Lily and Lime

Valentine's day looms and we are persuaded that in 365 days this is the big one for romance... hearts, flowers, cards and champagne.

We have plenty of suggestions if you are seeking the ideal gift for your loved one, just take a look in our Valentine's Day range, pop into our little shop or telephone us and we will be more that delighted to help you choose something ideal, but this blog isn't actually about buying gifts at all...

I love grand gestures as much as the next person but really, truthfully it's the small gestures that touch me. 

Recently I have really rediscovered music and that sounds even stranger than my first admittance that I wasn't going to talk about the perfect present when that's what Lily and Lime prides itself on providing!  It's not that my life has been a musical wasteland the past few years, but sometimes music seems to have greater importance to me.  

Favourite tunes have the power to move emotions in the same way that lines of a much loved play or book can, and more recently singer songwriters Ed Sheeran and Emelie Sande have made me stop and really think about all that love means in the widest possible sense.

Perhaps on Valentine's Day we should also take time to recognise the importance of love given to and received from friends and family members as well as from "significant others", arguably they provide the glue to keeping body and soul together through life's journey, as much as your partner for those lucky enough to be with their soulmate.

One of our newest suppliers describes love perfectly for me with a blend of searing honesty, romantic notion and genuine passion  and their beautiful artwork blends some of my favourite prose in contemporary and in some cases quirky ways...

"I love you not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you... "(Elizabeth Barrett Browning)   

"Do you love me beacuse I am beautiful, or am I beautiful because you love me" (Oscar Hammerstein)

So back to those small gestures then... kind words, concentrating on one person when they are speaking without allowing distractions, unexpected and genuine compliments, playing music that makes your loved ones happy whether you like it or not and maybe just maybe if you absolutely insist... I will admit that diamonds are fine too

Happy (nearly) Valentine's Day  x

Thoughts for January, sent with love... 

Cold winter days warm hearts and toes
hand knitted snuggle candles whiteout
hot gluwein in flickering candlelight
spicy scents cool crisp air baking
woollen patterned throws sofa day
relax solitary jack frost slow down
reread a classic by the fire
frozen streams January red noses 
hearth chestnuts quilt solstice bitter declutter
icing sugar dusting fairydust kindling
unending peace icy stillness renewal boldness
snowflakes fall silently comfort food

Burn tapers cosy indulgence New Year
pristine landscape sparkling undiscovered mysteries  
brave chilly weather scarves mittens
dazzling magical cleansing white snow
pyjama day duvet purple chocolate ski
sparkle beanie desolate firtree hibernate
fleecy blanket pinecones harsh north wind
snow flurries giddy excitement and shivers
delicate lacy patterns on windows and ponds
joy fresh footprints frozen forever
incense pomegranate echo new hope
pillow fight of angels floating softly down  

Hottie resolution hibernate melt sledge
Valentines Day just around the corner
board games gentle mist home firewood
Janus vanillasugar gift family beginning
wrap up skating gingerbread snowman
slush woodstove sneeze bright light calm
wellies gleaming ice fresh start peaceful 
vast mountains  feather duvets gentle swirling
cleanse chill slippery feed the birds heal
drift sleep icicles like crystal build a snowman
snowangels appearing quiet woodland loss
cold winter days warm hearts and toes

Autumn returns after a chaotic and not entirely seasonal summer and the busy stretch to Christmas begins!!

Early September dawns and the arrival of more trade shows and the discovery of more little gems in amongst the plethora of suppliers and products. Our commitment to discovering the "Best of British" design is as strong as ever in this wonderfully patriotic year. We were particularly delighted to find new ranges from all four corners of the British Isles, so from South Devon to Mid Wales, Norfolk to South East Scotland and with a quick jaunt over the Irish Sea (metaphorically speaking) we bring you an unique and extended range of gorgeous gifts and fabulous homeware. 

The softest and cosiest home textiles and scarves, contemporary new jewellery including my favourite, the Amelie Bracelet, bold cheerful crockery and new childrens products with more than a nod towards the vintage styling that proves eternally popular with Mums and children alike.

Our little shop continues to thrive in picturesque Melbourne, Derbyshire so do pop in for a visit if you are in the area, we would love to show you the new ranges personally and hear your feedback and solve your present queries... don't forget we are delighted to giftwrap every purchase free of charge while you wait so don't be shy, please just ask!

Back to the delivery unpacking... it's a bit like Christmas already here and our decoration stock begins to arrive in two more weeks, there is no avoiding it, Santa's on his way before long!

Happy Weekend Wishes

Kirsten x

The Queen's Diamond Jubilee, the arrival of the Olympic flame on our shores and the celebration of our first birthday at our shop... early summer promises to be the season of champagne toasting, bunting hanging and Union Jack waving!

May has been a riot of large cardboard boxes arriving from our favourite suppliers based all over the UK; fabulous new bedding in stripy tones, on-trend, lightweight summer scarves incorporating floral, polka dot and star print designs, practical enamelware kitchen and garden lines and of course one or two items with more than a nod towards our royal leader. 

The Jubilee weekend will be something of a double celebration for all of us at Lily and Lime, as we are delighted to mark our first year in our Melbourne based shop. It has been a mad year of learning (who knew we could sell this many greetings cards and how hard tills were to programme?) and we could not have predicted just how much enjoyment we have gained in meeting customers on a "face to face" basis. Lovely locals with a passion for supporting our little business, which in turn helps to support some of the finest talent within the British design-led gift and homeware industries. 

f you haven't yet had time to visit Melbourne in South Derbyshire do take the opportunity to do so this summer; we can boast the finest restaurant in Derbyshire, an almost totally independent retail high street and a warmth of welcome second to none... we like to think you might just check out our little shop on your way past!

So a toast then, for the beginning of this summer of celebrations 

"Live (a lot), Love (a lot), Laugh (a lot)"

Enjoy the brighter weather and please don't hesitate to contact me with your comments and feedback on our products and service, we would be delighted to assist you.

Kirsten x

It's been a busy week, in a busy month, in a busy year and tomorrow it's Mother's Day.

My own, precious Mum won't be sharing the day with us as she is returning from much needed holidays, so for the first time since arrival of no1 child nearly nine years ago, we will be celebrating Mothers Day for me! 

Cake?... I hope so, ideally homemade and the more "boldly" decorated by my precious boys, the better.  Cards? Once again homemade rules and glitter is essential. Flowers are always a winner, but picked in the garden and presented with a joyfully discovered pinecone or leaf will hit the mark from small people. Husband, please note, this does not apply for gifts from you to me, and the rather wonderful team at The Blossom Tree  will be only to pleased to help with selection and organisation for future purchases. 

Frequently I receive the comment "With your job, you must be a nightmare to choose gifts for", actually no, a cup of coffee made with care, a favourite book, given to me pre-loved with a personal recommendation or a bar of chocolate and I'm happy, because it's the love that's the important bit. Perhaps "With my job" that is a surprising thing to say but in our shop we are always glad to help customers in gift selection and we hope we try to help to find the perfect gift or treat, certainly not simply the most expensive item that a customer may purchase if encouraged.

So this Mothers Day, perhaps you, or your own Mother may be hoping for something similar to me?

Sunshine... inside our home if the outside weather doesn't oblige.

Time to smell the roses, proverbially or actually... I really don't mind

Any gift, flowers, card, cake, made or selected with love and presented with care... I do love a ribbon or two!

One last thought to share with you all, I firmly believe that  

"Diamonds are fabulous but hugs are better"

Happy Mothers Day

Kirsten x