Features and blogging

Here come the reindeer again, and I don’t know about you but I’m very grateful to have lots of ideas, this year, in the form of independent businesses working hard to produce gorgeous things. Only thing is: going local means I need to rush to get all my orders in. So that explains why yours might be a bit late! Sorry…

Designer Christmas cards
Sophie is a schoolfriend, so I am biased. But she’s also a paperwork genius, the author of several very clever books, and the creator of these stunning Christmas cards. Rudolphs with different colour noses or trees with baubles? I couldn’t choose so I went for them all in the end, but now I can’t decide who gets what colour bauble…
https://linktr.ee/SPbySophiePelham

South east Asian prints and gifts
Joanna lives in Singapore, so I am biased again. But even if you’ve never walked the streets of Joo Chiat in Singapore, visited a Meiji shrine or scaled a Balinese tea plantation, you’ve got to love these stunning south-east Asian gems from digital marketing expert and blogger, Joanna Su Yin. A pink Joo Chiat, please and maybe Raffles (because of my cat).
https://www.sayangfromsuyin.com/

Organic jersey cotton hair towels
Having started her hair towel business as a solution to curly hair needs, Karen has invented a jersey cotton towel that’s awesome for any hair type. Mine’s straight with a tiny curl and it absolutely loves being wrapped in these gentle, caring folds. I can’t stop finding new favourites but I think the winner is a close-run thing between the teal or the animal prints.
https://www.goodwashday.com/

Olive oil cookbook
Another ex-school buddy (yep, I’m well connected), Pam was on my 2020 Christmas list with Olive Olive, the awesome olive oil and halloumi shop she runs with husband Rob. Having been pestered to compile her family recipes into a book, she’s finally gone and done it. Although it’s out in major bookstores, use this link to buy one and you’ll see all the other yummy stuff too.
https://www.oliveolive.co.uk/product-page/the-oliveolive-mediterranean-cookbook

Ocean-inspired homewares
I’ve been fortunate enough to meet Izzey and Vicky through work and I love how they throw themselves into every design they create. They’re committed to sustainable bedding and interiors and they also take any chance they can to get out and about to fairs and meet people. Seahorse cushion or herringbone throw, anyone?
https://www.xvstripes.com/

Silky sustainable fashion
Another work contact, Rose is also committed to sustainable fashion, as well as being a big advocate of future heirlooms. Her hand-crafted designs are made to last – she’ll be thrilled If you pass yours on to the next generation and beyond. Expect swooshy, beachy, laid-back romantic silks in beautiful colours and cuts. (Oh, and here’s me doing a dreadful job of modelling the divinely starry Stella Silk Top).
https://rosefulbright.com/

Good scents
Kodes was also on my shopping list last year for jewellery. Now it’s back with a signature candle, developed as a collaboration and utterly divine. Essential oils of lemongrass, cedarwood and bergamot get to work as soon as you’ve opened the box, and – unlike so many other candles – continue to fill your room with fragrance as the candle burns.
https://kodes.me.uk/

Do you need a bag?
No, but they do… It wouldn’t be Christmas on Oxford Street if there weren’t shadowy sleepers on the bitterly cold streets as we dash around doing our shopping, but we can help warm some of them up. Each winter, Zero Degrees drives around handing out sleeping bags to the homeless. The group is made up of a small band of friends and they can’t do it without your donations. If you’ve any change left this year, please find them on FB: https://www.facebook.com/zerodegreesproject

And in case you missed all the other lovelies I’ve written about, you can check them out here
Nov 2020 Christmas shopping guide and here Mar 2020 Lockdown shopping guide