Wish List: Eight fabulous finds for our lives and our homes
Clockwise from top left: Ceramics by Diana Skalkos, a pouffe by Juxtapose Decor and OYL coffee.
We love putting the spotlight on innovative local businesses, not only because buying local is the epitome of sustainability, but there's the added bonus if we can support the independent female entrepreneurs out there.
Enter Juxtapose Decor, based in Cork, headed by the talented Caroline Duignan. This is an online home interiors store for the seriously stylish. Caroline specialises in sourcing unique pieces across Europe and loves discovering quirky designers to help bring fun and luxury to a space.
If you're looking for an interior aesthetic with a twist, check it out. A showcase of their products can be seen at Lightplan Cork. This pouffe is from Dutch brand Palais and is priced at €249. See Juxtaposedecor.
Mushroom coffee brand you say? I had to double-check that one! Founded by Irishman James McCormack, who launched OYL in 2020 after experiencing low energy and low mood. James says the coffee is crafted to optimise your life, helping your mind and body every day. Using three types of medicinal organic mushrooms, Lion’s Mane, known for its nerve growth factor production, Reishi, which supports a healthy immune system and Cordyceps Militaris, used to increase energy endurance, these mushrooms are masterful healers and are safe to drink every day.
Most importantly, we can report it tastes delicious, with notes of dark chocolate and roasted nuts. James also is proud of OYL's commitment to sustainability and recently launched new packaging to remove coffee pods, using fully recyclable packs.
OYL also supports a healthy lifestyle by only featuring pure ingredients with no artificial chemicals or added sugar, and it's suitable for vegans. James tells us OYL will also be an official partner of the fitness event Hyrox being held in Dublin in November 2024. Find out more at Drinkoyl.
There's nothing fishy about Harley & Marley, Ireland's first seafood pet food. We love the story of how this business was inspired by adored family pets, Harley & Marley when their owners were out for a walk on Killiney Beach in Dublin during lockdown. They offer healthy fish-based super premium dog food and treats, and two varieties of fishy cat treats.
Portia Quinn from Dublin (mum to fur-baby Marley), researched how diet affects pets’ health and came up with the 100% natural, fish-based food containing high-quality protein, omega oils and essential nutrients like Vitamin D and selenium.
Portia worked with fellow dog-lover, John Kenny of Atlantis Seafoods in Kilmore Quay and was supported by Bord Iascaigh Mhara with technical expertise and business advice. The Harley & Marley freshly prepared fish content comes from John's Atlantis Seafoods.
With sustainability in mind, producing Harley & Marley reduces food waste and contributes to the circular economy, John says. The packaging is resealable and recyclable, and the complete range of a dozen varieties is available online and in stores countrywide, including speciality pet stores and selected Dunnes Stores and SuperValus. It's €24.95 for a 3kg bag of dog food; €4.99 for dog treats and €3.99 for cat treats. See Harleyandmarley for more.
We're very excited to hear that Cork-based ceramist Diana Skalkos's latest work is ready for our adoring eyes this month. Rendered in the ethereal medium of high-fired porcelains and stonewares, Diana says: "I channel the essence of my somewhat feral upbringing in the verdant expanse of the Irish countryside. Through a lens tinted with nostalgia, I conjure the dreamlike recollections of my youth, where the presence of native wildlife and flora danced in harmony with my imagination.
The elusive foxes, their presence hinted at by the silent whispers of their burrows and the cautious watchfulness of hares, evoke a sense of mystique and wonder. Despite my earnest childhood attempts to bridge the chasm between these worlds through inviting homes constructed from twigs, grass and stones, as well as other gentle enticements, these creatures maintained a sacred distance, forever ensconced in the tapestry of my childhood stratosphere."
Seeing is believing, dear reader, get yourself along to to experience it for yourself at The Cork Craft and Design Shop, St Patrick's Woollen Mills, Douglas, Cork. Diana's work is also available from “Downstairs” 21 West Beach, Cobh, Co Cork. You can contact Diana at dianaskalkos@gmail.com.
More from dynamic Cork women sisters Eadaoin and Catherine, the visionaries behind Pebble & Sash Interiors, have carefully selected exclusive fabrics from beloved and admired designers such as Rapture & Wright, Jessica Osbourne and Christopher Farr, to create their signature and curated Ottoman range.
The sisters based in Glenbrook, Cork, tell us, "Our debut collection represents our passion and love of fabric design and pattern but mostly our love of home. We are thrilled to share these exquisite pieces with the world". The sustainability box is firmly ticked as they are designed and handmade in Ireland, each piece reflects the distinctive style that Pebble & Sash has become renowned for. For more, visit Pebbleandsash or Instagram @pebbleandsash.
Tried and tested this week the Russell Hobbs Air Fry Mini Oven. We love our air fryer at home, so much so, it's almost clapped out. So we were delighted to test an air fryer that's also a mini-oven. Over two weeks, we put it to the test: we air-fried chicken nuggets and a small loin of bacon, we baked a batch of chocolate chip cookies, grilled bacon, sausages and black pudding, and did a round of ham and cheese toasties in there too.
All the kids used it handily enough, it fit nicely on the counter (next to the forlorn air fryer) and with 12.6l capacity it easily fit enough every time for five hungry people. There was another setting for warming, but we didn't use that, patience is not a virtue in our house. On the box, it says it's 49% more energy efficient, so good for the planet too. The Russell Hobbs range is available from independent electrical retailers nationwide. The price point is impressive too at €149.99. See .
If you know any sensitive "soles", this could make their weekend. We have one member of the family who shall remain nameless, who often ends up sockless — because the seams drive them mad. We hit the jackpot when we tried Sockshop's Upside Down Inside Out socks.
Made with the highest quality bamboo with hygroscopic properties to wick moisture away, the socks have a full cushion foot for protection and to avoid cuts, which is important for people with diabetes, for example, who may not feel a nick.
The leg is non-binding so holds the leg gently but without constriction they’ve also added an antibacterial treatment to kill harmful bacteria, which can cause foot infections. It's €17.95 from Sockshop.
We are absolutely weak for the retro vibe going on in Nespresso's summer collection. The Nespresso Unforgettable Mediterranean Summer Collection debuts online and in Nespresso boutiques on May 15.
We are reliably told that it's inspired by the "enchanting essence of the Mediterranean lifestyle", and we can expect an array of new and beloved coffee flavours, accompanied by elegantly crafted accessories, all infused with the vibrant hues of a sun-kissed palette in collaboration with Pantone.
This orange though! Divine.
Created by collaborating with the colour experts at Pantone Colour Institute, this is the hero Mandarin Orange shade complemented by Habanero Gold, Muskmelon, Aquarelle, and Blue Iolite. Find out more at Nespresso.
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