Colours May Vary

28/08/2026

Could that cold breeze around our ankles really mean that Autumn is on its way? Can the Summer of 26 finally be coming to an end?
I don’t know about you but I’ve never been happier to see slugs & snails crossing my path and mushrooms popping up!

Just swept in on the (slightly humid) breeze, and easing us into Autumn, are these new cards by Hadley Paper Goods!

Hadley Paper Goods are designed by Jo Waterhouse and each design starts life as an original artwork: a collage, drawing, or print. Her eye for detail and texture is a proper treat. Jo also has a brilliant sense of humour and this shows in her work, I mean just have a look at those man mushrooms! 😂 (zoom in)
What other details can you see in the collages?

Jo’s cards are mini works of art and I’m regularly informed by customers that her cards become treasured ornaments long after they have been gifted which is a real testament to the quality of their design and production.
We love you Hadley!!!

Thanks to Cambridge Imprint for the gorgeous paper seen here too.

13/08/2026

WOO-HOO!

The guys at The Best Damn Pet Shop in Town are here to satisfy our Simpsons needs with this excelllllent trio of publications

Thrill at every Itchy & Scratchy title card from seasons 1-34, cheer at a zine about Simpson pamphlet zines (including such classics as ‘So You’ve Ruined Your Life’), and boggle at a bevy of bootleg Simpsons military & scouting badges from the collection of Ashton Nicolas.

Everything really is coming up Milhouse!

12/08/2026

Because we have a low melt threshold we will be CLOSED tomorrow Thursday the 13th because it is going to HOT.

We are sorry to do this, we don’t close often and this year has been the worst for us in this regard, as Im sure it has been for a lot of little businesses like ours, we could all really do with the sun giving it a rest now. Eclipse you say? Yes bloody please.

To thank you for your patience and understanding we are offering a lesser spotted discount from midnight tonight until midnight on Thursday. Just use the code MELT for 10% off your order! 

This discount applies to collect in store AND orders that need posting so fill your boots, tell your pals!
(Obvs usual t&cs - no combining discounts, no vouchers etc).

HUGE thanks for all your support this Summer. Big Love Team CMV XX

05/08/2026

02/08/2026

Whatcha doing? 👀

Cute little delivery from CMV favourite Hollie Fuller 😍

Notepads and stickers to help you organise what you are going to be making for your tea and other important stuff (can’t think what would actually be more important than that?).



Tiny weeeeny stickers for your planner toooo! From baked goods to brave girls and a bit of fruit and veg for your meal prep ideas. 🍒

19/07/2026

They seek him here, they seek him there, In Regent Street and Leicester Square... and, apparently, in Victoria Road in Swindon, Oxford Street in High Wycombe, and Upper Market in Preston. Yep, fashion takes centre stage on our high streets and issue #7 of To Have and To Hold delves into paper bags of the well-known chains, iconic boutiques, workaday haberdashers, and tailors & outfitters from Bath to Fort William.

Another beautiful curated selection from COLLECT Books Paper Bag Archive that is much more than the sum of its parts - here there are memories of days out, of new garbs, of part-time jobs, and of keeping up

16/07/2026

HIT THE NORTH!

It’s been 5 years this month since Cartographer, writer, artist, long distance walker, DJ, and fell runner first dropped by and showed us his hand-drawn walking guides and we’ve been stocking them ever since.

He popped in this morning with a re-stock that included his new addition to his England Coast Path series, this one being The North Coasts. Inside - 700 miles of walking, on both the East and West coasts, from the River Dee to the Solway Firth, and from Berwick to the River Humber. This pocket-sized guide is fat wth information (transport, accommodation, campsites, you name it) and takes in the high cliffs, sandy beaches, historic ports and wildlife estuaries that go to make up the regions included (and yes, there are over 80 pages devoted to Yorkshire).

The five titles that make up his hand-drawn series are all back in stock too - from the South Yorkshire Moors to the West Yorkshire Woods.

Chris is in Whitby tonight at the The Whitby Bookshop to chat about completing the first series of guide books covering the New England Coastal Path. If you’re about, check the details in their post and head across (make sure you walk!)

13/07/2026

Blue Monday? No chance. It’s cooled down and CATS!

Today is all about lavender and CATS courtesy of these coffee tins designed by Elliot Kruszynski for Wrap magazine who just keep on making THE best things for us to sell in our shop.
The tin features a different cat on each side and comes with a lovely green coffee scoop!
Treat your worktop!

16/06/2026

It’s Pa for the course that we go Father than most when it comes to selecting the best bits, bats and books for your dad!

As always we are here for good things (and bad puns!)
Whether he’s a rambler, a jazz dad, a wizard or he just loves a pint and a pickled egg ,we have him covered.