Planning prettiness : Poppy and Honesty Spring/ Summer 2020.

My imposter syndrome runs far too deep to describe myself as a designer. In my mind, this title refers to the couturiers of high fashion and creators of amphibious cars (yes they exist) and hover boards (it wont be long). I find pretty fabrics and put them together to make them look even prettier.

When I begin to plan a new collection, I think about it in the same way as interior design : How do I want it to feel? For our winter collection, I wanted to create the feeling of being warm, cosy and cocooning and I hoped to achieve this by using rich earthy colours and textures such as crumpled linen and velvet. In contrast, I wanted our latest collection to feel easy- breezy, fun and fresh by using stripes, florals and ginghams, like a candy coloured pick and mix.

Bedding in Suzy Stripe

Suzy Stripe

Suzy Stripe reminded me of the seaside and as a Cornish based business we just had to include it into our collection : it’s pastel stripes are reminiscent of beach huts, deck chairs and sticks of rock. Suzy Stripe has a classic vintage feel which combines perfectly with our floral prints. Lumbar cushions, pillowcases, bedding sets and fitted sheets are all available in Suzy Stripe.

Penzance

Distinguished by it’s checkered pattern, gingham conjures up memories of summer school uniforms, Dorothy from Oz and classic table cloths. With its timeless charm, I though ‘Penzance’ would sit well amongst the nostalgic Liberty of London floral prints in our collection. The vibrant mustard and white check is fresh, fun and full of sunshine. Pillowcases and fitted sheets are currently available in Penzance.

Pillowcases in Penzance, Suzy Stripe, Capel and Felicite

Felicite

The delicate rose trail pattern was designed for Liberty of London in 1933. ‘Felicite’ is part of the Liberty Classics Collection in 1979 which included re- worked and re-coloured interpretations of Liberty’s most iconic prints. With its tones of peach, orange and lemon, this particular version of Felicite felt perfect for our summer collection. Pillowcases, bedding sets and fitted sheets are currently available in Liberty of London Tana Lawn cotton ‘Felicite.’

Betsy in Pink

Also part of the Liberty Classic’s Collection,’ Betsy’is a well known icon from the Liberty of London archive. This beautiful re-worked and re-coloured print was launched in 2019 in a soft pallet of rose pinks and sage green. As it is available in a linen base, we felt it would be the perfect print for our day bed mattresses. Bedding sets, pillowcases and fitted sheets are also available in Liberty of London Tana Lawn Cotton ‘Betsy’ in pink.

Duvet cover in Betsy Pink and Capel Mustard (coming soon).

As I work alone for much of the time, I am always so very grateful for your feedback. I find it incredibly difficult to be thinking a season ahead, at this time of year I want to wrap myself in sheepskins, drink cocoa and cover the house in fairy lights. Whenever spring decides to make an appearance, Poppy and Honesty is ready and waiting with an array of stripy, gingham and floral gorgeousness.

Sophie xx

Dog Person : My love affair with a rogue spaniel

I wasn’t always a dog person. My eyes would inwardly roll when folks would swoon over their new doggie friends, sometimes even referring to themselves as the pooch’s Mama and Papa. Don’t get me wrong I liked dogs, but I couldn’t understand how and why they made their owners gush with babbling baby talk and impose their boring doggy requirements of walking, pooping and training on the already strained lives of busy families. Then in trotted Dotty, the naughtiest spaniel in the world and I completely changed my mind.

My Mum recently asked me why I liked the dog so much, to which I responded '‘because she’s so nice”. There is no rudeness, door slamming, passive aggression or tantrums; just a waggy tail and a willingness to please. She makes me get out and enjoy beautiful parts of the Cornish coast, providing much needed breathing space in the middle of my busy day. A GP and a psychiatrist have both independently told me that they wish that they could prescribe ‘dog’ to their patients. Not only do they impose routine and exercise on their owners but provide company to those amongst us who feel afraid and alone. I have to say that I have never felt lonely with the silky spaniel at my feet and those big doe eyed stares are the perfect antidote to stroppy teenagers and tax returns..

Of course doggy ownership is not without its challenges. The puppy phase nearly killed us and bad Dotty was sent off to boot camp/Borstal for 4 weeks intensive ‘correction’ (she only just graduated!). She destroyed the builders shoes, dug a hole in the sofa and would run away for hours, living it up chasing cats and raiding bins. Honestly there were so many times when I thought to myself that she would have to go.

Dotty has now given up being a badass, although she’s still partial to a sock and enjoys stealing sandwiches from toddlers as pastime. I am glad we persevered and can’t ever see myself without a canine friend for company; I guess that makes me a dog person after all.

Sophie xxx

PS. I really enjoyed ‘Everyone died so I got a dog’ by Emily Dean and ‘Lost Dog’ by Kate Spicer. In both of these brilliant memoirs ‘the dog’ is the steady, grounding and important element of the authors lives.

Spaniel (currently not for sale) Cushions in Liberty of London print Betsy and Capel.

Top of The Pods

I am in the very fortunate position of being able to work from home for Poppy and Honesty. A situation that gives me enormous flexibility, the opportunity to pick up my children from school and permanent access to the fridge. Unfortunately this also means that sometimes I don’t speak to another human being all day long, which in spite of the efforts of my enthusiastic spaniel. can be very lonely. Enter the Pod Cast, the isolation buster that makes me feel like part of a wider conversation and stops me going bonkers in my little Cornish studio.

Below I have compiled a list of my current favourite podcasts. I couldn’t possibly rank them as my choice depends on how I am feeling and what I am doing. I generally don’t binge, but listen to them periodically like a much anticipated soap opera that comes once a week.

The Adam Buxton Podcast. King of Pods, Doctor Buckles has a wonderful interview style, light hearted and rambling he talks to some interesting people. Often very funny but with some serious content.

Favourite episode. : Charlie Booker.

How To Fail by Elizabeth Day. This podcast ultimately appeals because it celebrates things that haven’t gone right in life and discusses how they have opened doors to better things. Host Elizabeth Day talks to some excellent people who open up about their experiences of failure.

Favourite episode : Sathnam Sanghera

The High Low. Journalists Dolly Alderton and Pandora Sykes discuss popular culture and more serious current affairs and issues. I love this because it brings me up to date with whats going on, provides excellent book and box set recommendations and also entertains with highly amusing bants.

Favourite Episode - A Bumper Back to School Book Special

Griefcast. Comedian Cariad Lloyd talks to other comedians about bereavement. The results veer from being shocking, revealing to very funny.

Favourite Episode : Adam Buxton

Table Manners by Jessie Ware -Warm hearted foodies Jessie and her Mum Lenny invite famous guests over to dinner at their homes. A wider discussion about food and family generally follows.

Favourite Episode : Sadiq Khan.

What pods do you love ? Do you have any tips on combatting isolation when working from home? I’d love to hear from you.

Sophie x

Liberty of London fabrics. Left : Peach Nouveau. Right : The Strawberry Thief. Available as bedding and quilts here.

Our Gatsby Inspired Photo Shoot

“In his blue gardens men and girls came and went like moths among the whisperings and the champagne and the stars.” 
― F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

We all know there 'aint no party like a Gatsby party and this was the inspiration behind Poppy and Honesty's latest photoshoot. Our summer collection is all about sumptuous velvets and decadent tropical prints. Comfortable oversized cushions are finished with silk piping and tassels, the perfect spot for flappers, bounders and scoundrels to enjoy a glass of fizz. The hedonism of the roaring 1920's with its flawed characters and fast cars was the perfect setting for our luscious and over the top range of home accessories.

"I never care what I do, so I always have a good time. When I was here last I tore my gown on a chair, and he asked me my name and address – inside of a week I got a package from Croirier's with a new evening gown in it." Lucille in F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby.

Extra Large Cushion in Liberty Print Palm Paradise with pink piping and grey velvet. Extra Large Cushion in Rifle Paper 'Monstera' with pink piping and green velvet. 

Velvet and Tropical Print Cushions available now. Grey Velvet Strawberry Thief Quilt available September

Reversible ottoman in green and pink velvet piped in Liberty Print 'Palm Paradise"

Small cushion in Liberty Print Palm Paradise with green velvet and pink tassel.

We would like to thank Potager Garden for the use of their stunning greenhouse. Please do check out this wonderful cafe and setting on your next trip to Cornwall. Beautiful images taken by Laura Bailey Photography. We are very  grateful to Willow and Stone and Ludgate House Antiques for the loan of precious pieces to use as props in our photo shoot.

What are you reading this summer ?

I am an emphatic reader. In fact I would go so far as to say that I am not happy unless there is a good book by my bed. Fiction is a wonderful escape and respite from reality and getting stuck into someone else's story gives me new perspective on my own. Matt Haig puts it perfectly in his latest book Notes On Nervous Planet.

Reading isn't important because it helps you get a job. It's important because it gives you room to exist beyond the reality you're given. How minds connect. Dreams. Empathy. Understanding. Escape. 

Summer books often imply suncream stained Jackie Collins' novels. Whilst I am very partial to a little Rupert Campbell Black, these are my top 5 reads for the sunshine. Take with Mr Whippy and icy cold beers. 

Velvet and tropical print cushions available here. 

Bonjour Tristesse by Francois Sagan. When I read this I felt like I was having a long languid siesta in the South of France.  Totally French and absolutely immoral, you'll feel the scorch at the heart of this story.  

Heartburn by Norah Ephron. Protagonist Rachel feels like your best friend and who better to take on holiday?  She's wonderfully witty and acerbic, you'll have a great time together. 

The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald.  Scandal and wild summer parties doing the Charleston in Jay Gatsby's mansion? Yes please.  Make mine a Long Island Ice Tea. 

Instructions For A Heatwave by Maggie O'Farrell. The tension amongst this dysfunctional family will make you feel so much better about your travelling group. It's also a lovely tangled tale of family relationships.

Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris. An excellent travelling companion. David Sedaris will charm your socks off with his outrageously funny stories of family and living in France. 

I'm sure that you have got many books that I could add to my list. I'd love to know your suggestions. 

Love

Sophie xx

Velvet and tropical print cushions available here. 

Meet The Maker - The Handmade Clothing Company

This is the last post in our series of Meet The Maker blogs and we have a lovely treat for you. Here at Poppy and Honesty, we regularly get asked if we make liberty print children's clothes and the answer is no (too fiddly for these Frank Butcher fingers)  but we know a woman who does. This week we meet Amy from The Handmade  Clothing Company...

I’m Amy, Mum to three, Seth (11), Theo (6), and Eden (4)  and the founder of The Handmade Clothing Company. After a few years working different Visual Merchandising roles in fashion retail stores I decided to go to uni. I graduated from London College of Fashion just before having my second son. I was so fed up to have ended up in another retail role that I decided to start sewing things to sell to have a creative outlet. I started with mainly bunting and simple items of clothing. After the birth of my daughter in 2014 a fabulous friend from uni suggested using Liberty fabrics and so the idea was born! 

Liberty Print Dress Similar Here

I started making childrenswear samples using classic prints and had a photoshoot at the end of 2014. I finally settled on a name for the brand and launched the website and Etsy store in January 2015! Gradually more styles were added and I gained loyal customers through Instagram that have really been instrumental in raising the awareness of the brand and growing the business. I wouldn't be where I am now without those first customers that still come back today! At the beginning of 2017 I was so busy that I was able to give up my part time job and to work in the business full time! This has meant so much to my family, I can do every school run, I don’t have to worry about childcare in the school holidays and really be there for my daughter who is still undergoing investigations for an Autism diagnosis. Every single order really does mean so much to me!

Aster Liberty Print Boys Bloomers

This year I am continuing to collaborate with the amazing Magnificent Stanley which is an absolute pleasure! We have an amazing collection of prints for this season and some lovely new styles for Summer. I am also working to grow the womenswear offering which is really exciting! The current items in the womenswear collection have been popular and I can’t wait to have more products to offer to the fabulous women that shop with me. And if things continue to grow at the rate they have been for the last year I will be needing much more space to work and some help!! I am really excited to see what we can achieve once all the kids are at school full time! 

We do hope that you have enjoyed our Meet The Maker series. We always like to support our fellow crafty handmaidens and burly handymen, so if you would like to be featured on our blog please get in touch.

Can you believe it's time for the big bunny ? Other than the supermarkets bursting with confection, I'm not even sure you would even know it was Easter.  Whatever the weather, get into the chocolate and have a lovely long weekend. 

Sophie xxxx

Meet The Maker - Birdy and Pearl

Our maker this week is Sarah, founder of Birdy and Pearl, a small business that makes beautiful liberty print teething jewellery. I first became aware of Sarah's fabulous work when I was looking for a present for my sister in law. She is a proper eco - warrier (not in the trendy, man bun shouty way) and she genuinely doesn't want anything she doesn't really need. Sarah made her the perfect teething necklace, my sister in law wears it all the time and it is always available for my nephew to chomp on. 

Bird and Pearl Teething Nursing Ring

I set up birdy & pearl in the autumn of 2015 as a way of nurturing my creative self and pursuing a dream I had had since I was a child - opening my own shop. Previously, I had worked in publishing and then as a primary school teacher, a career which I put on hold after my second child was born.I have always adored Liberty of London's art prints and fabric, I actually worked at Liberty while I was at university. I also love babies - hence my rather large family. I came up with an idea which would Birdy celebrate these two things.

I initially started making wooden bead-knotted necklaces after stumbling across a tutorial online. I found out that these necklaces were often used by mothers as nursing or teething necklaces. Their purpose was to distract and engage babies while they were being fed or held, preventing little fingers from scratching skin and pulling hair. I loved this idea and wished I had found or made such a product years before when my children were little. I quickly realised that my sewing skills were not up to producing a product I could actually sell (should have and meant to go for lessons!). So it was back to the drawing board...

Birds and Pearl Teething Necklace

The internet has been such an amazing resource for small businesses and it was here I turned to continue my research. My heart-lurching, light bulb moment came when I discovered that Liberty made a cotton ribbon cord on which I could thread my beads, making my sewing machine redundant.(My first necklace was very similar to the one I made your sister-in-law. It was in Betsy P!) Not long afterwards, while sourcing the wooden beads which I originally made my nursing necklaces from, I came across gummy, tactile silicone teething beads in the most amazing shapes and colours. Keen to be original and unique I did further research and established that although there were companies, mainly then in America and Australia and at that time only a handful in the UK (not any more, sob!), that made and sold teething and nursing necklaces, there was no one making them using Liberty ribbon cord! This then was to be my USP and birdy & pearl was born.

Birds and Pearl Nursing Bracelet

I created my Etsy shop at the end of 2015 and officially opened in mid-January 2016. Sales have grown steadily and my customer feedback has been really encouraging and deeply rewarding. Instagram which I'd used (@thepitts) as a magazine substitute since 2011 has been a fun and effective marketing tool for me and a way of meeting friends and other creative makers like you! (bloody algorithms though. Really impacting sales at the moment. Definitely relied too heavily on ig for sales!) My goal for this year is to carry on growing the business steadily, launch my own website and introduce my necklaces and birdy & pearl to a wider audience.

Thank you so much for tuning in to our blogs during March Meet The Maker month. Next week we have another fabulous small business to share with you.

Happy Spring (brrrrrr) 

Sophie