This month our ed’s all about unpacking gorgeous packages of treats!
We’re not joking. These are the most beautiful chocolates we have ever seen. Bon bons that look like works of art. And once you’ve oohed and aahed and photographed (they scream Instagram me), you’ll find they taste as good as they look. Made locally by Cocoa Africa, each exquisite bon bon is filled with a flavoured ganache, caramel or nut praline made with French and Belgium coverture chocolate. This 16 piece set costs R360, but there are other options, too, on cocoaafrica.co.za
A box of half a dozen individual soaps … with fragrances of Baobab and African Ginger, Marula and Kalahari Melon.
All 100 per cent natural, vegan and cruelty free, they’re R250
for a box of six from brunolifestyle.co.za
Little boxes of delightfully scented light. The Cape Island fragrance family have just introduced their Votive Candle Gift Set … scented mini candles with Cape Island’s signature gold foil detail and luxury fragrance. Perfect for travelling, lovely for small rooms and excellent for gifts (how much lovelier would it be to get a box of these as a hostess gift for a change, instead of the usual flowers-and-wine). R395 from capeisland.co.za/collections/mini-gift-sets
Just Gorgeous could just as well be called Just Perfect. These luxurious macarons – in flavours like Pistachio, Spiced Fig or Chai Tea, Lemon Meringue, Ferrero Rocher or Biscoff – are packaged in beautifully hand-crafted gift boxes that are oh-la-la elegant. What’s more … you can order as they are, or, if you order 18 or more, you can have them custom designed (the recent Tintin macarons, designed for a birthday party, were amazing … go and look on Insta @justgorgeousbrand). There are also brownies and custom cakes and all things delicious. R180 for a box of six, larger luxury gift boxes (ed’s note: choose the big one!) too. Order on justgorgeous.co.za
Next time you light a fire (*hums – come on baby*), try these eco-friendly – and really beautiful – Lifestyle Now Natural Fire Starters, fuelled by clean-burning fynbos, recycled materials and wax. With no harsh chemicals, they’re free from toxic fumes and nasty odours and are a much better choice for you and the environment than the conventional options. Handmade in Knysna, the easy to light cubes are environmentally friendly, extremely stable, have a long shelf life, don’t lose firepower, and are non-explosive and non-toxic (so they can be stored safely near or with food and are harmless when in contact with plants or vegetation). Plus they start your fires fast (even in tough conditions like wind, dampness and rain) and without dangerous flare-ups. The burning time 15 to 20 minutes and a box of 20 costs R80. Order online from lifestylenow.co.za
Could there be a more welcome treat than a long soak in a warm bath? We think not. It really is the best time of the day. And our ed’s besotted with this Africology’s Bath Rituals pack … the perfect bespoke bath-time experience. With little 25ml minis (she loves a mini) of Bath Soak, Magnesium Bath Milk, Bath Salts, Body Scrub, Detox Mud, and Muscle Ease Rub … it’s a treat for yourself, and a jolly thoughtful gift to give a mum, sister, colleague who needs some time to herself to relax, let go and float into a state of bliss. R529 from africologyspa.com
