I've had a UK Vogue subscription for yearrrss -- three? four? -- and my mum always buys me another for my birthday, at the beginning of the year. I'm going home this weekend and I suspect my subscription issue for December is already waiting on my bed for me. I have to admit that I am a little bit excited: December is always the most fantastical of all the months in Vogue calender! And I like a bit of romance as much as anybody...
Cover girl Lara Stone (how nice that it's not Kate Moss or Sienna Miller!) looking less full blown sexxy than usual. I think she's surprisingly versatile and looks amazing here.


Really love this last one. Oh, Lara!

and an amazing shoot by Emma Summerston called Red Alert. (What else?)

But to be honest, despite this issue which looks exciting, I wonder if my love affair with Vogue is ending. I especially hate the More Dash Than Cash features which I feel are a bit, well, patronising. Besides, I love Vogue entirely because it is nothing like me or my actual life. There's nothing wrong with a beautiful bit of fashion daydreaming and this is why I've always liked Vogue. It doesn't have to be relevant to me, my budget or the economy! That's just not the point of Vogue at all.
A few highlights from Decembers past...
December 2006. I saw Hussein Chalayan dress at an exhibit and it was amazing.
Sasha Pivarova shot by Mario Testino for December 2007

Karen Elson and Thom Browne for December 2008
Another one from December 2008, which, like the photo above, is from the spread inspired by Roald Dahl stories - this one, of course, is Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator. (On a side note, I really want to go see the Wes Anderson directed movie of Fantastic Mr Fox!)

Maybe I'll ask for a different subscription this year. Any suggestions?