Fantasy Shopping Trip

I need a pick me up and quick. Too much work and not enough shopping makes me want to SURF! It's my birthday in just under a month and I've decided to create my ultimate present wish list (hubby take note) with a wander down my Fantasy High Street. Let's go!:

1. Cinderela B Bea Bee Silver Necklace from House Knutsford £23.00

I am extremely discerning about jewellery and this is exquisite.

2. Butterfly Bowl from Rigby & Mac £29.95

I want this, full of wild lavender, in the middle of my kitchen island.

3. Place Name Holders from Primrose & Plum (set of 4) £15.00

Place settings are close to my heart at the moment. I would love to spread my table with these lovely things, filled with herbal sprigs.

4. Roller Towel from Pedlars £10.99

I recently found an old wooden, towel rail and screwed it into the island in the kitchen. Now all I need is one of these!

5. Stripe Ribbon Spool from Pale & Interesting £23.00

I've got yards of linen in my studio just waiting for this.

6. Initial Charm From Highland Angel £8.00 

An "A" please Michael! ; ) 

Two For Tea

My toddler has been invited to her first proper birthday party so this calls for a big post.  In honour of her mate Esme's 2nd birthday (and because HM's recent insatiable interest in the content of my jewellery box has indicated that she is a real girl now) I will break things down into two important shopping areas. Outfit and present. Let's start with the clothes!:

Outfit

1. Wild Things - Funky Little Dresses by Kirsty Hartley £32.00

The retro look: So funky and pretty without being too pink and girly. Gorgeous!

2. Sister's Guild Bobo Choses Dress £35.00

The casual chic look: I can just imagine how gorgeous this would look with some white pedal pushers and bare feet.

3. Bethany Dress by The Eggcup Clothing Company £100.00

The classic elegant look: A touch more formal but absolutely to die for and the vintage rose print makes it truly spectacular.

4. Tutu by Cotton Fairies £14.99

The junior fashionista look: I love the punky-ness of this pretty little skirt casually paired with a faux-fur jacket and bother boots. Adorable. 

5. Pink Loafers by Skeanie £34.99

I've just ordered a pair of these for her along with a couple of other styles from the Skeanie website which now ships to the UK. Paediatrically-approved and much more stylish than anything Clarks has to offer, I anticipate becoming a regular. 

6. Port Red Shoes by Livie & Luca £34.99

They look sort of edible don't they? Love them.

7. Flower Shoes by My Little Boots £16.75

Reassuringly sturdy while being irresistibly dainty.

Gift

1. Wooden Biscuit Game  by Ella James Living £12.00

Fun, educational and so pretty. I love the vintage box too.

2. Personalised Embroidered Nursery Cushion by Big Stitch £48.00

Slightly pricer but timeless, tasteful and classic. Something to keep forever. 

3. Rubber Stamp Set by Lollipop Designs £7.50

Most two-year old girls will be getting into art by now in a major way. These collections of stamps in sweet little bags will keep them well occupied while creating their daily masterpiece.

4. Allsorts Button Bracelet by The Blue Pebble £9.60

Edible. That is all.

5. Owl Handbag by Vicky Davison £12.00

Pretty to display in a bedroom and perfect for toting about all those little everyday essentials like toy cars, bangles and small toys.

Special Event. Special Baby

In two weeks we're off to the smoke again for the Christening of my oldest friend's daughter; the gorgeous Georgina.  Little G (as she is affectionately known) is almost two years old and I now find myself charged with the task of finding an original and meaningful gift for this very special little girl on this most special of events. Practical is (almost) totally out of the window on this one but I must confess that 'keepsakes' in the traditional sense of the word does leave me a little cold. Somewhere in between is the answer. Here are my findings...

1. Hunter First Wellies in Yellow £25.00

I recently bought a pair of these for my own daughter (now 16 months). They appeal to me not just because they are insanely cool but also because they have a timelessness about them that means that at some stage in the future they will no doubt end up in some keepsake frame of her early clothing that I will feel obliged to create for her bedroom. 

2. Cooking Play Set by Weaving Hope Fair Trade Gifts £39.50

It's not just because she's a girl! The fun kids get out of mimicry would make this lovely set of toys appeal to any child and I particularly love the fact that you can spread it out on a table top for extra authenticity.

3. Extending Ivory Pearl Bracelet by Highland Angel £22.00

I can't tell you how much I love this company's stuff. It's just out of this this world and what I particularly love about this bracelet is that it is suitable for a little girl but can become a piece of jewellery for a young lady too. Timeless genius! 

4. Dorcas The Duck Wooden Chair from The Little Ark £79.00

There are a number of different styles of this chair from The Little Ark but I've have a real obsession for egg yolk yellow at the moment. It maybe a bit of rebellion against girly pink. Choose from labradors, chickens, elephants and rabbits in a rainbow of colours and the parents will thank you because it will look classic and chic in the nursery amongst the forest of plastic. 

5. Personalised Framed Papercut by Kayleigh's Papercuts at FromTheWilde.com £45.00  

Girls names are so pretty. What better way to celebrate a new life than something that simply records the important facts. Intricate and elegant. Say no more! 

Mum's The Word

Now here's a subject I'm something of an expert on. Mums. I have one. I am one. I know loads. And while, although like Valentine's Day, I think it is a celebration for everyday, this year the appointed date is 18th March not three weeks from now. A mother's day gift will naturally be personal to the sender but there are themes that can give us some ideas. Like saying Thank You, I love you and I appreciate everything that you do for me. In my case, I have such a lot to be grateful for and it truly will be the thought that counts because no gift of any value could possibly do it justice. With that in mind, here is some last-ish minute inspiration from some of my favourite shops to help keep your Mother's Day both original and meaningful this year. 

1. Mug cosy by Bridget Wilkinson from £12.00 

2. Personalised Cotton Beach Bag from 3 Blonde Bears £12.00

3. Turn a work of art into a work of art - Lucy Made This at NotOnTheHighStreet.com - from £65.00

4. Silver Star Pearl Earrings by Highland Angel £22.00

5. Original Watercolour Landscape Painting - Steep Approach (unframed) - by Paul Bailey £75.00

6. Handmade Liberty Print iPhone Case from Wood & Willow £16.25

7. Parisienne Sewing Box from The Dot Com Gift Shop £29.95

8. Large Decorative Ceramic Plate by Rob Ryan at The Gifted Penguin £19.99

God Bless You Ma'am

With the anniversary today of Her Majesty's accession to the throne and a summer full of Diamond Jubilee celebrations planned, just for the fun of it, I'm digging up some royal loveliness. Not a "Keep Calm & Carry On" motto in sight. Here are some truly original patriotic present ideas fit for a Queen. God Bless You Ma'am!

1. Karen Hilton Designs Set of 3 Cushions £94.04

2. Queen Bee Pendant With Crown by Emillina Ballerina £9.73

3. Handprinted Commemorative Cushion by HELKATDESIGN £41.00

4. Empire Ribbons (Set of 6) 150cm of each from The DotComGiftShop.com £3.95

5. Corgi Brooch by Finest Imaginary £15.00

6. Chess Piece King & Queen Salt & Pepper Grinders from Sage Inspired by Life £38.00 

7. Drama Queen Shopper from Alphabet Bags £12.00

On the 17th Day of Christmas...

I'm not normally a fan of giving jewellry. It's so personal and there is so much dross about that it's rare that you find something that your know will genuinely touch the recipient. This is why I was so excited when I found the jewellery range at Highland Angel; an amazing array of simple designs matching multi-coloured pearls with smooth, clean silver charms. There is something in this shop for every woman in your life and for every occasion. I particularly like the idea of the Little Angel Collection as truly meaningful flower girl gifts. The Silver-Grey Pearl Bracelet with Initial & Star Charm £34.00 (above) is going on my wishlist but, I'll admit, it was a very tough choice between this and some of their fabulous drop earrings. I may have to have both. Simply exquisite.

Showcase: Rigby & Mac

Just one more day and the countdown to Christmas officially begins so it's time for another great British shopping showcase. Rigby & Mac is a very stylish store made all the more perfect by the fact that it's eclectic range of products means it is possible to cater for many different tastes. I've had a good browse and come up with some inspirational finds for the holiday season.

1. Leather wrap-around bracelet £24.95

Personally, I'd like this in tan or olive. It's clean and elegant without being too dressy. I think it would look wonderful with a casual shirt, jeans and boots for that priceless "what, this old thing?" look. All in all, an excellent, modern present for a young woman. 

2. Numbered hook wall rack £55.00

I love this but then I am a total sucker for anything with ceramic knobs on it! The driftwood panel is so understated and provides a lovely contrast for the smooth, creamy hooks and sage green stencilled numbers. I can see this in the hallway of a period house adorned with colourful coats and scarves. It would make a great present for friends with big families by giving everyone their own peg. 

3. Mini kit £9.95

My godson's family recently moved to the country from the suburbs. Now they live right next door to a large section of Dartmoor National Park so, for his birthday in August, I sent him a kite not dissimilar to this so that he and his gadget-mad dad could go out and spend some man time together on weekends. Apparently, it has been a huge hit. A lovely gift for a small boy or girl and a the perfect thing to get everyone out on Boxing Day to walk off the excesses of Christmas dinner.

4. Ribbon watch £16.95

Both timepiece and fashion accessory, I bought this for a friend's daughter's 6th birthday last year and she absolutely loved it. Apart from the excitement of being able to match her watch strap to her outfits everyday (they grow up so fast!), it was a good way to keep her up to speed on telling the time and makes a great first watch.

5. Silver plated preserves lid £15.50

This is a highly unusual bit of silvery fun and would be perfect for someone who, like me, likes to make a bit of a feature of their condiments and sauces on a big lazy susan in the middle of their kitchen table. It comes in two styles: strawberry and orange (my favourite) and is presented in a gift box but I would probably send it packaged up with the jam or marmalade pot too.

6. Sophie Conran measuring utensils £22.25

We started our Sophie Conran for Portmeirion collection with our wedding gift list. It is the most beautiful pottery and we have collected many pieces since...but we don't have these! Adorable little measuring jugs with handwritten measurements on the inside. Like most of the range, they look like little sculptures, display beautifully and would put a big smile on the face of any enthusiastic cook.