HAPPY NEW YEAR

Here at Equa we are really chuffed to be listed in Time Out London's Best Shops Guide for 2011!

Merry Christmas

Under The Mistletoe

The social calendar is filling up with all sorts of festive fun, but what to wear? Here are a few of our favourite pieces that are sure to turn heads:

Scoop Back Party Dress by Annie Greenabelle. This is the perfect little party dress!

It is both cute and sexy whilst also being stylish and sophisticated. It is aimed at the more girly girls out there as it is one of the most feminine pieces we have at the moment. The best thing about this dress, in my opinion, is that it will take you right through winter (think thick tights and a thin polar neck under it) to those long summer nights (think little heels and a cute shrugg)! It is easy and versatile so go for it girls and snap it up now before it's too late!!

Pleated Pencil Dress by Outsider. This dress is super chic and perfect for a more formal event. It reminds me of Audrey Hepburn and I can see it being worn to Ascot or an equally smart occasion. The lovely thing about this dress is the detailing, there are fishtailesque inserts in the sleeve seams and at the bottom of the skirt. The wide round neck is very flattering as it gives just a glimpse of the decolletage without giving too much away, making this dress one of our most elegant lines.

Molly Dress by Annie Greenabelle. Another one by Annie Greenabelle, but they are just so darn pretty! This is a great piece as it is another extremely versatile style, it can be worn in a girly way, with pale tights, flat shoes and a blazer. Or it can be worn in quite a 'rock chic' way, with black or coloured tights, killer heels and a leather biker jacket with some fierce jewellery! Whichever way you wear it the understated sparkley frill around the neck will keep it nice and feminine!

Offset Hoop Earrings by Just Trade. These earrings will put the finishing touch to any outfit, and are the epitome of understated style and match perfectly with our bag below! They are hand made in Lima, Peru by a women's co-operative called the Zoe project which ensures the women are being treated well and fairly. It also ensures that they are earning enough money to live on and educate their children. So, not only are you buying  beautiful earrings, you are also doing a good thing and supporting women to support themselves and their families!!

Santogold Bag by Matt & Nat. This bag is fantastic because you have the option of two different removable straps, one of which is a chic brass chain. For parties you can remove the straps all together and use it as a clutch. Another fantastically versatile piece found at Equa!!

Derby Heels by Beyond Skin.These shoes are some of my favorites of the season. They have a fun/sexy feel to them with their bright red colour and black heel and sole. One of the best things about them, in my opinion, is they are not too high(approx 3.5 inches)and therefore not too hard to walk in!! The heel is nice and solid and doesn't end in a pinhead point, thus making it easier to balance after one too many at the Christmas party!!

Rosie x

Staff Christmas Wish List - Eva

The two items I most covet in the shop this yuletide are again the Ila candles (I obviously wan't a good enough girl last year as this is my second year of begging Father Christmas for them!) and new for this year the Annie Greenabelle Long sleeve body con dress.

The candles are just gorgeous in their vibrantly coloured glass cases and their scents are mesmerising. The dress is so soft, versatile and effortlessly sexy which given the amount of parties in the calendar makes it a xmas staple!  Come on St Nick, I've been far better behaved this year, I promise....

Staff Christmas Wish List - Marta

Alchemist wrap leather belt - the leather is soft and supple and the colour is beautiful chocolate brown. It is a very versatile piece, and is excellent for cinching at the waist after one too many mince pies.

Timothy Han Tin candles - the scent

is very subtle and the small tin packaging is adorable. The candles are soy wax based and are made locally in De Beauvoir Town. My favorite scent of all is the orange, grapefruit & clove that will make a perfect stocking gift.

Staff Christmas Wish List - Amy

Matt & Natt Omo wallet. This gorgeous wallet comes in turquoise or brown, but my favourite is the vivid turquoise blue. The wallet zips open revealing lots of space for cards and a separate zip compartment for change. Matt & Natt is a vegan brand, so no leather has been used to make this product. This wallet comes beautifully packaged in a foil embossed box ready to be wrapped and put under the tree.

 

Pants For Poverty Organic ruched knickers - 2 pack. These cute pants come in a two pack and are conveniently christmas coloured ready to be put straight into the stocking. The gathered seam up the back is a gorgeous detail and flattering on too!

Staff Christmas Wish List - Rosie

Next up....Rosie!

My ultimate Christmas gift pick has to be the Terra Plana Dionysia heels. They are beautiful, well made, sexy and versatile. They can be worn with skirts and dresses as well as trousers and are the perfect item to take you from day to evening! One of the features of these shoes is the memo-foam sole that keeps your feet super comfortable all day long. For me, that is priceless, especially for high heels.
 
 
 

As my second Christmas gift pick I have to choose the Wish Sugar Scrub from our body care range. It contains only the best organic and environmentally friendly ingredients and smells good enough eat! Having tried it myself it does a beautiful job of softening and polishing the skin, leaving you feeling silky soft and smelling divine ready to face any challenge that the day may bring

WARNING: After use you really will smell good enough to eat!!

Staff Christmas Wish List - Ruth

This week the Equa staff will reveal what they have on they have on this year's Christmas Wish List. To start we have the wonderful Ruth:

My first Xmas gift pick is an Envirosax. They’re are so brilliant, you’ll never need to use a disposable plastic bag again! These bags fold up into a tiny roll which is perfect for keeping in your handbag at all times, making you ready for any unexpected purchases. They come in a great range of colours and designs and make the ideal gift for anyone who shops!

Another great Xmas gift, Silver Crochet Earrings by Just Trade. Hand Made by a women’s co-operative in Peru, these earrings are so pretty. They are available in 3 sizes and there is also a matching pendant or necklace. These earrings will add a touch of sparkle for Christmas and throughout the new year.

CHRISTMAS OPENING HOURS

From Saturday 11th to Thursday 23rd December:




Monday               10.00 am – 6.30 pm


Tuesday              10.00 am – 6.30 pm


Wednesday         10.00 am – 6.30 pm


Thursday             10.00 am – 7.00 pm


Friday                  10.00 am– 6.30 pm


Saturday             10.00 am - 7.00 pm


Sunday                12.00 pm - 6.00 pm


Fri 24th                 10.00am – 4.00pm


25th, 26th & 27th CLOSED


Tuesday 28th         12.00 pm – 6.00 pm


Wednesday 29th    11.00 am – 6.00 pm


Thursday 30th       11.00 am – 6.00 pm


Friday 31st            11.00 am – 4.00 pm


1st January CLOSED


Sunday 2nd Jan     12.00 pm – 6.00 pm

Monday 3rd Jan   CLOSED

Then back to our usual opening hours...

Soya Wax Candles

As the evenings lengthen and winter draws in my mind turns to simple home comforts to brighten my mood. A scented candle is the perfect home accessory to get you in the cosy Christmas mood,  and they also make lovely gifts.

At Equa we stock a beautiful range of ethical yet luxurious aromatherapy candles by Timothy Han. What makes these candles different is the philosophy behind the Timothy Han brand, which is centred around the concept of “Sustainable Luxury”.


“We do not believe it necessary to sacrifice luxury in order to live responsibly” Timothy Han


The 3 points of difference between these candles and the vast majority if candles you can find on the high street:


- 100% natural and organic pure essential oils

- Organic soy wax free of pesticides

- Unbleached cotton wick


Essential oils

Most scented candles are made from artificial scents which can be overpowering and have a very synthetic smell.  In contrast the Timothy Han candles have a delicate and subtle natural scent that lingers. They use only the highest quality pure essential oils.

An essential oil is the concentrated essence of aromatic plants such as flowers, herbs, fruit, wood etc.. They have been a precious commodity dating back to ancient Egypt.

Extraction of essential oils requires a long and precise distillation process. It can take vast quantities of the raw material to produce a small quantity of essential oil. For example to produce 4 teaspoons of rose oil it can take over 225 pounds of rose petals. The cost of essential oils varies greatly due to the cost and quantity of raw material needed.


Soy Wax


The vast majority of scented candles available are made from petroleum based wax, most commonly paraffin. Even if they are advertised as `natural’ they commonly are a blend vegetable wax and paraffin so be sure to check the ingredients.

Paraffin wax is a heavy hydrocarbon derived from crude oil. Paraffin is known to give off harmful fumes linked to asthma and cancer. Many years of use can be harmful to your health and your home. Paraffin, being made from fossil fuels, is also a limited resource.


The Timothy Han collection is made with 100% organic soy wax. This is an all natural product that is renewable and biodegradable.

Not only does soy wax have better ethical credentials but it burns more slowly than paraffin candles and does not emit black soot.Soy wax is easy to wash out of fabric and does not leave an oily residue like paraffin wax does.


Timothy Han Candles come in two sizes; 190g which comes in a reusable glass and the smaller 57g candle in a tin. The spicy orange and clove blend beautifully evokes memories of Christmas past.

To View Equa's full range of candles click Here >>