Winter Sale starts January 2nd at 10 am

We have been scratching our heads for some time, trying to find a way to say thank you during sale time to those customers who support us year round. We think we have come up with the answer.

Our Winter Sale starts on January 2nd but for the whole of the month we are offering an extra 20% discount to everyone who is on our (e)mailing list. To sign up and be able to take advantage of this great offer please go to the newsletter page of our website

New Years Resolutions

At this time of year we all want to do something positive for those around us The Retail Champion shows how to help your community just by changing your shopping habits

Artichoke is coming to town ....

......or to be more precise the fine city of Norwich. For one week only (Monday 3rd to Sunday 9th December) we will be in The Eden Craft Tent which is situated outside Chapelfields, our regional shopping centre.

If you are in the city shopping please pop in and say hello. We will have great gift ideas including LouenHide handbags (see below), Dante Jewellery, faux fur boot toppers, socks,scarves and lots of sweatshirts, gilets, jackets and knitwear plus the odd Bariloche shirt.

Of course we are not on our own and the other independent traders in the marquee with us will be able to offer you lots of gift ideas too.

We are open from 9am to 8pm every day except Thursday when we shut at 10pm and Sunday at 5pm respectively.

LouenHide Handbags

Recently launched in the UK LouenHide, Austrailia's favourite handbag is for every woman every day.

A great bag at a great price (starting from £59) for the woman who likes accessories with a little bit of exclusivity - currently there are only 20 UK stockists and one in Norfolk - which of course is Artichoke.

The bags are available from this week both at our shop at Hackford and the pop-up in Norwich.

Sign Up 

To our mailing list via the ancient (and soon to be replaced website) newsletter page before December 21st and your details will be entered into a free prize draw. Not only will you be kept bang up to date with everything that is happening at Artichoke but you may also win a great Clarins Gift into the bargain.....just in case ............perhaps I should say that this offer applies to UK subscribers only.

Have a look at The Norfolk Magazines fashion pages this month. 

Some great 'old gels gear' supplied by Artichoke. can you spot the difference? Of course not because given clothes that are cut to fit properly the 40+ woman can still look a mega babe. Unfortunately the model they used is a 20 something stick insect but one step at a time ladies one step at a time - at least our existence has been acknowledged!

Bariloche Ladies Shirts - Winter 2012

Bariloche – This  beautiful Spanish shirt is named after an Argentine ski resort and carries all the style and  glamour associated with it’s famous name sake. Beautifully cut for real women with an amazing finish and an astonishing retail price of £59 these shirts are disappearing fast from Artichoke.To bag yours visit us at the Old Garage, Hingham Road, Hackford or call 01953 851458.

Anna Montanna Jeans - Winter 2012 colours

The launch of our new website has been delayed until the new year  so  to keep our promise of showing the autumn colours for our Anna Montanna Jeans on line we are putting up style details and colourways on our blog : -

As you know we stock Anna Montanna Jeans in two shapes – DORA & MONIKA

DORA is a high waisted straight leg jean with a slightly elasticated waistband and has a slender cut over the bottom & thighs – it is more suited to women who have an apple shaped figure.

MONIKA is a high waisted straight leg jean with a fixed waistband and has a more generous cut over the bottom & thighs more suitable for ladies with either an hour glass or pear shaped figure.

These amazing jeans are high waisted with two way stretch, have great pocket detail and retail at the amazing price

of only £59 incl P & P

DORA – AUTHENTIC BLUE

Leg Width 40 cm

Leg Length 30 inches

In Stock size 12 to 20

Available to order size 12 to 26

DORA - KITT (Stonewash Taupe)

Leg Width 40 cm

Leg Length 30 inches

In Stock size 12 to 18

Available to order size 12 to 26

 

DORA - GRAU (Charcoal)

Leg Width 40 cm

Leg Length 30 inches

In stock size 12 to 18

Available to order size 12 to 26

MONIKA - AUTHENTIC BLUE

Leg Width 42 cm

Leg Length 30 inches

In stock size 10 to 18

Available to order 10 to 24

Leg Length 32 inches

In stock 12 to 18

Available to order 10 to 24

Leg Length34 inches

In stock size 12 to 18

Available to order size10 t0 24

MONIKA - KITT (stonewash taupe)

Leg Width 42 cm

Leg Length 30 inches

In stock size 12 to 18

Available to order 10 to 24

Leg Length 32 inches

In stock 12 to 18

Available to order 10 to 24

Leg Length34 inches

In stock size 12 to 18

Available to order size10 t0 24



MONIKA - GRAU (charcoal)

Leg Width 42 cm

Leg Length 30 inches

In stock size 12 to 18

Available to order 10 to 24

Leg Length 32 inches

In stock 12 to 18

Available to order 10 to 24

Leg Length34 inches

In stock size 12 to 18

Available to order size10 t0 24

We are looking forward to stocking Anna Montanna Magic Stretch later this month - details to follow

If you would like more information or indeed would like to place an order and cannot make it to either our shop at Hackford or one of our 'pop up' events which take place throughout East Anglia please either call us on 01953 851458 or email us at artichokecollection@btinternet.com

We look forward to hearing from you

The Artichoke Girls

x

Artichoke dates for your diary .....

 

We are so excited about our Autumn Collection for 2012 and are very proud to have been asked to launch it The Fidelity Blenheim Horse Trials. From there we return to Norfolk for a fun packed autumn of fashionably fundraising. If you would like details about
any of the events listed below please give us a call on 01953 851458

The Fidelity Blenheim Horse Trials
Blenheim Palace
Thursday September 6th until Sunday September 9th

Lifestyle Live 2012
The Mansion House, Biggleswade
Sunday 23rd September from 10 am to 3 pm
Visit http://www.lifestylelive.co.uk for more information

Fashion Show, Lunch & Shopping at The Best Western George Hotel, Swaffham.
Wednesday 26th September - 11 am to 3.30 pm
Tickets £15 to include morning coffee, a two course lunch and afternoon tea.
Contact The Best Western George Hotel on 01760 721238 for more details.

Fashion Show & Clothing Sale in aid of St Nicholas Church, Dereham
Friday 28th September at 7pm

UNICEF Bazaar
Bennington, Hertfordshire
Tuesday 4th October
Private Event

Lunch, Shopping and a talk given by Sean Reid, Head Gardener at The West Wing, Ickworth Park in aid of St Nicholas Hospice.
Wednesday 28th September from 11.30 am - tickets £35

Fashion Show & Clothing Sale hosted by Watton Inner Wheel
The Queens Hall, Watton
Friday October 5th at 7.30pm
Tickets available from Mullens of Watton.

Fashion Show, Lunch & Shopping at Thetford Golf Club
Tuesday 9th October
Private Event

British Red Cross - Essex Branch, Autumn Gift Fair
Parklands, Quendon Hall, Quendon
Entrance £4 to include coffee & biscuits
Contact Yvonne Jackson on 01245 291014 for more details

LILAC Coffee Morning
The Street, Brundall
Friday October 12th from 10.30am until 12.30pm

Fashion Show and Clothing Sale in aid of Action Medical Research
The Jubilee Centre, Mildenhall  
Thursday 18th October at 10.30 am

Autumn Bazaar in aid of Cancer Research
Lavenham Village Hall
Monday 22nd October from 10 am until 3pm
We are joined by Hotfooted selling a fantastic range of footwear as well as a host of other stalls - why not get kitted out for the season ahead and make a start on your Christmas shopping at the same time?


Fashion Show & Clothing Sale hosted by Drayton Flower Club
Drayton Village Hall
Tuesday October 23rd at 7.30pm

NSPCC Christmas Bazaar
Lingfield Park Racecourse, Surrey
Friday November 2nd
All welcome

Winter Fayre
Wymondham College
Saturday 10th November 2012 from 10 am to 2pm
All welcome entry £1 for adults, children and students free

NSPCC Autumn Bazaar
The Village Hall, New Buckenham
Monday 12th November from 10am to 3pm
All welcome

Ely Cathedral Christmas Gift & Food Fair
Ely Cathedral
Thursday 15th November 6.30pm to 8.30 pm - Preview, Private Event.
Friday 16th & Saturday 17th November 10am to 4 pm - All welcome


NAFAS Area Day
Norwich
Saturday November 17th - Private Event
Air Ambulance Christmas Fair
Sunday November 18th - Details to be confirmed
 

NSPCC Festive Autumn Fair
Anstey Hall, Trumpington, Cambridge
November 21st from 11 am to 4 pm
All welcome - see local press for details

LOOKING AHEAD TO SPRING AND SUMMER 2013 WE STILL HAVE GAPS IN OUR DIARY, IF YOU WOULD LIKE US TO HELP YOU WITH YOUR FUNDRAISING PLEASE CONTACT SARAH ON 07881 815470

We hope that you enjoy the rest of the summer and look forward to catching up with you somewhere on our travels this winter.

Best Wishes
from The Artichoke Girls

Keep in touch by reading our monthly blog
www.thegirlsatartichokesay.blogspot.com
Facebook.com/Artichokegirls
Follow us on Twitter @artichokegirls

 

The Royal Norfolk Show

Unfortunately for everyone involved The Suffolk Show was almost literally a washout this year with heavy rain on the first day and the second being cancelled as force 9 gales were predicted to hit the showground in the middle of the day . It was the first time in it's 120 history that the show had to be cancelled because of the weather and it was a very sad day for everyone involved. On a more positive note we are looking forward to being back at Trinity Park next May and hopefully the sunshine will join us.

After The Suffolk the next big show of the season for us is The Royal Norfolk - the photo above is of our marquee in our brand new area.  This year we moved to the top of the showground to be near our great friends Jo & Dave of Hotfooted.

A lot of preparation goes into taking our shop to a big county show. At The Suffolk and Sandringham Flower Show we have marquees that are 9m x 6m, the one at The Norfolk is slightly smaller but still takes several days to plan and set up.

The first thing that we do as you can see from these two photos is mock up our stand in the shop so that when we arrive on set up day we know where everything is going to go. This ensures that the layout is not only visually pleasing to our customers but makes it easier for us to help them find what they are looking for. Well thats the theory anyway - inevitably by the time we pack up on the second day we have finally begun to find everything!

Our move nearer The Members and Countryside area was a huge success. We caught up with lots of our customers from the shop at Hackford, as well as ladies that we only ever see at the shows such as Judie & Jennifer from The Cattle Sheds  - both of whom 'invested' heavily in Tinta and Bariloche blouses! The only downside was we have lost our steward - The delicious Will - hopefully next year he will have time to visit Ave 4!!!

Unfortunately we were so busy chatting we did not have time to take photos of the rest of the show or indeed see much of it. Andrea managed to fit in a bit of retail therapy of her own and I quickly whizzed around the animals and spent a lovely half hour in the countryside area with my son Paddy.

Next weekend (July 14th & 15th) we are back at Trinity Park for the first ever Golf East (and our first golf show) and then it is a quick reckie at The CLA Game Fair before our favourite show of them all The Sandringham Flower Show.

If you have any show stories or indeed run one that you would like The Artichoke Girls to attend please drop us a line - we would love to hear from you.

Best Wishes

The Artichoke Girls

x

A quick note to say ....

...that when we say we sell the clothes we love to wear we really mean it!

Here are a couple of recent snap shots, one of Sarah wearing an Alice Collins Polo and Amazing Woman Jeans on a recent visit to the herd of Large Black Pigs that she keeps with her husband Rob by the MP Elizabeth Truss. http://www.edp24.co.uk/business/farming-news/mp_elizabeth_truss_praises_food_network_for_rare_breed_pork_near_oxburgh_1_1389997

The other is from The Houghton Horse Trails last weekend. In our lovely tent you can see from left to right, Sarah in a Bariloche blouse, our famous gin swilling mannequinn in an Alice Collins Polo and Becky Barber and Louise Collins both from Alice Collins sporting their summer 2012 collection.

Now the summer has arrived (?) as I write is pouring with rain and 10 degrees outside, we are starting our show season so will be incredibly busy over the next couple of months.  At the end of July however we will do a show special blog with lots of photos of friends from all the places that we have visited plus snippets of gossip and style hints (one for Sarah - loose the hat!). We also have a couple of interviews to look forward to - one with our local Norfolk style guru Jo Allen, a chat with Grenouille who supply us with our fantastic gilets and hopefully an interview with Antje of CPM.

I hope that you all have a fantastic summer - If you are at The Suffolk Show, The Royal Norfolk Show or The Sandringham Flower Show please come and say hello - we would love to catch up with you.

Best Wishes

From The Artichoke Girls

ALICE COLLINS

The Interview

At last the long awaited interview with one of our favourite suppliers Louise Collins of the amazing Alice Collins. I hope you will agree that it was worth waiting for.

Louise, what is your connection with Norfolk?

My husband Dean, of BB Adams Direct is a Norfolk Boy and although my business which is based in Leeds takes me all over the country I try to get home as often as I can.

Where did the inspiration for the brand name ALICE COLLINS come from?

It is my daughter's name and both celebrate their 24th birthday this year.

How would you describe the Alice Collins brand?

It is where Country Meets Fashion. A range of individual practical clothing that concentrates on design detail.

So who do you think that the Alice Collins Woman is?

The Alice Collins Woman has a busy but fairly casual lifestyle. She loves colour and wants a garment that is of good quality and fit. She is influenced, but not dictated to, by changing trends - wanting stylish but practical clothes.

What is it that makes this seasons collection so special?

It is a striking collection of tops in a combination of block colours and stripes from this seasons colour palettes - dusky blues and pinks, navy & white and the lovely jelly red, aqua and green. We are very proud of the lovely button and embroidery details on placketts & cuffs.

What are you wearing from it?

The 42 knots sweatshirt shown on the right. It is incredibly comfortable to wear and a very flattering cut. The Navy and White colour scheme makes it smart but casual and it will look just as good Crabbing in Cromer as it will at The Houghton Horse Trials where I hope to catch up with The Artichoke Girls in May.

....So What can we look forward to inWinter 2012?

A wealth of textured knitwear, tweed jackets with great button detail that can be teamed with quirqy shirts and The 42 Knots Club Range -  classic tops with a twist in navy and cream - great for daughters, mothers and grannies alike.

Louise and her team love to hear from their customers

If you have any suggestions, comments or requests please make them on this blog or contact Louise directly at louise@alicecollins.com

We love The Shirt

This season's 'must have' is the shirt. For my daughter and her friends the inspiration comes from Kate Middleton. Me I'm just having a Princess Di moment. I've even dug out the pearls!

Joking apart Andrea and I started putting together our shirt collection a couple of years ago in response to our customers who were beginning to tire of T Shirts and were looking for something a little bit moreish.

We have a lovely range of everyday ladies shirts made by British Label Grenouille which come in two shapes and several different cloths including non iron seersucker. They are virtually indestructible and sell for between £32 & £39.  For the mid- range we have Double Two.  Another very well established British label that is working hard - and I might add succeeding - in updating it's design base. These blouses are fantastic not only for everyday but also posh lunches and dress down dinners too - they retail at under £50. 

This season we are delighted to welcome BARILOCHE & TINTA. These shirts are exclusive (I am pretty sure not for long ) in Norfolk to Artichoke. The cloth is sourced in Italy and France and the blouses are made up in Spain. Bariloche is as you can see a ladies shirt - with a difference - look at the inset details. They remind me of Ralph Lauren but are on sale at a fraction of the designer's price. Tinta is a softer rouched style more a pastiche of Gucci & Chanel but at special price this season of £52 - much more attractive to the Norfolk Pocket!

HOW TO WEAR THE SHIRT

...with a pair of our Oscar B or Anna Montana Jeans for that on trend look.

' I have been told that you shouldn't wear patterns on the largest part of your body - which is my bust - can I still wear Tinta blouses?'

....of course, just make sure that you have a block colour like a plain jacket over if you are wearing it as a blouse.  The best look we think however is wearing them as an overshirt with either a block colour or monochrome underneath.  Andrea is wearing hers with a white vest and wide leg white linen trousers and as always looks amazing as the monochrome not only elongates her legs but makes her look thinner.

I am wearing the Bariloche (which I love) over a vest tucked out for a casual look and tucked into my belted straight leg Amazing Woman Jeans under a jacket, complete with pearls & pumps for my Princess Di 'homage'. Looking good!

We love Anna Montanna Jeans

We have had a  bit of a hitch on the Louise Collins interview as this month she is running around the country making sure that lots and lots of shops in rural England stock her great range of clothes next Winter.  Fingers crossed she will be able to join The Girls at Artichoke say in April.

As we have some fantastic new jeans at Artichoke I thought that some tips on wearing them might be a good idea.  Anna Montanna are a German brand new to the UK . Each style of jean is sold in three different shapes and up to three leg lengths.  This season we are stocking size 12 to 18 but they are available in 10-26. Another bonus  - as well as bringing out a new styles each season they also carry  a never out of stock range so once you have discovered the jean that is for you, you can return season after season secure in the knowledge that they will fit.

Why dont you pop in try a pair yourself?

We look forward to seeing you

Best Wishes

Sarah, Andrea and The Artichoke Crew

PS: I forgot to mention the best bit – the price £59 – that equates to one leg in a pair of NYD’s !!

 " Jeans can look great on women of any size and age as long as they are bought with thought. "

Here are some tips from the artichoke girls for the woman who still lives in denim.

Choose jeans with some stretch. They look good and have the added advantage that you can not only sit down but eat in them too!

You don’t have to stick to denim. Other colours such as this season’s silver, lagoon and navy all look great.  Team them with one of our Jack Murphy Floral  or Tinta blouses and you will be bang on trend. (Thank you Kate Middleton)

For a more dressy look chose a solid, darker colour which will give you the added advantage of making you look slimmer. We have some amazing Oscar B jackets in store – these and your jeans will take you anywhere.

Have jeans in different lengths to wear with different heel heights.  The 7/8 ths trouser looks great on supermodels - having our hems at half mast just makes us look more bewildered than we actually are.

Slightly flared or wide legged jeans look great on many older women. They look fab with high heels under them. Wearing any trouser this way will give added leg length.

If you have good pins skinny jeans will look great tucked into boots just cover your tum with a slightly longer top.

.

Even in Essex don’t overdo the bling

BIG no no's

Jeans that cut into your stomach area. Muffin tops are not flattering!

Low rise jeans – the crack in your bum is not a good look!

Baggy jeans – even if you are a hundred you don’t need to look like it.

Shopping is fun but there are other things to do

Within a 10 minute drive of Artichoke there are several interesting places to visit and lots of lovely cafes and restaurants to tempt you.  We have listed a few of our favourites below - next time you visit us why not try one of them?

PLACES WE LOVE TO GO TO ....

Sandra recommends The Gamekeeper at Old Buckenham - she says the food is consistently good, the atmosphere is great and you dont need to take out a mortgage to go there. For more information visit http://www.thegamekeeperfreehouse.com/

Andrea loves Cafe Verde at Mattishall - her daughter Amy used to work there before she moved to Holt.  The food is at Cafe Verde is delicious and they are very proud that it is sourced locally in Norfolk. Something we support wholeheartedly. For more details visit http://www.southgreenpark.co.uk. Nikki Smith the centre manager is offering Artichoke Ladies a 10% discount at their farm shop until March 31st.  To get your discount voucher email sales@artichokecollection.co.uk and we will email it back to you.

We all recommend Lincolns Bistro which is on The Green in Hingham and is well known for it's reasonably priced light lunches. Details at http://www.lincolns-of-hingham.co.uk/

CAFES ON OUR LIST TO VISIT VERY SOON

Yaxham Waters - I popped in on Thursday, it was busy mid week which is always a good sign! They were serving light lunches in a relaxed enviroment. Andrea and I will be lunching there soon.
http://www.yaxhamwaters.co.uk/cafe.html

Yaxham Mill  - Recently renovated and it seems like another good find. Busy on a Thursday lunchtime in February so they must be getting it right - Yaxham Mill is on the list to visit very soon   http://www.yaxhammill.com/restaurant-yaxham.php

PLACES TO VISIT

Top of our list is the historic village of Hingham itself.  With it's grand Georgian architecture and beautiful church it is definately worth a visit. In the centre you will find Mongers architectural Salvage http://www.mongersofhingham.co.uk/ and on the outskirts interior designers Margaret Sheridan http://www.margaretsheridan.co.uk/

Further afield is Peter BealesRoses which needs no introduction and a mile or two on from here based at St Georges Distillery you will find The English Whisky Company which is definately worth a visit - tours run every hour throughout the day. http://www.englishwhisky.co.uk/

So as you can see there is a bit more to do than shop in Hingham, but please remember to come and say hello to us too.

Next Month........A profile of Alice Collins, one of our favourite labels selling 'The Country Look' for grownups - meet Louise Collins the woman behind it all. If you have any suggestions or questions you would like us to ask Louise please let us know.