Oh la la! September 11, 2011

These notelets from one of my favourite paper stores, Papermash, are trop jolie! Perfect for sending out to your Francophile friends. They cost £12.95 for a set of 8.

I want! August 18, 2011

How pretty is this dress? I have the perfect red shoes to go with it too – though with this miserable summer, God knows when I would be able to wear it!

It comes from Prodigy Red and costs a very respectable £19! I spotted it on the fabulous MyStreetChic.com (I was responsible for the hair and make-up for their summer fashion shoot) but if you haven’t checked them out before – get over there! They seem to unearth such great items. Love them!

If i knew you were coming I’d have baked a cake August 10, 2011

I have been baking a fair bit recently particularly lovely healthy little cakes, muffins and biscuits that I can feed to Elsie – no sugar and lots of good wholewheat and fruit inside. But when I do bake, I get out my old apron and the other day I thought I might fancy getting a new one. Here’s my pick of the best ones out there!

First stop is Ulster Weavers – a great online shop for really reasonably-priced home-ware (mugs, aprons, tea towels etc) This Doris Apron is only £16! I also love the Teatime apron below.

Luscious, luscious Anthropologie sells so many pretty things. These gorgeous aprons are just too pretty to only wear in the kitchen. They cost £28 each.

And there are more aprons than you can shake a stick at over on Etsy but I like this Curvy Chole vintage apron by Dianne Designer Aprons ($29.95)

Ok, well this isn’t an apron but I thought it was great! These quirky oven mitts are something, aren’t they!They cost £25 from Hunkydory Home.

And lastly, here’s some dapper napkins to finish off the look! These come from Stitch Design Works – £14.95 for four. Happy baking and cake eating!

Oooo me likey! August 5, 2011

I’m rather fancying this smart new range of home accessories by Ben de Lisi at Debenhams. It’s got pigeons, doubledecker buses, clapperboards and other such fumbly Britishness. I totally have my eye on the typewriter cushion below and love the phone cushion too, but it’s the achingly retro-with-a-modern-twist telephone lamp that I am hankering for – at only £35 I might have to get this for my new home office…

They are both available from Debenhams.com and costs £18 each.

The perfect red July 22, 2011

As a fan of red lipstick, I am constantly on the search for the exact tone to match my skin, and I am pleased to have found Rockalily Lipstick! Set up by Ree Ree Rockette, Rockalily Make-up was created after she got sick of hunting for the right shade (I feel your pain Ree Ree!) So if you hanker for that foxy 1950s look, get over there!

I have a feeling I’m a Rockette Red – but which are you?

Write you are! July 1, 2011

The art of letter writing is somewhat on the wane in this modern computerised world, but oh, how I love to send a card, a letter or simply scribble down my thoughts. So to breathe new life into letter writing, why not buy some new stationery – you never know, you might get a letter back! The Spring bird card above is £5 from Papermash.

I love quirky things and this sausage dog notepad from Anthropologie made me titter! £10

What about a card that’s a box, that’s a cake box card type thing? Cool huh? £11.50 from Present and Correct.

Bring back the old school paperweight I say! This here pretty little one is from Papermash is £22.50.

New vintagy finds: Ruby Plum June 29, 2011

You can always rely on a pair of pretty red shoes to lift the spirits on a Wednesday morning – and aren’t these just peachy? These Chia Mihara Osmo sandals (yes, really!) cost £225 and I found them on a rather nifty little online vintage-inspired boutique called Ruby Plum. Choc full with gorgeous dresses, knits and bags, the only problem is deciding what to keep in my basket!

I have had my eye on this Marianne bag (£130) for some time and may have to start dropping some p-r-e-t-t-y heavy hints soon to the other half. Surely I deserve it?!?!!

O! What a Dollybird! June 27, 2011

Gasp! I saw these Dollybird storage jars by The Big Tomato Company and swooned! Choose from the Chinese, red head, blonde, brunette, African and Indian Dolly Birds. Each jar costs £59.95 but honestly, they are going to be a design classic – a real gem that the grankids are going to pester you to leave them in your Will. I have my eye on the China Dollybird. They also do lots of other super funky homewares such as the winking bowl and whistling teapot! Cute!

I want! June 16, 2011

String me up and colour me pink! I just have to get me these quirky party banners! Forget the old bunting, text banners are where it’s at. Inject a little Joie de Vivre into your get together – or, like, simply hang them in the kitchen to remind yourself to smile over the dishes. Available from PaperMash for £10!

Vintage cake loveliness June 3, 2011

Stop press! If you are looking for a beautiful scrummy cake then look no further! I have to shout out to the wonderful and talented Anne Paulette whose fabulous cakes are something to behold. This Bristol-based cupcake genius has just launched a new website and there are some absolutely stunning cakes available.

Annie is inspired by vintage glamour and this is evident in her super cute Tiffany Butterfly cupcakes  (below) and the Button cupcakes (bottom).

But my absolute favourite cake has to be the Victorian wedding cake! I love that Annie has an eye on the past to create something gorgeous for people’s futures!