The Hambledon

There's nothing better than going for a stroll in an unfamiliar town, and serendipitously stumbling across a shop that you would never have come across, had you not gone out. That is what happened to me on Monday when I was out in Winchester with some friends, and I came across a lovely little shop called 'The Hambledon'. 

After going for a scrumptious lunch at 'The Slug and Lettuce', we decided, rather than go ice skating, which had been the original plan, it would be a better idea to amble around the shops and see what little treats we might come across! There are all sorts of shops in Winchester from larger well known chains like 'River Island' and 'The White Company', to smaller independent shops like 'The Hambledon'.

(For those of you who live near Winchester, and might have the chance to go in, 'The Hambledon' can be found just off the main high street on the corner of Great Minster St. and The Square.... probably best to Google Maps it though!)

I had never seen or heard of 'The Hambledon' before, but even looking at it from the outside, I knew it would be my kind of shop! I was drawn in by the beautiful window displays which give a taste of what can be discovered inside, and let me tell you, it did not disappoint!  From amazing craft books, to delicate glass ware, to sweet smelling candles, 'The Hambledon' encompasses everything that I love!

As you go into the shop, you really get the sense that every detail has been thought of, even down to the  distressed wooden floors and the beautiful furniture to display the various wares on offer. It has a wonderfully vintage feel about it, and one day, when I have a house of my own... I want it to look exactly like the inside of this shop!

There are a few levels to this shop with the lower level selling home wares, and interior decor books, an  upper level selling more arty, crafty bits like letter writing sets and lomography cameras, and a third floor selling beautiful women's wear! There is also men's wear section downstairs, but I was so wrapped up in the craft books, clothes, and scented candles that I didn't get a chance to go down and see! There is also a little beauty section selling soaps in beautiful bottles and  nail varnishes in an array of weird and wonderful colours! So pretty!

This really is such a lovely shop, and whoever is in charge of the visual merchandising has done an amazing job! Not only this but the sales assistants were really lovely and helpful and all in all I would highly recommend a visit, even if it were only for a browse! 

This is a little book that I bought as a Christmas present for my brother's girlfriend, although, I kind of want to keep it for myself! ....I may be returning for some cheeky purchases of my own when Christmas has been and gone!

Check out their website here to see some of the cool stuff they sell! Who knows, you might find a last minute Christmas present for someone... or yourself?

x

Gift wrapping on a budget!

I really enjoy making gifts look pretty with lovely paper and ribbon. ( I pretty much start hyperventilating every time I enter the ribbon aisle in Hobby Craft) But buying supplies to create these beautiful packages can be expensive and often add a substantial cost on top of the actual gift. This is fine if you can afford it, but for a poor student like me, it's not ideal. Especially since the alternatives are that rubbishy wrapping paper which tears the moment you touch it...and that horrible shiny ribbon which you have to curl with scissors; I have yet to find a method of use which makes it look nice...(I clearly have not got the technique as I'm sure there are plenty of people who do not have this issue!) 

It's my Mum's birthday today and so whilst I was wrapping her presents yesterday (which evidently, are not as glamorous as the wrapping makes them look) I thought I'd share some of these ideas with you all.

So the first thing is wrapping paper. There are so many different ways that you can save money on wrapping paper (although Primark often have some really pretty paper which is cheap too!) One way is to make your own paper, and there are tons of tutorials and pictures online which can give you inspiration. Pinterest is great for things like this! 

Another way, if you are a real stinge like me and which is possibly a little cheeky (probably should only be done every now and then...when you're really really poor!) is to use wallpaper samples from hardware stores. I went to Homebase at the weekend to get a couple of bits and whilst walking to the checkout I walked passed the wallpaper ailse. There are so many different types of wallpaper with beautiful prints, especially the Laura Ashley wallpaper, and I remembered from when we decorated my room a while back, that you are allowed to take wallpaper samples home with you. So I took a couple of samples home with me, with the intention of using them for crafts! But when it came to wrapping up my Mum's birthday presents today and I realised that I didn't have any wrapping paper, the samples that I had taken from Homebase came in very handy! 

Note: Whoever is opening the present will probably realise pretty much as soon as they start unwrapping that it is wallpaper, as it is much thicker than normal paper. To me this doesn't matter because they still look really beautiful, however if this bothers you then this idea may not be for you!

Adding ribbon to a present can instantly prettify (yep...prettify, I made it up) gifts and make them that little bit extra special, but again they can be expensive! Especially when you are using it for gift wrapping which may just be thrown away by the receiver! So I like to make my own!

Using some cream and deep pink organza that I had leftover from an old craft project (which was around £2 for 2 meters from my local fabric store), I made ribbons of different length and width by making small cuts in the fabric, and ripping it into strips. By ripping the fabric instead of cutting it, you get a lovely frayed edge which creates a really interested texture against the paper. The great thing about this also, is that you can decide how thick or thin you want the ribbon to be! So why don't you give it a try!

I hope you have enjoyed this post! I love finding out little money saving tips like this (especially when it involves ribbon) so if you have any ideas, send them my way!

Have a lovely day!

Zahra x

P.S. Happy Birthday to my lovely Mummy!