Valentine's Day

I've been inundated with emails for the past two weeks with ideas for Valentine's Day. With everything from balloons to seriously expensive jewellery. Bearing in mind everything is a variation on a theme, obviously, I thought I'd post some of the more unusual and some of those that I would like to receive (Who me? Hint? My daughter keeps an eye on my Pinterest boards and the blog and relays the info so there's no need to hint! And whatever I get is guaranteed to delight and be a surprise.)

 The Wiltshire Liqueur Company will customise the label on any of their liqueurs. Other ideas include Be Mine Forever, I Love You or Be My Valentine. Their flavours are Blood Orange Liqueur, Damson Vodka, Sloe Gin Liqueur and Wild Strawberry Liqueur. Also a fab idea for wedding favours or for Reception cocktails

Gin is very much in vogue right now and here are just a few specialist makes

Also try this Lemon Drizzle Gin with Prosecco instead of Buck's Fizz for breakfast.

And on the subject of breakfast here are two ideas to spread on your breakfast-in-bed-Valentine's-toast. Luxury - and available from Amazon!!!

 

 If jewellery is more your cup of tea - this delicate necklace features a distinct ivy leaf, cross & anchor and heart motif. In the language of flowers, Ivy signifies faithfulness so very apt for Valentine's Day.

This fab ring comes at the more expensive end of the price range of my suggestions. A wonderful engagement ring, or just a very pretty ring to own. It's rose gold with a black diamond held in a ten-prong basket with two inverted set diamond trillions on either side. It's by Anna Sheffield and available from Liberty.

 Pictures in black frames by Brigitte Herrod at Rockett st George 

Also from Rockett st George are these cushions

If you have a partner who loves bees, this is the ideal card from Rifle Paper Co. I tend to buy their products from Papermash who were one of the first stockist of the brand in the UK.

Back to Rockett st George for a comfort food cookery book. 

Here's a random mix of items that are on my wish list.

Peek-a-Boo! Comme des Garcons Converse 70s come in high and low top. Originally found them at Selfridges but they have now sold out of both styles in black and white but low tops in both colours and white high tops are available at Dover Street Market .

Socks are always useful!!! My husband's Godson makes a statement wearing a very corporate suit with his socks. Says he looks down and sees he's still there! Wonder how he would cope with these from Selfridges?

Do we not all LOVE a bag? These three are all contenders. I'd be happy with any one of them

From Harvey Nichols this is Ming Ray's Je T'aime leather box bag. It also comes in pink.

Next up is Sophie Hulme's rainbow sequin embellished leather pouch.

and last of the bags, from Mark Cross, a large leather box bag in teal.

And finally two cute heart-warmers from Bando at Selfridges - a phone case and a drink tumbler

If I had to choose one? The Eden Mill Love Gin to share with my love! 

And to give? The Bee's Knee card

Fab new find!

I'm not sure how many blogs/sites my readers follow, but my inbox is always full of updates. Sometimes they get a cursory glance before the dustbin but at other times, something catches my attention and I spend time looking through the blog/site and every now and then I find a gem. Again, I'm not sure how far my readers will go for something that takes their fancy but I buy from Internet sites in Europe and North America quite regularly. Yes, the delivery is more than it would be from a UK site but when I find something I love, I always weigh up buying a similar product with a cheaper delivery or the one that originally caught my eye. I feel I will always know that I went for second best ... (I do hope my husband isn't reading this!)

So I have a fab new find. It's called Pressed Cotton and they sell goods for gatherings! The website immediately appealed to me. I love the strap line on the home page: shop for your wedding .use for your home. Organised by style or category or products, the style headings are so evocative - Southerner, Explorer, Daydreamer, Gardener, Romantic, Eclectic, Modernist, Treehugger and Inventor. How could a treehugging, daydreaming, romantic gardener with a penchant for exploring and with an eclectic, modernist daughter NOT fall for this site?

I've chosen my favourite images from the site but PLEASE do have a look for yourself.