Hop hop hurray - Easter is coming!

We just love the Easter holidays - time off school, time off work.  Sunny days and everywhere looking fresh and green.  What could be better?  And we've been told it's not all about the chocolate - although if we're honest it's at least a little bit about the yummy stuff!  Especially if it's the thing you gave up for Lent.

Chocolate aside, here are a few Easter goodies we hope you'll love.

If you're making Easter decorations, here's a handy little pocketbook of ten Easter eggs to cut out and colour-in.  Just add a pretty ribbon and they're ready to hang.  Great for younger kids.  £2.95 

   
Meet the Yolk Folk – three make-them-yourself paper chick decorations.  The set contains templates to cut out and full instructions, all you need is scissors and glue.  Suitable from age six upwards.  £6.00

Here's Little Loopy Lapin.  Knitted from pure new lambswool with a cute hand embroidered face, he's just waiting for a cuddle.  And he has a friend, Little Bare Bear.  £22.00

And just in case the Easter Bunny pays a visit, this Bunny Bag will be very handy.  Perfect for special days out, to hang on a door handle & keep treasures safe – and of course for the Easter egg hunt!  £16.50

 
Have a very Happy Easter!

Mother's Day - Sunday 30th March

‘God could not be everywhere, and therefore he made Mothers.’ - Ruyard Kipling 

Honouring Mothers goes as far back as the ancient Greeks, who had an annual spring festival dedicated to a maternal goddess ‘Rhea.’  The ancient Romans also had an annual spring celebration on the Ides of March for the mother goddess ‘Cybele’.  Mothering Sunday as we know it, only dates back to the 1600s and was a day where even servants and other employees were encouraged to visit their mothers. 
   

Fast forwarding to the 21^st Century and Mother's Day is the perfect day to treat Mothers and Grandmothers.  Maybe breakfast in bed or a bunch of freshly picked flowers.  An extra hug or a handwritten note.  Whatever you choose to do, remember Mums are marvelous!

Here are some of our favourite gift ideas for Mother's Day, and they're all made in Britain by lovely ladies!

There’s nothing like a home cooked meal - and now it can be whisked up without being worn!  This gorgeous hand printed Jelly and Cake Apron (£24.00) is made from 100% cotton and is perfect for protecting any Mum from splashes and spills.

Whether it’s another fun filled day with the family or part of a wonderful working week, a quick caffeine boost using the Espresso Cup & Saucer (£16.00) will start the day right.  This pretty design was inspired by the flower power era of the 1960s and if she’s more of a tea drinker there’s also a coordinating Tea Cup & Saucer (£20.00).

A Mother’s heart is filled with love so why not show her how much she’s in your heart with these knitted lamb’s wool Lavender Filled Hearts (£12.50).  Filled with lavender and wheat, they will create a lovely scent in drawers, or could help her drift off when placed under a pillow.   Plus they can be heated up on the radiator to pop in her pocket and keep her hand warm.

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