whatidlove

How to afford those driving lessons

2010-06-21T17:05:00.004+01:00

Our brilliant site users never cease to amaze us with their incredible ideas for wish lists.

The latest is to satisfy a common family dilemma when kids turn 17 and are so excited that they can now learn to drive, only to find out how much it costs! So, and I think you know what I'm about to write, why not set up a driving lessons list for friends and family to make contributions for birthday, Christmas, or just because they are positioning themselves to ask for lifts in the future.

Festivals for free

2010-06-07T14:03:00.004+01:00

Now that summer is here there are a multitude of places to go, things to see, and lots of festivals to attend. Our canny site users are now wise to the opportunity to create a list for any occasion where friends and family would like to buy them a gift....it could be for passing exams, getting in to University or leaving home! So instead of getting a present which will languish in a drawer while you tavel the world, why not put the thing you really want on your list so people can contribute towards it and make you truly happy...it could be a ticket to Glastonbury, or the wearwithall to survive the experience.

For the Green Party

2010-05-17T12:31:00.003+01:00

A wonderful addition to the Bill Brown roll out bed is the Bill Brown sleeping bag, which is now available in a sublime patchwork. It's just what you need as the camping season arrives, and is always a great addition for those spontaneous sleepovers and parties.

Hand woven certified organic cotton, made in Kerala and printed with AZO free colourfast dyes it doesn't get much greener than this.

Spring into Summer

2010-05-10T15:58:00.021+01:00

We are heading for longer days, warmer weather and hopefully we can take a moment every now and then to look at the glorious blossoms all around us.We are especially happy that whatidlove.co.uk has a growing numbers of users month on month, whatever the weather or political direction.

According to a report in the Telegraph last week more wedding couples are abandoning the traditional wedding list and asking for money!! Well, we still have many couples compiling traditional wedding lists albeit - online! but we are finding an increasing number are asking for contributions towards their honeymoon or towards a large item like a sofa. Perhaps whatidlove.co.uk offers a more subtle approach to asking for money!

Whether its for a birthday, baby shower or a wedding, loads of you are discovering how easy it is to make an online list and how useful it is to be able to add just one or two expensive items that people can contribute towards. When you are ready you get the money transferred into your account and you can be happy in the knowledge that no one has wasted their time or indeed their hard earned money buying you something you don't need or want.

Suffice to say whatidlove is able to cater for any requirement (and any event!). A traditional list from one retailer, a list including a mix of items from any variety of retailers along with original products from our fabulous boutique retailers or a charity list full of donations you'd like people to make on your behalf - or a mixture of all!

Talking of boutique retailers...Sarah Frost Textiles has just launched her summer range with some fabulous products made in the heart of Wales.

Sarah Frost summer collection:

Everybody loves a winner

2010-03-15T13:59:00.004Z

Congratulations to Yogi, a Hungarian Vizsla and 2010 winner of Crufts, the largest dog show in the world.

Whatidlove.co.uk, the online wish list website, is a big fan of dogs and features a range of goodies for dog lovers from african beaded dog collars by Aspiga to dog T shirts by K9byigloo. A particular favourite is the doggy overnight bag which contains bowl, balls, treats and a thank you card from the dog – how civilised.

...and when it comes to setting up wish lists for your nearest and dearest...why not for your best friend!

Why not try this?

2010-02-24T16:15:00.023Z

Yes - Spring is just around the corner and birds everywhere (in between snow showers) are looking for nesting sites and mates. Bulbs are pushing their way out of the ground and the occasional burst of sunshine is warming things up - thank goodness!

Recently recommended to Kim and me is the RSPB's site giving advice on making, siting and maintaining a nesting box in the garden. http://www.rspb.org/advice/helpingbirds/nestboxes

Carpentry skills not up to much?

One of our fabulous Boutique shops is offering at a "spring" rate a nesting box with a camera inside with 30 metres of cable that links straight to your TV for your very own Spring Watch programme ! What a great present!

Our boutique shop Wild has them on offer for just £125.00 inc vat and postage (rrp £179.00 plus postage etc), saving over £50.00!

All you have to do is put them up (see the RSPB site for good positioning) and plug in the TV....making the most of spring whatever the weather!

Our BAFTA Nominee

2010-02-22T15:23:00.011Z

The fabulous Sandstorm Kenya company based in Nairobi, East Africa has been chosen as the official nominee gift bag provider! ...to translate, all those lucky nominees get to choose one of Sandstorm's luxury bags to take home for free!

Managing director, Mark Stephenson, commented: "we were delighted to be approached by BAFTA late last year. Outside Kenya we're still a little known brand, sought out by the discerning few, but we would like to think we make some of the best canvas and leather bags in the world and the fact that we still make everything ourselves, ethically, here in Kenya, is what brought us to the attention of BAFTA.

Whatidlove are delighted to have found them before the BAFTA lot and have these exclusive bags available to buy from Wild Travel in the boutique section of our site, so you too can choose from the safari-styled tan canvas and tan leather or the more urban black canvass and black leather.....Cool!

The Big Cheese

2010-02-12T09:35:00.005Z

Send a Valentine Cheese

This is the perfect gift for your valentine, girls.

They say the route to a man's heart is through his stomach and this fabulous Godminster vintage cheese will really hit the spot.

It is one of the best cheddars we've ever tasted!

A perfect message for your valentine...you have great taste in cheese!

Click here to go to the item.

A Divorce List?

2010-02-01T15:55:00.008Z

Debenhams recently launched, alongside their traditional wedding list service, their new all singing and dancing Divorce List service for those separating couples one of whom is presumably moving out and needs a toaster!
Perhaps they’re celebrating? Is this indicative of our society or just a new business angle for Debenhams?

We are delighted to report that we have no Divorce lists on our site as far as we’re aware, but we do have loads of wonderful wedding lists, birthday lists, anniversary lists, baby showers, 40th, 50th and many other occasion lists.

We have yet to see a Divorce list on the site and hope that all gift ideas lists are for positive reasons. Our free list service is perfect for wedding lists, birthday lists and any present giving occasions. Very adaptable, it allows the user to add any item to their list from any website or retailer (on or offline), so they don’t have to stick to one retailer, and if they want to they can mark the item for "contributions" too.

We are seeing more and more wedding couples replacing wedding lists with honeymoon lists. It’s perfect for those wedding couples who have already set up home together and want to mark the start of their married life with a fantastic honeymoon. By adding the complete cost of their dream holiday or even individual expenses like flights or hotel accommodation to their honeymoon list guests can contribute towards their honeymoon expense….

Not surprisingly this is a growing part of whatidlove.co.uk…not divorce lists!

Happy New Year!

2010-01-18T15:31:00.014Z

At last the snow has melted away and we can begin the year proper, with new energy and gusto for 2010.

A Happy New Year to all our Users, Retailers and Boutique shops!

Whatidlove had a great 2009 with more people than ever using our wish list facility and for many different occasions. With many weddings already on track, as well as birthdays and new baby lists being created there are already 1000s of gorgeous, as well as useful items being put on lists, Whatidlove is really busy!

It's good too that more and more people like Jonathan Ross are speaking out about the waste of buying unwanted, unnecessary presents...Did you see "Friday Night with Jonathan Ross (15th January 2010)"?

Unwanted presents total £1.7 Billion!

Lets hope they're recycled!

Next Christmas you already know what to do - make a whatidlove list!

What do you buy the cyclist who has everything?

2009-12-07T14:25:00.002Z

We're in the thick of the gift buying season now and for those unenlightened gift buyers who have not discovered the joys of buying Christmas presents aided by whatidlove wish lists, there is a real dilemma.
The normal process of choosing a gift seems to be to find out what interests or hobbies the recipient has and head in that direction - big mistake!
They will already have the obvious accoutrements for their designated activity, so whatever you get them is highly likely to be wrong, which leads many of us to head down the disasterous and wasteful joke present route.
What people really want is often so difficult to discover.....so please keep those gift lists going and rejoice in getting the perfect gift!

Christmas Thank You's

2009-11-30T20:49:00.007Z

Dear Auntie
Oh, what a nice jumper
I've always adored powder blue
and fancy you thinking of
orange and pink
for the stripes
how clever of you

Dear Uncle
The soap is terrific
So
useful
and such a kind thought
and how did you guess that
I'd just used the last of
the soap that last Christmas brought

Dear Gran
Many thanks for the hankies
Now I really can't wait for the flu
and the daisies embroidered
in red round the M
for Michael
how
thoughtful of you

Dear Cousin
What socks!
and the same sort you wear
so you must be
the last word in style
and I'm certain the
luminous green
will make me stand out a mile

Dear Sister
I quite understand your concern
its a risk sending jam in the post
But I think I've pulled out
all the big bits
of glass
so it won't taste too sharp
spread on toast

Dear Grandad
Don't fret
I'm delighted
So don't think your gift will
offend
I'm not at all hurt
that you gave up this year
and just sent me
a fiver
to spend

By Mick Gowar

Thank you Mrs F for emailing this to us, very appropriate!

Time to get organised

2009-11-23T14:52:00.003Z

It is that time of year again when the clever people who use Christmas wish lists get organised, compile their list in anticipation of being asked what they want for Christmas, and contact all their friends and relations to make sure they are doing likewise.

We have now had a few super organised Christmases when all the gift giving is wrapped up (sorry!) by mid December and we can move on to the important things in life - spending time with friends and family and enjoying the holiday....as well as feeling a bit smug as everyone else traipses around the shops in a frenzy of uncertainty. Still, we feel that good organisation deserves its recompenses.

Ban Christmas presents! I don't think so

2009-11-15T16:39:00.004Z

Speaking on the Jeremy Vine show on Radio 2 last Friday Martin Lewis, founder of moneysaving expert.com, said: "We're spending money on unneeded, unwanted and unused goods. That's not good for our finances, and doesn't help the environment- it just clogs up landfill".

Well, of course, we couldn't agree more, although we do not support his initiative to ban Christmas presents completely!

We think that everyone should give what they would like to whom they like, hopefully within their means and without any competitive pressures....and it goes without saying that if you organise yourself well with a whatidlove wish list everyone can relish the joy of giving what will be truly appreciated, and use their holiday to enjoy good times with friends and family.

Oh Bouy!

2009-11-05T13:28:00.014Z

One of our favourite boutique retailers on whatidlove is Luca's Garden. Not only because of the quality of products but also the range of original and unique gifts they have.

They always have something new to offer and we suspect where Luca's Garden go others follow. This new swinging bouy ball (which are real bouys by the way) will be a best seller before long. Made especially for Luca's Garden they are available in yellow and blue and reasonably priced at £49.99.

Our children would have loved one of these but sadly they are too old to swing around under a tree and are concentrating on other aspects of life like fashion and going out to the horror of their parents!

They are not too old to make a Christmas wish list though which I'm glad to say they have already started - that will make my life so much easier. What do you get teenagers these days?

Actually my lot have very clear and specific ideas and know exactly what they want...and thankfully by making a whatidlove gift list they are able to source the item for me too, because I'd never remember otherwise. If it's an expensive item they are saving up for they can mark it for contributions which is great for aunts and uncles who just want to give money.

As for my list this Christmas it will be full of Luca's Garden products - a lovely garden clock, a little bistro table with two chairs for a sunny corner of my garden and really useful things too like a pair of pot holders... to visit Luca's Garden on whatildove.co.uk. click here

Featuring Kathy Jobson Jewellery

2009-10-26T09:08:00.013Z

We have some fabulous retailers on our site, some of whom do not run their own website but choose to use whatidlove as their online presence for e-commerce. Kathy Jobson Jewellery is one such.
Kathy Jobson Jewellery is handmade jewellery made by Kathy from her home in Devon. She uses silver, glass, freshwater pearls and handmade lampwork beads which are sourced personally by Kathy.

We offer a great service for crafts people and shops to have their own "microsite" giving them an online e-commerce capability without all the hassle of setting this up themselves.....so they can continue to create beautiful products without distractions.

If you know of anyone who would benefit from this service do get in touch - click here

Make it easier for your husband - he may need it!

2009-10-13T15:56:00.003+01:00

Thank you for telling us your worst gifts ever...do keep sending them (we have such a laugh in the office). There is never a better reason or place to make a list just read on....

We know lots of men find it difficult to think of a good present to buy and many wives could do with getting it right sometimes...the whatidlove gift wish list service is perfect for communicating the right size, colour or that special little gift no one would normally think of...

These gifts were given to unsuspecting wives by (we're sure) well meaning husbands but were definitely not wished for...

Set of saucepans - Mrs L Finch - he obviously wants to take over the cooking.

A temperature fork - Mrs J Hunt, your husband lives dangerously!

Ironing Board - Mrs P, you must be an angel

A Road Map - Mrs J, ...ummm was he trying to say something?

2 x cream scarves - Mrs H, for both your heads?

3 x pudding basins - Mrs B, what was he thinking of !?!

A Chocolate Orange - Mrs J Storr - this is comparatively exciting and ready made!

Design your own website software - Mrs C - our techies think this is very useful (but they're men of course)

A whatidlove list will be perfect for a husband in need of help, not only that, they don't have to leave the office and venture into the world of retail. They simply buy online direct from the retailer from your list and have it delivered!

What could be easier?....a lobotomy!

Don't give up on your dream present

2009-09-28T11:16:00.008+01:00

We just love this Old Rocker by http://www.oddlimited.com/ - a perfect example of something you'd love to buy or be given but which could well fall into the "can't afford it right now" category. But even in these credit crunchy times you can go to the ball....or rather you can be given your dream present, even though you may not be able to justify buying it yourself, and it is too expensive a gift for one person to buy for you.
Just stick it on your wish list, tick the box which says "do you want people to give £ towards this" and off you go. What is the worst that can happen? How great would it be to know that every penny given is targeted at what you would really love to receive…. for what you are about to receive you will be truly grateful.

The best holiday snap of the year!

2009-08-21T11:50:00.009+01:00

We just had to include this picture taken by holiday couple Mr and Mrs Brandts beside the stunning Lake Minniewanka in Banff National Park, Canada.
They had just set up the camera on some rocks and using the timer, were getting ready for the picture to take when a curious ground squirrel (interested in the clicking made by the camera) stepped into the shot. Wonderful composition don't you think!
It makes us chuckle every time we see it.

Whatidlove on Radio 4

2009-07-31T11:42:00.006+01:00

On Thursday 30th July the Radio 4 You and Yours programme featured a short report by Stephen Armstrong on the boom in birthday wish lists. Click here to listen to the programme (the feature starts about 12 minutes into the programme).

Stephen makes mention of some of the eccentric things which feasture on lists -
" a set of false teeth, a book of geomorphology, and a full set of DJ equipment - that's some specific present ordering action dude!"

and sees the attraction particularly to the young user -

" of course the young people like it - they would. They can send instructions to grandparents and avoid years of ugly socks, alarming jumpers, and aftershave that's legally registered as a chemical warfare agent that we all had to put up with".

One listener saw the service as " a pragmatic and money and time saving thing to do - particularly important at a time when people need to ensure that money being spent is well spent, that is, people aren't just buying things that disappear into the back of cupboards - a waste of money and creating waste" ....couldn't have put it better ourselves!

Red or white?

2009-07-27T10:57:00.012+01:00

To deviate from this uninspiring question we have taken it upon ourselves to test a great summer drink. Simply mix vodka, ginger ale and a slice of cucumber (in measures that suit your individual tastes, constitution and plans for the evening), add lots of ice and enjoy......

..... and for the perfect presentation
we love this with 6 glasses from
Cape Henley for only £15.

What were they thinking of?

2009-07-24T16:28:00.006+01:00

We've had some great examples of...shall we say?...unusual presents.
Here is are some of the gifts given to our innocent recipients. A wish list has never been so necessary!

Mrs P: "A Paper Mache Cow - from sister in law" ...umm
Miss M. Raven: "a Hammer - from (now ex) boyfriend" ...Surprise!
Mr W: " jumper with golfer on it...dosen't play golf! - from mother in law"...sounds as good as the reindeer jumper in Bridget Jones!
Miss Connolly: "padded coat hanger - from an aunt." ...We remember getting those!
Mrs J : "False teeth Ice tongs" ...lovely

Just a few so far...do keep them coming to info@whatidlove.co.uk

The Story of Stuff

2009-06-04T14:07:00.013+01:00

If you have 20 minutes to spare this is a great video to remind us all how the stuff we buy and throw away effects the planet.

We really believe that any gift bought should be something that is wanted or needed, and hope that whatidlove makes it easier for everyone to achieve this end....the rest is all up to us.

Watch The Story of Stuff

save on your phone bills

2009-05-20T11:53:00.004+01:00

In these turbulent times any money saving opportunity is a bonus.
We have found a great site that helps you find alternative landline (ie. free to call) numbers ....alternatives for 0845, 0870 and 0871 numbers amongst others......
http://www.saynoto0870.com/.
You simply type in the number and the site gives you an alternative land line number...so while you are being serenaded on hold with your bank, insurance company or other such delight at least you will have the joy of knowing that you are not paying for it.

What great taste our users have

2009-05-14T10:05:00.008+01:00

Lynne and I are constantly amazed by the gifts our users put on their lists. We are able to review the latest gift added, the most popular, and any new snazzy retailers that are being featured...useful eh! Whose list they are featured on is confidential, but we are amazed by the wonderful taste in gifts.
Books are often popular as gifts. My personal favourite is Stupid Sock Creatures: Making Quirky, Lovable Figures from Cast-off Socks (Paperback)

What an inspired gift for somebody who has everything (or nothing)!

Why?

2009-05-13T15:02:00.003+01:00

It seems like hundreds of years ago that Kim and I decided we should investigate our idea of a website that would hopefully save us and everyone else time trying to buy the right presents for friends and family, as well as stop the needless and wasteful purchase of unwanted gifts.Would we do it again? Ummm...Its been tremendous hard work and long hours while still trying to carry on being mums and wives, but we have had huge fun working together and the site is very satisfying in that it is unique - no other site is like whatidlove. It works well and we love getting lots of good comments from people who use it. So would we do it again? ...Yes of course!We have had a great time discovering fabulous independent businesses and designers, meeting new people and discovering original products...so now we have a Blog to post things on, not only can we add the flavour of the whatidlove office banter but we can tell you about brilliant things we discover that just can't be added to our site.

Dotty Designs

2009-05-12T11:43:00.006+01:00

Dotty Designs

We love unusual, practical and beautiful things and while thinking about planting, Dotty Designs have added these clever "meadow storage cubes" on our site...they can be used for anything of course.

Hannah at Dotty Designs has lots of brilliant storage ideas for all round the house.

It's not too late to get planting.

2009-05-12T11:41:00.006+01:00

It's not too late to plant Sweet Peas - Tips for the novice sweet pea grower
We spend quite a bit of time trying to select fabulous independent retailers to add to our boutiques, which involves many trips to fairs and shows around the country (shame). Quite often we get diverted (very often in fact), usually by a stall holder who draws us in with their enormous enthusiasm for their product. One such was Delma, who we met recently at the Sudeley Castle fair. Delma seems to know everything there is to know about matters horticultural and is an expert on sweet pea growing.
She kindly (and firmly) talked us through the process of soaking seeds for 24 hours, before removing them, pricking the skin gently with a needle and then re soaking for 10 minutes. Gently push the seed into good compost and place on a window sill.....all this so that the fledgling sweet pea can concentrate all its energies on pushing through the shell and realising its full, and glorious potential. Delma completely entranced us with her wealth of knowledge about the history of sweet peas, and we left with arms laden with seed packets and our clear instructions.....watch this space for progress reports. We are secretly competing with each other (some sabotage may occur).

Lumley for Prime Minister!

2009-05-12T11:36:00.007+01:00

We are joining the "Joanna Lumley for Prime Minister" campaign and if there isn't one yet then we are happy to start one!

See her in action dealing with the Immigration Minister Phil Woolas last week.

So our charity of the week must be the Gurkha's Welfare Trust Click the link if you want to donate.

Tell us about your worst present!

2009-05-12T11:31:00.004+01:00

It's OK we won't disclose the gift giver - although they should be brought to justice. But we have heard about some hilarious gifts that have been given. Was it beautifully wrapped? Was it built up to be a surprise? Do tell us...we really want to know and the worst presents are definitely the most fun and amusing (though perhaps not at the time!). Do tell us about the good ones too... and tell us who gave them to you too (we have a theory we need to prove).

Simply email us at info@whatidlove.co.uk and we will post them here.