Pair your eyewear with vintage jewellery

If there’s one thing we love more than eyewear, it’s vintage jewellery and the two make perfect partners. Team your eyewear with authentic vintage and preloved jewellery - we’ve teamed up with jewellery experts William May Jewellers to get their take on the hottest retro jewellery styles to wear with your vintage frames.

Aviators, squares and hoops

For an authentic 70s luxe look (think BBC’s The Serpent), pair your oversized Aviators with classic gold hoops. Oversized thin hoops or smaller creole hoop earrings both work well with aviators and other 70s large wire and acetate frames.

gold creole and skinny hoops from William May

Oversized 80s frames with big bold jewellery

If you want to channel the Lady Gaga’s look from House of Gucci (and frankly who wouldn’t) go with oversized round or square glasses from the late 70s and 80s, team them up with chunky yellow gold jewels.

Big bold chains are having a moment, are oh so retro and are best-sellers at William May, from classic yellow gold, to chains set with sparkling crystals.

chunky gold chains from William May

And to complete the full on House of Gucci look, go for big yellow gold bracelets, dress rings and chunky gold earrings.

vintage gold selection from William May

I’m currently obsessing over gold jewellery and I’d be happy waking up to any of these in my stocking on Christmas morning.. or you could just treat yourself.

Jo

Sustainable gift guide

Gift consciously with our sustainable gift ideas, including vintage gems, upcycled one-of-a-kind and plastic free gifts. 

It’s more important than ever to shop small and support independent brands that care about our planet - here’s our sustainable gift guide to get you going..

plant based & zero waste cooking

As we now know one of the most eco friendly things you can do for the planet is go on a plant based diet (or more plant based) so what better Christmas gift than a planet friendly cook book. In EAST Meera Sodha takes cooks on a vegan and veggie journey across Asia, while Max La Manna helps you on your low waste journey with More Plants Less Waste.

Mamma Peep Pouches

Flora pouch - perfect for stowing your prescious vintage

Our new range of sustainable eco-friendly glasses cases and sunglasses pouches. Lovingly handmade by ‘Mama Peep’ from vintage deadstock fabrics to keep your eyewear scratch free.

Small batches of one-of-a-kind glasses pouches. Whether taking long walks or trips to the beach your sunnies will be kept safe and stylish.

Face masks with a cause

The B Collection supports CoppaFeel charity

We love Eliza Eliza’s organic cotton face masks - triple layered for extra protection, they’re reusable and the masks are adjustable - either tied around the head or altered so that they can be hooked over the ears. They support a number of different charitable causes with each style of mask too - also pick up matching sleep masks, scrunchies and lovely eco friendly bags.

washable wipes

Rifle Paper prints

These reusable face wipes from My January Baby are completely plastic-free. You can also choose your favourite print from the set to embelish the wash bag. Made from 100% cotton on the top and organic, hypoallergenic bamboo on the back, making them suitable for all ages and skin types. They make a great eco-friendly gift.

artisan art

There are some beautiful handmade artisan gifts on Etsy like the ones our friends over at Two Peas make. Their gorgeous one-of-a-kind Art Plates, hand painted onto beautful vintage plates will make your walls sing with joy.

wearable works of art

Treat yourself or a special someone to a vintage pin - what’s not to love about this 1980s brooch from Honeykins Vintage with a keep fit style lady in classic era appropriate neon colours! The perfect conversation starter at any party.

vintage glasses chains

Infamous - 1970s Trifari link chain

Glasses Chains are back. Never lose your sunglasses or glasses again with our one-of-a-kind vintage glasses chains. Remove the loops and wear as a necklace. Take a peep at our collection of the coolest rescued and adapted vintage chains - quite possibly the perfect present if we say so ourselves.

the eco friendly hamper

One for the Bee lovers

LFHP have a lovely selection of eco friendly hampers and if you’ve got a green fingered friend the Bee Garden Set is the perfect gift. We all know how important bees are and this bee garden is the perfect way to ensure they can thrive in your giftees garden. Designed to increase pollination rates through growing attractive flowers, these seed bombs make the garden bloom into a bee friendly destination. They also have a great gift guide for men in your life.

upcycled jewellery kits

I’m loving these cute upcycled jewellery making kits from Readorn London. Each kit contains everything you need to make a beautiful piece of upcycled jewellery. Every kit is unique and has been lovingly curated to bring you one of a kind designs. Such a lovely and mindfull gift idea.

vintage homeware

Who doesn’t love a bit of unique vintage homeware to brighten up their pad, like this vintage 60s West German pottery vase in Green and Orange four petal floral repeat from the gorgeous Miss Pigeon Vintage - get it while it’s hot.

virtual gifting

If you don’t want to gift more stuff why not give the gift of an experience instead - online classes or workshops from cooking to pottery are great ways to learn or develop new skills. Take a peep at Tea & Crafting for some lovely craft classes and workshops.

Happy Gifting!

Jo

Vintage & Thrifted: Eco Friendly Christmas Gifts

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Vintage and second hand items make the most charming and eco friendly Christmas gifts. If you’re looking to give a thoughtful and truly unique present this Christmas why not thrift it, save money and the planet.

Start early and give yourself time to scope it out, then head to your local charity shop, flea market or antique fair and hop over to Etsy or eBay and pick out some personal presents this Christmas.

Accessories

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Seek out quality vintage bags, belts and gloves - scarves are abundant in second hand shops and charity shops, so gift them and use them as Christmas wrapping.

Vintage and antique jewellery makes a one-of-a kind unforgettable gift, while vintage Stratton compacts and perfume bottles make a pretty addition to the beauty fiends dressing table. Not forgetting the perfect present for the practical.. our upcycled glasses chains.

Homeware

Original art makes a truly personal gift - lovely retro prints can be found in the most unlikely of corners. Hand crocheted blankets - 60s style brightly coloured granny blankets are back in vogue, easy to pick up and make the cutest present for a house proud pal.

Retro kitchen ware makes a lovely gift – hello 1950s salt and pepper pots in the shape of vegetables. Why not create a hamper of Christmas lovelies for someone dear.

Tableware

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Beautiful linens from tablecloths to napkins have fallen out of fashion over the years so you can pick up some beauties for a steal from your local second hand, vintage store or charity shop. They’re a great eco friendly alternative to devils like kitchen towel, as well as bringing party table settings to life.

Pair with elegant vintage glassware, an art deco cocktail shaker or some vintage candle holders to set the mood.

Vintage Books

Books are a classic keep forever present, pick up a beautiful crafting book from embroidery to crotchet - vintage house plant care for the green fingered friend or Mrs Beeton’s cookery for the food obsessed. A vintage penguin edition of a favourite classic tale is sure to be a Christmas stocking hit.

curios and collectibles

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Snap up cute curios and collectibles - look out for signed and stamped pieces as the history will make them all the more fascinating. Try vintage pens for letter writers, budding authors or fans of calligraphy. Pretty vintage tins and antique wooden boxes make quirky gifts and are brilliant for wrapping other gifts within.

Kids

Eco friendly kids gifts are easy when you shop second hand. Find vintage classics games like scrabble,  dominoes, jigsaws and board games are perfect picks – just check the condition and make sure all the pieces are contained. Hunt down well made wooden toys, vintage dolls and you’ll find tonnes of Lego to save from landfill (just wash before use).

Zero waste gift vouchers

When your wrapping is zero waste giving guilt free gifts is easy. Take it to the next level and go completely packaging free with a gift card like ours. Gift Cards are the perfect practical gift that won’t be left at the back of the cupboard and zero trees were cut down to produce it. Our Gift Vouchers can be used towards any frames, accessories or glasses repairs.

If you’re looking for an alternative to ‘stuff’ why not gift an experience voucher, tickets for a workshop or gig make the perfect present.

Repairing or upcycling a much loved item for a loved one make a really personal gift that just keeps on giving long after Christmas is over and the mince pies are gone.

Finally sit back and feel smug knowing you’ve given an original and sustainable gift this Christmas.

Jo