All my decluttering and simplifying has led to a lot of time spent contemplating our belongings, and a pattern has emerged. I’ve realised that so many of the objects we’ve discarded as clutter turned out to be things we had never deliberately acquired in the first place – gifts, hand-me-downs, impulse purchases made for all the wrong reasons at the end of a long day.
The things we keep, meanwhile, and really love, are those that we chose for ourselves, deliberately and mindfully, with love and excitement.
That sounds obvious, but for me it was not; it’s why I had an entire shelf full of special glasses – for red wine, white wine, champagne, whisky – despite us always choosing to use our favourite little drinking glasses we’d bought in Venice. Eight of them, wrapped in socks and dresses, wedged into our suitcase and bumped over the deep blue lagoon back to England, like the baby in my belly. We’d found them together in a dusty little hardware shop, the very same glasses we’d been served ice-cold Prosecco from the previous evening. Cold glass, hot air, frangipane and seasalt; when I hold one of these glasses, all of that memory comes back, and a mass-produced Ikea wine glass could never compete.
I’ve come to realise that so many of our favourites carry a backstory, a named place or maker, a sensory quality and aesthetic. I’ve started to apply four simple rules to all new purchases: carefully selected, well-designed, well-made and long-lasting. Slow consumerism, for a slower lifestyle.
So when I found SPARROW AND CO. online, I knew right away we shared the same perspective. Their ‘about’ page puts it far better than I have, when it says:
‘At SPARROW AND CO. we design and source products that will stand the test of time, products that aren’t designed to fit a passing fashion. We’re the antithesis of mass produced products and we’re proud of it. We celebrate the imperfect and inherent beauty that comes with functional, handmade products.’
SPARROW AND CO. are very kindly offering £100 in gift vouchers for one lucky winner to spend in their online store.
Enter below or on Instagram, and then head over to their journal, where I’m sharing my recipe for a rosemary sourdough loaf today.
Now closed.
Congratulations to winner Olivia Kirby/ @tomkirby83, who entered via Instagram. Unlucky this time? Don’t despair, I have two super exciting new giveaways coming up very soon! x
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237 Comments
Leave a Comment
Sara Tasker
May 12, 2015
Thank you Danielle x
Sara Tasker
May 12, 2015
Thanks Sarah! Love a likeminded soul 🙂
superscot
May 09, 2015
candles
Lorraine mabbitt
May 08, 2015
Some candles
Lynne Durkin
May 08, 2015
Need some new cushions but also love the wooden chopping board and the Eve mugs x
Natalie Crossan
May 08, 2015
beeswax candles 🙂
Tom J Morrison
May 08, 2015
Storm Lantern, Glass Lantern, beeswax candles Plus large Terra Bowl 🙂
Coline T.
May 08, 2015
I’d love the storm lantern http://www.sparrowandco.com/shop/storm-lantern-1
thanks 🙂
Jo Davis
May 08, 2015
I dont know theres a lot to choose from! 😀
Jackie Chapman
May 08, 2015
I’d love a storm lantern
alice lightning
May 08, 2015
wow such a gorgeous choice I would browse first
Kirsty Fox
May 08, 2015
I would choose the Eve Teapot
Harley Richardson
May 08, 2015
Candles love a candle x
Ellie Powley
May 08, 2015
Some candles! 🙂
Nicola White
May 08, 2015
i love my candles so i would love some nice candles for my new home 🙂 x
TEJ1968
May 08, 2015
Candles , my friend loves candles and would like to treat him
Sheila Reeves
May 08, 2015
I love the storm lanterns, and the blue mugs
Jessica Newman
May 08, 2015
i would buy some nice candles for my newly decorated bedroom
Elizabeth Yeates
May 08, 2015
The bell chimes and some candles
Olivia Kirby
May 08, 2015
I like the painters mugs. I did the instagram follow but couldn’t work out where I was meant to comment so you may need to take off a mark for me 😉
Michelle Hughes
May 08, 2015
I love how antique these are http://www.sparrowandco.com/shop/glass-lantern <3
Charlotte Hood
May 08, 2015
Love the serving bowls
Niaomi NM
May 08, 2015
Beeswax candles
Karyn Smith
May 08, 2015
The storm lantern, earth and luna cushion covers
katiekate84
May 08, 2015
Great competition. Thank you.
Anita Kennett
May 08, 2015
This would be for my beautiful daughter,so I would let her choose.thanks so much for sharing.
sarah-louise kimmer
May 08, 2015
totally with you on the story, Sara, lovely! Thank you for the introduction x
Danielle Chassin
May 08, 2015
Sara — love this and especially, slow consumerism. So on point. Thanks!
Erica Price
May 08, 2015
A storm lantern
jo liddement
May 08, 2015
I love the Olive Wood Boards and Platters
Tina Lighten-Duncan
May 08, 2015
The Olive Wood Board – http://www.sparrowandco.com/shop/olive-wood-board and Storm Lantern – http://www.sparrowandco.com/shop/storm-lantern would definitely be on the list
Lyla
May 08, 2015
I’d maybe get some terracotta bowls
Purmala Shrestha
May 08, 2015
I like The sheep rug
Hannah Jayne Martin
May 08, 2015
Oooh, candles would be just so lovely xx
Chantelle Kemp
May 08, 2015
I think I would buy some new accessories, candles & rug for my bedroom! 🙂
Keith Hunt
May 08, 2015
Lots of Weck Jars for my mom.
Claire Toplis
May 08, 2015
It would have to be the storm lantern
Liz Mosley
May 08, 2015
this is such a great giveaway! I am in love with the terracotta jugs and bowls!
Mimicat
May 08, 2015
A couple of the Eve serving bowls of of each colour.
Alex McGahey
May 08, 2015
I would buy a Storm Lantern in Earth and one in White, some Picardie Glasses and the large Native Chopping Board 🙂
Allan Fullarton
May 08, 2015
The sheep rug is lovely.
Nicki - onthechangingmat
May 08, 2015
As much as possible from the Eve range. Particularly the yellow teapot x
Anthea Holloway
May 08, 2015
I would get a large and a small terra-cotta jug – they are stunning!
Pauli57
May 08, 2015
Cushion Covers
Susan Carruthers
May 08, 2015
I’d buy some new tableware
Kayleigh
May 08, 2015
I love this lantern
http://www.sparrowandco.com/shop/storm-lantern-1
kristina trick
May 08, 2015
I’m in love with the Storm lanterns, I think I would have to get both colours!
sunshine
May 08, 2015
I love the jugs and cushions
Claire Davies
May 08, 2015
I love your Eve teapot (http://www.sparrowandco.com/shop/eve-teapot-1) along with your Eve mugs (http://www.sparrowandco.com/shop/eve-mug) – very very stylish and I love chunky mugs!
Ingrid Delamarre
May 08, 2015
some cushions for as we are redecorating spare room
Nicola Holland
May 08, 2015
The sheep rug is beautiful 🙂
Kat Glynn
May 08, 2015
A set of breakfast bowls x
Kirsty Woods
May 08, 2015
I would buy some Weck jars, great for making jam
John Herman
May 08, 2015
I would get the candles.
Jennifer Herman
May 08, 2015
i would buy the Luna cushion covers.
David Cavender
May 08, 2015
Glass Lanterns
Sarah Franks
May 08, 2015
I love the Olive Wood Platter, the Terracotta Bowls wight he white band at the top (so quietly authentic), and the Painter’s Mug that reminds me of a mug and candle holder a friend sent me from California when I was just 17, only the Sparrow mug is a much deeper, brighter blue. I wasn’t expecting my friend to send me a birthday present – we’d met online and shared a love of good books and old music. He was a ceramic artist, and made them for me. They were perfectly suited to my tastes, from the overall style to the colours used, and he included a first edition copy of Kerouac’s Big Sur as well. I’ll never forget that present for as long as I live. The thought put into it was astounding. It still takes my breath away 14 years later.
adorabelle
May 08, 2015
I would buy some new cushions as we need some.
✰★ღ Kayleigh ✰★ღ
May 07, 2015
Candles and cushions
Olivia
May 07, 2015
Cushion 🙂
trevor linvell
May 07, 2015
Quite a few candles
MrRichTea
May 07, 2015
Glass Lanterns 🙂
Ali Thorpe
May 07, 2015
Glassware and a candle. And maybe a cushion cover.
Pauline Black
May 07, 2015
the blue storm lanterns
Noisette
May 07, 2015
I love the Native chopping board and bowl.
Katie Skeoch
May 07, 2015
Love the reindeer rug!!
Michelle Rayner
May 07, 2015
cushions and a teapot
juliebooth
May 07, 2015
some candles
Lauren O
May 07, 2015
I’d buy the Native Chopping Board http://www.sparrowandco.com/shop/oak-wood-board
snarepuss
May 07, 2015
some candles 🙂
Keshia Esgate
May 07, 2015
large terra bowl and eve serving bowl i think
Jane Middleton
May 07, 2015
http://www.sparrowandco.com/shop/weck-jar-large and the lantern
Nancy Bradford
May 07, 2015
We really need a new rug at the moment so probably one of those 🙂
Sheri Darby
May 07, 2015
Some crockery
Maria Knight
May 07, 2015
Some gorgeous candles!
MANDY DOHERTY
May 07, 2015
Some Weck jars & candles
Lila B Taylor
May 07, 2015
I love the eve teapot
kristin
May 07, 2015
Cups and saucers
Andrea A
May 07, 2015
Native chopping board and Weck jars
Gary
May 07, 2015
I would buy a new rug.
b johnson
May 07, 2015
Cushions and candles
stewart biddle
May 07, 2015
http://www.sparrowandco.com/shop/sheepskin-rug
Mindy Bel
May 07, 2015
Thanks for the great giveaway!
I really like WECK JARS LARGE!
Ellie Spider
May 07, 2015
I like the wecks jars 🙂
yvonne thirkell
May 07, 2015
Tableware – Its lovely
Katherine De Riera
May 07, 2015
Some lovely tableware.
Julie B
May 07, 2015
A selection of the Weck preserving jars, wonderful for all the jams and pickles I make.
Mari Spencer
May 07, 2015
So many nice things to chose from it is a difficult choice to chose any one thing.
Rachel
May 07, 2015
Thanks for introducing such a gorgeous company! I would go for a Terra bowl or anything from the Pentland line, beautiful!
Diana
May 07, 2015
Serving bowls and candles 🙂
supastar1501
May 07, 2015
I would like some glass lanterns
laura stewart
May 07, 2015
the glass lanterns are lovely xx
lindsey stuart
May 07, 2015
I LOVE the lanterns and candles all of them are lovely
Judith R.
May 07, 2015
If I won, I’d choose the native bowl.
Becca Staples
May 07, 2015
I’d choose the Storm Lantern Earth, love it x
Angie Hoggett
May 07, 2015
a new rug for my bedroom
Sinead ORourke
May 07, 2015
i would buy : WECK JARS LARGE (set of six) & NATIVE PLATTER & TERRACOTTA BOWL and pay just 2 pounds. brillant
Karen
May 07, 2015
Would love the sheepskin rug!
Donna Large
May 07, 2015
glass lanterns
soneailiami
May 07, 2015
some nice storm lantern
Laura Whittle
May 07, 2015
The storm lanterns look great so would go for one of those and definitely a new chopping board x
Kasia
May 07, 2015
olve wood board and eve serving bowl!
Michelle Dagger
May 07, 2015
I’d buy the storm lantern in the earth colour!
Emily Knight
May 07, 2015
Weck jars and storm lanterns for me, I think!
Chris
May 07, 2015
Native platter and bell chimes.
elaine stokes
May 07, 2015
some of the native bowls would look great in our living room
Minnie Beth
May 07, 2015
The cushions are lovely 🙂 x
Martina Alban
May 07, 2015
Storm lanterns
CaliMel
May 07, 2015
I’d buy a throw pillow, because our couch has just one right now and needs a mate! Then I’d use leftover to get the glass lantern and maybe a candle if there was enough.
dannel50
May 06, 2015
Storm lanterns ♥
Liz Ferguson
May 06, 2015
lots of candles xx
Mark Tebbutt
May 06, 2015
new candles for my bathroom
lisa ann tebbutt
Teresa Sheldon
May 06, 2015
would love to buy the glass lanterns to use in the garden in the lovely Summer evenings
guterzustand
May 06, 2015
I’d buy some weck jars and eve teapot.
Kristy Leanne Brown
May 06, 2015
I love the terracotta jugs
Kathy D
May 06, 2015
GLASS LANTERNS for the garden
lynn heath
May 06, 2015
I would get some of the beautiful breakfast bowls!
Cath Swinton
May 06, 2015
Some lovely storm lanterns
Kirsty Webb
May 06, 2015
Some gorgeous candles
kathycakebread
May 06, 2015
some nice cushions
Carly
May 06, 2015
I love the pentland collection or the terracotta collection
Julie Ward
May 06, 2015
Some candles you can never have enough of them
Janine Atkin
May 06, 2015
id buy the white storm lantern
Damla_annabell_lee
May 06, 2015
I may choose these: http://www.sparrowandco.com/shop/eve-serving-bowl
http://www.sparrowandco.com/shop/eve-mug
http://www.sparrowandco.com/shop/eve-mug-3
Sarah Davison
May 06, 2015
I’m liking the storm lanterns
Elaine
May 06, 2015
I adore the Pentland serving bowl and the Block cushion cover!
Robert Price
May 06, 2015
Some nice candles
CAROL PATRICK
May 06, 2015
I’d buy the lovely Pentland serving bowl, Pentland Jug & Mugs
Eva Vida
May 06, 2015
cushions 🙂
Louise Asekokhai
May 06, 2015
I like the Eve Teapot, looks nice and big x
Paula Barker
May 06, 2015
Cushions!
Michelle Banks
May 06, 2015
some new mugs x
Jane Willis
May 06, 2015
I’d buy the Eve white teapot and a selection of Weck preserving jars
Heather Haigh
May 06, 2015
The beautiful native platter and some chopping boards
Joanna Butler-Savage
May 06, 2015
candles for me too
kittykatchez
May 06, 2015
Lots of candles I think
kim neville
May 06, 2015
I like the
EVE TEACUP AND SAUCERs
Carmen Soliño
May 06, 2015
Mugs, plates, candles! Everything looks lovely.
Carmen SOLIÑO SOLIÑO
May 06, 2015
Mugs, plates, candles! E
Rebecca D
May 06, 2015
I would love some new tableware please x
Christine Reid
May 06, 2015
I buy some tableware and a fancy tea towel 🙂
Trillina Palemi
May 06, 2015
candles 🙂
found and sewn
May 06, 2015
So many lovely things, but I do love the classic white eve mugs and teapot.
lyn
May 06, 2015
I’d treat myself to some of their lovely stone tableware
cheryl
May 06, 2015
candles i am mad on candles 🙂
Debbie Snell
May 06, 2015
I love the http://www.sparrowandco.com/shop/pentland-mug pentland mug.and would ponder what else I would love to get ty
Jc Loh
May 06, 2015
I like those weck jars, really nice!
http://www.sparrowandco.com/shop/weck-jar-large
Samantha Tedesco
May 05, 2015
Some candles
samantha.tedesco@gmail.com
kayleigh bates
May 05, 2015
a sheepskin rug x
Racquelle
May 05, 2015
Candles,candles and more candles!
sofiane
May 05, 2015
The Native Platter
Sj.fraihat
Abigail
May 05, 2015
I think ‘all the things’ is a legitimate statement for this?!
x
clairdownham
May 05, 2015
i like the olive wood board
Stephanie Lear
May 05, 2015
2 Native Bowls for our dinner parties x
Rachel Lees
May 05, 2015
Hear hear to Sparrow & Co wares (painter’s mugs hello!) & to slow consumerism for a slower lifestyle. All of the above please
Faye Larsen
May 05, 2015
How to choose?! I love all of it. Definitely a storm lantern and I have fallen for the terracotta jug in a big way. p.s We too went on a trip to Venice when I was pregnant for the first time. It was actually where we got engaged 🙂 xxx
Judy Thomas
May 04, 2015
I would buy a sheepskin rug 🙂
Teresa Lee
May 04, 2015
I’d get some Eve Tableware…Thanks for the Giveaway
emma hunt
May 04, 2015
I would buy this: http://www.sparrowandco.com/shop/sheepskin-rug its lovelyx
valbuk
May 04, 2015
Love the Native Platter
Lisa
May 04, 2015
I would definitely get the Drawing Room Candle.
Laura Pritchard
May 04, 2015
I’d buy the Sheepskin rug.
Kate
May 04, 2015
Ohhhhhh the terra cotta tumblers are so perfect! I’d definitely buy these.
Kimberley Ryan
May 04, 2015
some of your gorgeous tablewear
Sam Swain
May 04, 2015
I would buy some of these lovely glass lanterns for my garden http://www.sparrowandco.com/shop/glass-lantern
Claire Woods
May 04, 2015
Some new dinner plates and mugs.
Ruth Harwood
May 04, 2015
some nice Candles or perhaps a nice new rug, cannot decide xx
williamgould
May 04, 2015
Wife says we need a new sheepskin rug – http://www.sparrowandco.com/shop/sheepskin-rug
Jo m Welsh
May 04, 2015
I’d buy the native chopping board and some glass storage jars
Emma1757
May 04, 2015
Some nice smelling candles for surrrrrrrre! : )
Carole Butler
May 03, 2015
Love the painters mugs and eve teapot – although I must say everything looks gorgeous 🙂
Donata S
May 03, 2015
the blue Storm Lantern
Lisa Wilkinson
May 03, 2015
The block cushion cover 🙂
leonie
May 03, 2015
wow, i can see why you love that store. that blue eve teapot is gorgeous.
we live in a little house and there’s a constantly moving tide of things in and out of here. i love getting rid of clutter and simplifying and thinking about what we really love enough to keep around
Jill Webb
May 03, 2015
http://www.sparrowandco.com/shop/painters-mug
Siobhan Davis
May 03, 2015
Candles x
Andrew Cakebread
May 03, 2015
Defintely some nice candles
Jayne Townson
May 03, 2015
I like the EVE SERVING BOWL and the
DRAWING ROOM CANDLE
Rachie Littleme
May 03, 2015
Some candles and an olive wood board.
Lynsey Buchanan
May 03, 2015
EVE TEAPOT
Rey
May 03, 2015
I’d buy some new candles for my bedroom
moonray69
May 03, 2015
I’d probably buy the Eve teapot: it’s lovely!! (Laura Jeffs)
joe
May 03, 2015
candles and chairs!
DEE DMONTE
May 03, 2015
A rug 🙂
Emma Gibson
May 03, 2015
Some new candles for my bedroom.
Paula Readings
May 03, 2015
http://www.sparrowandco.com/shop/glass-lantern Glass Lantern
Suzanne Drummond
May 03, 2015
love the rugs
Claire Nutman
May 03, 2015
The lanterns or I do love the sheepskin rug!!
Lucia M
May 03, 2015
i love those storm lanterns!
Little Jam Pot Life
May 03, 2015
Eve mugs and teapot! xx
Laura K
May 03, 2015
I’d buy the Cobalt Blue Storm Lantern and a Block Cushion cover 🙂
I’m sorry but my cut and paste for the Instagram task in the Rafflecopter widget didn’t work properly – it pasted my tweet link instead :-s However, I did follow and tag on Instagram, and my user link is https://instagram.com/lmk999comp/.
Vivien Taylor
May 03, 2015
The weck jars
Frances Heaton
May 03, 2015
I would buy The Drawing Room Candle, it looks perfect.
Raymond Self
May 02, 2015
Loads of nice items I would like to get 🙂
Rae
May 02, 2015
I would put it towards the Native stool, not only for its clean, simple design but also its potential for dual functionality as a table, either next to my armchair or next to my bed!
Jennifer Stevenson
May 02, 2015
I would buy, weck jars and a jug
Amanda Doyle Hart
May 02, 2015
eve teapot and cup and saucer…..wow what amazing things
shirlz51
May 02, 2015
would like a sheepskin rug
Charlotte {theteapotexplodes}
May 02, 2015
Everything is so beautiful but I would have to choose some ceramics as I’m such a sucker for anything china or pottery! x
castleton
May 02, 2015
I would love to buy a sheepskin rug
Victoria MyLittleLBlog
May 02, 2015
i would pick Sheepskin rug
Diana Hagues
May 02, 2015
This looks lovely. Thanks for introducing me to Sparrow & co.
Nickles83
May 02, 2015
LOVE THIS WOODEN CHOPPING BOARD – http://www.sparrowandco.com/shop/oak-wood-board
Kirsten Barthy
May 02, 2015
Mmh, we’re moving house so will need soooo much new stuff. Might start with some new cushion covers
Arabella Bazley
May 02, 2015
I’d get the Terra Bowl Large and a Large Terracotta Jug
Hilda Hazel Wright
May 02, 2015
I love the storm lanterns, I’ve just spent today putting up a new gazebo in the rain just to check the size of it is right, I think it would be great all lit up with storm lanterns and fairy lights!
Kelly glen
May 02, 2015
I like the cushion covers.
Hayley F
May 02, 2015
I really like the weck jars x
Rachel Simons
May 02, 2015
an eve serving bowl
Heather Reading
May 02, 2015
I’d buy tableware, the eve plates are lovely x
ashleigh allan
May 02, 2015
I would buy the eve serving bowls!
emma walters
May 02, 2015
the native bowl
Bina Geyer
May 02, 2015
love the serving bowls and a rug 😉
Karin Mortensen
May 02, 2015
I really like the reindeer rug, I always wanted one as it reminds me of my Scandinavian childhood, gorgeous 🙂
lisa evans
May 02, 2015
Definitely the sheepskin rug!
Maxine
May 02, 2015
Everything is so pretty, but the terracotta range of jugs, beakers and dishes are just lovely!
leanne williams
May 02, 2015
sheepskin rug
Angie McDonald
May 02, 2015
I’d buy a Pentland Serving Bowl!!
Iris Waldburger
May 02, 2015
Some of the blue eve mugs they look lovely
alison hill
May 02, 2015
sheepskin rug
laura
May 02, 2015
The Eve teacup and saucer is pretty much perfect!
Tony
May 02, 2015
I would love the sheepskin rug!
Kat Lucas
May 02, 2015
I would buy the Eve serving bowl and some Weck jars
emilyomara
May 02, 2015
a rug 🙂
israrbaig
May 02, 2015
work stuff
Mirjana
May 02, 2015
I love sheepskin rug 🙂
Jodie Crossley
May 02, 2015
would love the sheepskin rug!
Tracy K Nixon
May 02, 2015
I would buy the sheepskin rug! http://www.sparrowandco.com/shop/sheepskin-rug
Danika Lloyd
May 02, 2015
storm lantern, terracotta bowl, olive wood board & painters mugs!
Fiona
May 02, 2015
I would buy a sheepskin rug
Tracey Peach
May 02, 2015
I would love the native stool xxx
lou @ Littlegreenshed
May 02, 2015
Ceramics! ALL of them. LOVE Sparrow & Co. My kind of shop. Fingers crossed x
April Asumbra-Trillana
May 02, 2015
What a great giveaway! Everything looks so rainy-day-cabin-fire cozy. 🙂 Would love to get my paws on some painters and eve mugs, an olive wood board, and the carafe&glass. Maybe the luna cushion cover, too?
Catty
May 02, 2015
I would get…. a sheepskin rug!
Heather Nixon
May 02, 2015
Amazing giveaway! I would pick some of the terracotta tumblers and jugs x
http://www.ofbeautyandnothingness.co.uk
Julia Smith
May 02, 2015
How great that you have collaborated with Sparrow and Co, I love their website (especially the pentland bowl…) I’m popping over to read your recipe now… xx
Kate | Netherleigh
May 02, 2015
Sara, this was so wonderfully written. The paragraph about your glasses made me smile x