Alexandra Hawker-Bath 
What to buy for the foodie in your life? And I use that term very loosely – I’m not talking Michelin-starred chefs, here! I absolutely count myself as a foodie when really all I mean by that is that I like food; pretty much all food. I really enjoy sitting down with friends or family … Read more
I suppose it was fairly inevitable, but lockdown 2 seems to have spurred everyone on to start Christmas early, this year – except me! With me, it seems to have had exactly the opposite effect. I have been looking at everyone getting their decorations out, putting their trees up and generally embarking on Christmas a … Read more
As the seasons turn, don’t we all start hankering after more comforting food? I certainly do! I’ve been trying to get the boys more involved in the kitchen (the dream is a whole meal that I don’t have to get involved with at all…!), and we were talking about making a crumble – my grandmother … Read more
Founded by cousins Sam and Laura and operating out of their garden shed since 2016 (hence the packaging!), the award winning Popcorn Shed is a homegrown, family-owned business; a made in Britain artisanal brand. They have always appreciated the humble popcorn snack and its power to enhance special moments spent with loved ones – be … Read more
Norse pride themselves on making naturally great grooming products. The company was founded by Iain after he became fed up with the fruitless search for products that would leave him with a sweet smelling and itch free beard without leaving him penniless with a greasy face. Norse oils, waxes and salves are handmade in Kingston-upon-Thames … Read more
Green Grove Weavers is the result of a collaboration between Anne Bell and Kenneth Pollock, designers with a passion for creating contemporary design based on the rich traditions of Scottish craftsmanship. A design graduate of the Scottish College of Textiles, Anne worked as a designed in the textile industry before gaining invaluable experience in colour … Read more
Drift Jewellery was started by Fiona Petheram in 2007 after moving to Tarifa on the Costa de la Luz of Spain, a place renowned for its beautiful unspoiled beaches and formidable Levante wind. Following a career in journalism and public relations, it was here that Fiona found the time and inspiration to start making jewellery. She now … Read more
Mother’s Day this year fell right at the beginning of lockdown, which unfortunately in this house caught the men-folk rather off guard; they had been planning on a last-minute dash into town the day before to get cards and a gift, but Covid put paid to that. The ensuing panic and tears from the children … Read more
I’ve decided this week that our current home working situation is not actually as bad as I thought. My office has for a while now essentially been the end of the dining table, but it doesn’t take up a huge amount of space and being just a laptop and some paperwork, has always been pretty … Read more
I overheard my husband on a work call today agreeing to reschedule a meeting to next week and suggesting Monday, only to be informed by his colleague on the other end of the phone that Monday was a bank holiday… His response to my incredulity was that he knew there was a bank holiday right … Read more