Hot on the Highstreet Week 245

I am very lucky to have a mummy who is an expert present buyer, with an eye for the most delectable gifts. One of my favourite birthday presents this year was a set of quirky Nature plates from Anthropologie, designed by Lou Rota.

Artist Lou Rota is renowned for producing ‘some of the most intriguing eco-chic artworks around today,’ and her one-of-a-kind recycled furniture art and decorative vintage plates quickly attained cult status. UK purveyor Liberty snapped up early works and Rota’s signature bird, bug and floral designs garnered huge press, prompting Selfridges, Caravan and Lane Crawford (Hong Kong) to join the retail queue.

To meet demand, Rota created a modern classic of English fine bone china with a chic twist. Anthropologie commissioned her to collaborate on a series of ‘Nature Table’ product lines which quickly became bestsellers in the UK, Canada, USA and beyond. She says of her work: ‘My designs are influenced by my passion for the natural world – especially insects – and I love playing with unusual combinations of flora and fauna.’

These unique dessert plates are timeless and beautiful, each depicting a different creature, from big (giraffe) to small (bumblebee)! Made from new bone china they should only be hand-washed, but though they appear delicate and vintage they are in fact strong and long-lasting. They are 20cm diameter in size and I think work best as serving plates to display biscuits or cake.

The plates are sold individually for £16 each, in store and online here.

Hot on the Highstreet Week 236

Merchant Archive has been around for several years, but has recently been in the press for the new in house collection. Seen in Vogue shoots, at the catwalk shows, and on the sassiest style blogs the chic clothes and glamorous home-ware found at Merchant Archive are irresistible.

Located in Notting Hill, nearby to Portobello, this shop is the go to for carefully curated designer bits and bobs. Owner Sophie Merchant has a passion for vintage finds and an eye for the unusual. Her shop has gradually grown and now, alongside the unique vintage items she showcases her own collection of tailored clothes, jewellery, candles and cups. The shop is a marriage of art and fashion with beautiful things everywhere you look.

When I popped into the shop last weekend I loved the iconic silver, gold and copper coloured pineapples, lovely as a coffee table ornament but also useful as candle holders or a place for keepsakes. Pineapples are a symbol of friendship so ideal as a gift for a lucky pal! The candles also make lovely presents, available in three fragrant scents. The clothes are all beautiful, contemporary fashion with a old-fashioned elegance, I particularly liked the Pierrot Knit jumpers with a striking white collar.

To celebrate the festive season Merchant Archive are offering 25% off all in store and online sales until midnight tonight. Perfect for extra special Christmas presents.

Browse the website here.

Hot on the Highstreet Week 230 – Gilmour & Gray

Let me introduce you to Gilmour & Gray – handmade quality Chelsea boots with a colourful twist.

G&G launched on Thursday 16th October, a high-end and innovative brand, masterminded by two brothers from Gloucestershire. Currently based in London the boots are taking to the streets just in time the Christmas rush. Unisex and made entirely from one piece of the finest Portuguese leather, these boots will inspire Autumn and Christmas shoppers – the perfect present for father, son, daughter and mother.

A timeless classic, these Chelsea boots offer the consumer a cutting edge yet classy look. They are comfortable, hard-wearing and ideal for chilly winter weather. The Autumn collection comprises of four designs: traditional brown suede, brown suede with red elastic, blue elastic and green elastic.

The Gilmour & Gray collection range from European size 36 – 46 and start from £150 per pair, including VAT, (excluding postage and packaging).

Buy your boots here: www.gilmourandgray.co.uk