I really struggled with what I would name this gift guide, but then realised what I was writing was a Christmas gift guide for someone like me. So these gifts represent a woman in her 30’s and beyond who loves beauty, interiors and understand she needs to be more eco in her everyday life.

Oh how I love a scented candle, well not as much as my husband, but that’s a different story. This is a personalised candle that Norma Dorothy  sell, as well other personalised homeware, stationery and decorations.  I must tell you that this candle – £14, smells amazing and because its glass it can easily be refilled whilst still keeping that pretty jar.

Trinny London – Is totally cream-based makeup a portable, versatile range of makeup, with colours to suit every woman. It is easy to apply either with your fingers or a brush. All the pots can be taken out individually they all have their own lid and they can all be stacked and layered to suit you. There is pretty much everything that you need, and any missing things (mascara) I believe Trinny is working on.

Above is the Starter Stack. This contains a BFF Skin Perfector SPF30 (similar to a light foundation but with skincare qualities) a Lip2Cheek (blush/lip colour), a Lip Glow (glossy lip shade) and an Eye2Eye cream eyeshadow. This stack costs £90 and you can customise the colours, using the ‘match to me facility’.

Oh, now indulge me here, as this is just the most beautiful bottle of gin I ever did see!

From The Isle of Wight’s Only Distillery, This Gin Contains ‘Mermaid’s Kiss’ – £45 42% ABV

Are you a gin fan? I am, but I must admit I  am picky about the taste, I think because I once made my own gin I really enjoy all of the individual flavours.  Mermaid Gin comes in such a striking bottle and uses entirely recyclable materials – including a plant-based seal around its wooden cork.  I love the colour and the scales of the bottle. Beyond this, though it tastes amazing, almost a shame to add any tonic. I’ve tried it with ice and lemon and lime peel and it was such a smooth and fresh taste as well as a tall drink, which was equally delicious.

Created by long-time friends Xavier Baker (a brewer) and Conrad Gauntlett (a winemaker), Mermaid is a hand-crafted small batch gin distilled using ten ethically-sourced botanicals.  It’s a smooth yet complex blend that features the freshness of organic lemon zest, the peppery notes in grains of paradise and a hint of sea air from fragrant rock samphire.  The latter, foraged from the Isle of Wight’s cliffs, is known locally as ‘Mermaid’s Kiss’, hence the gin’s name! 

Available from : Marks & Spencer//mermaidspirit.uk

Having a special item of jewellery as a Christmas gift I think is one of my favourite things.  Here is an idea of the kind of thing I love and its this really pretty necklace £125 from Daisy London. It’s from a Chakra piece from the recent collaboration with blogger & vlogger Estee La Londe.  The Estée Lalonde Luna Charm Necklace features a textured full moon and crescent moon charm hanging from an extendable, delicate figaro chain.

Each year I have a diary on my desk. I am terrible at keeping it up to date, but one of my vows this year is to do so.

This year the diary is just stunning, so I had to share it with you.  It’s from www.cooksdiary.co.uk £9.99.  You can take off the sticker at the front, and you are left with the beautiful inky cover with gold too. It looks a little bit like oil on water.

It’s a week-to-view diary, which is what I prefer to use.  With weekly (triple-tested) recipes so giving you some cooking inspiration.

One of my wants this year is a cashmere jumper.  I’ve never owned one because I’ll be honest I’m fearful I will ruin it when I wash the jumper, I sure I’m not alone in that.  This jumper from GANT is a wool-cashmere blend so should be easy to wash on a simple wool cycle. I would pair this with a white crisp shirt underneath and dark denim jeans this winter. I love timeless knitwear, and this really is a classic colour and style, plus GANT is a fab brand.

Eco Ideas

Finally, I wanted this gift guide to suggest some eco gift ideas.  I’m making great strides around the home with reusable makeup removing pads, cleaning products and ecloths. We are recycling ninjas and have a great system in place. I thought It would be a good idea to collate some ideas for other eco gifts that I would like to receive, so think you might too.  I do think Christmas is the perfect time to gift some items that will help people on their eco path.

These glass straws will be very well received by everyone at home including me. We do use straws at home. I think we all got into the habit when I tried to encourage everyone to use them, thinking they would be healthier for our teeth.

When we first heard of the ban on the supply of plastic straws, drinks stirrers and cotton buds which comes into force in April 2020 it was important that we start to take action. This is why VASO has created a range of premium glass straws. They are of course a reusable, sustainable and recyclable product that delivers a 100% pure taste as they are free from plastics, toxins, mineral oils and BPA. The straws are also easy to clean, simply wash them with your glassware in the sink or pop them in your dishwasher. They also sell cases for using them when you are out and about.

ADDIS

How about making up a package of items that would help someone with their everyday choices.  Whether its general food storage or help to not let things go to waste, these items from ADDIS are going to be incredibly helpful.  Take cereal, for example, anyone else’s children refuse to eat the last of the cereal because they don’t seem to remember to reseal the bag and push it down?

I love the ADDIS stacking storage containers pictured above, that they sell. I’m using them for all different kinds of cereal, including porridge and all the extras that I add to porridge, like chia seeds.

They also sell a great selection of lunch container ideas. If cared for correctly they will last for a really long time.

As an international, independently owned company, we have a proud 230 year old history of design, manufacture and supply of housewares. The ADDIS brand still stands today, as it has for previous generations, for value, quality and innovation.

Our UK-based design and manufacturing is complemented by state-of-the-art facilities in Europe and the Far East meaning we are well placed to continue brand development, deliver outstanding service and ensure customer satisfaction.

 

These ADDIS reusable storage bags are also top of my list so that you can buy loose fruit and veg without all that single-use plastic. At £4.99 for three, they are reasonably priced.  Simply take along with your weekly shop. Pick, pack and weigh your produce. Eco-friendly and colour-coded with a drawstring to close.

Household waste is becoming more of an issue for homeowners across the nation. As budgets get tighter and the country becomes more conscious of limiting the amount of waste we send to landfill, many people are looking for practical ways to cut down on our weekly rubbish pile. ADDIS also do a selection of storage containers is so many different sizes and shapes.

Of course, when you are out and about rather than buying drinks in single-use materials there are lots of different vessels that you can bring your drink with you from home.  That’s got to be more economical! Can I suggest SIGG, of which I’ve got three examples.  The first for cold drinks known as ‘the original’ the second is for hot drinks like coffee the third for both hot and cold. All are priced in the £20 + range.

1. The Original – A modern metal closure with a carrying handle, a wider opening and easy cleaning are the values of the Original bottle. It is 100% leak-proof even with carbonated drinks and when held upside down. The material is free of harmful chemicals, such as estrogen-mimicking substances and phthalates.

2.  Miracle Mug – Single-use cups cause a lot of waste – get a reusable mug from SIGG instead! Our Miracle Thermo mug is made of stainless steel and is double-wall insulated, which keeps your coffee or tea hot or cold for hours. The mug is equipped with a secure button: push to drink and release to close. It’s also leak-proof : Perfect for beverages on the go as it’s durable and free of harmful substances.

3. Hot & Cold One – This large bottle is the ideal companion for everyone who wants to have a little bit more hot or cold drink “to go”. Slim, chic and practical! And pretty much a classic. The collection made from high-quality 18/8 stainless steel is vacuum-insulated and keeps drinks hot or cold for hours. The innovative ONE cap makes the bottle even more comfortable to use: Carry, open, drink, close and seal – all conveniently with one hand! It allows easy drinking on the train, in the car and in urban life situations – safely locked after use. The cap can be adjusted for right or left-handed users.

Sentimental

In all honesty, I think the main thing I want this year is to have my engagement ring repaired.  It has three square diamonds and one has popped out, I caught it over a year ago now and would you believe even though the diamond isn’t a big one at all, I found it.  So it should be simple to do, and I really miss wearing it. Looking for more inspiration? Then here is another curated gift list for females that might give you some more ideas.

So that’s the second and final of my Christmas gift guides, I hope you’ve enjoyed this slightly different format, please do let me know.