Giving: Jane Hess

Jane Hess aka Medora of Instagram, shares her ideas and favorites for giving this year. Her sense of humor and storytelling has garnered her a stellar following on the social media site. As "Medora," her oft times tongue & cheek comments, along with her keen knowledge of social history makes her Instagram feed a "stop and read" marvel.

"I love great soap with a beautiful scent and pretty bars. My favourite, from France, is Blanc Lila or White Lilac, a round white soap decorated with violets." here

"I love many different brands of scented candles but invariably the headiest and most lasting scents are from one of two French companies - Cire Trudon or Diptyque. Here, the latter's three Christmas offerings, which will seduce you and your guests into thinking they're surrounded by a forest of pine."

"I love what I call 'Araby' scents, such as this exotic one from Byredo here "

A Second Scent?
"Bluebell is Penhaligon's most beloved scent, redolent of spring in the English countryside. But I prefer one of its lesser known eau de toilettes, the refreshing and romantic Lily of the Valley here."

"If you need statement gloves and they must be the chicest, coolest and best, look to Prada. And because you don't want ever to matchy-match these mottled pea-green ones will go with everything."

great gloves at Bergdorf's here 

"Gucci rules the fashion world right now so if you want to get on the bandwagon consider a pair of the Italian brand's glamorous new statement leather pumps - perfect for holiday parties - with a lower bamboo effect heel and gobsmacking red cherries as embellishment. Head designer Alessandro Michele nails it again! here"

"To set a beautiful table is one of life's pleasures. I love the colourfully patterned selection of Indian table linens in pure cotton from Anmol Imports, based in Toronto, here "

Jane's book pick? "Fit for a Queen" here

"I adore these Porthault Linens Fleurs de Pecher in blue. I have the pink and they are charming here."

"I love love these and in real they are big and magnificent! Exclusive to Design Within Reach - a favourite store for modern iconic furniture and accessories, here"

Find Jane on ig here.  Jane is a former newspaper reporter, and magazine editor who loves having beautiful obsessions-fashion, the history of fashion, literature in particular Virginia Woolf and other English women writers, the Bloomsbury Group, et al. 
Now you know why I am such a "Medora" fan.