Princesses and paperweights for Papa

If your father enjoys collecting, he’ll be very impressed with a gift that’s a genuine retro curiosity. However, the art of collecting is largely a matter of personal taste - so if you want to find something that’s both collectable and also likely to appeal, it’s best to have a good idea of the recipient’s taste, as well as knowing where to source authentic collectibles from.











ShopCurious has a few suggestions for you, if you’re looking for especially unique and unusual gifts for Fathers’ Day. Retro curiosity number one is this totally beautiful 1960s perspex paperweight – a unique piece of tourist memorabilia.





You can tell it’s from Portugal because, as they say, it’s written on the tin (or at least within the divinely syrupy amber resin). Also inside, is a stylish filigree carved Portuguse galleon – the perfect gift if your Dad loves fishing, fish and chips or anything to do with the sea.







If your pa’s good with his hands, he might prefer this Steampunk style retro curiosity, which should keep him curious for ages.











Just how did they get all those nuts, bolts, cogs and horological paraphernalia into that square of honey coloured perspex?








Your Dad will love this if he’s the sort of chap who’s a bit of a tinker, and tends to spend quite a lot of time in his garden shed…









Alternatively, if he’s the smooth, well travelled and worldly type, some suitably unique accessories like these curiously exotic vintage African Princess cufflinks might be the order of the day.

Whatever his personal taste, there’s no better way to flatter and amuse any man than with a curiously appropriate gift.

Will you?

Wardrobe scents make style sense

You might leave clothes in your wardrobe thinking they’re perfectly okay, but it takes a surprisingly short time for pesky little moths to nibble their way through rails of expensive woollen coats and layers of fine quality knits. I’m not sure that anyone really likes the moth-eaten look, though apparently filigree designs are destined to be a major new fashion trend.




I was planning to show you some pictures of the sneaky flying creatures at work, but they look so disgusting - and they make me feel rather sick, so I decided it’s probably not the best idea. In London, we have a particular problem with moths – they’re an unavoidable hazard and you’re well advised to learn how to deal with them effectively - especially if you want to wear that beautiful vintage silk dress next year too. It’s curious that something so innocent looking can be so scarily invasive - and most annoying when, somehow, unobtrusively, it manages to gnaw a tiny hole in the sleeve of a beautiful jacket or jumper, rendering a treasured, luxury item unwearable.




I’ve tried most things to combat marauding moths, but remain convinced that good old fashioned floral scents like lavender are the most effective, and by far the most natural way to ward off the fateful, fluttering pests. Just fill a few gauze bags (the sort sometimes supplied as dust covers for jewellery are perfect) with dried lavender flowers and hang them in your wardrobe.






If you haven’t the or the time or the inclination to grow and make your own lavender bags, I can recommend another really stylish way to fragrance your wardrobes, drawers and anywhere else that the disagreeable flying foes may be lurking:







I suggest you try these beautifully presented Catherine Masson scented parcels, available from ShopCurious – each adorned with a pretty floral embellishment, and supplied with a divinely perfumed, top-up room spray.









They’re great as gifts too. What’s more they seem to charm the moths into abeyance, so you can bring out your favourite cashmere cardie year after year - and indulge in the sensible practice of seasonless style.

Do you?