Heart Shaped Picnic Hamper

Ashley Thomas at home


I thought I'd share an insight into the development of my picnic collection for Debenhams.
One of my favourite pieces is the heart shaped hamper. Lined with my S/S16 ditsy floral print this hamper comes with everything you need for the perfect picnic including; 2 x ceramic plates, 2 x stainless steel knives, forks and spoons, 2 x plastic glasses, 2 napkins, 1 x corkscrew, 1 x condiment set. Above is a sketchbook snapshot of the hamper, a watercolour version of my ditsy print and the final product which you can now buy Exclusively in Debenhams.


We're all going on a summer holiday...

Ashley Thomas at home
This time of year, for me is full of hope and optimism with plans of getting away to sunnier climates and daydreaming of exploring new corners of the world. Packing normally fills me with dread. I have no idea what to take and normally pack way too many clothes and don't end up wearing half of it!
I've put together this holiday checklist to help with packing the holiday essentials, to help take the stress out of it all. And here are my top tips on the perfect packing...

Less is more, with clothes you will not wear as much as you think, so pack for half the time you are going. You can always wear something twice or team it up with something else to make a new outfit.

Roll don't fold, most of the time you will not need to worry about ironing things when you get there if you roll your clothes instead of folding. And this saves so much space too.

Always put toiletries in a plastic bag or washbag, if it explodes in your suitcase this is a mess that will take forever to clean up and will take the joy out of arriving at your destination.

Take two pairs of sunglasses, they always break on the first day for me so take a spare to save you searching every local shop for a new pair.

Don't stress, you can probably buy items you forget when you get there, it's always hairspray for me! 



Print this holiday checklist to help with packing the essentials.



Beach towels exclusive to Debenhams 

Queen’s Birthday Cake

ashley thomas


This cake is a really fun way to celebrate the Queen’s Birthday on 21st April and is the perfect excuse to throw a garden party. It’s a sticky and nutty carrot cake base, one of my favourite English summer cakes with a classic Vanilla cream cheese frosting. With Great British berries to make the union jack flag.


You’ll need…

For the Cake…
8oz self raising flour
5oz muscovado sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 carrot
2 bananas
2 large eggs
150ml sunflower oil
2oz walnut pieces

For the topping…
2oz butter
4oz icing sugar
6oz soft cheese
Blueberries and Raspberries to decorate 

To make...
Sift the flour, sugar and baking powder into a large mixing bowl
Grate the carrot into the bowl and mix thoroughly
Mash the bananas and beat into the mixture
Beat the eggs and add to the bowl along with sunflower oil, mix together really well until smooth
Smash up the walnut pieces in a bowl and stir in well
Line a rectangular cake tin (18x25cm) with baking paper. Pour the mixture in and level the surface
Pre-heat the oven to 180oC
Bake for around 25 mins or until golden brown.
Leave to cool, meanwhile make the topping


Warm the butter in a microwave for 30seconds until half melted
Sift in the icing sugar and add the soft cheese, mix together until smooth
Leave in the fridge to chill for 15 mins
Once cooled spread icing over the cake and decorate with blueberries and raspberries to resemble the union jack flag.


All products photographed are from my exclusive collection for Debenhams.
Browse the collection online here.
Red contrasting printed double apron glove, £14
Set of three red printed teatowels, £14