Christmas Spirit

Forgive this mention of the C-word so early into the season (of Autumn), but as they say, Christmas is just around the corner. My youngest asked me to count the weeks until the big day the other evening and I duly counted through my phone calendar. 13 weeks and counting!!!

Our annual trip to the Spirit of Christmas Fair is looming and the two girls aged ten and seven will be joining me. I do feel that children add an extra sparkle to the festivities. Whether they look through a lens with awe and wonder, or get up to general high jinks and mischief, display impatience and/or genuine joy at anything and everything Christmas, the holiday season is not complete without them. Seeing Christmas through the eyes of our two girls must be something truly magical.

The Spirit fair was first launched in 2001. Now based at Olympia London, there are over 700 brands to shop from, Spirit of Christmas is your go-to seasonal shopping destination. Unrivalled shopping and a wealth of festive inspiration, Spirit is Christmas joy in a bottle.

2023 sees the return of workshops. Offering inspiration and hands-on experience, visitors can enjoy a range of complimentary interactive sessions covering a broad range of Christmas ideas and gifts. The new official restaurant partner is acclaimed Spanish chef,  José Pizarro, with a tapas menu that showcases his signature dishes

Some of my favourite brands never fail to return time and time again. The Universal Soul Company rounded by Sara Griffiths is one of these. Sara Griffiths is the real deal. Hailing from QVC fame (those jobs are highly sought after and very competitive), the USC is a place for healing and positivity. One pump of the soul mist, and there I am, back on the mat, feeling all lightness and calm. From handbag sized sprays to luxury diffusers, you will leave Sara’s stand floating on a cloud.

Whatever your feelings are about Christmas, Spirit is sure to put a smile on your face. This year, the fair runs from 30 October to 5 November. We must just bump into you among the gifts and cheer. This year, Christmas starts at Spirit!

Getting into the Spirit of Christmas...(Fair)

Apologies to the Spirit of Christmas Fair and stallholders for the late posting of this blogpost. Christmas got the better of us and the Cross Clan and extended family have been beset with ill health. So in the Spirit of Christmas, please extend your goodwill to this humble blogger... and wishing you a happy new year!

I was so excited to receive my invitation plus one - meaning taking along my usual shopping sidekick extraordinaire and long-suffering partner-in-crime, MIL to the Spirit of Christmas Fair at Olympia. Not put off by the transport troubles that meant that it took us four different trains to get there, we actually arrived about 15 minutes early and were ushered in out of the cold by security as we flashed our press passes.

Supershopper is one label I have been given in the past (among others... another I am fond of is a rotweiler with lipstick and heels...) and I hadn't even allowed myself to take my coat off before I spotted the most must-have cashmere jumper about five metres from the entrance. Cream with fluorescent stripes, I knew the minute I tried it on that the good old Amex would be taking a bashing. And it came with pockets too. In the boyfriend fit, style perfect for those sneaky autumn/winter evenings and for pottering about town. Given the recent torrential rain, I have me snug and smug in my new purchase. Courtesy of No. 42 West Street which hails from Hampshire and multi-talented enterpreneur that is Melita Glaister (pictured with me below, with said jumper). Melita was a modest yet confident hands-on company director that served me with pride.

Opposite purchase number one was a must-buy-something fun things for under tens stall. Quirky stationery, rucksacks and ornaments. I picked up an owl rucksack and a blue unicorn bag (a bit smaller than the owl one) so the girls had one each.

On the next stall that sparked my interest, I came across a huge smile that belonged to Joanne Thompson, who is an effervescent and genuinely friendly lady who I warmed to immediately. She is co-owner in the business Holly Zang, and her line in children's clothes is truly exquisite. The company was spotted by Vogue on Twitter a couple of years ago, and since then, the company have taken flight. I still regret not buying the ballet shoes cashmere jumper for my eldest (I might get nightmares about this one).

Is anyone trying Dry January? Not that it’s any of my business, but the forward thinking Seedlip have created a unique trio of non-alcoholic spirits with a complex blend of flavours.  I have since purchased further bottles from high street retailers and enjoyes them immensely. MIL approves too. 

The 2018 (I cannot quite bring myself to say “last year’s”) incarnation of the Spirit of Christmas Fair is much improved with a much broader variety of stalls to browse. Overall, a jolly good day out. Plenty to see, plenty to buy. Roll on this Christmas. As the snow falls on February Eve...

Last Christmas... at Earl's Court

A jaunt to Earl's Court to visit the Ideal Home Show at Christmas courtesy of MoneySavingExpert was how Mrs Cross Senior and Mrs Cross Junior spent their Sunday. Full of hopes of returning with goodies, and strict instructions not to return with "Christmas tat" nor some dodgy and expensive drinking chocolate (or similar), we started the day with high expectations.

First stop, festive attire! What is Christmas without a jumper to celebrate the spirit of the season? Tillypop stocks unique knitted children's Christmas jumpers, dresses and pyjamas. Designer, Emma is not only a supermum entrepreneur, but also a chartered accountant (CIPFA) by day. I could not resist this Christmas pudding jumper for Baby Cross.

Another boutique with good quality childrenswear was Eeny Meenie. Owner Carla is due to open a store in Ongar. Check out her website for further updates. Eeny Meenie stocks lots of top quality brands including Petit Bateau, Bebe Baby and Jessie and James. This particular number had to come home with me for the bubs.

Family-run businesses make me feel warm and cosy, and I was filled with admiration for father-daughter team of Peter and Primrose Pease who created Angel Share. The name comes from the distillation of whiskey in which the angel's share is the part of the alcohol which evaporates as part of the process. In the same vein, 5% of the profits from the company is reinvested into microfinance loans in developing countries - the angel's share. I picked up this photo frame as my investment back into world goodness, and also because we are short of a frame or two at home.

I wanted to bring home a toy for Penelope and remembered having bought some wooden fruit that could be sliced along their velcro joints for my nieces. My description does not do the product justice! See Trade Toys for more information. The company generally supplies nurseries amd schools and came along to the show to offer the ordinary public their trade prices.

And to finish up with a quirky gadget from the Orient, I took the liberty of purchasing a tea cloud from Taste Taiwan Design. A floating white cloud to infuse your tea leaves. Stylish and clean-cut designs with practicality as a clear focus. Appealing bright colours, interesting solutions to common problems, and overall feel-good aesthetic and ethos. Thank you! A perfect end to.. no, not a perfect day. A manic one, dodging a thousand other shoppers who chose to wander among the stalls for the last time at Earl's Court. The site is due to be bulldozed to make way for what some might term progress. The next time we visit the show, the venue will transfer to Olympia. So long, and thanks for the good times.

Life is a picnic

Popped in to the Indoor Picnic boutique today and came across Anna's handmade Liberty fabric jewellery. Beautiful pieces which are versatile, making excellent gifts for friends and family alike. Or just to indulge yourself in a little treat.

The Indoor Picnic boutique is back in the original spot in the Antiques Centre on Ely Street - open Tuesday to Saturday. Do pop in and say hello to the talented Ms Barnett and enjoy browsing and buying!

Just a little kick...

Hooray for exciting new discoveries! This one came at work when an email went round the fifth floor at Thomson Reuters Towers saying that there were pots of chilli jam in the kitchen for our delectation. However, horror of horrors, I was tucked up in the dining room working on my laptop when the message came in.

Mr Cross and I are big fans of chilli jam, so I was keen to find out where this jam came from and how I might go about sampling some. Chill& is a family business, which came about as my friend's mum started making the jam for friends, who came back begging for more. This evening, I sampled the chilli and pepper jam with some pâté and toast. Simply delicious, with just the right amount of kick that gives heat without overpowering the flavour of the jam.

Jams and preserves in four flavours. Chilli and pepper jam, chilli and kiwi jam, chilli and lime marmalade and chilli and chocolate spread. Makes for a nice chilli Christmas hamper if you ask me! If you would like more information, do drop them a line through info@chilliand.co.uk.

Catch the Chilli& team at Highams Park Station farmers' market on the last Sunday of every month. In December, the team will be at the market on the last Sunday before Christmas (Sunday 21 December) so you can be sure to get a few last minute presents!