As the days get longer and the sun starts to beam, many of us will start to think of Al Fresco Dining. Everyone has their own way of doing it but my favourite way to do it is by entwining East with West, having something that reflects a bit of my heritage but also investing in brands which serve a purpose.
My husband and I love entertaining and because of the limited space we have indoors, we tend to do it all over summer, so we can leverage from the garden space and since he purchased the home made pizza maker, having fresh home made pizza’s is something we enjoy as a family and with friends. This year he’s invested in a new toy so we have been enjoying Slush Puppies and home made Frappes.
I have done a round up of some of my favourite purchases for this summer, which can really help you get the most out of your garden space and add opulence to when your entertaining.
1. Spring Sofa Throw from Ishq.uk – £175
Ishq is a brand I love because of the authenticity with which they operate. Founded by Fatima, she set up the brand in 2018 and is focused on preserving indigenous crafts from different regions around the world.
I love this throw because whilst It might be warm when the sun is out, inevitably the evenings in the UK can still be chilly. The floral throw, which looks like a classic English summer actually has a lot of depth to it. Each flower embroidered on this throw has a meaning to it, promoting values of hope, kindness, & trust. It’s a vintage throw, which one would buy as an investment piece but its design is timeless. Each item in their collection is made by an artisan – Ishq.uk
2. Karaca Caysever 3 in1 Talking Tea Maker – £89.99
I absolutely love my Kawa from Peshawar and often will make a pot for myself which I can drink from throughout the day. Since I discovered Karaca a year ago, it has become one of my favourites go to places. It is a Turkish brand with only a couple of stores in the UK at the moment, one in Angel and the other in Westfield Shepherds Bush but also available online. They have a great selection of homeware at reasonable prices. This Tea Maker I think is an essential for all Muslim households because of our love for tea but also because of the large family get togethers we have. This not only looks stylish but with its large capacity will save you from doing numerous rounds of kettle boiling and also keeps the tea warm for up to an hour.
3. Sikhana Large Platters made from Mango Wood – £65
Sikhana is my lifestyle brand, which takes inspiration from Pakistan and the Muslim World. The ethos of the brand is to enlighten minds about Pakistan and the Muslim World, removing misconceptions people may have via stories I tell behind the name of each product. My mango wood platters are always a hit on any table because of the beautiful prints and designs they come in. Not only do they look great but they also extremely light to carry. My top-seller print is the mosaic platter, which has a real Iranian and South of Spain feel to it – Sikhana.uk
4. Sikhana Mobile Diffuser with Chambelli Ka Phool Scent – £60
Scents play a magical effect on the ambience of any event. These mobile diffusers, which can last up to 48 hours on a single charge, are highly effective at diffusing scents across a large span of space. The Chambelli scent which has been inspired by the motia flower in Pakistan truly take you on a sensorial adventure of Pakistan. The diffusers come in Black and Gold and are brilliant because you can place them anywhere once charged. They are compatible with any natural based scent and will leave your whole garden space smelling lovely – Sikhana.uk
5. Swat, Switzerland of Asia – £14.99
As the temperatures continue to soar, these fresh scents inspired by the snow capped mountains found in Swat, the cherry blossoms in Hunza & the coastal breeze in Karachi are exactly what your home needs, taking you on a sensorial adventure of the Northern & Southern regions of Pakistan. Sikhana.uk
6. Hawkes Bay of Karachi – £15.00
SCENT: Eucalyptus, Gardenia & Musk
The scent has been inspired by the fresh scents one smells when at a coastal city. Although not a scent synonymous with Pakistan, it hopes to conjure up the feeling of being there with fresh notes and the design. Top notes comprise of Eucalyptus, bergamot with a middle note of gardenia and a base note of musk.
