P.S. And remember; if you’re thinking of finding a feline, canine or other creature companion for yourself or someone special this Christmas please adopt don’t shop!
Sometimes the simplest things in life are the best. Genevieve from Melbourne’s Ahyoka Cacti hand-paints terracotta pots in a range of pretty colours and fills them with succulents. Find them at the lovely Lunar store. From $39.95.
When it comes to florals I’m a we bit obsessed with botanicals at the moment. These bottles from Angus & Celeste don’t even require me to possess a green thumb to enjoy. $49.
I think it’s time for real mail to experience a renaissance! Ask Alice’s parcel packing kit contains everything to make a delivery extra special. $38.
I’ve never met a bottle of gin I didn’t like. Bass & Flinders Distillery offers a gin pack featuring a trio of mini versions of their gin, spicy Gin 10 and exotic Monsoon flavours. $40.
This season Chip Chop takes cheeky inspiration from those old-fashioned heart message candies (an Australian invention apparently). Either way you’ll have sweet dreams with their new pillow series. $24.95.
I’m a sucker for cat’s eye shaped sunglasses. These come in a delicious turquoise hue. By local label Colony. $375.
I’d feel so domesticated if my dining set came in such a fresh, modern mix and match colour palette like Country Road‘s. From $8.95.
Emma Hampton a.k.a Dolls in Trees lives with such whimsical characters in her head. Luckily for us she commits some of them to paper. I’d love to see her try her hand at animation but for now I’ll just have to settle with one of her lovely prints like on this greeting card. $5.73.
I don’t really believe claims about caffeine (or anything really) helping dimply thighs. But Frank’s coffee-spiked scrub sure is a great exfoliator and pampering treat. And it smells exactly like ‘wake up time’ should. $14.95.
Stacking tiny rings are where it’s at. This pair of silver wings by Jolie & Deen which I’ve had my eye on for a while could be an ever-present reminder that you think they gift-receiver is pretty angelic. $29.95.
There may be little leftover in your post-Xmas budget for a quick sojourn over to France but at least one can dream. Le Shop Guide – The Best of Paris for the Fashion Traveller is a new book (and website!) from Michi Girl to which retail therapy-seekers should simply say ‘oui’. Naturally it’s charmingly illustrated by Kat Macleod. $39.99
Handmade in Melbourne, Liefje chocolate is made of magic. It’s vegan, FODMAP and paleo friendly, organic, fair-trade, low-GI and free from dairy, soy, preservatives and gluten. See, magic. It’s also artfully packaged and comes in flavours like cashew butter and smoked salt. I might be in love. $7.95.
Funglasses make the word a better place. You’ll literally be seeing in rainbows when you wear them. From the fine folk at Limedrop. $89.
*Sigh* This vase would be perfect for my imaginary high-powered fashion editor’s office. By the talented Megan Hess. $245.
Time to be a tourist in your own town and Melbourne Precincts is here to assist as edited by gent about town Dale Campisi. It covers drinking, dining, shopping and doing hotspots by suburb. Do I have to disclose that I may have a page or two within its covers? $35.
Pssst Mr. Earl is really a lady named Emily. But don’t let this subterfuge stop you from subscribing to his brand new tea subscription service. Three quality new tea varieties to try each month starting from January. From $13 a month.
Rose gold. Cute message. Totally wearable. I’m sold. Bangle by Naomi Murell. $50.
If you have to shop for little ones Palooka handmakes soft toys that are not lame; in fact they’re monsters and evil-but-somehow-still-nice animals. I’d certainly be happy if this Frida Kahlo toy came into my life. From $39.
Andy and Lucy collects works from talented Australian and international painters, poets, photographers and illustrators and bind them all together to make bi-annual publication Stolen. Give your friends something to think about. $30.
I tend to read cookbooks like novels (I think Nigella Lawson does the same – still love her, scandals and all). I’ve been through The Fashionable Cocktail by Jane Rocca a few times already marvelling at all the fabulous parties at which I could be serving these fancy drinks. $24.95
Summer is the perfect time for roadtrips. Drop the hint to your best friend with this Typo travel journal. $24.95.
Everytime you place your teacup back on the saucer a new game of peek-a-boo with the little gold birdy begins! From Urban Attitude. $29.95.
If you don’t want tickets to the Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival (VAMFF) in your Christmas stocking you’re probably in the wrong place. The best buyable seats in the house are available now. From $45.
I can’t get enough of candles fragrancing my home. Voyager Life‘s delicious versions are inspired by locations like Melbourne (naturally my fave), Tokyo and Capri. The best part about Voyager’s candles is that the votive can become a tiny vase or wineglass once the candle is all burnt out. From $34.95.