Happy New Year in February

To start: two things to mention a belated Happy New Year, in truth I can’t believe it is February already) and secondly my fullest apologizes for the lack of blog posts in 2016. I spent quite a lot of the year travelling and working on a new design range and as the saying goes “Time flies when you are having fun”.

In several cultures the New Year starts in February rather that January, I much prefer this concept. January always seems like the end of a year rather than the start of one. The weather is terrible, shops are full of the stock no-one wanted and decorated with awful red sales signs, you have no money to spend having been overindulgent during the Christmas period and spring and summer seem a long way off.

Quite depressing and a good excuse to stay in bed really…… However, on a more positive note this is also a good idea to re-organize, throw out anything you don’t use or need and in general have a really good think about what you want to achieve in the New Year.

I found a wonderful little book in the library called L’art de la Simplicite (How to live more with less) by French essayist Dominique Loreau. Having lived in Japan, Dominique advises to simplify your home, empty your wardrobe, abandon compulsive purchases and buy less and only better quality items that you love. This wonderful mix of Japanese Zen and French style was an inspirational read and did make me re-think my clutter and the deeper meaning behind having lots of things I don’t use or  even need.

I think that returning to buying fewer items and concentrating on buying hand-made/crafted unique items rather than high street items is essential to the survival of galleries, crafters and design makers. Having had a fairly ruthless spring clean, I have realized how many cheap buys I have never worn or worn once and the fit was wrong or the quality was poor and fell apart after one wash. Also, I don’t think we can ignore the implications of cheap clothing and how these items are manufactured by paying low wages and even using child labour (which should have no place in the modern world).

If you do get a chance to read this book I thing you will enjoy it.  I am not too sure about only wearing Black, White or Beige clothing as a little bit of colour in life can be very uplifting particularly  during  the grey days of British  wintertime, but overall the suggestions are practical, helpful and easy to achieve.

Good bye for now.

Sara x

Wonderful Shops….

La Galeria Elefante- Ibiza

Most people spent their holidays on the beach or by the pool or visiting museums or famous landmarks. I prefer to look for wonderful shops…..

La Galeria Elefante is a concept store housing a collection of unusual pieces and crafts, every piece is collected with love (many items are one-offs) by the store creators from around the world. Based in Ibiza, the store has at its heart the values of the White Isle which is known around the world for its eclectic nature.

 The English owners Sharon and Victoria both live on the island of Ibiza and travel extensively as part of the Elefante journey. They support both charities and the global craftspeople that provide many of their products, which are two more reasons for visiting 
them.

An Aladdin’s cave of colour, pattern and lovely things, you could spend days going through the store. This is also a meeting place of music, writers and artists and has an outdoor bar and café area and Yoga rooms to relax and unwind.

So, if you find yourself on the White island and need a retail fix or a break from the sun, do try this out.

La Galeria Elefante

San Miguel 3.2km, 07814 Santa Gertrudis, Ibiza,

www.lagaleriaelefante.com

Enjoy Sara x

PURNIMA-Wonderful Shops

I love looking for unusual shops selling unique products. Whilst on holiday in Ibiza I came across a wonderful bead shop called Purnima. 

Alessandra, the Italian owner and her family spend 6 months a year travelling through Europe and Asia looking for amazing unique items to sell in their shop. The service is knowledgeable and passionate, and everything is available to make one-off jewelry.

PURNIMA (meaning the full moon in Sanskrit) is a jewelry store with a difference stocking individual beads from Thailand, jewels and gems from Milan, semi-precious and precious stones from Laos and gold and silver from India. It is like going on a journey across the world without having to travel. So if you do visit Ibiza do have a look but be warned you may not want to leave….

Purnima - Calle Bisbe Azara, Ibiza

Happy shopping x

Wonderful Shops…

A Shopping Oasis located in Santa Maria del Cami in Mallorca

In 2015 a Majorca Townhouse from the 1700s was turned into a concept shop and bistro called LIVING DREAMS. This wonderfully restored building houses a shop: stocking furniture, accessories, design and art from around the world, a bistro, vinoteca, lounge and event venue for private parties.

 Living Dreams was founded in Switzerland in 2002 by Nicole Hoch when she discovered the beauty and craftsmanship of furniture from Asia. Their production includes custom-made dining tables, chairs and lounge furniture in solid wood, all of which are also available with a burnt finish, weatherproof garden lamps as well as numerous, beautiful decorative items for your home and outdoor spaces.  Living Dreams specialize mainly in large tables and lounge/outdoor furniture and can also produce bespoke furniture made to measure.

The in-house bar Bistro 19 is wonderful for relaxing and stocks an extensive selection of wines and a varied menu of Mediterranean fusion cuisine with emphasis on market-fresh products. The stunning indoor and outdoor areas can be hired for private events.

I love the unique mix of products, well planned, stylish room layouts and great use of the outdoor space. The location is pretty and worth making a special trip to view. I have posted a selection of images but these don’t really do justice to this beautiful store.

Contact details:

Plaza Hostals 19

Santa Maria de Cami, Mallorca

 www.livingdreams.es

Authentic Shopping….

I have been travelling around Spain for five months and during that time I have spent a little bit of time (well quite a bit really) looking in traditional shops rather than the high street shops. It is possible to shop in many of the same shops as in the UK; even Primark has come to Spain. But the question I ask is why would you want too?

 I have found some wonderful authentic shops selling baskets, hats, ceramics and so much more. I think to buy a product which is locally made by hand is a very special thing. By doing this it ensures the survival of rural crafts and supports local business. Unfortunately in Britain we have started to lose my traditional crafts and young people are not learning these skills, this is such a huge loss on many levels.

So please next time you are on holiday buy something made locally…

Sara xx

Wonderful Shops-La Boheme…

La Boheme is a beautifully restored Mallorca townhouse (in wonderful artisan Sollier) with a French soul.

An Aladdin’s cave of color, texture and style with beautiful costume jewelry, handbags and scarves.

The latest Parisian fashion and accessories are stocked as well as second-hand clothing from Cinema and TV productions. Wonderful, unique clothes at affordable prices, too good to miss.

Just when you think it can’t get any better, a romantic patio which houses a café, is a lovely place to sit amongst pretty flowers and relax and have a coffee or something sparkling?

I love this theatrical, whimsical shop run by two very talented and stylish artists. The atmosphere is friendly and relaxed and I just love it, I am sure you will too.

Calle La Luna 14, Soller, Mallorca, 07100

http://www.labohemesoller.com

Enjoy. XXX

Interesting Shops….

& Other Stories

I much prefer one-off and specialist shops to larger chains, but whilst in Madrid I discovered & Other Stories which is part of the H&M group. I must I was impressed by the stock, great looking shop and display and brilliant customer service. So the High street can get it right, lets hope that other brands take note and follow suit. At the moment the branch openings are in selected areas and each store has a unique quality so you get the feel of an exclusive boutique.

& Other Stories is a fashion brand offering women a wide range of shoes, bags, accessories, beauty and ready-to-wear to create their personal style, or story. Our creative ateliers in Paris and Stockholm design diversified fashion collections with great attention to detail and quality at an affordable price.

Today, a woman with a love for fashion creates her own style.

I am totally converted and I am due in Malaga in May so I will be paying a visit.

Happy Shopping

http://www.stories.com/gb/ for more details

Sara x