With father’s day just around the corner, and men not always the easiest to buy for, we thought we’d offer a few ideas: we have gorgeous man-smellies from Bath House and Proraso, top quality pen-knives by Opinel, bamboo socks in fab patterns, mugs, bicycle notebooks, chocolate and toilet bags, racing cars, books, folding ‘adventurers’ cutlery, chocolate moustaches and bottle openers, (£2.25-£13.95) not to mention all sorts of man-tiques, including golfing and motoring, maps, planes, cufflinks, saucy bits and signs (from £3.50).

Lots of great cards and wrap too, as always.

Previous are very pleased to announce the launch of our on-line mailing list. If you would like to be first to hear about our news, events, sales and special offers, sign up and we’ll be sure to let you know as a priority. We just need your name and email address (or a mobile number if you prefer) and we won’t give your details to anyone else – promise. Send us your details or fill in a card in store. We are planning a sale soon, so now’s a good time to do it.

After all the lovely weather over the last week, we set off for a cheeky mini-break to the South-East coast last weekend, courtesy of long-time lovely friends who have just finished their drop-dead gorgeous beach-house. With a garden that backs directly onto the dunes and miles of glorious sandy beach, the location is very hard to beat. Add to that a couple with a fabulous eye for style, comfort and hospitality and what’s not to like?

We couldn’t resist a quick stop at one of our fave haunts on the way though, – Hastings old town is great for a good rummage in the many antique shops and cool boutiques, such as ‘Butler’s Emporium, not to mention an ice lolly on the sunny seafront.

A freshly picked crab risotto and the odd glass of Champagne awaited us on our friends’ new deck overlooking the sea, as our terriers Bunty and Stanley chased about madly with Bunty’s daughter Betsy. Walks along the beach, loads of laughs, a cracking pub lunch at the Standard in beautiful Rye (and another good rummage), farmshops and lashings of local asparagus: idyllic. If this sounds like your sort of trip, this amazing house will soon be available for holiday rental, sleeps 10, beautifully presented and furnished with fantastic vintage pieces, let me know!