Christmas window display at Selfridges

Selfridges is the biggest department store along Oxford Street in London and its window displays are like the Rolls Royce of window art . What they have for Christmas 2009 is based on fairy tales but with a twist. The mannequins seem to possess a certain eccentricity and in terms of style, it was very much like Lady Gaga meets Vivien Westwood meets Alexander McQueen. To have it fairy tale sweet would have been too predictably boring and forgettable but this was bizarre in a good way. Loved it though I couldn't capture them properly as the human traffic along this stretch made it rather difficult. Fairy tales featured includes Dick Whittington, Peter Pan, Cinderalla and her wicked step sisters, Snow White, The Three Bears and Red Riding Hood . Along with each display were special typography in neon lights. Expressions include "Who is the Fairest ?" " At the Stroke of Midnight POOF ! " What I loved most - the iconic British bulldog with a crown, the mice that scrambled along and became horsemen in the Cinderella tale and of course the wolf wearing Grandma's bonnet.

Christmas in London

Was in London for work for 3 days and boy was it cold ! My body was freezing but my spirits were bright and warm with the sight of beautiful Christmas displays everywhere. Decorations were never over the top and it could only be just a simple wreath set against an iron door but with the backdrop of Victorian or Georgian houses, the effect was stunning. There was a Christmas tree at Claridges hotel that had white roses in glass test tube vases and though it was simple, it looked fabulous.

Das Erzgebirge-Haus

There is a quaint little wooden toy store at the corner of the third level at Raffles City Mall and it has been there since 1998. It reminds me of Santa's little workshop and gives a feeling of Christmas all year through. Das Erzgebirge-Haus - Singapore carries a wide assortment of wooden crafts from the Erzgebirge (Ore Mountains) in Germany for retail. Little men and women are crafted to look like cooks, ballon man, traders, hunters etc. Another familiar Erzgebirge tradition is the guardian angel. Each Angel conveys different message, be it for love, to wish someone good health, for housewarmings, for newborn babies or mothers-to-be, for friends traveling away, and many more. Think they make beautiful Christmas gifts.