News from L&F

Since last we spoke, dear Reader, the deed has been done.  Our automated inventory has been tested and not found wanting, which is both a relief and a slight disappointment: it’s always fun to find fault.  As I moved boxes,...

Well, what a torrid time we all seem to be having.  Bizarre weather, Wimbledon drawing to a close, the little matter of a footie match tomorrow I gather – oh, and there was an election a couple of weeks ago,...

I should tell you, I am an awesome tennis player.  (That simply isn’t true, and never was.  Even before my arthritic shoulders gave up.)  In my heyday however I had a backhand to fear – I certainly did: it was...

It’s nearing the end of June, so of course our thoughts turn to … Christmas.  If you feel that the whole world is Christmas mad, and you think it starts too early, my only words of advice to you would...

‘June just rains and never stops’ – so sang the wonderful Flanders & Swann a million years ago before we knew anything about climate change.  Well, they may have had a point, and I’ve long thought that the wonderful Wimbledon...

Ladies and Gentlemen, it’s all my fault.  I can only apologise, most sincerely, for the truly awful weather: I take full responsibility.  Not only did I foolishly buy more clothes pegs two weeks ago to enable me to hang out...

Ian the Excellent Painter has been again.  L&F HQ is a bit like the Forth Road Bridge before they invented a self-restoring paint, or whatever they did.  No sooner has he finished than he has to start again – and...

It’s too easy to be distracted into it from L&F business and Isobel is patience personified (except when she isn’t, which is when it gets scary).  

Right.  That’s it.  It’s properly May now, and as believers in the power of positive thought, we are determined that the rain has finished: enough.  And to celebrate?  Well CAKE, obviously.  Or in this instance, cakey muffins – we find...

May in the L&F HQ garden is just about the most beautiful month.  It’s not yet the fully greened-up, thick and heavy garden of June and July ...

We’re nothing if not consistent here at L&F.  I’m writing this from the wilds of Argyll, looking out at wind and waves and SUN – yes, real actual sun in a blowy sky that’s blue and white and really exactly...

And incredibly, it’s that time of year again.  We’re booked in to four HUGE ones this year, and paid up and hugely excited – we’re restocking and planning and all systems are very definitely, officially, ‘Go’.  (As if they weren’t...

We’re trying to be very on point, and are steeling ourselves to make some reels.  To waft about in front of a camera goes right against the grain, but those who know say it must be done, and we have...

We’re so excited – you love our cushion covers!  You spoke, and we listened, and so we’ve extended our range to include the gorgeous Lorne Stripe, Humby Fern and Appin.  Rather selfishly we’ve snaffled a handful to adorn our outdoor...

Second only to Christmas, Easter causes the most excitement here at L&F HQ.  It isn’t just the chocolate, the hot cross buns and the simnel cake.  I wouldn’t want you to think we’re ONLY motivated by food.  It’s the daffodils,...

How delighted are we with our new Mats and Coasters! I grew up with these (or their forebears) in England and in Scotland, and many’s the hour my four siblings and I spent, our little fingers tracing the rattan ‘snakes’...

Oh my life … is anyone else out there as excited about tomorrow as I am?  I’m a daughter AND a mother, and so I’m both giving and receiving tomorrow.  If I know my daughter – and I think I...

Tomorrow is Granny’s 93rd birthday.  93!  A matriarch to her core, the rest of the numbers are impressive too: 5 children (I’m number 3); 14 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren so far.  So I hope you will indulge me if I...

Well I don’t know about anyone else, but I need a burst of colour and light and all things pretty and twinkly at the moment. February was the longest month in the whole year EVER and I for one am glad...

This year we’re a bit behind ourselves.  We normally spend January restocking, and deciding which fairs to go to in the year ahead.  This year we’ve done our big stock-take, reordered, designed and launched a new product, and started on...

It’s cold, wet and grey outside and the ONLY answer on a day like this, is pancakes.  Not your thin little whispy crepe thingies: thick, delicious, warm and fluffy American-style pancakes.  They may not be exactly what the doctor ordered...