2. Something shiny to adore:  Cartier- Juste un clou*

Turn a nail into jewellery, see beauty in its barest, clearest state and reveal the object just as it is. And what an object! A true nugget of raw, chic energy wrapped close around the wrist, for Him or for Her, a sign of rebellious spirit and character vividly portrayed. An oval of solid gold topped with a head, a statement of elegant verve and vitality, indomitable energy and pure design. Juste un clou – just a nail yet a precious item of jewellery, forged by a diligent craftsman’s approach, a creator-magician who transcends everyday life by melding hardware into jewellery. The first nail bracelet was originally conceived by Aldo Cipullo for Cartier New York in the 1970s. Echoing the festive wildness at heart that sprung up around the iconic Studio 54, this classic piece was ahead of its time, displaying a modernity that remains up to date: the bracelet is back, redesigned to nail contemporary style. Yes, it’s a nail! Hardware reinvented as jewellery, in yellow, white or pink gold, natural or paved with diamonds, in large and small sizes. A rhythmic spiral, a mighty bangle, personal totem, bold manifesto, a lust for life, style and consummate freedom. A bracelet. Juste un clou – just a nail drives the point home! A statement: I am who I am. A sign of assertiveness, standing out from the crowd, resolutely freestyle to be ever more genuine, true and adamant. The proverbial nail on the head. www.cartier.com

2. One of the most inspiring fashion shows of the year to remember...: Chanel, Paris-Edimbourg 2012/2013 Show, Backstage Photos, Photos Courtesy Benoit Peverelli for Chanel.

The birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots, Linlithgow Palace in Scotland was the perfect setting for Chanel's Metiers d'Art Paris-Edinburgh show. The iconic tweed creations, all dreamy outfits honored creativity and craftsmanship! Coco would have been proud! www.chanel.com

3. The perfect scenery for relaxation: The Library, Koh Samui, Thailand, A member of Design Hotels. 

An elegant minimalist structure set a lush environment on Thailand’s Chaweng Beach in Koh Samui, The Library helps preserve coastal heritage property, while impacting minimally on its ecology. Divided into 26 suite/studio cabins, the complex avoids the monolithic hotel-complex look, scattering discreet buildings in lush vegetation. Each cabin consists of a suite space on the ground floor and a studio upstairs, complete with ocean view. All are within sight of old-growth trees that have been spared the developer’s bulldozer – the hotel’s extensive grounds cover 6400 m2. Designed as an outpost of casual elegance, The Library interiors are finished in a distinctive minimalist style with strong color palates. Studios and suites of this Koh Samui hotel are equipped with personal computer with broadband connection and plasma television; suites include Jacuzzis while studios sport bathtubs with rain showers. Rooms are finished in a bold color scheme that emphasizes red and gray elements against pure white walls and floor space, echoed by the red swimming pool and white library complex. The purity pays off: the old-growth forest and lively beach are there to be enjoyed without distraction. www.thelibrary.co.th

4. Valuable design for your comfort: Karl Laberfeld: An authentic eye on the Cassina Collections

For the first time in his illustrious career, Karl Lagerfeld collaborates with a furniture brand for a photographic project. The originality of the project lies in a selection of furniture from the Cassina collections that is placed under the sharp eye of Karl Lagerfeld. Not only a legendary fashion designer, illustrator, publisher and photographer, Lagerfeld is also passionate about contemporary design, and this project testifies Cassina’s commitment to working side-by-side with the most talented individuals from both the 20th and 21st centuries. The presentation will take place in the Paris Showroom from the 31st of January until the 10th of March 2013 and is the first step in a series of cultural activities born from the unique collaboration between Karl Lagerfeld and Cassina. www.cassina.com

5. Something to hold on tight: Leather Bear with shearling chest, Alexander Wang, www.alexanderwang.com

6. A place to gather with friends and enjoy sharing: Capanna Pizzeria/Trattoria, Kolonaki, Athens, Designed by: k-studio, Photographer; Yiorgos Kordakis.

The restaurant sits on the corner of Ploutarchou and Haritos street, where Haritos becomes pedestrianised. When the weather is warm enough, which in Athens happens more often than not, the floor to ceiling windows can slide upwards allowing the restaurant to spill out onto the pavement. The experience of eating outside was the starting point for the design of Capanna. The aim was to render the space with the atmosphere of an Italian courtyard. A pallet made up of materials familiarly found in these spaces such as cement tiles, stucco plaster, travertine stone, blackened steel railings, and characteristic narrow wooden shutters, was used to clad the different spaces in the restaurant. The wood burning oven and the pizza bar are enclosed within a travertine stone box that sits in the far corner of the space framing the Pizzaiolo.  The various vintage chairs add softness and a laid back feeling to the restaurant and the grey stucco plastered walls and ceiling help to enclose all of this in a textured, minimal envelope. The combination of purposefully designed elements, reclaimed materials and vintage furniture, presents an architecture that sits comfortably between the bespoke and the sourced, creating an exciting and sociable atmosphere. On the first floor mural artist Joanna Burtenshaw has illustrated the walls with biro drawings depicting the process of making fresh pasta, inspired by the traditional design of the restaurant’s tableware.

7. And something to read: Kate: The Kate Moss Book. Created by Kate Moss herself, in collaboration with creative director Fabien Baron, Jess Hallett, and Jefferson Hack, this book is a highly personal retrospective of Kate Moss’s career, tracing her evolution from “new girl with potential” to one of the most iconic models of all time. www.rizzoliusa.com

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO US ALL!