Recommended - Design*Sponge at Home

I had a voucher for Amazon and I had had my eye on this for a while, alas not turning up in any of my favourite charity bookshops (there's a reason - it's awesome and you would never, ever donate it) so I spent it! Ooooh, spending free money feels good.

But back to the book - it's filled with DIY ideas, and inspirational homes, many of which are teeny tiny like mine and having to be furnished on microbudgets. It's fun just to flick through out of nosiness, or if you're seriously looking for cheap ways to spruce up the flat (without needing to be a regular DIY/arty fart), and I kinda just like having it sitting on my coffee table. Makes me look all grown-up and stuff. 

C x

Charity Shop Art

Apologies for the long absence in posting, I have been living under a rock, studying hard and not getting much chance to check out the shops. I did do a round of the charity shops near the the university to pick up some cheap textbooks (saved well over £100). In the Barnardo's bookshop on South Clerk Street, they have baskets full of vintage postcards and photographs which would look lovely in lots of little frames, mounted up on a feature picture wall.

I only have the one very pretty white Ikea frame which I've been dying to put something in. When I was flicking through a travel book, 3 little tickets fell out to the Doge's Palace in Venice. They were beautiful, intricate prints, and they reminded me of visiting Venice when I was little, so I bought the book for the sake of the tickets, and to dream of a day when I can afford to go back to Italy.

C x

Charity Shop Find

I can't take credit for this one. My Mum spotted this at a charity shop in Kinross, mostly liking it for the frame, but she didn't have the wall-space, so bought it for me. Spoiled :)

Print & custom frame, £15 - (found at CHAS Kinross)

I love the print, but I don't know anything about it. I love the art-deco lines and swirls (I have no idea if it's actually period, or from one of the many revivals). Does anyone recognise it? I thought it would go quite well with a print I have of Klimt's 'The Kiss', especially because of the gold frame. And they could both go in my dream art-deco villa that overlooks the seaside.

Anyway, here's some more inspiration...

Empire State Building, Greta Garbo, Marlin Hotel, Art Deco notelet (from Past Times), scene from 42nd Street (1933), Metropolis (1927), Upstairs Downstairs (2010), scene from Grand Hotel (1932), Lara Bohnic deco necklace.

C x

Gifts

What do you give to someone who already has everything? I am faced with the problem of buying a 'thank-you' present for a couple who are quite sophisticated (so no cutesy knitted nonsense that I usually go for), already own very fine wine, probably wouldn't appreciate chocolates, and live quite far away so hauling a bouquet of flowers isn't really an option.

As I trawled the internet, I came across some amazing presents. Alas, I've still not found the right thing, but here's some a few ideas:

Whisky Stones I enjoy a wee dram now and again, but I hate it when the barman puts ice in it. It dilutes the flavour of the whisky and if you're drinking something quite smokey, such as an Islay malts, you can lose those tastes that make a particular malt so distinctive. These are a great idea for keeping your drink cool, but they don't alter the flavour, nor do they absorb any to ruin your next glass.

tree2mydoor can send any of their young trees anywhere in the UK in lovely jute bags with a cute card attached. I particularly like Rowan trees - Scottish myth has it that they will protect your house from evil beasties and witchcraft. The Gaelic for rowan is Caorunn, isn't that lovely? I think I want to send myself one...

I'm not sure why I like these porcelain keys so much but they they would look really dainty hanging off a fresh branch in a vase.

Okay, I'm slightly obsessed with the Pantone mugs, and have considered accidentally dropping  my current mugs so I have an excuse to buy some lovely Pantone mugs. But little did I know you can get just about everything else in your favourite Pantone colours! I thought these tea towels would be quite nice as a present for someone who likes to cook, or who has a husband (giggles).

This doorstop is a bit of an unusual thing to give as a present, but I think it would look good just about anywhere, and in any decor. You know what, I'm rubbish at buying gifts because the only things I like, I end up wanting for myself. How greedy.

Organise!

Oh my gosh. I want I want I want.

This kind of organisational porn makes me seriously sick with jealousy. Look at the shoe rack! And all the space saved! And the pretty storage boxes, oh don't even get me started on those...

Lottery is most definitely being entered into this weekend.