M Is All About: Bites, bags and sparkle

People, places and things on our hot list this week. This week, we kick off the new year with some new additions, but still stick with what works.

Louis Vuitton´s city guides are a must-have when preparing for a short break.

The smart set

Louis Vuitton's city guides are any trendy girl's must-have when on holiday. The annual book series covers major European cities as well as Hong Kong, Macau and New York. The guides not only take you to the cities' usual tourist hot spots, but also help you discover cool hidden local areas, different shopping neighbourhoods and extravagant destinations.

Dh130 per book or Dh530 for the European City Box, Louis Vuitton

Opening: Roul's Coffee & Bites

Want to take advantage of Abu Dhabi's glorious winter weather somewhere less chaotic than on the Corniche? The search is over, with the opening of Roul's Coffee & Bites in the Souq at Central Market. The cafe can be found on the second-floor terrace, far from the darkness of the inner hallways at the souq. It offers a relaxed atmosphere that is perfect for coffee with friends or for catching up on some reading or doing some work. It also has a wide variety of fashion-related coffee-table books if you're in the mood for an arty read. The menu ranges from salads and sandwiches to unusual coffee drinks (we loved the Bounty cappuccino) and smoothies. Our pick has to be the miniature pastry "bites", which the owner, Roula Assaad, makes by hand every morning.

Level 2, Al Yasmeen Terrace, Souq at Central Market, 02 491 5444

Brass off

With so much jewellery choice, this time of year it's sometimes hard to find an ideal piece. With just the right balance of edgy and grown-up, this brass necklace with gun metal, gold chains, horn and colourful Swarovski crystals work perfectly with winter's rich prints.

Iosselliani Multi brass necklace, Dh2,430, Boom & Mellow, Mall of the Emirates, 04 341 3993; Mirdif City Centre, 04 284 0609

Clutch move

Channel old-school Hollywood glamour with this statement envelope clutch from Mumbai Se. Adorned with delicate beads and gold sequins, this makes the ideal accessory to team with elegant black trousers. Plus, it injects a designer spin to your outfit without the hefty price tag.

Dh890, available at Mumbai Se, Marina Mall, 02 681 2698; Dubai Mall, 04 434 0626; and elsewhere

Relight my fire

As far as candles go we are well equipped: scented, pillar, lantern - you name it and we have it. Our excessive shopping habit may have its disadvantages (the lack of storage space and a fire hazard, to name two), but the biggest bonus is we're no longer fazed by an average, pretty candle. So this hippopotamus trio stopped us in our tracks. They're almost too cute to burn, so we've placed them on our dressing table to lift our spirits in the wee small hours of the morning.

Dh75 each, Zara Home, Marina Mall, 02 681 5560; Dubai Mall, 04 399 9105; and elsewhere

Crystal envy

Crystallised shoes are our worst nightmare. In fact, any form of bling makes us run in the other direction, preferably towards something chunky, black and Marni-esque. However, we found a strange instant attraction to these high-street platforms. If Zara needed to show it was upping its fashion ante, then the proof lies in these shoes, which come complete with buttery soft leather, suede, high-quality crystals and sturdy heel. Rarely have we come across an evening shoe this comfortable and attention-grabbing; in one outing alone we got a whopping six "Where did you get those shoes?"

Dh575, Zara, Abu Dhabi Mall, 02 645 6527; Dubai Mall, 04 330 8567; and elsewhere