Are you a sucker for packaging?

Image from here.

I most certainly am, beautifully packaged goods like those above make me drool. Simple packaging too, really does it for me. Take Bonne Mamman http://bonnemaman.us/ for example...it's those lovely checked lids for a start, then the wonderful black and white labels that look handwritten. It's not only that,  what about all the clever things that people do with the jars, once the contents, (and they are none too shabby either), have been consumed.

I love the simple packaging on some of the items Jamie Oliver has for sale on his website.http://jamieoliver.com/.

It seems I am not alone in my appreciation of packaging and branding, as there is a mueseum of brands in London.http://www.museumofbrands.com/    Some more lovely packaging to entice you to part from your hard-earned cash....

Images from here.

I love these bottles, sometimes you see them in designer kitchens, all lined up, and although I think it's a bit stage set, I still like it.

Sometimes, it's the way a thing is worded that makes you want it, sometimes it's the illustration, sometimes the colour just leaps out at you. I adore the fabulous blue on Cafe Nero's cups. http://www.caffenero.com/.

Some vintage packaging re-invented.

some paint tins even have style. above 3 images from here.

Above images from Pinterest.

When someone goes to the trouble of presenting food or a gift in a beautiful and unique way, it really adds to the enjoyment of it, in my view. Sometimes though, even a totally plain box or package is enticing.

When my elder brother started work, he went to London and worked in the marvellous foodhalls of Fortnum and Mason. He would send my mum tins of tea, and we did feel terribly grand! I have included a little video from F&M, which , if you have a few minutes to spare, is wonderful. If you check out their website http://fortnumandmason.com/ they have another one on 'flowering tea' which would be a great gift for someone who has everything! Enjoy!

And finally a box of delights from Betty's of Harrogate.http://www.bettys.co.uk/ Have a wonderful day! I hope I haven't left you too hungry, my own tummy is rumbling! Love Linda x

{How to Make a Heart Using Coffee Art

{How to Make a Heart Using Coffee Art

I admit it, hands up, I am guilty......I am addicted to coffee. I started drinking coffee when I was about 11 or 12, in a tea-drinking country, I was quite an oddity! When I was 18, I didn't drink alcohol, I much preferred to have a coffee, but in those days, you couldn't get coffee in pubs and if you did, it was either a filter coffee that had been keeping warm for hours on end, or that hideous instant stuff! Nowadays, it's a different matter, coffee culture abounds, and I for one am sooo happy about it. I remember my first visit to France, the coffee....mmmm, dark brown and fragrant with hot milk served separately in a little jug.. I had died and gone to heaven! Then my first trip to Italy...oh my goodness, the hotel, which had a bit of a Maffioso atmosphere, had the most fantastic coffee machine I had ever seen ,all copper and brass, gleaming  magnificence! The coffee it produced, has never been matched, smooth, rich with a perfect crema on top!

Now , the foam atop your cappucino is manipulated into incredible shapes and pictures, and labelled as 'art'. Check out the link above to watch the artist at work, it is a joy to watch. I love trying and buying different coffee's, I love the smell, the cups and saucers, the beans themselves, coffee cake, ice-cream, machines and equipment, I just love it all! I have only recently discovered the sheer heaven that is, espresso poured over ice-cream, if you haven't tried it, I highly recommend you do.

At home, I make my coffee in a stove top espresso maker, like the one in the above picture and think it makes a really good coffee. I would like to get, at some time, one of the new machines, which use capsules (although I don't like the wasteful packaging element ). Perhaps, by the time I get one, they will have sorted that out!

I would adore an antique silver coffee pot , like this. How special would coffee time be then!

Notice the Irish coffee, all ginger hair and tipsy...how rude!!

Look at this little fellow, you wouldn't want to drink it!

Gorgeous blue and white (Spode, I think).

Aren't these little cuties from Riviera Maison fab?



I would love to get my hands on some of these coffee coloured coffee cups.

So 'slip me a slug from that wonderful mug' and plant me in this chair, looking out at that gorgeous view and you won't get a peep out of me. Have a wonderful Wednesday everyone, love Linda x

                                                              Images are from here and here.

Cushion me beautiful!

I thought I would share with you two very talented cushion designers. They are both to be found  on Etsy the first, Samantha from The Nest makes wonderful rustic creations from burlap, with words that make you want to own one. I don't know about you, but my "wish list" has seriously increased since I started blogging. Samantha is from Wales, she has a wonderful blog where she shares her great furniture restoration ideas called http://thenestuk.blogspot.com/. Here are some of my favourites, although she also does some wonderful animals, like a Moose and Deer, that would be great for Christmas.

The second is  Kristi  from Jolie Marche, in Tenessee. She also has a lovely interiors inspired blog called  Simple Everyday Glamour. Her cushions I feel are a little more sophisticated, and the detail in the coloured ones is astonishing. See for yourself......

http://simpleeverydayglamour.blogspot.com/

I hope I haven't depressed you all too much? The thing is though, they are all so gorgeous and if they were in a terribly smart shop, the type that have those carrier bags I'm after, they would be so much more expensive. Its past my bedtime, so goodnight to you all, love Linda x