BrandAlley

There are loads of savvy treats in the BrandAlley sales today, including sassy vintage chic with a modern spin from the cult Italian denin label, Replay. And with free p&p on orders over £85 today, you can save even more.

Floating Market in Mile End Park

 Ever shopped at a floating market?  If you’re in East London, head over to Mile End Park’s brilliant one on the Regent’s Canal. Enjoy a browse through books, handicrafts, hats and vintage clothes from traders like Frocks A Float and Chapeau Bateau in a colourful flotilla of customised barges and traditional narrowboats. The Floating Salon will be there if you fancy a haircut and there’s lots of food on offer too.

Royal River: Power, Pageantry and the Thames

For hundreds of years, the Thames has been used by British monarchs, displaying their regal status in ceremony and festivities. If you were inspired by the Diamond Jubilee celebrations back in June, why not check out this spectacular exhibition at the National Maritime Museum? Bringing together nearly 400 beautiful, fascinating and often unique objects, it’s an amazing display revealing how successive monarchs have made the Royal River their own.

Pomp pop-up

Hanging out in Hoxton today? Make a detour to the studio of a charming illustration and design company called Anzu between 11am and 6pm. There you’ll find gorgeous stationery and gifts celebrating the best of British style from established and up-coming designers, plus some vintage treasures and curios. Perfect for presents!

Blisworth Canal Festival

In the south Northamptonshire countryside, there’s another fabulous, water-based event worth a visit. Blisworth canal waterfront will be bustling with trade boats and stalls selling everything from cheese and cookies to pottery and face painting. There’s a playboat providing free, supervised play sessions for kids plus nearby village venues tempting you with all sorts of attractions, including food, bars, rural crafts and much more. And if you’re green-fingered, you can have a nose around ten fabulous open gardens.

DIY beach house style

Whether you’re lucky enough to live by the sea or you’re a landlubber, here’s a crafty idea on House to Home using a few of your favourite beach finds.  Protect food from wasps and other insects when you’re dining al fresco with this chic cover. To make it, sew a trim to a square of felt. Carefully tap a hole into four small shells using a hammer and nail and then attach a shell to each corner with thread. It’s as easy as that!

Happy Sunday

Jo x

Picture credits: Floating Market image from the Canal & River Trust website, Royal River: Power, Pageantry and the Thames from The National Maritime Museum via Time Out, Pomp pop-up from Anzu via Time Out, Blisworth Canal Festival from The Inland Waterways Association, Beach style food cover via House to Home.