Wish List: Let's yelp for kelp, coo for cars and set our sights on lights this week

Esther N McCarthy yelps for kelp, coos for cars and sets her sights on lights this week

Consider strategically placing outdoor lights, such as a row of Rosewood festoon lights, so they illuminate a tree or a sculptural plant, and leave some dark areas as shadows add atmosphere.

This crisp and cool kelp tea towel is designed and printed by one of our favourite artists, Anne Harrington Rees and it's available at one of our favourite shops, Green Dot Design Makers in Clonakilty, West Cork.

This could easily be hanging on your wall rather than drying the dishes. It's printed using eco-friendly pigment inks onto 100% cotton panama fabric. €14, www.greendotdesignshop.com

Kelp tea towel by Anne HArrington Rees available at Green Dot Design Makers in Clonakilty

One positive thing about this pandemic lockdown is how enterprising businesses have become. Case in point, the very talented designer Aoife Mullane, who has adapted her selling model and created new products, including luxury velvet hairbands, scrunchies, and clutch bags.

Some of Aoife Mullane's designs. www.amullanedesign.com

These are smaller pick up items that people are buying as gifts to send loved ones, or even a little treat for themselves -smart and sweet. Prices start at €30. www.amullanedesign.com

Those of us lucky enough to have any kind of outdoor space, are really appreciating it now. I love how strategically-placed outdoor lights, such as this row of Rosewood festoon lights, can transform an area.

Try illuminating a tree or a sculptural plant, and leave some dark areas as shadows for atmosphere... and for hiding the junk that wasn't tidied up earlier. See www.neptune.com

I am loving this striking piece by artist Marc Moynan, who is studying graphic design in GMIT.

A photo manipulation and digital collage combining classic Hillman Avenger with 1970s Japanese car modifications from the same period colacorolla.com

It's created by a mash up of photo manipulation and digital collage combining the classic Hillman Avenger with 1970s Japanese car modifications from the same period to create a “what if?” car culture clash.

Available as prints of various sizes from €10 - €25, check out his online store www.colacorolla.com

I spotted this cute Emma Bridgewater Buttercup deepwell tray online. I suspect my main attraction is imagining someone delivering tea and scones out to the garden to me.

Emma Bridgewater Buttercup deepwell tray is a great for serving tea, eating food on your lap or serving drinks in the garden.

One can dream.

€9.20 from www.eu.emmabridgewater.com/ (Note: replace tea with gin and scones with tonic).

On the Bathroom Shelf, an innovative Irish Skincare brand, Holos Skincare.

Holos Natural Skincare range www.holosskincare.com

Handmade in Co Wexford, creator Niamh Hogan says: "We spent a year sourcing from supply partners with strong ethics who could guarantee vegan, cruelty-free, plant-derived active ingredients, as well as eco-approved natural preservatives.”

The collection of four new products in the Super Natural Activity range are available online at www.holosskincare.com and from McCauleys pharmacies and selected wellbeing retailers.