Cachette: An Online 'Hiding Place' Filled With Memory Makers!

Cachette is an online store offering beautiful and unusual products designed to their simplest perfection. The products are a mix of timeless, modern and vintage finds for design lovers in search of simple, but meaningful pieces. 

Cachette is the creation of Stephen and Delphine an Anglo-French couple who left London for the appeal of the beautiful twisting streets of Le Cannet in France and established Cachette in 2012.

From home interiors, kitchen accessories and handmade gifts to fine gourmet food and a small children's range, Cachette is a brand that is passionate about shining the spotlight on young designers and unknown artisans, much like the inspiration behind another favourite brands Not on the High Street. Online, you’ll find a gorgeous selection of items that have resonated with Stephen and Delphine in some way, in the hope that you will love this happy mix of simple, but functional products as much as they do.   

Regularly featured in some of our favourite glossy magazines including Living Etc, House & Garden and Country Homes & Interiors, Cachette was awarded as one of the Top 20 Online Interior Shops by the Sunday Times and more recently featured at number three in Elle Decoration’s list of The 21 Best Online Shops.

Cachette means 'hiding place' and the duo’s mission is to sell things of simple beauty that have an everyday use within the home, a wealth of hidden gems just waiting to be found. You can see the appearance of this in their intentionally simple, but stunning photography which exudes calmness and stillness with pops of colour here and there.

One of the best parts of the site is the food section (of course!) which presents a range of carefully selected food items including champagne vinegar from Reims in Champagne,  olive oil made with Taggiasca Olives and sea salt flakes from Sicily - a perfect place to find a special gift for someone who loves food.  

I love the unusual products that Cachette offers, and when browsing through the site I kept stumbling across items that seem to transport the imagination to a memory you would very much like to have! This is exactly why I chose this gorgeous heart-warming log torch to create an instant cosy outdoor fire during the chilly September evenings. You can find more of our top picks here.

Discover your favourite Cachette items on their website here and join them over on Facebook too.

Click on any of the images above to see the products in more detail, plus you can Get 15% off everything in Cachette Food with code UTDHG until 16/9/13

Enjoy!

Katie x

New Facebook Competition Guidelines - What You Need to Know

Surprisingly Facebook have changed their competition rules to 'make it easier for businesses of all sizes to create and administer promotions on Facebook'. We give you a overview of what you need to know...

The Key Change

• You no longer need to run a competition on an external app (such as Easypromos), you can now use your brand page

You Can...

• Still use apps to make competitions look great and to enable them to be housed in one place perhaps under a 'Competitions' tab for easy viewing by users

You Cannot...

• Use people's personal Timelines to encourage entry (i.e. 'share on your Timeline to enter') - the competition must be entered on your brand page
• Ask people to tag themselves in your content so you cannot use tagging in of pictures or comments as an entry mechanism

Competition Examples

• Facebookers enter by posting on your brand page (comments or images)

'Upload a photo of you using our product and our favourite will win!'

• Facebookers enter by commenting on a page post

'Name our latest product'

• Facebookers enter by liking a page post

'Like your favourite photo in our album'

• Facebookers enter by direct messaging the page

• Facebookers use likes as a voting mechanism to enter

Remember...

• You are still responsible for the official rules and terms and conditions and for acknowledging that Facebook is not associated with your competition
• You still need to think able to frequency of competitions - although it's much easier to run them now, there's still no point posting hundreds of competitions every month. You'll find you won't get genuine brand advocates liking your page but 'competition hunters' hindering your engagement rates
• Running a competition on an app may give you better insights into the user which the new-style of competition may not give - email addresses and personal information for example

It's exciting Facebook have changed the rules but as a user of Facebook, I'm hoping my Newsfeed is not going to be filled with lots of brands running random, unrelated competitions now! This change may see many users unliking brands to prevent this happening. We would say to remember your objectives of the competition and base your entry mechanism on those objectives - and never forget about engagement rates being the key to success!

Read Facebook's full Page Terms here 

Jane x

Inner Me founder Nikki Cooper talks to us about life, Dragons' Den and her advice for budding entrepreneurs...

We have had the pleasure of meeting and working with Nikki Cooper during the last few months and have been fans of Inner Me ever since we spotted it in Zest Magazine earlier in the year. In advance of her Dragons' Den appearance this weekend (Sunday 8 September on BBC2 at 8pm) we wanted to share the inspiration behind Nikki's venture into business and the driving force behind her beautiful brand, Inner Me, her advice for budding entrepreneurs, what it was really like in 'The Den' and of course, a few of her favourite things...

What was the a-ha moment that inspired you to create your own business?

When I walked out of a health store with an empty basket having been bamboozled with too many products that looked alike with names I couldn't pronounce, never mind know what they were for!

Why did you choose the name ‘Inner Me’? 

I wanted something that denoted health but something personal and specific to that person.

What was the ethos behind the gorgeous branding and 'your girls'? 

The ethos is of the brand is quality, stylish and portable supplements with no nonsense names and where our “girls” illustrate the benefits of the product in a cute and inspiring fashion.

Your biggest challenge to date? 

Getting people to understand that we are not just pretty quirky packaging and that our supplements are top quality and as potent as we can get them. We are still overcoming this but being in reputable stores such as Whole Foods Market helps.

Have there been any moments when you just wanted to pack it all in? 

Yes there can be many days when cashflow is low and you have a supplier or retailer issue and you think why did I give up a good steady job to do this? But then I think of why I did and I get excited and inspired again about building the brand and company and getting great health products out there for those other health conscious women in the UK who want to feel as special about buying their multivitamins as they do when they buy a new lip gloss.

If you weren't enhancing women's lives with with Inner Me, what would you be doing? 

I would no doubt be working as a lawyer still, although ideally in-house with a beauty or health company rather than in a stressful bank. 

What keeps you striving forward in business? 

Belief and excitement about my products and brand and the fact that I have already invested so much time and money in the company to just give it up.

How scary was it really inside the Dragon's Den and who was your favourite dragon?

I was petrified walking into the Den, my heart was beating so loud and fast when I delivered my pitch that I had to re-record it again afterwards as the microphone had been placed over my heart and you couldn't hear what I had said. Once I had finished the pitch however I could feel myself start to relax a little especially when the Dragons were not as mean as I thought and seemed to be willing me throughout to do well. Deborah Meadon was surprisingly very friendly and supportive but I have to say my favourite Dragon was Piers Linney who seemed genuinely excited about what I was doing even though he lacked specific knowledge about my industry. 

A Few of Your Favourites...

Way to relax?

Saturday mornings in bed with my husband and little boy where the boys are watching Tractors and other such things on the iPad and I get to just relax and read my book.

Aid to well-being? 

Daily 4 Me – I have just launched a new product which covers all your daily nutritional needs with a multivitamin, probiotic, omega 3 and antioxidant. It just makes me feel the healthiest person in the world before the day has even got going. 

Fitness activity? 

I love to run as I find it a great time to be by yourself and think about everything without any distractions. However being 5 months pregnant I am not the most elegant of runners at the moment so my current favourite is the cross trainer…just plug into a music channel and work that bottom without it feeling like too much hard work!

Food? 

Spaghetti Bolognaise…I could live off spaghetti!

Song? 

Anything by Beyonce or Shakira but I would have to say '03 Bonnie & Clyde' by B and her lovely J.

Hero? 

AustinPowers!

Quote? 

And finally... what advice would you give to entrepreneurs to inspire them to give their dreams a shot? 

• You need to be 100% committed in what you are doing- there are many days that are tough but so long as you believe in what you are doing then you will get through them…keep on keeping on.
• Research your chosen area and check out your competition and where you want to be in that space, is there room for you and how will you be different and stand out.
• Do not give up your day job just yet! I met Liz Earle at a wellbeing entrepreneur’s talk and she and all of the other speakers advised that you should work around your 'real' job until your company starts to take off...new companies take at least 12 months before they break even.
• You can never ask too many questions. Don’t think you know everything as we are all still learning. I am always looking for mentors and people with specialist skills in areas I am not that practiced in to ask for advice. My favourite hobby is looking for people who inspire me with what they did with their businesses, whether it be building a brand, focusing on online sales or dealing with big retailers and then being cheeky and sending them a message asking for advice. Many will not reply but for the odd one or two who do, they can bring you fountains of knowledge and advice that is priceless.

Watch Nikki on BBC Dragons' Den on Sunday 8 September at 8pm on BBC2 and you can check out the newly renovated Inner Me Website here

Connect with Inner Me on Facebook where you will find out about the new Daily 4 Me complex and you can enter a competition to win a month's supply of this extra special four-in-one daily nutritional boost!

You can read more about Nikki's journey here or talk to her on Twitter by using @InnerMeLondon or click here 

Stay tuned for our next Entrepreneur Spotlight with founder of Hattie's Wines, Becca Reeves on self belief, mushrooms and who Hattie really is...

Katie x 

The Best Things in Life (in September)...

Once again, after reading September's (re-designed) fashion edition of Red magazine, we felt inspired to do our own little 'Best things in life' below...

Katie

The best things in life are...

Combining exercise with family time! Lately it’s all been about swimming with my mum and sister, and of course the odd sauna & steam room too at the Windmill Village Hotel 

Taking the first step and booking a Hot Yoga Class at Barefoot Birmingham, it’s something I’ve wanted to do since the start of the year and I’m finally taking action. Time for a slightly more flexible me!

Being organised! When Jane & I are in different countries it highlights the fact that I’m so thankful we are both so prepared, but we couldn’t do without a few of our favourite (and free!) tools to keep us both connected to each other such as SkyDrive, Wunderlist and of course our very own schedules & planners!

My earliest fashion memory is...

Spice Girl space boots! For a few years every time non-uniform day at school arrived I would be thrilled to be wearing them with pride combined with my wet-look black jacket. Girl Power!

My favourite app at the moment is...

iTimelapse Pro. Jane & I created a Timelapse of our working world while giving this snappy app a review recently! Read what we thought about it and see our video creation here.

My 'top pick' for September is...

Not on the High Street’s Bespoke Wooden Map Letters! You can personally choose your letters and your desired map location to appear which are then carved out of actual pieces of vintage maps and solid wood -  the perfect gift for a loved one to remind them of a special place in the world that you both share. View them here.

Jane

The best things in life are...

A morning espresso drank from my favourite Melbourne Starbucks cup with a cube of brown sugar

Discovering a new online store, Bodie and Fou and learning more about its inspiring French co-founders and sisters. The store is filled with gorgeous lifestyle products including home accessories, fashion and gifts

Thinking about my Autumn Winter wardrobe! I've already seen some gorgeous pieces in H&M, ASOS, Bodie and Fou and Topshop. I love wrapping up all warm and cosy and making use of those layers!

My earliest fashion memory is...

Thinking I was so very cool at age 10 or 11 in my very unflattering baggy green combat trousers, baggy t-shirt and big clompy black boots. I basically wanted to be Mel from the girl band All Saints (I wasn't a Spice Girls groupie!) but I didn't quite get her look, I looked more like a teenage boy! Strangely enough I remember squeezing into my slim friends denim jacket to accompany my 'cool' ensemble which made it look ten-times worse while she got drowned in my parka!

My favourite app at the moment is...

Happier. This colourful little app allows users to add 'happy moments' every day with the philosophy that remembering things that make you smile make you a happier person. I believe this as after using the app for over two months now it's certainly made me... happier! Read my full review and download the app for free here

My 'top pick' for September is...

Cowshed's Spearmint Exfoliating Sea Salt Scrub - it's one of Cowshed's cult products designed to 'cleanse, polish and protect the skin'. This scrub is my top pick for September as after a gorgeous summer of (safe!) tanning, I need to keep my skin looking glowing and know scrubbing with this once a week does the trick, plus the delicious smell is great for sleepy mornings!

Hanging out with Comic Relief at the World's First Online Comedy Club!

Last week I took part in a new kind of comedy show created by Comic Relief and Google+ from the comfort of my very own dining table!

The Hangout Comedy Club from Comic Relief is the world’s first online club of its kind. Using the Google+ Hangout feature, it aims to bring us the funniest comedians wherever we are, finely selected from the pick of the Edinburgh Fringe festival.

After applying for front row seats (what was I letting myself in for?!) I received a call from a lovely lady at Comic Relief who confirmed that I was one of the lucky (or brave!) nine people who were chosen to have a front row seat which meant that I would be able to interact and chat to the comedian of the evening, Stephen Bailey. After a quick test to make sure everything would run smoothly for the show, I was sent an email which included all the details of the Hangout and a link to join it online later on.

Regularly warming up the audience at ITV’s Loose Women and Let’s Do Lunch with Gino and Mel, Stephen Bailey also won the Comedy Cafe New Act Competition last year and is currently receiving outstanding reviews for his Edinburgh Fringe Festival show; Power Couple which depicts the two sides to every relationship with his very own boyfriend Gary John Senior!

If a front row seat at a comedy club is not your idea of fun, then you do have the option to apply for a back row seat which means you can join the hangout anonymously, and instead watch and laugh as the show ensues with as many friends as you like.

Before the show began and Stephen arrived, I was prompted to make smiley and unhappy faces at my laptop so that a clever Comic Relief tool called the Laughometer could accurately measure how amused I was going to be during the show. After the show the Laughometer measures participants’ highs and lows and suggests a proportionate donation for the viewer to give. This can be adjusted at the participant's discretion and whether you choose to donate or not is completely up to you -  such a feel good feature of this initiative! 

At 8pm Stephen arrived and all nine of us ‘front-rowers’ introduced ourselves to him and asked a few questions which got us all laughing together in no-time! I’ve used Hangouts before and it does take a short while to get used to it as a new way of interacting, but if you are used to using Skype and FaceTime it won’t take long before you get the hang of it!

I am really looking forward to the next line up of comedians from Comic Relief and I think this initiative has the potential to be absolutely amazing, what’s not to like, a laugh to change a life for a good cause. 

You can find out more about future Hangouts and watch past shows here.

Katie x

Bodie and Fou - Inspiring, French and Beautiful - What More Could You Ask For!?

We love Bodie and Fou - a chic, inspiring online boutique for design lovers in search of cool modern styling for the home and unique beautiful gifts. If you're revamping your home or looking for an interesting present, this is the place to visit - the products are simple, elegant and unusual and anything I've bought from there always sparks up a conversation.  

There's nothing more inspiring for us than seeing entrepreneurs with a passion for lifestyle so when we found Bodie and Fou, we knew we'd be advocates for life, and we’re among good company as their celebrity fans include Helena Christensen and Claudia Schiffer! Bodie and Fou is run by two French sisters, Elodie (Bodie) and Karine (Fou) who source home and fashion items styled beautifully across their website and blog.

It's no surprise their online store has won multiple awards as has Karine's blog which has landed her in the top charts with Vogue and The Telegraph where Karine shares her inspirations, insights into her personal life, creative interior ideas and DIY projects.

Simple, beautiful design takes over the online store which sets off the products perfectly. The duo talk about 'la famille' being one of the most important things in life and you can see the appearance of this in their striking photography.  

My favourite part of the site (apart from the products of course) is the 'About Us' section - not your usual factual page but an inspiring montage of images with keywords detailing all the things they love, from contemporary design to their little girls, and from beautiful moodboards to Sydney... it’s all so inspiring!

Although we are always finding new products to love our current favourites are listed on our 'Products We Love' page. Katie's Top Pick is a pretty map of America taking her back to her world travels and mine is currently a gorgeous but simple gold triangle necklace... perfect with a tan!

Discover your favourite Bodie and Fou items on their website here or find out more about this inspiring pair on Karine's blog here.

With love, Jane x