Thoughtful Winter with Toast

As I type this I am curled up on my sofa wearing the softest Arran cardigan, candles glowing on the fireplace,  incense stick burning filling the room with its heady scent and the softest music playing in the background creating a little haven of peace.  This is how I want my home to be and I think I’m achieving my goals.  I have finally come to a point where everything I own is carefully curated and thought about, every item brings me such joy and that is why I invest in beautiful things from Toast.

I think you all know by now that I am a huge advocate of this innovative store, its gentle nature and care for detail is exquisite and to be honest I would quite like to live in one of their subtly styled catalogues.  Everything has a purpose and place and I simply adore them.  My wardrobe has carefully selected clothes from their collections, I’m wearing one of their dresses as we speak.

They aspire to a more thoughtful way of life, creating simple, functional, beautiful clothing, home wares and editorial pieces.  Toast have been building on this for over 20 years.  As with everything they create, their new Winter collection has been designed and made to be durable in both wear and style.  Their aim is for products to be used for many many years, to minimise the consumption of natural raw materials and reduce the quantity of clothing and other items consigned to landfill.  Toast are definitely part of the slow living ethos that I am trying to practice within in my own home.

Adding pieces from their House & Home collections to my own home brings happiness, Winter is the perfect season to focus on your home, making a cosy retreat for the deep dark days of this magical season.  Piling up the blankets and stocking up on bees wax candles.  I can’t have enough throws and blankets at this time of the year, they are so versatile and can change up a space in an instant.  This truly beautiful hand made kantha stitched linen quilt is my absolute favourite, it is textured and soft and fits perfectly on my bed as well as to snuggle up in on the sofa.

I.m paying attention to the kitchen too, mine is going to be a hive of activity over the next few weeks as we prepare through Advent. All the lovely treats that I will be making mean these stoneware bowls will come in very handy I can tell you.  They are hand thrown at the Leach studio in Cornwall and will make my kitchen table look even better when I’m mixing up my Christmas cake and mince pies.

Talking of Christmas, I know it may be a little early to think about the big day but planning ahead is essential and what better way than treating yourself to some new baubles? Toast have so many unique designs from open glass baubles hand blown in France to my favourite concertina baubles made from recylced paper card, so simple yet so elegant.

To be able to add pieces of any Toast collection to your home is a joy, I wholeheartedly hope you take a look at their current offerings from hand quilted throws in lustrous cotton velvet, baubles and paper garlands to dress the home, shibori wrapping paper in striking linear patterns and golden paisley pyjamas block printed by hand. Any of these things will bring your home an added warmth and connection to those who made them.