Laura Stoddart’s Drawstring Bags, £7.50
Illustrator Laura Stoddart is known for her beautifully whimsical depictions of sweetly attired figures gently staggering under the weight of enormous flowers. There’s a flavour of classic botanical drawing here, but the playful perspective lends a fairytale magic – the sort that will precisely appeal to anyone who grew up on Cicely Mary Barker’s Flower Fairies. There are cards, tea towels and stationery too, but we especially love these drawstring bags: a charming, reusable way to package presents.
Fondant Fancies (Box of 6) by Betty’s Of Harrogate, £21.50
Who didn’t love a fondant fancy in their youth? This half dozen from the toweringly brilliant Bettys of Harrogate is as pretty as a picture and constructed from Genoese sponge, rich buttercream and proper marzipan. We can think of nothing nicer to mark teatime with.
Serpentine Signs
We stumbled across the work of Serpentine Signs, aka Kyrie-Ann, via Richard E Grant, who commissioned her to create a sign with the words that his wife gifted to him before she died: to find a pocketful of happiness in every day. A gilder and painter of glass, her work is painstaking yet utterly joyful – and the fun is, each one is bespoke, so you can make your words as heartfelt or irreverent as you like.
Fox & Peel’s Barn Sales
Are you dangerously addicted to collecting vintage French ceramics? Snap. To fuel the obsession, may we point you in the direction of Fox & Peel’s periodic barn sales? Ochre mixing bowls, oak dining tables, white antique ceramics as far as the eye can see – every single item a beauty. We’ll take the lot. In our dreams.
Sushi Shop x Le Petit Prince® – Limited Edition Box
2026 marks the 80th anniversary of Le Petit Prince, the novella written and illustrated by French writer and aviator Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. To celebrate, Sushi Shop has created a 42-piece box inspired by the characters in the classic story. There’s the Rose California (creamy avocado and cream cheese with beetroot) and the Fox Spring (salmon, mango, carrot and spicy mayonnaise), an homage to the fox who teaches the prince the meaning of connection. Classic literature and sushi? All our favourite things. Launches 23 February.
Owen Brown Paid Jacket by Reformation, £348
We may still be deep in winter, but the days are stretching out and soon we’ll be reaching for transitional outerwear. This plaid jacket by Reformation fits the bill perfectly, with a high neckline for tucking a polo neck underneath and a contemporary boxy silhouette that works just as well with skirts as it does with jeans. A pleasing marriage of heritage fabric and cool boxy cut.
Roses Classic Candle by Diptique, £60
A perennial favourite, but especially lovely at this time of year. Diptyque’s Roses candle captures the scent of a garden rose in full bloom – fresh, green and lightly dewy rather than overtly sweet. For Valentine’s Day, the classic vessel has been reimagined with an illustrated design by artist Constantin Riant, drawing on traditional porcelain and toile de Jouy motifs to quietly nod to the language of love. The perfect thing to give – and even better to keep.
Doudou Linen Tote Bag by Charvet, £34
As we rattle towards spring, we are itching to swap out our heavy winter bag for something lighter and, well, more spring-like. This linen tote, made in France, is soft, relaxed and puts us in the mood to skip through fields full of wildflowers.
City Retro Orchide by Hoff, £140
If these fuchsia-pink trainers from Hoff don’t put a spring in your step, we don’t know what will. Instant mood-lifters.
Be More Bird: Life Lessons From A Hawk By Candida Meyrick, £16.99
If you loved Raising Hare and H Is for Hawk, bookmark this immediately. When Bird – a 12-week-old Harris hawk – arrives in Candida Meyrick’s life on the Isle of Anglesey, the process of training her becomes a series of unexpected life lessons. Paul Theroux calls it ‘a small masterpiece, written with heart, self-belief and wisdom’.
Neon Pink Stripe Susie Dress by Pink City Prints, £190
It may be some while before we’re slipping into sundresses, but we can dream – and will it into being. In that spirit, this joyful striped number is the one we’ll be manifesting sunshine in, even if only indoors for now.
Pure Cotton Striped Wide Leg Pyjama Bottoms by M&S, £16
M&S always does a good PJ game – but we especially love these crisp cotton bottoms, which are perfect paired with a white T-shirt. All for just £16.
