The spooky edit
In the darkening evenings, where the shadows lengthen in the corner of rooms ominously, and the chill in the air brings gooseflesh upon your arms that seems to remain even with the fire on, something is stirring just beyond the veil. There is an eerie stillness in the twilight, and in the uneven rustling of amber leaves you swear you can hear the creeping of footsteps light behind you.
There is no doubt of what time of year has arrived…
October is synonymous with spooky season. And with it, comes the odd and the creepy – like the little story introduction to set the scene of this blog! Halloween isn’t something that we explicitly stock or merchandise for, as we know that it isn’t for everyone. This year though, the shop is currently filled with eclectic kookiness and all things witchy. We’re keeping it all ‘Harriet and Rose Tasteful’ - we think we might need to trademark that! – this year, so you can embrace the feeling of October to whatever extent you see fit. If that is all the beautiful jewel tones of autumn, we have lots of cosy jumpers, scarves, and hats, or if you fancy something a little more ghostly…read on!
This year, we have joined the pumpkin trail in St Helier, taking part throughout the half-term holiday. Harriet and Rose is one of many shops taking part, adding to a spooky yet fantastic trail for people of all ages to follow around the town. And of course – ever the competitive team – there is a vote for your favourite too! As always, as a team, we jump at the chance to be creative whilst also enjoying the sense of community and joy schemes like this bring to our little town. (So watch this space! And of course, don’t forget to vote for your spooky and kooky favourite!).
Pumpkins are an autumn essential – and we think for all ages! Pumpkins may give you visceral images of pulp and seeds flung by children into the hardest to reach gaps of the kitchen (or all over their clothes). Perhaps images of badly cut, but equally endearing, carved decorations are what comes to mind too, but that is not just what pumpkins are all about! We have our beautiful painted pumpkins in our window as part of the Pumpkin Trail, to show that a bit of creativity - and putting to use all those tester paint pots that get used once and then never again - can transform the humble and versatile pumpkin!
But, if you are feeling the orange of pumpkins this time of year, we do have a select range of utterly stunning Canonbury Press Pumpkin cards! Perfect to share a little of the Halloween spirit, or as party invites, they are printed on high quality paper – giving chic whilst retaining the fun of this time of year!
Book are a year-round staple. As a team of avid readers, we love nothing more than a good book, whether that be an ornate or unusual coffee table book, useful mindfulness journal or the perfect cosy fiction read. This month, we have placed we have placed focus especially on those for this time of year – all witches, potions, autumn poems, seasonal harvests, and mysticism. Something a little special to reflect the month of October, whether that be ghostly tales to curl up and read at night, to our witchcraft and magic related books.
Take our Tales for Twilight, a compilation of Scottish ghost stories dating over a span of two hundred years, or the Haunting Season, another group of spooky tales to capture your imagination. These books are perfect to indulge in a little gothic storytelling.
Also in stock is the beautiful ‘The Story of Witches’, delving into the folklore, history and superstition surrounding witches, covering around the world from events such as the witch trials, to the origins of Wicca. Have you ever wondered why you shouldn’t stand on cracks on the sidewalk? Well, ‘The Book of Superstitions’ explains the culture and myths behind old wives’ tales and imagery, such as black cats and broken mirrors. Something a little more fun, whilst also equally educational! ‘102 things to do in Autumn’ is perfect for finding things to entertain the little ones with in half-term (whilst still staying on Halloween brand!) but also for adults too, to add a little more excitement into autumn - and less time on our devices!
And if you want a little witchy whimsy – look no further! We have our new spooky range of Elizabeth Scarlett pouches, wash bags and coin purses. Beautifully embroidered green and gold frogs on a plush black velvet background, perfect for this time of year but also useful year-round! As always, we only get select quantities of our items in, and the frogs are selling faster than you can say abracadabra!
If you simply want to embrace the moody feeling of Autumn this October, we have you covered there too! Our brand-new OST jumpers, a wool blend, capture the colours of autumn. Blanket soft, reminiscent of being snuggled in a duvet, whilst also remaining remarkably light, these jumpers have already become a favourite of the team (read: we all desperately want one!).
So curl up and enjoy those eerie nights, the still morning mists and howling winds (when we inevitably get them!) and channel your inner autumnal witch or wizard with all our fantastic staples.