Happy New Decade

Hi Everyone

I hope you are all recovering from the Christmas excesses? Well now it is time to celebrate a new decade, isn't it exciting?

Here at Calico Brook, we are working hard to kick start 2010 by adding to our existing lines and introducing some exciting new "exclusive" brands to add to our product range which I am sure you will absolutely love.

We look forward to seeing you in the new year.

Sandra

Merry Christmas

As usual, we have been very busy at this time of year making sure all our customers both in store and online have been getting our full and undivided attention. Now that the last present is wrapped ( well at least in the shop anyway ) Christmas is only a matter of hours away... hooray.

We have great plans for the new decade and look forward to sharing them with you as the months unfold. It is an exciting time for all of us at Calico Brook and we hope you enjoy the holiday break as much as we will.

Come back to us in the new year and read more about our new ideas as to how Calico Brook can help you add that little something extra ......

Have a wonderful and peaceful time.

Rod

Follow us on Facebook

We have joined facebook.

Why not become a fan of Calico Brook by checking out our facebook wall .

Also, check our our photo album to see latest images of the shop all dressed up for Christmas and the new stock that we have to meet all of your Christmas shopping needs.

Will keep you posted.

Sandra

Christmas comes to Calico Brook

At last I hear you say, Calico Brook has done our Christmas window - I think we are possibly the last shop in Broughty Ferry to "do Christmas"! I am sure you will agree that it was so worth waiting for, our window looks absolutely amazing. It is absolutely delightful to see people stopping in their tracks and then smiling as they take in all that is our window, makes us feel all festive - Wendy has even agreed to the playing of Christmas tunes (in November), albeit, cool festive tunes!

We have a fabulous array of gifts from as little as £2.50,we are confident that you will be able to find something to suit all budgets and tastes. We are renowned for sourcing a range of affordable, unusual, stylish, absolutely luxurious and indulgent products that will be just right for the person who has everything!

We have just had a delivery of recycled aluminium tableware including the gorgeous mosaic dishes, but be quick as we have limited stocks and will not get another delivery before Christmas.

At long last, the ever popular Starlight 3 Panel Wall Art is back in stock, once again be quick as limited stocks on this item also.

Hope to see you in store soon.

Sandra

Luxury Silk Christmas Offer

As many of you already know, Calico Brook is the exclusive Scottish stockists of Gingerlily Pure Silk Bedding.

Imagine wakening up Christmas morning in gorgeous, sensual silk! So, why not treat yourself or someone else to a luxury, sensual, silk Christmas?

Both Wendy and I are all for encouraging people to experience "fabulous things", which is why Calico Brook is absolutely delighted to be able to bring you an online exclusive Christmas offer of 20% discount on all Gingerlily purchases. All you need do is enter LILY1 (valid until 12/12/09) at the checkout of our online store.

Ok, now for some facts - Gingerlily pure silk bedding not only looks fantastic it also:
· Helps to regulate the body temperature for the ultimate night's sleep.
· Is naturally hypoallergenic and Gingerlily products have been tested and endorsed by Allergy UK.
· For centuries silk has been valued for its health giving benefits for the skin and hair.

Sounds great to us, and we can both personally endorse this range, sleeping in silk makes me feel such a Diva!

Regards

Sandra & Wendy

Fragrance your space for Christmas

We just love room fragrance at Calico Brook! So, just in time for Christmas, we have added a fantastic range of Aromatic Candles and Aromatic Diffusers from Abode Aroma.

These heavenly fragrances are made from a superior formulation of 90% fragrance oil!

The candles have a burning time of 35 hours and the 200ml diffusers will last for up to 6 months, amazing. Not only are they ideal for your own space, they are so well packaged that they make an ideal gift, and not only that, all components of these products are recyclable, brilliant.

The images show Pomegranate fragrance. It is devine and if you pop into the shop you can take in the lovely fusion of sweet cranberries and juicy pomegranate; with a heart of peony flowers and soft florals.

We also have Fresh Fig which is fresh, full bodied fig with subtle oranges and blackcurrants, balanced with green notes of native foliage.

Or why not try Amber with it's complex rich and earthy fragrance touched with white musk, sandalwood, oak and vetiver (my personal favourite).

Then we have Black Bamboo with Verbena a modern scent of black bamboo shoots and white flowers, supported by diffusive sandalwood, patchouli and vanilla.

Candles are an amazing £15 and diffusers £30.

Sandra

Christmas is coming

Can you believe that Christmas is nearly here? We have been so busy making sure that we source the most fantastic range of products to meet even our most discerning Christmas shoppers. Deliveries have been arriving almost daily and we will soon be transforming our boutique shop into a Christmas delight - just to tempt you we will be changing our window display next week to showcase some of the new ranges we have brought in, and to give you some food for thought for your Christmas buying!

In recognition that it has been a tough year what with the credit crunch and recession hitting many hard, we have worked exceptionally hard to source a wonderful range of products that match Calico Brooks' high standards, and are excellent value for money. Can you believe that we have some amazing gift items for just £5?

Also, once again for our male customers in particular, (not that we are sexist) we are there to help you get your gift choices just right. We will assist you to select your purchases and then gift wrap (if you wish), and unlike many other stores, our gift wrapping service is stylish, of a high quality and, can you believe it, absolutely free!

So take the stress out of Christmas shopping and enjoy a calm, pleasant experience in store at Calico Brook or online.

Speak soon.

Sandra

Re-styled and so stylish

Hi Everyone

Firstly thank you for your patience during the few days that we were closed last week for re-styling and re-stocking. Although a few of our regular customers, (yes you know who you are) know us so well - the gentle tapping on the window and the pleading eyes had the desired effect and we opened the door to enable a few purchases of last minute gifts and lives to be saved (well that and a sneak preview of what we were up to). Honestly, I thought I was the drama queen!! Anyway, like we always say, if we are there, then the shop is open, we are always happy to help.

The new stock has arrived and wow is it fantastic. We have the most amazing wall art panels - made from highly polished stainless steel with wax to create the pattern, at 60cm square they are stylish, different and affordable. They can be used indoors or outdoors but we love them on the shop wall and in the window - why not check them out next time you are passing by.............and of course they will soon be added to our website. Alongside the stainless steel wall art, we have canvas Buddha's in two sizes, the absolutely stunning Felix and the ever popular starlight 3 panel.

We have the most vibrant tea pots with matching cup and saucer that are just show stoppers, available in purple, silver, lime, shocking pink and blue - they are just brilliant and when you mix and match the colours, wow!

I am sure that you will notice the injection of colour that creates a whole new vibrancy and energy within the store abut if all that colour is too much for you, then why not head to our Temple Spa zone, with the soothing water feature and fantastic range of home spa and skincare delights.

We would love to hear your feedback on the new look so why not check out our website and send us a comment and take the opportunity to register on our mailing list so that you have a preview of what is new, offers and discounts.

Hope to see you soon.

Sandra

Annual half price sale ends this Saturday!

Our fantastic half price sale ends on Satuday 5 September 2009. Feedback from our customers has been brilliant, you really do appreciate the fact that when we say "half price sale" we actually mean it, with a 50% reduction being applied at the till point for all goods. As a result, we have decided to have an annual half price sale where you will be able to pick up that item that you just love and have coveted for many a month, but just cannot justify spending that amount of money on yourself. You will need to be early though, we had a queue outside our door the day the sale started for our half price metal wall art.

We will give plenty of notice of when our half price sale will take place but likely end of August 2010. In the meantime, keep watching our website where our online exclusive sale will continue. Currently, all Trilogy Organic Skin care is half price, what a bargain. Also check out our stunning Abstract Canvas wall art at half price.

Thanks again for all your support and hope you grabbed yourself a real good bargain!

Sandra

Free Delivery for online customers!

Calico Brook is offering free delivery for online purchases of £75 or more!

We are committed to offering our online customers a range of fair postal options, we also offer a "collect in store" service which of course means that you can avoid paying any delivery charges!

As I said, we offer a range of delivery options ranging from free (any single order over £75 - excludes next day service); £3.50 for orders up to £20; £6.25 for orders over £20 or if you really cannot wait to get your hands on our fabulous products, then why not go for next day service at £15 (orders must be placed before 12noon and will be delivered next business day).

Oh and that is not all - please remember that we also provide a free gift wrapping service - this service is available online and instore.

In store Sale ending soon!

Calico Brook has been having a fantastic sale and I wanted to let you know that it will ending soon.

The first day of our sale was amazing - we had a queue of people outside our shop for the sale starting with all our metal wall art being sold out by 11am - it was all half price so many customers got themselves a fantastic bargain.

However, do not despair if you have not yet managed to get into our boutique store to pick up some bargains - we will continue to offer selected ranges online. In fact we are currently offering all Trilogy Organic Skincare at half price. This is an amazing range of products so our advice is "grab yourself a bargain" whilst stocks last.

Keep watching the blog and remember to join our mailing list so that you do not miss out on our special offers!

Sensational Sale starts this week

As many of you will already know, Wendy and I have taken the decision to return to our boutique store in Broughty Ferry and close the new store in Overgate, Dundee. Why, I hear you ask, well we missed being in the Ferry for a start and also the new store was such a big operation for Wendy and I to manage, that we found we had very little time to spend with customers and as any good retailer will confirm, you need to know your customers! The brief time we had in the "big pond" was exciting and exhausting, so we are back in our boutique store and both feel like we have "come home".

So, to make way for some new ranges and products, we are having a sale which starts on Friday 14 August at 9am. The sale will run for 2 - 3 weeks with many fantastic bargains - for example all metal wall art is reduced by 50% and our Organic skin care ranges, Trilogy, Willow and Mandala Aroma again all reduced by 50%. I am not going to give anything more away, you will just need to get yourself down to the shop and pick up a bargain.

We will also be updating our website and offering some "web exclusive" offers and if you want to make sure that you don't miss out on them, why not register for our mailing list via our website.

Speak again soon

Sandra

Let's Celebrate

Well folks, as you know it has been a really busy time with us opening our new and large flagship store in Overgate, Dundee's main shopping centre. We really literally did not have enough time to have a grand opening to celebrate. So, now that we are settled in to Upper Level, Overgate we feel it is only right that we do something to celebrate the fact that Calico Brook is bucking the trend in retail and instead of downsizing like so many others, we are growing! That really is down to our ever growing customer base who really appreciate the time and effort Wendy and I put in to our business to ensure that we provide a high quality shopping experience for old and new customers alike.

Now, being canny Scot's lassies, we will not spend the outrageous amounts of money that it costs to have a celebrity "officially open" Calico Brook's flagship store, instead, we have decided that the budget we had earmarked for our grand opening should be spent far more wisely! Therefore, we have decided to have a "promotional period" to celebrate with our customers. We will pass on some amazing offers with many of our fabulous products being discounted, coming with free gifts, gift vouchers or special offers. It is all so exciting and Wendy and I will be working as hard as ever to make sure the "promotional period" is a great celebration.

Keep watching the blog, website and our stores in Overgate and Broughty Ferry for more details.

Sandra

Wedding Season

This is definitely wedding season. We have been inundated with requests to have a wedding list service. Now, we have been working on that concept for a wee while, and our technology people are working hard to come up with something fantastic that will link to our website and enable you to log in to the bride and groom's list. In the meantime, so as not to disappoint our customers who are soon to be blushing brides, Calico Brook will do something crazy, yes, we will work without technology in the meantime. What does that mean I hear you shout! Well we will offer you our undivided personal attention to assist you make your selection of fabulous things that you would like to add to your list. We will then produce a catalogue that has images, costs and quantities of the items you would like that can be emailed to your guests or sent to them. We will also keep a copy in our stores so that when your guests come in, they too will get our undivided personal attention to ensure they are able to find something suitable within their budget and to give you something you will really cherish. No more toasters!

So, how do you sign up for this service, simple really! All you need to do is call Wendy or I on 01382 226202/774646, email us at info@calicobrook.co.uk, pop in to either of our stores, Upper Level Overgate, Dundee or 77 Gray Street, Broughty Ferry, Dundee and arrange an appointment to come in and have your very own personal wedding shopper!

More to come soon..............

Sandra

Dining in style at Calico Brook

Have you checked out our latest addition to our "Dining in Style" collection at Calico Brook? We have the most amazing Bone China tableware! The Zen range is a modern black and white pattern and comes in cappuccino gift sets, mug sets, chargers, dinner plates, dessert/side plates and candles. As an alternative we have chosen The Bamboo range which comes in the same assortment. Check out the dinner plates and matching bowls. This range can be bought as individual pieces and prices start at £3.50 for a small candle to decorate your table up to £27.50 for the cappuccino gift set.

Your table will look fantastic, your guests will be so impressed! Oh yes, and they are completely dishwasher safe.....fantastic!

Flagship store getting great reviews

Our new flagship store has been open for 2 weeks now and it is going great. We are based on the Upper Level of Overgate Shopping Centre, Dundee and we have been happy to meet lots of new customers and to see some existing customers from our Broughty Ferry store paying us a visit.
Already, we are taking orders for some of our statement pieces that are just stopping people in their tracks! The lime green bar set just gets people all the time. Our dining in style zone is proving particularly popular with customers. The zen tableware and handmade glass that decorate the table can be bought individually which is great if you want the look but need to manage your budget, prices start at £10, so in a matter of a few weeks you can have a place setting.

The wall art we have chosen is really something, the Buddha canvas is quite captivating!

"And God Created Woman" is a luxury brand that I have told you about previously and we have some amazing silk cushions that you will just love, also check out the leather and silk slippers from this brand, beautiful.

Our website and online shop is in the process of being updated with all our new stock items and over the next week or so you should be able to see all of our new collection. We also aim to have some fabulous downloads available to showcase our new ranges, I will keep you posted on this.

Thank you for visiting the new flagship store and we would welcome comments on our new collection and also if we have missed something that you really would like to see in our store.

For those who prefer the smaller, more intimate style of shop then check out our boutique store at 77 Gray Street, Broughty Ferry, Dundee.

Flagship store opening 2nd June 2009

Well folks, we are just about there! Wendy and I are on target to open for business in Overgate Dundee on the Upper Level on Tuesday 2 June 2009 at 9am.

This much larger flagship store holds a myriad of delights to tempt and please you. We have Gingerlily in its' full glory, silk heaven is all I can say! Why not enter our temple that hosts our "Spa on the go" where Temple Spa skincare takes pride of place amongst Trilogy , Mandala Aroma and Willow Beauty Products our Organic skincare ranges.

Elements at Calico Brook offers a range of natural, but vibrant home styling products. We have glassware, tableware, our "Signature Bling" range will sparkle and dazzle you. Peppered around the store we have room fragrance's to capture the essence of your mood, environment or season.

Wendy, our team and I will be delighted to welcome you to our new store. If you cannot get into the City, then don't forget we have our boutique store in Gray Street, Broughty Ferry, Dundee or visit our online shop.

Bye for now.

Proud parents of a new store - a whopping 3500 sq ft!

Calico Brook is pleased to announce the safe arrival of their second, and much larger store. The store arrived safely on Monday 18th June 2009 at 1130am on the Upper Level, Overgate Shopping Centre, Dundee, DD1 1UG.

Apologies, for not making the announcement sooner, with all the excitement and hard work both day and night, I literally have just not had the time to blog! Wendy and I (with help from our respective families) are putting together a fabulous store - it is already looking amazing and we cannot wait to invite you in to what will be our flagship store. We are hoping to open our doors very soon and I will definitely keep you all posted.

Our Broughty Ferry store will not be opening until 11am over the next couple of weeks due to the demands of the new store. However, it has been a busy week in the Ferry which is great for our new additions to the team, Irene and Clare - they are both doing a great job and we are absolutely delighted to have them join Calico Brook.

Temple Spa

The most fantastic skincare range is coming to Calico Brook! Temple Spa "is a total lifestyle brand for youthful grown-ups. A fusion of product, philosophy and spa!"

Temple is an ancient word that describes the body as a sacred place. As such, the philosophy that underpins this brand is about looking after you, this is something that Calico Brook can absolutely endorse.

The message that both Temple Spa and Calico Brook are driving forward is "Spa wherever you are" - this could be in the office, car, gym or your own home, it really doesn't matter just so long as you just take time for yourself - are you getting into this yet - time for yourself, sounds great. Each of their fabulous products carry a message on the bottle such as Peace be Still calming face and body balm and AAAHHH! a soothing balm for aching feet and limbs that really does go AAAHHH! , a tool in the hand to aid relaxation, energy and most importantly to boost self esteem and lift well-being. Music to our ears. Temple Spa is a reminder to take time out each and every day and enjoy some time for you. Live Life, Live Well, Live Spa.

Temple Spa would normally be found in Harrods, Selfridges and top hotels and spa's around the world. However, the Temple Spa team were so impressed with Calico Brook that they made an exception and we are "Exclusive Scottish Retail Stockists" of this top end brand. It is not only Calico Brook that are fans of this range, Nigella Lawson is also an avid fan of the brand and her what's hot section of her web page raves about the In the Beginning wash-off face cleanser.

I shall keep you posted with more about this range which will be available in our dedicated home spa department within our new store in the Overgate, Dundee which opens 1st June - we shall also create a mini home spa department that will carry this brand in our Broughty Ferry store to make sure all you future Temple Spa devotees are well and truly catered for! More soon.

Calico Brook opening another store

We are delighted to tell you our exciting news - we are opening another store!! Due to the success of our Broughty Ferry store, we are expanding our business and opening another, much larger store in Dundee's main shopping centre, the Overgate. We will be located on the upper level, Unit 08 and we aim to be open for business in the next couple of weeks.

Our new store will have a dedicated area for our fabulous Gingerlily pure silk bedding - exclusive to Calico Brook in Scotland - you will be able to see for yourself how beautifully you can dress your bed in pure silk. Alongside our luxury silk bedding, we will have a dedicated home spa area, you will have the opportunity to source the most fabulous range of skin care - another exclusive in Scotland to Calico Brook (keeping it under wraps at the moment - but watch this space!), candles, luxury spa towels and check out our "And God created Woman" range.

We will also have our signature bling, Elements, and lots of new and exciting products to tempt you.

To assist our customers we have been recruiting and training the very best staff to assist Wendy and I and we look forward to introducing them to you soon.

I will keep you updated of developments, but we will be open within the next couple of weeks for sure!

Gingerlily Pure Silk Bedding

Calico Brook has championed this fantastic product range from the minute we opened for business - we absolutely love it. The sheer beauty and indulgence of this pure silk bedding range is an absolute delight. It also works wonders for regulating your body temperature as you sleep, keeps allergies at bay and if you so desire you can exploit its' wonderful sensual qualities. That is why we are extending our range of stock to include luxury silk duvet covers, pillowcase, flat and fitted sheets, blankets, and the most sumptuous bedspreads and a scattering of boudoir pillows and cushions to complete the look, absolutely divine! Not only that, we will have 100% silk filled pillows and duvets by Gingerlily. As the holiday season is nearly upon us, why not try out your very own 100% silk filled travel pillow, with pure silk pillowcase if you wish that is an absolute must for those long haul flights or to put on top of your hotel pillow - even the finest of hotels do not always have silk darlings!

Keep checking our blog and website for details of when "Gingerlily - the extended range" lands in Dundee and also some exciting news about where you can see it, touch it and covet it for yourself!

And God Created Woman

Another luxury brand has been added to the Calico Brook collection.

And God Created Woman is a luxury label of nightwear and bedroom accessories. Their latest collection of flattering silk gowns are designed to bring out the essence of a woman; her elegance, sensuality and allure. Voluptuous silk cushions and slippers complete the collection and cocoon her in silk. Made from only the finest silks, goose down and Egyptian cotton selected to feel velvety soft on the skin for bedroom use. We are delighted to have found this range with it's sophisticated designs, glamorous fabrics and muted colour palette that define the sexy, but subtle design signature. The label was founded by Nerys Hebdon in 2006. The name And God Created Woman is an homage to Brigitte Bardot, the original coquette.

You can check out some images in our website gallery - silk cushions and the cashmere kimono robe.

It's official - Calico Brook is Hot!!

Q - What's hot?
A - Calico Brook is, as reported in today's Scottish Sun, page 11 by columnist, broadcaster, journalist, novelist, tv presenter and showbiz expert, and a regular shopper at Calico Brook - Martel Maxwell http://martelmaxwell.com.

Martel popped into our store last week when she was back in her home town of Dundee and we were delighted to see her again and to assist with her purchases. Martel is a real fan of our store and has passed our name on to many of her friends and contacts already, so we were very pleased to see that she had mentioned us in her weekly column.

We look forward to Martel's next visit home to Dundee and to Calico Brook.

Calico Brook going from strength to strength

Well as previously reported our website was launched on Saturday 14th March and we are delighted to say that early indications and statistical reports would suggest that our website is proving as popular as our shop, so thank you to all who have visited and purchased online.

As you know we are always on the look out for new ranges to bring to our store, exciting new products that we find and love that we can share with our customers - our colourful tableware which has great "green credentials", is made from recycled aluminium, is completely food safe, has recycled and recyclable packaging and is sourced only from factories that comply with International law is flying off our shelves to our customers in the Broughty Ferry store and online, so much so that after displaying for a week we had to re-order as we were just about "sold out", however, the company we deal with are great and rushed an order out to us to enable us to meet the demand. In response to customer requests for we are introducing lime green in this range, it is stunningly vibrant and we are sure you will love it - have a look at this candle/tea light holder on our website - looks lovely and is practical taking either a tapered candle or tea light.

We are exclusive stockists of this range in Dundee. We also have some exciting news that I am not yet in a position to share with you, but keep looking at the blog or website for updates - and a clue is in the header - Calico Brook going from strength to strength!

Today is the day of our website launch!

You have been patient, and we hope you agree that the waiting has been worth it? The Calico Brook website and online shop is now live! You can check the site out at www.calicobrook.co.uk

Bling Range has not left the building

Just a wee note to reassure all our loyal "bling followers" that whilst we have our colour explosion going on in the shop at the moment, we will always have "bling" - it is integrated in amongst our new ranges and looks just as fabulous as ever.

Our fantastic "bling" champagne flutes which have been so popular with all you "bling" and romance fans have been, wait for it, upgraded in Calico Brook - and as we needed to re-order, we have decided that the deluxe range of this product is the only way to go - you will find to be even more "bling" than previously - however, we do "bling "in a tasteful and sophisticated way. Keep watching the blog and I will give you a sneak preview of the new flutes over the next week. As promised check these flutes out at

Elements at Calico Brook

Calico Brook has launched an exciting new range called "Elements". This fabulous array of products to tempt you is currently adorning our window and as promised on an earlier blog entry, I have uploaded an image to let you see! A natural and tactile range of products such as slate and stone picture frames - then there is bamboo, mango wood, rattan, coconut shell bowls, wood and metal bowls, vases, pedestals, decorative items and wall art - the collection is really great and has been ethically sourced.

Already our customers are welcoming the new range and as we limit the number of any one item we bring into our store, our advice is get it when you see it, if you can - we would far rather have a select and special range with an "exclusive" feel to it, than have lots and lots of the same item on sale - you can get that kind of product on the high street - not what our discerning customers have come to expect from us.

Colour Explosion at Calico Brook

Well we told you we would be introducing vibrant new colours to our gift and home living boutique and boy have we done it. The store looks fantastic. Our window is dressed to maximise the display potential of our new ranges and we have used natural bark as the base with stone and slate to sit our products on - like I said, looks fantastic!! Check it out if you are in the Ferry and I will upload an image soon to let you guys who love our store but live a bit further afield see it in glorious technicolour.

So we have a new range of tableware that is made from renewable and recycled (food safe) aluminium. The designs are imaginative and stylish using highly polished aluminium and resin enamel to give a colourful and contemporary feel to any room or table. This range is suitable for any occasion; purely decorative, practical and functional.

This range has a strong environmental philosophy that benefits the people and the environment in which the products are made. Only recycled materials are used to make the product and the packaging. Also, they only source goods from factories that comply with international regulations and law. The design of the goods is unique to the brand guarded through CopyWatch.

So what we have is a contemporary product range that meets our ethical standards, that looks stunning and is so affordable - prices start from £17.50 to £40.

And.................there is so much more to come, so keep watching the blog!

Elements at Calico Brook coming soon!

Here at Calico Brook not only are we about to lauch our new website and online shop - we have an exciting and different product range that we have named "Elements" that will be hitting our sales floor and online shop within the next week or so.

Ok, I know you want to hear more about what exactly is "Elements", and before you get worried, we are not dropping our signature "bling" line, simply adding to it. Well "Elements" is our new home living accessory range which includes vases, bowls, mirror's, wall art, coaster's, salad bowls and servers to name but a few. What is different about "Elements" is the colour palette, vibrant to natural and back again, texture that is smooth and shiny to woody and natural. The product range is our usual high quality with an emphasis on being ethically sourced where possible.



We cannot wait until this explosion of colour and "touchy, feely" "Elements" range hits our store.

Spring Fair Birmingham was a success

Well it was so worth the very early flight to Birmingham - we arrived to minus 4 degrees, just a bit cold!  Anyway, Wendy and I were prepared for our day - we had planned exactly the type of products we wanted to source and by the end of the day we had found some stunning products that we are now in the process of ordering to bring to our Dundee store and e-commerce site.

To give you a flavour of what we have sourced - we have some vibrant colour glazed ceramics - really special - natural ethically sourced mango and bamboo products, leather pieces and a very stylish and sophisticated Italian designed range to add some more luxury to our store.

We aim to have these new additions to our range with you by end of February - early March....and watch out for our window display that will showcase our new ranges - it will stop you in your tracks!

I will keep you posted.

Out with the old and in with the new!

If you have been keeping up to date with our blog you would know that we are heading to the Spring Fair next week to find lot's of new and exciting suppliers who can help us bring a new range of products to you at our store in Broughty Ferry, Dundee.  We feel that the long dark months of winter have just be too dark and dull and we want to inject some new energy into the store by bringing in some colour and texture to our ranges.  Not that we don't have colour and texture at the moment, but a bit more vibrancy would be good!  So to make way for lots of new stock, we are continuing our seasonal reductions with some fabulous bargains in store at the moment.  An example, our extremely large "Zulu" ceramic Bowl and Plate that was £150 is now reduced to £75 - this piece has to be seen to be appreciated, stunning!  Alongside this piece, we have the Banana Leaf Candle Holder, so unusual in Large and Small reduced to £35 and £25 respectively.  

Why not pop in over the weekend - after all it will be pay day and you can grab yourself a really good bargain.

Spring Fair Birmingham

Well customers, it is that time of year again when we are heading of to Birmingham for the Trade Spring Fair.  We are doing this trip in one day - it is great that we can fly direct from Dundee to Birmingham, a long and tiring day but worth it.  Our goal is to find suppliers of fabulous things that can meet the needs of our customers, by needs we mean the kind of item that excites you, stops you in the street when you see it dazzling you from our "trend setting" window display, beckoning you in to the shop to see it up close and personal!  Like you we don't know what is yet, but as soon as we see it we will instinctively know - our ethos is if it is "not right, it's wrong".

So keep watching the blog for updates on the treasures we have uncovered on our forthcoming trip, and remember, even if you cannot enjoy the experience of coming into the store, seeing our fabulous window, or meeting Wendy and Sandra, our online shop and new website where you can enjoy all our products from the comfort of your own home,  will be with you in no time - be patient, I have said it before and I will say it again, "all good things come to those who wait!"

Pure Silk Bedding by Gingerlily

Well customers, want to try something luxurious, indulgent, sensual and beneficial? Why not try some Gingerlily pure silk bedding and pure silk pyjamas . Calico Brook are exclusive Scottish Stockists of this range.

Gingerlily are the leading specialists in silk bedding of the finest quality. They have built a reputation on the quality, design and value of their silk filled bedding and silk products.All products have been designed in-house and they are passionate about only using the finest quality materials in their products and the finest A Grade long strand mulberry silk is used.
Silk is not only the ultimate in luxury it also manifests extraordinary properties unknown in other materials.

Silk helps to regulate the body temperature for the ultimate night's sleep.
Silk is naturally hypoallergenic and Gingerlily products have been tested and endorsed by Allergy UK.

Champagne Bucket

Calico Brook has sourced the most fantastic champagne bucket which is currently taking pride of place in our wonderful window display! The champagne bucket is circular, chrome finish with holders for 12 glasses ( included with this product). It is the most spectacular centre piece and just what you need ladies when you have the "girls" around for drinkies. Ideal for weddings and parties. Why not come in to our store and see for yourself and because the Calico Brook word is spreading wide and far, our new online shop will be with you shortly...........you just need to be patient.........all good things come to those who wait...........and we can absolutely guarantee that our new website, online shop and product range will just wow you completely!

Room Fragrance

You can now stop beating down our doors looking for replacement Scentissimo room diffusers - our new stock has arrived today.  Yours and our favourite, Orange Blossom and Honey is back on the shelf along with the ever popular Black Fig & Pomegranate, however, we are delighted to introduce a new fragrance to tantalise you - Bergamot & Lime - we are sure it is going to be just as popular as the Orange Blossom & Honey.  

We are also awaiting a delivery from Portugal of the sophisticated and fantastic Castelbel Fig & Pear Diffusers that you all just loved, this range is so good and we stock candles, soap and room spray in the Fig & Pear fragrance along with the evocative Cocoa candles, soap and room spray  and floral magnolia candles.

To offer you the variety that you have come to expect from Calico Brook we also have the Illumens range in Candles and Room Spray in Fig & Ginger, Pomander, Cassis & Vanilla and Nutmeg & Cinnamon.

These fragrances have been thoughtfully selected by Calico Brook and some testers have been carefully positioned around the store to provide you with a subtle but sensory experience second to none.   

January Sales

Calico Brook has reduced a few products, mainly the large "statement pieces" that are on display around the shop.  One customer got an early birthday present to herself yesterday when she spotted the 100cm diameter venetian mirror that she had been coveting for weeks was reduced by £95 to £200.  We delivered it to her the same day and she was one happy early birthday girl!   Calico Brook, throughout the year, keeps prices consistently fair, however, we enjoyed a healthy Christmas Sales period with our many loyal customers doing us proud that we thought it only fair that we should pass on some "bargains" to our customers.

Trilogy Everything Balm

Just wanted to let you know that the Trilogy Everything Balm that we stock in the shop is just amazing. I have had a dreadful cold that has had me sneezing and coughing for a few days now - as a result my nose and face have been really tender and dry - I have applied the everything balm a few times a day with fantastic results - the dry skin and tenderness really just melts away with this product. I would recommend Trilogy Everything Balm for anyone suffering with dry skin or abrasions. http://www.calicobrook.co.uk/product_detail.asp?ID=209331&catid=43&catname=Extra%20Care

Organic Skin Care

Calico Brook has a range of organic skin care products from Trilogy, Willow Beauty Products and our latest edition Mandala Aroma.  We are building up a steady following of Trilogy customers who love this product range for their day to day skin care and bathing needs.  Willow products are popular for gifts with their excellent packaging of pink or grey silk covered boxes.  The signature fragrance of Jasmine & Geranium in this range is delightful.  Mandala Aroma is a fantastic product range made from essential oils and comes in 4 strands to suit your moods, Love, Strength, Courage and Wisdom.  The soaps, body oil, bath oil and candles (which have a 55 hour burning time) are so special.  We also stock hand wash and lotion from this brand.

Calico Brook plans for 2009

Calico Brook has just about completed it's new website and online shop - we hope to have this live by end of January 2009.  We have been so busy in the shop with with the run up to Christmas that we took the decision to delay the web going live until after the rush.