News
-
Chatsworth Country Fair 2016
Chatsworth Country Fair 2016
With the end of August fast approaching, it feels like summer is drawing to a close. Whilst we mourn the end of the warm(ish) weather and light evenings, it does mark the start of our preparations for Chatsworth Country Fair.
Held annually in Chatsworth Park, the Country Fair is an impressive outdoor event comprising a mixture of country sports, displays, crafts and shopping. It is always a spectacular weekend, with the highlight being a Red Arrows performance, usually on the Sunday.
There is always an eclectic mix of shopping opportunities, with everything from fresh local produce to photography, clothing to hot tubs! It's well worth spending a couple of hours wandering around the trade stands and food village. If you are in need of a unique gift or even early Christmas presents, this is the perfect place to start.
In order to create a fantastic shopping experience for all you lovely visitors, a lot of organisation, preparation and hard work is required! Typically, our final prep for the weekend starts around 3-4 weeks before.
A list of stock to be sold at the show will already have been drawn up, but it will need pricing. Sometimes certain items will have special show offers or promotions and these will also need to be marked up at this point. This means somebody working through a list of prices and individually checking and pricing every item. Whilst this may seem a laborious job, it is crucial for the weekend to be a success. Once we arrive at the trade stand there will be no computer for us to check any stock prices on. Any unmarked items will have to rely on our staff members' knowledge or good memory! If there is no price, we cannot sell an item.
When all the stock has been checked and priced, it then needs packing ready for the show itself. This takes a careful and organised hand - nobody wants to start rummaging for stock when it arrives!
Although the fair itself doesn't open to the public until Friday, our first day on site is Wednesday. The stand needs to be built from scratch including flooring, display shelves and the counter. Layout is crucial so customers can safely navigate their way around the stand and so stock stays protected from the elements.
Once the stand is set up, we need to fill it with lovely things to buy! Typically we take a selection from brands like Hunter, Barbour, Longchamp, Portmeirion, Spode and Beswick, alongside small items of giftware. Everything will need to be carefully unpacked and arranged ready for the public on Friday.
Hunter wellies are one of the most popular items we sell during Chatsworth ranging from children's boots through to heavy duty boots like the Balmoral range. If you are not sure what type of wellies would fit your requirements, we can help you to choose the right pair; just ask us. The giant Hunter display boot often makes an appearance too - everyone loves having their picture taken with it, or even in it!
There are always plenty of four legged friends during the weekend who love trying out our range of comfy Barbour dog beds and coats. We are massive dog lovers, so don't hesitate to drop by and say hello with your pooch - we guarantee they will be made a fuss of!
Prior to opening, all the last minute details are checked. Have we got enough carrier bags and tissue paper to wrap purchases? Is all the stock priced and laid out correctly? Have we located the nearest purveyor of bacon butties?!
Friday means the official start of the Fair. With thousands of people visiting over the weekend, long days and lots of stock, the weekend is always super busy for us. We don't mind; we love meeting customers both old and new. The atmosphere also makes this a very special event - we can't wait to return this year!
Chatsworth Country Fair 2016 starts Friday 2nd September and finishes Sunday 4th September. Don't forget to come and say hello to us at stand D20!
-
Summer Bank Holiday Picks
Summer Bank Holiday Picks
With the Summer Bank Holiday approaching, most of us are looking forward to a well earned break! Day trips out are a staple of the Bank Holiday period with many of us heading outdoors to enjoy the sunshine. (Or whatever the Great British weather throws at us.)
Whether you are on an outing to the seaside, a picnic in the park or simply relaxing with a Pimms, we have picked the perfect accompaniments to your Bank Holiday weekend.
Barbour Floral Bloom Messenger Bag
Big enough to carry all your essentials, but small enough to still look stylish, this bag is ideal for day trips. It is made from Barbour’s classic waxed cotton giving it a lovely subtle sheen while providing protection to your belongings. The adjustable shoulder strap is robust, allowing it to hold a substantial amount of weight, which is always a bonus if you’re an over-packer like myself. Take a look inside and you will find a handy zip pocket in the main compartment, generous enough to fit the largest purse or phone in and an open pocket at the front. But the real highlight is the gorgeous floral print lining.
This beautiful ditsy style print adds a real girly feel to the bag, mixing practicality with style. So often functional bags can be boring but the lovely lining always puts a smile on our faces. Deceptively spacious, you can fit everything you need for a day trip into this bag, and still have space to spare for any last minute additions.
Michael Kors Jet Set Travel East/West Crossbody Bag Blossom Pink
Nothing says summer more than this little pink beauty! I am not normally a fan of anything too pink, but this delicate shade has converted me. It looks seriously classy and goes with just about any colour you can imagine. You may worry that such a light colour may get dirty, but as it is made from saffiano leather you can wipe it down with ease.
The chain detailing adds a bit of sparkle and a luxurious feel. For a smaller bag, it is also deceptively large, managing to hold all the essentials: phone, purse, keys, umbrella and lipstick, effortlessly. This makes it ideal for pretty much any occasion, whether you are after a compact day bag, a smart evening bag or simply need a bag to take you from day to night.
The structured shape means it will never lose its form and always look sleek and smart. Sometimes structured bags can be too boxy or bulky when worn, but because of its narrow proportions, it sits perfectly against your body.
Paul Smith Balfour Trainers in Floral Print
A little bit of a splurge, but aren’t they pretty? When you are walking long distances, good footwear is essential meaning a decent pair of trainers are a must. These beauties are not only comfortable, but they are cute too! The flashes of colour are bright and summery, but the white background tones them down, allowing them to complement most colours.
We would wear them with a tea dress and denim jacket for a preppy look or skinny jeans and a classic white tee for a casual weekend outfit.
Barbour Tain Stripe Trilby Hat
If the sun does decide to appear (fingers crossed!), a hat is essential. Nobody wants to get burnt after enjoying a day in the sun, so it’s important to have a stylish way to keep protected. We chose this particular hat for being lightweight and summery. It's neutral colour will complement any outfit, but the nautical inspired stripes reminds us of the seaside. Although it is technically a man’s hat, it looks great on women too. I mean the ladies instore couldn't resist trying it too...
As it is so lightweight and flexible it can be packed with ease, making it the perfect companion for holidays or weekends away.
Hugo Boss Men's Shirt RN with UV Protection
A classic white tee should be an essential of any wardrobe. For a twist on the classic, we love this offering from Hugo Boss featuring the striking Boss branding.
Not only is it made from pure cotton, allowing your skin to breathe easier than synthetics, but it has the added bonus of UPF50+ (an ultraviolet protection factor of 50 for those of us unfamiliar with the jargon!), meaning it blocks out the majority of the suns UV rays. Pretty snazzy, right? It is available in Navy, Blue, Grey or White, which would be our choice for the summer months.
Hunter Bubble Umbrella
Optimism aside, there is a chance it may rain over the Bank Holiday; we are in the UK after all! So it seems the natural choice to include an umbrella in our picks and this one by Hunter is my favourite. The rounded shape means it shields more of your body in comparison to a standard umbrella, keeping you nice and dry. They also come in a range of bright colours, which will cheer up the dullest of days. Our favourite is the Rhodonite Pink, a soft pastel colour perfect for all seasons.
Barbour Tartan Picnic Rug
Off outdoors? Whether you are picnicking in the park or relaxing on the beach, you are going to need a good sized rug. This pure wool offering from Barbour is large, thick and incredibly durable. Not only is it great for crashing out, ahem, lounging around on, but it makes a super cosy blanket to snuggle up in if the weather turns. It also makes a great addition to the back seat of your car, particularly if you have little ones who like to snooze/drop crumbs/put their feet on the upholstery (delete as applicable!) The classic tartan design is a generous size but it can fold small for ease of movement.
-
Tramlines Inner City Music Festival - Save 20% from 20 July-23 July
So you may have heard about a little thing called 'Tramlines'. You know, that little music festival that occurs every year in Sheffield? The one that has pretty low key lineups of artists like Basement Jaxx, The Charlatans and Katy B?
No? Well if you missed the last 7 years, it's this kind of awesome weekend of music, frivolity and fun for all ages. No big deal.
This year looks to be no exception with Dizzee Rascal, Kelis and The Dandy Warhols headlining, Sheffield City Hall's Grand Ballroom playing host to its first ever Tramlines event and the Folk Forest expanding. There is a fantastic buzz building around the whole city, particularly around the Devonshire Green area and we keep hearing rumours of a heatwave. (Ok, this might just be wishful thinking!) With not long to go now, it's safe to say everyone's getting a bit giddy!
To celebrate all this excitement, we are offering 20% off all full price items in our Sheffield store between 20 July-23 July if you check in with us on Facebook or tag us using Instagram or Twitter. If you have an Independent Sheffield Card, you can also take 20% off any full price items during this period. Aren't we generous?
I think all this anticipation has gone to our heads!
-
Review - Michael Kors Jet Set East/West Zip Tote Bag
Review – Michael Kors Jet Set East/West Zip Tote Bag
If you are anything like me, you are always searching for that elusive, perfect bag. You know, the one that goes with every outfit, can look both smart and casual, but is safe, secure and still pretty. It must be strong enough to fit all your essentials, but light enough to carry without pulling a muscle in your shoulder. (My list of bag essentials might be a tad excessive. Don’t judge me!) And of course you want the bag to last you a long time, to become that classic go to that always makes you feel a million dollars.
I think I have found a worthy contender for this Holy Grail of bags; step up Michael Kors Jet Set East/West Zip Tote Bag.
This little beauty has been a staple in the Michael Kors range now for the past few years. A timeless zip top tote with two sleek, slip side pockets and the usual smart Michael Kors branding, it also features two good length, adjustable leather shoulder straps.
Now this may seem like a small thing to get excited about, but it is increasingly rare to see a bag with a truly practical shoulder strap. Most bags currently on the market are designed to be rested in the crook of your arm, which looks lovely but isn’t always as functional. This bag can be carried quite comfortably on your shoulder for long periods of time; no slipping off your shoulder or digging in your arm. It also has the benefit of tucking neatly under your arm, which keep your bag nice and safe against your body. A small detail, but something worth considering if you are day tripping in a busy, bustling environment. Nobody wants their possessions wandering into wayward hands! The straps are also adjustable, meaning you can adapt it to fit perfectly regardless of your height.
Inside, this bag had a generous main compartment with four open interior pockets and one zip interior pocket so there are plenty of ways to keep your bag organised. The discreet key chain which is standard in larger Michael Kors tote bags, is a handy addition. My keys are always buried in the bottom corner of handbags, resistant to being found, so for me this is a great addition. Simply pop your keys on the sturdy clasp and follow the chain to find them.
It is surprising given the slim, tapered build of this bag quite how much it holds. You can fit all your essentials; phone, purse, keys, umbrella, glasses, tissues, makeup, whilst leaving plenty of space for the added extras like your tablet, kindle/book, bottle of water, scarf or anything else that works it way into your bag during the course of an average day. This versatility allows it to be used for a variety of occasions, whether a smart work bag or a spacious everyday bag.
The Jet Set East/West Zip Tote is available in Saffiano leather only. This particular leather has a couple of benefits, with the main one being it creates and keeps the structure of your bag so it will remain smart for years to come. Traditional smooth or pebbled calf leathers will soften as they age, which is great if you want your bag to mould to you or like a relaxed look, but if you want to keep the original shape you loved so much, Saffiano is the way forward. It is also incredibly hardwearing.
You can wipe it down (carefully of course!) if necessary and scratches are not as visible due to the textured finish. This durable leather may not feel quite as luxurious as standard calf leather, but it will stand the test of time and should look as good as the day purchased if cared for properly.
It comes in a variety of colours so you are bound to find one that suits your style. My current favourite is Celadon; a soft, minty green that makes me think of spring walks, daffodils and blossom trees. Can you tell I love this time of year? Pastels are also a massive trend for spring/summer 16, so if you are not brave enough for a full outfit, accessorising with a bag can be a way to test the waters.
The downsides? Well Saffiano leather is not everyone's cup of tea. It wears well and looks smart but if you want a causal day bag, you might be better checking out Michael Kors Bedford range. The bag straps are fairly slim, so if you are planning on putting a lot of weight in your bag you may need to think before trying to put your laptop in! It can fit a slim A4 folder, but as the bag in narrower at the top than bottom it can be a tight squeeze. There is no option of an across body strap either, which restricts versatility in comparison to many others bags in the Michael Kors range. This is purely designed as a classic handbag so if you enjoy having the option of changing up your bag, this may not be for the bag for you.
Overall, this is one of my favourites in the Michael Kors range. Hardwearing, practical and timeless in style I can overlook the little things, such as not having an across body strap, as it does the one things it is meant to do so well; function as a great handbag. For me, this comes pretty close to perfection.
In Stock Now:
Loading...Error
