Poppy love
Lest We Forget … we’re planting these new MayFord Seeds Flanders poppies (Papaver rhoeas). Launched for this year’s Remembrance Day on November 11, these particular poppies carpeted the battlefields of the Western Front, are worn or laid as wreaths to mark the day. Now’s the time to plant these easy-to-grow seeds … choose a bed that gets loads of sun, dig it over, sprinkle the seed, pat down and water. If they will grow on a bombed-out battlefield, they will just love your garden!
Inspiration strikes unexpectedly … so we always have a notebook on hand to jot down the first ideas of a story, a painting, a song. These light-bulb-brights are from the Leatherpress Inspire collection … glorious shades of reef and pacific blue, butter yellow and coral red, with twilight grey and midnight black for those who take their ideas seriously. From R407 from Exclusive Books.
Loll around in these liberty print floral pjs. 100 per cent cotton to keep you cool on hot nights, the top’s button up, the matching shorts have a tie, so you can adjust to fit. R950 from elizabethsummer.com
Desperate. Simply desperate for this frog vase. Have you ever! With a bunch of simple green leaves or some tulips collapsing, as they do, elegantly over the side, it’s the perfect centrepiece for your Spring lunch table. R4000 from bordallopinheiro.co.za
Bright, colourful, handcrafted backgammon boards, with illustrations by local artists … what fun. Choose from Butterfly, Leopard or Lobster design. R3300 from katesunley.com
Discover your creative side
Get in touch with your inner artist and Start Painting Now … a practical, accessible guide to discovering your creative spirit, giving you brilliant new tools for relaxation and self-care. Whether you’re returning to art after a long break or starting as a complete beginner, this book will inspire you to just pick up a brush and see where it takes you.
Instagram artist Emily Powell and her sister, doctor Sarah Moore, guide you through the process of learning to ignore your inner critic and unwind from the stresses of daily life through painting. Backed by the latest research on the benefits of art for mental health and wellbeing, you’ll be encouraged to put aside the fear of failure, turn off your phone and throw yourself into the joy of creativity. Loads of inspiring examples from a range of female artists to get you going. R458 from exclusivebooks.co.za
