The "new"* basket shape for an instant accessory update

You know how something can creep into your sub-conscious, weaving its way into your brain until suddenly one day you wake up and, having not been in the least bit fussed about an item, it has now become your "must have" piece and it's right at the top of your "wanted" list, bumping everything else that was previously above it into oblivion?

Well that's exactly what has happened with these circular baskets. I blame Instagram for it. In fact I blame Instagram for a lot of things. What I do love though is how they convey that idea of a warm, balmy, summer's day (which is clearly unlike any other basket that I own) - plus they are just a little bit of a departure from the shopping bag shaped baskets that we've seen over the past few summers. A basket update if you will.

Circular woven basket Edit 58 (£40)

So this basket I spotted on Erica Davies of The Edited. Now for sure if you've come across me, you will almost certainly already know Erica but if not, you can find her on Instagram here. Erica has great style, a fab house and the best basket! Sadly when I went to hunt down her basket which was from Edit 58, it had sold out.

French Baskets $40

Nevermind. I knew that I had seen Chloe (at Chloe Loves to Shop) with one that was similar and when I scrolled through her Instagram I found that she had bought hers from French Baskets (above). Sadly Chloe's didn't appear to be on their website (I have linked to similar, above) which left me back at square one.

Aloha basket Etsy (£40)

So that left me with only one option, which was to head to Etsy - "an online market place for individual sellers of handmade or vintage items".  It really is the place to go for all things crafty/basket like/pom pom or tassel related.

It took me a while but, after using a few different search terms, I came up with this beauty. Now the bad news is that I snapped up the last one with "Aloha" written on it. The good news is that it's possible to order one AND it can be personalised in one of six different coloured wools. So really the world is your oyster, whether it's a French slogan (very now), your initials, your children's names (should you forget - something I find increasingly to be a problem) or some random word that you like (for me, that would be "Twilight" which could easily be mistaken for "Twiglet" which would be very unfortunate.)

My basket will be on its way shortly and I have to say that I can't wait. I know that many of you won't believe it but it's been a while since I've bought anything new (well, apart from 2 new pineapple T-shirts from the gorgeous Gift Pop Boutique) so I didn't think that a new basket was pushing things too much.

Let me know what you think - can you be persuaded?!

* I used the word "new" in the title in its loosest sense.  I think that they have been using this shaped basket in Morocco for centuries!

There's one bag that we all seem to love....but it's proving pretty difficult to find

Over the last few summers I've watched the basket frenzy grow. A few years ago I'm not sure that any of us would have really hankered after anything remotely basket like but now when a good one appears it's greeted with "oohs, aaahs" and whoops of delight (or is that just me?!)  I suppose that along with sparkly flats, lightweight fabrics, pretty dresses, floral prints and boho tops, a lovely basket signals the arrival of that one thing that we all look forward to with great anticipation - summer - and everything that goes with it, from picnics to trips to the beach.

I came across this Topshop pom pom straw tote (£25) in town last week and I could tell straight away from the response on Instagram that we were all feeling the basket love. I think that everyone is just so ready to embrace "basket season".

Pineapples seem to be having a moment right now, appearing on everything from tops in M&S and Hush, to jewellery (again Hush) and also on this Topshop tote (£28). I put pineapples in the same category as flamingos - something that I'm really drawn to but I'm not quite sure why - hence my taking a second look at the M&S T-shirt that I've just mentioned, before suggesting to myself that I stepped away from it.

I also came across this woven beach bag from French Connection (£75) whilst in Selfridges today and, predictably, was attracted to its colour. In my view all baskets need a good "handle test" as some can be quite uncomfortable, particularly if they are weighed down with all manner of sneaky picnic type treats.

I've listed below the brands that I checked out and which don't seem to have any baskets at the moment and instead I headed over to Etsy, thinking that some resourceful person over there would have tapped into the basket market. And I wasn't disappointed. I love these beach baskets (from the seller Mini Market Bristol) on Etsy $35.75 with the all so important star/heart motif, which again fall in the same, ever growing category, as pineapples and flamingos. (Don't be put off  by the price being in US $ - they are UK based).

Oh and of course tassels also fall into that category too! The colours of the baskets are just fabulous and they can be obtained from Marizoli on Etsy ($41.98)

So now all I need is a basket with a pineapple, a flamingo, a heart, a star and a tassel on it and all will be well with the world.

Brands I hunted through but with no basket luck....

Hush, River Island, New Look, Atterley Road, Jigsaw, Phase Eight, Hobbs, Cath Kidston, John Lewis, Accessorise, Next, Debenhams.

PS Primark on the other hand tend to do a few each summer so they may be a good starting point.

So, are any of you feeling the basket love?!