Irene, Lynne and I are just back from the Spring Trade show in Birmingham. The show is just huge – we went down to Birmingham on Sunday and came back up on Thursday. There were 17 halls of everything from DIY (shudders inwardly) to gifts, games, clothes, scarves, bags… you name it, we saw it all! We go down to the shows with an open mind and comfy walking shoes.
The day starts with a good breakfast (needed) caffeine (also needed) and a bag packed with note book and a sense of humour! By 3.30 each day, you have given up the will to live, or walk another yard. The day’s topped off with a meeting over a glass of wine/gin/whisky (whatever your tipple) and the day’s finds discussed. So many people think that going to these shows is a breeze. I have to say that it’s quite the opposite. It’s a hard graft, and you need to concentrate! It is worth it though! To be able to purchase the newest exciting products makes the visit worthwhile!
It would take a huge blog to explain the lot, so I will put in a couple of products that I have bought, that I really am looking forward to having on the shelf!
Over the years, I have collected loads of vacuum mugs. I have a cupboard full in the house. Don’t get me wrong, you may think that vacuum mugs are just vacuum mugs. They’re not. They have to be leak proof, indestructible, keep hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold. That might seem obvious, however, there are some not-so-good ones out there !
I have been hunting for the best mug for sale in the business – Lynne found it, I ordered them, and I got an email today to confirm that they have been shipped. I would have to say that is really efficient! So here we go, arriving soon in the business are Contigo mugs. Fun, funky colours and ones for the kids too! I will be grabbing one of these mugs and testing them as soon as they arrive…. I will also be making sure that the kids ones are tested too!
Continuing on a practical vein, we have picked up an amazing new line of snack boxes. Dishwasher proof, microwavable parts, a wee sauce pot – a practical size and a clever bag to put the box in that opens out as a wee picnic mat. From Black & Blum, we thought these were amazing. Have a browse through the Black & Blum site, we will be stocking a lot of their products!
Joseph Joseph is a cool supplier of well designed product. New products this year include lovely salad bowls for those barbecue days, scales and pepper mills! Watch this space!
We have coming games for the kids – big and small, lovely handbags, scarves, jewellery and lots more. We will also have a new line of kites on sale in the Filling Station – the range will include kites for toddlers, to kites for those who are more experienced. I will update on here as soon as we get them in! As much as there are hundreds of products available on line, we will have new products on line for purchase as soon as Craig is able to add them – he has a bit of a to do list at the moment, as do we all…
We still have a lot of goodies on the website on sale, so hurry before special offers end!
In the meantime, my feet have stopped squealing and my brain has made a marginal recovery from our trip. I needed a ‘dark room’ day today – which followed the 11 hour sleep that I had last night! Shouldn’t ever complain when we have been working hard to get new goodies for our lovely customers! Enjoy!
