#buybritishthischristmas

I was going to do a simple gift guide this year. But by pure accident I'm using a under utilised hashtag, #buybritishthischristmas, to collate the Ultimate British Made Christmas Gift Guide to peruse at your leisure. It's simple, just search the hashtag on Instagram, Pinterest or Twitter and (hopefully) you should have a wealth of suggestions, direct from the brands making stuff, or the people eagerly eyeing up British made.

To get something included simply tweet/instagram/pin a link orpicture and where it's from with the hashtag and it's in the running!

I want it to be used by all to promote their products (so NO need to include my handle @TheMibber), and as interactive as possible. I will be collating every suggestion on my new Pinterest board, aptly named, and I would like to invite you to share your British made gift suggestions to your social media channel of choice and each week I'll be rounding up the best on the blog. Although be aware, I do not have access to Facebook!

I think in order to have a cohesive guide, I'll attempt to theme each week for the post, but feel free to suggest as and when, and I'll do the rounding up. Themes will be Her, Him, Children and Secret Santa/Stocking Fillers. But these will be as broad as they can be encompassing everything from knick knacks to luxury items.

So go forth and suggest to your hearts content, what's on your wishlist this Chritmas?

Andrea xx

The Forest

Until last year, I had never been to a holiday park of any variety. So my first experience was Center Parcs and I loved that holiday so very much. To be no more than an hour and a half from home but to feel like you were in the middle of nowhere felt magical; lots of things to do and the privacy and freedom of your own space in the forest.

With the prospect of a week off and little to do we booked a very last minute trip to the brand new CP. An 8.30am booking for day of arrival. We panic packed what we needed and got in the car and we drove. Living in East Anglia, our landscape is quite literally flat. Our drive there was a surprise, blind spots and inclines, now I know Bedfordshire isn't known for it's hilly landscape but this was enough for us to breathe a sigh of "we're on holiday" relief.

The new facilities are excellent and well thought out. We stayed in an apartment which was perfectly positioned in the fun but we were still able to cook and enjoy our privacy. For once we didn't hire bikes as everything was more than accessible on foot.  I would recommend a short break to Woburn Forest, it wasn't as equipped as say Elvenden, but the brand-spanking new facilities certainly made up for it.

For someone who doesn't get much forest, it's a lovely little break.

Andrea xx

Nothing Days

Those magical rare days.

The ones where you managed to lie in till whenever because you didn't set an alarm.

You have no plans, prior engagements or need to do anything. 

The laundry is done. Even the fridge is stocked.

It's a day for leisurely doing nothing. It's probably a Sunday.

You rejoice that your first task is to read ELLE with a cup of tea and a slice of jam toast. 

You purposefully leave your phone in a different realm to avoid distraction.

It's the kind of day you start with a luxurious bath. Because quite frankly, why not?

And then you pull out your comfys. Your nothing day staples, is there anything more of a modern day luxury than purposefully buying clothes to wear for these kind of days? 

Today is probably the last justifiable nothing day in the calendar before the Christmas/NYE frenzy really begins. Enjoy it, take time out to do nothing and be grateful that such a day exists. 

Complete coincidence that The Mibber faves (what a babe) Stella + Alf have just launched their Loungewear collection. Affordably priced and made not only in Lincolnshire but also from British fabric. Shop the collection here. And for those finishing touches how about these:

Candle, Hopscotch; The Take Off And Landing of Everything, Elbow; Mug, Emma Bridgewater for Liberty; Emma, Anthropologie; Scarf Blanket, Stella + Alf; Chocolate, Pump Street Bakery; Bath Oil, Neom; Eye Mask, House of Hackney; Magazines, both available from WHSmith.

Andrea xx

Coats, Coats, Coats!

Pop Coat, Edina Ronay; Fur Pea Coat, Paper London; Duffle Coat, Gloverall; Fluffy Coat, Topshop;  Cocoon Coat; Marks and Spencer; Wrap Coat, Jaeger.

After facing our first bout of almost ground frost this week, it only felt appropriate to round up the best that British craftmanship has to offer. 

I deliberated for a long while because I was on the hunt for a women's parka, a shape I felt was quintessentially British, yet, I couldn't find any, not even close. It seems brands think all women want is wool. Men however really get the pick of the crop as per when it comes to fashion made in Britain *sulks*. So I haven't strayed too far from the trusty wool coat, in fact at all! If you know of any women's Made in Britain parkas.. PLEASE let me know. 

On a happier note, I really love this selection from the on trend sheepskin fur collar to a blanket wrap and that lovely fluffy wool effect. From fun and bright to investment-worthy and classically stylish.

On the plus at least I have found plenty of lightweight women's jackets for S/S. 

Andrea xx

Remember, Remember..

I think it's safe to say our thing is Bonfire Night.

Last year, I was enjoying the display at Centre Parcs. This year, I'll be by a lake. I love everything about BFN. Gathering with your nearest and dearest, taking your first sip of mulled wine or a struggling with a ridiculous hot chocolate and tucking into a hog roast. All wrapped up and excitedly waiting for the fireworks to begin. It really marks the start of the festive season.

So in light of this I've put together a few bits and pieces I would love to wear to watch a Guy being toasted. Bit weird when you put it like that. Traditions, eh?

Gloves, Dents; Personalised Cape, Selfridges; Shirt, Silken Favours; Gilet, Lavenham Jackets x Fred Perry; Ear Muffs, Celtic and Co; Socks, Perilla; Jumper, John Smedley; Boots, Trickers; Skirt, Topshop Boutique.

Gloves are the first thing... I always forget. Hopelessly clutching a warm beverages in the hope my fingers won't develop frostbite before the nights out. I've always found leather gloves, a bit weird, a contradiction I know as I have shoes and bags and I am by no means a veggie. But a second skin is all too much for me even when Leather Trousers are on my A/W wishlist. But if I had to go leather I of course would go Dents. And I was delighted to find some Cashmere Lined leathers!

Instead of a scarf this year, I think it's all about the cape. Thanks Burbs! Belted or layered it pulls the whole ensemble together. This Johnstons one can be personalised with your initials and is made in Scotland! Yes please!

As an honourary member of the Hair Bear Bunch hats have always either not fitted my head OR trapped too much heat leaving my body causing a sweaty mess. So I really do have a genuine love of ear muffs. I found these once thanks to google and I've got to say they are pretty much spot on.

Practicality wise it really is about a good skirt and tight combo in winter. Nothing worse than soggy trouser legs. NOTHING. That's something that's stuck with me since school. So this wool skirt from good ol' Toppers will keep you nice and warm, a decent length and like everything boutique, oh so stylish. Teamed with a light knit from John Smedley in this lovely rose goldy tonned jumper and a beautiful print on a Silken Favours shirt. 

You'll instantly see a coat missing from the line up.. I'm being brave. I'll live to regret this. So relief when I found this padded gilet from an awesome collab between Fred Perry and up the road from me Lavenham Jackets, sure to keep me warm.

Of course the other horrible thing about the cold is ice cube toes, so some British Alpaca socks and some sturdy boots by Trickers will solve all your woes. 

I hope you all have a lovely night.

Stay warm, stay safe!

Andrea x