This month, we release a deodorant. Aesop Déodorant is a spray containing eleven essential oils that prevent and neutralise underarm odour. Not an antiperspirant, not an aluminum-based roll-on, not a product for athletes but an effective, botanically based product for everyday use. Déodorant also includes Zinc Ricinoleate to inhibit the growth of bacteria. While creating a deodorant we became fascinated by bacteria. Were you aware the axilla (armpit) 'supports one of the highest densities of bacteria on human skin' (Labows et al, 1998) and that 'axillary flora comprises a stable population of (organisms) at densities generally between 500,000/cm2 and 1,000,000c2' (Leyden et al, 1981)? Nothing to be fearful of, but certainly something to be controlled. Déodorant is available in Australia now, and will be in Europe and Asia soon for a pleasingly scented 2010.

DRINK
Henriques & Henriques Verdelho fifteen-year-old Madeira. This is good enough to have Fergus Henderson of London's St John Restaurant leading a one-man crusade to reinstate the practice of elevenses, suggesting a slice of seed cake and a generous slug of Madeira. We wholeheartedly support such a worthwhile endeavour, and on this basis alone suggest you procure a bottle of Henriques & Henriques' finest. Their Verdelho keeps well once opened since it is already fully oxidised.

SUPPORT
French artist Ronan-Jim Sévellec who creates small worlds in wooden boxes. Sévellec's work as a set designer and illustrator led him to crafting intricately detailed imagined worlds in miniature that are so realistic one can sense the smell and warmth of the spaces. Three of Sévellec's pieces will be on display in our Paris store from 26 February. We invite you to visit us and enjoy his unique work.

EAT
The best homemade pasta, purchased from Pastificio Gran Madre, which can be found at Via Villa della Regina 3, 10131 Turin, telephone +39 011 819 32 55. Unless you live in Turin, a trip to this small produce store will be out of the way, but it warrants inclusion in your next Italian holiday itinerary. Following your visit, secure a kitchen worthy of hosting this food of the gods. You may wish to try this recipe from the BBC's extensive food website.

LISTEN
To Yale University's impressive catalogue of podcasts. We particularly recommend Professor Amy Hungerford's online course The American Novel Since 1945, a series of twenty-six lectures, and transcripts of Professor Shelly Kagan's course on mortality. An excellent way to enjoy inspiration without a bothersome exam.

ENJOY
Our new store in Basel's Spalenberg Street, designed by Zurich-based architect Nicolas Vedolin in collaboration with Aesop Director Dennis Paphitis. Our second Swiss store sits in an area known for its providores, theatres, furniture makers and galleries. The building Aesop occupies dates back to the fourteenth century and survived the Basel earthquake of 1356 so we made certain to treat the site with due respect.

DISCOVER
Australian architect Robin Boyd (1919-1971), whose designs and writing have significantly influenced the look of modern domestic dwellings. This year, a fiftieth anniversary edition of Boyd's book The Australian Ugliness will be released, and we urge you to seek it out. Copies will be available for purchase at Aesop's Australian signature stores for a limited period. Aesop sporadically holds events at Boyd House in South Yarra. Our next event is imminent and we will notify those on our mailing list as soon as dates are solid.

WATCH
Mike Leigh's 1990 film Life is Sweet, which would more rightly be called Life is Desperately Difficult. We admire Leigh for having the nerve to begin filming when he has no fixed script, merely an idea worthy of serious exploration and a cast of talented actors willing to assist in crafting the story. We can think of many companies that would do well to learn from this approach. Strong ideas and capable staff are surely the keys to success.

READ
Ian McEwan's Solar, published this month. In this darkly humorous novel built around the topic of global warming, another characteristically unpleasant and damaged McEwan protagonist seeks redemption when a startling opportunity punctures his life. McEwan will be touring the United States in April and speaking at Shakespeare & Co's Writers Festival in June.

HEAR
Prodigiously talented English three-piece family band Kitty, Daisy and Lewis. Young (the oldest is 21), sassy and extremely cool, they'd be easy to dislike, but the trio produce such upbeat, exuberant music you'll be keen to welcome them into your CD collection.

'Better Keep yourself clean and bright. You are the window through which you must see the world.' George Bernard Shaw