Lovely Things

The holiday season & Christmas is coming...

Well, Lovely Things readers have spoken! The results of our poll on when we should start writing about Christmas are in, and the winning option, with 40% of the vote is...October. So, get ready for a range of pieces with holiday season themes: baubles and tree decorations, wreaths, decorating and our famous gift guides (including last-minute gift ideas, gifts under £10 and gifts under £20).

So to whet your appetite to begin with, take a look at the Heal's Christmas Gift Ideas brochure with a range of gifts and a few decorations we'll be seeing on the site soon.

(Pictured is the very Christmassy reindeer cake stand from Next in red and white porcelain, £10. Damn I want a mince pie now!)

Kenzo homewares sale at Brand Alley

Oh dear, this is dangerous! There's some lovely Kenzo porcelain tableware and glassware with great discounts at Brand Alley today until the 25th (all Brand Alley sales are limited time only, so you've got to get in quickly). Shown here are plates from the Tao Garden (left) and Azyade collections, reduced to 19.50 and 16.50 respectively for two plates, down from £47, which I'm sure you'll agree is a pretty big price cut.

I was going to include more images here, but everything's so pretty that I'll end up showing you every single piece, so just get over there and check it out for yourself. Make sure you take a look at the coloured stemware (especially the romantic Bangalore cocktail glasses at £20 for two) and there's some lovely colourful floral plates for you shabby chic fans.

John Lewis launches Eco Products page

Knowing that many shoppers these days want to improve their product choices to benefit the environment, John Lewis has launched an 'Eco Products' section of their website.

Here, green consumers can find all the energy efficient, fairly-traded, organic, recycled, sustainable or otherwise eco-friendly products stocked on the John Lewis website. The wide range of products include appliances and lighting, clothes, flowers, textiles, food and drink, garden items, baby products and nappies, knitting yarn, tableware and a load of other household items.

Shown here is the Fairtrade 'Rosy Glow' flower bouquet (£33 incl free delivery), recycled newspaper storage basket (medium £10), Rustic Collection recycled glass tumbler (set of six £12). 

Kitchen, dining & home sale at Liberty

Lovely Liberty has just announced a sale of up to 30% off selected kitchen and dining items, and 25% off some of their Liberty of London home ranges. Unfortunately despite the new Liberty of London online shop offering a selection of their gorgeous bags and accessories, there's no online shopping options for homewares at the moment. Pictured is one of the kitchen/dining sale items, a rather pretty blue-glazed cake stand on sale at £13.12, down from £18.75, but you'll have to pop into the store in Great Marlborough St, London to purchase.

Green and white cup and saucer from Mit Hus

Oh dear, I think I'm in love. I'm sure you're thinking that this is no bad thing, but the problem is, it's tableware I'm in love with, and I just don't know if I have the room for any more. The current object of my affection is this beautiful chartreuse green and white cup and saucer. I love cups with the decoration on the inside, and this subtle green crackle glaze is the perfect foil to the creamy matt white on the outside. It's just £4.50 from fab Scandanavian-stocked UK store Mit Hus.

Five wedding gifts for £30 and under

Ah yes, the wedding season is upon us. While many brides and grooms opt for a wedding registry or gift list, some rather you give them a gift chosen by you. It can be really tricky finding something appropriate, without breaking the bank, so here's a quick look at five great glassware and tableware gifts for £30 and under.

Cupcake/Fairy Cake Kitchen & Dining

I thought it was appropriate to start the new year with something sweet (did you overindulge during the festive season? I did). If you're going for the shabby chic look, or want a girly touch in the kitchen (hmm, that sounds ruder than it was meant to), these fairy cake/cupcake decorated items would be just the thing. The hook comes in four different designs and is made of metal (£2.95), the cute 'tea & cakes' placemats are laminated for easy cleaning and cork-backed to protect your table (£8.95 a set of four), and if you want to go all out, how about using these paper napkins as well (£1.95 for a set of 20).

Matalan Orchid Jug

This pretty jug looks like it's wearing a corsage. It has a lovely country feel, but the addition of the orchid - not such a traditional country-style flower - gives it a fresher feel. It's £8 from Matalan, but there's not much info on the website, so you'll need to trek down to a store for more details.

Related: Minimalist Black Vase from Tesco | Gift Guide: £10 and under | Matalan Christmas Gift Wrap

Moderno Glassware from the Pier

How wonderfully gothic these 'Moderno' glasses look, very sleek and simple, but incredibly opulent at the same time. You could go all out baroque style with decadent tableware and flowers, or quite minimalist with plain edgy white china and stark cutlery and this glassware would complement either look. The glasses are mouth-blown, so you'll probably need to wash them by hand, but being from the Pier, they're still keenly priced at £4 each. 

Related: Kate Spade Gwinnett Lane Tableware | Gift Ideas: Laura Ashley Tableware | Lovely Things: Tableware

Retro Coasters from Truly Ace

It's great being able to buy from small, independent designer-manufacturers. Through little online shops, you'll often discover new things that aren't available anywhere else, like these retro coasters from Truly Ace by designer Amanda Vlahakis. They come as a boxed set of four for £8 and are available in a striped design or the fabulous rounded design shown which makes me think of watermelons. They're cork-backed and suitable for hot or cold drinks.

Related: Fabulous chairs by Aiveen Daly | Pink kitchen appliances | Store Discovery: Retro Decades