HO HO HO | Sohum Grande Vegetale Soap Cakes

TALK ABOUT a no brainer gift idea. I'd be chuffed if I ripped down my stocking from the mantle Christmas morning to find it stuffed with these beauties from Sohum. They remind me of another favourite brand of mine, Nesti Dante (I even hid a giant bar from my husband in my luggage, bought in Trento, Italy, and carried it all the way to California via various African countries, trans-Atlantic planes, rental cars, campgrounds and more things than I can list here. That's how much I love it).

I think the Sohum Grande Vegetale Soap Cake in Fleur Anise and Caramella would do just fine for the festive season... or Muskette... or Tuberose... Hell, I want them all. 

They're triple milled and thus give a super creamy lather. Plus, some have new Grande Vegetale candles (Pomander, for one) in matching scents. 

A soap + candle duo would be a sudsy, scented hit of a Christmas gift, in my humble opinion, for sisters, friends, girlfriends, mothers-in-law et al.

Check out the rest of the Melbourne-based Sohum range here.

BEAUTY STALKER | Haute beauty buys

1. CHANEL ROUGE COCO IN LA PAUSA | It’s the perfect soft coral for lips during this first flush of spring.
2. ESTEE LAUDER BERLIN RED MIRROR COMPACT | Because we love art in our everyday life and we particularly like a little bit of  bauhaus in our bag. 
3. LA MER THE CONCENTRATE | We weren’t La Mer converts until we this... and now we can’t get enough. Skin looks and feels amazing immediately. We want to stockpile. 
4. JO MALONE VITAMIN E BODY BALM | Because it smells like honied heaven and leaves your skin non-greasy, supple and looking like it’s in soft focus. 
5. CHANEL LE VERNIS IN PARTICULIERE | Because griege is the word in the nails right now and it actually looks fantastic (and fashion forward) on. And GINGER AND LIZ CAN YOU KEEP A SECRET | This teeny tiny label from the US with some spectacular colours to rival the likes of other cult brands.
6. HOURGLASS PRODIGY LIPGLOSS | The wafter-thin packaging is slim enough to fit into the pocket of even the skinniest jeans and it’s packed with the best non-sticky, mineral gloss.
7. MV ORGANICS HAND RESCUE | Tangerine-scented SOS with Rosehip and Calendula to heal even the most chapped hands and cuticles. [not pictured]
8. RMS "UN" COVER-UP | A revelation in raw beauty, it has transformed and simplified makeup. Use it as a concealer or base and rub it in like a moisturiser for a completely toxin-free, raw beauty glow that looks more natural than no makeup.
9. JONATHAN WARD CANDLE | Beautiful British candles with tons of essential oils and a clean burn. We love the Moss.
10. NATURE BISSE C+C VITAMIN SCRUB | How we love a bit of citrus in the spring. It’s refreshing and exfoliating.  
11. SKINCEUTICALS C E FERULIC | This stuff will visibly brighten the skin, in a one-two anti-aging punch. 
12. NATURE GIRL I AM WAVE BATH SALTS | Because it’s the best way to soothe sore muscles from our new exercise routine and relax after a long day of work. 
13. RICH HIPPIE KALACHAKRA | Limited-edition and far beyond my regular budget, I am reveling in the subtle citrus and floral fragrance this tiny bottle packs. It’s surprisingly synthetic free.
14. ELLIS FAAS ELLIS RED | Because the colour is striking on every single person I’ve seen apply it to date. Pure genius.

SEE THE FULL PAGE BEAUTY STALKER HERE.

Eye for design: Cire Trudon bust candles

As a brand, Cire Trudon has history (and style) on its side. Candle maker to Louis XIV and founded in 1643, it has enjoyed a re-birth in recent years, being stocked at Brown's Fashion and always counted as one of the most eye-catching displays in the heavenly beauty department at Barneys (each candle stands alone under a giant bell jar. Beautiful display tactics and a great way to keep the scents separate).

The coolest SKU in the range, though, has to be the bust candles. They're beautiful in a Rococo fashion (wouldn't be out of place in the Wallace Collection). The thought of the flickering glow with a drooping, melting Marie Antoinette has my heart melting along with her... in my mind. Wouldn't it look cool? It's de-constructed art at its utilitarian best - a light-giving objet d'art. Fine, fine, the site says they're for decorative purposes only, but I'd totally take my chances and light one if I had one.

And by using them, you're doing your bit for the arts, because the French museums where the busts come from are paid royalties on every candle sold.

Cire Trudon Bust Candles, starting at £39.00