Spotlight: Vandertas Accessories {Plus A Super Exciting giveaway!}

Today I'm really excited to be bringing you another post in the spotlight series, as well as a giveaway! I love to champion small, independent businesses and makers and this post is all about a maker who is local to me which makes it even more special!

I discovered Nienke Vandertas and her beautiful leather and canvas accessories brand Vandertas at the Fresh Artisan Market in Norwich back in May. At the time, my beloved Vivienne Westwood purse was on its last legs and given that I'd had it for seven years I was pretty attached and didn't really want to have to replace it. However, I spotted Nienke's gorgeous purses on Instagram during the lead up to the market and as soon as I picked one up I knew I'd found 'the one.'

I chose a beautiful soft grey leather with contrasting yellow panels and stitching and the happiest gold lining! I've loved using it so far and Nienke very kindly sent me the matching card wallet too as my various cards didn't quite fit!

I was really excited to learn more about Nienke's work and it's a fab interview! She has also sent me two of her gorgeous grey canvas foraging bags to give away to you lovely lot, so read on the the end for the details of how to enter and be in with a chance of winning! 

Over to Nienka...

1: Can you introduce yourself and describe what you do?

I’m Nienke Vandertas and I design and make leather and canvas accessories under the name Vandertas. I’m originally from Haarlem, The Netherlands and have lived in the UK since 2000. My background is graphic design, but by chance rolled into freelance event design after a few years living in the UK, which I still do along side my bags.

2a: How did you life as a maker begin? 

My Dad is a gold and silversmith and I remember from a very early age making things and being in my dads workshop. On our family holidays I would make jewellery from shells and sell them at the local market - I think I was about seven. A few years later my Dad started to show me how to use certain tools and I started making earrings and bracelets from perspex. I did consider studying gold and silversmithing, but decided to do graphic design instead.

I didn’t realise I would even like sewing, as it never occurred to me…but after being given a sewing machine for my birthday in 2003 I found my passion! Once I started sewing, I couldn’t stop. Funilly enough I never made clothes, always more utilitarian items; bags, purses and wallets and other accessories. 

2b: When did you start working with leather and why do you love the material?

This was early days. I was already using heavy duty materials like army canvas, but at a market I found some leather offcuts. When I got home and started putting it to the the test I realised my sewing machine was perfectly capable of sewing leather and that was it. Slowly, I started finding out more about the material, where to find nice leather and how best to use it. There were not that many leather merchants online at the time, so it was a process. I love the fact leather is very pliable, doesn’t fray, is very durable and combines very well with all sorts of other materials. 

3: What is your favourite item to make and why?

My favourite item to make is the gladstone (doctor's) bag. Every gladstone I make feels like a little gem, each has it's own character I guess. This character depends a lot on the materials I use make them; a doctors bag made out of a thick shoulder hide has a completely different look and feel as if I was to use a thinner leather.

The exterior is always a plain colored leather, but as soon as you open the bag it will either be lined with beautiful vintage fabric or a bright metallic foiled leather. 

I’m proud that I have doctors and midwives amongst my customers, who use their doctor's bag everyday at work.

 4: You use a lot of recycled and vintage leather and fabrics in your collections. Is this for ethical reasons as well as aesthetics? 

I would say mainly aesthetics, but its very good re-using anyway of course. Vintage fabrics have, in my opinion, much nicer designs. Very rarely I find a modern material I like. Used army canvas I use because it has a nice worn look, which gives a bag character. 

5: Living near the coast has always been a huge inspiration for me. What are you major inspirations?

It’s hard to think of where I find my inspiration as I guess it comes from so many different things. An afternoon lost in the Rijks Museum or Bag Museum in Amsterdam, finding a piece of beautiful fabric at a carboot sale. Any old style typography and design, fashion I like – particularly 1910’s till early1960’s.

6: You also teach leather workshops in Suffolk. What is the best thing about teaching other people to make something with their hands?

To see how proud students are with what they’ve made after finishing the workshop and realising the potential they have to create at home too!

7: What are you plans for the future of Vandertas?   

Keep on making!

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How stunning are Nienke's accessories! She has very kindly sent me two of her foraging bags which were designed for the Alde Valley Spring Festival in 2012. They're made from used army tents, finished with bronze poppers and are just perfect for foraging or as a bag for general use. They proved so popular they became part of Nienke's main collection and I have one of each size to giveaway! 

So, to be in with a chance of winning all you need to do is: 

1: Head over to Instagram and follow both me (@thesaltedtail) and Nienke (@vandertas) 
2: Comment on the giveaway image (which the same as the one at the top of this post) telling us what treasures you'd collect in your bag if you won! 

For two extra chances to enter you can:

1: Repost the giveaway image on instagram (either in your main feed or stories) tagging @thesaltedtail and @vandertas so I can find it! 

2: Sign up to receive my email newsletter 'The Treasury' (which is launching soon) by clicking 'The Treasury' tab at the top of this page.

Two winners will be chosen at random on August the 11th. The first name drawn can choose either the medium or small bag, and the second name drawn will win the other! 

Good luck! 

(All images except the first are courtesy of Vandertas)

Currently Coveting - Wednesday Wishlist

It's been three months since I've written a wishlist post. Either I haven't been doing as much window shopping as usual or things just haven't been catching my eye, but since the last list I haven't naturally reached that point where I've had enough things I'd like share. I love putting these posts together, but I like to make sure that the things I include are genuinely things I would love to own and use.

In the last few weeks though, I've been saving some things to instagram and pinterest and have gathered a few things to share with you that have definitely made their way onto my wishlist! Enjoy...

Plants are Magic Magazine by Rebecca Desnos

I've been following Rebecca's stunning instragm account for a while and if you're at all interested in natural dying, fabric and yarn, or just completely beautiful images (including recently some tiny baby toes!) then I highly recommend you head over there and check her out. The first issue of her self published magazine Plants are Magic (which has a separate instagram feed here) looks stunning. After experimenting with ice dying a few months ago I've been interested in giving some natural, plant based and foraged dyes a go and I think this magazine might be a great place to start. It's filled with interviews, projects and and stories all revolving around the magic of plants, and the theme for the first volume is Wellbeing. It sounds wondeful and I'm desperate to get my hinds on a copy. Rebecca has also published a book, Botanical Colour at Your Finger Tips which looks amazing if you're looking for a more in depth look at natural dying. 

Amani Brass Necklace - Promises Promises

Sometimes I come across an object which is a bit of me! This necklace (not to mention many of the other stunning pieces in the Promises Promises range) really speaks to me. The colours are those I always choose, I love the combination of polished geometric brass and the more raw, coastal feeling of the cast jesmonite. I'd never heard of jesmonite until I found this jewellery, it's similar to concrete but looks and feels like natural stone. I have been obsessed with beach treasure since I was little and I think necklace this looks like it could have been found on the sand and re-purposed into a beautiful piece of jewellery.  The whole range is really unique and interesting - definitely one to look at!   

Sterling Silver Chevron Necklace - The Simple Latte

Another necklace! I think the warmer weather makes me more inclined to get my jewellery out, as it can feel like a waste sometimes to wear accessories when they end up getting hidden under scarfs and coats. This chevron necklace is something I've been on the look out for for a while. I'm a big fan of 'simple' in every sense, and that generally applies to clothes too. I love nothing more than a perfect cotton t-shirt or a simple sweatshirt, and I think a really understated necklace with a v-neck t-shirt looks beautiful. This beautiful chevron from Sharon at The Simple Latte is made from sterling silver and its a dinky 3cm across making it perfect to wear everyday. Sharon's etsy shop is full of lovely minimal pieces, and I'm also a big fan of her delicate gemstone necklaces. I'm hopefully going to be talking to Sharon about her work in more depth soon, so if you're a fan stay tuned for that in the next few weeks. 

Cocoon Jumpsuit by Stalf

On the theme of simple, how perfect is this playsuit from Stalf!? I've been really enjoying wearing playsuits, dungarees and all in ones recently as they're comfy, they don't require any thought and you can easily make them more dressey if needed. I spotted this one being worn by a few people over on instagram and it's just the sort of thing I would love to wear. They're all out of stock at the moment (which can only be a good thing I reckon!) but as well as black it also comes in steel blue and 'ice cream' which might be the best colour description I've ever heard! Stalf have so many perfect simple pieces that I know would fit so comfortably into my wardrobe. Stalf is based in Lincolnshire and is driven not by what is in fashion, but by the women who wear the pieces and I love that! Slowly crafted clothes made for loving and re-wearing year after year, just like owner Paris' grandparents did! 

Midori Travellers Notebook - The Journal Shop

About a year ago, I fell completely in love with bullet journaling. It finally got me organised, I found making lists massively helped my productivity and I loved having everything in one place. The freedom to just turn the page and write a list was great, and not having a months and weeks preprinted allows you to be completely flexible in how you use your journal. However - recently I've found I'm not making the time to draw out the months and weeks as they roll round and am consequentially getting to the middle of the month and realising I've forgotten something because I haven't been transferring things out of the 'yearly planner' section into the monthly one. I also don't necessarily like carrying so much past staff around with me, so I feel like a change is in order. I've been doing a bit of research and feel like a Midori Travellers Notebook could work really well for me. They sell loads of different inserts, including pre-printed (and undated) monthly and weekly diaries which would remove the need to draw these out. There are also lined, squared and plain paper inserts so by using a squared one I could continue my daily bullet journalling as I do now, and as they're quite thin (and less than £5) once one is full I can just remove it and start a new one. I also quite like the idea of having a separate insert for the lists that I keep and use for longer than a day, things like blog post ideas, money tracking and lists of things to make. I'm really keen to try the system out and would love to hear how you find it if any of you use a travellers notebook already. 

Hopefully you've enjoyed this long overdue roundup of some things that have caught my magpie-eye.  I think I might make these posts a monthly feature. Writing them weekly as I used to do feels too frequent and I'd like to have space for some more focused, in-depth posts about individual makers and businesses so if you think you'd like to be featured please do get in touch.

Enjoy the sun while it lasts folks!
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Currently Coveting - Wednesday Wishlist {The Coastal Edition}

Next week my husband turns 30! He didn't want a big to-do, so instead of a party we're heading down to Cornwall for a week! Since our working patterns changed we don't have much time together on our own - he doesn't get home until 7.30pm most nights, and as I work on a Saturday we only get one day off a week together now so we're both really looking forward to spending an entire week on our own in our favourite place!

We'll be staying right on the coast in St Ives and will be able to gaze out over Porthemeor beach right from our apartment. Apart from the four years we spent in Leeds at University, I've always lived by the sea, my parents live about a ten minute walk away and I can drive there in 20, but somehow I don't seem to appreciate it like I do in Cornwall. There's something magical about that part of the world, the light, the vastness of the sky, and the inky blue depth of the sea. I love getting in from a walk, with my hair full of salt and my cheeks chapped by the often biting winds rolling in off the sea. Can you tell I'm exited!

With this in mind, this weeks wish list has a decidedly coastal feel! Enjoy...

Mimira Platter - Anthropologie

You can always count on Anthropolgie for beautiful homeware, and I really love the combination of watercolour blue and flecks of gold in these Mimira platters. There's a whole collection of matching crockery but I think these would look great as the standout piece among some simple white place settings and gold toned cutlery. 

Bouyant Letters Mug - Anthropologie

You'll know of you've been reading for a while that I'm a big fan of inky blues and painterly finishes, and these chunky mugs with their unique seascapes and abstract coastal images of boats and light houses are just my cup of tea (sorry - couldn't resist)

Handmade Ceramic Mug - Megan Louise Ceramics

Yup - another mug! Well, you can never have enough favourites. I've been following Megan's work over on instagram for a few weeks now, excitedly awaiting the reopening of her etsy shop! She has some beautiful ceramic crockery, planters and other homewares and some of my favourites are these simply glazed mugs. My favourite part is the way the navy stripe continues onto the handle. They simultaneously make me think of lapping waves and the distant horizon. 

Macrame Garland - Yanyula 

I think it is the combination of simplicity and unadulterated materials that make this macrame garland  feel coastal to me. I think it would look stunning hanging behind the bed, against a plain wall to add some texture, or in a summer house or beach hut. Jagoda, the maker behind Yanyula also makes plant hangers and crochet home accessories, but it's her garlands and wall hangings I love the most. Maybe it's knowing that each knot has been tied by hand, but I find something about them incredibly calming. I'll definitely be back once our coastal bedroom makeover gets underway!  

Waves Fabric by Cotton and Steel - Maker Mountain Fabrics

I really love the hand printed appearance of this fabric, and how it speaks of the sea in the most simple way. When we eventually start decorating our bedroom we'll be going for a coastal feel, but not the point of having lighthouses and seashells and seagulls all over the place! This fabric might still be a little too obvious, but I do love it so we'll see! Maybe I could persuade D into a couple of cushions on the bed.  

Whitby Enamelware Kettle - Mini Moderns

I've long been a fan of the Whitby print, and I think this enamel kettle would make the perfect addition to our growing collection of enamelware. Perfect for taking out to the beach or the woods when a hot cup of tea would be just the thing! We're planning to take the camping stove with us next week and we have an old metal camping kettle (with a whistle that tends to fly off the spout rather than whistle when the water is hot) so we don't really need another - but isn't it beautiful?  

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I probably won't be posting next week as we'll be cramming in as much time together as possible - but I'll definitely be sharing our adventures over in Instagram so be sure to follow me over there if you don't already! This will be somewhere around my 20th trip to Cornwall so I'm pretty well versed in the counties hidden gems, but if you have any recommendations for places we should visit - shops/cafes/walks - I'd love to know! 

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Currently Coveting - Wednesday Wishlist

I'm been feeling a bit rubbish this week, I think the January blues crept in just at the final moment and I  could quite happily have stayed in bed for the last two days. I don't usually buy into the whole 'New Year Blues' things, as I love the chance for a fresh start and a new outlook. However, maybe because for the first time since I was five I didn't go back to school (either for education or because that's where I worked!) I was a bit sad to see the end of Christmas and I've been really craving a bit more warmth and light!

However - it's officially the first of February and definitely time to shake off the funk! We've been sofa shopping, we're mid way through decorating our hallway and dinning room and we're also counting down the days until we head off to Cornwall for D's thirtieth birthday!

I've found some beautiful things for the wish list this week too, and a couple of them are firmly on the 'to buy post-payday' list! If you missed the wish list last week, and especially if you're a fan of a certain boy wizard, you can find it here.

Mini Enamel Cup - The Hambledon

My love for enamel goes on, and how adorable is this tiny tea cup from The Hambledon! Aside from sipping a hot herbal tea from it, I also imagine it would be the perfect size for a cortado, or a bullet coffee (espresso with butter and coconut oil!) which we've both discovered a bit of a fondness for recently! They're really well priced too so I feel a couple of these might be on their way to me once payday arrives! 

Mountain Necklace - Popeye and Daisy

Since my adventure in Africa I've had a bit of an affinity with mountains! The sight of a simple snowy peak has the power to remind me that no matter how hard something may appear - I have it in me to conquer it! This delicate brass and silver necklace is pleasingly geometric and I love the way the surface catches the light - a little mountain I could wear around my neck on the hardest of days! 

Golden Raindrop Ring - Little Joy Jewellery

I spotted this unusual ring while I was unashamedly sending D links to eternity rings I like (#sorrynotsorry!) It's so simple and subtle, but the unusual shape makes it really striking too! I think I might worry about catching it on things, but it's so pretty I think I could just about cope! 

N-FK Tee - Nor-Folk

I've featured Nor-Folk in the wishlist a few times and a practically live in my grey version of this sweatshirt! They're one of my favourite local indie brands (and we even have a couple of bits put away for our yet-to-exist children - I know...I know!) This design is a stripped back, minimalist take on their classic Nor-Folk Basics tee, and I love it! 

Aqua Gold Cushion - Katie Simpson Cornwall

I stumbled across Katie Simpson's work via Instagram and fell head over heels at once. Katie is a Cornwall based painter and textile artist who totally shares my feelings about the sea! Her work aims to capture in a physical form the feeling and emotion she gleans from being by (or in) the water and allow that feeling into our everyday via textiles. I spent a long time perusing her website, and I think this cushion is my favourite - it reminds me so vividly of peering over a craggy clifftop and watching the ripples on the beach below, gazing out at nothingness all the way to the horizon, the call of seagulls overhead and hair full of salty sea spray - oh to be in Cornwall! 40 sleeps and we'll be back in St. Ives.

Leon - Fast and Free

You can guarantee that if Leon publish a new book it will make it's way pretty quickly into the wish list, and then swiftly into our kitchen! We sampled a few dishes that are featured in the book when we were last in London and I'm rather excited to make them at home, particularly the chicken noodle soup! As usual, everything about it, from the recipes to the photography and the graphic design is delicious.

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Wednesday Wishlist (The Wizarding Edition)

It dawned on me this morning that it has been exactly a month since Christmas day! How time flies when you're having fun!

January has been pretty eventful already, some exciting opportunities have opened up for D, and we've finally seen Harry Potter and The Cursed Child after booking the tickets 15 months ago! Obviously I can't say a single thing about it, but suffice to know that at the end of the performance, while everyone around me gave a standing ovation, I sat with my mouth open and tears pouring down my face! It's a wonderful, wondrous thing and you must see it, you just must!

The world J.K Rowling has created now extends far beyond the seven book series; Fantastic Beasts has transported us back to the 1920's and we are beginning to learn more about the wizarding world in America. The Cursed child gives us an insight into Harry's life 30 years after we met 'the boy who lived' in the first chapter of The Philosopher's stone, and Pottermore gives us even more insights into the lives of these characters. There's promise of even more with four more Fantastic Beasts films to come. Rumour has it Dumbledore will be back to battle Grindelwald in the final instalment and we'll also learn more about Parisian witches and wizards.

I have adored all of it since I was small (I was 11, prime Hogwarts age, when I first read The Philosophers Stone), and I truly believe there are so many lessons to be learned from the books, because, magical or not, Harry and the others are dealing with the things us humans have to deal with everyday: courage in the face of adversity, prejudice based of your background or upbringing, world leaders who are all about power and hatred (I can't be the only one who felt like it was the day after the final task of the Triwizard Tournament on the day a certain president was elected?) and the simplest of things that are often made the most complicated, love, death, trust and friendship. I've grown up with it, I sleep with the audio books playing every single night (it's playing right now!) and I have the Howarts motto tattooed on one foot and a quote about love from Hermione on the other. As my creative writing tutor at uni one observed, I no longer meerly like it - I need it!

And so, with that in mind, I have put together a wizarding wishlist, some of my most coveted Potter (and beyond) themed items - grab a cup of tea (pumpkin juice, butterbeer or fire whiskey perhaps?) and enjoy!

Ginny Weasley Quote - Ash and Emerald 

Of all the inspirational quotes that could be pulled from the series, this is one of my favourites. Ginny Weasley, reminding us all that sometimes all you need to do is pull your bravery hat firmly onto your head and go for it! Also - I'm all for subtlety, and this coral print with it's pretty brushed font doesn't scream 'I'm a Potterhead with a serious merchandise problem!'

When in doubt, go to the library tote bag - The Splendid Sussie

An excellent reminder that, while Google (and Pinterest!) may have all the answers these days, sometimes nothing beats a trip to the library! Perfect for bringing your books home, or carting them to your favourite coffee shop to while away the afternoon in another world.

Swish and Flick enamel pin - Nutmeg and Arlo 

One of Hermione's most well known lines from The Philosophers Stone, during that tricky first charms class. Who'd have thought that the children who struggled to levitate feathers would end up saving the world! These pin badges come in house colours (mine would be blue for Ravenclaw - obviously!) and there's also an iron on patch! 

Don't let the Muggles Get You Down Enamel Mug - The Splendid Sussie

This combines two of my favourite things - magic and enamel! Perfect for a comforting mug of hot chocolate when you need to remind yourself to surround yourself in positivity and not let Dursley-ish types get under your skin!  

Diagon Alley Paper Cut Print - Oh Cut it Out

This is my favourite item of all! So much so that I might have to treat myself. I love the quote about opening up the brick wall, the way the road from Charring Cross travels right through the Leaky Cauldron and into the magical street beyond and all the little details, scissors on top of Madam Malkins, and the wonky facade of Gringotts! This is also available as a postcard, and theres a Hogsmead postcard too which is equally beautiful! 

Antler Necklace - Junk Jewels

Not specifically a Harry Potter item, but I love the idea of wearing a little pair of antlers like a lucky charm - a patronus amulet to bring you protection from the sometimes scary adult world! I think the gold one is my favourite! 

Alphabet from Baby Harry's Bedroom in Godric's Hollow - MinaLima

If you're in London and a fan of Harry Potter, House of MiniLima in definitely worth visiting! It's a gallery-come-shop showcasing the work of Miraphora (Mina) and Eduardo (Lima) who met while working on the graphic design for the Potter films! The little details are some of my favourite parts of the films, the newspapers, product packaging, leaflets and book covers and the pair designed it all! They also worked on Fantastic Beasts and the gallery has recently added a floor devoted to pieces from the new film. This alphabet is one of my favourite pieces! It's hanging on the wall of baby Harry's bedroom in Goodric's Hollow and I'd love to hang in it a babies bedroom one day - got to start them young after all! 

Currently Coveting - Wednesday Wishlist {The Ceramics Edition}

Things have been a little chaotic for us these last few weeks. My sister unexpectedly moved in with us just over a week ago, along with her three house rabbits and a house load of stuff! We therefore had a couple of weeks of driving backwards and forwards to the dump to clear the garage of the huge amount of nonsense the people who lived here before us left, lugging our spare bedroom furniture (also left by the previous owners) down the stairs and into the space left in the garage, re-carpetting and decorating the spare bedroom (because nobody wants to sleep in a room with navy blue coving and a yellow wallpaper border) and then helping her move her things across the car ferry. Add to this D starting a new job, and me still being relatively new at mine and we kind of want to hide under a blanket and pretend there's no one home!

However, I'm powering through, and am here again with a beautiful collection for this week's Wednesday Wishlist! I spent some time looking over what I've been pinning and some of the images I've liked on instagram and there's been a definite ceramics theme, so here are some of my favourites!

Ceramic Match Striker - Amber Interiors

We now have a wood burner in our living room, and one of the things I'm most excited for during the coming winter is lighting it in the afternoon and hibernating next to it, maybe wrapping some chestnuts in foil, or even warming some bread and a camembert by it! The flue goes up through our bedroom so it will be lovely to extinguish the fire before bed and still feel the warmth upstairs. Of course, to light a fire - you need some matches (unless you favour the old stick and flint method of course!) I've seen some lovely decorative boxes and even glass bottles with lovely coloured matches inside, but there's something about the simple functionality of this hand thrown and glazed one that I love! It's only 2.5 inches in diameter, and you can strike you match on the stoneware then leave it on the ledge at the bottom to cool. I really enjoy that it's self contained, no paper striking strip to get worn out and it should last forever!

Five Little Houses - Fiona Findlay

These little houses caught my eye on pinterest and they're so adorably wonky! They make me think of a little tudor village, or Hogsmead! I've fallen a bit in love with them. I'm such a fickle little being - falling in love at the first sight of a wobbly bit of pottery, but I've fallen hard and I want to put them under a big glass cloche on the mantle piece like something out of the Truman Show!  

Fiona Finlay's etsy shop Stoneware Studio UK is also full of the most amazing Christmas decorations, cake toppers and sets of tiny nesting bowls which are all so up my street! I have a feeling she'll be featuring in future wish lists... 

Rose and Grey Earth Vase - Southwood Stores

Here's a piece from a shop which I have featured before. I'm slowly realising that everything Southwood Stores sells would fit into our home and this vase is no exception. I'm usually drawn to greys, whites, neutrals and deep inky blues, but occasionally a bit of coral or pink creeps in too! I love how flowers look when displayed in a vase with a narrower neck, and I think the pink would make it a stand out piece despite the (lovely!) neutral base. 

Amanda Banham Ceramics

I first met Amanda Banham at the Norwich Makers Market, where I spotted her bear design bowls which, cliche or not are just screaming to be filled with just-right porridge! I then bumped into her again at The Good Life Experience festival (small world or what!) where I again dithered over whether or not make a purchase. I think Amanda's screen printed illustrations fit perfectly with her roughly thrown ceramics and I adore that each piece has real life and character, plus just a splash of colour which is so very me! Amanda sells her work, which is mostly one of a kind, at a few stockists, as well as craft and makers fairs. 

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There's a definite theme to these pieces I feel, and in some ways this is reflected everything I choose to buy. They're simple and functional (even if the function is to be entirely decorative), with wonky handmade character and everything could be used in any room in the house and still work. I do hope you enjoy! 

It's nearly lunch time, and the cat is curled up next to me fast asleep. I'm going to make some lunch, then I have several pumpkin based projects to get ready for Halloween next week! On the subject of Halloween, don't forget that I'm currently running a giveaway which will be drawn on October 31st. To enter the draw to win a set of three prints from Pedlars, all you need to do is follow The Salted Tail, but head across to the giveaway post for full details.

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Currently Coveting - Wednesday Wishlist (On A Thursday!)

Hello there! Due to our seriously flaky internet connection (the only downside to living in the middle of nowhere!) this fortnight's edition of the Wednesday Wishlist is coming to you 24 hours later than planned as a one off (I hope!) Thursday Wishlist!  

Never the less, I think it's a really good one and I hope it's worth the wait! Several of these items are definitely going on my list for a certain man-in-red! So without further ado, I bring you five items I am currently coveting...

Therapeutic Essential Oil Blends - Boom Remedies

I discovered Cornwall based Bloom Remedies while we were on holiday in the county in May, and adore their Serenity Slumber range. I have the roll on by my bed and it's become a fantastic 'it's time to sleep now' cue for me whenever I smell it!  I've recently started diffusing essential oils, particularly at night and have been keeping an eye out for interesting blends to use at other times of the day too. I love the sound of Deep Release which I think could be a good daytime blend as it contains oils to uplift and invigorate. These three are sold individually and are £9.50 each. 

(Spoiler Alert: I have a spotlight post with Bloom Remedies coming up at the beginning of next month - and there may be a cheeky discount for all you lovely folks too, so stay tuned!) 

Blue Indigo Tie Dye Pocket Mirror - Two Crafty Brownies

I'm really drawn to anything deep blue right now, and immediately loved these beautiful mirrors when I spotted them while browsing the Two Crafty Brownies etsy store. They're really simple and striking (simple is my favourite - have you noticed!) and are the perfect everyday-yet-beautiful item to cheer up your make up bag (or your matching Hand Dyed Shibori Tote)

Raw Blue Ombre Sapphire Necklace - Abiza Jewellery

Sticking with the deep inky blue theme, next on the list is this sapphire necklace by Abiza Jewellery on etsy. Again, I love the simplicity and the carefully considered placement of each stone to create the not-quite-syemetrical ombre pattern. I think it would be perfect with a black v-neck t-shirt or a linen shirt. Sapphire is September's birthstone (that's me!) but there are also several other birthstone variations too, or you could just pick your favourite colour! I also rather like the aquamarine and the garnet variations (the garnet one looks like lots of tiny Philosophers stones - or is that just me?)   

Cooper Watering Can and Mist Sprayer - Haws

Oh copper, how I love thee! I recently broke my glass plant mister which was a rather sad day, but I have healed that sadness somewhat by falling head over heals with this copper set! I think it would look great out on display when not being used, unlike the plastic spray bottle I'm currently using! You can buy the mister individually of course, but I also have quite a collection of house plants which need a decent watering so... 

Hand Loomed Jute Clutch Bag  - The Future Kept

You can always count on The Future Kept for well made, carefully sourced and generally stunning items and this jute clutch bag is no exception. I love its tactile, raw quality and I think it would be amazing with jeans and a cardigan or maybe a black t-shirt dress and some gold toned jewellery. Equally, you could use it as a make up bag but I think it would be a shame not to make it a real feature of your outfit - its only £25 too!

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I truly love everything in this weeks round-up and I hope you agree! Next week The Language Magpie will be back with the letter 'B', and there will be another wishlist in two weeks! 

I've been thinking that I might replace the usual wishlists with some gift guides in the run up to the festive season - what do you think? If you agree, who would you like to see gift guides for? Do let me know what you think!