The Best Things in Life in November

Katie

Best things in life?

My favourite night of the year; Bonfire Night! Each year in Kenilworth, a local town to Coventry, we watch the incredible firework display over the ruins of Kenilworth Castle, while not one, but three bonfires brightly burned last Saturday evening. The exciting atmosphere, wrapping up warm and hot sugary mini doughnuts might have something to do with it being my favourite night too!

Paperchase – one of my favourite places to shop, but it’s so much more than just stationery! The recent Christmas collection had us both hurrying around the Paperchase pop-up in Selfridges as we excitedly gathered up orange and purple festive delights, you’ll be able to see the full scope of our work (and yes there are purple and orange Christmas trees) at our wooden log cabin at the Oxford Christmas Market in December where we’ll be serving up lots of Not Dogs!

Christmas spices – it may be early for some, but as we will be spending most of December at the Oxford Christmas Market, we have been busy in the kitchen cooking up some special festive recipes featuring Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Cranberry and Stilton – not all together of course!

My favourite piece of art is...

Chosen in light of Armistice Day this week and is a statue of a soldier that sits on my bookcase at home. Each year we visit the War Memorial Park in Coventry to hear the beautiful remembrance service that takes place around the central cenotaph that I usually run around in my local park. There is no truer or more poignant thing to hear than “For your tomorrow, we gave our today”.

My top album is...

A golden oIdie! A recent road trip with my sister resurrected my teenage love for Whitney Houston – too many hits to mention, so I downloaded the album I used to have and now I can spend many a journey belting out a tune (or ten!)

The pin that sums me up at the moment is...

Jane

Best things in life?

The Bali Bible Instagram account is my new favourite account especially as Katie and I are busy planning our first mini-retirement to the island in February. The account accompanies the website which was created by an Australian couple with a big love of Bali who detail the best spots in Bali from hotels, restaurants, bars and beaches. Even if you're not going to Bali, their inspirational, uplifting images across social media brightens the gloomiest day!

The White Company is one of my most adored brands and listening to founder Chrissie Rucker at a recent Red Network Event has only strengthened this. Chrissie is one of the most inspirational women I've had the pleasure of listening to; she's so honest and down-to-earth. Her love for all things white sparked the idea for the business but you can see it's only succeeded due to her dedication to customers, quality and her enthusiasm for the brand.

The Sunrise by Victoria Hislop was brought for me for my birthday and I've just started reading it and I love it already. Victoria Hislop is my favourite author; I have read her first book The Island numerous times as well as listening to the audiobook over and over again - I simply never get bored of her Mediterranean tales.

My favourite piece of art is...

This print of a French scene which reminds me of childhood summers spent on the beautiful, tiny island of Embiez in the South of France. My parents and I would pass the days relaxing on a secluded beach, swimming to the rock islands and enjoying fresh seafood picnics!

My top album is...

A toss up between Ben Howard and Jamie Cullum... I can't pick! Both are new amazing albums from two outstanding male musicians, who I admire very much. Ben Howard's new album 'I Forget Where We Were' has a laid-back emotional vibe whereas Jamie Cullum's 'Interlude' brings all the songs to life with jazzy ups and downs thrown together in a way only Jamie can!

The pin that sums me up at the moment is...