Hbcpmay2013

HOT BRANDS COOL PLACES

FASHION CULTURE LIFESTYLE

Families, Holidays and Spring Living

MAY 2013

EDITOR’S LETTER Welcome to our Families, Holidays and Spring Living Issue, full of ideas about how to get out and enjoy life, now the sunshine is finally here!

We are very privileged to have some fabulous brands listed in our Directory and in this issue we have interviews with some very creative and innovative people who own, or run these companies, including: Frank Rejwan, Managing Director, Specialist Businesses,Abercrombie & Kent Emma Fear & Sally Hall, Founders of Dorothy & Theodore.

Kate Bennett Rea, Founder of Auraley.

Anna Danielle, Co-Founder of Rufus Rabbit Chrissie Probert Jones, Founder of Doodle by Stitch As we approach Father’s Day we have included a selection of gifts, and we have our usual round-up of books, in this issue we have a delightful collection of books to inspire you to be creative.

We have new discoveries every week in our Directory and regular newsletters. Do take the time to drop by!

Until the next time……. www.hotbrandscoolplaces.com Picture Credits Front cover image courtesy of Abercrombie & Kent Villas http://www.akvillas.com/ Other images throughout the magazine supplied by the various companies, or publishers featured.

Please Note All information about products and services are supplied to us by the individual organizations, or agencies acting on their behalf. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that all information is accurate, it may be subject to change.

Please check with individual organizations for the latest information about all events, products, or news items.

Inclusion in this magazine does not imply endorsement by Hot Brands Cool Places. Hot Brands Cool Places does not accept responsibility for the content of any external site.

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LUXURY AND LITTLE ONES Luxury and Little Ones is a new concept in luxury child-friendly travel. Set up by a mum of two, Luxury and Little Ones is a luxury, online travel website which is dedicated to finding luxury hotels, ski chalets and holiday accommodation in the UK and abroad which are wonderfully child-friendly, ensuring that the whole family can enjoy their holiday. www.luxuryandlittleones.com

INTERVIEW 4

Hot Brands Cool Places spoke with Frank Rejwan Managing Director, Specialist Businesses, Abercrombie & Kent for an exclusive interview What makes an ultimate Abercrombie & Kent Villa retreat?

Our idea of the ultimate Abercrombie & Kent Villa retreat is fantastic accommodation and service, a great pool, a fabulous veranda with a beautiful view, a nearby town, a glass of local wine, a good book and some good friends.

The beauty of our villas – as well as our ski chalets - is that they are all completely individual, as are our guests.

What’s perfect for one person won’t be quite right for another so the combination of choice and our expertise is what makes Abercrombie & Kent Villas a great place to start. We are able to best place those clients who can be very specific about what they want from their villa holiday. Our team knows our portfolio so well that part way through the conversation they often already have the perfect villa in mind.

The icing on the cake has to be the additional services we can offer. Our “A&K hosted service” means that we welcome our guests with an A&K host who is available throughout the stay, provide local orientation, plan activities, pre-fill their fridge before arrival, provide meals, private chefs, access to events and much more.

What’s new in your collection this year?

We have some great new properties in our collection this year, each of which has to go through our extensive initial selection process and procedures to become part of the A&K portfolio.

As well as expansion in Italy, France and Spain we also have stunning new villas in Crete and even new properties within the UK. Painswick Court in the Cotswolds was formerly home to King Charles I during the siege of Gloucester; guests can now exclusively hire this through Abercrombie & Kent Villas. It’s a phenomenal place to stay and one which is already proving popular with our US customers.

Villa Machiavelli in Tuscany is new for 2013 and is a real treat, it is situated on an estate which produces three award-winning wines and offers some of the most stunning views we’ve seen out to the Duomo in Florence.

We have equally stunning, new properties in the Cote d’Azur. La Fossette is set on a private three acre peninsula looking out to sea and within walking distance of a lovely beach. It is also close to the beautiful town and port of Le Lavandou so there’s plenty for our guests to see and do.

There are so many more we could talk about!

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What can families expect at Abercrombie & Kent’s family friendly villas?

We have some wonderful family friendly properties, with plenty of space both indoors and outdoors, barbecue areas, large kitchens, pools with pool-houses and shower rooms, space for children to play and, in some instances, play areas and toys available at the villa. Some villas have extra facilities such as bikes for families to use and we can organise additional services to ensure everyone gets a rest. We have even provided chefs not only to cook dinner but also to provide pizza making classes for children which are always a deliciously messy affair!

If people only have a short amount of time available for a break is a villa holiday still feasible?

Absolutely, a weekend on a short villa break can often feel like longer given the relaxing location of some of our properties. We are only able to offer shorter breaks at quieter times however, due to the popularity of longer holidays in the peak summer weeks. We often see guests staying not just for one or two weeks but often four or five throughout July and August. April, May and October are ideal short-stay months and provide the perfect chance for guests to sample a villa before committing to a longer stay.

Do you have a favourite European road trip?

It’s hard to beat the Amalfi Coast for a road trip. The dramatic backdrop is the perfect setting to hire a small sports car and take to the open road and there are plenty of places to stop, explore and shop en route. A scenic tour of Italy would see me start with a beautiful villa in Tuscany as a base, then take in Rome, Florence, Siena and the Amalfi Coast – easily one of the most stunning places in Europe. In fact I spent my honeymoon doing just that - just don’t overdo it on the delicious limoncello the night before hitting the road, trust me!

What do you always pack in your suitcase?

Sadly technology wins and these days I never travel anywhere without my trusty iPad and my Canon EOS to capture the highlights of my trip, as well as sunscreen and a small jar of Marmite if I’m with my young family! http://www.akvillas.com/

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BELLE AND BOO Welcome to the world of a bob haired little girl called Belle and her adorable bunny friend Boo – a charming world of innocence, warmth and adventure. Belle and Boo is a British lifestyle brand known for original, nostalgic ‘story book’ illustrations of children created by the artist Mandy Sutcliffe. The collection includes gift items, books, framed artworks, stationery, home wares and a beautiful collection of girls’ clothing. www.belleandboo.com

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CONDÉ NAST JOHANSENS Featuring a unique collection of the very best luxury hotels, spas and villas from around the world, with some fantastic offersto be had, whether you fancy a beach escape or spa break or you’ll be spoilt for choice! http://www.condenastjohansens.com

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OLIVIER BABY Classic and simple, but with an element of fun, Olivier Baby and Kids introduces its gorgeous designs for Summer 2013. Perfect for play as well as smarter occasions, all items have been designed in the UK and are superbly-priced. Olivier Baby and Kids is inspired by old-fashioned knitwear but introduces a modern twist which makes them practical and fun for children to wear. www.olivierbaby.com

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INTERVIEW

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Hot Brands Cool Places spoke with Emma Fear & Sally Hall, Founders of Dorothy & Theodore for an exclusive interview.

What inspired you to set up Dorothy and Theodore?

As parents, we have spent considerable amounts of time trawling the internet to find products that meet both our needs as parents and the desires of our children without us having to wholly compromise on our own sense of personal style, along with time wasted searching fruitlessly for that perfect, really special gift. Recognising this gap in the market led us to the solution that is dorothyandtheodore.com, a multi-vendor e-commerce site where customers can purchase a wide range of beautiful products from a number of different sellers and only have to checkout once.

What are the advantages of working together as a partnership?

Despite having similar career backgrounds (we met at law school) we have quite different skills set. Working together enables us to draw on our own strengths, and each other’s.

What have been your highlights since you set up the business?

We officially launched the company at the end of October 2011 at the Earls Court Babyshow.

Since then, we have come a long way with features in local and national press, national TV and have even been nominated and shortlisted for a number of national awards. We were delighted to win the LBA Award for our region and to have been named finalists in the Best Supporting Business category in the Mumpreneur Awards.

Do you have any favourites in your range?

It’s hard to pick just a couple but we do love our traditional rag doll who can be personalised with a choice of hair colour and style, skin and eye colour. You can even add a name and personalised message to her dress which comes in a choice of colours.

We also love the personalized merino wool blankets available in a choice of colours and designs and our personalised water bottles (choose a character, then personalise the hair, skin, eyes, add optional freckles, rosy cheeks and glasses and their name) are popular with parents and children alike.

How would you like the brand to develop in the future?

We hope that www.dorothyandtheodore.com will become the one stop shopping solution for parents who, like us, think that practical can be beautiful and that gifts should be as unique as they are.

Where do you like to go for a family holiday?

We love Britain (most of our product range is proudly made in Britain) so anywhere along our beautiful coast line that is child friendly is a hit with us. www.dorothyandtheodore.com

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SALCOMBE HOLIDAY HOMES Salcombe Holiday Homes have a fabulous portfolio of beautiful coastal holiday homes in Salcombe, Devon. Some with amazing sea views, some luxurious with beautiful gardens and swimming pools... all are personally inspected by our experienced team. Tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll show you a house you’ll love. www.salcombe.com 01548 843485

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THE MOORINGS At The Moorings, we have been delivering premium sailing holidays with five-star customer service across the globe for over 40 years. Swim, snorkel, explore or simply relax amongst tropical surroundings aboard your own private yacht with a selection of 28 beautiful destinations. www.moorings.co.uk

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MY HEART AND HOME My Heart and Home offers a charming range of beautiful cotton nightwear and traditional keepsake gifts for children age 2-12 years. Gifts which are unavailable on the high street, include rag dolls, tea sets, hand crocheted toys and teddy bears. www.myheartandhome.co.uk

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SQUIRREL DESIGN TREE HOUSE Squirrel Design Tree Houses are leading specialists in designing and building bespoke tree houses and garden retreats. Creations range from adventurous children’s treehouses, imaginative tree house living and entertaining spaces, to inspiring hideaways, all carefully set in their natural environment. www.squirreldesign.co.uk

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BOVEY CASTLE LEGO ROOM SERVICE MENU Building memories at Bovey Castle has never been more fun for our youngest guests, with the world’s only LEGO Room Service Menu offered at Dartmoor’s luxury family-friendly retreat. www.boveycastle.com

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BAILEY ROBINSON Bailey Robinson is a British based luxury travel company. It is renowned for its tailor-made journeys around the world, African safaris and holidays to some of the finest hotels and luxury resorts in the Indian Ocean, Caribbean, Latin America, South East Asia, Europe and North Africa. www.baileyrobinson.com/

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Hot Brands Cool Places spoke with Kate Bennett Rea, Founder of Auraley for an exclusive interview.

INTERVIEW 18

What inspired you to create Auraley?

For years, I have loved children’s fashion and personally have always loved nightwear. I think beautiful nightwear is the perfect gift yet for years before founding Auraley, I found it extremely difficult to find quality, stylish and beautiful nightwear for children.

After having children of my own and seeking to fulfill my dream of becoming an entrepreneur, I set out to design and manufacture the nightwear I had envisaged in order to fill what I believe is a huge gap in the market.

What have you enjoyed most in your first six months of business?

I have enjoyed the challenge of establishing a luxury brand and explaining to the market why I am so passionate about Auraley’s collection.

What are your hopes for your next six months?

Our team is focused on placing the Auraley collection into more independent boutiques in England and abroad as well as increasing brand awareness. As a child sleeps on average more than 11 hours a night, an investment in nightwear that uses only organic cottons and other ecofriendly materials is so important for well-being and we want the market to know this.

You have recently expanded into Japan, do you have plans for any other countries?

At the moment, we are also working with independent boutiques in other parts of Asia as there has been so much interest from this market. As a family business, we are very conscious of expanding too quickly and really want to ensure that any retailer truly understands the ethos of our brand.

How would you like the brand to develop in the future?

I have quite a few new creative ideas for additions to the collection that we intend to develop for Autumn Winter 2014. Slow and steady expansion while at the same time developing a reputation for quality and style is our principal focus for the future.

Where do you like to go for a family holiday?

My husband is from New Zealand, so when we can, we like to travel there to spend time with family and friends (although this can be quite a challenge with two children under four years old!).

Family holidays closer to home are usually to Andalucia in Spain as I spent a year in university in Sevilla and fell absolutely in love with the culture and beauty of the region. http://www.auraley.com/

PERFECT STAYS LTD Perfect Stays offer luxury houses, boutique cottages and penthouses in Cornwall, Devon and Somerset. We personally inspect every property and we also offer an inclusive concierge service with every single booking so that you can live like a local. All of our handpicked properties have unique attributes which could be the location, style of house, great features or all three! www.perfectstays.co.uk

GLENEAGLES HOTEL Gleneagles Hotel is a truly unique experience – a luxury break with a historic 5 star hotel with a magical air and the finest Scottish hospitality. In a beautiful setting in the highlands of Scotland, Gleneagles is the ultimate retreat. www.gleneagles.com

CARRIER At Carrier, we have more than 30 years of experience creating luxury holidays. Our holidays are personal, bespoke and tailor-made to the desires of each holidaymaker, and we leave no stone unturned and no detail overlooked. www.carrier.co.uk

HIDEAWAYS Hideaways cottages provide the perfect escape from busy and stressful lifestyles. Located across the south of England from Cornwall to Kent and up to the Cotswolds and Welsh borders, Hideaways specialises in high quality properties – from idyllic, romantic retreats just for 2 to large barn conversions sleeping up to 22. www.hideaways.co.uk

INTERVIEW

Hot Brands Cool Places spoke with Anna Danielle, Co-Founder of Rufus Rabbit for an exclusive interview Your founding company has been established for quite some time, how did the brand of Rufus Rabbit evolve?

Our founding company, The Little Dog is predominantly known as a greeting card company and it was here that Rufus Rabbit was born. He was originally inspired by a Father’s Day pub promotional flyer which listed interesting man facts. Usually you launch any new card range with 6 to 12 designs but we got carried away with Rufus Rabbit and launched with 48. The card collection proved successful and we had a gut feeling he’d make a great baby range so with absolutely no knowledge or experience of the baby gift market, we went for it!

What have been the highlights and challenges since you started?

The toughest challenge is finding the right suppliers to turn your designs and ideas into reality, you can spend months sourcing and waiting for samples only to discover they are awful and you’ve wasted the last 6 months which is so frustrating.

Highlights definitely include finding out that a little person has made Rufus their “bestest, can’t sleep without him, friend”. It is such an honour to think our rabbit has played a part in those early formative years and I still get a thrill whenever I spy Rufus in a shop window.

How has social media helped your business?

On a personal level we had shunned social media believing no one really needed to know what we’d just consumed for our lunch but then the pressure to get on board grew too great and so Rufus Rabbit has had his own Facebook and twitter account for the past year It’s been a very steep learning curve but I am completely addicted!

It’s early days in terms of followers/likes and the percentage of interest into actual sales is small but for interaction and instant design feedback from those who like Rufus it is brilliant. As a small company I think it works well because people can be confident they are communicating with the designer and not a group of employee’s manning the keyboards. It’s also a free form of marketing just as long as you don’t add up all the man-hours spent blogging and posting!

What are the advantages of working as a family business?

Working alongside my brothers gives me the freedom to concentrate solely on designing knowing that the business and the daily running of the company are in safe, capable hands. You can also text a work related question or idea at anytime of day without having to consider that they may be enjoying a personal life!

What are your hopes for your business in 2013?

We’d be delighted for Rufus Rabbit to keep growing at the rate he is currently doing and for the planned launch of his first mail order catalogue to go well. We’d also be very interested in some licensing partnerships to help speed up the new product development side which as I mentioned earlier can be so frustrating.

What makes a perfect weekend for you?

Sunshine, friends coming to stay, my 4 small boys not bickering, park walks and bacon butties and an empty wash basket. (The last bit is pure fantasy but one lives in hope.) http://www.rufusrabbit.co.uk/

BRAMBLE ROSE Bramble Rose was born out of a passion for high quality personalised products and creates beautifully embroidered keepsakes, clothing and extra special gifts for babies and children.

Using high quality fabrics and designs, you can choose from personalised bibs, blankets, bags, rag dolls and commemorative teddies. Whatever the occasion and whatever the gift, you can be sure you’re giving someone something special they’ll want to cherish forever. www.bramble-rose.co.uk

COX AND KINGS Cox & Kings is the world’s longest established travel company, offering high quality luxury holidays, including group tours, private journeys and tailor-made holidays to many of the world’s most fascinating regions. Our luxury holidays range from the lavish to the adventurous, and are planned by experts. www.coxandkings.co.uk/

BLUE AND WHITE LOCATIONS Blue & White Locations aims to create and showcase the most comprehensive collection of luxury properties available to rent from around the world. We help you find the chicest luxury ski chalets and villas for your holiday by bringing them together under one roof and presenting them in style on our website: www.blueandwhitelocations.com

ESSENTIAL SAILING Our vision is to provide a premier yacht cruising,regional culture and cuisine experience in the finest sailing destinations in the world.To be the best in providing outstanding quality, service and value. Essential Sailing offers you a private yacht without the responsibility of owning one, and gives you the thrill of luxury sailing without the need for knowledge and experience of sailing it! Essential Sailing really can tailor-make your luxury holiday to suit everyone on board. Three spectacular destinations, The French Riviera, The Italian Riviera and The Canary Islands. www.essentialsailing.com

INTERVIEW

Hot Brands Cool Places spoke with Chrissie Probert Jones, Founder of Doodle by Stitch for an exclusive interview.

You have a very creative product, how much did your previous experience help you in bringing it to market?

Lots – one of the things I’ve learnt is that the best products are those that come straight from the heart. If you’re excited by a new idea and can turn it over in your head and see it working in context, it’s likely to be a winner.

Go with your instinct – especially an educated one where you have some experience of the market. My background on mags including Vogue and Marie Claire means I know what journos are looking for and my work with Charles Worthington on his haircare brands was invaluable in terms of product design, planning and production. But the learning curve on setting up your own new brand is still steep!

What are some of the unusual ways people have used their Doodles?

This is the exciting bit for me – I love making things and personalizing things for my home and that’s what I wanted to give customers with Doodle. And it works! As well as all the lovely welcome home messages and loving notes on pillows and happy birthdays on aprons, there’s uptake of the range for therapeutic use – the aprons are used on a dementia programme in Holland, for example – and companies including the BBC and Google have bought tablecloths for brainstorming sessions. ThinkGeek in the US bought tablecloths to use with a computer game and the placemats have been used as party invitations.

What are the latest products in your range?

The pencil case has just arrived – complete with the cutest miniature peg so you can hang it up to dry overnight ready for your next day’s timetable or notes! And doodle bunting will be here in a couple of weeks – perfect for parties, weddings, bedrooms.

What are some of the ideas you have for future products?

We like surprising our customers, so won’t spoil the fun. But certainly a whole range of bags and I’m keen to introduce other sewing/craft elements too.

Have you expanded into any other countries?

We’re now selling well in the US and have a warehouse in Boston, with customers including the National Gallery in Washington which is lovely. It’s a global brand and we now have stockists in many countries and continue to receive a great deal of interest in new opportunities.

What is your favourite form of relaxation?

Spending time with friends and family, plotting ideas and sewing samples, being in France, hunting brocantes for vintage textiles, reading – oh and a glass of wine at the end of a busy day! http://www.stitchdesignworks.co.uk/store/index.php

ELEGANT RESORTS Elegant Resorts promise a holiday experience ‘beyond luxury’, as experts in providing tailormade luxury travel. For over twenty-three years this British company has been providing bespoke holidays to the world’s finest hotels and resorts worldwide, from luxury ski chalets to tropical island retreats. www.elegantresorts.co.uk

GIC THE VILLA COLLECTION GIC The Villa Collection offers a range of stylish villas across a number of the beautiful Greek islands, dotted through the Ionian and Aegean seas – perfect for those who are looking for a stunning place to stay while discovering the real Greek island lifestyle. www.gicthevillacollection.com

Father’s Day Feature Send a special gift for Father’s Day and support Cancer Research UK Daddy Deer Mug Two gifts in one: give your dad this stylish mug, and keep it filled up with tea all day for him too Daddy Deer Mug, £8 http://giftshop.cancerresearchuk.org/gifts/men-s-gifts/daddy-deer.html

Retro Phone Handset Old meets new with this retro phone handset, perfect for tech savvy dads who want a blast from the past Retro Phone Handset, £20 http://giftshop.cancerresearchuk.org/gifts/men-s-gifts/retro-phone-handset.html

Morph Bookends Relive your childhood with these fun Morph and Chas bookends; they’ll look great on any bookshelf Morph Bookends, £20 http://giftshop.cancerresearchuk.org/gifts/men-s-gifts/morph-bookends.html IQ Test Forget Mastermind, challenge your dad to the ultimate intelligence test IQ test, £20 http://giftshop.cancerresearchuk.org/gifts/men-s-gifts/iq-test.html Car Mouse Perfect for all those petrol heads out there, this car mouse makes it easy to navigate around your PC Car Mouse, £12 http://giftshop.cancerresearchuk.org/gifts/men-s-gifts/car-mouse.html www.cancerresearchuk.org | http://twitter.com/CR_UK | http://www.facebook.com/cancerresearchuk

PAPERCHASE Father’s Day is a chance to show your father how much you care and at Paperchase, you’re sure to find the perfect present for him.

From classic leather journals and organisers, to clocks, mugs and iPad cases, you will find something to suit even the most particular of dads. Not forgetting our great range of cards whether humorous or sentimental there’s something to suit all tastes.

Our cheeky range of moustache mugs, notebooks and gift bags are sure to make him smile and maybe even question whether it’s time to grow a tache of his own! http://www.paperchase.co.uk/ GIFT ATELIER The online gift boutique www.giftatelier.com offers an original range of gift ideas for Father’s Day, including elegant ties, stylish leather wallets, cufflinks, cologne gift sets, drinking and smoking accessories and much more.

With a distinct focus on quality and Britishness, this is the ultimate collection of men’s gift ideas. www.giftatelier.com

FLORACIOUS At Floracious our mission is to create highly effective natural skincare using only the finest quality, natural raw materials. We take potent plant ingredients and 100% natural essential oils and blend them by hand to bring you a truly luxurious, beautifully scented and highly effective skincare range. www.floracious.co.uk

SYKES COTTAGES Sykes Cottages has a great selection of more than 4000 self-catering holiday cottages across the UK and Ireland. Ideal for a family holiday or last minute getaway, choose the UK’s leading cottage agency for your next staycation. www.sykescottages.co.uk/family-cottages.html

Today, more than ever before people are interested in being creative, our television programmes are celebrating a return to homemade crafts, sewing, baking, growing your own.

In this feature, we review a fabulous collection of books designed to inspire you to create your own unique designs for you,your home, or as gifts for family and friends Sew Over It- Lisa Comfort Synopsis: Nobody wants to look like everyone else and Lisa shows you just how easy it is to stand out from the crowd. In these tough economic times we’re all looking for fun ways to make our pennies stretch further and so it’s no wonder makingyour-own is back in vogue.

Expert crafter, Lisa Comfort, in this, her first book, shares the secrets of her sewing passion. Lisa guides you through all the basics of sewing by hand and machine, as well as providing you with the skills you need to follow her simple but stylish projects. * * * *

Simple projects to make in a weekend Customise, adapt and update vintage clothes Make your own accessories Easy instructions for one-off pieces to wear

Now pick up your needle and thread, and get sewing! http://www.amazon.co.uk/ Hot Brands Cool Places Verdict This is a fabulous book, full of practical ways of creating different pieces, well illustrated and with step-by-step guidance everyone can find something that they can use or adapt for their own look. Highly Recommended.

And Sew to Bed - Alison Beadnell, Caro Cutts Synopsis: Your nighttime wardrobe no longer needs to be dull and dreary when you can make the stunning projects in And Sew to Bed. Caro London presents 30 sewing projects for both nightwear and accessories, all with beautifully illustrated stepby-step instructions. With items for both adults and children, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Also included are full-size patterns and templates for all projects. http://www.rylandpeters.com/ourshop/craft/and-sew-to-bed Hot Brands Cool Places Verdict We loved this book, divided into Garments and Accessories, with full-size patterns, this collection contains beautiful nightwear, and a gorgeous collection of accessories.

One of our favourite patterns in this delightful book are adorable Babushka Pillows which can also be made as doorstops. Highly Recommended!

Hand-knit Your Home Melanie Porter Synopsis: Fill your home with these 30 contemporary handknitted designs by Melanie Porter. All these projects are easy to make and will inject style and colour into your interiors. There are three colour schemes to choose from – blues and greens in Cool Collection; reds, oranges and yellows in Hot Ideas; and whites, creams, and grays in Pale Palette – so there is something for all tastes.

You can start with smaller projects, such as the bolster pillow cover, flower vase cosy or striped clock cover, and then move onto something a little larger, such as the rope knit basket, chunky knit rug or covered ottoman. With a comprehensive techniques section, you’ll discover how to use giant knitting needles, and how to measure up furniture for a knitted cover, as well as all the basics of knitting, so even beginners can try their hand at these fabulous ideas. http://www.rylandpeters.com/ourshop/handknit-your-home Hot Brands Cool Places Verdict This is a source of some fabulous ideas, we love the way that Melanie has assembled the projects in different colour schemes, there is something here for everyone, whatever your level of expertise, and there is a definite feeling of satisfaction when you add something that you have created to your own home.

Highly Recommended!

Tinkered Treasures - Elyse Major Synopsis: Tinkered Treasures is a how-to craft book that demonstrates how everyday mundane items can be transformed into charming and unique treasures. Elyse Major has created over 35 projects, using objects that can easily be found or that you might already have. She refers to these transformations as ‘tinkering’ as it perfectly describes her style of embellishing, repurposing and altering things without the need for any specialist tools and equipment or techniques.

Tinkering is not about constructing – it’s about appreciating the flaws but seeing the potential in little details. Each craft project in this book is designed for complete beginners – there are no particular skills involved. http://www.rylandpeters.com/ourshop/tinkered-treasures Hot Brands Cool Places Verdict We loved this little book, beautifully created and full of easy to achieve projects using items that are readily available in most people’s homes. Tinkering really sums up the approach, but it is also very relaxing, this highly original book is a delight!

Highly Recommended!

Vintage Revised Jewellery – Co-Co-Nichole Bush Synopsis: Transform vintage finds and broken objects into jewellery to treasure with Vintage Revised Jewelry. Nichole Bush has a passion for creating one-of-a-kind jewellery by combining antique and vintage treasures to make distinctive and unique statements, and in these 35 projects, she shares that passion with you.

Old keys become quirky earrings or hang on chains as a pretty necklace. Pieces of watches capture a moment in time – combined with other trinkets, they’re turned into a lapel pin or wrist cuff. Anything can be a charm for a necklace or bracelet – from beads to brooches and earrings, even door knobs. Some designs are deeply personal, incorporating things that remind Nichole of family and friends, and she suggests what you might include for your own individual pieces. With clear, step-by-step artworks and instructions, a helpful techniques section, and lots of inspiration throughout, you will soon become skilled in making your own pieces of nostalgic, stunning jewellery. http://www.rylandpeters.com/ourshop/vintage-revised-jewelry Hot Brands Cool Places Verdict What we loved about this book was the opportunity to incorporate personal objects into something charming to wear. Using a unique and original approach with step-by step illustrations and instructions this enchanting book is full of inspiring ideas. Highly Recommended!

Recycled Chic Amanda McKittrick Synopsis: Recycled Chic is for those who aren’t content to look like everyone else. It both inspires and instructs on ways of recycling, renewing, and reinventing pre-loved fashion and fabrics. Featuring 30 simple and accessible projects, for even a novice seamstress, Recycled Chic will arm you with the techniques, inspiration and confidence to renew your existing clothes and accessories, or alter pre-loved fashion and fabric to suit your individual taste. Each project requires only minimal time, effort and expense to achieve stylish and satisfying results. http://www.amazon.co.uk/ Hot Brands Cool Places Verdict If you would like to experiment this little book is full of ways in which you can reinvent your wardrobe, or create new accessories, or add embellishments. Each project is divided into What you Need and How to Make it with supporting illustrations.

If you want to find creative ways of recycling clothes into new designs and accessories, this book is very useful.

Highly Recommended!

EXCLUSIVE ESCAPES Exclusive Escapes provide you with wonderful villas and boutique hotels all exclusive to them.

All their villas offer a ‘hotel-service’ with welcome hamper, daily maid cleaning and car hire. In 2013 Exclusive Escapes expands its coastal programme to include top-of-the-range seafront townhouses: www.exclusiveescapes.co.uk/properties/kas-island-villas-meis

HOT BRANDS COOL PLACES www.hotbrandscoolplaces.com