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/