From Other Places

It’s that time of year, Mariah Carey has been ‘defrosted’ and regardless of what else is happening, a certain holiday cheer is creeping upon us. We put together a few of our favorite things, stuff we’ve used, eaten, slathered, or simply had our eyes on for the gifting season. 
We hope you discover new favorites, and just the right present for the special people in your life.

Gohar World

I have long admired Laila of Gohar World for her approach to design, fashion and, above all, food. There are several beautiful things on their shop that will bring joy and a touch of whimsy to your life and kitchen, I am partial to these lemon squeezers (can be purchased individually) and swan spoon.

Diaspora

This small tin of Kashmiri saffron from Diaspora that my friends swear by is the kind of thing anyone would love to receive – makes for a great stocking stuffer too.

And while we’re in the culinary realm, these award-winning, seasonal jams are divine.

As well as honey from Ed Ruscha’s farm (you read that right). Lingering on Flamingo Estate, I’d be too tempted not to get this candle and maybe have it customized to say “Smell the Roses!”

Kindred Black

When it comes to artisanal brands that put a lot of intention behind everything they do, Kindred Black immediately comes to mind. Their ‘Slow Beauty’ products, which come in jewel-like hand-blown glass vials, are a work of art in themselves, but I’d be happy with almost anything from their store that includes jewelry, home and wardrobe offerings. 

Paris

And now to Bienaimé, an eponymous Parisian brand founded in 1935 by visionary perfumer Robert Bienaimé that I am no longer gatekeeping! You know how it’s famously difficult to shop for men, their Monsieur perfume should really do the trick. 

While we’re in Paris, I must give a shoutout to Violette Fr, another eponymous French brand founded by makeup artist Violette Serrat. After MAC’s can’t-go-wrong Ruby Woo, her matte lip in Couer Infidèle is my absolute favorite ‘red’ lip ever. (Amour Fou is closer to Ruby Woo but Couer has a touch of carnation that is *chef’s kiss*). The liquid eyeshadow/liner in Ciel de Nuit is another utterly unique formulation – the applicator’s are stubby but the pigment pays off and how. 

No mention of Parisian luxury beauty brands will be complete without mention of Officine Universelle Buly, everything they do is exquisite, from their bestselling, monogrammable lip balm sets to their perfumed oils, but it’s the eyebrow combs and toothpaste that I crave. 

Ramdane Touhami, who along with his wife revived Buly apothecary, has (re)opened a hotel in the Swiss Alps and founded A Young Hiker, a boutique selling all kinds of Alpine chic.

It was the socks at A Young Hiker that first caught my eye. When I was a teen I’d decided I would consider myself “successful” only when I could afford a fresh pair of socks everyday (delusional, wasteful not to mention vain and arrogant!). I know better now but at the same time, am always on the lookout for the perfect pair of socks, if that makes sense? These are 10/10 (I have two pairs) and would make a great gift should there be a similar weirdo in your life. 

La la la la la la la la la la la…

Now for some outlandish out-there stuff (cue Gwen Stefani’s ‘If I was a rich girl’), the kind of things most of us will probably never possess but somehow occupy a corner of our wishlist. 

Gone are the days where it was a novelty to name a distant star after a loved one, for a true “I’d bring the moon for you, darling” how about a limited edition copy (there are only 12!) of Norman Mailer’s MoonFire that comes in a case that mimics the actual topography of the moon, along with—an actual piece of the moon. Price on request, duh.