By George, this Teddy may help heal a broken heart!

Feeling bruised and broken-hearted from the Referendum result? This Teddy may provide you some tender loving that you may need in the healing process, at least in the short-term.

George is a limited edition teddy bear of just 250, perfect as a family heirloom to be handed down from generation to generation,  Specially commissioned by Highgrove and traditionally hand-made by Merrythought in the company’s original factory in Ironbridge, Shropshire,  George has been  brought to life using 85 years of skills and excellence.

George is fully jointed with hand sewn features and a fine mohair coat. His pads and paws have been crafted with purple velvet and a beautifully embroidered Highgrove crest, while a matching satin ribbon is tied in a bow around his neck to finish.  His fully jointed limbs bring his character to life, along with the finest of golden mohair coats and a satin Highgrove bow tied around his neck.

This plush Teddy bear will make a cherished addition to the family with adorable hand-sewn features, including a soft-stitched nose and luxe velvet paws, embroidered with the Highgrove Feathers.  His makers, Merrythought, have been hand-making the quintessential English teddy bear in the World Heritage Site of Ironbridge, Shropshire, since 1930 and George is one of their latest creations made exclusively for Highgrove.

Presented in a classic Merrythought collector’s box, he is available to buy online at www.highgrovegardens.com or by visiting one of the Highgrove shops in Tetbury, Gloucestershire; Cribbs Causeway, Bristol; or on the Highgrove Estate.

Brexit could be good for the world, according to Jeffrey E. Garten

Jeffrey E. Garten, author of From Silk to Silicon: The Story of Globalization Through Ten Extraordinary Lives, writes in Time Magazine that Brexit could be good for the world. Click HERE.

New bags from Poppy Treffry of Cornwall celebrate British-made

Cornish company Poppy Treffry are celebrating a ‘coming of age’ collection of tote and clutch bags which they have added to their popular range of homewares and accessories, all made in house in their  studio in Penzance.

The three new bag styles include the Sketchbook Tote, inspired by Poppy’s sketchbooks, with three internal compartments, leather detailing and embroidered designs.

Sketchbook clutch with an embroidered vintage racer bicycle design 

Beautiful clutch bags feature best-selling motifs and several brand new designs, and are made from sturdy denim with a leather wrist strap.

Clutch bag embroidered with a Dachshund 

The shoulder tote bag with Oyster-catchers, featuring 

a phone pocket and three compartments.

The Oil Cloth Totes are made from Poppy’s own designed oil cloth fabric in popular Darling Dachshund, Best in Show and Oyster Catcher patterns.

Two fabric designs also join the collection of canvas bags - Muddy Paws, featuring Poppy’s incredibly popular Labrador design, and the striking Cornish Chough.

“Being the product we first started out making, our bags are very special to us and it’s been such a joy to focus on them this year,” says Poppy. “We have sourced some beautiful new base fabrics and leather to work with as well as finally having our own fabric made into oil cloth. The only difficult thing is deciding which one to take home with me!”

Poppy Treffry's  range of gifts and home wares are stocked by boutiques and galleries across the country, including Fortnum and Masons, and with a growing number of international stockists across Europe, Japan and the US. Their core range is created in Cornwall using freehand machine embroidery but, since the introduction of printed tea towels, the range has grown to include ceramics, printed fabrics and stationery, all instantly recognisable in Poppy’s whimsical style.

The new bags are available now via the Poppy Treffry website, via mail order and from selected stockists in the UK and internationally too.

This summer festival season, opt for a layering look with that Disney magic

It’s supposed to be summer right now according to the calendar, but at the moment we certainly are not feeling it here in the UK.  With this wishy-washy weather in force, it is perhaps wise to go for a layering look when temperatures rise and fall, and these cropped tops may be the answer for those who can’t decide how to dress. 

For the young and youthful at heart, character motifs continue to be on trend, like this cute Minnie Mouse Crop Tee from Miss Selfridge above, and have it layered over with the Mickey Mouse cropped hoody from Topshop on top.

Alex Longmore, stylist to celebrities the likes of Jamelia, Little Mix, Amanda Holden and SophieEllis-Bextor, suggests pairing these tops with the bomber or black leather biker jackets or a parka for a stylish look, perfect for getting in the mood for the summer festival season.  And by embracing Mickey Mouse’s style, one should go for an edgy, cool and urban look by opting for skinning ripped jeans, brightly-patterned socks worn with clashing trainers, a hoodie under a parka and some black Mickey Mouse ears. 

This season, for the Minnie Mouse look, think cutesy accessories, a turban bow in your hair, pastel or pink converse, mini-skirt, denim shorts or brightly-coloured jeans worn with a logo T-shirt and denim jacket.  Top it all off with mirrored sunglasses and an across-the-body bag, according to Longmore.

“The festival season is my favourite time of year - long summer nights, dancing under the stars and listening to some of the best music.  Festival fashion is also one of my all-time favourite looks and with so much to take inspiration from there’s plenty of fun to be had. I will certainly be looking to much-loved icons such as Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse when choosing my different outfits,” said Longmore.

Images courtesy of The Walt Disney Company UK & Ireland

Blooming bridal florals by Charlotte Balbier

Floral prints in painterly brush strokes weave happiness and beauty into lovely gowns from designer Charlotte Balbier’s new 2017 collection entitled Untamed Love.

The signature "Untamed Love" gown in soft silky chiffon organza was one of the talked-about dress at the bridal London fair White Gallery in May.

The "Bloom" gown is a pretty palette of lilac’s, pinks and rich crimson and ivory tones.

A strapless dress in design with an on-trend pocket detail, a delightful statement bridal gown…

www.charlottebalbier.com

The graceful "Posy" gown, created using a soft silky chiffon organza, features a pallette of muted greens, pink sorbet and soft lilacs adorns this beautiful two-piece.

The gowns make a trio celebration of floral beauty.

All pictures from Charlotte Balbier.  

Brits to spend a third of their household income during the summer, new research reveals

The Summer Barometer 2016™ from Ferratum Group has revealed that UK households are set to spend 33% of their disposable income during the summer this year.

Storksak Travel is a clever new five-piece collection of lightweight travel bags designed for short-haul, weekend family travel or as the perfect hospital bag launching mid-August 2016 at both M&S and online at Storksak.

Surprisingly, the annual research revealed that consumers in the UK are actually some of the lowest summer spenders across Europe, with Germany (71%) and France (60%) spending at least double that of the UK over the hotter months.

Retailers and hospitality businesses need to be fully prepared for this increase in customer demand in order to prevent customers spending this money with their competitors.

Summer spending in the UK is on the rise, however, with 1 in 3 households (35%) planning to spend more than last year, and a further 44% likely to spend a similar amount.

Over a fifth (22.5%) of the UK spend will go on travelling this summer, with only Sweden and Norway intending to spend more cash on travel. British consumers also prioritise buying new clothes and engaging in social activities during this period, with households spending 20.7% of their disposable income on these.

Tony Gundersen, UK Country Manager for Ferratum Group comments:“This year’s Summer Barometer™ clearly demonstrates how much the UK prioritises travel, spending more in this area than other countries in the survey. By contrast, given the number of sporting events and summer festivals occurring over the summer period, it is surprising that only 10% of household expenditure across Europe and Canada goes towards these activities.
The fact that a third of our household income is being spent during this relatively short period means that retailers and travel services providers have a strong opportunity to boost their revenues over the summer months.  However, retailers and hospitality businesses need to be fully prepared for this increase in customer demand in order to prevent customers spending this money with their competitors.”

Ferratum Group’s annual Summer Barometer™ was conducted using a standardised online questionnaire of 17,631 anonymous respondents across Ferratum Group’s 19 country locations in Europe and Canada. Respondents were asked about disposable monthly net income, how much they spent on their summer holiday, which activities they spend their money on and their preferred payment methods.

Come rain or shine, Bermondsey Street the place to be this weekend for some art loving

Never mind the weather.  This weekend visit Bermondsey Street for a lot of happenings.  The area - south side of the River Thames and stone's throw from London Bridge - has two of the most sought after food markets in London Borough Market and Maltby Street Market to say the least, which are only a minute's walk away from the Eames Fine Art Gallery where an Open Weekend is held on Saturday 18 June 11am - 6pm and Sunday 19 June 12pm - 5pm.

At Eames Art GAllery, you can join fellow art lovers for a browse and even a rummage through the 1000s of original artworks they have at the studio by the many artists they represent - from Modern Masters such as Andy Warhol, Henri Matisse and Marc Chagall, to Contemporary Masters including David Hockney, Antony Gormley and Paula Rego as well as exciting new talented artists such as Mila Fürstovà, Sophie Layton, Paul Catherall and Ross Loveday.

The area around the Eames Fine Art Gallery includes many wonderful museums, galleries and working studios very close by, and this weekend is the exciting opening of Tate Modern's new extension 'SwitchHouse'.  The new building is open ahead of schedule and offers an amazing 360º view of London from it's roof terrace, it has interesting open spaces for performance art and interactive installations.  Tate Modern is about a 15 - 20 minute walk away from Bermondsey Street.