A gift should be for life, not just for Christmas.
In the first part of the Indie & Pop Christmas Shopping Edits I’m shining a halo over 5 of my favourite Cambridge independent boutiques; a where to shop not necessarily what to shop because each of these retailers have such an incredible curation of pieces that you simply cannot go wrong.
So much so, it’s where Mr O goes to guarantee gift joy. This post might be one to print off & stick somewhere obvious…
Tag Archives: shopping
Inspirational Women: Mary Portas
Part 2: What I’ve got in common with Mary Portas
‘Mary Portas meets Mary Poppins’ it boldly claims in my Bio. Well what have I got in common with Queen Of Shops – Mary Portas?
As foremost authority on the UK Retail landscape & hero of the High Street, I’ve not got much in common when it comes to comparing her wealth of expertise. What I have got though is the desire for change. Have you?
French Dressing: Slogan Sweatshirts with a (vive la) difference
Parlez vous Francais? No, me neither. I’ve got more in common with Del Boy than Kristin Scott Thomas; more Frank than Franc but am hoping one day I’ll get an A+ for effort.
My love affair for a French phrase sweatshirt began back in the ’80s. Somewhere between the sleeves of a memorable lilac number adorned with petite fille (named ‘Josephine’ &, most notably for me, ‘Sophie’) & a-n-y-t-h-i-n-g from Ton Sur Ton. I then got a little lost in translation with The Sweater Shop & [insert any sports brand] BIG logo styles up to my early teens before abandoning anything emblazoned altogether; feeling too much like a walking billboard. Too gauche.
Conscious Childrenswear at a click
Fast, fun fashion & throwaway ‘bargains’ are an easy shopping habit to form particularly when shopping for our kids. It’s also an easy habit to break. Yes, children can/do grow like weeds & inevitably their garments double up as splashbacks for all manner of stains, but a bit of clever consumption can go a long way & still be kind on your purse.
You don’t have to look further than the High Street to find truly lovely pieces that are going to be worn repeatedly then passed on to siblings & friends, re-sold, donated or recycled*.
Classic Style Toddler Shoes
So, I’ve been on a mission recently to seek out stylish & timeless toddlers’ shoes at economical prices & it’s been no simple task. If you favour more of a classic or vintage aesthetic, chances are you’ve faced the same conundrum. A quick poll amongst friends & something I posted on Instagram fuelled the conversation further; it seems I’m very much not alone in my search.
Well, I’ve now found two ranges on the High Street that you might not have heard of & for no more than £26 per pair!
Switched On Shopping
With Festive events already popping up over the City & beyond, this Weekend heralds the official start of the Christmas Shopping Season in Cambridge with The Big Switch On. With so many events on offer locally, we’re spoiled for choice but, as a busy Mum, I’ve had to prioritise a few favourites. I’ve compiled my Indie & Pop picks for you with some ideas on where to shop & key dates for your Diary. One of my friends commented that my evenings lately looked ‘glamorous’ – well, they’ve all been completely FREE to attend & there’s more to come…
Cambs Indie Week 2016
On Indie & Pop, I strive to highlight my edit of the best in independents as well as the more popular retailers. For me, these businesses keep the British High Street interesting, vibrant & diverse whilst rarely being matched by the bigger players when it comes to Customer Service & community. Continue reading
Welcome to Indie & Pop
‘Indie’ (Independent)
‘Pop’ (Popular or Commercial)*
The way we shop has changed. The Internet has become our High Street & Marketplace. I believe it is still possible to consume with conscious & convenience. I also believe in loving where you live & embracing local life, wherever that may be. Continue reading