Work your plan - December survival guide

essentially a plan to show up for yourself

December always feels like a very long, never-ending and very expensive errand. But there’s plenty of festive spirit in the air, mint latte in hand, everyone’s friendly and the music in stores is good, so you enjoy it. I love writing things down, because once it’s on paper — it’s a plan. I turned December plan into survival guide, essentially, that’s what it is.

1. Get yourself a statement coat to stop outfit overthinking

It works wonders by taking away stress trying to perfect the layering and looking your best popping out for quick errand. I just wear monochrome base, or denim and elevate it with the coat. The only sweet inconvenience, people asking where the coat is from. It’ll also come handy in Jan-Feb when winter is still going and we’re stuck in waiting for spring collections to feel inspired again.

Let to right: Toteme; Nour Hammour; By Malene Birger; Rohe; COS; By Malene Birger.

Nour Hammour coat; Mother jeans; Almada v-neck knit; Khaite pump; Phoebe Philo bag.

The Frankie Shop jacket; Phoebe Philo jeans; Uniqlo turtleneck; Khaite pump; Phoebe Philo bag; Jimmy Fairly sunglasses.

2. Pause that gym membership

Be honest with yourself about attendance, also it’s okay to take breaks, and if the answer is, maybe I’ll manage to go — save yourself some money, freeze the membership and restart the second or even third week in 2026.

3. Make a movie list and watch them in evenings, even if in the background

Here’s mine, Gary commented, that it’s a bit Hugh Grant heavy, but I’m okay with that.

• Breakfast at Tiffany’s;

• It’s a Wonderful Life;

• The Holiday;

• Love Actually;

• Four Weddings and a Funeral;

• Sex and the City movie one;

• Notting Hill;

• Home Alone 1, 2, 3 - I’m leaving this one exclusively for 24th and 25th.

4. Place your latest stack of magazines on a coffee table, read them over morning coffee

I’ve strategically arranged coffee date in Marylebone at Shreeji news last week. My December magazine stack consists of Neptune Papers issue nine, EE72 first issue, January Vogue and Ark Journal Volume VIX.

5. Justify new knit, but one that’ll take you through Christmas and the rest of the winter

Be practical and cozy-chic. Isle knit is iconic at this point, but can feel a bit too Christmas coded once it’s over. I will be rewearing mine from last year (Varley relaunched it this season).

Left to right: Lisa Yang; The Row; Kallmeyer; Rohe (yes it’s a poncho, not quite knit, but it’s incredible, I had to); Almada (go up one or two sizes for relaxed fit); Lauren Mangoonian; Ralph Lauren.

6. Consider a good tote to carry all that Christmas shopping in

I’ve been attached to Phoebe Philo Cabas daily and almost didn’t notice that I don’t have a good and comfortable tote. Desperately looking for something over the shoulder and slouchier.

Left to right: The Row; Lie Studio; Khaite; Liffner.

7. Feed your skin daily

Show up for yourself for 15 minutes. Led mask only takes 10 mins, followed by 5 minute skincare application, you can do it. I’m using these: CurrentBody led face mask, Clé de Peau Beauty eye cream (If like me, you have sensitive eyes, it’s the one. So gentle, doesn’t irritate even if applied directly on the eyelids); 111 Skin Night Serum; Reome serum for mornings; Sisleÿa L’Integral Anti-Age cream for both am and pm (perfect for winter).

8. Get that Tekla shirt you always wanted

Spotted this sateen shirt on Tekla, it’s still 100% cotton, but soft and silky.

9. Be kind to yourself. That’s all.

Will be back with some outfits for festivities this week.

Speak soon,

Victoria xx