December Etsy Favourites

Tuesday 23 December 2014

As we're winding down for Christmas, I thought I would make the most of the opportunity whilst things were quieter to post my current Etsy favourites. As most of you will know, I love to support small independent businesses, especially on Etsy, so here's to you movers and shakers!






Firstly, I had to share a long favourite of mine - Emma Moore Illustration and Design. I got to know Emma online over the summer and have been closely following her amazing success, which she deserves every piece of! Her work really is flawless, and rest assured, the second I have an event coming up, she will be the person I head to. You can visit her etsy store here, or alternatively, she is a partner of NOTHS, and you can find her here







Next up absolutely had to be Handmade Sam Made.  I ordered a prism himmeli from Sam for my desk (see here) around the beginning of December, and it arrived super speedily from the US to the UK in time for Christmas. Not only was the quality absolutely everything I expected and more, it was great value for money and packaged impeccably. In fact, Sam has even inspired me for how we can work on our packaging at Aubergine Fox! Keep up the amazing work Samantha, and thanks for the air plant recommendations too!







My third and final Etsy seller recommendation for this month is Sweet Pea Ink.  They're currently closed for Christmas break too, but I absolutely have my eye on every one of their mugs (hint, Eloise, if you're reading this!). I also have my eye on their black LIKE A BOSS pencils, definitely sensing a new year treat coming on!

Got any small businesses you would love to recommend? Drop them below!


Cold Winter Days: A Perfect Afternoon In

Tuesday 16 December 2014

This is, sort of, our first official ever blog post!

It seems fitting somehow that the topic be food, rest and relaxation. After a hectic month getting all your lovely orders out, we decided to take a little indulgent self care day! And on the cards? Of course, it had to be Christmas movies, hot chocolate and a tonne of blankets to snuggle in.


We decided to make some hot chocolate stirrers (albeit nowhere near as Mello Mallo's fluffy mallow goodness, you can order some from her here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/mellomallo).


Firstly, I dug out my handy fondue set, a couple of big mugs, hot chocolate, marshmallows, sprinkles and some straws. I actually chose some really nice Belgium caramel hot chocolate I was bought although I did contemplate hot drinking fudge.

 

What I love about hot chocolate stirrers is they're so delicious yet quick and easy to make. All you really need is marshmallows and for a little bit extra, some chocolate or sprinkles. I would really recommend getting Mikado or Pocky for your stirrers, but as we didn't have any in, we made do with paper straws! Note: we even chose classic red stripes, in keeping with good ol' festive spirit.

If you have any Christmas mugs, grab them! I love Cath Kidston mugs, particularly the old style, as they're so big - more hot chocolate for me! I have had my eye on some adorable festive mugs from some fellow Etsy sellers, which I can link below if you'd like.


Now, all you need to do is pop the kettle on, put your straws or pocky sticks in the marshmallows, melt your chocolate, dip them and viola! There you have it.



What would make this your perfect lazy day in?