Take a Walk on the Wild Side!

With a soggy Winter nearly over (we hope!) & Spring in the air, we are loving the trend for animal inspired products in our homes.  The trend this year is stepping away from animal print and into animal accents.  So, here are just a few of our favourites to celebrate a British countryside coming out of hibernation.    

  

The wonderful firm filled Fox Pouffe (£95.00) makes a great extra seat or resting spot for tired feet.  Made from 100% cotton fabric with a contrasting seam, this stunning pattern fit into any room anywhere, whether it’s contemporary or traditional.

Shadow puppets are a skill and now they can be captured whatever the light with these Animal Shadow Prints (£75.00).  This pair of hand-pulled screen prints of a Red Deer and African Elephant are also eco-friendly, comprising water based eco ink and the highest quality 100% recycled 280gsm card. 

 A letter rack that celebrates the trusty carrier pigeon, the Pigeon Post Letter Rack (£20.00) can be used freestanding or wall mounted to make sure that important messages and letters never fly away. 

There’s no need to fight, each one of this Boxing Hares Cushion (£55.50) is unique so no two are the same.  Hand printed and hand stitched with as much work on the reverse as on the front, whichever way this cushion is on the sofa it will make a stunning statement. 

 

Top 5 Gifts for Her

Here's a little bit of Festive Friday gift inspiration.  Have a look at our Top 5 Gifts for Her that won't let you down.

1. Cheeky Flower Cup & Saucer

With a happy cheeky message hiding in the cup declaring 'You're my cup of tea!'.  Love it!  Made in England.  Price £20. 

http://clareloves.co.uk/kitchen-table/tea-cup-and-saucer

2. Seagull Picnic Blanket

Because in the deep mid-Winter it's lovely to remember those sunny summer days and beach picnics.  Made in England.  Price £36.

http://clareloves.co.uk/home-and-living/seagull-picnic-blanket

3. Jelly & Cake Apron

Jelly & cake anyone?  This simply splendid, gorgeously illustrated apron is a real treat.  Matching oven gloves complete the set.  Made in England.  Price £24.

http://clareloves.co.uk/kitchen-table/jelly-and-cake-apron

4. Porcelain Cake Stand

Everything stops for tea!  A simple and elegant cake stand to show off confections and fancies before they're gobbled up!  Made in England.  Price £44.

http://clareloves.co.uk/kitchen-table/porcelain-cake-stand

5. Crafty Little Notebook

The perfect little book for jotting down notes on sewing and craft ideas for future days.  Made in England.  Price £3.50.

http://clareloves.co.uk/desk-and-stationery/crafty-notebook

Top 5 Gifts for the Messy!

Continuing our series on Can't Go Wrong Gifts, here are our top pick of gifts for the messy!  For all those disorganised Dads (because Mums are never messy!) and chaotic kids here are a few things to help life run a little bit smoother.

1. Cufflink Tidy

This lovely cufflink tray is beautifully crafted from a single piece of solid oak.  Handy holes keep cufflink paired so there no rummaging for the matching other half.  Made in England.  Price £49.

http://clareloves.co.uk/home-and-living/oak-cufflink-tray

2. Straight & Narrow Shelf 

Great for kids rooms and kitchens.  These coated metal shelves are designed to hold favourite drawings, cards and invitations as well as the odd book.  Made in England.  Price £20.

http://clareloves.co.uk/children/straight-and-narrow-shelf

3. Weekly Planner Pad

We love this one at the Clare Loves HQ.  Works brilliantly to help plan the week ahead - great way of organising the 'to-do' list.  Perfect addition to any busy home - or office!  Made in England.  Price £9.

http://clareloves.co.uk/home-and-living/weekly-organiser

4. Desk Tidy

Great for kids rooms, home office or kitchen dresser, this solid oak desk tidy will keep all those useful bits & bobs handy in one place.  Made in England.  Price £75.

http://clareloves.co.uk/home-and-living/oak-desk-tidy   

5. House Cupboard

Made from coated metal, this sturdy cupboard can be used freestanding or wall mounted.  With two internal shelves and a hinged front facade this cupboard would make a lovely and practical bathroom or bedroom cabinet.  You could also use it in the kitchen or home office.  But our favourite, as a place for a little person to keep their treasures.  Made in England.  Price £135.

http://clareloves.co.uk/home-and-living/dutch-house

Top 5 Gifts to Hug!

For the next in our series of Gifts That Can't Fail we thought we'd look at Gifts to Hug.  Because everyone loves a good cuddle!

1. Learn to Count Dog 

He's the perfect size for little hands to hold and hug.  This screen printed sausage dog is here to help learn to count too.  Made in England.  Price £15.

http://clareloves.co.uk/children/learn-to-count-dog

2. Little Loopy Lapin

Made from soft knitted lambswool with lovely squishy stuffing, Loopy Lapin is our number one stripy friend.  Made in England.  Price £22.

http://clareloves.co.uk/children/little-loopy-lapin

 3. Snowflake Hottie

This one's for the grown-ups. Our favourite hottie!  With a cover made from knitted lambswool that's been gently felted for extra hug-ability.  Made in England.  Price £38.

http://clareloves.co.uk/christmas/view-all/snowflake-hottie.html

4. Tilda Rag Doll Kit

Why not made Tilda as a special gift for a very special little girl?  She's a super cute rag dolly any girl would love.  Made in England.  Price £22.50.

http://clareloves.co.uk/children/tilda-rag-doll-kit

5. Softest Lambswool Blanket 

Perfect for those long winter evenings.  This gorgeous lambswool throw will keep you cosy and warm.  Made in England.  Price £95.

http://clareloves.co.uk/home-and-living/lambswool-throw-in-moss

Top 5 Gifts for Him

Welcome to the first in our series featuring 'Gifts you can't go wrong with'.  First up, our Top 5 Gifts for Men.

1.  Oak Wine Rack

A beautifully made piece, designed to hold one bottle and remain balanced or up to 12 stacked.  Made in England.  Price £75.

http://clareloves.co.uk/kitchen-table/oak-wine-rack

2. Pigeon Post Letter Rack

Trust this pigeon to keep those letters in order.  Made from coated steel and can be used freestanding or wall mounted.  Made in England.  Price £20.

http://clareloves.co.uk/desk-and-stationery/pigeon-post-letter-rack

3. House Shelf

This one's for the man who can never find his keys!  Wall mounted, it has a chalkboard roof for messages, a cubby hole for wallet & phone plus the all important hooks for keys.  Made in England.  Price £47.

http://clareloves.co.uk/home-and-living/house-shelf

4. Birdee Nesting Box

For those who love their garden.  Give nature a helping hand with these splendid looking homes for tits, robins & wrens.  Made in England.  Price £22.

http://clareloves.co.uk/outdoor-living/mr-and-mrs-birdee-nest-boxes

5. Local Butcher Apron

Perfect for cooking outdoors or in, barbeque or kitchen this apron will keep him well covered.  Superbly made and fantastic quality.  But most of all we love the Butcher graphics.  Made in England.  Price £34.

http://clareloves.co.uk/kitchen-table/local-butcher-apron

The perfectly shaped tree!

There is no such thing as a perfectly shaped Christmas Tree!  Maybe it's just me, but I rather like the wonky ones.  Branches a bit sparse on one side and everything lop sided.  When I was little I used to worry that the wonky trees would be left behind, that they'd never get dressed up and look pretty.  I've move on - but not much!  I still insist on decorating the side facing the wall that no one sees.

The question is this, is 1st December too early for a Christmas Tree?  Are the early extra days of pine smelling loveliness worth a crispy tree and fallen needles by Boxing Day?  I vote 'yes' for a Christmas Tree on the 1st!  But with or without a tree, it's feeling a lot like Christmas already.

            

A lovely poem

My nine year old went very quiet for a long time yesterday ... she was writing a poem about clare loves.  It's the sweetest thing - so I just had to share it.