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Sunday 30 June 2013

Faves: Quill & Fox

I love words. I love the eccentricity of them. The way we use nonsentical phrases without even thinking about it. (And can I quickly heartily recommend reading The Etymologicon by Mark Forsyth to anyone interested in attempting to get to the root of words).

Which brings me to to my Fave...and I think my interest in the English language might be why this product is my latest obsession. As it features one of my very favourite random phrases, which I'm pretty sure you can figure out pretty quickly...
This Raining Cats & Dogs print is from the very cool Quill & Fox paper design studio. Not only does it feature this (obviously) fantastic random phrase, but cats. And you know what a sucker I am for felines, cats, moggies, pusscats, kitties...(did I mention I like words?!) 

Raining Cats & Dogs poster, from Quill & Fox, price £17.21 on Etsy

Thursday 27 June 2013

The Perfect Tea Towel: Crispin Finn

This is a tea towel for serious condiment aficionados, as quick identification of sauces is very important in achieving optimum dining satisfaction, right?!
I love picking out the recognisable bottles and their brands on this smart screen-printed tea towel. Can you see your favourite condiments on there? (I can never choose between 1 and 5 myself). 

The makers of this tea towel are Crispin Finn, a clever pair of British designers you'll know for their distinctive tongue in cheek prints in a restricted colour palette of red, white and blue. Here's another beauty - the Waste Not Want Not tea towel:

And don't forget that mix up of mustards really could make a mess of a perfectly good sandwich. This is a tea towel to be kept on hand to avoid culinary disasters!


Monday 24 June 2013

Mondays are for Mugs: Alyson Fox

Ok I admit, I'm the mug with this one...because (as far as I can tell!) this mug isn't available in the UK. But what can I say this beauty may well be worth a State-side trip if you are as obsessive about the perfect teacup as I am. Or, y'know, maybe just look for them while already in the States...
Tug Mug, Alyson Fox

These lovely mugs are made by multi-talented US artist and designer Alyson Fox. She is an illustrator who works with lots of mediums other than ceramics including prints, jewellery and a very nice looking clothing collection for the wonderful new & Other Stories stores. 

December Mug, Alyson Fox
But it is indeed her ceramics range that are making me consider an impromptu trip the the States. So take a look at these mugs with sweet classic designs in simple pleasing colour-combinations and enjoy. Oh and if you know a UK stockist for them please do let me, the mug manic, know! 


May Mug, Alyson Fox


White Noise Mug, Alyson Fox

Available at Ink Dish in the US, each $14


Thursday 20 June 2013

The Perfect Tea Towel: Sian Elin

I love a good chevron I do. So the bright, cheery pattern on this tea towel from Sian Elin has caught my eye. Bonus Perfect Tea Towel points added too, as it is made and printed in the UK.
Chevrons Tea Towel, from Sian Elin, price £12

Monday 17 June 2013

Mondays are for Mugs: Anthropologie

Now here's a pretty perfect place to put your cuppa. Anthopologie *always* get mugs right and I reckon and this beauty is no exception. It's asking for a soothing herbal tea with a slice of lemon don't you think? Terribly nice to have a calm Monday once in a while. 
Palette Sketch Cup and Saucer, from Anthropologie, price £22

Saturday 15 June 2013

Faves: Folklore

Let me start with an (admittedly pretty tenuous) analogy: Folklore is a new kid to the block, but the new kid that turns up already wearing cooler jeans than you, has the trainers your mum won't buy you and is teaching you new words. 

But this is the design world. So it looks like this:


Lovely, eh?

Even though Folklore only recently launched on the design scene it's already fitting right it and looking so simply cool. This new brand taps perfectly into the niche in the market for functional, beautifully made homeware products with a nod to sustainability. And boy to they do it well. 

They sell lifestyle products from well chosen designers, that cater for simple living but certainly don't scrimp on good long-lasting materials. They have a slick, easy to use website showing beautifully styled and photographed products and a elegantly simple styled shop on Islington's always expanding Upper Street. 

My (current) faves from Folklore are this Dakota Linen Cushion:
And Washita Linen Cushion: 
I love the geometric patterns, they are made from linen and flax which gives them a comforting worn look that could fit right in anywhere...

This is a new kid definitely worth getting to know. 

Dakota and Washita Linen Cushions, from Folklore, price £68 each

Thursday 13 June 2013

The Perfect Tea Towel: The Hambledon

If you are eating biscuits while washing up the obvious rule is the feed them to the washer up-er too. It's only fair.

But with this lovely tea towel designed by Charlotte Farmer available at The Hambledon, you can both admire these nostalgic biscuit-y treats and get the dishes done too.
Family Favourites Tea Towel, by Charlotte Farmer, from The Hambledon, price £11.95

Monday 10 June 2013

Mondays are for Mugs: Avec-Des-Si

Starting a Monday with understated simple glamour isn't my usual routine (it's more: pressing snooze too many times, smudged make-up, spilling cat food and running for buses) but with this optimistically bright, subtly stylish and comfortingly hand-thrown mug from Avec-Des-Si, I might at least *look* slightly more glam with my cuppa.
'Inge' Hand-Thrown Porcelain Mug, in ochre, from Avec-Des-Si, price £17.50

Thursday 6 June 2013

The Perfect Tea Towel: I Feel Natty

If you like a bit of geekiness while drying the dishes this is the tea towel for you. 
Kiwi designer/maker I Feel Natty has screen-printed the Topographical Tea Towel to show the hand-drawn map of south coast of Wellington in New Zealand. So you can embrace the Duke of Edinburgh orienteering memories while doing a bit of housework - nice!

Topographical Map Tea Towel, from I Feel Natty at Etsy, price £10.15

Monday 3 June 2013

Mondays are for Mugs: Famille Summerbelle

This mug should really be drunk from with breakfast in a chic diner or Central Perk a la Friends (anyone else missing their Ross and Rachel fix as much as me?!). But if your Manhattan dreams are as distant as mine...this beautiful Manhattan Mug from Famille Summerbelle is a pretty good alternative to cheer up a Monday morning.
Manhattan Mug, from Famille Summerbelle, price €15