Father's Day Inspiration

Happy Father's Day!!! (yes we know it's a bit premature but we thought we would start the ball rolling & get the idea out there). Its something that's always a little, 'last minute' and dad really does lose out (well he does in our family). That last minute dash to get his fav bottle of wine doesn't quite make up for it. So we thought we would start early this year and plan ahead........ Just a few ideas to get the brain in motion xx 

a great manly create filled with his fav tipple (mine would be made up with this)

retro dad!!

organised dad

proud dad

Pretty Knobs to Perk Up Your Draws

 A pretty selection of knobs to perk up your draws  a fine selection of pretty knobs well worth a look if your thinking of updating your draws and cupboards

pretty cracked blue

spotty blue knobs

vintage white cracked knobs

stars knobs 

vintage style blue flower

Napkins & Napkin Holders

 Napkins - Pretty as a picture & the perfect, effective accompanier to any meal. A sandwich lunch, easy dinner with friends, or messy Sunday breakfast. Always there and always needed so why not make them the prettiest they can be to add a touch of fun & style to a table. Then add a decorative but practical napkin holder & the looks complete.

a white painted metal flower holder with Cath Kidston napkins

country cream collection brown wooden napkin holder

a ceramic heart napkin holder & Emma Bridgewater Sampler heart napkins

Wine Rack

Perfect Wedding Gift don't you think? Simply add a few bottles of the happy couples wine of choice (or a selection of yours) and hey presto a really unique but fun wedding gift! Well we think it's better than the toaster option & defiantly more fun!

For 9 good sized bottles of your fav tipple. Simply add the drink ;)

This wooden rustic create is perfect for housing six bottles.
Simply add the tag and away you go!

Working From Home - eeekkkkkkk

Create an Office to be Proud Of!

Working from home takes the most amount of discipline & dedication. The concept of working from home is far different from the reality. The idea is defiantly not the reality and the 'perks' are equally matched with the 'constraints'. Simple distractions can easily throw your day off course. While you are effectively your own boss, you still have to have the discipline to achieve the results required & recognise that it can be a very lonely way of working. From my own experience here are some simple tips that could help you with a work/life balance & achieve success from working from home.


Make sure that you have an organised office area, away from your usual living environment so that you can actually 'go to work'. This not only helps you focus but also let's those around you know that you are 'unavailable' and 'at work'.  It also means that when work has 'finished' for the day, it will actually feel like you have finished!

Take breaks. Its easy to get lost in your work (sometimes a little too lost) when you find yourself in the same position you started  hours earlier without so much as a cup of tea or lunch. Make sure there is structure to your day. If the weather is nice, get outside for your lunch or take ten minutes in the afternoon to have a drink outside. Simply having a cuppa at your desk does n't constitute a break. Moving from your desk gives you time to refocus & getting fresh air makes you feel like you really have had a break.

It's ok to talk. Talk to reps, talk to clients, talk to other people at work. It's important that you don't become isolated in your job. Interaction is crucial to decision making, understanding and healthy working. Working in an office environment means you are constantly bouncing ideas and thoughts off colleagues and working from home shouldn't mean your isolated. Talking to your best friend for an hour doesn't qualify but chatting to your supplier, talking to office based colleagues & customer's is all part of understanding and developing.

Be strict with your office hours! This is a biggie. I am away's on time for work. For me this is a necessity for a successful day. However I have tended to finish later than intended; this wouldn't happen if I worked in a shared office or environment where other's left to go home.  You have to maintain the work/life separation and this is crucial for that. (note to myself, follow own advice!).

Finally enjoy it! Yes there are perks to working from home. You don't miss the post, you can pop a wash on when you take a break & you can (occasionally) work in your pj's (I said occasionally, you are at work after all!)

Inspiration this season comes from layers, patterns & textures. Vibrant colours & strong patterns are a must for a classic, strong room scheme of vibrant summer fun.  Floral's are returning, as are retro prints & traditional intricate designs. Don't be afraid to mix and match, floral's, animal motifs, bold azure patterns & retro prints. Create a style that suit's you!

retro spotty dots from Cath Kidston

mix and match au maison wipe clean fabric

rustic textured olive memo board

ceramic plant pots in taupe with

pale blue 'potato print' style heart

animal motif & sentimental cushion

stitched heart canisters (mix & match)add fresh cut flowers

floral metal heart tins add a touch of design class

spotty ceramic canisters (mix & match)

rustic twig heart
decorate seasonally to update & refresh

floral rustic picture

Eggs & Bunnies.... Easter Breakfast

Create the perfect table for a family gathering this Easter.... the lovely country cream collection hen egg cups are a perfect way to serve your soft runny boiled eggs (don't forget the Emma Bridgewater hen napkins to mop up the drips & crumbs) oohh yum xxx

Mad Hatter's Tea Party? Or Just a Light Lunch with Friends?

Mad Hatter: Would you like a little more tea? 
Alice: Well, I haven't had any yet, so I can't very well take more.
March Hare: Ah, you mean you can't very well take less. 
Mad Hatter: Yes. You can always take more than nothing!



Hosting a tea party? You don't have to be bonkers (but sometimes it helps!). Simply having your closest friends  round for a long afternoon lunch can escalate into something resembling a Lewis Carroll classic. What starts off chatty and light soon becomes memorable & fun. Simply popping on some wipe clean fabric floral cloth, stacking the cake stand high with treat & sandwiches, pretty napkins to hand & making sure the tea pot stays full (with gin!) and away you go. Memories will be made, laughs will be had and diet's (usually having been discussed for a good first hour) will be well and truly out the window (until tomorrow that is!) 

Vintage Tins for Shabby Chic Style Kitchen

Just a little preview at our latest collection of fun kitsch kitchen wares. Pastel colours of muted tones,  pinks, blues, greens & creams with quirky writing, dots & birds..... perfectly retro in a fun kitchen......


A selection of tea coffee & sugar tins, spice tins & cake, biscuit & sweets storage tins... ohhh retro heaven! 

Cath Kidston, Emma Bridgewater, William Morris...

 Ohhh all these designer classic's in a paper napkin! But not just any paper napkin for Emma Bridgewater, Cath Kidston or William Morris, of course only a high quality, 100% recycled, 100% biodegradable, 3 ply (can you feel the quality so far?) paper napkin in packs of 20 and all for the bargain price of (wait for it) £4.00!!!! Bring classic fun, vintage nostalgia & designer oh la la to any party, lunch or afternoon tea! All that in a napkin. Could you ask for any more?