GUEST HOUSE

At Ofuroya yest for a year end bath, it occurred to me that I never posted on my visit to their Healesville outpost, the Japanese Bath House Guest House. Run by Ofuroya founder Hiromi Masuoka, the Guest House has two small abodes fitted with J-style deep baths. Soaking while taking in the country setting was heavenly, as was the monk-style vegetarian dinner and traditional breakfast. Located at 8 Fleay Road, Healesville, the Japanese Bath House Guest House is just 90 kilometres from Melbourne's CBD. $250 to $270 a night per couple includes breakfast and welcome drinks. Visit Ofuroya to book.

NATURE'S GATE

 

I've become a bit obsessed with Into The Gloss of late (I can't wait to hit New York next month and stock up on Tata Harper skincare and Rodin oils). That said, I think Nature's Gate products are just as good as the Alba Botanica ones The Top Shelf ladies rave about - the 'seven healthy hair nutrients' (for instance, borage flower seed oil for a healthy scalp) in their shampoos and conditioners leave my hair the most lustrous and least bouffant it's ever been. And smelling divine! Plus Nature's Gate is chain store cheap, the bottles pictured above under $10 a pop from Priceline. Check out their glossary of ingredients here.

THE SWEDISH SUMMER SOAP

I spied Nesti Dante's The Swedish Summer Soap while at Kleins Perfumery in Fitzroy yest. Though a bit confused as what makes this soap Scandinavian (it's made by a big Florentine company, one of the few left in Europe still using the classic cauldron method in production), I absolutely adore it's nautical packaging and zingy citrus scent. The perfect morning pick-me-up, whether on land or at sea! You can buy it here for just $9.95.

OFUROYA

Yes, I know I bang on about Ofuroya all day long.

But I want to give a special shout-out to Hiromi and Mocca Masuoka, the amazing mother and daughter team behind the only proper sento in Oz, because when I stopped by for a soak this morn they informed me that this year is their tenth in operation. Mazel tov and omedeto to the Masuokas for reaching their aluminium anniversary!  

I was also told that construction on three ryokan at their picturesque property in Healesville has begun, and am now counting down the sleeps until I can visit in May. In the meantime, there is always Ofuroya, so close by at 59 Cromwell Street, Collingwood. 

CRAWFISH

I'm one of those people who finds tooth brushing in the shower a bit weird, but I would change my ways in a Tokyo second for Crawfish-chan over here. Be sure to take a squiz around Plywood - they have some seriously extraord stuff that can be shipped through Rakuten. I am also swooning all over this smiling bento set called Use Me, ha!