Ayame @ Present

Where would we be without socks? We would have wet, cold feet for a start but I feel a damn sight better off knowing that I can pull on a decent pair of colourful socks whenever I need to.

Japanese brand Ayame do some of the best looking ones around and their Sock Monkeys are the bomb.

Available at Present.

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Bike Repair Shop at Present

Thinking about jumpers today, these knits by Korea brand Bike Repair Shop would be an interesting addition to the winter wardrobe. I'll be putting these straight onto the Bucket List.

Available at Present.

Thank you for all your Birthday wishes across the various platforms, it's always appreciated! I ended up having a lovely day, spending time with Hollie, eating lots of homemade Boston Cream Pie and spilling brand new whiskey all down my trousers. 

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Strike A Light

Some really lovely looking "superior safety matches" by A Fine Match Box Co. They've got bright blue tips and sweet illustrated designs on the front. I think I'm going to start a little collection you know, everywhere I go I'll try and find some interesting designs. Do you remember when companies used match boxes as business cards, I wonder if they still do? My quest starts today.

 Available at Present.

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Human Made x Coca Cola

Always Coca-Cola. You can find this very small and collection (5 pieces in total) of original Coca-Cola printed t shirts at Present. They've been created by Human Made on premium cotton Beams white t-shirts, really limited numbers so when they're gone they're gone. These are definitely for advertising collectors out there but I'm sure most people can appreciate how powerful a bit of branding is.

Human Made x Coca-Cola at Present.

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Top Notch Christmas Gifts

Here's a few things that I think would make top notch gifts this Christmas -

Sandal Wood Candle - Fable + Folly

William Fox & Sons Gloves - Present

LED Bike Lights - Bookman

Scott Nichol Fair Isle Socks - Oi Polloi

Beard Oil - Herbivore Botancals

Mamnick Tie Slide - Mamnick

Futuristic Car - Present London

Roadside America - Amazon

Victorinox Pen Knife - Goodhood

Also this week -

Still time to enter the Harrop + Penny Christmas Giveaway

Me and Hollie have set up shop on Etsy, Northern Goods Co.

Birthday's Coming Up

Uniform Wares 200 Series in Cherry Red

It's my birthday in a couple of week......

In reality I'll never get this beaut of a watch by Uniform Wares so I've got some more modest items on my wishlist. I've just asked for a Lexon calculator, Paris vs New York by Vahram Muratyan, a few small stationary bits and the classic birthday present, boxer shorts.

I'll be launching a pretty sweet giveaway very soon, look out for it. It's going to be mega!

Smurf's Up

Sporty Smurfs at Present

The weekend has arrived once again and I'm looking for things to do. I've been waiting for a sunny Saturday so I can get out in the front garden and start striping the wall in prep for a new lick of paint. But the fun isn't kicking off till this evening, I'm going to make a bacon, onion and cream pizza which I found on Smitten Kitchen. Last time I tried making pizza it ended up about 3" too thick.

Plans for the weekend folk? Anyway, Smurf's up dudes. Enjoy.

Thanks for all the Berlin tips up to now, please keep them coming if you have any more.

Made In....Part 1

Much loved Dr Martens 1461's - Made in England

Harlequin patterned Johnston's scarf - Made in Scotland

New edition to my wardrobe, Dockers cinch back chinos - Made in America

Christmas present from Hollie, Present piccalilli coloured wooly hat - Made in Scotland

The old faithful vintage tweed 2-button blazer - Made in Canada

Lately I have been taking extra noticed to where things are made. To know this bit of extra information reassures me to some extent and instantly puts thoughts into my mind about who might have made them, the type of factory they were conceived in and what type of machinery might have been involved. I'm one of those people that always checks labels before buying stuff in shops, checking out the fabric is a big thing for me, but now I might be adding another one to the list. I don't think it's  going to stop me from buying something but to know a little bit more about what you are spending you money on makes it more satisfying, in my opinion.

I'm going to split this post up into a 2-parter bumper edition so this post doesn't turn too picture heavy. I've got some more interesting stuff to share.

So go into your wardrobes and see what you can find, what are you waiting for? I'll be really interested to hear what sort of countries you can find on those labels, please do let me know.