Sweet Craftiness: February 2010

Sunday, February 28, 2010

Free Shipping in March on Trendy Tree!

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Super Savings!

Watch for this tag on many RAZ items for additional savings. Quantity discounts are based on the number of items in stock and their packaging. Some discounts may start at 2 and others start at 24. If you purchase a carton of an item, this saves us on packing time and makes our shipping a little easier. We're happy to pass these savings on to you!

So watch out for this tag!

New Image Gallery

Check out the new Image Gallery at Trendy Tree for pictures of RAZ Christmas Trees, Mantels, Centerpieces and Windows. This will help give you ideas for your own creations.

Glad Tidings

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Santa's Workshop

Santa's Workshop actually is shown by RAZ as Workshop #1 and #2. On our website, you will find items from the groupings all listed together as Santa's Workshop. It contains many classic red and green colors, and a new trendy multicolor that includes orange, pink, blue, green and red. Just a few items we'll have in stock are shown. Check out Trendy Tree to see the rest!

22" Flocked Glittered Tree with Presents

8" Flocked Drop Ornaments

16.5" Flocked Glittered Trees

11" Flocked Glittered Finial

8" 10" Elf Boot and Hat

Lakeland Glass Kettle

I'm already a big fan of Lakeland products; see my Henrietta kitchen collection review. So I found it hard for my eyes not to stray from reading my emails to the advertisement at the side of the page for this gorgeous Lakeland kettle. I really should invent some new sort of glasses to stop my eyes straying, but on the upside I have found some gorgeous items. This Lakeland glass kettle being one of them.

Why do I love it?

As you can see from the picture above, the design element of this kettle in unique. The smooth design of the handle accompanied with the sleek glass and light-up blue switch makes for an eye-catching piece. It almost makes for a centrepiece in the kitchen when you flick the switch and the switch glows a luminous shade of blue and the water starts bubbling away. It comes with its own 360 degree base so that it is easy to use for left or right-handers. The handle has a lovely grip to it and the fact that the kettle is see-through makes it easier not to waste water as you can see exactly what level you are filling it to i.e. 2 or 3 cups.

If you are rushed off your feet and can't wait around for a kettle to boil then this kettle would be perfect for you as it features a rapid 3kw boil.

Here's a video I made so that you can see the kettle in a bit more detail.

Rating 5/5

Dorma bedlinen - Luxury You Can Really Love

I was recently invited by Dorma to take a look at a cushion from their 'Belvoir' range to give them some feedback and share these thoughts with all who care to read my blog. Well here goes......

The brand name 'Dorma' didn't cause me to scratch my head with puzzlement or go madly searching out their history on the World Wide Web. I was already well aware of the brand name as my mum owns a Dorma bed set that she received for her wedding nearly 30 years ago and do you know it's still going strong and looks good as new? I guess that's what you get when you buy quality products. Time passes by whilst quality lasts.

So I was more than keen to take a look at their current collection as I love anything to do with making my home my own little heaven. So the cushion in question is pictured below. On initial testing it was squishy but firm enough to provide support for a weary head. After a few weeks of using this cushion, I can confirm that the cushion retains its shape perfectly and looks great to add an element of interest on a bed, besides providing comfort. My bedding is always red but this cushion looked great as a contradiction to the red and certainly achieved Dorma's aim of adding a lavish and opulent touch!

Would I buy the whole range? I believe so. Because of the fact that the colour is cream, I think you could use the bedding in most room styles. Although, it would look particularly good if you have a period style theme in your bedroom. The sumptuous detailing on the pillow is great at drawing your eye to the exquisite embroidering and the pearlescent damask jacquard and soft scalloped trim is eternally timeless.

'Opulent' is the word to describe all of Dorma's products and so it's no surprise that they hold two prestigious royal warrants and supply Her Majesty the Queen. Besides the detailing on the pillow it feels sensational against the skin as it has a 300 thread count of pure cotton which exceeds most mass market bed linen. Yes, Dorma is slightly pricey, but I find myself saying this more and more these days, but it is really worth paying more for something that is going to last longer. You can see the amount of work that goes in to each cushion by taking a look at the photograph of the embroidery below.

Upon browsing through the pages of the current Dorma catalogue it appears that there is something for every one's design tastes. A few that literally enthral me and I can find myself daydreaming of leaping in to a freshly made bed with these lavish coverings on, which would feel akin to being a princess.

My personal favourite being the 'Genoa' range. Described as being ' a sumptuously embroidered design in daring black or red' it sounds highly appealing to me. Acanthus isthe plant featured on the design, it's a statuesque architectural plant which brings a strong hint of classical elegance to any bedroom. Which sounds highly apt to use in Dorma's designs.

Throughout Dorma's catalogue we are reminded that 'no matter how eclectic or dramatic' only the finest of materials are used.

Moving on the website www.dorma.co.uk. It's a great website which goes by the same principles it uses in providing great quality home wares; simple, clear, fresh and easy on the eye. There is nothing cluttered about the website, it's easy to find any particular information you are trying to find and in the blink of an eye you can see all the products that are available. Besides bed linen, there are bath towels, blankets, throws, cushions and curtains galore. I love all the red items featured on the website and I also have my eye on the delicious room fragrances. Well done Dorma, I think you have covered every angle and I have absolutely nothing to complain about with your website. Actually, I do have a complaint; now I want to go on a spending spree!

The front page of the catalogue says it all; the company have been established since 1921, have two royal warrants and supply the Queen. Need I say more? I think it's safe to say that this company will most definitely be around for many years to come providing luscious bedding to anyone who is lucky enough to be able to afford it.

For more info visit www.dorma.co.uk

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Silver Cross Contemporary Day Bag by Bill Amberg Studio

There are some brands which just exude quality; Silver Cross is one of them. Silver Cross is synonymous with style, good design, comfort and the all-round knowledge that your baby has the best. Design and detail is really Silver Cross's forte, the idea behind their thinking being that you always start by thinking small. Small like wheels and handles, hinges and bolts. They say that by concentrating on the small things, the medium things work out right and before you know it the whole thing is perfect. So it's perfectly clear that every little detail is well thought out on a Silver Cross product. I think this bag is a perfect example of that mantra. Every little detail is well thought out and exquisitely beautiful.

The first important detail I must mention about this bag is that Silver Cross has brought in a designer named Bill Amberg. Bill Amberg is an iconic British leather craftsman and designer. When you take a look at the bag it is clear to see why Amberg has become so renowned for his workmanship. Tasteful design accompanied with quality materials put this one step ahead of other changing bags on the market.

Take a look at the outer packaging and you will realise that a treasure is contained within. You have a very classy box; simple white and gold. There's not much written on the box, but with the few words that are displayed on the box you know that the bag is not going to disappoint.

Open up the ribbon tied box and you will find the protective duster bag for the changing bag; indicative that this bag is most definitely worth protecting.

Inside you will find the 'Contemporary Day Bag' that will instantly motivate you to go out on your travels so that you can be seen with this beautiful bag. The neutral colours never go out of fashion and actually according to the fashion magazines that I read, 'neutral' is the colour to be seen in for Spring 2010. The 100% cotton and vegetable tanned leather work well together and results in a delicate blend of being able to achieve excellent parenting by being able to access the changing mat and organise yourself with ease and excellent fashion.

Aside from looking good there are plenty of features to please the fussiest of parents. You have large internal and external pockets for keeping those important items in order. The bag also comes with a comfy changing mat for keeping baby happy.

It's a great size for fitting all your bits and bobs and you also have a padded base for protecting any items you carry within the bag.

At £135.00 it's not the cheapest changing bag around but the leather is very durable so will last you a long time. The bag also has more shelf-life than your average changing bag as no one would know that it is a changing bag, so you could use this for much longer. You will be guaranteed to be the yummiest mummy around carrying this.

For more info visit Silver Cross