Brownstone London

POP!! // in 3 week’s time we’ll be popping up again with the Wonderlist alongside a long list of other lovely British independent brands all offering fantastic savings on their products, and possibly the odd give-away or two in this 3 day online Spring event.

🐞Sign up via the link in bio so you will get access to the list of participating brands, and also the secret discount codes which will be released just before the event goes live on the Friday 10th May.🪰

🦋… and remember, it costs nothing to join in, no obligation to buy, but you might just discover something new and fantastic that you didn’t even know you were looking for!🐛

🐝 In the meantime if you want to take a look at the brands which are part of the regular Wonderlist Directory you can follow the 2nd link in the bio.🪲

NOW WE ARE FIVE // we’ve had our fifth birthday this month, where did that go? Today is my birthday too, it also starts with a five but that’s all I’m divulging.

🖤 To celebrate we are offering 20% off all day, ending midnight tonight so enjoy some shopping before I turn into a pumpkin.. That’s 20% off everything apart from candle subscriptions, use code birthday20 when you get to checkout. Woo!

🤍 This is not my cake, I’m on an anti alcohol, anti sugar diet for Jan…only 3 days to go, not that I’m counting… so I borrowed this image from as it fits in with the Brownstone colours.

IT’S BLACK AND WHITE // no grey areas here at Brownstone. We are not doing Black Friday because we support our retailers, those who make the effort to come to trade shows, who have supported our brand from the beginning through good times and Covid, who gave us a chance even though they’d never heard of us and have plenty of other candle brands to choose from.
Sometimes new retailers ask if we have a retail website ourselves because they don’t want their customers to shop online for a better deal. Yes that’s right, many customers (not you I’m sure madam!) will visit a small independent shop and google a product to see if they can get the item cheaper! So I always tell those retailers that the Googlers won’t find it cheaper at Brownstone and if they shop online with us they’ll have £3 postage to pay so chances are the shop will always be cheaper than buying from us. So that’s why we don’t do Black Friday or reduce the prices on our website throughout the year - we don’t want the retailers to suffer, because frankly we all want those independents to stay in business and not get priced out of the High Street, it’s been tough enough for them already, and they’ve displayed huge resilience in the last few years to still be there with the increased overheads and lower footfall with the cost of living crisis and everything else that’s come their way.

So this weekend, when you are shopping online for a bargain on that lovely little item you saw at Mrs Goggin’s lovely little shop that you popped into on your dog walk today, think about how that affects Mrs Goggins who has paid her rent, staff costs, rates and heating bills and trade show visits and the full wholesale price on all those lovely little items, and all the other overheads I’ve forgotten about and can’t afford to match the Black Friday deals. She probably has also stood there all day watching people swooping in with their pooches, latte in hand, cooing over everything and then leaving empty handed to shop online later while watching Strictly!

Rant over, have a good, colourful weekend!

DAY TWO!! // Have you checked out The Wonderlist yet??

❤️ We’re offering 20% discount on all* products this weekend, along with 60 other brands all bringing you great savings on their amazing products. Sign up via the link in bio for the discount codes, it’s free, there’s no catch!

❤️ If you spend over £50 with us, as well as the 20% off we’ll add in a free travel candle and if you buy a 200ml diffuser or diffuser refill we’ll send an additional clear glass jar

*discount on all products except candle subscriptions.

Happy Shopping!!

FOR THE NEXT MONTH // super excited to be participating in the Curated Store pop up in Stow on the Wold for the whole of October together with a dozen lovely brands, we all spent today setting up shop, swipe to see some of my fab neighbours, can’t wait to take my turn running the shop. If you are in Stow pop into Talbot Square where you’ll find loads of lovely shops and cafes.

.curatory .curatedstore

FLASH SALES // last Sunday, to celebrate our recent award, we announced a series of flash sales happening for 2-3 hours every Sunday until we decide to stop. We offered 50% off a couple of products for 3 hours with the ‘tills’ going a bit nuts as our subscribers scooped up their goodies. We’ll be doing the same again this Sunday, so if you want to be in with a chance to grab a bargain then you need to SUBSCRIBE, it’s that simple, no catch, and you’ll even get sent a code for 15% off another purchase.

WINNERS!! 🏆// a couple of months ago we announced that we had been nominated for the Perfect Gift Awards run by Lux Life Magazine , well today we are delighted to be able to confirm that we have won the category for Best Home Fragrance Store 2023 – UK.

The awards were set up to ‘recognise those who have established themselves through their dedication to perfection’. We’ll take that! Establishing Brownstone has been a labour of love so to be recognised for what we are working towards is fantastic and to whoever nominated us - a huge thank you! 🎉

STOCKIST SHOUT OUT // loving this drawing of the shop window of our relatively new stockist Pod Shop Clifton - located just a stone’s throw from Clifton Suspension Bridge in the beautiful Clifton village in Bristol.

We popped along there a couple of weeks ago with a little order top up and were delighted to see our bags and candles in the window alongside the fabulous , and now here’s a lovely drawing of the same wondow, how fab is this! stocks our bags, candles and diffusers and is a two storey treasure trove of loveliness in this charming location which is well worth a visit, and if you are feeling brave take a stroll over the bridge, but don’t look down, seriously don’t do it, it’s still giving me the shivers just thinking about it.

HOW TO DO IT // less is more!

Thank you to everyone who visited us this week at the Top Drawer trade show. It was lovely to catch up with existing retail customers and suppliers and to find so many lovely new stockists, we were delighted by the reaction to the new product and candle packaging.

I had several conversations with retailers about how best to display ours and any other brand and thought I’d share this image with you sent last week by our longest standing customer Oh Darling, which recently relocated from White Hart Lane in Barnes to Sheen Lane in East Sheen. Ali has a salon and lifestyle boutique and has been with us since we launched in 2019 and has been buying regularly ever since, and this image says everything about why that is. Ali makes the effort to give each brand that she stocks the space to shine, with a proper presence, she even rang me to check the height of our diffuser boxes so she could make sure the shelves were spaced correctly, I love that attention to detail!

Over the years we’ve had customers who’ve bought the odd piece and shoved it on a shelf next to a random mug or woolly gonk and wondered why it didn’t sell. Of course it may have been that Brownstone wasn’t right for their shop or town or customer etc but chances are that shoving it in jumble sale style just wasn’t giving it the space it deserved.

This image was taken 5 days ago just after Ali opened the new shop, she’s focused on 3 fragrances across 3 product types and 2 bag prints with 3 sizes of each. Less really is more and the brand really makes an impact, and today we’re sending out the repeat order for the items that she’s sold out of, which is pretty much everything. At a time when the retail climate is struggling this really makes my heart sing and is food for thought for all of us in the way we promote our businesses.

DID YOU KNOW? // … That over time rattan diffuser reeds can get clogged with oil and stop working so the oil just sits in the glass and the fragrance stops diffusing.

At Brownstone we include two sets of reeds so you get amazing scent diffusion right down to the very last drop! Just replace the reeds with the new set after about half of the oil has been used up, and turn the reeds upside down weekly for a new waft of fragrance throughout the room.

Once it's finally all gone, which for our 200ml set will be at around six months, you can re-use the glass by purchasing a reed diffuser refill set... and yes that comes with two sets of reeds as well!

❤️ Because we love to spoil you, this weekend we're offering a refill set at half price when you purchase a 200ml set, usually worth £62, this weekend you get both for just £48.50 and with free postage too... it's a win, win! ❤️

🖤Just add the 200ml set and the refill set into the basket and when you get to the checkout enter code REFILL50, offer ends Weds 9th August.🖤

Choose from clear glass or dark grey semi opaque glass, and with twelve unique fragrances you'll be spoilt for choice. All are made from blends of essential and botanical oils and a soy base oil which when used with rattan reeds gives a long-lasting scent diffusion.

Use the refill set with your Brownstone glass or spread the aroma around the house by using another piece of lovely glass you already own, just make sure the glass has a narrow neck or the fragrance will evaporate too quickly.

THE PERFECT GIFT?? // Super excited to report that we have been nominated for a prize!!! The nomination is for The Perfect Gift Awards run by Lux Life Magazine _luxlifemag and the category we are shortlisted for is Best Home Fragrance Store 2023 – UK. With stiff competition in this category we are of course thrilled to bits to be nominated, and even if we don’t win it’s still lovely that someone out there put our name forward. We’ll find out if we have been successful at the end of September, so watch this space!! In the meantime if you are looking for The Perfect Gift you know where to look!

COMPETITION TIME // a few weeks ago we mentioned we are introducing wax melts to our home fragrance range and needed your help to decide which fragrances to choose from our range of 12 lovely scents.

We’re planning to go with 4 fragrances, and each set will contain 15-20 melts, with each melt giving off a wonderful aroma for at least 20 hours. The fragrance blends of essential and botanical oils will be the same as we use in our main ranges and the wax will be a lovely vegan soy blend, and we may add in some botanicals too depending on which fragrances we go with.

So we’ve decided to turn this into a competition, we’d love you to send us your suggested fragrance for the melt sets, and as a thank you one of the lucky participants will receive a 210g boxed candle and 200ml reed diffuser set in their choice of fragrance, the combined value of these 2 items is £65 so it’s a great prize to be in with a chance of winning.

To enter, follow the link in bio where we’ll ask for your details, your choice of fragrance for the wax melt sets and your choice of fragrance if you win the competition.

THE WONDERLIST // since lockdown (remember that??!) we’ve participated in the Wonderlist Pop Up event, coming again this Winter, so watch this space!

In the meantime we’re delighted to be part of the new permanent Wonderlist Directory , for ‘beautiful, unique and remarkable brands from independent makers and brand creators, carefully curated and all under one virtual roof, plus a triannual pop-up with A Twist!! Pardon the pun, we are obviously in the right place!! With around 50 brands already signed up, the list is growing weekly with brands all offering something unique and different that you are unlikely to find on the high street.

Take a look, link in bio, and if you sign up to the mailing list you’ll get to hear about the next Wonderlist Pop Up when participating brands typically offer amazing deals on their ranges as well as give-aways and free postage etc.

You’ll also get to hear when brands are on sale or offering special seasonal deals, eg if you are lover of fashion and jewellery then check out and as they both have seasonal sales on right now!!!
You’re welcome!

xx

MELTING IN THE HEAT?? // so incredibly hot today, down our way here in Bath, let’s hope it lasts for the weekend.

As usual on a Friday I like to focus on the more creative part of the business. I’ve been working on new artwork for our candle box refresh, now finally with the printers after many weeks and months faffing around over fonts and text, and our new look candle glass is now in the sampling process too so watch this space for a little candle update later in the year.

The main focus of today though has been wax melt sampling, this is a new product for us which will be available in a few months, we’re going to start with 2 or 3 of our best-selling fragrances and if these get the thumbs up we’ll include more fragrances as the months go by. If you have a particular favourite that you’d like to see as wax melts then comment below or send us a DM.

ROLL UP, ROLL UP // or should I say… SIGN UP, SIGN UP!

We’re back again next week with the Wonderlist Goes Pop for 3 days when you can discover some amazing independent British brands and save money at the same time.

The event runs from Friday 12th May through to Sunday 14th May, to find out more and be on the list for the exclusive discount code you’ll need to sign up with the Wonderlist – see link in our bio which will take you to their site.

At Brownstone we’re offering 20% off at this fabulous event, and if you spend over £50 we’ll pop in one of our travel candles worth £15…. and also….. any order for a 200ml diffuser or a 200ml diffuser refill will also automatically come with a complimentary clear glass jar so you can use the oil in more than one location.

There is also free postage on all orders over £35.

What’s not to love???

Sign up today, passwords will be sent out on 11th May

JUST ANOTHER MANIC MONDAY… // if your Monday is looking anything like mine then it’s full on with a to-do list that’s never ending.
On my list is to remind everyone that if you sign up via our website, not only will you receive a notification email to get 15% off your first order, you will also receive details of our subscriber only offers, we’ve got one running at the moment, ending tonight, so sign up via the link in bio and we’ll be sending out a reminder email this evening, with more coming in the weeks ahead.

…. I wish it was Sunday…

HAPPY EASTER // at last the lambs have arrived!!
Having moved to a very rural spot just outside Bath last summer this is the first time we’ve experienced lambing season. With a house nearly surrounded by fields of sheep gradually getting fatter during Feb and March I was looking forward to some little ones arriving, but the fields became empty about a week ago and I thought they’d taken them all off somewhere else. On Wednesday however the first little bundles of joy appeared and I’ve been watching them from a distance until today when I was able to get close enough to take some pics before they scampered off. Aren’t they delightful? I thought it was rude not to share the photos so you can share the ❤️.

You’re welcome!

SUPPORTING WOMEN IN NEED // We have around 300 of our monochrome beauty bags that we’d like to donate to a good cause. These are bags we cannot sell online or into shops as each one has an obvious printing error, and therefore we ARE NOT looking to donate to a charity shop for resale, it needs to be to eg a women’s refuge for women to use while they are there etc or to a group supporting women or girls in other ways (eg back to work), or to a period-poverty group or something else. I’m open to ideas and would ask that you either send a direct message or comment below if you know of any likely good causes in your area. I’m not necessarily looking for one charity to take them all , if 300 sounds too many, but at the same time would rather be sending a large-ish quantity rather than lots of small parcels.

I’ll be tagging in a few people who may know of refuges or similar in their local area or have an association already with a charity.
period .twist.16 .jackie

POSTAL UPDATE // with the ongoing disruption and backlog caused by the Royal Mail postal strikes we can no longer guarantee delivery by Christmas if we post by Royal Mail.

So, in an effort to ensure your orders arrive in time for the big day we’re sending all orders placed by 21st December to DPD instead. Things can still go wrong, packages can still get delayed, but we’re pretty confident that by sending this way the orders will reach you on time.

Don’t forget also that if you spend over £35 then the postage is on us, as always.

You’re welcome 😉

FREE CANDLE THIS WEEKEND // join us for the Wonderlist event this weekend where we’re celebrating Fabulous Friday instead Black Friday!

🔥Get 20% off all Brownstone products*, and for all purchases over £35 postage is free and if you spend over £50 we’ll pop in one of our wonderful Woodsmoke & Amber travel candles, worth £15. This is one of most popular fragrances at this this time of year, with a smoky base reminiscent of fireside embers, just perfect if you want that by-the-fireside aroma without going to the trouble of setting an actual fire,

🌳Last opportunity in 2022 to save on Brownstone, we only do 2 of this type of event each season, so take advantage while you can!

🌲To join the Wonderlist follow the link in bio and sign up to see some fabulous savings from around 100 small and brilliant independent British brands, for one weekend only.

🍁To gain access to this secret sale you’ll need the login code and then you will be able to see the brand listing, discount code and savings for each brand.

🍂Sign up now – it’s free – you’ll get the full directory on the 24th to be ready to shop when the event goes live on at 12.01am on Friday 25th Nov.

🐿Follow link in bio or go to .

🍄Shop early as many brands have limited stock on some items

🪵Shop until you fall over on Sunday 27th November!!

*excludes candle subscriptions

EDIT22 // yes that’s the code for all you lovely shoppers who’d like 20% off at Brownstone this weekend!
You’ll also find some amazing discounts with the other 79 glorious brands featured on the site.
Go to link in bio to see the listing as well as the Christmas gift guides and the celebrity guest edits.
Thank you , and Caroline Sigamoney for choosing Brownstone ❤️

THE GLORIOUS EDIT // super excited once again to be participating in The Glorious Edit.

Sign up via link in bio to join this fantastic online fair happening next week – 17th – 20th November.

Check out the gift guides for those ‘hard to buy for’ friends and family.

See what the guest editors are choosing this season.

Make great savings on around 80 fabulous independent UK brands including with Brownstone!

Browse the guides now so you can be ready to shop when the ‘doors’ open on the 17th!

DAISY TRUST FAIR // such a fabulous location, delighted to be back for annual fair.
Doors open at 9, stay until 5pm, for some amazing shopping and food.
Proceeds to local charities in Hammersmith & Fulham.

THIS MONDAY 10TH! // we are not doing many fairs this year for mainly logistical reasons but one we are super excited about is coming up this Monday at the fabulous Hurlingham Club in Fulham.
Join us and a gazillion other lovely brands all helping raise funds for The Daisy Trust] which supports local charities in Hammersmith and Fulham. For tickets head over to www.daisytrust.org or via The Daisy Trust] – link in their bio.
Opens 9-5pm
5 minutes from Putney Bridge tube

Hopefully see you there!

EVENT SEASON KICKING OFF! // early start today and tomorrow in preparation for our first event of the season which starts tomorrow with the Hampshire Fair, held at the Grange in Northington near Alresford, Hampshire.

🌺60 fabulous stalls
🌸Stunning location
🌼9.30-4.00pm
🪷Delicious lunch or tea and cake
🇮🇹Trip to Venice raffle prize!!
*💐Advance tickets £5 or £7 on the day
🌾Easy parking
🌻10% of proceeds benefit local charities

PHOTO FRIDAY // love doing something a bit more fun on a Friday and today it was photography – always a treat when the new samples arrive and the bathroom’s turned into a photo studio. It’s a bit of a faff forever moving props, adjusting lighting and changing lenses but hopefully worth it. This one was taken on the trusty iphone to give you a sneak peak of what’s coming soon and ta da…… our newest bag design, aka Surf, arriving with us by end October, absolutely loving the randomness of this design, every bag is different and the front is never the same as the back as I designed this with a very large repeat.

We’ll have this loaded up on the site in the next week or so and will be taking pre-orders online and from retailers shortly, this one comes in 5 sizes: large boxy cosmetics bag as shown, tall wash bag, medium boxy cosmetics bag, and wide and small make up bags – wide shown on the top shelf. Same lovely quality you know and love – 100% cotton, matte coated, water repellent, charcoal padded lining, leather-look zip pull, and monochrome, always monochrome!

Also in the photo –
Black shelf rack from Nordic House – think they’ve closed now sadly
Dark charcoal towel, cream face cloth and chunky brush by , and available via our online store
Skincare by , we don’t sell that but it makes a great prop and now you know the secret to my youthful glow…. yeah right..

We’re also bringing back some other favourite designs which have been out of stock and in new sizes as well, watch this space.

Happy Weekend, it’s 6pm, Mojito’clock…. Laters!