I’ve had a Something Wicked candle on my desk for the past few weeks, and everybody who picks it up remarks, without fail: “Wow!  That smells awesome.”  The candles were gifted to me, so I have to be honest that I haven’t paid much attention to them, but today I looked at their website and was deeply impressed by the company.  All Something Wicked candles are made by hand from sustainable, toxin-free soy wax, with hemp wicks, and the packaging is 100% recycled.  Toxin-free soy wax equals no rings around the glass (which comes from the toxic soot)…nice to think you’re breathing that in with other brands, eh?  My candle flavor that everybody dies over is Saira, a tuberose scent, but I’m jonesing for Lola (black currant), Sukkyu (lemongrass, lotus blossom and Asian spices) and Hannah (fig apricot), too.

So, Mother’s Day is, like, tomorrow, and of course I have yet to get Mere Jolie anything.  In a parallel universe, I’d be hopping on a plane to Dallas to surprise her this Sunday, but alas I think that’s the same universe where I live rent-free in an SW3 Chelsea flat.  (Not visiting that alternate realm anytime soon!)  Haven’t picked up anything for your mom, either?  Check out the new Jo Malone Kohdo Wood Collection, which features two limited-edition fragrances: calming Lotus Blossom and Water Lily, and energizing Dark Amber and Ginger Lily.  Kohdo, apparently, is an ancient Japanese incense ceremony, and the new collection is made of a candle, bath oil and cologne.  If you can’t afford the lot, I recommend the Lotus Blossom and Water Lily Bath Oil (for 100 clams), which comes in a so-chichi-you-just-want-to-stare-at-it glass bottle. 

I’m assuming you’re familiar with Jo Malone, but if not…ohhh, babies, are you in for a treat.  Jo is an actual woman who started making skincare concoctions for her London friends.  Word-of-mouth spread, the line grew, and now it’s a bonafide Luxury Brand, with some of the yummiest bath oils, candles, shower gels, home fragrances and perfumes this side of Diptyque.  (I would forgo food for the Diptyque Baies candle–it is That Good.  When I moved to England, I actually carted it with me on the plane in my carry-on luggage.  Practical?  Me?  Never!)  Some of my favorite Jo Malone treats:

Jo Malone Bath Oil Collection: Mini-sizes of Jo’s bestselling bath oils, packaged in glass instead of plastic for an extra touch of fab.

Jo Malone Vitamin E Gel: Possible the cultiest product in the line, and a must-have in certain Notting Hell sets for dry or damaged skin

Jo Malone Lime Basil Mandarin Cologne: It’s next to impossible to pick just one scent, but this is considered Jo’s gold standard.  Bonus–it’s good for men and women (and damn near addictive)

If you were captivated by Eat, Pray, Love—but have no intention of ever, ever, ever actually spending time in an ashram in the jagged mountains of some far-off Eastern nation—you’ll probably succumb to the ethereal charms of Nima Nyima, a line of candles and soaps inspired by Tibet and the Himalayas.  It took me just a few nights to burn my way through the delicate Blue Poppy with Turquoise and sensual Tibetan Musk with Amber candles…but only because they were burning every single second I was in the apartment (and, I suspect, once or twice when I left, too.  That’s right, D., I’m talking to you!)