staff picks: Sarah loves Karin Akesson's bird print

Sarah Wilson is our Head of Brand. She is charge of making sure our customers know what we’re about, and that everything we do fits with the notonthehighstreet.com vision. Her favourite item on the site is Karin Akesson’s bird print.

She says: “I seem to have become a serial wedding attender over the past few month, with lots of close friends going down the aisle. I bought this print as a gift for one of my friends who was getting married, and gave it to her on the morning of her wedding. The phrase ‘Today Something Wonderful Will Happen’ holds such a strong sentiment for someone on their big day, and it also served as a perfect yet unusual ‘something blue’ gift. The bride subsequently had it framed and it now hangs on a wall in her home as a reminder of her special day’.

Posted by jenniferbaldwin on 27 January 2012
- 1 comment

One skirt, three ways

Every wardrobe needs versatile pieces, and we think this ‘Lucy’ Ballet skirt by Kiki’s fits the bill perfectly. Here we show just three of the ways you could wear it – from chic office wear, to weekend casual, or strong evening glamour. This is a piece to wear all year round…

‘Lucy’ Ballet Skirt, (shown throughout) Kiki’s, £35; ‘Bows aplenty’ Blouse, Nina Bon Bina, £65; ‘Addison’ Belt, Miller and Jeeves £42; Suede Courts, Mandarina Shoes, £110; ‘Sophie’ Lunch Bag, Clippy, £24.50; ‘Rosendahl’ Rose Gold Watch, ella georgia, £185; ‘Classic Ring No.5’ring, £95, and ‘Contemporary Classics’ cube earrings, £75, both Bronagh Kennedy. All items; notonthehighstreet.com

Skirt, as before; Alpaca fur tippet, Samantha Holmes, £199; ‘Royal Alpaca’ round neck sweater, Babi Alpaca, £70; Leather bow belt, Ageeta, £42; ‘Barella’ leather birkin bag, Maxwell Scott Leather Goods, £325.99; ‘Saidia’ embellished multi strap sandals, Love Art Wear Art, £215; Gold coin bracelet, Lily & Joan, £18; Gold star coin earrings, Lindsay Pearson, £396;

‘Betsy’ blouse, Silk & Sawdust, £65; Ottoman gold droplet necklace, Lemonlu london, £295; Square foldover clutch bag, Red Ruby Rouge, £129; Suede sling back shoes, Mandarini Shoes, £110; Hand hammered brass cuff, Ethical Trading Company, £20; Gold ‘Inlay’ cuff, Tuli Storm, £40; ‘Padparadscha gold filled crochet’ ring, Wrapped design, £85

Posted by emmahoness on 17 November 2011

Stir-Up Sunday

This weekend sees the first of many age-old traditions of the festive season. ‘Stir-Up Sunday’ is a custom that dates back to Victorian times, where a family comes together on the last Sunday before advent to prepare their Christmas pudding. The pudding should be made over a month before Christmas Day so the flavours have plenty of time to develop. The ingredients should be stirred from east to west in honour of the Three Wise Men who visited baby Jesus, and each family member should take their turn to stir it, whilst making a secret wish and chanting the rhyme:

‘Stir Up, we beseech thee, the pudding in the pot;
And when we get home we’ll eat the lot’.

A sixpence was traditionally added to the ingredients and cooked in the pudding. It was supposed to bring wealth to whoever found it on their plate on Christmas day. Other traditional additions to the pudding included; a ring to foretell a marriage, a horsehoe for a luck, a bell to protect from evil, a thimble to determine a spinster and a silver button for a bachelor.

Our seller Vivi, can offer a modern-day solution to keep this tradition going. Their set of six sterling silver pudding charms can be baked in your Christmas pudding and used year after year on Stir-Up Sunday.

If you fancy trying your hand at Stir-Up Sunday, Vivi have provided us with the perfect pud recipe (below) to get you started. However if your culinary skills leave somewhat to be desired, why not let the experts do the hard work? These handmade Christmas puddings by Cat’s Whiskers Cake Design (pictured top) are simply divine, and can be ordered now and saved until Christmas Day.

Posted by jenniferbaldwin on 14 November 2011

staff picks: Nicola loves the Trellick Tower cushion

Nicola, our very cool production co-ordinator, has chosen the Trellick Tower cushion by The London Gift Company as her all-time favourite item from the site. “Saturday mornings rifling through the treasures of Portobello market is my weekly treat. This cushion of the iconic Trellick Tower that looms over my favourite street brightens up my room and reminds me just how much I love our diverse and interesting city.”

Posted by jenniferbaldwin on 24 February 2011

staff picks: Harriet loves Clare Gage's lace cups

The first staff pick of 2011 comes from Harriet, one of the newer members of the notonthehighstreet.com team. Harriet recently joined our press department, and already has her eye on some favourite products from the site. ‘I’ve never seen anything like the lace cups by Clare Gage before, they are so pretty and delicate, and have such a unique design. I love the combination of textiles and ceramics – a theme that runs through Clare’s whole collection. I also love her patchwork cup and sugar bowl. I will have to start a collection!’.

Posted by jenniferbaldwin on 06 January 2011

staff pick: Nell loves Susan Kerr Jewellery

Our Partner Development Manager Nell is the first of our team to select her staff pick. She has a soft spot for Susan Kerr’s nostalgic jewellery. “I adore everything 1930s. I have the complete Poirot box set and watch it whenever I have a spare moment for the gorgeous outfits and attention to detail. These Deco droplet earrings by Susan Kerr are a little reminder of the elegance of the era and make me feel a little bit more glamorous whenever I wear them! I think my next purchase will be Susan’s Leaf cluster necklace, which may even help me dance like Ginger Rogers!”

Posted by jenniferbaldwin on 23 July 2010