Love this #74: Made in Uganda

April 13, 2017

You'll know that I'm a recent convert to Homesense following the gloriously fake bouquet of peonies I shared earlier in the year, well today I'm sharing something completely different from their sister store TK Maxx. I've shopped there occasionally and have had great success with Christmas decorations and notebooks, but until now their homewares haven't tempted me into the store.

But this "Made in Uganda" range could be doing just that, and I'll tell you why. When I read the press release my eye was taken by the vibrant and colourful designs, you'll know I'm a fan of colour, but it wasn't just that there seemed to be something more to these items - and I wasn't wrong.

I discovered that TK Maxx has been working with the Rwenzori Trading Company since 2008 and since then have enabled more than 10,000 children to go to school, and every purchase made in the UK goes towards providing skills and employment so parents can support their families and send children to school. There's much more about the work they do, and the products on sale in the stores on the TK Maxx website - and there's plenty more gorgeous items there too.

So if you're looking for some colourful and relatively inexpensive homewares, then these are definitely worth a look. And what's more you'll be helping to make the world a better place too.

I've already spotted some large horn bowls in the press release, which sadly I haven't been able to find a picture of, nor have I been able to find them in my local store either. I've seen though that another store that's not *too* far away is a stockist for these items, so I've a feeling I may be heading their way to take a closer look.

And hopefully I'll leave with the bowls that caught my eye. Or maybe a basket or two, because I'm sure they're like notebooks in once you have them, their use becomes apparent.

What do you think of the range?

* This is a collaborative post, but all views are my own

Anticipating Spring in a snowy Munich

January 25, 2017

On Friday I spent an hour in Munich, which all sounds rather decadent doesn't it? And in some ways it was, I had an hour to myself to do with what I wanted and so after checking out a snowy Hofgarten - more on that another day - I headed towards the shops.

I was in Munich, and Kufstein in Austria the day before, as part of the Viking and Stihl UK press trip, their first, so that was a real honour and a pleasure too. We were treated to great hospitality at the Viking factory in Kufstein, which I'll share more of later, but first back to that hour in Munich.

My plan was to buy some chocolates to bring home, because well, chocolates it's the rules right. But somehow I found myself wandering around Depot in one of the smaller arcades. It was their window displays which drew me in, full of Spring colours and flowers and well, I couldn't help myself.

Magnolias, ranunculus, apple blossom and tulips. All realistic, apart from one thing - their scent. But a real treat to see on a snowy day, maybe a little early, but maybe when the temperature is -10 and lower, you need that hope earlier than we would in the UK. And those temperatures, strangely the cold wasn't unbearable. It's true I had two scarves on, the extra one a big wooly one over my coat, but the air was dry and I think that helped. I wouldn't have given up either scarf though...

These fleecy throws were a nod to the weather outside. The colour was bright and the blanket stitch detail made me smile. It was lucky that my hand luggage was already filling up, otherwise this shop would have sorely tempted my resolve.

It's amazing isn't it, how Spring-like this display is. But I think we're at least a month away from the real thing

But I did notice there were plenty of butterflies about. In all kinds of colours. Ceramic butterflies, butterfly garlands and butterfly motifs. I've not noticed that here, but then again I've not had a mooch around the shops here either. Are butterflies a trend for this Spring? Have you seen the decorative sort?

These budgie-like birds - I think it's the yellow, green and blue that prompted that memory - made me smile. These were a strong contender for coming home with me, maybe one or three, but I resisted. Mainly because there was a chocolate box shaped space in my bag, and that's all.

THESE REMINDED ME OF BUDGERIGARS, THE COLOURS I THINK

And these butterfly motif tea lighters were gorgeous too, maybe I'll look out for something similar here. Or plan another flying trip, this time for shopping!

Yes, it's definitely the kind of place where you can make your house a home, and their bags, have I think got it spot on.

Oh, and if you're wondering, of course I bought some chocolates. They were well received but apparently I should have left a larger space in my luggage for a bigger box. Something else to remember on my next trip then!

* While this post isn't in collaboration with Viking or Stihl, it was only possible because of the UK press trip arranged by them.

Getting ready for Christmas with LOVEThESIGN

December 1, 2015

This year Christmas seems to be well and truly underway already. It's only December today and already I've seen Christmas decorations up both in real life and pictures of my friend's trees. And while my decorations won't be out of the box until much nearer Christmas, somehow it seems that there's an excitement this year which I don't remember seeing last year.

Even though I'm not quite in Christmas decoration mode yet, like many of you I'm starting to plan our Christmas. I've recently discovered the LOVEThESIGN website and have been really impressed with the range of goods they have on their site. I thought it would be fun to share some of their Christmas items.

LOVEThESIGN was founded in 2012 and sells "Italian style" furniture and homewares, with 15,000 products in its catalogue including designer brands such as Alessi.

So for my Christmas table, I'd choose these - and yes you're right the tree wouldn't be on the table, but at 30cm high it could be a stunning centrepiece before the food arrived!

1. Felt Table Runner £19, 2. Sarjaton Tray £22, 3. Christmas Tree (30cm high) with red baubles £55,4. Merry Christmas Plate £18, 5. Four Christmas Mini Plates £44, 6. Two Christmas Mugs £12.51 Photo credit: Lovethesign

7. Set of Four Pantone (R) Baubles in Grey £23, 8. Two Reindeer Baubles £10 Photo credit: Lovethesign

Every year I like to buy some new ornaments for our full sized tree, these caught my eye and would be a fun and fab addition to my ever-growing collection of baubles. And the plate below would be perfect for serving mince pies, wouldn't it?

9. Scia Natalino Cake Plate £38 Photo credit: Lovethesign

10. Six Luxe Cards Knitted Reindeer cards £10, 11. Six Luxe Santa's Coming cards £8.75 Photo credit: Lovethesign

I also liked the simplicity of the cards above, and while I'm still planning to make mine I think I could be tempted to have some of these in reserve, just in case. The one item that I'd love to put on my wishlist though is the candlestick below. I love it's swirly but unfussy and simple design. And while I love it, sadly I think that with its price tag it would stay just there, on my wishlist. But what a wonderful piece full of fantastic craftsmanship.

12. T8 Silver Candle Holder £2052 Photo credit: Lovethesign

So there's my picks from the site, what would you choose?

This is a collaborative post with LOVEThESIGN but all opinions are my own.