Beach Huts

Felixstowe Beach Huts Print ~ Deborah Eileen Burrow

I am obsessed with beach huts. There I've said it! So I am sure this won't be the only post about them. When we head to Felixstowe beach there are rows upon rows of beach huts on the cliffs, many shades of a vast palette.  From pastel ice cream shades to bright red and white stripes. Whilst Drew just thinks they're a very expensive shed, I think they are fab. Imagine having a little house at the beach that you can store all the buckets and spades, fishing nets, flip flops, water shoes instead of carrying them around in the boot of the car.  And then when the weather's chilly you can pop into your beach hut and make a fresh pot of tea. Also there are no more awkward changes for the children as you try and use the towels to hide them as they change to go for a swim.  

Personalised Beach Hut Decoration ~ Milly & Pip

So are they an expensive shed on the beach or are they a quintessentially English must have for regular beach adventures?

I'm Back!!

After falling down a rabbit hole a few months ago into the world of weddings I have just finished a little potion that said 'Drink Me' and am returning here to my little ol' blog.  I have been spending a lot of time thinking the past couple of weeks and now feel like I've come home as I sit here and type this post.  I guess sometimes we have to try ideas to realise they are not for us, although I may just pop in the occassional party inspiration post,as this was my favourite part of writing Inspired Celebration!

So, a new chapter and a fresh new look.  Zoe and Drew will still be about sharing fantastic finds from designer makers and little shops but also about my favourite place, well apart from home, the beach.  Whenever I need to think I head to the beach.  Just sitting on the beach in the sunshine, watching the kite surfers or the tide splash the shingle or on colder days walking briskly and feeling the salty air sting my face, this is where I can clear my head.

This new chapter also sees me working with my husband, Andy, affectionately called Drew ever since I can remember.  Having grown up in coastal Suffolk he also has a love of being on the beach and everything seaside related. He even wrote an essay for his recent degree in History about the impact of the railway being built on Victorian Suffolk. 

Whilst we're still at the idea and planning stage we think together we can start a creative and vintage business that will allow us to indulge our love of the seaside. So watch this space and I hope I'll be sharing some ideas and products very soon!

Business Wednesday - Branding

When you think of certain big brands I am sure we all automatically think of their products or logo at the mere mention of their name. So McDonalds, Big Macs and a big yellow M, Tesco, stripy blue & white bags and a red logo, GAP, navy blue drawstring bags with white logo and I could go on!  Whilst the word branding may bring thoughts of hot pokers and cows it is vital to get it right with your own business. 

Do you use the same logo on your website, Etsy shop, Facebook page, blog and business cards? It is vital to create a brand, a logo synominous to your business to appear professional when dealing with customers.  When you are setting up your Folksy or Etsy shop it is incredibly important to think about the iamge you are conveying to possible customers if you want to succceed.  We all know that good product photography is important but I also believe that representing your product professionally is sometimes of greater importance to gain repeat business and for customers to talk about your business. 

The photographs will probably clinch that sale but if you then send a buiness card with a different logo to your shop with your parcel and use a sticker without a logo the customer might not necessarily remember who you are.  Yet if you were to send that parcel, beautifully packaged, with a business card or compliment slip with the same logo as your shop, with your shop URL then seal the parcel with a sticker with that same logo, that customer is going to remember you. They will remember the way you packed the parcel and they would have seen your logo three times now. Obvioulsy a great logo is important, but that is for another day!

Creating a brand that people remember is important and if you are not sure what you message you are trying to convey with your brand there is help available.  Fiona Humberstone at Flourish Studios is running a one day branding workshop and if you live near enough to attend I would highly recommend it.  I read Flourish Studios blog religously and I admit that I love their designs, which are always fresh and just seem to fit the company perfectly that they have designed for.  For more information about this workshop please visit Flourish Studios website.

Cath Kidston Giveaway - Winner

Wow, so many entries for the giveaway to win Sew by Cath Kidston. Thank you to everyone who took the time to enter, it's lovely to know there are still many Cath Kidston fans out there!  I have used the Random Number Generator and the winner is -

Catherine Miller (@katylittlelady)

Be sure to check back in a couple of weeks as I have another book to giveaway.

Fabric Friday - New Collections

It is Friday again and of course that means it's time for some fabric indulgence.  Continuing from last week I am going to look back at previous features and share some new collections from designers that have apepared in Fabric Friday in the past year.  As today sees the start of London Fashion Week I feel it apt to look at some of our main British textile designers.

Cath Kidston

I first featured Cath Kidston for Fabric Friday back in April last year and am excited to see what new designs she has released.

Cath Kidston - Fabric Friday - April 2010

Whilst other design houses release new collections usually in line with the fashion seasons Cath Kidston does not clearly announce new designs on her website.  However I am sure that Circus and London Scene are fairly new designs and are both fabulous.  Cath Kidston designs are synominous with quintessential English ideals and the theme of London Scene I feel ties in very well with the Cool Britannia trend that is still popular.  The Circus print reminds me of childhood trips to the big top and again airs that feeling of nostalgia that Cath Kidston prints evoke.

Circus

London Scene

Designers Guild

Designers Guild were first featured in a Fabric Friday post in the Summer last year and I have since been fortunate enough to review Tricia Guilds book, A Certain Style.

Designers Guild - Fabric Friday - July 2010

There are several new collections released by Designers Guild that fit with the fashion seasons of Autumn/Winter and Spring/Summer.  This new Spring /Summer season has seen thirteen new fabric collections, including the fantastic Arles collection resulting from a collaboration with Christian Lacroix. There are also three new wallcovering collections, Linnaeus, Around the World and Essentials Oxbridge.

Here are three of my favourites from the new collections, I especially love the solid vibrancy of Piave, reminiscent of catwalks for S/S11.

Around The World

Sofienberg

Piave

Lisa Stickley

Lisa Stickley has become a household name, especially since joining the line up of 'Designers at Debenhams'.  I first featured Lisa Stickley in the middle of the summer last year.

Fabric Friday - Lisa Stickley - August 2010

Whilst there is a new homewares collection available from Debenhams Lisa Stickly has several new designs available on her website.  Here are a few new pieces -

Linda Magazine Bag

Modestly Marvellous Mug

Substanially Generous Jug

Wall Decals for Bigger Kids

There comes a time when our little ones are not so little anymore and they no longer want trains, cars or fairies on their walls. As promised last week I have found some great wall decals for our older children. 

Banksy Apache Wall Stickers from Brighton POD

My sons want this when we decorate their room this month.

Space Invaders from Brighton POD

Retro cool that would work for girls and boys!

from Munkydory

For all our budding rock stars.

from The Binary Box

So our intrepid adventurers can plan their future trips.

from Supernice

A bit of glamour in hot pink.

from Nutmeg

from Leonora Hammond

Cool Britannia is still a hot theme

from Leonora Hammond

I am reguarly heard saying this!

from Supernice

from Elmo Studio

from Twice As Nice Lettering

Bags for Spring

It's coming, I can feel it's warmer sun, see the daffs poking their heads through the ground, the mornings aren't quite as dark, Spring is on it's way.  Just as nature offers us a burst of colour after bleak winter days I'm starting to think of  brighter colours as we move into the Spring months.  Bags are a staple that can be changed reguarly, whether they are just to carry our purse, keys and phone or as a style statement.  As a fabric addict I love the idea of a bright bold bag for Spring and here are some ideas.

Large Flouncy Bag by Poppy Treffry

I adore Poppy Treffry's designs and was fortunate to meet her at the Country Living Fair back in November.

Joanna Hand Held Tote by Lisa Stickley

Fabric Friday fans will know that I am a big fan of  Lisa Stickley's designs and of course I chose a green bag, it's my favourite colour!

Rose Tote by Emma Burton

Emma's designs are full of colour with hints of vintage designs yet she uses up to date digital printing to create her fabric designs before making a selection of bags, purses and scarves.

Haversack by Susannah Hunter

Huge daisies have to be favourite flowers.

Satchel by Breagha

A splash of yellow, even if tweed does make us think of winter.

Velvet Bag by Clouded Yellow

A pop of colour to brighten those rainy mornings.