a few of my favourite things : john lewis

Now, I know that for those of you living in mainland UK, this might seem a bit silly, but I love John Lewis.  We, in Norn Iron, are not fortunate enough to have one - we only recently got a  House of Fraser, Paperchase and (very recently) a Cath Kidston; but I would swap them all for a John Lewis. 

When over visiting Edinburgh/Yorkshire/Manchester, I'll always make a beeline to the nearest one, and I've yet to be disappointed. 

 

I'm not sure a person can be characterised by their favourite shop (in the way some people are characterised by their favourite film/pet), but if one was, John Lewis would do it for me.  I was trying to encapsulate why this is the case, and I found it difficult, but here's a few reasons:

 

1.  A department store not afraid to embrace crafts - well, certainly in the ones that I have been in, this seems to be the case.

 

2.  The variety of brands on offer does seem to agree with my taste.

 

Anyone for Cream Crackers?

3.  The homeware - especially the latest "Home Comforts" range - it surely must be wrong to covet cushions and kitchen jars, but what can I say?

4.  Their boys' clothes - anything that I've bought/given as a gift has been good quality and withstood the rigors of the Chander Chaps.

 

5.  I've managed to get good bargains in their sales online; and unlike a number of other companies, the delivery charges are reasonable to Northern Ireland.



All images courtesy of the John Lewis website.

Of course I could be wrong; it might be that, as in the old adage - familiarity breeds contempt; but I have yet to be disappointed, and hopefully long may it be so.  In the meantime, I will continue to wish for a Northern Ireland John Lewis - or maybe, at the very least, some new kitchen jars and a cushion or two!  Take care, em.

A few of my favourite things: Avoca

I always loved a day's shopping to Belfast - and nowadays, with the opening of Victoria Square, it's even better.  It's probably no different to most UK cities in terms of it's shops - but there's one thing we have here that other UK cities won't have - Avoca.  I love Avoca - to those not familiar with it, it's an Irish company, which started  as a woolen mill in Avoca Village, County Wicklow over 200 years ago.  The company was nearly lost until a local accountant bought it over over 30 yrs ago - and now it's really thriving. The photos here are of me visiting the original mill - Avoca heaven!

Avoca are primarily famed for their beautiful checked woollen blankets and garments - but the Avoca shops now exude a whole lifestyle - lovely crockery and homeware, with a vintage feel.  They also do clothes; cookware and gifts for friends and children alike.  They also have the most wonderful restaurants at each of their stores - and the food is delicious (particularly their desserts, soups and salads, and elderflower presse) - you can buy food to cook at home; and they also sell their recipe books should you wish to recreate their culinary delights at home. I can't recommend these books highly enough - delicious food for your family; and reasonably healthy too (most of the time!).  My only criticism is that Avoca is an expensive shop; I love to look, often covet; but only occasionally buy,and often gifts for others.   My next item of longing is a checked woollen blanket (Mr Chanders, if you're reading this!!!), but I can't justify this unless it's a significant purchase. 

So if you're in Belfast, or a number of places in Ireland, such as Wicklow/Dublin/Ring of Kerry, be sure to check out Avoca - treat yourself to lunch or tea, but you might need to save a few pennies first....