Category: Gift Ideas

LAKRIDS

On By SpektakulärIn Bakes, Food, Gift Ideas, Inspiration, Latest deliveries, New Brand, NewsLeave a comment

Ohhhhhhh you got to try these!

I am not a hard core liquorice fan, I do enjoy it I mean I am Swedish after all (it runs in my veins) but when I am home in Sweden it is not what I need to fill my suitcase with (no then I fill it with chocolate and bread). So when I came across Danish Johan Bulow liquorice I did not have massive expectations but wow. You know when you put something in your mouth and it is just a pure pleasure experience, like a smell or flavour from childhood and you get all warm and happy inside. That is what happen to me! Zuzanna’s friend once said Johan Bulow is the king of liquorice, she is not wrong! Even Richard who is not that keen on liquorice enjoyed Lakrids (unless he is just pretending to keep me happy).

You just have to try it for yourself! I have a couple of favourites, first  I am a coffee drinker and I tried the Dark chocolate and Coffee covered liquorice, oh hello that one I enjoyed a lot! But also the freshness of the White and Passion Fruit chocolate covered is stunning! However the Pink LOVE, gosh taste bud heaven and it is totally true what says on the box “With these flavour-packed mouthfuls, you get to experience a broad variety of taste sensations. First the intriguing taste of raspberry, followed by the intensity of dark chocolate, and then – just when you thought the ride was over – the tickling heat of Habanero chilli liquorice swirls around your taste buds” my mouth just exploded in flavours, wow!

They have four chocolate covered flavours which seems to be main flavours

  • A. Chocolate Covered Soft Liquorice (Belgian Milk Chocolate)
  • B. White Chocolate and Passion Fruit Covered Sweet Liquorice
  • C. Dark and Coffee Chocolate Covered Sweet Liquorice
  • D. Roasted Almond Coated in Belgian Milk Chocolate and Raw Liquorice Powder
A
A. Chocolate Covered Soft Liquorice
B
B. White Chocolate and Passion Fruit Covered Sweet Liquorice
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C. Dark Chocolate and Coffee Coated Soft Liquorice
D
D. Almonds Covered with Chocolate and Raw Liquorice Powder

 

As well as the pure liquorice sweets (no covers)

  • 1. Sweet Liquorice: the one and only sweet liquorice you will ever need
  • 2. Salty Liquorice: this is the true love for any Salty Liquorice fans out there
  • 3. Red Liquorice: their answer to the american version, I would say it is better
  • 4. Habanero Chilli Liquorice: the spicy one (sadly not in stock just yet)
  • 5. Salty Chilli Cranberry Liquorice: created after request by the public (sadly not in stock just yet) 

    No 1. Sweet Liquorice
    No. 2 Salty Liquorice
    No. 3 Red Liquorice

As you are aware I do enjoy baking but I have never tried baking with liquorice. Seen recipes for years but since it is not as common as finding good quality liquorice here in the UK as back home I have just not done it. But now is the time for me to give it a go since we also stock the Raw Liquorice Powder .

Raw
Raw Liquorice Powder

On Lakrids website are some pretty amazing recipes. Think I should give these chocolate chip and liquorice a go, but the ice cream and oh wow even some brown bread with liquorice…oh my baking fingers are starting to itch!

recipes-dark-chokolate-chip-liquorice-cookies-lakrids-by-johan-bulow.jpg
Dark Chocolate Chip Liquorice Cookies

Have I tempted you yet?

How about these lovely ones. Lakrids seem to introduce a few limited edition flavours now and then, for example I was given the Salty Caramel Chocolate covered liquorice for Christmas, that went rather quickly. For Easter they have a Mint edition (I thought I ordered it but must have missed it, sorry). Last summer was a Elderflower, oh I hope they will bring that one back.

Let me introduce you to the LOVE flavours. Two outstanding and simply lovely flavours that is good for all year around. Does not need to be for Valentine’s. We all need love now and then, so why not treat your mum this Mother’s Day or instead of an Easter Egg from the supermarket. new house gift, get well soon, the little extra to a wedding gift oh you name it. We all need love and for some it is an easy way to say it with chocolate so why not with chocolate and liquorice?!

Love Pink: Raspberry and Dark Chocolate covering a hot Chilli Liquorice (taste bud heaven)

Love Cerise: Blackcurrant infused White Chocolate covering soft Liquorice (very fresh and pleasant taste, perfect with a cup of tea)

LOVE Raspberry
Raspberry and dark Chocolate covered Chilli Liquorice
LOVE balckcurrent
Blackcurrant and White Chocolate covering Soft Liquorice

I am not sure how I will be able to stay away from these. Selling things you love to eat is really hard. You just like to take another one and another one…so addictive! Self discipline Charlotte!!! On the other hand, I would not sell anything I did not love!

Enjoy!

Charlotte x

February deliveries

On By SpektakulärIn Gift Ideas, Inspiration, Latest deliveries, New orders, NewsLeave a comment

Lovely happy Spring deliveries are starting to arrive, January is a odd month for us retailers. The happiness of Christmas is over, it is dark, wet and quite frankly rather depressing. My pocket is empty so assume yours are too. And it is just too early to fill up the shop with happy, colourful, bright Spring designs. So yes I can happily say I am delighted January is over. I am just a bit sick and tired of these storms though, even though it brings the most beautiful sky full of rainbow clouds where the unicorn queen lives (why not, I do love the imagination of a five year old), but I do not and I am NOT enjoy that the boiler gave up last night and it wont be fixed until tomorrow morning. It was not nice at all to get up this morning, I got up, put on coffee and fan heater in kitchen and went back to the warm bed and we all stayed there until it was warm enough to even be able to spend time in the kitchen area.

Anyway now I am placing Spring orders and they are starting to arrive already. Last week, happy cards arrived from Lagom Design. A great mixture of new home, baby, birthday, Valentine’s and lets not forget our beautiful mothers.

Foxy Love by Ingela P Arrhenius
Grow some love
Valentine’s love
Happy Couple by Bengt & Lotta
Mother’s Day

Yesterday jewellery arrived!!! Yes a fantastic delivery with beautiful jewellery by Swedish Våga. Lovely Spring collection. Among necklaces and bracelets we also introduce earrings which I think will be a lovely addition to the jewellery cabinet.

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Våga Jewellery 

We are also awaiting a beautiful Spring delivery from Swedish Sagaform. Happy pastels serving and cooking set mixed with new additions to the “on the go” Fresh range plus a lot more. You will not be disappointed!

piccadilly.jpg
Piccadilly Range by Sagaform Image Sagaform

And of course more plastic rugs are on its way. Love the Pappelina new FIA collection. Very happy. And wow the wonderful comments we have got on the stunning Regina that is now in the middle of the shop floor (yes please do walk on it, it is a great way for us to show you have fantastic these are).

pappelina_regina
Regina in romantic warm pink. Image by Pappelina

Tonight I am sitting with cushion orders and oh it will be a colourful Spring in the shop. Love the happy colours, it sure brightens up all our homes.

So plenty to look forward to and I shall try to keep up with the blog to show you what is arriving.

Charlotte x

Ohhh the smell of fresh paint…

On By SpektakulärIn Gift Ideas, Inspiration, New window display, News, Shop imagesLeave a comment

Who would have known that a little bit of paint could bring so much happiness! No there has not been that many big changes to the shop but it is sooo bright! And sooooo Scandinavian! And for someone like me who loves working with a blank canvas this is just perfect. I shall hopefully be a bit more creative in the future…oh lots of ideas and so many options.

But let’s just start by getting everything back out in the shop again, took me some time I must admit and I am glad Zuzanna gave me a hand and also Richard of course (I am still working on it today and will probably be for a few days). I do recommend a little visit to the shop now since it still is rather empty and not filled with seasonal Autumn stock (just you wait).

Here are some images from the shop, hope you like it!

Welcome/Välkomna
Love our new window, simplicity at its best
Our lovely new window
Superliving, Amanda Range
Superliving, Amanda Range
Superliving, Olivia Range
Superliving, Olivia Range
Muurla Nostalige glass range
Sagaform Retro Storage Jars
Sagaform Retro Coffee cups (set of 2) and Teacup & Saucer
Muurla Yellow Leaves
Muurla Blue Flower
Spira Coffee Mugs (set of 2)
KG Design Robot Moneybanks
Hanging Wire Tealight Holders
QDO Teapots in glass
QDO Cylinder Teapots in porcelain
Sea Glasbruk Pearl Vases
Sagaform Spectra
Sagaform Pop and Taste with QDO Birdies
Linum Dream Cushions
Pappelina rugs in black, grey and yellow
Our Candle Wall
Enjoy!
Pluto Produkter, Moomin Jewellery Trees

Next week a MASSIVE delivery is due in from Swedish Spira. We saw them a few weeks ago in Borås and oh love love love them. Spria’s fabric and patterns are of fabulous quality, super stylish and happy cheerful. I think you all will love it…I really hope it will be me who gets this delivery!

Enjoy

Charlotte x

It is time… time for our ANNUAL SUMMER CLEARANCE SALE!!!

On By SpektakulärIn Clearance, Gift Ideas, Upcoming eventsLeave a comment

Yay it is time, our annual summer clearance sale. Now this is a great opportunity to grab a bargain. In the sale this year we have lots and lots of amazing Linum cushion covers and runners plus a few award winning designs as well as super stylish. You just have to check it out for yourself.

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So tomorrow Friday from 10am Zuzanna will be ready for you. Go on pop in and go crazy :). I struggled myself not to buy it all myself. Great gifts to be had.  Please do note that this is a clearance sale, no no we are not closing down, it is just time to make space for the Autumn stock (sad I know, summer has not even started yet).

Have fun!

Charlotte x

Robert the Robot!

On By SpektakulärIn Gift Ideas, Latest deliveries, PromotionsLeave a comment

Since we open the shop Swedish KG Design has been a part of Spektakulär. I am pretty sure most of you do have the super silicone flower-, lace- or splat coasters as well as the happy Owl money banks.

However KG does so much more and we have had quite a lot of their designs in over the years which we all love and I have them everywhere in my own house. Happy colour bowls, doorstops, bottle stoppers, coasters, tea towels. But now they have introduced a new fellow and we are extremely happy with the response so far. Already had to reorder Robert and also took the opportunity to add a few new colours. Personally I love the yellow one but could not find a proper image, just have to pop in to the shop and have a look for your self :) All images are borrowed from KG Design!

Silicone money banks sure are a functional design, Stina is in to counting her money at the moment, just learned about it at nursery and she is saving up for something special. As all of you with kids know it is important to teach our children about money and she seem to enjoy the whole saving up idea. She earns a little money now and then and even if it is just pennies they mean the world to her and she like to recount all her money again (about 12.50 at the moment I believe) and this money bank is handy since the head comes off, easy to clean and also wont break if you drop it. I have a memory of my younger brother smashing all of ours. Walked downstairs to find all our beautiful (not really) big pigs in thousands of pieces. Most of these were christening gifts! Yay! Not really remember my mums reactions but since I kind of know my mum (and turned out to be just like her… arrgggghhhh), I assume she was not impressed!

Have a lovely day

Charlotte x

Welcome Våga Jewellery

On By SpektakulärIn Gift Ideas, Latest deliveries, NewsLeave a comment

Oh finally, after years of thinking about it, we have dared to introduce jewellery. And what a fantastic brand to try it out with. Våga (Swedish word for dare) is a Swedish brand established in 2007 by two cousins with an eye and passion for classic designs with a little twist. They create lovely designs full of fun as well as simple and yet bold. All jewellery is nickel and led free.

I am delighted to be able to introduce their brand to our little shop. It sure makes the shop look very lovely and after years of supplying the lovely jewellery trees from Pluto Produkter it is nice to fill them with stunning necklaces and bracelets.

It is a bit tricky with jewellery, mostly since it is very rare I wear any myself. Wore a lot as a teenager, especially big earrings and had a thing for pearls. These days nothing, well one ring, my engagement ring. Not even a watch any more since I always have my phone with me. Why no jewellery? Well I like to blame it on the girls, but that is not an excuse really! You can still look smart even though you have children! Guess I just got used to not wearing any, but I think it is time for a little change. Am kind of in love with these bracelets and love the simplicity of the tiny heart necklace as well as some of the more chunky statement necklaces. Yes it is definitely time for me to start wear more jewellery.

Thank you Våga for making me dare something new! Hope you enjoy them too.

Charlotte x

COMPETITION TIME on our Facebook page (make sure you join in)!

On By SpektakulärIn Competition, Gift Ideas2 Comments

Hej hej!

Yay finally time for a new competition on our Facebook (make sure you join in)! A little Mother’s Day competition if you like. And this time we have teamed up with amazing Sagaform. We love Sagaform and so delighted their functional and happy designs are a part of our shop. I believe most of us have one or two of Sagaforms lovely designs in our homes. So what is the prize? Not one but two of these super sweet green houses is the prize for our lucky winner(s). Like us on Facebook and find our more.

5017186_cube_green_b 5017193_B_(2)This greenhouse comes in three colours, pink, sage and lavender. And they belong to the Green range. I am a little bit in love. I love plants but they don’t seem to love me. But hey maybe I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship!

Enjoy

Charlotte x

Support your local independent shop this Christmas

On By SpektakulärIn Christmas, Gift Ideas, NewsLeave a comment

Do I really need to ask people to support their local shops? Why do we need to do it? Do I do it myself? What is the big deal? Can we just not price hunt online or visit the big retail shops? So many questions and of course there are some text book answers and most likely a few hearty messages.

Of course you should support your local shops, if you don’t we would not be here. I think that is the main reason but of course you can see lots of lovely posters why you are support your local shops. Like this one…

 

I get it, small shops often have a smaller range, prices are not hammered due to competition and parking…oh don’t get me started on the parking around Holy Corner. But I do really love that we have so many shops in this area that are all lovely, different, personal and not to talk about the independent cafes, bistros and restaurants. So why not make a day out of it. Take the bus, meet up with a friend, chat your way though some shops, enjoy a great lunch or fika and then chat through a few other shops. Christmas shopping done and you had a nice day. One of the reasons why we are open on Sundays is because there is free parking and most cafes are open.

Now do I do it myself…come on I am not perfect! And I am a very convenient person and always (well feels like it) on a tight budget. I try the best I can! When I go food shopping, yes I go to a big supermarket and things do end up in the trolley because it is convenient. And with small children I like to get it done very quick and always seem to forget something. This is why Richard does our food shopping. He is great at shopping and only misses to buy things because I did not put them on the list and apparently after all our years together he can still not read my mind (sigh)! But I try to visit my favourite local shops now and then and I have also (since the girls arrived) created a gift box at home with things we pick up in sales, odd shops, Sweden holiday or whenever there is an opportunity. I went though it not that long ago and realised that the girls have enough in there so their Christmas gifts are sorted, will just add a tomte (santa/gnome) for them each since I like to continue my tradition.

I am incredible impressed by you who come in to see us with a list and get your Christmas gifts and treats here and enjoy the shop and a little chat (yes I can be a bit chatty). Thank you! We are still here only because all of you our wonderful customers.

Please try to support your local shops this winter and for the rest of the year. It does help your community and of course us as well. I promise to do my best as well!

For you with American Express cards, don’t forget their Shop Local Campaign starts the 6th December and runs all the way until the 21st December. Last year they did one Saturday and it was a huge success. Shops don’t have to pay to be part of it, just take the card.  It encourages people to explore the shops around them and rediscover the places beyond the TV advertising and corporate Christmas. You can come in and do your Christmas shopping with us instead of the big department store and get a £5 credit back from Amex. You can read more on AMEX website. I have already seen a few of my favourite shops is on their list (including our amazing local curry take-away…sorted)

Thank you and happy Christmas shopping, remember to take it easy and enjoy treating your loved ones, it should be fun!

Charlotte x

 

Be seen, be safe…wear a reflector!

On By SpektakulärIn Gift Ideas, Latest deliveries, SwedenLeave a comment

Delivery with more of the happy and fun reflectors by Swedish Popomax!

These are so good and they find new homes so swiftly. Bagpacks, school uniforms, handbags, prams, winter coats you name it!

In Sweden people always seem to carry reflectors, though my sister says she struggle to get her ten year old son to wear one, not cool enough!  But these ones he is kind of happy to wear because they are a bit funkier. Since I was brought up on the countryside the bus gave us them for free, the horrible hard ones. Often with a bank or insurance logo. But hey if the bus driver did not see you they drove by. At the moment I have noticed there are quite a lot of extra reminders in Sweden, November and December are really dark months before the snow falls and brightens it up a little. And people just need to be reminded a little bit extra now and then. Most accidents back home this time of year are with people not being seen.

Even though people seem to use more common sense on the countryside since often there is less street light, it is actually just as important to wear a reflector in town. Edinburgh is one dark city. I do not know who got the job to install all the streetlights but they did a terrible job. The side walks are dark, as long as the roads seem to be lit up it is ok. Often we grown-ups wear dark coats and we dash in between the cars crossing the roads. Thinking since you can see the car the driver can obviously see you. That is just not true. You as a pedestrian might be blinded by headlights and remember so does a driver, especially if it is wet outside. Other cars headlights and the dull wet makes you focus on the road and not on the side walks. Next time, you as a driver try to see how many people you see before 20 meters, good luck! And then compare it to someone wearing a reflector like a cyclist or a jogger (why do they wear reflectors and not everyone?). I bet you will be surprised!!!

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I got a reflector vest for Stina and she is delighted to wear it. Got one for myself too but was less delighted to wear it, until I saw a mother and child out walking in Polwarth and wow you could see them quite clearly. I better get my vest on, even though I have one reflector on my jacket, one on my bag and one on my boots. Dark dogs, they are pretty impossible to see. Mum got a flashing colour and a vest for her dog and wearing a vest herself and something around her boots.

Now these days outdoor clothing is often decorated with reflectors, especially Swedish brands which is a bit of a trend here in the UK. Since my older sister used to live on a farm and also have two children we often inherited outdoor clothing from them. Brilliant, since the farm have big heavy machines and lots of traffic (people have their horses there) the children got proper glow in the dark outdoor clothing and these are great.You could probably see Stina from from the moon!

Now will you wear a reflector? I hope you do! Give the drivers a chance to see you!

And if you think a vest is seriously uncool why not a funky and happy reflector from us.

Have a lovely week!

Charlotte x

Pappelina the perfect gift for Christmas…

On By SpektakulärIn Gift Ideas, New orders, PromotionsLeave a comment

Really a plastic rug for Christmas! Of course why not…it will last!

As you know Pappelina is a brand we love, and are so happy to stock in our little shop. It is one of the brands I am extremely passionate about and I am more than pleased to see how popular it has become during the years.

A plastic rug by Pappelina is a Scandi as it gets really. Plastic rugs were big in the 40’s and 50’s Sweden and re introduced in early 2000 by Lina Richardsson. Back in the days they were everywhere and when I visit my grandmothers and parents I see the classic rugs everywhere in their homes. Plastic rugs on wooden floors well it sure is Swedish. Plastic rugs and ragrugs, fabric rugs made by left over or old clothing. In my grandparents summer house (where I spent all my summers as a child) they were everywhere. Easy to clean and kept the floors warm. The patterns were classic subtle neutral tones and stripes.

Pappelina brought back the plastic rug and is using environmental friendly plastic made in Sweden. The rugs are made in Sweden and their designs are happy contemporary. The classic plastic rug but with cheerful patterns and of course our Scandi stripes.

The rugs are flying out to new homes, and already a few more on order. We have decided to place one last order this year and it will happen quite soon since we need to have this order delivered in before Christmas. Last day will be this Sunday 2nd and it is a perfect opportunity to place an order as a Christmas gift. Why not spoil a loved one with a lovely cheerful doormat or a large happy rug for the kitchen. Are you thinking that a plastic rug is a silly gift, well you could not be more wrong. They will last and be there for a long time and keep your home happy.

During the last few years Pappelina has introduced cushions and beautiful warm blankets as well. Why not browse their website and see what you could ask from Santa this year!

Pop in to the shop, have a feel or give us a ring on  0131 629 0941 or email hello@spektakular.co.uk for more information. Remember last date is Halloween! Order after that will take place in February March after we have seen their Spring 2015 news :)

Love this warm images by Pappelina
Love this warm happy image by Pappelina

Enjoy

Charlotte x