Pretty in the Bath

 

Ever since I made the bath bombs for Hazel's School Craft Fair, I am pretty obsessed with everything related to a big tub of steaming water and me. And, I keep thinking of what the various products out there are. Like, is that scented oil in that little bottle and are those cylinders of soap and can I make them at home? Well, the answer is yes to all of those questions. So I am watching every single youtube video I can find on how to make bath salts, bath bombs, bath melts, rosewater and cold-processed soap (I hope you have time because this is mesmerising). They'd all make great gifts for friends at special holidays; but honestly I am only thinking of myself at this point. I have become very familiar with the supplier called brambleberry and I am now simply trying to figure out if there is a European equivalent (if you know of an EU supplier, email me) because if not I'll be shipping a whole bunch of stuff from the US.

The "Don't Forget" Christmas List

If you're running around trying to figure out what to get co-workers or acquanitances who are close but not too close; or if you have a party to attend and you are  not sure what to bring, this little post had you in mind. If you have a crush on a nice chica, buy her some almost-expensive perfume like this "Portrait of a Lady" at number 4, and wrap it in newspaper and a pretty red velvet bow. The wrapping-gift combination will keep her guessing but put you in her good graces. If you have to go to a friend's house for a party and need a different kind of hostess gift, buy their little kid this knitted Santa hat at number 1. If you have to host a party, make an effort and get dressed up in a pretty little number like this Naeem Khan dress at number 2. And, if your're not sure what to bring your boss (male or female) alcohol is a good bet--even if he or she doesn't drink they can always serve the booze at their party and it's great if it comes with a cocktail shaker like this one at number 3.

Claudia Rankin Ceramics

Claudia Rankin ceramics. Whimsical or juvenile? You decide.May make for a nice Christmas gift though.

Christmas Wishlist

1. Al Coro Amici Ring
2. Tom Ford Over-Priced, But Super Moist Lipstick

3.  Ormonde Jayne Bathing Kit

4. Ottomania Jade Earrings

5. La Duree Macaroon

6. A (Rip-Off of the Jamaican Flag) Scarf by Tom Ford

7. Anne Fontaine Cuff Links

What I'm getting me for Christmas. One of the ways of ensuring that I am never disappointed by any gift I get at Christmas is to buy myself exactly what I would want others to buy me. I think am extremely vain and self-indulgent and will be this way to my dying day. I don't fight it anymore. I give in. Especially at Christmas. In the midst of the making merry for the children and family members and friends, women in particular, I feel sure, forget to treat themselves. And if they do, they feel guilty for doing so. Count me out. I am getting me decadence and luxury for Christmas.

'Tis The Season: Hostess Gifts

Cressida Bell is a discovery I made about two plus years ago. She is a great designer of pattern, and is versatile with her illustrative paint work. She designs and paints fabrics, cakes, lampshades, throw pillows and laundry bags. You will find great hostess gifts at her online shop. This year I may give phone cases or wrapping paper as hostess gifts.

Father's Day

What are you getting him for father's day? The Macallan's 65 year old whiskey, fumes and "more fire" courtesy of  the Marley's--the connoisseurs in sinsemilla, or how about an exo-lens for his Apple phone? This way he can head down to the basement, get drunk on whiskey, get high on the good life and record it all so you can laugh at him when he comes to his senses. What are you doing for your guy on Father's Day?

10 Things to Gift in Wedding Season

Cute, funny, inspiring wedding gifts.  Are we still getting people blenders as wedding gifts? I have to go to the wedding of a friend in August and I am just wondering if we've evolved beyond the pot handlers, mixing bowls and linen napkins as wedding gifts. I mean, these days couples are living together before they get married (as we Jamaicans say "nuh buy puss inna bag..." and all that talk) and they have accumulated most, if not all of the household items they need. So I can't see anyone needing me to buy them kitchenware in this day and age. So what can I give as a wedding gift? I think something cheeky, memorable and lasting. Something that the couple can enjoy together. Something they would fight over in the divorce, is what I am saying. 

 

Here's what I'd get as a wedding gift these days:

 

1. A painting or other original artwork may expand the couples cultural knowledge--especially if the painting is from a foreign artist like Taiwanese artist Chih-Hung Kuo

 

2. A gift of laughter: definitely give a boxed set of a really great, old sitcom like Are You Being Served or Frasier or All in the Family or the Facts of Life

 

3. A hand-made Indian or Berber rug. I'd fight over this in the divorce for sure.

 

4. A set of engraved silver cheese servers is traditional and would encourage the couple to buy more cheese, if nothing else.

 

5. Specialty entertainment (every marriage needs a little couples therapy and I like this version..)

 

6. A Shakespeare Collection is a good reminder to the couple to start a personal library.

 

7. A chess set. Games night at home is not over-rated or nerdy. It's always good to have a stack of games at the bottom of your bookshelf so you can entertain on a winter Wednesday.

 

8. A gift card to Ikea (why the hell not..?). It may seem lowbrow but your friends will be totally grateful for such a practical gift.

 

9. A picnic set with basket and all

 

10. Monogrammed umbrellas (can't tell you how many times people have come to my house, borrowed my umbrella and forgot the address; can't tell you how many times I've done the same to others...)

 

Love Potions

 

 

The above by Nina Ricci

 

I am one of those ridiculous people who buys a perfume because the vessel looks like a work of art. I could not care less what it smells like if the bottle is pretty. Also I only ever buy fragrances for their smell if they are by Elizabeth Arden. What can I say, there is an old lady living inside my body?

 

 

 The above by Guerlain

 The above by Lancôme

 

 

Bottega Veneta

 

Well, what's your poison, or should I say potion? Woodsy, citrusy, flowery, spicey? How are you going to cast a spell this party season?

The Obligatory Ugly Holiday Sweater

JC Penney

I have trouble with Christmas Grinches. As I have said before I get that some people do not like Christmas and then I don't. The holiday is a lovely excuse to spend too much, eat too much, drink too much and then tell the truth to your family too much (it is, after all, the time of year when all hell breaks loose and family members decide to pull out angsty long-forgotten slights and misdeeds).

 

John Lewis

ASOS

 

 

ASOS

Target

 

Well, here is another reason I love Christmas: Ugly holiday jumpers! Brace yourselves, because I am telling you, Christmas is not Christmas unless you show up for Christmas dinner in a big, giant, obnoxious, atrocious, ugly sweater. Don't even try to skirt the issue by wearing some chic and elegant knitted number from Harvey Nichols.

 

Last year my husband walked around in the most hideous sweater I had ever seen. And the thing is the man thought it was way cool. It's like the ugly sweater has become such a prerequisite that the universal tolerance for it has shifted to cool acceptance. Well, I'm game. Are you? Will you be eating plum pudding while sporting an ugly Christmas jumper? 

Affordable Art

In case you care to buy/gift some affordable art that is surely to increase in value in the future.

And, just in case you are looking for more art, see more of my picks on contemporary art here.

Let's Hear It For the Boys

Do you remember that time when you were like, 12 or 13, and you idled the night before, and didn't do your homework, and review your verbs, and your spelling, and your grammar, and so when you went to school the next day and the teacher kept picking on you, you stuttered, and blundered, and couldn't give the answer to 11 times 13?  You think I'm rambling again, don't you?  But I know for sure a bunch of you crapped out in class and didn't know the answer to "how many planets are there in the solar system?" But do you remember the time when, after lunch, a boy (who either had a crush on you or felt sorry for you), came to sit beside you, and showed you all the correct answers in his book, so you could copy from him?

Anyhoo, I went to French class the day before yesterday because I am making an effort at "l'assimilation"; but I hadn't been to class in maybe three weeks and so I was stone cold out of answers and the teacher kept picking on me. I was like my 12 year old self again--squirming in my seat. And then some nice gentleman came to sit beside me at the back of the room, in French class, and gave me all the answers.  Gah!!! Who said chivalry was dead? How cute is that? Poor chap doesn't even know he inspired this post.

 

I came home, after French, in the mood to immerse myself in masculine charmth (yes that is word I made up) and warmth. And, also to help you find gifts for that special, chivalrous guy in your life.

Penhaligon's shaving soap and nickel brush here. Coach reversible belt here. Crown Royal whiskey here. Tommy Hilfiger Leather Jacket here. Backgammon set here. Fit Bit Activity and Sleep Tracker here. Stubble and Stache Face/Beard Grooming kit here. Derek Rose PJs available here. And, finally, read about darling Idris Elba here.

Beyond The Fashion

All Images of Balenciaga and Janet's work from Pinterest

Janine Janet was a favourite of  the Balenciaga design house. She did a lot of their window displays. She seemed to love working with pearls, corals, shells, wood and other natural elements, merging them to form fantastical sculptures that took on a lot of biblical or mythical imagery. She yielded store front and window displays for, not just Balenciaga, but also Nina Ricci, Balmain and Hubert de Givenchy.

 

I love it and I wish the fashion houses would return to a time when the arts really melded and kept good company with fashion.

 

Janet's work is now displayed in the Musée des Arts Décoratifs .

 

A great hostess gift for an art and fashion lover:  Métamorphose, Janine Janet

My Christmas Wishlist

A Larsson and Jennings Watch

In my mind's eye, I am as tall as Naomi Campbell with legs up to my armpits. And, I have Jaclyn Smith's hair--- from the days of her hair in Charlie's Angels, of course. Well clearly, this is all delusion, and a disingenuous one at that. But why should our delusions not be channeled into aspirations, wishes. I say all of the foregoing because I am thinking of indulging in some extreme shopping this Christmas and I need to justify it.

A Pascal Marlin Collage

The problem is not so much that, individually, each is a super indulgence. No.  The problem is simply that I want them all. Yes, all. For me only.

This JCREW Elsie Pump

This Jade Bracelet

Finally, I usually have a big Christmas party for my friends. I do it every year before I go off to have Christmas with my husband's family. Sadly, I do not want a party as of this moment. This year I want Christmas in the sun. And I want to depart Brussels as early as possible--- even before the Christmas party season starts-- just so I can get as much sun as possible. And while I do want lots of sun, I also want some cool air and maybe a fire. Where on earth would I find such a place? There, below. In the mountains of my home country.

Strawberry Hill

That JCrew  Elsie Pump looks entirely plausible because of this JCrew $1000 Sweepstakes. But everything else?

So, delusional or aspirational? We'll see. I have to examine how deep these feelings run. Do I feel mild affection, fervent desire or am I simply giving over to several irrational impulses?

Do you ever get the feeling that it should be O.K. to buy more gifts for oneself?

 You can share my Christmas wishes if you'd like.

Tweet

Luxury and Comfort

An incredibly trying and tiresome weekend. What can I say, some weekends offer no rest or respite? But one can surely turn a new page and start out with an indulgence. Shall we say Monday night at the home spa?

 

That beautiful Beaumont lamp, antique mirrored bar cart and the engraved tray are from Cross Design and Décor.  Would you believe that that little rope coil basket, perfect for your towels, is a DIY conceived by Alice and Lois? There are also oils, body butter and fragrances from PRADA, MOR BOUTIQUE, PENHALIGON and Victorias Secret. The room fragrance and candle are from Cire Trudon. And my favourite of all the luxury comforts would be the bath tea and goats milk soap from Rikumo, an outfit that sells Japanese-made products. A fitting start to celebrate the hope that a new week brings--- slip into a tub of hot, fragrant tea.

 

If you like this blog post, pretty please share with your friends.

 

Tweet

Eye on Christmas

I still can't stop anticipating the Christmas holidays. It must be the weather.

 

Kohii Slow Coffee Makers. West Wing Home and Living

My husband drinks at least six cups of coffee each day. Nuts!!! I drink tea only. But I do know that coffee drinkers are serious about their machinery. I wasn't even on the hunt as yet. But I may have found the perfect gift. Who thinks about Christmas in October, you say? Me. Yup, I think food. I think decorations. I think of fun gifts to end all gifts. This, above, could be it. It looks experimental, complicated and completely bizarre---albeit in a fascinating way. Perfect for a man. That's my opinion and I am sticking to it.