Hot on the Highstreet Week 150

I have been called a shopoholic and a giftoholic in the past, basically I love buying and giving presents. In moderation, it is important sometimes to buy yourself presents too. And with the prospect of a new job and new flat on the horizon, I thought I would mark the occasion with a little gift to me… this came in the post last week in the form of two beautifully hand-stitched personalised cushions for me and my new roommate.

Featured in Vogue’s must-haves last month, Volga Linen is the very desirable brand offering monogrammed material items of all shapes and sizes. The company sells an exquisite collection of pure linen from Russia consisting of table linen, bed linen, ready to hang curtains, clothes, a children’s range and accessories. They produce plain weaves, fabric with drawn thread work embroidery, damasks, and richly coloured paisleys. All their products are made from 100% flax – the natural fibre that gives linen its distinct quality and texture – it is grown and woven by the banks of the River Volga.

I ordered two of the small (30x40cm) pillowcases – ideal for bearing a name or initials. Volga offer special monogramming services on almost all their products. Whether it be a small initial in the corner of a napkin, romantic entwined initials on a sheet or a child’s name and date of birth on a small pillow, there is something for everyone. The pillows are available in a choice of simple patterns. I chose the ivory hem stitch pillowcase with red cross stitch initials embroidered on the centre of each pillow.

Now that I’ve got the Volga pillows I want the rest of the range too… they are beautiful, keep forever things, made from natural soft fabric with delicate, intricate stitching. They will make my bed look lovely and add a touch of personal luxury to my new room.

More information here.

www.volgalinen.co.uk

Hot on the Highstreet Week 143

Why bother with Old Kent Road, Whitechapel and Mayfair when you can land on all your favourite places?

My Monopoly is a completely personalised edition of the classic property trading game, created online, and delivered direct to your door. The easy to use website allows you to personalise the property names on your Monopoly board. The website also automatically personalises all the property cards and references in the Chance and Community Chest cards. The only tricky part is choosing your top 28 properties for the final board selection.

Within three weeks, your game is custom-made and shipped to you in a premium tin. The game costs £79. I can’t think of a more thoughtful and fun gift, ideal for Monopoly lovers of all ages. I was very lucky to receive my very own customised game, Thoroughly Modern Millyopoly. My favourite part? The utilities are replaced by my favourite burger joints!

My Monopoly includes: Gameboard, Premium embossed tin, 8 tokens, 28 Title Deed cards, 16 Chance cards, 16 Community Chest cards, 1 pack of MONOPOLY money, 32 green houses, 12 red hotels, 2 dice, 1 Speed Die and instructions.

Buy here.

www.mymonopoly.com

Hot on the Highstreet Week 135

I was very excited when I was asked to review the new ‘idealcases.com‘ brand. This company offer you the chance to create your very own customised iPhone, Blackberry, Samsung HTC, Kindle and iPad cases.

As the proud new owner of an iPhone I saw this as the perfect opportunity to protect and decorate my new gadget. I was instantly amazed by the endless possibilities and options at Ideal Cases, they really have thought of everything. The website is very easy to use: efficiently organised and quick to understand. After selecting your device, you are asked to choose a template, grid or freestyle option. You will then be able to add your photos, text, add clip art and your own doodles. I am still deliberating over the final draft of my case… the choice is infinite which is leading me to become painfully indecisive.

Designing my cover, I soon decided upon the grid layout as one is given some structure to work within and can then slot in one’s chosen photos easily. Each image can be modified, like an Instragram photo, so bright and fun colours are easy to achieve. The iPhone cover offers high scratch protection on the back and medium drop protection, but by the time I’d finished browsing the website I’d forgotten about the practicalities of the case and was just thinking about the most fabulous design.

This DIY design ensures your phone is totally unique and at just £12.49 it is excellent value. The whole world seems to own an iPhone but no-one can create the same ideal case cover as you.

More information ans make your own case here: http://idealcases.co.uk/

Hot on the Highstreet Week 128

 

I love any alphabet related fashion… it is an easy way of personalising a gift and a fun way to customise an outfit or room. I have assembled a few of my favourite letter ideas…

www.craftbarrow.com
These pop-art 3D letters are made from cardboard and ideal for arts and crafts customisation. Painted, collaged or just left plain and simple… they will jazz up any room.
£3.27 each

www.jonathanadler.com

Pricey but striking, Jonathan Adler’s hand loomed graphic pillows are made by weavers in Peru associated with Aid to Artisans. You can pick the colour combinations, choose cotton or wool and the team will get to work on your custom creation.
£110 each

www.mariaallenboutique.com
This online boutique sells dozens of personalised, letter inspired jewellery. I found the handmade love letter necklace most intriguing. Featuring a brass envelope locket with a lovely textured surface, inside there is a little wooden insert which is removable, with your choice of words etched onto it.

http://beesbakery.wordpress.com/
This is perhaps my favourite idea… customised Jammie Dodgers! The Bees Bakery team happily create your very own themed biscuits, perfect for parties!
From £1.75 each

www.daisyjewellery.com
These silver and gold plated alphabet rings can be worn alone for a dainty look, or stacked to create a word. I am desperate to own TMM in Daisy rings.
£37 each

www.tattydevine.com
The Tatty Devine name necklaces need no explanation… pick a word, any word and a fabulous necklace is created for you in your choice of coloured plastic. Quirky, cool and super fun.
Currently 20% off, from £27.50

Whether as a treat to yourself or a gift for a friend, personalised presents are thoughtful and fun.

Hot on the Highstreet Week 123

The best things in life are free and this week my ‘Hot on the Highstreet’ is dedicated to something that cannot be bought on the highstreet, and in fact cannot be bought at all.

Obsessed with personalised items (the other day I received an amazing uniquely TMM themed box of goodies from Sobe Water) I was delighted when my best friend sent me a link to Barclays’ bespoke debit card option. The idea is… ‘always remember the good times’ by choosing a photo that will make you smile or choosing an image from the Barclays online gallery and a new debit card will arrive within a few days with your very own design.

The Barclays Personalised Card is only available on personal debit cards, sadly not for business debit or credit cards. The service is completely free and will only take a minute though Barclays need to check the photo against their image guidelines before approving your choice. Your new debit card will have a new card number so remember to change any stored details on websites.

In honour of my very clever best friend who discovered this facility, I chose a fun and colourful photo from our recent trip to Berlin as a design for my new debit card and now I wait in anticipation for its arrival! It was so much fun to personalise something I use so frequently, I am tempted to redesign my card every month.

Personalise your debit card here: http://www.barclays.co.uk/Currentaccounts/BarclaysPersonalisedCard/P1242601041899

 

Millie’s Cookies Launch Party, Powder Room, Soho

I am a little bit biased about anything that has the word Milly (or Millie) in it… but for Millie’s cookies there is no need to be biased as I genuinely love their sweet, yummy and utterly addictive products. With numerous branches brightening up dreary tube stations, they provide the perfect place to indulge in a sweet snack. I used to visit their shop in Hammersmith Station often after school with my best friend – we’d treat ourselves to a white chocolate cookie to munch on the journey home.

The range of the brand is expanding with the addition of many new and exciting recipes and designs; and last week I went along to the very fitting Thoroughly Modern Launch Party. Taking place at the fabulously retro Powder Room parlour in Soho, it was the ideal place to celebrate Millie’s new goodies. The downstairs room was adorned with beautiful cakes, cookies, teacups and plates… pink fizzy was on offer and girls giggled while trying the assortment of sugary sweets displayed.

I adored the cookie cakes; Millie’s are the first brand to create cupcakes made from a cookie dough recipe – they are quite heavy but as they are so mini it doesn’t matter… the flavour and decoration are amazing. Then there are the healthier cookies, with nuts, seeds, raisins and oatmeal featured in the ingredients substituting the more fattening chocolate chunks. The themed cookies and cakes caused quite a commotion, giant cookies inscribed with personalised messages and intricate drawings. My favourite spelt ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie’ and as a gift they let me take it home! These big cookies make wonderful gifts, at the launch there were hand drawn wedding and julibee themed ones.

While we scoffed, a film crew wandered around gathering footage for upcoming Millie’s Cookies short films and a lovely vintage dressed girl sat manicuring guests’ crumb covered hands.

Millie’s cookies are my kind of brand… pretty, pink and with the perfect products.

Visit the Millie’s Cookies website here, and look out for a competition and collaboration coming soon on Thoroughly Modern Milly!