Christmas Gift Guide: Grooming

Ernest is constantly being told he smells really, really great. He's actually getting rather tired of it, so much so he's divulging his grooming secrets with the rest of you to share the burden. It is the season of sharing after all.

Shaving kit, Mensphere, £50

This beautiful set is designed to put a shimmy in your shave by bathing your lucky face in the finest ingredients.The shaving cream contains argan oil to soften the hair and lift the beard, nourishing the skin and protecting against razor burn. You can apply the cream with the badger hair shaving brush elegantly rolled in handcrafted Italian leather. It’s the kind of pampering your face deserves. Nay, demands!

 

Eucris, Geo F Trumper, £44

This was James Bond’s favourite scent, mentioned in ian Fleming’s 1956 novel Diamonds are Forever. Eucris has earned a permanent place on Ernest's bathroom shelf. Whenever he douses himself in its peppery, sandalwood scent he feels ready for anything. Scent: sandalwood, musk, moss, jasmine, cumin, coriander and blackcurrant.

 

Mark One safety razor, oil and flannel, Thomas Clipper, £65

Thomas Clipper has had one hell of a year, smashing its crowd funding target last month and going into production soon after. Their Mark One razor (which reminds us rather of a bullet shell) uses single blade razors that give a more accurate shave and doesn't tug and pull at the skin like a multi-blade. Kit includes a Mark One razor, a year's worth of blades, Frankincense shaving oil and exfoliating cotton flannel.

 

Bamboo toothbrush, Brsh Collective, £4.99 each, £20 for a year's subscription

Brsh Collective make sustainable, biodegradable, organic bamboo toothbrushes that are so bright and cheerful everyone must have one in their toothbrush holder above the sink, or in their toiletry bag, or in the medicine cabinet, or wherever, jeez. You can even subscribe and receive a fresh toothbrush every three months.

 

Bath Oil, Ambre, The Future Kept, £18

A dribble of this invigorating blend of rosemary, thyme and mint essential oil in your bath every night will set you right for 2015. Ambre Botanicals herbal bath oil is hand crafted in the UK from 100% raw plant source. Sounds tasty. Don't drink the bath water, though.

 

Mr Willie Mack's All-Over Wax, Mr Natty, £28

This is the daddy of multipurpose products. Dry skin? Rub it on. Flaky scalp? Massage some in. Wherever you happen to have skin, Mr Natty’s wax will make it smoother, softer and fresher. It comes in a 100ml tin that will last you ages, and it has a fresh citrus but not overpowering fragrance. Great used on hands after climbing or rough work.

You can read our guide to Wild Colognes in print issue 2 of Ernest Journal, on sale now.

Christmas Gift Guide: Books

A museum in a book, a field guide to coffee and a compilation of letters written by the most influential people in the world – these books deserve a permanent place on your loved one's shelf or coffee table

Animalium, by Jenny Broom
Big Picture Press
£20

A museum in a book? A sure Ernest pleaser. While away the hours poring over this satisfyingly large book with its curated 'rooms' and beautifully detailed illustrations of over 160 animal specimens. A work of art. 

Coffee: A Modern Field Guide, by Mat North
We Hunt & Gather
£8

Mat North featured in our slow coffee feature in print issue 1 and he owns the buzzing Full Court Press cafe in Bristol. A coffee guru? Yep we'd say so. In this marvellous little book he is your guide to the coffee bean from plant to cup.  

Inventions That Didn't Change The World, by Julie Halls
Thames & Hudson
£19.95

Beautiful drawings of Victorian inventions, which hadn’t seen the light of day for over a century, are compiled in this new book – some clever, some downright bizarre. Ernest’s particular favourites are the Anti-Garrotting Cravat (born out of the garrotting scare in the mid 19th century) and the ventilating top hat.

The World in 1900, by Marc Walter
Thames & Hudson
£24.95

The photochrome process, perfected in 1889, harnessed new technologies to combine the accuracy of a photograph with the richness and colour of a painting. In this book you'll find 300 images from the heyday of this technique. A vanished world comes alive - landscapes and portraits from all over the globe. 

Letters of Note, by Shaun Usher
Canongate Unbound
£30

Features editor Abi bought this book after hearing Benedict Cumberbatch recite extracts from it at Hay Festival back in May and she read it from cover to cover in three days. Heartwarming, hilarious and at times heart breaking – this book demonstrates the power of letter writing and why it's so important to keep the art alive. Features letters written by Charles Dickens, Iggy Pop and Virginia Woolf.

The Outsiders: New Outdoor Creativity, by Robert Klanten
Die Gestalten Verlag
£36.99

Buy this book for anyone drawn to life in the great outdoors. A stunning compilation of inspiring images, ideas, essays and products by the most creative and visionary outdoor brands. A life changer and a keeper.  

A fine winter coating

We've curated this selection of British-made outerwear that will have you cackling in the face of our unpredictable weather. Rain? Wind? Herring? Have it, you!

1. One Nine Zero Six Ventile Parka, £199

This waterproof drawstring parka (very much of of the flashing ilk) is made of Ventile – a 100% cotton material invented in the 1940s for pilots' flying suits. It's durable, breathable and lots of other words that end in 'able'. 


2. BEE Autumn Stroller Jacket, £340

Designed with the changeable autumn weather in mind, this navy and yellow jacket (always a winning colour combo for Ernest) comes with a removable storm cape and wind shield collar. All coats should come with a storm cape, right?


3. BEE Duffle Coat, £360

We love BEE Clothing's spin on the duffle coat, weaving in all the classic essentials such as the large front pockets, horn buttons and roomy hood but finishing it off with a snazzy printed shoulder yoke rather reminiscent of father's pyjamas.


4. BEE Signature Jacket, £300

There are multiple reasons why we keep harping on about this awesome jacket. It's water repellant, it's reversible, it's warm and just look at that colour! So orange it hurts the eye, but in a good way. With this coat you'll be ready and armed for whatever the weather throws at you.


5. Percival Eiger Jacket, £109

This versatile jacket from London clothier Percival caught our eye for its distinctive beeswaxed cotton panelling, horn buttons, removable hood (also lined with waxed cotton so rain runs off) and its fetching bunting patterned inner lining. Even Ernest likes a bit of bunting.  

6. Lavenham Hundon Worker Jacket, £99

When Lavenham aren't making quilted horse rugs and waistcoats they craft these classic country jackets too, in quilted diamond cord. Perfect for walking the dog on a frosty morning, leaves crunching underfoot, thinking "I fancy a spot of grouse for lunch, what what."

We chose this selection of coats from our Directory member Made In These Isles, an online store that sources and showcases the finest products that have been designed, crafted and manufactured in the British Isles. If you would like to join our directory, email advertise@ernestjournal.co.uk.

Inspire a two-wheeled adventure

Are you currently moulded to your sofa as one entity, iPhone in hand, Sugar Puffs welded to your backside? One of these awesome cycle prints on your wall will have you leaping about in your padded lycra shorts in seconds

'Chop 'til you drop' print, £25

For the Chopper geek in your life, this fun silk screen print is illustrated by Harriet Seed on white A3 paper. This is a limited edition of 35 and each one is signed and numbered by the artist.

 

Bike Sis print, £12

Bike Sis is the coolest bike chick we know, illustrated by Ruby Taylor. Print is A4 size - it will be available in A3 soon. Godspeed also sell matching greeting cards.

 

Mountain Climb print, £20

Ain't no mountain high enough. This inspiring print by Sam Brewster is perfect for the ambitious cyclist and will get even the most cushion-enveloped sofa dweller in the mood for a two-wheeled adventure. Printed in the UK.

 

Velo print, £20

We love the tiny heads in Joe Waldron's illustrations. This A3 VELO print is produced exclusively for Godspeed.

 

We chose this selection of prints from our Directory member Godspeed, an online store that aims to cater for the style conscious bicycle lover.  

City cycling essentials

Deadly nightshade lights, a rather distinguished copper bell and a basket woven from tropical elephant grass: what more could you ask for? 

Vickers Roadster Bicycle, £2,199, Made in these Isles

First things first, if you’re after a city cycling kit, your primary purchase if you haven’t yet got one, should be of course, a bike. According to Vickers, the Roadster bicycle is 'the essential city bicycle for the modern man'. It's a timeless classic and every bit of it, from the frame to the tyres is made right here in Britain.

 

Bookman Lights, £16.95 (choice of four colours), Godspeed

Functional and stylish, these Bookman lights are result of a clever collaboration with The Deadly Nightshades and they come in four awesome colours with awesome names; Pitch Black, Sea Foam, Velo Yellow and Spoked Salmon. They're easy to attach and have three different light modes.

 

Bee Bi Cycle to Commuter Jacket, Bee Clothing, £295, Made in these Isles

This genius jacket from Bee Clothing serves as both a commuter and cycle jacket in one. Wear it as a lightweight regular jacket when travelling on foot, then reverse to reveal a waterproof hi-vis shell for wearing while cycling, combining both style and functionality. Hold us back.

 

Sorengi Copper Bell, Godspeed, £35, Godspeed

Dinga-linga-ling. You just won’t be able to stop ringing this beauty from Sörengi in all its shiny brass goodness when politely asking those walking commuters to shift out of your way.

 

George the Crew Bag, £150, Millican

This limited edition crew bag is the ideal urban cycling companion. Its deceptively spacious inside, with a main compartment for holding a laptop, and two large front pockets for storing valuables. Made from weatherproof organic cotton canvas, it will withstand the great British weather too!

 

Handwoven Bicycle Baskets (selection), £45, Godspeed

Jazz up your bicycle with one of these of a kind baskets, woven from tropical elephant grass. Each one is completely unique and made by hand, and comes with the name of their personal weaver stitched inside it. Bring a touch of the exotic to your handlebars!

 

Urban Poncho, Otto London, £88 (in green, blue and grey), Godspeed

Don’t let those unexpected downpours spoil your commute to work, with this rather fetching urban poncho from Godspeed. Pack it in your kit and you'll never get a soaking again. Made from Oxford Nylon, it's lightweight and most importantly WATERPROOF, and even has handlebar straps to keep your lap dry when it's extra wet.

 

Iceburg Bike Hanger, £350, Godspeed

If you can't bare to leave your bike outside in the cold, bring it indoors and give it pride of place on your wall with this stunning bit of craftsmanship by Iceburg. This bike hanger is made from oak and birch and its striking angles make it a work of art in itself. Your spanking Roadster deserves nothing less, surely?

 

Words: Sam Young

We chose this fine array of cycling items from our directory members, a delectable troupe of independent brands, makers and artisans who can cater for every sartorial, grooming, leisure and office need.