Mother's Day Gift Guide : David Jones, Kikki K, The Balm, Moét Chandon, T2 & Sussan

My Mum is the best! She is always up for a cup of tea day or night, she pretends like she is interested in most of the nonsense I tell her about 90% involves makeup, she makes really good 'Mum-Pasta' (everything in the fridge with pasta!), She reads every blog post I right and leaves funny comments. Like most Mums when trying to buy them gifts she says 'Oh don't spend your money on me' or 'Don't be silly a cup of tea in bed and a card is the best gift' but on Mother's Day it's good to spoil your Mum with something sweet and special.

David Jones Celebrating 175 years Glasshouse Candle in Daphine $39.95 & OPI Nail Polish $19.95

Mum's LOVE David Jones - Fact! To celebrate their 175th Anniversary David Jones has released commemorative gifts, boxed in beautiful Florence Broadhurst prints. You cannot go wrong with giving the gift of a scented candle to any woman for any occasion. OPI have released a limited edition 'OPI loves David Jones ' a classic universal pinky-nude, matching mother-daughter mani pedis Mum?

Available from www.davidjones.com.au and in David Jones Stores

Kikki.K Leather iPad Case $79.95

The other weekend I had 2 friends over for an afternoon of wine and biscuits, and we all could not get over how much all of our Mothers were obsessed with their iPads. Tech accessories can be so dull and boring, I love this bright poppy Kikki K iPad case - is it bad to want to buy one for myself and one for Mum?

Available from www.kikki-k.com

The Balm Nude-Tude Eyeshadow Palette $49.95

Sometimes mums can get stuck in a bit of a makeup rut, they have their favourite lipsticks and don't venture far from that. The Balm's Nude-Tude Eyeshadow Palette is a great way to experiment with different shadow colours and combo's using neutral colours, the texture of the eye shadows is so smooth and soft which is very important for mature lids. 

Available from www.davidjones.com.au

T2 Wonderland Tea Cup & Saucer $18.00

'Would you like a cup of tea?' Is a question I have heard from my Mum about a million times. Fancy tea cups are such a cute present idea and will never not be used.

Available from www.t2tea.com

Sussan Cable Knit Slippers $24.95

To keep your mums tootsies warm this winter.

Available from www.sussan.com.au 

Kikki K Pop-Up Card 'If Mums were flowers I'd pick you' $7.95

Sometimes all you need to do is tell your Mum how much you love her in a card, but it may as well be a damn cute pop-up card from Kikki K.

Available from www.kikki-k.com

Moét Chandon Rose Brut NV Champagne $77.70 

Pink Champagne says I love you better than most gifts. If your Mum likes a few bubbles for her troubles then you can't go wrong with Moét Chandon Rose Brut NV.

available from www.vintagecellars.com.au

I LOVE YOU MUM!

xxx Nella

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Beauté Gazette LOVES Maison Balzac by Elise Pioch

I find it so incredibly tricky picking a candles to sit on your desk, bedside table or next to the bathtub. Firstly there are so many to choose from it seems there is a tsunami of candles on the market at the moment. You don't want a candle that everyone has or that has a scent which is over powering and un-naturally scented which are completely suffocating. Candles in your home should be individual and mimic the notes in your favorite perfume. 

My candle dreams and prayers have been answered! Maison Balzac Candles created by Elise Pioch are a unique and beautiful line of candles inspired by her memories of the South of France. 5 scents have been perfected by her perfumer to recreate the smells of the French Mediterranean.

Le Bois The Wood The warm perfume of an old wooden floor board.

L'Englise The Church The dreamy vapours of incense and burning candles in a church.

La Rose The Rose A french garden filled with sun and old fashioned Roses.

Le Soleil The Sun The raw perfume of the Sun.

Le Sud The South The authentic smell of Provence.

Maison Balzac Candles $45.00 each

I met Elise before she had her sea change and she told me about how she was creating a line of candles, knowing Elise I knew I would love them. She speaks with warmth and listens to you with genuine interest, when you are in her company it makes you feel special. With qualities like that you know whatever she sets her mind and heart to is going to be truly amazing. She was also lovely enough to answer 5 questions I had been desperate to ask her:

What scents are you drawn to and why? Does scent hold nostalgia? Are you drawn  to scents that bring back memories? 

I am in love with scents from the sea and the land. Sea mist, fresh fish, prawn head, oysters, sea weeds on the rocks... But also mushrooms in a forest, soil after the rain, thyme, rosemary, the bark of a pine tree. My parents took us hunting and gathering every week end so these smells are familiar and comforting.

What are your beauty treasures and treats? Are there any special products that you could not live without?

I don't use many products as I believe in natural basics: eating fresh food, drinking lots of thyme/ lemon/ honey tea, being happy and getting surrounded by the nature as often as possible. Of course I tried La Mer and La Prairie products, I don't mind miraculous help from the science!  At the moment I am using Carita serum and moisturizer, they smell like the sea! I could not go anywhere without my New York Red Chanel lipstick.

Current Obsessions?

Totally obsessed with Marni current Pre-Fall 12 in store now, my zucchini seedlings, FIP radio station and home made couscous. Ah also I am in love with Iris Apfel.

What is your favorite thing about what you do? In the process of your candles? 

In order to create my range of candles I have used every piece of knowledge and experience I have gained throughout my professional and personal life. Everything suddenly made sense. I particularly enjoyed the process to decide on a perfume, it is extremely poetic and subjective.

Who is your favorite beauty Icon? 

La belle in The Beauty and The Beast by Jean Cocteau.

Maison Balzac candles are available online from My Chameleon www.mychameleon.com.au

Australian Stockists include: Belinda Stores, Blood Orange, Mark Tuckey, Laine, Poepke, The Corner Shop & Mariposa