present for just £15, buy someone special their own initial. Buy here.

- Reusuable Tea Cup – this stylish cup is the perfect present for tea lovers on the go. Imitating the pretty porcelain teacup it comes complete with a removable silicone lid and sleeve for easy use. It will keep you warm travelling to work on cold mornings. Costs £11.95, buy here.

Hot on the Highstreet Week 30

It is five days till Christmas and I’m sure there are some frantic shoppers out there trying to find last minute presents for girlfriends, or maybe helping Father C get those final stocking fillers. This week’s Hot on the Highstreet is the perfect girl’s Christmas gift. It costs only £25, but looks like it costs much more... Agnes B’s ‘Le b’ perfume.

This delicious scent comes in the prettiest heart-shaped bottle; it is quite small, holding 30 ml, so easy to fit in even the most petite of handbags. This eau de toilette combines orange flowers, lemon leaves, water melon seeds and jasmine. The smell is light and fresh and will make you feel summery even in these cold winter months.

I spotted it while browsing in Covent Garden, I hadn’t been into Agnes B for a while and was pleasantly surprised by their array of beautiful and individual items. Also on my wish list from this shop are the black fingerless gloves (from the Men’s department... I think) and the glorious striped tops that mimic Dennis the Menace’s classic look! I sampled ‘Le b’ as I walked in and was pleased to find the smell was just as strong on my wrist as I left 25 minutes later, the sure sign of a decent perfume. I remember thinking that this is a smell ideal for both young women and the more mature lady - elegant with a touch of fun.

Stylish Agnes B stores can be found at:

35/36 Floral Street, Covent Garden; 31/32 Duke of York’s Square, King’s Road; as well as in Marylebone and Spitalfields.