Press & Blog — Countryside

Here in South Molton in lovely North Devon we’ve got the summer season event of ‘South Molton in Bloom’ getting underway. Businesses around the town contribute and it means that beautiful bright flowers can be seen all around the square and elsewhere. We love it so much that we thought we’d theme this weeks blog post on all things floral to celebrate one of our favourite times of the year.

Emma Bridgewaters newest floral range is certainly one that has a place here. We love it, particularly the sunflower tray which is just so bright and sunny. Plus the mini tins which are super sweet and can be used to store little bits and bobs, or used as part of a gift stuffed with some sweets. Then there’s also the brand new calendars. We know it’s only July but we’re already getting ready for next year, and thanks to their gorgeous design they even fit in with the floral theme too.

Pip studio goodies are always bright and colourful much like seasonal flowers, especially the Blushing Birds ranges. Available in reds, yellows, blues pinks or khakis, there’s plenty to choose from to suit all tastes and add a touch of vibrancy to your home this summer. Even if it’s just for decoration such as using a mug to keep pens or makeup brushes in.

Gisela Graham mugs are such lovely mugs to have in the home or give as gifts. The sunflower mini mug & jug is the cutest little set and matches really well with all of the other lovely flowery goodies. If you’re a lover of sunflowers and have some growing in your own garden, these might be perfect for a cuppa whilst you give them some TLC.

Finally, although not necessarily floral in design, Hinza bags are such a great accompaniment to any flower or garden theme as they’re so useful for either storing gardening tools or making a quirky alternative to a plant pot. We think they look fabulous with some flowers in!

We do love a bright window, and right now our display is certainly looking that way, with all of these tulips, sunflowers and more, plus all of the lovely flowers all over town, its really looking quite gorgeous at the moment, just what we’ve all needed!

If there's one thing this pandemic has done, it's that it's made us far more aware of our surroundings. Whether it's sparked a new found love for the beauty of where we live, or provoked a realisation that perhaps it's time for somewhere new, it's probably impacted us all in some way. And with that, it would seem that many of us are making moves to new homes and new areas perhaps more than ever.

Sound familiar to you? Well, if you know someone who has just moved house or is just about to, here is the blog post you might need to give some inspiration on what gift to get them. Throw in a card and you're good to go.

Trays

It can sometimes be difficult to know what homeware to get someone if perhaps they have a specific style or already have plenty of mugs, plates and dishes etc. But often a good tray can go overlooked and there are some really gorgeous ones available. Take the Asta Barrington ones for example, which are bright and beautiful and you can even choose one with their favourite drink or phrase on if you like. Or there's the Emma Bridgewater trays for those who love the classic country look, these are practical gifts too as they're a good size and sturdy.

Tins

Sticking to alternative homeware, tins are another brilliant option. Not only are they really useful (you can never have enough tins, right?), but again, there are also some really lovely designs out there - the Emma Bridgewater ones being an obvious choice. You can fill them with goodies to add to the gift too, for example getting some luxury crackers and popping them in a cracker tin, or filling a biscuit barrel with their favourites.

Candles

A common gift choice for a new home, but for a good reason. A good quality, delightful smelling candle can be a real treat as a gift. You could opt for the Country Candles New Home candle to mark the occasion, or instead go for their favourite scent, or a reed diffuser from St Eval that they can easily spruce up an empty shelf with.

Austin Sloan Signs

For those whose homes follow a more rustic theme and who like a bit of humour, an Austin Sloan sign will always go down well. They can be hung in any part of the house or garden, and are a great way to bring some extra personality to the place.

East of India

It wouldn't be a special occasion without some sentiment from East of India. If it's just a small token you want to give, or a little extra piece to add to the main present, a trinket might be perfect.

Gift Vouchers

If you're still feeling like they already have everything they need, or you're not sure on their style yet, sometimes a gift voucher is the best you can give. That way they can save it for when they might need it, or choose something they've had their eye on for a while.

Cards

And finally, you can't forget a card! The Emma Bridgewater one is one of our all time best-selling cards, so naturally had to get a mention, and it really is lovely. But there are other options too and all are gorgeous. Now your gift is complete!

Nothing says summer quite like a Great British picnic. Whether you like to go all out with disposable barbeques and Pimm's, or keep it simple with sandwiches and nibbles, there's just something about it that you can't beat. Now that lockdown is slowly easing and the weather is warming, many of us are probably going to be having even more picnics than usual this summer. So we thought we'd put together a little guide on all the things you might need so that all you need to add is the fun bit: food and drink!

Perfect Picnicware

Sturdy and easy to clean, the Emma Bridgewater melamine sets were made with picnics in mind. You can clunk them almost anywhere without having to worry about breakages, and their classic, beautifully British designs will compliment any view.

Something to Sit on

When it comes to the picnic blanket, we like to keep it stylish. Atlantic Blankets are an ideal choice here as not only will the ultra cosy wool provide a comfy alternative to scratchy grass, but the lovely designs will make you feel like you're having a luxury picnic in no time.

Stay Hydrated

As the weather heats up and we find ourselves out in the sunshine, it goes without saying that we need to drink plenty of water. So ensure the whole family is staying hydrated with a bottle for everyone. Frugi have fun designs for the kids, and for the adults these fabulous new bottles from Blue Eyed Sun are just gorgeous. Uniquely designed with practicality in mind, they're insulated so will be sure to keep your water cool all day. There's also Dopper bottles which are great for popping your favourite tipple in as they can be taken apart to become a little wine glass - perfect for the adults!

The Picnic Bag

Now, you'll be needing something to put all of these bottles and plates inside. We suggest a large Hinza bag for this as their strong, practical design means that they'd easily hold all of your bits and bobs. They're easy to wipe down in the case of any spillages, and their vibrant colours make them look splendid in the summertime. You can even buy a cover or inner bag to go with them for extra protection.

Keep the Bugs at Bay

Finally, this ones not an essential but might come in handy if you've got wasp haters in your family, or want to avoid mosquito bites if you're picnic is continuing into the evening. The Country Candle large fresh cut herbs candle will compliment the smell of the great outdoors whilst keeping those pesky little insects at bay so that you can keep your delicious food to yourself. Plus as the sun slowly goes down, it'll help provide a touch of ambience to your summer evening.

Though there are still restrictions on our life in other areas, isn't it wonderful knowing that we can at least enjoy being outside with the ones we love now? We hope this gives you inspiration for the many picnics we'll all probably be having this summer, and gets you excited for good times ahead!

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