Features and blogging

Turkeys, trimmings, family gatherings… as thanks are given in the US this week, it’s also the time of year for that feared-yet-welcomed shopping phenomenon known as Black Friday.
Whoever invented this crazy dash to shop, spend, and crash is also responsible for my annual frown around the websites. I usually find nothing, then bin the computer.
Instead, I prefer to write a shopping shoutout for all my clever friends and colleagues who have set up brilliant businesses. Every year my list of sustainable, ethical, home-curated shopping is edited and shaped to fit the trajectory of all these home-run stores. I am in constant awe of the people who have made their own path in commerce. Who better to buy from than those striving to do it themselves?
If you’d rather not hear the sound of ringing tills just yet, put some sprouts in your lugholes until later. But if now’s the right time to start browsing, step into my virtual department store.

Good Wash Day
I’m a huge cheerleader for these towels, for good reason. Created by my friend Karen, GWD towels are dotted all over the globe, four of them in my own bathroom. Made from organic jersey cotton, they’re soft but long-lasting, roomy but lightweight, and they treat your hair to a gentle drying process that’s a far cry from the rough touch of a terry towel. And they’re not just for curly girls, but straight hair and no-hair heads too. Karen is committed to running a sustainable and ethical business, from packing materials to fair production methods. She also makes regular donations of her towels, pouches, and washcloths to charities.

Kitty Holmes
Kate has created another of my favourite small businesses with much the same ethos as GWD – as often as possible creating designs that align with her principles. My home is covered in her cotton-rich, soft, patterned cushion covers. For starters, they’re gorgeous. Secondly, they’re washable. Thirdly, if you go to the site you’ll also find wash bags, travel bags, quilts, and napkins. Kate is such a treasure to order from (and did I say her stuff is gorgeous?).

XV Stripes
So far, my home furnishing count from this Isle of Wight company is a table runner and matching napkins, but I do have an eye on the outsized throws that I keep spotting online. Izzey runs her home furnishings company from a shop and workshop on the island, heading out for a sail whenever she can. If you love a marine theme, Izzey says you can use code XVClub15 to get 15% off this week. Result!

OliveOlive
Rob manages his olive oil goodies from the Cyprus family farm of his wife Pam, a former schoolfriend of mine. Who knew that the girl I sat next to in Maths would not only marry a guy from the school up the road, but proudly watch as he oversees deliveries of beautiful flavoured oils and packs of halloumi cheese from Cyprus. My pick is this selection pack, and I often have bags of halloumi in the freezer. Catch Olive Olive at farmers’ markets or visit online.

Kodes
My Italian namesake Morena is the creator of this funky, eclectic jewellery collection. Throw yourself into 1920s art deco, roar into the party with leopard-print acrylic earrings, or go for quirky style with a silicone necklace that you’ll find absolutely nowhere else. Keep an eye on the website for workshops to have a crack at making things yourself. The bracelet I made is my go-to wrist adornment. Grazie mille, Morena!

Izibele
What’s Christmas without a sleigh-ride around the world? First stop Toronto, to my friend Abi’s magical gift shop Izibele. Selling fairtrade curios and homewares that have been carefully curated from South Africa, Abi supports programmes and communities that promote sustainability and recycling, and the products reflect this. Call in or shop online for bright and beautiful cushions, ornaments, toys and more.

Squidinki
Next stop, Sydney, Australia. This is where my mate Max built his company from scratch, and it’s now based in a shop on The Rocks. Stop by to get a close-up look at his incredibly detailed prints and gifts, captioned with a clever play on words. My favourite? A Warhol-esque opinion piece on Vegemite and Marmite. Or maybe the madly detailed large-scale beachscape of Bondi, with its lifeguard station, sunbathers and busy crowd (and is that a fin in the water, Max?).

BaskLB
Staying in Sydney, we’re heading to the skate parks for some city action. From the remnants of a tragic crash comes light, in the form of this unorthodox range of artwork emblazoned across clothing and accessories. Barney was a talented young artist and a teenage son of my good schoolfriend Bella. He lost his life way too young, but his artwork has been resurrected and makes up this very cool range (modeled by big bro Arthur). We should all bask like Barney.

Huw Martin Collage
Back to the UK, and to Prestwich, where Huw creates bespoke artwork, much of it to order. I’m the proud owner of one of Huw’s stunning works and I couldn’t be happier with her. I say “her” because the intricate collages have feminine idol themes. Madge with a halo’s nest of snakes? Ursula Andress rising from the ocean dropping shells and sea creatures? Head to Huw’s Insta page to see more.

NUX Photography
I needed headshots in a hurry, but didn’t want the usual awful selfies, so I went the professional route. I knew Brigitta at NUX from my networking group and she answered my pushed-for-time plea with the idea of a virtual shoot. We would do it in two locations, her home and mine, at the same time. All I needed was a phone and an Internet connection. HOW much fun did I have all alone in my living room with B’s voice squeaking from my phone: ‘Turn left! More! YES!’ I walked away with a full set of fab headshots. It doesn’t have to be virtual; Brigitta has a studio, and can also travel to you for office snaps and professional shoots. A former model and actress, she’s sparky, kind, encouraging and lots of fun to work with.

Zero Degrees
There’ll be no shopping for the shadowy sleepers in the freezing doorways of London’s streets. If you want to buy a person some warmth, consider making a donation to the Zero Degrees project. These guys buy sleeping bags and then go round handing them out to the homeless. Please direct any spare change from your shopping to their page on Facebook.

Thank you, local and not-so-local vendors, and thank you small-biz-loving shoppers.