Some things that I have enjoyed in January

Hooray, we have made it through the darkest 6 weeks of the year. On the occasions I managed to crawl out of my duvet cocoon, I have enjoyed some great telly, films, walks, food, podcasts and radio programmes. Motivation has been at an all time low in this house, but I have found fun, comfort, and interest in the following :

8 am dog walks and owls

Sunrise has conveniently coincided with my early morning dog walks. Some sunrises have been more dramatic than others but the silhouettes of skeletal trees enable clear viewing of some whopping birds of prey. Owls with their funny, tufty ears ready to go to bed and motionless buzzards waiting to swoop. It’s a lovely way to start the day.

Gumbo

Gumbo has been a popular feature on the family menu and I can highly recommend this recipe from Felicity Cloake. Sitting somewhere between hearty stew and soup, Gumbo has a fabulous cajun kick. From the cuisine of Louisiana, it feels more fun and interesting to eat than standard English winter fare and you can create your own hybrid with whatever you have in the fridge.

Streaming

Am I the only person in the country not watching Traitors? Love all the Highland styling but I haven’t got the attention span for protracted reality TV. We were all glued to Playing Nice on ITV despite the improbable plot twists. Set on rugged stretches of coast in Cornwall, it made us think about what we’d do in the event that one of our babies had been swapped…

During ‘Born in the Limelight: Nepo Babies UNTOLD’ , Phoenix Brown (daughter of Spice Girl Mel B) explores how society views those born to the rich and famous. During the one hour documentary, Pheonix attempts to make it as an artist using her mothers name and her crude smiley faces canvases are well received. She is acutely aware of her privilege but explores whether nepo babies are being blamed for society’s inequalities and if constantly bating them is necessary or helpful.

Top of the Popes

Top of the Popes, Ralph Fiennes is excellent in Conclave and I thoroughly enjoyed the insight into the papal election behind the closed doors of the Vatican City. The Cardinal who matched his vape to his crimson robes was a real highlight.

Mr Chalamet’s sanitised version of Bob Dylan is far more pleasing than the real deal in ‘A Complete Unknown.’ I adored the images of 1960’s Greenwich Village and the Dylan bangers were fantastic.

Listening

Louis Theroux’s interview with Jade Thirlwall (ex Little Mix) links neatly to his recent documentary ‘Boy Band Forever.’ Thirle talks about her love/hate relationship to fame through X Factor. Highlights include Jade’s early-days relationship with Harry Styles and getting blasted by the Gallaghers.

I have also been enjoyed the back catalogue of the podcast ‘Unreality.’ Talia Augustidis guides us through short stories that make the listener look at the narrow margins between the imagined and the truth. I particularly enjoyed the episode ‘Sound Collector’ which discusses memory.

There are plenty of things to look forward to in February including Amandaland (the spin off from Motherland), spring bulbs popping up and longer days.. hooray!

Storm Eowyn is really kicking off here in Cornwall. I hope that wherever you are reading this, you are safe, warm and have access to some good snacks.

Sophie

Still some good stuff in the Poppy and Honesty Sale including this valance and pillowcase in Florence.

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.

Some books I have enjoyed in January

Hooray we got through January and little signs of spring are emerging everywhere. I thought I would share with you some of the books that I have particularly enjoyed reading. Short days are long nights offer the perfect opportunity to dive into a story, particularly if the setting is less muddy and provides a more interesting narrative to your current reality!

That Bone Setter Woman by Frances Quinn

This is literally a cracking historical novel about a girl who is desperate to become a bonesetter in Georgian London. Bonesetters were a form of early chiropractor who would set broken or dislocated bones. The characters are great and I particularly liked the feisty main protagonist Durie and her challenge to pursue what was considered to be a male only occupation. The way that Durie takes on the ranks of snotty London doctors is excellent.

Lucy By The Sea by Elizabeth Strout

I have to ration books written by Elizabeth Strout because i love her writing so much. She captures the human experience with such immaculate detail and perception. This particular book tells the story of Lucy, who flees New York during the pandemic to live on the coast in Maine. She ‘bubble’s up’ with her ex-husband William and the story looks in detail at the practices that became habit during the pandemic (which in hindsight seem utterly ridiculous and unimaginable). The narrative also follows the characters as they respond to the Black Lives Matter protests and the storming of the Capitol in 2021. This is a great book.

Breadsong by Kitty and Al Tait

This is a brilliant book about baking bread and recovery. Not only is it full of excellent recipes but it tells Kitty’s inspiring story. Aged 14, Kitty suffers from the most debilitating mental breakdown, with the help of her wonderful Dad Al, she slowly develops an interest in baking bread and starts to heal. Taking small steps, Kitty and her family establish a bakery in their local village, We have really enjoyed trying out the recipes which are brilliant (Miracle Dough, Foccacia, Bagels and Chelsea Buns) and learning about this courageous young women and her amazing family.

The Daiai Lama’s Cat by David Michie

I have only just started listening to this audio book but I have to tell you about it because it is a GIFT. Each chapter of the audio book looks at the teachings of Buddhism through the eyes of HOH (His Holiness’ Cat). As such, what would otherwise be quite a heavy subject becomes fun and more digestible. With buckets of self deprecating humour, the cat applies Buddhist teachings to her own experiences of over eating, jealousy, flirting and fur balls as well as giving us fascinating insights into life at the Dalai Lama’s residence.

Please tell me what you are reading so we can fill February with fun and interesting books. Enjoy the daffodils and listen out for the woodpecker.

Love

Sophie x

Selection of cushions and quilts from Poppy and Honesty. Handmade in Cornwall.

Ruffle Cushion in Liberty Fabric Capel.

Big Top Cushion in Green

Small Scallop Quilt in Liberty Fabric ‘Poppy and Daisy’

Small Scallop Quilt in Liberty Fabrc ‘Annabella’

Winter Pursuits- Embroidery

My favourite winter sports include reading, cooking, getting outside and doing a bit of sewing. None of these will incur injury or require extensive travel insurance. Recently I have been really enjoying learning very simple embroidery. It’s a great winter sport because it doesn’t require a lot of stuff and you can do it on the train or in front of the telly. I also find embroidery very soothing and satisfying.

For our Christmas table I embroidered everyone a napkin with their name on it. I didn’t use a particular script, I just used a heat erasable fabric pen and wrote their names on the fabric in my own handwriting. Below I will detail the very simple equipment and method that I used in order to create something that was a little imperfect but special and personal.

Time to get your mob cap on and start an embroidery project before Mr D’arcy arrives. Maybe you can fit in some harpsichord and singing practice if you have time?

Happy January

Sophie xxx

Equipment

Heat Erasable Fabric Pen

Embroidery Hoop

Embroidery Threads (I prefer Anchor)

Method

1. Place your embroidery hoop loosely over the napkin or fabric. Decide where you would like to write (ensuring that there is enough room).

2. Using your heat erasable pen write your name onto the fabric, If you make an error it doesn’t matter as you can remove the ink with an iron and rewrite,

3. Secure the hoop over the fabric. Cut your embroidery thread and split the thread so that you remove one of the little strands (you should have x5 strands total).

4. Make a straight stitch at the top of your first letter leaving a little tail of thread that you can knot later.

5. Continue around all your letters using back stitch.

6. To finish your name go to the back of your work and tuck your needle under some of the thread from a previous stitch. Pull it through - but leave a loop. Pass your needle through the loop to create a small knot. Make sure you go back to the loose thread at the beginning of your first letter and tie off in the same way.

Write your name with a heat erasable marker.

Start your work with as straight stitch and go around all the letters using back stitch.

Handmade napkins make a special gift and create a gorgeously personal table setting.

Napkins shown in Rose Gingham and Florence (in stock).