Looking for something creative bit of craft to while away the cold evenings, then these Animal Menagerie Cards might be of interest.
Designed by Junzo Terada, the set consists of twenty card animals to construct. The pieces of card are decorated with retro fabric style patterns. Envelopes are supplied so you can actually use these as greeting cards as well as creating cute decorative items.
The set costs £16.50 from Tinsmiths.
Frustratingly, some of the best winter coats (for men at least) are also the most expensice. As this Crombie British Army Green Authentic Great Coat demonstrates. But all might not be lost.
It certainly is a stunning item, an authentic recreation of a World War II military coat from the Crombie archive, originally supplied to the War Office for officers of the armed forces.
This slim-fitting coat is packed full of detail, including handcrafted chalk-filled brass buttons that feature the Crombie crest and raw wool cloth discovered in a mill in Yorkshire which is 'faithfully replicated in military hues'. £795 is the price right now, but Crombie is known for generous sales, so one to keep an eye on over the coming days.
Find out more at the Crombie website
Via His Knibs
A touch of Victoriana, via a detour to the late 1960s, with this Velvet Victorian Peter Pan Collar Dress by Alice Takes A Trip.
It's a dress seemingly inspired by the Victorian revival of the swinging sixties, offering a dress of maroon or black velvet, some lace detailing for that collar, long sleeves and a fairly short, thigh high hem line.
Available in sizes 6 to 16, the dress is available for £62.
Big thanks to Matthew for spotting a real gem on eBay – this Eero Saarinen-designed Knoll Tulip dining table and four chairs.
Designed as 'as an exercise in clarifying form', the design of the Tulip table and chairs is still ahead of its time, over 50 years since its debut. This is an authentic reissue, with this particular set issued by Knoll to Cube (Manchester's architecture and design gallery) to commemorate its opening in 1998. The item was later acquired by Graeme Russell, its founding director, who is selling it now.
According to the seller, the table (diameter 920mm) is in good condition with a few scratches, while two of the four chairs are in need of some repair, but are perfectly functional. So not perfect, but at the current auction price of £500 for the set, well worth a bid.
Find out more at the eBay website
No, we don't get the name either, but we like the look of this Chocolate Alarm Clock at Flatspot.
It's a classic alarm clock, the kind of clock that used to wake you up in days gone by, before the world discovered the 'joys' of radio DJs shouting at you at 7am.
If you prefer a loud bell to Chris Moyles, you'll find it here, as well as a bold red and black design, metallic legs and a sweeping seconds hand to go with the contrasting grey hands for the hour and minutes. £20 is the price.
Find out more at the Flatspot website
Proving that designs can be retro , stylish and humorous at the same time are these Sausage Dog Chairs by Jimmie Martin.
The chairs are in a classic dining chair style, which can a bit stuffy looking, but here they are given a twist with the sausage dog print, which is split across the pair of chairs. The chairs are upholstered in a sophisticated shade of grey, with the arms and legs finished in a stately cooper gilt.
The chairs cost £2,900 for the pair from Jimmie Martin.
