A Touch Too Much; Le Mani di Fornasetti.

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I'm fascinated by this candle by Fornasetti (whose website is a work of art in itself). With top notes of thyme and lavender, a heart of orris and cedarwood, and a base of incense, I can imagine this somehow smelling both rich and fresh. I say imagine, because I've never had the fortune - quite literally - to smell this candle: it retails at £99. Which not only is completely impossible for me, but quite possibly immoral too. Still, like the candle I wished for on Wednesday, it's evidently a luxury item, and looks beautiful. So I can admire it from afar.

What appeals most to me is the design of the ceramic jar the candle comes in - I love these surreal, slightly limp looking hands, and I can't even really say why. I imagine they'd look almost scary when the candle was set alight above their fingertips...

Maybe they appeal because they bring to mind this drawing by M. C. Escher.

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What's a creature comfort you would spend a lot on, if you could? I'm really bad at shopping and am not often very interested in expensive things, but this candle has captured my imagination.

Lavish Luxuries: Jo Malone.

There's something both spooky and sweet about Jo Malone's latest campaign for her Wild Bluebell scent, which keeps catching my eye in the shop window on my wanderings. The image makes me think of a slightly sinister, supine fusion of Alice in Wonderland and Marie Antoinette, and the scent is apparently inspired by an eponymous contemporary fairy tale. I had thought I wouldn't like the smell (I normally find bluebell scents too sweet), but Jo Malone's blend is beautiful - it's fresh and feisty, and so different from what you'd expect.

Of course, at £36 for 30mls and £76 for 100mls, it most definitely is an absolute luxury, and one which I cannot permit myself. Jo Malone scents are so unique and wonderful, but I don't think many people I know would treat themselves to one very often, as the prices seem unjustifiable for spending on your self. However, my White Jasmine & Mint body crème which I was given for my birthday is just so perfect, and a little goes a very long way.

Extravagance aside, throughout the month of October, for each bottle of Red Roses Hand and Body Wash sold within the UK, Jo Malone will donate £5 to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation's UK grants - giving you a very good reason to get yourself a wonderful treat, or buy one for someone special.