September Prize Draw!

Well the summer is slowly drawing to an end, and Autumn will soon be rolling in, so we all need a little lift, and what better way than to treat yourself to some lovely goodies, and be in with a chance to win some more!? From the 1st - 3oth September if you spend £25 or more (not incl. p&p) at the Patchwork Harmony online boutique, you will be automatically entered into the prize draw... First prize is a lovely bathroom set, which includes a cute tin with a rose soap, a bag filled with lavender and a glass jar with lovely rose bud pot pourri...

And one runner up will win a lovely garden bits bucket, and you can even choose from: Bucket One: coir pot, twine, a selection of seeds, wooden plant labels and pencil.
OR
Bucket Two: Unbleached cotton gloves, wooden plant labels, flower scissors, twine.

Winners will be notified by email, and announced on the website in early October.

Be sure to tell your friends & family, it is open to everyone! Good Luck!
xxx

So cute AND Educational!

I have just came across the lovely English Muffin shop on the Shop Bug blog... and think these prints are just the cutest!
Founder Bess Callard runs the shop from Vienna in Austria (I really want to go there!!) and is an English teacher and graphic designer... she has combined these skills to create these gorgeous prints which are also educational!
They are obviously fab for a kids room, but I think they would look great in any room!

Craftaholics

Wow, its seems there may be a craft fair in London for every weekend of the year these days! Tea & Make last week, and this week Craftaholics will be happening in Angel, Islington.
Clothes, jewellery and crafts all made by the fair hands of the fabulous designers out there, it really is so fantastic to see this resurgence for the love of handmade original things!

Check out their blog for info on the designers who will be there...
I love these beautiful vintage teacup candles, by Mags Mcginnis... I don't think I will ever tire of vintage china... and the best thing about these is that you can get them refilled at Unpackaged



Also, I love the ceramic work of Louise Graham... I love things that are pretty but functional, so these are really cool....! You just add these onto the packaging to make them easier to use and more stylish! genius! :) I think my fave is the milk pourer....




I also love these little ceramic brooches! cute!


So, put it in your diary, this Sat - 29th Aug at The Old Queens Head in Islington, London!!

xxx

Vintage wedding perhaps?

Congratulations to one of my oldest friends Emma and her brand new fiancé Conor who just announced their engagement last week! How exciting!

If you are also just starting to plan your wedding you should definitely check out recently launched vintage event company Doily Days.


They offer a fantastic bespoke service, whether all you need is some beautiful vintage china to dress your tables or if you need the full works - flowers, photographer, transport etc!

Their table dressing is stunning, mismatched china, country garden flowers and old fashioned sweets... and I love the ideas for favours - small pots of homemade jams and pickles or lavender bags made from individually sourced vintage fabrics... Gorgeous!





And if you want to arrive in vintage style there is always the VW Beetle or Campervan!


They can even supply a '1930's style paparazzi' as your photographer!

I think Doily Days is a fantastic concept, and really reasonably priced, so if you've got that rock on your finger be sure to check them out! or even if you just want to throw a party... mmm... maybe thats my 30th sorted?! :)

PS Doily Days has just started a blog too, so keep updated on what they are doing here.

xxx

Composting with Class!

Mouldy rotten food is not the most glamourous of things is it? But as we all try to do our bit for the environment with recycling our household waste and composting food scraps, we might as well try to do it with a bit of style!! and lets face it, the kitchen caddies supplied by our local councils are just not cutting it in the style stakes! SO, I went in search of some kitchen composters we'd be proud to have on display, and I have to say, it wasn't the easiest of jobs! I am definitely seeing a gap in the market there! But here are my pick of the best....

1. Probably one of the ones you've seen around the most - Garden Trading - £18, comes in 3 colours.

2. From the lovely Jamie Oliver's range - £20

3. If you got a bit of a stainless steel look going on in your kitchen, this might be the one for you.... £29.95 from the Guardian Eco Store

4. For a bit of fun and a splash of colour, this seems to be your only option! £19.49 at Lakeland.
I love the shade of red!
5. For a bit more of a contemporary shape check out Lakeland again for this one £14.89
6. This cute ceramic one is the one that I went for! and it is looking 'very nice too' lined up next to our new Brabantia bin! Pick up from verynice2.com for £22.56
7. For any readers in the US youve got the option of this lovely little bamboo one! anyone know of one like this available in the UK? Available from Olive Barn for $39.95.
8. And finally, I think this one may have been my 2nd choice, I really like the olive green colour. £16.95 from Burgon & Ball, and comes with 2 Burgon & Ball liners.
Would love to hear what your faves are and if you know of any other lovely ones that I've missed!

xxx

Tea & Make Craft fair

Well I think 2009 has definitely proved itself as the year of 'Make do and Mend' and long may it continue, especially if it goes on producing so many fantastic new craft events around the country.

So if you happen to be at a loose end this Saturday (22nd Aug) and are in London, you should definitely try and pop down to Forest Hill in SE London for the Tea and Make fair.

The brainchild of stylist Sally Curtis and artist Esther Yarnold, the event will showcase some fantastic designer-makers based in the UK, in a truly Great British fete fashion! There will even be a coconut shy!
Not only will you be able to buy goods from the lovely craftspeople, you will also be able to create something yourself during the workshops taking place on the day!!

Visit their blog to see previews of some of the work that will be on display.... here are a few examples of what you can expect...

Camilla Goddard - Captial Bee

Cassie English - English Design and Co.

Polly George - Ceramicist

Cornelia O'Donovan

Unfortunately I won't be able to make the fair myself as I will be hosting a little bit of a housewarming do! But if you do make it down there I'd love to hear what you thought!
And good luck to Sally & Esther and all the designers involved! I hope it is a roaring success!

xxx

Interior Stylist - Lucyina Moodie

I have previously featured the work of some fantastic interior photographers, and think its about time some of the amazing stylists out there get a little mention too! I have posted about Selina Lake before, who is one of my favourites and today I came across Lucyina Moodie's website, where the general look is calm and soft colours and tones, creating a sophisticated and elegant feel to the rooms she has styled.








Make sure to visit her website to view more, especially check out the RHS Chelsea Flower Show section, such beautifully styled garden images! I love the use of the food tins for plant pots! they look fab! may have to try that when I get round to planting tomato seeds next year!!

xxx