Fabulous felt
This cherry red, vintage, pillbox hat is perfect for the early spring season. Created by Norwich designer Bridget O’Connell, this gorgeous felt hat is handmade and comes in a variety of colours – although we love this rich red. The elegnt design is priced at £25 and will add a touch of old-fashioned glamour to any Valentine’s outfit.
Bridget’s designs are available at Ethika at Pottergate, which specialises in ethically sourced, fair trade clothes, accessories and homewares.
Ethika, 12 Pottergate, Norwich, NR2 1DS; 01603 624891.
The personal touch
This gorgeous 9ct gold curb-link bracelet with alternating turquoise and seed pearls is an example of the beautiful pieces of jewellery being created in the workshop at Webbs Jewellers in Holt.
The family business owns antique, vintage and secondhand specialist Webbs Jewellers as well as neighbouring shop YouNo, which focuses on contemporary brands.
Director Olly Webb and his father Nick can not only bring your design ideas to life in their workshop, they can also remodel and repair a cherished piece of old jewellery, so you can wear it for many more years to come.
Webbs Jewellers, 34 High Street, Holt, NR25 6BH; 01263 712575.
Flight of fancy
With the trend for accessories inspired by the natural world continuing, take a look at this beautiful bird necklace from Suffolk-born jewellery designer Alex Monroe. The Bird Loop necklace, available at Jarrold’s in Norwich, costs £132 and would make a fantastic gift for Valentine’s.
Alex’s work is heavily inspired by nature and eccentricity and is known for its whimsical charm. He has worked on collections with the likes of the Victoria And Albert Museum and Burt’s Bees.
Jarrold’s, 1-11 London St, Norwich NR2 1JF; 01603 660661.
Skin sensational
The cold weather and wind are not kind to anybody’s skin, so why not treat yourself to some everyday pampering to give your complexion a boost?
The Norwich Cosmetic Clinic has created its own blend of products designed to hydrate, stimulate and improve your skin. The lifting and tightening Rejuvenation Serum is packed with a mixture of super skin-boosting antioxidants and it also contains hyaluronic acid to plump and hydrate the skin. The Diamond Resurfacer is a delicate exfoliant using real ground diamonds to help skin renewal, with vitamin E for added moisture and protection.
Jo Sewell, senior laser therapist, says the two products – which together cost £62 – complement one another perfectly and have been especially created by experts at the clinic: “Everyone’s skin type is different, so we are always here to advise customers on what is best for them personally.”
Norwich Cosmetic Clinic, 6 Exchange Street, Norwich NR2 1AT; 01603 877470.
Step into spring
We’re not about to be shedding our winter woolies quite yet – but the new collection from Joules bridges the seasons perfectly.
Look out for the Porthcawe scarf (£12.95), the range of Sheringham jeans (£49.95) and the gorgeous tweed-style Dunmere jacket (£149). We also love the new brightly coloured ponchos (£24.95) which will see you through the early spring showers and into the festival season, plus the new Richmond bags (£169) which come in a variety of colours.
Joules, 27-29 Castle Street, Norwich, NR2 1PN; Joules, Market Place, Burnham Market, PE31 8HF; Joules, 23 Market Place, Holt, NR25 6BE.
Italian style
Treat yourself – or persuade a loved one to treat you – to a gorgeous new Italian handbag from Norwich’s Mediterranean-inspired boutique Salotto.
The beautiful leather bags are made by artisans in Florence and Rome, and are available in several colours, including red, chocolate brown, green and black. They come in classic and stylish designs and best of all – because they are such individual, expertly crafted bags – you’re unlikely to run into anyone with the same one. Prices start at £40 and go up to £160.
Salotto, 20 St Benedict’s, Norwich, NR2 4AQ; 01603 920307.
