Horrockses Fashions

floral hanky (peach)

Drawn from the extensive V&A museum archives, The Horrockses Collection available from the online shop is a great little find. These vintage textile designs feature on dainty handkerchiefs, cotton scarves and tote bags.

daisy and rose stripe scarf

Horrockses Fashions, a subsidiary of Horrockses Cottons was launched soon after the end of World War II in 1946 when ready-to-wear sales through department stores became increasingly important, following the 'make do and mend' ethic of wartime Britain.

floral textile notecards

The couture silouette and youthful and modern textile designs of this ready-to-wear collection was incredibly popular with women of different age groups and social backgrounds. Relatively expensive, women would save up for the 'perfect' day dress or an outfit for their honeymoon.

'The Queen' Horrockses fashion mounted print

The V&A collection comprises a range of accessories, prints and garments inspired by the contents of the Horrockses archive. Would make very pretty presents for Summer birthdays!

utility rose tote bag

Daisy Daisy

Lornie large feather curl earrings

My best friend sent me an email to tell me about this jewellery designer as she was convinced I'd love it as much as she does...and I do. Daisy Knights delicate and detailed necklaces, bracelets and rings are feminine but with an edge that keeps them far from sweet.

Sparky gem heart necklace

Central St Martins graduate Daisy was already supplying Paul and Joe with her designs before she graduated, making jewellery by night in her bedroom. Now she continues to work alongside her team in her Cotswold studio to make every piece by hand. She is inspired by the beauty found in nature in the British countryside, the Isle of Wight coastline and by her friends and family, naming each range after its muse. I love this 'gem heart necklace' available in silver, blackened silver and gold with a choice of gem colour...it's my birthday soon, hint hint boyfriend!

Sparky heart rings

Same with these....

Michelle gem stacking rings

These Michelle rings are stunning, and were my friend's favourite too. They are stackable and available in a variety of colours. If I started now I could have ten before I'm 30, that's Christmases and birthdays covered until then. Easy.

slender sea shell wrap ring

The talented young designer won the Bright Young Gem award in 2010 issued by International Jewellery London and has just designed a collection for Astley Clarke under their mentoring programme. Inspired by the seaside, the chunky silver collection is really wearable; "think white blouse, silver shell cuff and designer earrings on a beach in the South of France” says Bec Astley Clarke of the collection. You can keep up to date with Daisy's lovely designs through her blog.

Moominmazing

Moomin bowl Snorkmaiden, yellow

At school I unwittingly earned myself the nickname (I tell myself it was affectionate) of 'Moomin' due to an unfortunate hair cut. Since then I have developed a firm affection for the hippo like troll family, created by Swedish-Fin illustrator Tove Jansson, I have also been more careful with my choice of hairdresser. Time has passed and old wounds have healed, friends now buy me Moomin merchandise as gifts and we have a chuckle - though I honestly still can't see the resemblance, bad haircut or not.  

Moomin mug Moominmamma, red

My favourite of these gifts was a Moomin plate and bowl which I adore. I always wondered where they came from, then recently I stumbled accross the Finnish Design Shop, an amazing online shop featuring a whole host of unique and stylish pieces for the home, including Marimekko and Arabia, who I now know to be the creators of my precious Moomin ceramics. I prefer the fat, white Moomin characters and if I'm honest I find the other characters terrifying.

Moomin bowl Love, pink

Arabia have been creating ceramics and tabelware for over 130 years and are apparently very popular in Finland. I can see why, I have fallen in love with their 'Runo' range of tableware by designer Heini Riitahuhta who was inspired by the different seasons, the designs are entitled: Summer Ray, Autumn Glow, Winter Star and Spring Drop. Lovely.

Runo bowl, Summer Ray

They are reminiscent of 70's enamel saucepans but remain on the right side of kitsch with a charming, naive quality and a graphic edge. I want them!

 

Runo plate, Spring Drop

Runo plate, Winter Star

you say Dovey and I say Dyfi...

Boats Penhelig, Aberdovey by Glyn Davies

Over the lovely Easter bank holiday weekend D and I went to Aberdovey in North Wales, my favourite place in the world. I have been lucky enough to spend all my holidays there from birth surrounded by my cousins, gran and various aunts and uncles in our homely static caravan just footsteps from the sand dunes and a fresh sea breeze. 

Aberdovey Beach by Glyn Davies

My family all share this love affair with 'Dovey, as we were all brought up here! Not one of our homes is free from a watercolour of our favourite views by Claire or Glyn Davies. Claire took over The Gallery in Aberdovey from her father Edward Morris in 1982, a wonderful shop that sells a wide selection of original watercolours and prints by this family of artists.

Evening Light by Glyn Davies

The Gallery also stocks beautiful jewellery, objects for the home and hand thrown and painted ceramics by Gwili pottery, that I was particularly taken with. Sadly my budget didn't stretch to an original this time but I picked up some postcards to brighten up my flat. I've put a couple of my own photos up too which attempt to do justice to the dream-like light on the beach.

The beach looking towards Tywyn and Cemetry Bay

Looking out into Cardigan Bay