Homestyle Gossip

In every self respecting fashionista’s retro accessories collection there should be a retro tote bag. However with so many gorgeous pieces to choose from it can be difficult to decide on just one! Learning about the two of top retro handbags of 2010 selected by other fellow retro purse worshippers can be a valuable guide and the following suggestions are here to put you on the right track:

The modern mix dome Tignanello tote bag

This gem of a retro handbag is available in a variety of colours. The beautiful colour variations will have you itching to buy more than one as retro gifts for your friends, and it is designed in perfect dimensions. It is a handy size to tote around all those other retro accessories that are essential for a fashion diva but this divine bag will never weigh you down. There are several handy compartments built in so you can organise all your essentials from your purse, a small makeup case, your mobile phone, sunglasses and any other mix of girly trinkets. This retro bag is made out of real leather and has a stylish interior lining with dual shoulder straps. There is a zipped pocket at the back, a centre zip divider and other multi-functional slip pockets. It is the perfect complement to any outfit and can accentuate retro jewellery.

Fossil Bailey multi tote bag

This eye catching retro treat is made of real patchwork leather. It is a wonderful size made to hold your iPhone, sunglasses, purse, your designer mineral water and maybe the odd light fiction copy or two. There are sweet dangle and tassel embellishments that add extra glamour to this already breathtaking piece of fashion art. It comes with dual shoulder straps and closes with hidden magnetic clasp. There are some great slip pockets at the front and a back wall zipped pocket.

These simple three words, I love you, are often struggled with the most. Many people find it difficult to express how they feel in words and often search for other ways to communicate just how much they care for someone. Between lovers ‘I love you’ can be a statement of commitment but there is also the love found between family and friends.

For those of us who want to express their feelings but can’t find the words there are flowers to turn to. Gift flowers have been used since time began to represent how we feel. Each flower has been bestowed with hidden meanings and can be used to communicate our most inner, deepest feelings when words just don’t seem to be enough. When selecting gift flowers it can be sensible to check the meaning of your flower selection to make sure you aren’t inadvertently communicating something negative.

One of the most renowned symbols of love is that of the rose. Its velvety petals and sweet musky scent represent everlasting and enduring love and communicate simply and unmistakably feelings of love, ardour and passion. Depending on the stage of your love you can choose between a variety of colours and arrangements so that your beau is in no doubt as to your feelings.

If you are merely admiring from afar then choose roses in light and pretty colours. Perhaps a mixed bouquet of whites, pinks and oranges. This keeps your flowers lights and romantic and will not scare the object of your affections away. If you have just had your first date then an arrangement of deep pink flowers will keep the romance flowing whether you send them before the date or order online flowers afterwards as a thank you for a wonderful evening. As love deepens and passions develop shower your loved one with deep red roses.

When it comes to buying gifts, it’s often difficult to think up original ideas for people – especially if they already seem to have everything they need, so why not get them something tasteful but quirky, from a retro gifts catalogue? Celebrating special occasions isn’t about giving people what they need; it’s about giving them gifts that they don’t need, but would love to receive.

Retro or nostalgic gifts always make stunning birthday and Christmas presents. If money is no object, then one of the best retro gifts you could buy a music lover is a full-sized Retro CD Jukebox. A blast from the past, these look just like the 1950s originals, although in those days the light display wouldn’t have been LED, and there certainly wouldn’t have been a remote control, USB connection and CD auto-changer.

You can’t beat a brass replica taxi horn, while die cast model cars make delightful nostalgic gifts for drivers. The 50 Years Anniversary Mini, released in 2009, is perfect for someone who’s now 51, while a die cast Norton motorcycle would delight a youngster who’s just passed their bike test. Other retro gifts with a masculine theme include die-cast model Spitfire sets, and Flying Scotsman train sets.

On a more feminine note, a Jemima Puddleduck garden statue makes a quirky and original gift. For the home lover, Art Nouveau and Art Deco Clocks make attractive and useful nostalgic gifts.

If you want to say “Thank You” to someone in the office, then reproduction 1920s or 1950s telephones make excellent retro gifts and a traditional port-hole clock is the ideal retirement gift for a keen sailor.

There are plenty of reminders around already, but in case it has still managed to escape your notice, then we should really remind you that Mother’s Day falls on Sunday 14 March this year.
It can often be hard to think of a present for Mum – for a start, she’ll usually insist she’s already got everything she needs. Plus, however do you outdo the present you got for her last year!? You know, the one that took you absolutely ages to find? That’s where thinking outside the box comes into play. Here are some cute ideas for gifts that will make Mum’s day:
- Perfume: Yes, perfume can sometimes be a clichéd gift to give on Mother’s Day. Especially when scent is such a personal thing. So why not give Mum a voucher or take her to a special parfumerie to create her own bespoke fragrance? It will be unique to her, she’ll be able to get exactly what she likes and she will always think of you when she wears it. Perfect!
- Jewellery: Again, jewellery is a personal thing and takes on an especially personal significance when the gift giver is offspring. You’ll want to make sure Mum is touched by the thought you’ve put into selecting her piece of jewellery so do make sure you actually put in the thought! Firstly, think of the jewellery your Mum already wears. Does she always wear rings but never earrings? Does she only ever wear a watch? Think carefully about what kind of jewellery you select, as if she never wears necklaces, then she is unlikely to wear one you give her. (That’s not always true, however.) To put a special touch on it, why not give her a piece of jewellery that has her birth stone in it or get a message engraved? That will show you have gone the extra mile to find something she will really like.
- Nostalgic gifts: There is nothing quite like a retro or nostalgic gift to bring back all those good memories and blasts from the past. You might happen to chance upon a gift at some point that you know would have your Mum reminiscing, but if you’re going to hunt one out, then start by thinking of something she might have told you she cherished as a child. Did she love to play around in her mother’s jewellery box when she was younger? Then maybe find one that fits the same description. Where did she go on her honeymoon? You could get a framed print of a scenic view from that destination.
- Humorous gifts: Mum actually does have everything she could ever need. So why not get her something that will make her laugh instead? Humorous gifts are different to gag gifts – make sure you know the difference! (Although, if your Mum would enjoy a gag gift then that’s a different story…) Try to think of what Mum would find funny – even better if it will remind her of a personal joke she shared with you. Obviously, if this gift can double as something that she will find actually useful (a printed oven mitt for instance!) then you’ll be in her good books for sure.