Shopping

June 19, 2019 by Christine

Is Wellbeing the Future of Retail?

If you’ve walked along the high-street recently you’ll no doubt have noticed several major chainstores closing down. Many high-street shops are relying heavily on huge sales just to tick along with consumers preferring to shop online. Could it be that with consumers placing much more value on health and wellness than on material objects, that there is a new dawn for the future of retail? Is wellbeing the future of retail?

Health and wellness is no longer just about not being sick. Holistic health and wellness spans mind, body and soul with everything from food to homeware impacting our overall health and happiness. Our mental, physical and emotional health is greatly impacted by the choices we make. Perhaps creating an environment that encourages a state of wellbeing could be the future of the high-street?

An environment of wellness

Wellness devotee and actress Gwyneth Paltrow opened her Goop store in London. The Goop Lifestyle Brand is growing year on year as they promote the concept of holistic wellbeing through thier wide range of products. There have been some amazing steps forward in creative retail design to create environments that customers genuinely feel happy to be in. This even extends into the digital world. You need to be able to craft an online presence that feels just as dedicated to the wellness of your customers as your offline business.Read More…

June 3, 2019 by Christine

Father’s Day Gift Guide

Father’s Day is fast approaching here in the UK, it’s on Sunday 16th June for anyone who has forgotten! Of course, this means a lovely excuse to treat your dad and make his day that little bit special. Father’s Day is a chance to say thank you. Without further ado and without getting too mushy. Here’s a fabulous Father’s Day Gift Guide to inspire you…

Book Subscription:

A great idea and a gift that keeps on giving, is a book subscription. If your Dad is into reading and loves books this is a brilliant gift.

There’s a quant little book shop in Bath called Mr B’s Book Emporium. You can purchase a book subscription straight from the eponymous book shop. You are asked to fill in a questionnaire about preferences, tastes, genres etc. Subscribers receive a new book each month handpicked for them by the in-house “Bibliotherapists” (great job title). This is a wonderful gift for anyone that loves the romance of old-fashioned packages wrapped in brown paper and tied up with string. Mr B’s book subscription packages arrive complete with brown paper, string and stamped with a wax seal.

The package adds a something a little magical to such a thoughtful gift, making you appreciate the book a lot more. This is a fabulous book subscription for anyone looking to support an independent bookshop.

From £25 a month | MR B’s Emporium | Buy it now

Ceiling pendant light wishlist

We’re currently in the market for a new ceiling pendant light for above our dining table. The dining table is just off the kitchen so we will be looking to get a lovely pendant light when the work is completed on the kitchen.

Our renovation project has been going at a snail’s pace throughout the summer, so I’m hoping the dip in temperatures and autumn evenings will allow us a little more time (and motivation) to focus on our various home improvements! Currently we’re busy gathering quotes, decluttering and doing a little window shopping online. Here’s my current ceiling pendant light wishlist…

With our home being in the centre of Manchester, we would like our interior to reflect in some way the industrial past of the city- that said we also love traditional style, so hope to marry the two. Our lighting choice will more than likely give a nod to the industrial feel. Mr T and I liked the lights at Refuge in Manchester, so had our eye on the Clear glass diner pendant from made.com

(Right: Heal’s Olson Glass Globe Pendant Light Left: Eric Olson Design)

Slightly more contemporary but with a little nod to the industrial- the Heal’s Olson Globe Pendant would offer great ambient light, not detract from the artwork we have above the dining room table and is a beautifully simplistic design, which I love! Habitat have a white round glass ceiling pendant that is pretty similar but maybe a little more 60s which could also work.The vintage style Isla Pendant light from vinterior is the sort of lovechild of the made.com Clear Glass Diner Pendant and the Heal’s Olson Globe Pendant shown above. The Isla Pendant light is inspired by the Art Deco movement so offers a touch of understated refinement. I love the vintage feel and how delicate it looks. Ah…decisions, decisions…

Hopefully I’ll be bringing you more updates in the coming weeks (most likely over on Insta-stories) of any progress we make! until then I’ll be filling up bags for charity, the tip and calling round people for quotes…

Stay fabulous

Christine

April 2, 2017 by Christine

Spring Wardrobe Wishlist

Blue skies have got me dreaming up my spring wardrobe wishlist. Feeling like a butterfly emerging after a looong time curled up in a winter-shaped chrysalis, it’s time to start investing in a few spring wardrobe essentials. Here’s what’s on my Spring Wardrobe Wishlist…

Strolling along the seafront: My go-to spring uniform is a pair of chinos and breton top- it’s just so darn comfy. I’m a little obsessed with Sebago deck shoes as they remind me of my childhood and feel quite tempted by these pale pink numbers. My latest bookshelf addition is The Little Breton Bistro by Nina George which I intend on reading on our upcoming travels.

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Strictly business: I’m in love with this blue linen shirt (which looks deceptively like denim) from Uniqlo, I’m going to pair this with a classic navy capri and brown leather loafers. I’ve got my eye on the Cambridge Satchel Company backpack and fancy new leather passport cover from Aspinal of London (need both monogramming!). This is the ideal ensemble for springtime at work.

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Daytime darlings: For those sunny daytimes wandering around the shops or drinking coffee on the balcony, there’s a few wardrobe essentials I’ve got my eyes on. The Lotta from Stockholm clogs are firmly on my spring wishlist, I can just see these becoming a footwear favourite for spring/ summer worn with pretty dresses. I love the Paris print dress from Joanie Clothing and the London park scene rom Cath Kidston. For when the weather heats up a little more I’m going to invest in a pair of classic Saltwater Sandals and a Levis denim jacket for when the sun sets.

“She turned to the sunlight
And shook her yellow head,
And whispered to her neighbor:
“Winter is dead.” -A. A. Milne

Stay fabulous

Christine