Image found here
Ah, the scent of Christmas is palpable, windows are getting fogged up by the steam from hot chocolates and baked goods, and the thoughts of Christmas gatherings and present-giving are starting to make my brain go into shopaholic mode. But with the postal strikes causing no end of problems for the conventional means of sending pressies, you can always shop online (most online shops use couriers rather than Royal Mail.)
So I have been busy scanning some of the best online gift shops that you may not have come across. I would suggest you favourite/bookmark/delicious/stumble them for future reference:
A trip over to Cloth Ears is a must for vintage-fanciers – from bunting and cushions to fabrics and accessories galore. Old favourites like the Cath Kidston-esque polka dot fabrics to quirkier designs such as this lovely sail boats cushion or this classy Gladstone vintage inspired bag (£26.99) abound. Or, if like me, you are into the really glamorous old fashioned vintage look (but without the hefty price-tag, you could go for something like these gorgeous lace place mats found at designmyworld.net (£5.95)
Another great site to visit for such fripperies is Made in Design particularly because they stock one of my favourite designers, the unusual French design collective, Ibride.
The wonderful Diva table (below) , while is not vintage, is fast becoming a design classic, and is not for the ‘conventional of taste’ types, but I think it’s truly a thing of beauty! Ibride are also famous for their animalia style designs reported previously here on Vintage Verity.
For quirky gifts:
Notonthehighstreet.com is always worth a visit as you can browse by person, budget, item, whatever! A few of my pickings include this ‘Bonanza comic book decoupage chair’ for £275 – truly original! Or this ‘brekkie’ teatowel to brighten up the kitchen – a snip at a tenner
Finally, these quirky book-ends are fab – a great gift for bookworms with style (£27.95)
I’m a sucker for lines, so the main image on this post, the red, flocked chandelier has quickly made it onto my Christmas wish list – you can get one at DZD for £46.
So there you have it, a couple of ace new websites to check out – there are plenty more and i will keep adding them to the list as I collect them, so do pop back for updates, and if there is a site I could add to the list, leave a comment and I’ll check it out!
Happy huntin!’
WOW,WOW, WOW! I am coveting this awesome reconditioned 1940s phone which I spotted on Three Potato Four, a US interiors website full of vintage loveliness (warning: you will not want to leave this site!)
It is a bit on the pricey side at $295 but God, isn’t it fabulous?
I can just see this taking pride of place on my halfmoon table…hmm, must buy a lottery ticket this weekend 😉
Apologies for my lack of blog posts recently, I am up to my eyes doing the PR for The Bristol Design Festival at present but have stolen a moment from work after spotting this fabulous wallpaper created by Lene Toni Kjeld.
I am really into lace at the moment, I actually bought some lovely old lace doillies from a charity shop recently, for £1 – bargain! The craftsmanship is fabulous and there is something really grand about putting home-baked goods on a lovely lace doilly – I feel a baking session coming on just thinking about it!!!!
Image found here. This is a trend that is sneaking into interiors in more than one way – so if vintage is not your thing, you can make what is thought of as an old trend bang up to date – for example, Marcel Wanders’ lace table (above) is a thing of beauty and could hardly be accused of being ‘old fashioned’.
After a poke about on Flickr, I came across the quirky and truly unique style of Dottie Angel whose creative use of lace and other vintage ecoutrements make for some beautiful images. Here are a few of the lacey lovelies she has in her photostream:
Who said tablecloths were for tables?
I also really love the use of lace and crochet on her aprons and detailing on this cute wall hanging (above). If you get a chance, check out her excellent blog here. Very inspiring!
Image found here
Ok, so to the untrained eye these bags look really cute and kitsch and pretty, and yes, anything that is stopping people using plastic bags is a good thing, but I was really disheartened to hear that Cath Kidston had been ensnared by Tesco to design these bags. Hot off the tails of Anya Hindmarch’s “I am not a plastic bag” for Sainsbury’s, CK has fallen into the old mass marketing trap. Alright, so perhaps as a money-raking business decision it’s a savvy one, but when it comes to integrity, Cath Kidston, purveyor of all things chitzy and responsible for single-handedly making kitsch, dare I say, a bit chavvy (I know, it makes me cry too) has sold out.
I know that people get up in arms about this – and yes I do like her fabrics, but what I protest to is the obscene diversification that her brand has undergone. You may have read a previous rant on this topic before but a recent weekend trip to Bath cruelly ripped open the barely- healed wound.
My sister is a fan of the incredibly over-priced hand cream (I roll my eyes and wonder why oh why can’t she buy some delicious L’Occitane or some good old Body Shop hand butter or even ‘old faithful’ aka Nivea?) and insisted we went into the shop: cue instant migraine. I balked at the price of her products – even the cheapy wooden doorstops you can buy in a hardware shop for 30p cost £2.50 plus VAT all because they have been slapped with a bit of paint that I daresay will chip off and the mere slamming of a door. But to add insult to injury, she is now selling old bits of tat that look to the world as though they were pulled from a junk shop as Cath Kidston goodies – I suppose I have to get her points for bare cheek!
My point, dear readers, is this. Clearly ethics and integrity play second fiddle to the pursuit of money and while Cath Kidston and her marketing people are rolling about in filthy lucre, I remain disappointed by the obvious sell-out – Kidston doesn’t need to increase awareness of her brand, it’s already saturated the highstreet, middle england, and is now taking up residence in chavs-ville.
Goodnight!
I have stumbled across a delightful little webshop called Hannah Zakari – what a gem. Set up by jewellery maker and all round magpie, Rachael Lamb, it offers really quirky art prints, handmade bags and the like from independent artists. Vive les independents! Here are some of my selections for your Friday viewing…
How about this rather sweet ‘custard cream’ print? Designed by artist Kate Wilson, I think it’s got a lovely olde worldy feel about it. It costs £20 and is printed onto A5 sized (14.8x21cm) Bockingford artists paper, signed by the artist herself.
OOh! I rather fancy this Beatrice Vintage shopper – great for nipping down tut fruit and veg shop of a weekend and means you won;t need any of those crummy blue plastic bags that cut your hands to shreds and spill spuds all across the road. Again, it’s that quirkiness that lures me in. Again, cheap and cheerful at £12 a pop. It is screen printed on both sides and is made from organic cotton. Designed by Showpony.
Finally,check out this stunning bit of arm candy. Made of leather with beautiful pale green and bright yellow bow sequins and beads and lined in sumptous yellow silk, how could anyone resist? Ok, bit pricier at £65 but I’s say it’s worth it. This little beauty is designed by Dazed Dorothy.
Enjoy and have a great weekend!
Check out this super cool ‘drip shelf’ designed by Susan Bradley – I just think it’s great! I have been looking for a new shelf for my bathroom and think this would look really unusual. You can also buy it in red, balck and yellow – and they are a snip at £65! I found this one at Rockett St George.
(Actually, I bought it today.) I totally fell for this tea towel, yes a simple old dish dryer has me all doe-eyed. I plan to frame it as an interesting piece of art! I had lots of trouble finding it in the UK as it is originally from Ferm Living who only sell wholesale and 95% Danish, the online stockists, don’t sell the tea towel (boo!) Luckily, I managed to track it down here at a really nice little online shop I hadn’t come across before called Rose & Grey. I shall be visiting there again!
I have been busy seeking out some sumptuous treats for your delectation this Spring and have found some truly exquisite pieces for the taking (and some that will be appearing soon on a wall / cupboard / sideboard in my home!)
First off, let’s say we need some new threads. The winter cardies and trousers, tights and scarves were great for the nippy weather, but not now the sun is shining, the birds are singing – that means a whole new wardrobe!
Over on Plumo there are some really stunning dresses, below are a few that have tickled my fancy.
I love this yellow vintage tea dress, it’s all cornfields and sunshine and costs £159 from Plumo (it is made of lovely silk georgette, mind.) Or this pretty folk dress below for £139.
I’m really liking this folksy vibe that is hot at the moment, it’s the ultimate femine look and makes me feel like sipping home-made lemonade in the garden. For a cute accessory, I rather fancy this Bali bag – what a fab shade of green! It too is not the cheapest in the world but I would fork out the £59 for it in a heartbeat!
Finally, from Plumo, I adore this little leather purse (£25) I think I had something similar which I purchased from the caravan site shop on holiday in Wales many moons ago. Ah the nostalgia!
Over at Toast, I am really loving the uber blue shoes they have such as this soft nappa sandal and this strappy azure blue beaded thong sandal – both £89. Like wearing the sky on your feet!
So to the home front. Old reliable Graham and Green have got a great 20% off voucher code running at the moment and I’m tempted to splurge on a few things I have had my eye on for some time such as this lovely branch vase below which cost between £37 and £42.
Or these beautiful angel wing mirrors as seen in Living Etc – they are really unique and totally worth the £189 G & G are asking.
I have been a bad, bad blog lady as I have been so busy decorating my house and working like the proverbial dog, so this is a mega quick post to highlight a super shop I love, love, love – BUDDUG.
First off , how cute is their shop sign? A pretty hanging dress embroidered with their names! I love it.
And now to the offerings…
I like these letter pendants.
And how about this cute London pin? Jazz up any old coat that would!
Ah go on, one more for you then…the tea pot collection throws up some really pretty creations. I quite fancy this here white pot brooch! I strongly urge you to visit this lovely little shop!
I just love hearing about new design so I simply have to give a shout out to Pretty Taxing, suppliers of these super-cool designer tax disks. Created to replace those ugly pieces of plastic that yellow and peel, now your car can be a haven of good taste. I like Pam Hogg’s Diana Doors-esque diva and Stuart Semple’s graphic bling design but there are loads to choose from…
Artist Pam Hogg channels 1950's retro chic
While I am on the subject of taste, thanks to the lovely Rhea who has flagged up another excellent blog to add to the old blogroll: Kindom of Style – a most addictive daily read and one to definitely add to the favourites.
Kingdom of Style: taking 'shoe porn' to new heights
Happy surfing!
Vintage Verity 