The Beat That My Heart Skipped – A blog dedicated to daily design inspirations. By Rohini Wahi.

With a kind of grown-up Urban Outfitters vibe, Ship & Shape is an online handmade store owned by three independent designers in Minneapolis who decided to join forces with their respective talents – jewellery making, graphic design and product design. The shop sells one of a kind, handmade goods that the makers – Erin, Maddy, and Annika each create in their own studios as well as unique goods from chosen artists.

The result is a beautifully curated shop with unusual and on-trend accessories with a care-free aesthetic – you will find – hand-painted terracotta tumblers in bright colour combinations, faceted porcelain hanging decorations, and geometric patterned planters. Buy here and check out their inspiring blog here.

Lately I’ve been noticing a surge of interest in TV and literature about creative entrepreneurs of the past… last year’s visually stunning BBC1 show, The Paradise and ITV’s just launched drama about the flamboyante Mr. Selfridge both follow the endeavors of 19^th century entrepreneurs – and of course the newly published historical novel The Potters Hand [we reviewed it here] which chronicles the life and dynasty of Josiah Wedgwood [exciting for the design industry].

With the current climate as it is, there is something so captivating and comforting about delving into a golden age brimming with so much hope and a sea of opportunities. I wanted to share this beautiful game with you that allows you step back to a pioneer age. This engaging 4 minute game from William Morris Gallery allows visitors to the site to make fun and business savvy idecisions for a fledgling [now iconic] Morris and Co.

It begins ‘You are William Morris, It’s 1875 and you have a young family to support. You’re running Morris and Co. You have £120 and four years to make money whilst keeping to your principles’.

You are asked to decide what product you will begin your business with – ceramic tiles? Maybe rolls of cloth, or perhaps embroidery kits? Who will you employ in this first year to strengthen your brand? How will you make your product – by hand or by machine? Play the game Here.

What kind of an entrepreneur were you?

We have a slight obsession in the office with the delicate offerings of online shop Leif curated by Brooklyn designer Stacy Anne Longnenecker. I always feel that if I had a store, i would want it to be simple and sweet like this.

Stacey has the perfect eye for sourcing delicately coloured poetic and affordable home products that are original – which is a hard task in a saturated home market. Her shop is updated often with super sweet and exciting items like sublime grey  Speckled Boulder Mugs, candy coloured Mineral Magnet Sets, unusual Striped Taper Candles, celebratory colourful Tassel Bracelets and sweet porcelain cups in pastel colours. Buy them all – Iwant to!

A slightly off subject post as I don’t usually write about fashion here, but this is a fashion label with a difference.

Napeansea, I am very proud to say is the first leather outerwear collection from my mother Reena Ray-Wahi. Busying away in the East End of London supplying the finest sheepskin and leather to UK high-end and high street labels for over 25 years, she has had a wealth of ideas bubbling away for a long time – which excitingly have finally come into fruition in the form of lyrically titled brand Napeansea (one of Mumbai’s most aspirational addresses).

It describes itself as “ a thinking woman’s best travel companion, durable and versatile in her skin. The range is directed to the woman who wants to be on trend while keeping an identity of her own. She is characterized by a fun-loving yet grounded attitude. She is a slayer of dragons, with a unique sense of humour and an amazing sense of style.”

This first collection of classic and considered British-made sheepskin and leather jackets add edge and a hint of glamour to everyday looks with quilted gilets, butter soft bikers and warming sheepskins. I attended the new brand’s launch last week and was excited to see even newer samples had arrived, covetable golden quilted Goat-suede jackets and over sized accessories to add to the mix. Watch this space – I predict big things for Napeansea : )

You can buy online here and keep up to date with Napeansea news here

The Deep South of America is my dream destination and the top of my wish list. I guess a lot of our dreams come about from intangible ephemera like favourite movies we watch over and over again, well-thumbed books and pored over imagery. I know my fascination with The South started in my teens and with the discovery of the spine-tingling novels of Gothic writer Anne Rice which described New Orlean’s haunting historic districts in luscious detail.

Since then I have greedily drunk up any literature, films and articles about the atmospheric South – from comforting Rom-Coms set in Alabama, to darkly funny TV shows like True Blood to deliciously deep-fried food programmes and enthralling supernatural books. Adding weight to my curiosity is that of recent, The South has also become a huge draw for emerging designers and home ware brands with favourites like Anthropologie mining the South for unusual and evocative designs.

Sealing the fate of my love affair with The South is my new online obsession – the amusingly titled Garden and Gun. A beautifully designed and styled magazine [available online and in print] the magazine celebrates the rich culture, food, music, and art of the Deep South. Traditional Southern recipes with a twist like Krispy Kreme Brulee and jewel coloured Rose Gimlets sit alongside evocative tales of local syrup farmers in Texas, reviews of off the beaten track Cajun family-run eateries and too cool for school indie rockers of the South all mixed up with poignant narratives of The South’s history. Enough to sate my daily dose of Southern Comfort… for now.