It’s this time of the year again where I think about things I want, without worrying too much about whether I can realistically buy them. As I kept adding things, the list is now rather long. I will therefore stop the introduction here and promptly proceed to present the things I want.

Gabriela Hearst Lauren cashmere wrap. So let’s get the most ridiculous thing out of the way first. A while ago, I bought a white Lisa Young cashmere coat/cardigan (which has turned out to be an excellent, much-used buy), and since then I have been looking for something even more – seemingly – impractical. And I have found it. It’s this Gabriela Hearst fringed cashmere wrap. It’s more than 2000 euros at full price, so even with a steep discount, it costs a lot. I have seen other colours 70% off, but I of course want the cream version that almost never goes on sale*. In my mind, it will immediately transform me into a woman of quiet luxury and cosy, effortless elegance. Because of course it will.

Shibumi cashmere robe. On a similar note, I have been lusting after a Shibumi cashmere dressing gown. I bought one of their long cashmere kaftans when I was supposed to go to Saudi Arabia (it was a work trip that got cancelled in the end) and it’s lovely. But what I really want is a dressing gown in Eggshell or Byzantine Gold – they are reversible, so you get two colours in one, which basically makes it a bargain. The bedspreads are absolutely gorgeous as well: Venetian Red is my favourite, but I suspect Eggshell would fit our current home better.

Anine Bing Diana blazer. I have been craving more masculine clothing recently and while I have a number of blazers, the ones I have for colder weather are pretty fitted. I want something more relaxed and I think this Anine Bing blazer fits the bill – it is not too oversized, so would work for the office, too. The problem is that the colourway I’m most drawn to (Lavender Tweed!) is the least masculine of the lot. I should actually get the Cream and Black Fishbone, which would be a much more practical choice. If you have good suggestions for this type of a blazer though, I’m open!

A watch. Continuing the masculine theme, I really want a watch. Not to know the time, of course, but for purely aesthetic reasons. I know nothing about watches beside the fact that I will never be able to afford a vintage Patek Philippe. Well, the other thing I know is that Nordgreen is a bit of an influencer brand, but I do like the look of their watches – and their sustainability credentials. I’m thinking either a two-tone metallic version** that would work with different accessories or a very classic, simple watch with a tan strap.

Celine candles. I was on the Celine website looking for this miniature fragrance set that was on my list two years ago and I still don’t have (but need, obviously – I have a full-size Eau de Californie that I adore). While browsing, I discovered that Celine now also does scented candles. To be honest, the design is almost too Patrick Bateman for my taste, but the description of Papiers Froissés sounds perfect. A candle inspired by writing! Surely this will in turn inspire me to produce a masterpiece! I would also gladly own all Jo Malone charity candles (Iris & Lady Moore and White Lilac & Rhubarb sound especially good) or the entire Townhouse Collection, with the exception of Pastel Macaroons.

Hiram Green Shangri La. Coming to actual perfumes, Hiram Green has brought back his discontinued and much missed Shangri La fragrance. After Moon Bloom, this was always my favourite from the line and as I have been complaining very loudly about its absence, I really must get it. It is a wonderful chypre, classic but interesting. I am usually not the biggest fan of 100% natural perfumes, as they tend to feel heavy, but Green’s compositions are impeccable. And he operates in the Netherlands, which is nice.

Aromatherapy Associates Revive Morning Bath & Shower Oil. Full disclosure: I received a full set of Aromatherapy Associates bath and shower oils from Peaufiné, a lovely beauty shop in Antwerp. I am absolutely not obliged to write about the products, which of course made me more inclined to write about them. I am not a big oil person and aromatherapy isn’t really my thing either. But these oils are great quality and they came to my life at the right time. I don’t use them in the bath, I just put a couple of drops between my palms and stand in the shower, inhaling. This is my kind of meditation/breathwork and I’m telling you, it works. Out of the 10 scents in the set, Revive Morning is my favourite and I am seriously considering a full size when I run out of my minis.

Hermes nail polish. Last year, I started to wear nail polish again, something I hadn’t done for years***. It’s been mostly very classic, Chanel Rouge Noir and Smith & Cult’s Lover’s Creep. So originally, I was going to put Gucci’s Peggy Sunburn and Melinda Green on the list, to spice things up a bit (and these are still great shades!). But then I realised that I’m actually craving boring nail polish, so Hermes Rose Porcelaine, Rouge H and Brun Bistre won the day.

Tiffany & Co coffee cups that look like disposable cups. Just because. I would have already bought these, but haven’t figured out how to get them shipped here.

A water bottle. I have lost my Wonder Woman water bottle that I used in the gym for years. Considering that you could no longer tell that it said ‘Wonder Woman’, it was perhaps not a huge loss. However, since then I have been drinking from a Hello Kitty bottle that my daughter used in third grade. I have no problem with Hello Kitty (I always feel badass drinking from that bottle), but it’s simply too small. So I would really like something bigger – and equally badass. Ideas welcome.

Reflections Copenhagen South Beach vase. I think this crystal vase looks magnificent. I don’t really have a house/apartment to match, but love this well-balanced mix of good taste and camp. It’s not even my style, but that of course makes me want it more.

Aerin weekend bag. I do not like brown suede, but I am inexplicably obsessed with this Aerin (Lauder) bag. It is because I saw Aerin herself carry it on Instagram and now it seems like no other weekend bag is quite right. One doesn’t need to have a PhD in psychology to deduce that it’s not so much the bag itself I want, but the lifestyle of people who have suede weekend bags that they carry nonchalantly between their city and country homes (in fact, she was nonchalantly carrying two, a mini one in sand and an oversized one in dark brownish grey). It’s not even THAT expensive by designer bag standards, but another thing I cannot order from Europe.

So, here’s my modest list of things I like to look at when work stress gets too much. Anything you have been craving lately?

*I know it looks like it’s on sale here, but it’s not actually available. They do it just to taunt me. 

**It seems they no longer have the one I wanted! Aaaarrgghhh!

***This statement is only valid for fingernails, I’m pretty consistent with my pedicure+polish routine.

The photo has nothing to do with the text, it’s just a recent one I have, taken by Laura Nestor. Hair by Natallia at Helen Heinroos Hair, makeup by Solveig Jõgisoo.