Thoughtful Gift Bundles

If you have finished your Christmas shopping, please put your feet up and scroll on. Perhaps you are struggling through your list and trying to find a present that is useful and meaningful. I enjoy building up a present bundle and try include something homemade, local or from a small business. Many handmade businesses have closed their order books, however a few will have still have some ready made offerings available for Christmas delivery.

The Foodie Gift

Start with a beautiful mug. I particularly like these from Harlie Brown Studio and Florence Mytum. Hand turned mugs feel lovely to hold and drink from. You could then add coffee from your local roaster (Yallah and Forty One are our local favourites) or some homemade biscuits (these are an alternative to gingerbread). Throw in some Poppy and Honesty linen napkins and you have built an excellent present bundle.

The Bedtime Gift

A handmade pillowcase from Poppy and Honesty is a real treat. Liberty Tana Lawn Cotton feels like silk but can be thrown in the laundry with everything. Add an essential oil such as a lavender blend and choose in a nice book. These are very personal and can be difficult to get right, however everybody loves a classic with a beautiful jacket. You cannot go wrong with Virago Modern Classics and I would be delighted if I was given these limited edition novels by E.M Forster illustrated by Luke Edward Hall.

The Traveler’s Treat

Whenever I go overseas, I like to take a guidebook, a map and a notebook. if you have a friend that is planning a trip why not get them the latest Lonely Planet Guide and a little moleskin to write down notes and recommendations. These will make lovely souvenirs ,long after the holiday is over. Add a linen storage bag which can be used for laundry and you have the perfect gift for your traveling friends.

Have you got any tips for Christmas shopping? Especially for people with ‘all the stuff’?

Sending you festive energy.

Sophie xx

FREE UK SHIPPING ON EVERYTHING WITH THE CODE : LASTSLEIGH2024

Linen Storage Bag in Granny Smith

An Extra Layer

December is here and the temperature has definitely dropped down here in Cornwall. The bed socks have come out and we are squabbling about the heating (I am a chilly mortal). I have put an extra couple of layers on my side of the bed which are keeping me toasty alongside my rather stinky but lovable spaniel. At Poppy and Honesty, we have lots of quilts for sale but please order them soon for Christmas, as each are made lovingly by hand in our Cornish studio.

Small Scalloped Edge Quilt made from Liberty fabric ‘Theresa over the end of a single bed. Linen Bolster in Granny Smith.

We offer two sizes of quilt. The smaller size is suitable for cots or use as a throw for the end of your sofa, whilst the larger will cover a single bed or sit beautifully at the foot of your doubles and kings. If you would like a different size please send us through your dimensions as we are more than happy to make bespoke sizes and designs. We can also add different finishing touches such as scalloped, frilled and straight edges. Each of our quilts are made with two layers or snuggly cotton wadding to keep you warm and toasty..

Quilted Throw in Florence Linen. Bolster in Rose Gingham.

This season we have added a throw to our collection. These are handmade from padded cotton jacquard and our exclusive linen ‘Florence.’ The throws are perfect to huddle under in front of the telly but equally will add some warmth on your bed when the temperature drops. All of our quilts are machine washable so no need to worry about spilling your hot chocolate or little paw prints.

We have added our Christmas Shipping Deadlines to the website. Please don’t miss the sleigh and order your quilts as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. We are currently sending out free gifts with all orders over £30 and for each purchase made on our website we are donating two items to our local foodbank.

Thankyou for supporting our small business at this crazy time of year where your inboxes are loaded with deals. We really appreciate all of our loyal customers, followers and supporters.

Sophie xxxx

Small Scallop Quilt in Liberty fabric ‘Wiltshire’

Black Friday - The Poppy and Honesty Way

I am really sorry if you were hoping for a Black Friday discount code from Poppy and Honesty. The truth is we have such a small mark up on our handmade products that we cannot afford to offer the price reductions that are available from larger retailers. However, we do want to give back to our community this weekend especially as we are coming up to Thanksgiving in America and we are lucky enough to have a great customer base in the US.

As in previous years, we have decided to support our local food banks this long weekend. Basically, for every purchase you make, we will buy two essential items for Penryn Foodbank in Cornwall. Most Foodbanks will provide you with a list of required items if you give them a ring.

We have also been busy making little bows from our Liberty fabric remnants. These look beautiful tied to the branches of your tree or used to embellish a present. For every £30 spent we will send you a pretty bow to say thankyou. I know it’s very tempting to shop up all the big Black Friday deals and we really are very grateful for your support at this time of year. Please add your faourite small brands to the comments below and we will give them a shout out.

I hope that you are keeping out of Storm Bert and keeping cosy this weekend.

Sophie

Large Linen Tablecloth in ‘Granny Smoith’

Bags of fun

This year we made the controversial decision not to make stockings. There are so many lovely ones on the market and many mass produced offerings by bigger retailers. If you are hankering after a stocking made from Liberty fabric, I would suggest Folklore Children who are small outfit based in the Lake District.

As an alternative to the stocking we have made some gorgeous linen storage bags. These are available in three lovely patterns: Seaside Stripe ; Granny Smith and Rose Gingham.. They are all lined with cotton and have a generous drawstring by which to hang them up. These storage bags are ideal to hang up for Father Christmas and you can fit rather more loot in them than the usual sized stocking (Generous enough for a Beano annual and a footy!) Stuff a bag with lovely foodie gifts for a friend and forget all the wrapping up, these gorgeous bags also have a long shelf life post Christmas day.

Linen Storage Bag in ‘Seaside Stripe’

I always take a linen storage bag on holiday of dirty laundry. When I get home, the bag can go into the washing machine with all the stinky smalls ready for it’s next adventure. The bags are also good for general storage such as toys, hats and scarves or just general crap that you don’t have a place in the house for,

Our clever seamstress Kate has made these bags so well, they will survive a good bashing if they are thrown around or taken to school. Support our small business and add one of these beauties to your Christmas shopping list. They will make a lovely, functional gift.

Sophie x

Linen Storage Bag in ‘Granny Smith’

Laying the table nicely

I can’t bring myself to use the ‘instagramable word’ for laying the table. It just seems a step too far for something that we do every day and many of us with great haste! However it does feel nice to put a bit of effort into laying the table especially on these very long evenings. At Poppy and Honesty, we have lots of different tablelinen however I have chosen to look at a few fabrics as they I think are perfect for your Autumn and Winter meals.

Ruffle Tablecloth in Florence.

Florence Linen and Rose Gingham

These two fabrics work so well together as they both feature warm terracotta and natural tones. Layer up either tablecloth with napkins and candles and create a cosy atmosphere to share a meal together. We make a ruffle tablecloth in Florence which is gorgeously decadent with it’s dropped frill. Napkins edged with crochetted lace add pretty detail and are available in both the Rose Gingham and Florence Linen.

Lace Napkins in Florence and Rose Gingham

Granny Smith and Rose Gingham

Our punchy green Granny Smith Linen will add some fun to your dining room table. As the green check is set against a natural background it works well with the smaller check Rose Gingham. Combine tablecloths and napkins in these two fabrics, add some candles and maybe some tiny bud vases (so people can see each other). Little sprigs of green from the garden or dried flowers are perfect. We don’t usually bother to use napkin rings as our linens can easily be tied in a little loose knot.

Large Linen Tablecloth in Granny Smith. Linen Napkins in Rose Gingham and Granny Smith.

I am not going to tell you how to lay the table but you don’t need a calligrapher or florist to make it look special. As much as I love long tapered dining candles, I don’t find them particularly practical when seating a mob and prefer tea lights or battery operated fairy lights. It’s important to make space for the main event, the food or more importantly ‘the pudding’!

Stay cosy

Sophie x

10% off all of the table linens featured above until 16th November.

Just to remind you that we are always happy to send out free swatches and make custom sizes in our table linens.

Advent Basket

I realise that it is only November 3rd, but trust me this project takes a little bit of forward planning. The joy of Christmas is all about being together and this communal version of an advent calender gathers the family for a few minutes every day. It also helps to build the anticipation of Christmas by incrementally revealing little winter treats everyday.

Now I cannot claim that I invented this version of the advent calender because I am fairly sure I saw something similar within the depths of the internet a few years ago. Basically you find a big bag or basket and fill it with 25 things for the family to share over the festive period. This may include a christmas pudding, a collection of photos from the year or some cinema tickets. The contents of your basket is entirely personal to your family. Some items might be enjoyed more particular members than others and that’s fine. The overall idea is that the basket is full of things that will essentially bring you together. Here are some other things that I will be including in our Advent Basket :

Sparklers

Holiday photos in a book

Christmas Pud

Panto Tickets

Candles

Christmas Ornament

Lonely Planet book of somewhere you plan to visit,

Pack of cards with instructions for a new game

New blanket for the sofa

Cinema Tickets

Chocolate

Silly hat for the dog/cat

Crackers

Christmas Cards

Bird Feeders

Hot Chocolate

Panettone

Christmas Radio Times

Pretty illustrated christmas book such as ‘The Night Before Christmas’ or ‘The Nutcracker’

Printed out photos from the year.

Materials to make paper chains or paper snowflakes

Indoor bulbs to plant (such as hyacinths or narcissus)

Mulled wine/ apple blend.

New cookie cutter for gingerbread making

Cooking thermometer for the turkey.

I know this may seem like a lot more work, however many of the things above could be included in your Tesco Shop. Also, every year we are surprised and delighted when we unpack our Christ loot, so it would be perfectly acceptable to wrap up your Christmas fairy or snow globes and pit them into your advent basket.

My kids get really grabby over the Christmas period and I think its fair to say that a lot of parents feel fairly wrung out by December 25th. This idea might just bring you together for a little sparkly moment during the run up. Let me know what you think.

Happy November

Sophie x

Large Linen Tablecloth in Florence

A Picnic in Autumn

As I look out of the studio on a grey and rainy day, I realize that this post might be somewhat ambitious. However when there is a break in the clouds, there is nothing better than being immersed in the glorious colours of Autumn. Everywhere I look in my unkept garden, there are plants that seem to glow. If the weather forecast decides to gift us a day of clear skies, I will be dragging my family on a picnic this half term.

Our tablecloths work beautifully as picnic blankets as the linen is very robust and you can chuck it in the washing machine and drier. However If you are an organised sort of person who has camping chairs I would definitely bring them as the ground will inevitably be sodden. Here are the other things I will be taking on my Autumn Picnic :

1.Flask of hot chocolate made with real chocolate, cream and a pinch of cinammon

2. Lots of blankets and maybe a hot water bottle,

3. A book or magazine.

4. Binoculars… the birds are busy making their nests and it is delightful to watch them to go about their work.

5. A pot of stew in a food flask and chunks of bread. to dip.

6. Playing cards or a dice. If the player throws a 6 they need to collect 6 different leaves or stones. Just make it up as you go along !

7. A small sketch book and some bright pastels if you fancy a doodle,

There is only a small window of time when Autumn is at it’s most spectacular and soon the trees will be silhouettes against winter skies. I hope everyone has a nice half term and gets to have a good kick about in those golden leaves,

Sophie xx

Cushion and Pillowcase in Granny Smith. Bolster in Rose Gingham. Ruffle Cushion in Liberty fabric ‘Ciara Metallic’. Fitted sheet made from Liberty fabric ‘Theresa Green’. Scallop quilt in Theresa Green.

Our new leading ladies - Liberty Fabrics 'Ciara and Theresa'

This season we have introduced three very carefully selected Liberty Fabrics to our range. All of these gorgeous prints are a polite nod to Autumn and Winter but they will also look absolutely divine at all other times of the year. As we have limited space in our Sail Loft Studio, we have to choose our fabrics very carefully. This season we selected the gorgeous Granny Smith as our leading linen and three pretty Liberty of London prints to sit alongside this bold check.

Pillowcase in Liberty fabric ‘Theresa Green’

‘Theresa’ in green is such a pretty addition to our bedding range. This classic print is based on an original fabric drawn for the Liberty Archives in 1965. It has been re-coloured for the Liberty Kaleidescope Collection 2024 in the most gorgeous pallet of rust, green, yellow and pink. The warmer hues sit very well with ‘Ciara Metallic’ which has a very dense botanical pattern in rust and terracotta. This particular re-imagination of Ciara includes a metallic overlay. Look carefully and you will see little clusters of sparkly gold flowers.

Duvet Cover made from Liberty fabric ‘Ciara Metallic’. Linen Bolster in Granny Smith. Pillowcases in Theresa Green, Ciara Metallic and Florence. Velvet ruffle cushion in Theresa.

Finally our pretty pastel fabric ‘Ciara in Pale Green’ compliments the other two liberty fabrics but is in no way a dusty wallflower. This particular colourway of Ciara has a 70’s vibe to it with it’s dirty pinks and yellows. This fabric is also embellished with a sheen which enhances it’s silk like qualities.

If you can’t pick a favourite, all of these fabrics work brilliantly together. Treat yourself to a pile of cushions made with the different prints and adorned with velvets and other trimmings.

Yours in ditsy Liberty print heaven,

Sophie x

Velvet Ruffle Cushion in Liberty Fabric Ciara Soft Green.

Photography : Dee Campling

Custom Orders at Poppy and Honesty

Here at Poppy and Honesty, we love making custom orders. Perhaps you need that tablecloth a few inches wider or have the biggest bed in the entire world which requires a huge quilt. We are here to help you find exactly what you need. All you have to do is email us with your exact requirements and we will send through a quote and timeframe.

Large Linen Tablecloth and Napkins in Granny Smith

The variety of bedding sizes across the world is staggering (and very frustrating to be honest). Please always check the dimensions before placing an order for bedding and if your size is not included on our website, we will make it for you. Similarly, if you see a product and would like an extra detail, we will try our hardest to accommodate your request.

Over the years, we have had some fabulous custom orders including kitting out an entire guest house and making bespoke napkins for a large wedding. Our clever seamstresses Kate, Christine and Bev have amazing sewing skills and many strings to their very talented bows. As a very small business we make many of our products to order and so we can easily make adjustments to suit your needs.

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you would like a custom order. We would love to help create something special for you,

Happy October

Sophie xxx

Our handmade quilts in Liberty Fabric ‘Theresa’ can easily be adjusted to your dimensions.

Bolster Cushion in Granny Smith

Images : Dee Campling and The Wild Girl Cots.

Our beautiful new linen 'Granny Smith'

We are so thrilled to bring you our beautiful Autumn collection which includes a new linen we have named ‘Granny Smith’. Designed by Poppy and Honesty, ‘Granny Smith’ is the perfect shade of warm green just like the apple. The classic check sits against a neutral background giving the fabric a nostalgic country style. Apples are everywhere at this time of year from crumbles to windfalls and toffee apples on the 5th November. We think that this fabric will bring, warmth, charm and texture to your home.

Not only is our linen beautiful but it is also very sustainable choice for bedding. As the flax is grown in the fertile soils of Northern Europe, it requires very little water and virtually no fertilizers or pesticides. Flax as a crop retains a huge amount of C02 (3,7 tonnes per hectare) and every part of the plant is used for making linen as well as linseed oil, food for livestock and soap. Linen is a very absorbent fabric requiring very little dye for colouring and is completely biodegradable.

Linen Bedding Set inn Granny Smith. Valance in Granny Smith. Storage bag and bolster in Granny Smith.

There are so many ways to style our beautiful linen bedding in Granny Smith. We would recommend combining it with Liberty fabric pieces including pillowcases and duvet covers in Theresa Green, Ciara Metallic and Ciara Pale Green. However as shown in some of the images, our gorgeous green checked linen looks perfect all by itself. Similarly, your dining table will look stunning dressed from head to toe in our gorgeous green check, at the same time, you could add some napkins in ‘Florence’ or ‘Rose Gingham’ for contrast.

We hope you enjoy Poppy and Honesty’s Autumn Collection. Dee Campling and Ness have created some magical images that will hopefully inspire you to create little areas of delight in your home.

Sending virtual hot chocolate on these cooler evenings

Sophie x

Large Linen Tablecloth in Granny Smith. Matching napkins in Granny Smith and Rose Gingham,

Ruben's Apple Puffs

Wherever we are in the world, my son will choose an apple filled pastry from the local bakery. This little recipe for ‘Apple Puffs’ is so simple that I hesitated on whether or not to include it on the blog. However we are in Bramley season and you may even be lucky enough to chance upon a bucket of windfalls outside a neighbours’ house. Make these on a wet afternoon and they will definitely lift your spirits. (very little brain power or tidying up required)

Ingredients

A packet of puff pastry

3 or 4 Bramley Apples

x1 Tbsp Brown Sugar

Splash of Water

x1 tsp cinammon

x1 Star Anise

Method

1. Pre-heat the oven to 180ºC fan.

2. Peel, core and slice your apples into small 2cm cubes.

3. Place the apples in a saucepan with the sugar, water and spices. Cook on a low heat for 15-20 minutes.

4. Roll out the puff pastry and divide into 8 squares. (4 tops and 4 bottoms!)

5. Once the apple is cooked, drain off the excess liquid.

6. Place a generous spoonful of apple onto x4 of the squares of puff pastry.

7. Place a square on top of each of the apple filled squares and seal around the edges to form a little parcel.

8. Brush with milk or egg and bake for 20-25 minutes (until brown and crispy)

9. Serve warm with clotted cream and ice-cream.

We hope these little go down a treat in your house. Stay tuned for our beautiful new collection launching on Sunday 6th October.

Sophie xx

Tablecloth in Granny Smith (available 6/10/24). Napkin in Florence.

Books and Friendship

Autumn can be a tricky time of year, as we slide into shorter days and colder nights. For many of us, it is also a time of transition with children starting school and leaving home for university. These are common experiences and better off shared with friends and loved ones. Autumn is a good time to nuture friendships and so I thought this week I would write about the different types of friendships expressed in some fantastic books I have read recently.

‘The Piglettes’ by Clementine Beauvais

This is a wonderfully joyful book about teenage friendships and how these support us to navigate difficult times growing up. Three girls living in a french village are mercilessly bullied and awarded the school ‘Pig Award’. Instead of crawling into a hole, they find each other and begin a journey across France sticking it to the haters and becoming national celebrities. The book discusses some tricky themes but ultimately friendship wins the day.

‘Shy Creatures’ by Clare Chambers

A beautifully written book about a man who is woefully neglected and mistreated. He is essentially rescued by an art therapist and a school friend’s mother. Compassion is a notable theme throughout this book as we watch this shy man start to live a more functional life due to the kindness of strangers and individuals with no obligation to take care of him. This is another lovely book by Clare Chambers, perfect to snuggle up with this Autumn.

‘A Gentleman In Moscow’ by Amole Towles

This epic novel spans over thirty years of Russian history, during which an aristocratic Count is incarcerated in a luxury hotel. Friendship is crucial to the survival of the characters as they experience the abolition of the aristocracy and the rise of communism. I chose to include ‘A Gentleman In Moscow’ because the friendships in the book, cross generational, political and class boundaries. These include wonderful relationships between the aristocratic count, hotel staff and a little girl who hides in the hotel. Don’t be put off by the size of the book, it is utterly engaging and heart warming.

‘Goodbye Birdie Greenwig’ by Ericka Waller

This is lovely story about lonely elderly lady called Birdie. As her health fails and she comes towards the end of her life, she somehow manages to bring the community on her street together to look after her. These include an estranged family, a child with autism and an overworked, isolated Polish doctor. As they all focus on taking care of Birdie, the characters mend their relationships and form strong friendships. This book makes you want to check on your neighbours and reminds us that friendships can evolve in unlikely places at every stage of life.

I hope that this little round up of great books is helpful. If you have read anything lately that has warmed your cockles, please put your suggestions below.

Sophie x

Ruffle Cushion in Gelato Linen

Our partnership with Maison Flaneur

Poppy and Honesty are thrilled to have been hand picked by Maison Flaneur to be part of their beautiful curated marketplace of homewares from around the world. We very rarely offer wholesale but could not resist being part of this gorgeous collection of products that have been carefully selected for their originality and quality of craftsmanship. Like many of us when the temperature drops, I automatically look to feather our nest and update items in our home. As we have rather abruptly descended into Autumn, I thought it might be nice to have a look at some of the other brands available at Maison Flaneur.

Mattina Moderna

Mattina Moderna is slow design studio based in the South of France who create unique and limited 3D objects including some very desirable lamps. Reminiscent of lollipops and candy canes, Mattina Moderna’s delicious hand painted lamp bases are beautifully decorated with swirls, checks and stripes in soft pastel colours. These gorgeous lamps not only bring joy but will add a welcome glow to your home during the long evenings.

Dinner With Friends

Dinner With Friends create beautiful illustrations of the everyday objects that surround us when we are eating with loved ones. These whimsical drawings are playful and amusing. I particularly love the bottle of Madre Mezcal and Butter Art Prints with their beautiful fonts. These affordable art prints would make great presents for the foodies in your life.

The Platera

Elizabeth Castello started painting ceramics at her kitchen table during lockdown at her home in Barcelona. Her tableware brand ‘La Platera’ soon took off with its unique style and imaginative designs. The joy of her range is the mix and match element of different colours and illustrations. Each piece is individually painted using oil paints, so no two plates are identical. I particularly love the combination of red stripes and mushrooms in the M&M Mushroom Plate Set.

I could include so many more wonderful creative businesses in this edit. Maison Flaneur have done a fabulous job of bringing a wide range of craftsmanship together on one unique platform. Grab a cup of tea and discover some more gorgeous things over on their website.

Sophie x

September in the studio

September feels like the beginning of the year to many of us who have grown up here in the UK. Memories of stepping into a new school class in shiny new shoes with sharpened pencils has firmly placed September as the month of fresh starts. January is definitely not qualified to fulfill this role with such short sluggish days that make us want hide from the world in our burrows under blankets and eating biscuits. September in the Poppy and Honesty studio will be a month of developing new ideas including our Autumn range as well as working on minimizing fabric waste.

We are currently curating and road testing our Autumn range to be launched in early October with Dee Campling. Alongside our perennial favourite Liberty fabrics and linens we will be adding more patterns and textures. You can look forward to floral prints in warm palettes of terracotta pink and greens alongside cosy checkered linens and sumptuous velvets. We will be bringing out a full collection of bed linen that will enable our customers to create their own aesthetic whether this is mix and maximalist or a paired back scheme. We will also be launching a new range of linen napkins and tablecloths perfect for candle lit meals together as the nights draw in. Our OekoTex Linen is an ideal choice for everyday dining as it is very absorbent and easy to launder.

Poppy and Honesty are also working on developing an online fabric shop. We try our hardest to minimize remnants and develop our range to make best use of the fabrics that we have. However we do have a large stock of Liberty of London Tana Lawn pieces that range in size and are not currently suitable for our purposes. I hate to see these beautiful fabrics piled up in boxes on the studio floor and would love to think of them worked into patchwork and other textile projects. Autumn is the perfect time to kickstart a new creative project and patchwork quilts are my absolute favourite things to make and keep.

We will keep you up to date with all the happenings at Poppy and Honesty here on our blog as well as on our social media channels.

Sending love to all of of you taking new steps and getting used to new things this September.

Sophie xxx

Make hay while the sun shines

The official date of the Autumn Equinox is Sunday 22nd September. Therefore we have 30 more official days of summer to go ! I know we have to deal with all the back to school stuff and it will possibly rain but there are a few things that we can do to maximise the longer, lighter days.

1. Eat ice lollies in the garden. My nostalgic ‘go to’ from the newsagent freezer is the Tongue Twister.

2. Go for a walk past 4pm and listen to the birds chirruping their little hearts out as they start to make their winter homes.

3. Plan a memorable picnic.

4. Go for a low tide beach comb. The sea is as warm as it ever will be and there is often a treasure trove of scallops, jelly fish and funky sea weed strewn along the shore.

5. Pick blackberries and make a crumble if there are any left by the time you get home.

6. Continue to delight in affogatos and iced coffee.

7. Grab a bunch of dahlia’s from your farm shop.

8. Go for an after work swim in the river or sea.

9. Get a pedicure. Even when your feet are stuffed back into socks, you’ll know that they’re pretty.

Make hay while the sun shines as before we know it we will be plunged into dark afternoons and wearing wellies. What are your favourite nostalgic summer activities and how will you embrace them before full crumble/stew season commences?

Sophie

Tablecloth and Napkins in Seaside Stripe Linen.

Photo ; Charlotte Jacklin

A day off from the circus

There are two more full weeks of the school holidays. Part of me will miss the lack of routine, longer days and limited bursts of sunshine. The other part of me will be crawling to the finish line desperate for a quiet house.. I have to say that school holidays are easier when the children are older but you are still running a circus and spinning plates are being dropped in this house.

When the kids are little you are literally holding together a full on Cirque Du Soliel summer camp. Six weeks with teenagers is much less intense but with some hairy moments on the trapeze (note underage festivals). As the kids grow up, parents often take on more work (to pay for all the Vinted purchases) and it is a scramble to fit everything in. Last week I had 24 hours at Thorpe Park and then a 6 hour drive back to a full inbox in Cornwall. Knackered.

To stop myself from falling in a messy heap at the start of September, I have found that scheduling a reset day is very important. This doesn’t have to involve money which has all been spent on school uniform. But there are strict rules that need to be followed.

1. No looking at work or school related emails.

2. Do not go and tidy the kids rooms or do any boring routine chores.

3. Do the school drop off and go back to bed with a cup of tea for as long as possible.

4. Watch TV in the middle of the day. Preferably a very trashy series.

5. Have a bath in the middle of the day.

6. Go for a long slow walk.

7. Do what you want to do rather than what you have to do.

The wellness industry would tell you that you need a sound bath, a cacao ceremony and a silent retreat to reawaken your chakras. I find that saying ‘I am not doing nothing for nobody’ for a day makes me feel a whole lot better and is much more accessible. Schedule yourself a reset day in September and see how you feel.

In the meantime, good luck with the ***t show and the trip to Clarks.

Sophie x

Bedding Set made from Liberty Fabric ‘Annabella’

Big Top Cushion

Photo : Dee Campling

Paul's Summer Tart

i am very lucky to be married to a semi professional pastry chef. I am also lucky that he works away, otherwise I would look more like a choux bun. Here is his recipe for a summer tart. He prefers to use apricots but you could easily add nectarines or peaches.

Recipe for Paul’s Summer Tart

To make the pastry….

250g flour

125g butter

Pinch salt

Cut the butter into small cubes and place in fridge to ensure they are cold. Blitz the butter, flour and salt until fine breadcrumbs. Add a small amount of cold water to the mix to bring it together. Tip out the dough and combine by hand but do not knead it. Shape into a disc and cover with cling film and rest in the fridge for at least 30mins. Roll out the dough into a circle approx 2-3mm thick. Place into a 25 cm tart case and prick the bottom with a fork. Refrigerate for at least 15 mins. Place foil over the pastry and fill with rice. Blind bake for 20mins at 180*C. Remove the foil and rice and continue baking at 200*C until golden brown.

To make the filling…

200g almond meal

200g softened butter

100g caster sugar

Tablespoon of vanilla extract

Zest of one lemon

2 eggs

3 or 4 apricots

Combine all ingredients until smooth and creamy. Pour into the cooled pastry shell. Halve the apricots and remove the stone, Arrange the fruit in the tart with the filling. Bake at 180*C for 25 to 30 mins (until golden brown).

Serve warm with cream and or ice cream.

Tablecloth and Napkins in Seaside Stripe Linen.

The Ups and Downs of running a small business

I’ve been running Poppy and Honesty for over 11 years and it has certainly been a fairground ride, specifically the ‘spinning tea cups’, which is supposed to be sedate but actually makes you feel a bit wobbly at times. Who would have thought that tinkering with beautiful fabric combinations and turning them into life long treasures could actually have a downside?

To be honest there are many fantastic aspects of running this gig. It’s very exciting when a new fabric arrives from Liberty of London and designing our own linens is a fun and creative process. I also get to hang out with my adored spaniel in our Sail Loft and generally choose my working hours. Our little corner of Falmouth is bursting with nice cafes and people always ready for a chat which makes the solitary nature of my role more fun. Our sewing team are all local, but choose to work in their own spaces and on their own timelines to fit in with other commitments. Flexible working keeps the team happy which reflects the quality of their work.

The scary part of running Poppy and Honesty is getting through low sale periods and trying to maintain some sort of equanimity. I am not very good at this and tend to spiral into a panic of ‘what ifs’ and googling dead stock outlets. Covid was booming for Poppy and Honesty and gave us a false sense of high productivity and sales. Inevitably when the furlow funds dried up, it wasn’t so great. To get us through hard times, I need to cement the fact that there will always be people who appreciate good craftsmanship and will support local, sustainable and small businesses.

I am truly grateful to you all for supporting Poppy and Honesty. All your sales, words and messages of encouragement keep this little boat bobbing along.

Sophie x

Just a little sale

Our business model doesn’t usually allow for much of a sale. I say ‘business model’ in the loosest possible terms. Basically we only make up small quantities of items and most of our bedding is handmade to order. Working with a small amount of stock, allows us to keep the quality high and our UK seamstresses in good biscuits. We rarely offer wholesale as our profit margins are already narrow, meaning that you are actually getting what you paid for.

In order to make space in our studio for our Autumn range, we have got a little sale on our website. Snap up a pretty thing while they are still there. Here are some of our favourite sale pieces.

Cushion made from Liberty fabric ‘Paysanne Blossom’

Bedding set made from Liberty fabric ‘Theresa’

Tablecloth in Marmalade Linen

Quilt made from Liberty fabric Poppy and Daisy Blue

Cushion made from Liberty fabric ‘Theresa’

Three books to read this summer

Rather like ‘Chick Lit’ the concept of a ‘Beach Read’ has rather a bad reputation. This may have something to the marketing push of books on stands at the airport that are covered in stickers that promise you that this is ‘The Book Of The Summer’. I think that the best books to read over the summer as those that you can pick up and put down and engage you in a good story. I don’t want fluff and I don’t want to go to dark places when I am on my lounger gazing at the sea. Books about rather dysfunctional families are always welcome on holiday as they make me feel better about the teenagers’ behaviour. Obviously reading is incredibly personal experience, however here is a very short list of fiction you might consider to take on holiday this year.

‘Sandwich’ by Catherine Newman

This story revolves around three generations of a loving family on their annual holiday to Cape Cod. The main character ‘Rocky’ is in the sandwich between her nearly grown up children and her ageing parents. Rocky is incredibly relatable as she struggles with the menopause, letting her kids go and unraveling secrets from her past. This book is funny and heartwarming, reminding us all that loving, happy families are never perfect and certainly don’t look like we think they should!

‘Really Good Actually’ by Monica Heisey

I initially picked up this book because the author was a screen writer on Schitts Creek which kept me laughing through the dark days of the pandemic. Monica Heisey does not disappoint in this painfully funny story about Maggie’s marriage breakup and her subsequent insufferable and appalling behaviour. This book is not a ‘feel good’ read but you will enjoy ‘Really Good Actually’ if you like dark humour and can relate to the essence of Maggie’s unhinged and erratic choices following a major life event.

‘Long Island Compromise’ by Taffy Brodesser-Akner

If you have a Succession shaped hole in your life this book will fill it. Long Island Compromise is quite a multi layered book but basically it is about inherited wealth, superstition and holding position in society. Holocaust surviving Jewish grandparents set up a very unscrupulous polystyrene factory in Queens and amass a vast fortune. This success is taken for granted by the second generation whilst the filthy rich grandchildren completely blow it ! The book is told from the position of all members of the family and poses the question of whether it is better to be bought up with the trappings of privilege or to earn your own livelihood.

i am extremely lucky that I have lots of time to read, so I will continue to put book reviews on my social media channels. Wishing you all a wonderful summer and sending power to the parents of young children.

Sophie x

Duvet Cover and Pillowcase made from Liberty Fabric ‘Paysanne Blossom’

Cushions in ‘Big Top Green’ and ‘Wimbledon’.