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When I went to the launch of An Artist in the Garden which is a new book about the walled garden at Glemham House which has been a collaboration by the artist Tessa Newcomb and Jason Gathorne-Hardy, I met Tessa’s lovely Dachshund. Whilst admiring this dashing pup I thought of these wonderful mugs which we sell in Shop on the Quay. They are all hand painted and made in England by Fenella Smith - it is such fun they way they all work together.
Whenever I see Jasmine smiling it tells me we have just had a delivery from the Pip Studio Collection - it is like Father Christmas throughout the year! The long awaited blue bird collection has just arrived so I quickly took a picture of it as I know it won’t last long. Also the new deep blue bedlinen which they have launched is stunning and the rich vibrant towels. In many ways the Pip Collection is like Spring itself in a product – colour, joy and brings a smile to your face!
It is one of those truly beautiful days where the river has a soft haze and the wildlife is teeming along the river like it is nature’s M25. Johnny took this photo today whilst he was on the new residential development and this will be the view from plot 3’s living room. How brilliant to look out and see our resident Thames barge ‘Cygnet’ sailing in.
Long may this exquisite weather hold – particularly for tomorrow as I know Heather our head buyer is walking the Sailors Path from the Maltings to Aldeburgh with friends. This is a good 5 mile walk but one which is rejuvenating. In Heather’s day to day role she captures the spirit of the Maltings and its landscape in our product development and so experiencing this walk is so entwined in her work here.
It was wonderful seeing so many mothers out for a ‘treat’ at the Maltings today. Whether it was for Afternoon Tea in Cafe 1885, a wander through the shops or along the river path, the Maltings had a great atmosphere.
Whilst I was wandering through House & Garden with one of my daughters, she asked me why it always smells so good. Knowing the answer I took her to straight to the Durance collection in our Bed & Bath area.
This range is the best of Provence – creating delicate scents of home fragrances and candles, all with natural ingredients. Once you have smelt these products it is so evident why people adore them and why it has become a best seller on our on-line shop. The range has recently been enhanced to include Cologne so next time you are here, do come and try it.
On the weekend we took the children over the bridge to the River walk towards Snape Warren as this path has recently been greatly enhanced. My children love to run along this side of the river as it weaves to follow the flow of the river and before long we find ourselves at Snape Warren.
The Warren is slightly raised and it is a perfect position to stop and look back over to the Maltings from a different perspective. We will return again sometime soon as I thought it makes an ideal picnic spot as it is not too far for little legs!
Whilst chocolates from The Curious Chocolate Company in our food hall would be scrumptious nothing could beat these suede Espadrilles in Samphire Clothes & Accessories and at £40 a pair they are such incredibly good value.
Walking through the food hall at the Maltings today was an absolute pleasure and coming across these bunnies was a real treat.
These bunnies remind me of Easter as a child and the absolute joy of receiving one of these bunnies and I always was so careful not to rip the foil wrapping. Even though Pump Street Bakery had their delicious Hot Cross Buns on sale at Saturday’s Farmers Market I resisted. Family tradition is to wait until Easter Sunday and gosh they taste all the better for waiting.
We are definitely an Easter bunny family and avoid the excessive packaging of boxed eggs, so I will make sure I buy my bunnies before they are all gone.
On a wet old day like today this table brings with it all the joy of Spring!
Sitting over the top of our Biomass bunker is the home of our chickens – this is a very good example of using your space wisely! Even better though is the wonderful eggs they produce. I know it is not only our chickens that have been busy laying of late, Ian from Home Meadow Farm, who will be at our Farmers Market tomorrow is selling ½ dozen eggs for £1 – what great value. Like us, his chickens are free range and make the best omelettes and cakes.
I have just returned from writing up the blackboard for tomorrow’s market day specials – we are now close to 30 producers attending our market. One passerby commented “it is almost like a mini Food Festival each month”. I do have a number of producers in the wings who are finalising their packaging and production so watch this space – there is more to come!
Hope to see you tomorrow from 9.30 am to 1pm.
Tomorrow Fair Trade fortnight begins and runs until 11th March.
It is incredibly pleasing to see that our Fair Trade lines are continuing to grow. For the Spring we have this gorgeous glassware collection which is an excellent example of great design, which has been fairly made and not at a premium price.
I particularly like the silk bead necklaces and bracelets in Samphire Clothes & Accessories, which are superb value (from £6.50), and the lovely crochet corsages (£6) that everyone adores. These corsages are hand crocheted by a women’s group in India in truly beautiful colours. We also have a new range of light cottons for the summer from Nila Rubia, who personally visits the family artisans who make her clothing (prices start at £40 for a handblocked tunic).
We are delighted to support the Fair Trade fortnight and are a proud stockist.
An important part of our job is regularly walking the shop floor. Now this can prove a challenge. On one hand you have to look at everything very critically – layout, price point, display etc and then one the other hand how do you not fall in love with so much product!
I had to take this picture to share with you – this stunning dress with its ribbon detailing and the hemline is fantastic – then I discovered the incredibly great value pieces in our leather bag collection, how brilliant is the little satchel on this model?
Pop into Samphire and you will agree it is one of the most stunning season collections to date – full credit to Jane and Heather, a great deal of thought has gone into ensuring our pieces are beautiful but also very good value.
A behind the scenes look at daily life running the family business at Snape Maltings
