Books and candles and cameras…oh my!

It’s that time of year again when the magazines are full of gift ideas (of varying degrees of brilliance), but after pages and pages of carefully categorised treats for grandpa, step-mum, second-cousin etc, I forget which pieces I liked and absent-mindedly submit to the crush of Oxford Street on a Saturday.

So, instead of bombarding everyone with not-so-subliminal SPEND SPEND SPEND messages, I’m featuring a small number of gorgeous gifts up until the big day that I think will make you and your recipients feel happy and loved, without having to flash too much cash.

Virago exclusively published women authors and have collaborated with female designers and critics to produce eight hardback novels featuring cover artwork by the likes of Celia Birtwell,Cath Kidston and Orla Kiely.  On my wishlist is Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann, rethought by my fashion hero, Biba designer Barbara Hulanicki.

If you love the dreamy, rose-tinted fashion shoots in Lula Magazine and Wendy Bevan’s ethereal photography, you need the Diana camera in your life!  Diana wrecks your shot, but in a beautiful way, leaving an aura of light and giving that vintage effect. A perfect antidote to Photoshop retouching, me thinks.

Thanks to Disneyrollergirl, whose post led me to this amazing laptop case.  It’s less eye-wateringly expensive than the Mulberry/iMac cases and looks like something that Betty Suarez would carry her computer around in – what’s not to love?

Amnesty Internation candle, £35, Temperley Launching in Selfridges this week, date TBC.

Temperley just got even more lovely with this dusky pink candle, designed for Human Rights Day on 10 December.  Unlike many labels who capitalise on charity branding and then donate a measly 5 per cent from sales (shame on you), ALL of the proceeds from the candle will go to human rights organisation, Amnesty International!

Top notes – blackcurrant, rose, frangipani and ylang ylang. Middle notes: orange blossom, jasmine and violet. Base notes: patchouli, vanilla and chocolate.  It looks adorable, smells divine and will make a meaningful gift…well done, Alice!

Juliette Has A Gun bag roll-on in Miss Charming, from £59, Selfridges Bamford Botanic range, from £10-£70, Liberty Lumière Noire Incence Papers x 20, Maison Francis Kurkdjian, £20, Liberty

Juliette’s gun is fully loaded…with the most gorgeous perfume, of course!  This super cool coffret comes with a bullet-shaped roll-on and three refills with any of the three Juliette Has A Gun fragrances.  Perfect for parties, purses and travelling!

I recently tried out Bamford Botanic Geranium Bath Oil and Body Lotion and am already converted.  The body lotion sinks into the skin quickly, so you can wear it during the day and you can feel your muscles relaxing straight away.  The bath oil softens the skin and creates a luxurious milk bath, plus the lavender extract helps you sleep.

Francis Kurkdjian is the man behind some of the world’s best-selling perfumes and has  created hits like Jean-Paul Gaultier’s MaDame and Fragile, Rumeur by Lanvin, Armani Mania and the first two Juliette Has A Gun scents.

For his own fragrance house, he has turned Willy Wonka and devised innovative ways to fragrance your body, clothes and home, such as incense papers, laundry washing liquid and perfumed bath bubbles, complete with wand.

The Lumière Noire Incense Papers are infused with spiced rose, patchouli and narcissus and work with the burning scent to create an intense, heady aroma.

I’ll be posting more gift tips over the month, so leave some room on your Christmas lists!

For more present ideas and Christmas trinkets, visit