Golden Hook

All images via goldenhook.fr

I thought some shoehorning might be required to squeeze this into spring, but none needed. This is another post about knitting. Some may at this point think I have lost the plot, having just mentioned the +25 degree temperatures we were experiencing in the south of France a couple of days ago, but we have returned to Edinburgh. People, the weather here is a bit, well, rubbish. I have lost 20 degrees in 3 days, am wrapped in a few woollen layers and have been cold all day. So, I am telling you about this website I have just discovered. Those not in current need of knitted comfort, please store the info away for a time when you are feeling chilly and fancy some new knitwear. The Golden Hook are a brigade of self-proclaimed, talented knitting grannies, who will create your chosen item for you, in your selected colour scheme, from the Golden Hook catalogue. Childrenswear is to feature in the range, soon. If like me you are a fan of the home-knit, but quickly lose interest lack talent generally make a complete mess of it (when it comes to knitting), give these people a try.

allez

All images via storerolandgarros.com

I caught the start of Andy Murray in Monte Carlo, yesterday, which reminded me that my favourite tennis season is about to begin. Roland Garros kicks off in May, with its entertaining France 2 coverage and trademark close-ups of random details in the crowd. Closely followed by Wimbledon. If like me, you are not getting to go to either tournament this year, cheer yourself up by having a look at the rather good Roland Garros boutique online.

bleu de chauffe

Oh no, I am liking everything about Bleu de Chauffe. Really nice website alert: selling lovely bags, great back-story (Bleu de Chauffe is the blue workwear jacket that the steam train conductors wore when heating the water and making the pressure rise, but also the name still used today for workwear worn by French manual workers), photography that looks oh so French and it is all made in France. With each item individually branded on the inside you are owning not only beautiful craftsmanship, but a unique piece. Drawing inspiration from a vintage postman's bag or an electrician's holdall from the 50s and 60s, this eco-friendly company uses only plant based dyes and has a low carbon footprint. Fabrication Française at its very best.

All images via bleu-de-chauffe.com

Adeline Adeline



Abici - Kate Spade New York Bicycle
Image via adelineadeline.com

I am happy to admit from the off that I am shoehorning the French thing into this post, but it's worth it. I have just come across the most lovely website, thanks to a reading of Les Inrockuptibles, the other evening. So you see, the source is French. New York's Adeline Adeline is, in their own words, 'A Very Nice Bicycle Shop'. And it really is. It has a clean, healthy, and stylish look and it's all really believable. So much so that I (who tends to cycle biennally) would now like to buy a bike. I'd also like to buy many of the bags featured on their website, as well as a kid's bike and a helmet and a basket. Possibly another few bits and bobs, too. I may well be tackling Edinburgh's steep slopes, sometime soon. And when I'm not out showing off my bike, it'll be propped up in our hall, as a good bit of interior design.

Brooks - Glenbrook holdall

Henrick Vibskov - urne bag

Pashley - saddle bag
Images via adelineadeline.com

Tartan twist

Sylvie: born and bred in Scotland. Dad: Scottish. Mum: French. Husband: French. Daughter: you do the maths. Suffice to say, we are quite French, with a twist. We live in a little pocket of Frenchness, in the centre of Edinburgh. I would like to share with you some of the nice French things that I like - old and new.

Bit of an odd time to be starting a blog, n'est-ce pas? Well in our house, yes and no. This is just past the time of the rentrée scolaire (back to school season) and to my husband, the teacher, the day before the start of a new school year is like Hogmanay. So this seems as good a time as any.  

This first post ends in keeping with the Franco-Scottish theme, with a helping of Bérangère Claire's Autumn/Winter 2011 (note images featured have been updated to Spring/Summer 2012) collection. She has, as far as I know, no connection to Scotland, but she does do a rather good line in shirting for both men and women.

Images via berangereclaire.com

And this week's Indian summer which has cheered many parts of the UK, has encouraged me to include Lunettes France in this post. If yours don't arrive before the end of this late-September sunny spell, they are sure to brighten up your winter wardrobe.

Images via lunettesfrance.com

Unfortunately, many of their styles are out of stock, but they are 'working on new apparel', so keep an eye on this website and you may be lucky enough to catch the new stuff coming in.