New in at Godiva: more wintry goodies!

Our winter stock is coming in thick and fast! It's always exciting to come into the shop in the morning and see what new things have arrived since I was last in. At the moment it feels as though there's a new delivery every day, so there's lots to look forward to!

Rowanjoy Jessie dress, £75; Rowanjoy Bridget cape top, £65; Rowanjoy mega pleat skirt, £65. Items available in store, alternatively shop Rowanjoy online here

Rowanjoy's new Autumn/Winter "Wallflower" collection has been a big hit on social media and in store too: we sold out of one of the dresses on the very first day! Since then she's been busy making up some more 'Jessie' dresses - which form part of her permanent collection - in some new colourful fabrics. The green and yellow one is my favourite; it reminds me of a backgammon board, but it's actually really flattering with the yellow triangles making your waist look teeny tiny! Rowan's also made up these gorgeous mega pleat skirts in a combination of wool and brightly-patterned cotton.

 

Paperthinks long tote, £60; Paperthinks shopper, £65; Paperthinks envelope bag, £50; Paperthinks purse, £35. All items available in store, alternatively shop Paperthinks online here

Last week saw a huge new delivery from Paperthinks: totes, handbags, shoulder bags and purses in so many beautiful colours! If you haven't come across them before, Paperthinks are a UK brand who recycle offcuts and scraps from the leather industry by grinding them down and shredding with rubber. This reformed and recycled leather is then coated with bright, beautiful colours and made into the bags and purses that you see here. Paperthinks reduce waste from the leather industry, save animals and use a lamination technique to get vibrant colours, instead of using harmful chemicals. That's something we can definitely get behind!

The Style London sequin dress, £40; The Style London tapestry skirt, £24; The Style London tailored coat, £49.50. All items available in store, alternatively shop The Style London online here

Just in time for the party season, we've had some lovely sparkly and shimmery pieces in from The Style London! The gold and black sequinned shift dresses have 3/4 length sleeves, perfect for keeping a little warmer during the cold winter evenings. They're also very versatile, and can be worn as a top underneath a skirt, as seen here! I've completely fallen in love with the skirt too, it has this gorgeous textured tapestry effect and a flattering A-line shape.

Jenny Deans Canty studs, £25; Jenny Deans Canty pearl studs, £37.50; Jenny Deans small Canty earrings, £50; Jenny Deans Canty spiral earrings, £87.50. All available in store, alternatively shop Jenny Deans online here

Jenny Deans' jewellery is absolutely exquisite, hand-crafted in Edinburgh from sterling silver and freshwater pearls. We stock her "Daisy" collection - a selection of bracelets, earrings and necklaces adorned with silver daisy petals that can be hand-stamped with dates or names - and we've recently had some new pieces from her "Canty" collection in. I love the earrings: gentle spiral studs, available with or without the pearl, and two styles of drop earrings. So beautiful!

Silk Purse Sow's Ear earrings, £10; SPSE lockets, £20; SPSE brooch, £9. Available in store, alternatively shop Silk Purse Sow's Ear online here

I always look forward to a delivery from Silk Purse Sow's Ear: a box full of an amazing variety of necklaces, earrings and brooches, with barely two the same! The most recent delivery was no exception, with some old favourite pieces (I immediately scooped up one of the lockets) and some new designs too. I love the gold geometric stud earrings, and the running fox brooch is adorable too.

Turtle Doves cashmere wrist warmers, £22. Available in store

Earlier today we had a special delivery from Turtle Doves - a whole bag full of these beautiful colourful wrist warmers! They're each made from a recycled 100% cashmere jumper, so they're super soft and perfect for keeping your hands warm all day long. Fingerless gloves and wrist warmers are perfect for wearing indoors during the day time as well as when you're out and about, because your fingers are still free to type away at a keyboard or pop the kettle on for a cup of tea!

And besides all this, we've uploaded a whole load of vintage goodies onto our online shop! Take a look at our 'New Arrivals' section to view all the pieces, or browse my favourites below...

1960s dress, £50 (buy here)

1970s dress, £30 (buy here)

1970s dress, £30 (buy here)

Mickey Mouse jumper, £30 (buy here)

 

1980s jumper, £20 (buy here)

Wolf jumper, £28 (buy here)

Win £250 by shopping #IndieGrassmarket!

Throughout July we're joining up with all the other independent businesses in the Greater Grassmarket area in celebration of Independent Retailer Month!

Independent Retailer Month is a campaign that aims to get more people to shop at local independent businesses; they say that for every £1 spent in local businesses, around 50-70p finds its way back into the local economy. But for the same £1 spent out of town or online, only 5p goes back to the local economy!

The Greater Grassmarket area is full of brilliant businesses (including Godiva!), so hopefully we can count on your support throughout Independent Retailer Month. All you have to do to be in with a chance of winning that £250 shopping spree is tweet with the hashtag #IndieGrassmarket and the name of the local business whenever you shop locally on the Greater Grassmarket during July. Visit the Greater Grassmarket website for full terms and conditions.

But why should you shop locally?

We can't speak for everyone, but here at Godiva we're passionate about the local and independent designers that we stock. They've all been handpicked and selected to be part of our store for a reason: whether they're local designers we love to support, new designers with innovative products, or because they use Fairtrade and responsibly-sourced materials. We can tell you why and where our designers made their products, what their inspirations were and how they made them. We can give you personalised advice, whether you're looking for something for yourself or a friend.

And most importantly, buying locally doesn't just support those individual shops: it also supports the independent designers and makers that many of us stock. It allows them to grow their businesses and continue doing what they love - and what they're good at!

In case you need even more motivation, here's a selection of items you could purchase from Godiva if you won that coveted £250:

Emma O'Malley scarf, £125; Jenny Deans earrings, £37.50

And Mary necklace, £25; Rowanjoy top, £39.50

 Naromode tee, £40; Mosey & Lark raincoat, £128

So get shopping, get tweeting, and good luck!

Designer Q&A: Jenny Deans

With Valentine's Day fast approaching we thought this would be the perfect time to introduce our new jewellery designers, to give you some gift ideas and inspiration.

First up is Jenny Deans. A local lady who makes beautiful, wearable silver jewellery in her studio in sunny Leith.

Godiva Boutique is now proudly stocking her 'Canty' range which starts at a very affordable £25. Available in store and online.

Jenny Deans

Hello, I am...  Jenny Deans

I design... Beautiful Jewellery


When I am creating my typical day involves... lots of hammering, twisting
bits of wire, and big mugs of tea

When I am not designing and creating I am..... turning over a new leaf and
trying to get fit at the gym, or snuggled up on the sofa with the cat.

I get inspiration from..... nature, architecture and sculpture. My Canty
range is inspired by trips to the seaside near North Berwick - looking in
rockpools and watching the waves rolling in.


Being an independent designer is important to me because...... Being
independent allows me to create anything I can imagine, without a boss
telling me what to make or do - or what time I need to be in the studio.

Jenny in her studio

I knew I wanted to be a designer when I was..... at school and for my higher
design project I was taught how to make Jewellery by one of my Gran's
friends.


My greatest achievement so far is ........... being selected on several
occasions for the prestigious Goldsmiths' Fair Exhibition in London. I have
also won the Visual Arts Scotland Prize for Applied Arts.


I cannot live without...... Large mugs of tea


My favourite thing I have ever bought or found is.... I found my wonderful
Husband who buys me all my favourite Jewellery (after a little direction)




Awww, thanks Jenny!

Canty Bracelet £107

Canty Cufflinks £107

Canty Spiral and Pearl Earrings £94

Canty Spiral and Pearl Pendant £69

Canty Studs £25

Canty Pearl Studs £37.50