Things to do and buy: December 11 to 17

People, places and things on our hot list this week.

A perfect pairing

Now you can have your cake and drink it, too - thanks to the new cupshakes created by Sugar Daddy's bakery. Combining a cupcake with a frothy ice cream milkshake might not be to everyone's liking, but the results are more scrummy than they sound. There are five flavours, all made using Sugar Daddy's cupcakes - red velvet (the shop's most popular), coffee, Oreo, strawberry and choco-mint. The cake is blended with ice, milk and a scoop of vanilla ice cream and topped with whipped cream and sprinkles. Surprisingly, there are no rogue lumps of sponge and the cake simply gives the shake a malted flavour. We're trying not to think of the calories ...

Cupshakes, Dh20 each. Sugar Daddy's has eight branches in the UAE, including Abu Dhabi Corniche and Village Mall, Dubai, www.sugardaddysbakery.com

Walls of wonder

Uninspiring office walls, drab corridor colours, boring bedrooms - sound familiar? Now you can let your imagination run wild and create a different look in every room. International company Mr Perswall has launched its website in the UAE, allowing you to customise your wallpaper from a selection of creative collections, or upload an image and order the paper directly online. Immerse yourself under the sea, overlook the Eiffel Tower or surround yourself with images of your friends and family. Delivery time is around two weeks - don't worry about getting sticky wallpaper paste on your carpet as they come and install it in your home or office.

www.mrperswall.com

Cheerful mug

You can't help but smile as you raise this mug to your lips. Based on the delightful children's books by Roger Hargreaves, sipping tea from a Mr Happy or Little Miss Sunshine cup ensures a cheery start to the day. Perfect as a gift or to keep on your office desk.

Dh50, Lakeland, Mirdiff City Centre, 04 284 3460

Shoe news

You can pledge money or donate items to support a charity, but how about buying a fabulous pair of signed Christian Louboutin shoes in aid of a good cause? Louboutin has designed a special limited edition shoe to benefit Microfinance organisations which provide the less fortunate with access to loans to start and run small businesses. "Peace of a Shoe" is a classic, peep-toe stiletto covered in luxurious silk and satin, trimmed with hand-stitched and embroidered Indian ribbon. We love the colours: champagne, lavender and hot pink; and we love the exclusivity - just 33 pairs have been made worldwide. However, the shoes are available only in the United States, giving us a good excuse to do some pre-Christmas shopping in New York.

Peace of a Shoe, Dh5,490, Christian Louboutin, www.christianlouboutin.com

Christmas on cruise control

You could spend hours slaving over a hot stove preparing your turkey dinner. Or you could let someone else do all the hard work, sit back and relax while scenic creekside views of Dubai roll past. Bateaux Dubai is one of our favourite ways to while away an evening, and we have good news for you this festive season - you can get a special discount of up to Dh150 on its Christmas and New Year packages by quoting M magazine when you book. You can opt for a Christmas Eve five-course dinner for Dh440 per person, a savings of Dh50; a festive Christmas Day lunch for Dh450 instead of Dh550; or a six-course New Year's Eve dinner for Dh750, reduced from Dh900. All packages include unlimited house drinks and a cruise around the city's waterways. You can also sail in the daytime as the cruise company has launched a Friday brunch with a Dh450 price for M readers, discounted from Dh495.

www.bateauxdubai.com; book on 04 399 4994 by December 24 for Christmas or December 30 for New Year’s Eve or e-mail [e-mail] quoting “M magazine offer” Christmas and New Year packages are subject to availability.

Website of the week

With a slogan boasting: "Your source for all things rare and pretty", this website caught our eye. Described as a treasure trove of coveted jewels and trinkets, Sophie's Closet is a wonderful online boutique featuring a wide range of designer accessories and jewellery from around the world. Plus, with its "as seen" selection, if you fancy that headband or vintage choker that you spotted on the TV show Gossip Girl, this site probably has it. With the option to pay cash-on-delivery in the UAE and complimentary shipping worldwide, this is a one-click stop for instant style reminiscent of old Hollywood glamour.