The most wonderful time of the year is almost here!  You know, the time when you blow all the hard-earned cash that you don’t really have on gifts that nobody will ever use?  For your snooty, hard-to-please friend–the one who spent five days in London and still had a fake accent two months later–might I suggest this set of Tocca candles?  First of all, traveling with mini candles is so glam.  (If it’s good enough for Jade Jagger…)  Secondly, the variety includes the oh-so-divine Stella, Yma, Tahiti and Isabella flavors.  Third, Tocca rocks.  And finally, it’s only $42, and let’s be real–we are not millionaires.  (If you are a millionare, buy the same gal a Diptyque in Baies and call it a day.) 

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.