Happy Birthday Mr Hornby

We would like to wish Mr Hornby a very Happy 150th Birthday!

The inventor of the Hornby trains and also Meccano is hailed as a great toy constructor and has changed the way we play forever. He first started by creating toys for his own children in 1899, he soon realised by creating interchangable pieces for tracks a whole new world was created each time you played with them. Based on real engineering principles the Hornby toys soon become a firm favourite with everyone!

We have a great range of Hornby products for the grown up collector! Just click here!

Seasonal tips with Paul Smith

We recently had our seasonal visit from Kim and Noel from Paul Smith Accessories, and as always they were full of interesting facts about this seasons collection. We were reminded of the Paul Smith stripe being the 'DNA' of the brand and told this season onwards they are looking to use it in more select and subtle ways. After all they are a fashion house and need to evolve! You will notice this season we have the stripe on only a few wallets and phone cases, these are still of course top sellers but we're seeing the stripe used in more ways - such as on the multi-check scarf and multi-check swim shorts - so expect more like this next season. Autumn Winter will also see a much darker stripe so if you are keen on the bright stripe now maybe your best chance to indulge yourself!

Multi-check swim shorts - £89.95

We're really excited to have some beautiful exclusive handbags from Paul Smith this season. The gorgeous Albermarle and Westbourne bags are really luxury soaked handbags made in Italy in classic designs with fashion forward colours. These bags are very striking in both colour and design and so to give them gravity Paul has named them after two of his London stores.

Recognising that people no longer buy bags for different occasions Paul Smith have made their designs as versatile as possible, including zipped pockets and pouches, different length straps and from next season all handbags will have a pouch for your Ipad. Things to go next season will be the ladies attached keyfob and the the hardware on the Swirl bags will say goodbye also. Looking forward to next season the swirl is going all 60's with a super Maxi swirl design.We're also happy to be stocking more items made in the UK such as the scarves and gloves, these are all denoted by the special 'Made in the UK' swing tickets. Look out for the swing tickets with Paul's camera on also, these items feature photo's taken by Sir Paul himself!

Seaside scarf with photo's taken by Paul Smith - £95

Happy Jackson!

We're very excited to start stocking the new Happy Jackson range from Wild and Wolf on our online store!

                                  
The Happy Jackson label came into being after a doodle was made of a little grumpy Pug dog - and look how it's grown! The range is so bright and colouful you can't miss it. With everything from washbags, notebooks, pencil cases and doormats you can't avoid smiling at the little quips and bold colours. From duo Giles Andreae and Heather Flynn the strong Happy Jackson visual style has now been adorned onto vinyl pencil cases and shoppers, make-up bags and compact mirrors.

 We're sure you'll fall in love with it all
- just as we have!

Seen Above: Hello Doormat made in India from woven coco materials £24.95, Set of 3 Nesting Tins for tea, coffee and sugar (the essentials!) £14,95, Smile bright red vinyl compact mirror £7.95, Pen Orgy yellow pencil case (pencils welcome!) £6.95, Random Crap large shopper £4.95, Gems of Insight and Inspriation notebook £7.95, Kiss and Make up cosmetics bag £9.95, Today Is Going To Be A Good Day! mug in box £7.95

(Click pink text to go through to product info!)

P.S - The range of notebooks from Happy Jackson are worth a look for a cheeky pressie and the boxed mugs are just genius - particular favourite being the Red 'Coffee Makes My Day More Beautiful!' something we live by!

Bath In Fashion 2013

Bath in Fashion is one the most anticipated fashion events outside of London and this years showcase looks to be better than ever! Taking place between the 13th-21st April there is an exciting line-up of fashion shows, illustration workshops and fashion talks.

Bloomsbury will be showcasing our Paul Smith, Ally Capellino and Beck SonderGaard Spring Summer '13 ranges in the Designer Fashion Show on Friday 19th April held at the Assembly Rooms. Book your tickets here!

We're also hosting a late night shopping event on Thursday 18th April in our Quiet Street store with 15% off all full price items! We hope to see you there.

Another highlight of the week will be on Sunday 21st April at The Little Theatre where the Oscar winning hair and make-up team behind the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit will introduce a special showing of The Hobbit, talking about how they created all those amazing characters.

Don't miss out!

 

Groomed to perfection

Those of you who live in the West country may have seen this bizarre article (click here to see all!) on the local BBC news. The annual meeting of the Handlebar Club was held in Bath just last week. There were some very impressive 'taches being showcased! The club was founded in 1947 and has over 100 members with strict admittance rules - and certainly no beards!

Here are some of our own favourite moustachio grooming products to help you on your way to being an esteemed member of the Handlebar Club yourself!

Captain Fawcett's Moustache Wax!

   Above: Captain Fawcett's Moustache Wax available in Lavender, Sandlewood and Ylang Ylang - made with natural products to help you keep that stiff upper lip! £9.95

Left: Moustache Cushion from La Cerise Sur Le Gateau - Gorgeously embroided taches adorn this pillow 30x50 cm. £45





Right: Tache Tools Washbag from the new Happy Jackson range - A great sized washbag for all you essentials. £14.95

















And for those who may need a little fakery - The Man Sized Moustache £3.95

Coming to a screen near you

Those of you who have visited our store in Bath will probably not have failed to notice our glamorous Sales Assistant Jean. She's a one of a kind lady and we love working with her - guessing at what carefully put together outfit she'll be wearing with her Dr.Martins. She never fails to put a smile on our face!

In recognition of fashionable ladies over 70 Jean is being featured in a new BBC documentary which will be on screens later this year. Jean was filmed going about her daily routine so the film crew came by the store, they also filmed her out and about and running - she says they made her run up a hill 6 times!

Here are a few behind the scene's pics from their shoot in the shop. Keep an eye out for the documentary for more!

Mum's the word!

Mothers Day is soon approaching (heads up - this Sunday!) so here are a few of our favourite treats for Mum's everywhere.

1. Orla Kiely Towels - from £4.95

2. Miller Harris Noix De Tubereuse Eau de Parfum - 50ml - £62

3. Nixon Timeteller P Watch - anodaze red - £69.95

4. Burts Bees Travel Basic's kit - £17.95

5. Paul Smith Leather Heart keyfob - £35

6. Beck sondergaard Sailor Tote bag - navy - £49.95

And don't forget Mums to be! 

This Burts Bees Mama Bee Belly Butter is a gorgeous treat for growing bumps - £13.99

Follow this link for some more great Mothers Day gifts.

New Paul Smith for Maharam Collection

We're very excited to this season be stocking some of the gorgeous Paul Smith for Maharam collection. Paul Smith has collaborated with this American company to create exclusive textiles that have been applied to business folios, wash bags and holdalls. 

"We work with a company in America called Maharam, who make upholstery fabric. This design is based on the pattern of a Fair Isle sweater. Every time I use mine people comment on how nice it is, it's great!" - Paul

We love the unusual use of the upholstery fabric on the bags as it makes them seem more special and reminscent of old travelling bags. The use of the Fair Ilse patterns also goes to make the bag seem very British.

Maharam have a very beautiful website with examples of all their custom made fabrics and design studio - Maharam - definitley worth a look.

Take a look our collection here - Paul Smith for Maharam bags!

                                               

credit to Maharam for last image and paulsmith.co.uk for Paul's quote