Luna Lighting - Gold Lustre range

As the festive season begins, I feel it is only right that I keep a steady stream of Christmas goodies on here. Partly because so many beautiful things become available at this time of year and partly because I really really love Christmas. For me there is always the huge temptation to buy everyone a giant christmas pudding cookie jar (I have actually bought that this year...sorry Nan) but I do like there to be a subtle yule tide theme. Which I why this bootiful Gold Lustre range is perfect. Coming in an array of jugs and mugs this range is from Luna Lighting. Each piece is hand thrown which gives it a slightly wobbly handmade feel, the gold is real and would look fabulous all year round. In particular I am taken with the jugs, they are so versatile for custard, cream or gravy and would look so pretty on my shelf!

Sophie xo

Paperfinger - custom stamp

Me and some of my friends – since a young age – have had a complete obsession with stationary. Everything from pencil cases to cute little files we just can't get enough of it. So this little address stamp from Paperfinger is my dream! Paperfinger are a calligraphy custom made product design studio, perfect for weddings, invitations or gifts. They have lots of super cute products and I pretty much want all of them. This little stamp is perfect for any event and each one is custom made with a choice of fonts, styles and colours. Plus how cute is the little Christmas tape, wannnnnt! Check out all their range here!

Sophie xo

The Sprouted Kitchen

You might think it's a little gross when I say I have just dribbled on my screen a little. But I have a good reason! I have become completely addicted to The SproutedKitchen, a blog turned book by Sara Forte. She is a food genius creating culinary wonders that are healthy and look beautiful hence the dribbling. She works in partnership with her husband Hugh who is in charge of making the food look stunning with his photographic skill, together they make a wonderful team. The recipes vary from snacks to bread to sweets. After spending the best part of an hour scrolling through the one I just have to try is the strawberry andleek quesadillas. They look amazing. It feels wrong but deep down I know it will be oh-so right! Browse through and get addicted like me! Or you have buy the book for around £14.

Sophie xo

Kiel Mead - driftwood bottle openers

How awesome and simple are these little bottle openers? They would make a perfect addition to any bachelor pad...or if like me you just prefer beer! They come from Kiel Mead, a Brooklyn based designer who specialises in creating wonderful pieces from everyday objects. From a light made from a shuttlecock to necklace chewing gums, Kiel has created a collection of wonders. But I am completely in love with these driftwood bottle openers, each piece has been hand selected from Lake Eerie, sanded, stained and coated in shellac to keep it strong. I especially love them in that deep navy, it brings out all the age lines in the wood perfectly.

Sophie xo

Jilly Bird

First off I just want to say a massive thank you to everyone who reads Fig Tea - Today we reached 10,000 views!! I can't tell you how chuffed I am that people are reading the blog and enjoying it. I promise I will keep up the bad spelling and over excited rambling.

On with business, I wanted to share something a bit special today that made me all warm and fuzzy. I love these scandinavian inspired pieces from Jilly Bird, a design company run by Jill and Martin. They sound like people after my own heart with their likes including architecture, Swedish design and log burners. Their designs are simple, direct and full of character. They sell such a variation of products, Jill has a background in Textiles design and creates Swedish inspired patterns that fit to anything. I am in love with the fish – they are all so cute in a little row! And I can't wait till I get my hands on the Swedish Picknick print – above. If your looking for a little something extra for Christmas look no further!

Sophie xo

Maria Starling Mediterranean flooring

Although I rent my flat, that doesn't stop me dreaming about various things I will have in my future house. I have always fancied a colourful, exotic themed bathroom full of teals, cream and dark lusty purples. These tiles from Maria Starling are the perfect way of creating a lot of attitude in a small space. The simple stencil design is both edgy and elegant, they come in a few different colour ways but tend to stick to the blues and greens side of the pallet. I can't quite decide if they are inspired by the sixties or the exotic mediterranean – hint, the series is called Mediterranean Sophie. I just love them, they would look so perfect in a bathroom or a conservatory. I am particularly taken with the Maroq pattern in that stunning mint green and popping blue (Below). At the moment Maria is redoing her website, but I found these ones on Rockett StGeorge.

Sophie xo

Designers Guild - Ombre Saraille wallpaper

How insanely awesome is this ombre wallpaper?! It's from Designers Guild, and comes in 5 different colour ways. I definitely thought the ombre craze was over for me...but apparently not! I saw this and stared – open mouthed – my eyes swimming in tears of wonder. That cobolt blue colour is to die for it's so refreshing. It would bring so much atmosphere and attitude to any living arrangement. I have seen this wallpaper in so many magazine and blogs over the last few days – I felt a little left out not sharing it too!!

Sophie xo  

RE - Day of the dead skulls

All of my family coming together is a bit of a rarity, my sister lives 4 hours away and I live 2 hours away from my parents. So when we all come together at my parents house ...it's awesome. We always have the same ritual, stuffing our faces with lots and lots of Mexican food! I don't know why but Mexican food has always been 'a family thing' even though we have absolutely no Mexican roots. Hence why I have always loved anything Mexican related, because it reminds me of my family. So when I was browsing through RE's collection and saw these hand painted Day of the Dead skulls I was all over them. Each one comes fresh out of Mexico with it's hand painted individual patterns made from paper maché. I just love how personal and – lets face it – cool they are! They would look really cute in a little set of three on some floating shelves.

Sophie xo  

Christmas rubber stamps - Annaka Bazaar

As christmas approaches, I have been keeping my eye out for cute little christmassy bits. In particular for something card related, each year I try to make my own cards. I always feel like it's more personal to hand make a card at any time of year, but especially christmas. Last year I was completely unorganised and ended up buying mine (distaster involving hot glue gun...) But this year I am determined to at least attempt my own. I have spotted these cute little rubber stamps on Annaka Bazaar. There are several stamps too choose from, and with a little creativity I think I can make something a little bit special. I am particularly fond of either the Noel bell or the little bauble, but I think I can make my own! By taking some inspiration from them and using some lino, you can design your own festive stamp, just ink it up and get printing! Yep this is going to happen this year – I will keep you updated on my progress. Fingers crossed!

Sophie xo

HAF - Growing moss jewellery

We have all heard the term 'green thumb' meaning someone who is particularly fond of gardening and the great outdoors. But designer Hafsteinn Juliusson has taken that meaning a little more literally with his growing jewellery. These pieces feature a small amount of moss that if looked after can last for about 8-12 months. It is designed for the city-dwellers who lack the everyday communication with nature. I love the idea of a growing piece of fashion, that alters every time you wear it. Each piece is handmade in silver so even when your moss goes a little brown you still have a beautiful ring to cherish/plant more moss in. Check out more designs at HAF.

Sophie xo

Haus Key Tresor - Ivanka Design Studio

I am forever loosing my keys, I'm meant to behave and put them in the cute little designated dish on my desk. But almost every morning comes the frantic pat-down trying to find them (usually hidden in the depths of my handbag) So when I saw this nifty solution from Ivanka Design studio it had me written all over! Looking very much like the playdo toys I had as a kid, this little key holder is ideal for the more unorganised crowd. There are three wooden shaped key rings too choose from, each fits snuggly into it's own little slot at the end of the day. The Ivanka design studio is well known for it's extensive work with concrete, and the Haus key tresor is no different. I found this one on Vespoe who sell a large selection of the Ivanka range.

Sophie xo

Frends - Headphones

I must admit sometimes when I'm walking down the street and an epic song is playing on my iPod I feel a little bit like a king! You can't beat that feeling of the perfect strut to the perfect song. The only thing I lack is the Diva headphones to set off the perfect scenario (In my head). Problem solved, I just spotted these lil' beauts from Frends. Their collection of jewellery inspired headphones, are the perfect accessory to any movie moment. They Come in different styles and have a rose gold, silver and Gold option. Personally I love Layla in rosegold, not too big or chunky but still make a good impact. I have a pretty small head so headphones usually swamp me, but not these babies! Have a cheeky browse here.

Sophie xo

Toast - Cosy blankets

Now that the weather is getting a wee bit colder, I am permanently attached to my lovely furry blanket during the night hours. There is nothing like going to sleep all snuggly and warm and waking up a little bit sweaty – still in a cocoon of fur. I have been eyeing up a few pretty cosy looking blankets on Toast – a cute little Welsh store full of beautiful clothes, fun and exotic looking soaps, and an array of rugs – essentially all you need to make life awesome. But like I said, their throws have particularly caught my eye. Like this Charcoal Moharwool Blanket, I love that smokey grey at the moment, it goes with absolutely everything and is perfect for winter. Have a browse through all of Toast's collection and find your winter snuggle companion.

Sophie xo

Jonny's Sister

We have all seen the increase in typography being used in the home in recent month. There is a huge trend for getting big letters that spell love or home, but they always seem to come as whole words. Personally, I prefer single letters that mean something too you. So instead of the standard 'relax' in rubbish italic font with chipped white paint, going for a personalised piece. Enter Jonny's Sister, now I know that a lot of places are doing this kind of thing at the moment, but what I love about JS is that all the products have a personal quality too them. Run out of a studio in Dorset, each piece is made with love and care by (yep you guessed it) Jonny's sister and her team! I am eyeing up the giant letters, they are £185 but I want one so bad! I don't even know what letter I would get...maybe S is a little lame – but I love how many fabric options you have. and I have just spotted an atlas version...being a map obsessive I think this needs to happen!! These are such a cute idea for christmas or a wedding! They sell lots of other things on the site, so check it all out here.

Sophie xo

Ottolenghi

We all have those days at work or at school when you come home, and all you want to do is sit in your jim-jams and eat chocolate. I for one, have a lot of these days and i'm happy too say I thoroughly enjoy them. However, It is a constant battle for me to decide on my chocolate of choice, do you go for cheap and cheerful – you know you will end up eating the whole bar – or stupidly expensive – you will probably only eat 2 squares and your eyes will water. Sadly I'm a cheap and cheerful kind of gal. But Ottolenghi might just change my mind. A popular chocolatier, patissery and all round drool fest, who have a chain of shops in the best parts of London have just released an online shop. Yep. Scrummy looking chocolate to your door – what more could anybody need in life! I am especially lusting over the Salt caramel and chocolatebrittle....christmas shopping here I come!!

Ps: Apologies in advance for the people I buy these for...they probably won't actually get too you.

Sophie xo

Rok Espresso Machine

Recently I have got really into cooking, I have made a vow to myself that I will stop being lazy and actually cook properly! One thing I have learnt is that no matter how all singing all dancing your machines are, nothing quite beats making something by hand. And the same can be said with coffee. Winner of a D&AD award, the Rox espresso machine - formerly known as presso - enables you too make perfect coffee every time using your muscles. It's light, portable and energy efficient (Ie: It uses none!) It's perfect if your serious a serious coffee buff. It allows you too put a little bit of heart and soul into each cup! Plus they have a really cute blog attached, which although only young already some tasty looking recipes – I want to try Rok and roll biscuits – perfect with your coffee!!

Sophie xo

Knitting Clock - Siren Elise Wilhelmsen

Don't you just love it when piece of art fits perfectly into your life? It's almost like the artist has met you, and had created something so perfect that you can't believe you have found art that is so in sync with you. Enter Siren EliseWilhelmsen, a Norwegian designer who’s work I would argue is art. Her designs are functional and have purpose, but also challenge the viewer with hidden meaning and humour. In particular I am talking about her work Knitting clock, a fully functioning knitting machine which measures time in stitches. It knits for 24 hours a day for a year, and at the end of that year a 2 meter long scarf is created. The idea is that time is measured in a tangible object, once the scarf is complete you can wear the year you have just lived. I loveeeee this clock....honestly I think it is probably the best clock ever! Plus I love knitting and scarves soo win win! I just can't get over how insanely cool it is, I wish I had a knitting clock!

Sophie xo

Sebastian Herkner - Bell Table

Now these are what I call tables!! These little beauties come from designer Sebastian Herkner, a German designer who is based in Offenbach am Main just on the outskirts of Frankfurt. His work is full of elegance and energy. I love the mild juxtaposition too these tables. Usually for this style of table, the base would be metal and the top glass but Herkner switches the two and creates a beautiful symmetry. The glass base is hand blown and comes in different colours, shapes and creates a sculptural air. The solid brass frame contrasts perfectly, the whole piece is inspired by the elegant shape of a bell. Hence it's name, Bell Table. I love how simple the design is, yet when you look a bit closer it's complexity becomes apparent. Plus I am definitely digging that whole pink and green scheme...yes! You can get them from ClassiCon and find out more information about Sebastians work here. 

Sophie xo