What To Do, See & Buy: Sous Chef; Cult Shoes: Classic and Contemporary Designs; Vintage Seekers; Original BTC

Create a stir

Want to make the perfect winter risotto but can't find cloud ear mushrooms at your local grocer's? Hankering after a Himalayan salt plate on which to serve up rock oysters? Sous Chef is a beautifully designed new destination-website for serious foodies, and sells unusual ingredients alongside an irresistible selection of cookware, tableware and gifts. Souschef.co.uk

Heel raiser

From surreal Louboutins to vertiginous Carvalhos, Cult Shoes: Classic and Contemporary Designs is your indespensible guide to footwear. And who doesn't love a shoe, especially when described by The Independent's own style editor Harriet Walker. £29.95, merrellpublishers.com

Golden oldies

Vintage Seekers is an online Aladdin's cave of time-loved pieces, from first-edition Bond books (from £300) to classic Dior dresses. Sift through endless watches, homewares and wine, all without getting your fingers dusty. Oh, and if you have a classic car you want to shift, they'll restore it and market it for you, too. Handy, when you've got a couple of old Jags knocking around… Vintageseekers.com

Facial awareness

Show some love for Movember without growing a 'tache. This limited-edition moustache-print scarf by Becksöndergaard is softer to the touch than a novelty crumb-catcher, and 20 per cent of sales go to charity. £68, the-dressingroom.com

Light years

To celebrate 21 years in business, the classic lighting company Original BTC has created 'Hector Bibendum', an illuminatory take on the traditional 'Hector' lamp, with a new undulating shell shade inspired by the tyre-bellied Michelin man… The braided flex-cord comes in four bright shades. £149.50, originalbtc.com

Archi-texture

We're suckers for this plaster and etched-brass miniature rendition of the Hoover Building (see gallery). At 18cm tall, the architectural model is a charming little reminder of British design at its best, which could also serve as a book-end or perhaps an oversized paperweight. Not just for those who travel the A40 past the original… £129, thelollipoppeshop.co.uk