Red Candy UK: Shut Up, Beige!

red candyAs some of you might know, we moved to a new house a few weeks ago. The new house, despite actually only being down the same street is bigger and so much better laid out. I love it! Roy loves, and the kids love it. Now, of course, I have the opportunity to explore new retailers and to experiment with

Now, of course, I have the opportunity to explore new retailers and to experiment with interior design somewhat.

One of the brands I’ve heard of before yet hadn’t shopped with is Red Candy, whose tagline is Shut Up, Beige! Their way of thinking is that home items and gifts don’t need to be mainstream, colourless or bland. No, they should be fun, funky, quirky and even a little weird.

In short, I love Red Candy!

They offered to send me a couple of items to review on the blog so that I might get a better feel of what they offer. I popped onto the site to choose and then hopped back off nearly two hours later with a wish list.
In the end, I narrowed it down to a need and a want.

fabulous origami fox lamp
My Want

I wanted…. Felix! I don’t think this fabulous origami fox lamp came with a name, however, Felix seemed fitting. This is one of those quirky items I mentioned. I loved the shape and the colour and while I didn’t expect much in the way of glow I was most definitely pleasantly surprised.

The only problem with this little guy is that not only does he fit into my lounge so well; he also apparently would look “absolutely awesome” in my six year old’s bedroom. I beg to differ son, it’s staying put!

My Need

Koziol Del Swing-Top BinMy “need” (we all have a list after we move) was a bathroom bin. I loved the colour of this Koziol Del Swing-Top Bin having looked at several rather sad-looking white or grey ones online, however, I didn’t really think through the size of this one (it’s extra small, it says so on the listing and description, I just didn’t click). Despite being a tad small for my particular bathroom (there are four of us) it is perfect for my bedroom and is currently sitting on my dressing table. I’ll call that a win!

Despite being a tad small for my particular bathroom (there are four of us) it is perfect for my bedroom and is currently sitting on my dressing table. I’ll call that a win!

Both items are fabulously made and are only a tiny crystal on the edge of the tip of the iceberg as far as what Red Candy offers. Have a look at the website and if in any doubt get in touch with their friendly social team (Twitter responses seem particularly swift), or just say hi. They’d like that too.

*Thanks to Red Candy for sending over these items for free for me to review. Thanks also for asking for an honest and unbiased review (if these items were crap, I’d have said so and RC were happy with). All reviews are based on my own experiences and opinions and brands hold no editorial control.

Your Design: A Review

I love personalised gifts, both giving them and receiving them. Such things are personal to the person who is lucky enough to be gifted them and with so many funky options out there, the fun never ends.

Your Design is a rather cool online business offering personal gifts ranging from photo gifts, to cushions, mugs and more. Now if you are thinking “Yeah, but there are loads of personalised gift websites”, think again. This isn’t your bog standard site given that as well as the “normal” gifts you would expect to see, there is much more on offer. I also find the level of customisation impressive.

With Father’s Day coming up (Sunday 18th June here in the UK) I had started to think about getting some little gifts and treats from the boys for Roy, on top of the handmade goodies they always make which he loves. After having a nosy I came across this fab t-shirt.

I could choose to have this one personalised with “Since 2006″ (or whatever date) but actually liked it by itself. This t-shirt has arrived and is spot on. The printing is great, the t-shirt is good quality and best of all the sizing is spot on. Roy is 6ft 5” so needs a longer/bigger t-shirt and quite often the sizes tend to disappoint. Not this time though.

As a second gift, I chose this gamer’s mug. As well as his Dungeons and Dragons, scenery building and everything else, Roy loves his Xbox. I really liked this design and on the other side have had it personalised with his game tag (which I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t want me to advertise openly).

These goodies have been squirrelled away for Father’s Day but the boys saw them first and they were hailed with cries of “awesome-sauce!” and “epic” so I’m assuming that means they’ve passed their cool requirements.

As the title of this post suggests, this is a review post. I was offered a couple of items of my choice to keep, free of charge in exchange for an open and honest review, which is what I’ve provided. Had I thought the quality was crap, I’d have posted that. Thankfully though I didn’t need to, and on top of what I’ve received I have already bookmarked a couple of items for family members for later in the year. 

These type of gifts are great for those who are awkward to buy for (we all have one of those), for treats for your own home and even work-related, business branded items. The team at Your Design are always happy to talk to you to see what they can do to help you with your personalised orders.

If you want to see more of what Your Design offers pop along to the website or look them up on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

A question for you on personalised items: If you could receive one thing, one item which as personalised in some way, what would it be?