Keep yourself warm with stylish scarves, winter woollies and a good winter coat as Life Matters compiles a shopping list to get you ready for chilly November.

1-3 Trend alert: The statement coat

If the weather forecast is to be believed we are in for one of the worst winters for decades. The good news is that the winter coat is the simplest way to update your look for this season. There are many styles to choose from this year so you are sure to find a coat to suit you. Life Matters loves: The military long-line trench, �70, Dorothy Perkins; the preppy parka, �55, Evans; the new goth style velvet jacket, �59.99, River Island; the luxury leather trench, �280, Rocha. John Rocha at Debenhams; the wear with everything little black jacket, �110, French Connection in Chapelfield and the ultimate statement coat of the season – the faux fur, �85, Wallis.

4 Get 20pc off at French Connection

If the thought of Christmas fills you with dread, take heart in the fact that already some of the city's shops are holding Christmas shopping events where you can get your Christmas presents at a reduced price. French Connection in Chapelfield is one of the first off the mark with its Christmas shopping evening where you can get 20pc off all purchases made on the night. The French Connection Christmas shopping event takes place on Thursday November 4 from 5pm until 8pm. For tickets register at www.frenchconnection.com/grazia

5-7 It's bonfire night and the city will be a blaze with firework displays and bonfire events for you and your family to enjoy. Make sure that you wrap up warm with hats, gloves and scarves that will take you through the celebrations in style. Life Matters loves this Fair Isle knitted hat, �16, Accessorise; Camouflage hat, �10, Marks and Spencer; Shaggy faux fur scarf, �15, Jane Norman in The Mall; Maine New England block rib scarf, �18.50, Debenhams; Bonded Sherpa mittens, �10, Jane Norman; Mitten man gloves, �15, French Connection in Chapelfield.

8 Save the date: Ladies Pink Night

It's time to get your pink glad rags on for a night of pink cocktails, mini makeovers by Estee Lauder, canap�s and manicures. It's Ladies Pink Night at The Mulberry on Unthank Road tonight. Organiser Sue Helps saw her mum lose her two and a half year battle with the disease in July 2001 and was diagnosed with breast cancer herself in 2008, from which she is now recovered. There will be a talk from Sue's Oencologist and a volunteer Breast Care Cancer nurse, plus a raffle where you can win hair and beauty treatments and overnight accommodation at a hotel in the city as well as many more prizes. The event takes place on Monday November 8 at The Mulberry on Unthank Road from 7pm until 11pm. The event is free but all donations will be given to Breast Cancer Care or Cancer Research UK. If you would like to make a donation or contribute a prize for the raffle please call Sue on 01603 621854.

9-12 Website of the month

www.flaxandfinch.com

If you like buying British products and beautiful handmade products this is the website for you. Flax and Finch celebrates the work of many British designers and there are many quirky and aspirational items on the website. Created by Debi Hanley from North Norfolk, the website helps designers and artists promote their work, and gives you a place where you can buy original gifts, home accessories and fashion. Life Matters loves this Pink 'Funky Chunky' long scarf, �75 and this silver heart necklace, �145, both from www.flaxandfinch.com Enter our competition to win �100 to spend at www.flaxandfinch.com below.

13-17 Trend alert: Military men

It's a style that has become an autumn staple, but this season the military look is a huge trend for men. Wear lace up boots with cargo trousers and layer with a khaki, beige or navy top or jumper and a pocked jacket or padded gilet for a look that will have people standing to attention. Life Matters loves: These military style boots, �30, cargo trousers, �20 and jumper, �22, all from Matalan; gilet, �10, George at Asda; top, �20, Next and jacket, �49.99 from a selection at TK Maxx.

18 Save the date

It's the night of the Norwich City Christmas lights switch on and the shops and cafes in Norwich Lanes will be open until 8.30pm so that you can do a spot of early Christmas shopping and enjoy some mulled wine and a mince pie. All the shops and businesses on Upper St Giles will be open so you can have a pre or post Christmas light switch on supper and then browse the many shops on Upper St Giles, down to Pottergate and Lower Goat Lane right up to London Street. The Christmas Lights switch on takes place on St Peters Street and Millennium Plain from 6.15 until 8pm.

19-22

A simple way to transform a room in your house is to add a rug. Whether you put it in front of the fireplace, at the bottom of your bed of underneath your dining room table, a rug can add colour, texture and that cosy look and feel to your home. Life Matters loves the range of rugs currently in the home department at Debenhams. If you want to add a splash of colour to a room go for the Ben de Lisi Puzzle rug (�100) or for an understated look how about this floral rug from Betty Jackson (�100).

23-24

If you are making an early start on your Christmas shopping why not check out the website of West Norfolk designer and illustrator Suzy Thomas. Suzy has recently set up Suzy T which is a range of textiles, bone china and greeting cards with Suzy's distinctive designs. Life Matters loves the reversible Christmas card (�4.95 each or �20 for five) and the Christmas mugs (�25 for two), which will bring a touch of Christmas cheer to your home. www.suzyt.com

25-26 Dog draught excluder from The Living Rooms

Keep the warmth in and the cold out with one of these cute draught excluders and door stops from The Living Rooms. As is the case with all the products and furniture sold at The Living Rooms, each piece has been fairly traded and has a story to tell. The spotty dog draught excluder and the elephant door stop were made in India by a Mumbai-based group which aims to generate skills and employment for vulnerable women by paying them a fair wage and proving them with access to education and training. Spotty dog draught excluder, �12.99 and elephant doorstop, �14.99.

27- 30 Competition time

Win �100 to spend at www.flaxandfinch.com

Start your Christmas present shopping early or just buy a treat for yourself from the Life Matters' favourite website of the month www.flaxandfinch.com

Life Matters and the Evening News have teamed up with local designer and founder of Flax and Finch Debi Hanley to offer you the chance to win �100 to spend on the website.

Choose from jewellery and accessories, cushions and home accessories, pictures and garden accessories or stuff for the kids. All items have been designed by British designers.

To be in with a chance of winning answer this question: Who is the local designer who has set up Flax and Finch? Send your answer along with your name, address, email and daytime telephone number to Emma Harrowing, Life Matters/Flax and Finch Competition, Norwich Evening News, Prospect House, Rouen Road, Norwich, NR1 1RE or email encompetitions@archant.co.uk

The winner will be the first correct entry chosen at random from all correct entries received by the closing date. The closing date for entries is Saturday November 13, 2010. Usual Archant competition rules apply.