Ideal Home Snow 2018

A snowy start to the show! A quick check online to confirm that TFL were able to cope with a light dusting, and I was out the door.  Mother-in-law (MIL) (aka shopping partner-in-crime, aka companion-in-credit-card-bashing) and I set out from Upminster to the now established venue of Olympia. The journey has become marginally annoying, now that we need to change at Earl’s Court and wait for an Olympia-specific train, rather than merely alighting at the former venue. But that’s progress for you (or so they say), and no doubt a property developer is doing rather well out of the move.

As free ticket holders (thank you press office), we were directed to enter through entrance three, which was not only the furthest entrance from the tube exit, the least attractive entrance point (compared to the main entrance complete with faux grass sign and piper) and also happened to be the glass doors that served as a staff and exhibitor entry gate. The queue which led right out beyond the foyer into the cold, windy and sleety street was crowded with people who seemed to delight in incessant moaning about the weather, while other guests were more jovial in spirit, joking as to the black market into staff passes so we could also queue jump and be let in early.

The first stall that caught my attention was Vallente of London. The open and friendly attitude of Andy Goss, with none of the hard sell so typical of those in the luxury goods market meant that we could spend time getting to know the products before making a relaxed and happy decision. As it was, MIL and I both purchased a great giftset that included a choice of two main products (we both chose a candle (RRP £20) and a hand and body lotion (RRP £18) with a bonus pot of hand cream. The bundle price was good value at £25.

I was initially interested in the products as I was looking for a rich cream to rehydrate my daughter’s skin. She is about to turn two and suffered from a rather nasty bout of chicken pox. I applied the moisturiser after her bath and the skin was immediately supple, soft and smooth. The effects lasted overnight and well into the morning, as I can now happily attest.

A shiny stall that caught my eye was funky big metal london led by designer James McGrath, who first started out in the true meaning of a start up cottage industry in his mother’s garden shed. Happily (for James’ mother) production now takes place in Elephant & Castle. James still plays a key role in design and overseeing production and is also committed to social responsibility and environmental protection, which now increasingly can play a key role in a customer’s decision to make a purchase. 

After scanning the stall with a beady eye, I happened across these cactus earrings, a complete steal at £10.

Being British-born Chinese, I have a soft spot for jade, used to commemorate and celebrate key milestones. I had always intended to buy “birth jade” for my two daughters and returned to Helen Fung’s Happy Dragon to purchase pink and purple matching pendants (£38 each) having first met Helen at the show some four years ago. Obviously a happy repeat customer, albeit with a sizeable interval in between!

The feel of the IHS has changed a great deal. Smaller home grown businesses have been pushed out in favour of large nationwide corporations that dominate the mass expanse of the main exhibition floor. A few token stands are left around the edges of the ground floor for oddly placed scented candle stalls, as though they have been left out in the cold. Whether this is for better or worse is neither here nor there. If you are after a fun day out with lots to see without a specific large-scale purchase in mind, then you’re in the right place. All in all, the IHS is still worth coming to, it’s just that you often come home with a miscellany of items you had no idea you needed, but with a smile on your face, which is a sure sign of a great day out. IHS, ‘til the next time...

Showcasing Shottery style!

At the age of 13, Mrs Cross (then Miss J-Lu) sat in a small room in Kendrick School, Reading, taking the 13+ in the presence of her own personal invigilator for a grammar school in Shakespeare Country. About six weeks later, the famille Lu moved into Lu Towers in Shottery, walking distance from said school. Stratford Girls' Grammar is where Mrs Cross spent many happy years - funny memories include playing an elaborate game of hide and seek/treasure hunt called "Safari Man" in the Manor gardens. The balcony of the Manor is rumoured to have inspired Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.

Needless to say, there is a wealth of talent to be found at Shottery, and now my intake have all hit the magic 30-year-old birthdays and beyond, I had the chance to catch up with a few of my classmates to find out how they have been getting on and developing their careers. Among the Shottery collective, there are those that have gone into fashion and style, and with some great success. This blogpost highlights three fantastic ladies of the class of 2000; they are pretty modest about their skills though, so I felt it only right to sound some fanfare about them - and justly so!

Let me first introduce Anna Barnett, who owns Indoor Picnic based in the Antiques Centre (who doesn't reminisce about the sandwich board man-about-town...). Anna opened her shop in September 2011, where she sells her own "Love Scooney" products, alongside an array of antique and vintage china, retro-style fair-trade aprons by Sterck, mid-century refurbished furniture, and other lovely homeware and gifts. Anna has also ventured into silversmithing, encasing oddments of China in silver, producing unique pieces ranging from rings, pendants, bangles, cufflinks and more.

Next on the fashion parade is Kate Hawkridge of St Martin's College fame, who is an established graphic/textile print designer, working with household names such as Debenhams, New Look, Primark, Tesco and others while also working freelance for streetwear brands. This dual aspect to her business allows Kate to balance being commerical and cost-effective in design, while also maintaining her own original and graphic style. Kate also has her own Clumsy brand, selling unique homeware and accessories designed and made in England.

And finally, drumroll please for Bethany Jane Davies, who is a vintage make-up artist and hair stylist, creating fabulous looks from the 20s to the 60s. Bethany's team are able to create bespoke retro hair and make-up looks for private and corporate events, re-enactments, weddings, film sets and photo shoots. The pop-up salon can be hired wherever authentic vintage styling is desired.














I have often wondered what it might be like to run my own business, but the scaredy-cat inside me is just one of the many barriers that prevents me from doing so. Hats off and respect with a capital R to those that are able to set up on their own and make something of it. Shottery Style girls - we salute you!

*Bethany's photographs were taken by Madame Boudoir Photography Studio