The Style PA at Home

GIFTS - Valentine's Cards From Lazy Oaf

2012-02-02T21:16:00.001Z

Looking for an uber-cool Valentine's card for someone special on 14 February? Lazy Oaf have some of my absolute favourites and they aren't all that conventional. In fact, I love the quirky, back-handed compliments the best. Which is your favourite?

Shop cards at Lazy Oaf

REVIEW - Godiva's Valentine's Chocolates

2012-01-30T22:54:00.001Z

Here's a tip for the guys, if you are going to buy her chocolates for Valentine's Day you had better make sure they're good ones. I was sent some lovely confectionery from the well-known chocolatier Godiva.

First up, I tried the new limited edition Mont D'amour collection (it's a hard life right). This selection is about innovation and craftsmanship in the form of delicious mousse-based fillings featuring ingredients from France, Belgium, Japan and Sicily.

Fraises Des Bois is a wild strawberry mousse covered in dark chocolate. The flavour of the mousse was soft and subtle and the intense chocolate provided a pleasant contrast.

Cassis Marron features chestnut mousse with blackcurrant filling, covered with milk chocolate and blackcurrant powder. This was the most intensely flavoured of the bunch, rich, aromatic and seductive with a surprising tang of blackcurrant.

Noisette Citron is Sicilian lemon and hazelnut mousse in white chocolate. I loved this one, fresh, creamy and light I'd probably choose it over the darker chocolates any day. The nuttiness is barely there, almost just hinted at and it's not too sharp or sweet either.

Matcha was a little different, featuring Japanese green tea mousse in dark chocolate. Not my favourite of the bunch but a nice twist that some might find pleasantly surprising.

Fraise is a dark chcolate cased strawberry mousse including fruit from the Belgian region of Wepion. This was another favourite of mine, really creamy and velvety, subtle flavours and not overly sweet. Very easy to eat a few (or perhaps I'm just greedy).

In addition to this fabulous selection, my boyfriend helped me test out the Godiva Valentine's Coeur Fraise chocolates which came in a set of five. They are filled with a similar mouse to the Fraise chocolate from the collection above, but they are covered in white chocolate and finished off with a dainty little red heart made from chocolate.

I've one more set to try, but I think I might save that one to give to my Valentine on Valentine's Day itself. I'm certain there will be no complaints at all... the way to a man's heart and all that.

FOOD - Salad Stats Infographic

2012-01-29T17:10:00.000Z

Some interesting stats that would suggest Americans are big salad eaters.

Infographic from... Mint.com Personal Finances

THRIFT - Do More With Less Challenge

2012-01-28T11:12:00.004Z

I was enlisted by VoucherCodes.co.uk and their Most Wanted blog to join their 'do more with less' challenge, a concept that's on most people's minds during the month of January. We are all trying to make up for over-spending at Christmas time, and feeling the pinch from making our pay packets stretch further. On top of that, I went on holiday over Christmas so I've had a nice big credit card bill to pay. It's time to get savvy!

Some people might opt for charity shops, vintage stores, boot sales etc. but actually, there are great deals to be had on the high street too, especially when it comes to homeware.

My approach to this challenge was to focus on what I actually need right now, and staying within the £50 budget. In January it doesn't really make sense to just go for impulse buys, regardless of what a good deal it might be.

I'm time-poor as well as money poor right now so I decided to check out the online sales. Although I work in online retail, I very rarely shop online. Having recently bought a (desperately needed) new bed and mattress in the sales the thing at the top of my shopping list were two extra pillows and a new bed linen set.

I looked around and did some price comparison and then finally opted for the Debenhams sale where I was able to snap up the following...

2 hollowfibre pillows set - £7. with 28 reviews and an average rating of 4.5 stars, this was a bargain buy. At just £3.50 a pillow, these would be perfect for sitting under neath my other two feather pillows that I already have. I've since tried them out and they are light, soft and definitely help me get a good night's sleep, which is the general aim. These aren't about looking pretty.

Green 'Joni Ribbon' bed linen set - Was £75, now £37.50. I love crisp white bed linen, and the green accent and pleats are a nice fresh touch. Again, this product had a 5 star rating through its customer reviews which really helps. The other selling point of this set is that it will fit with different decor, so if I end up moving in 6 months it's not going to look out of place. Yes you can get cheaper sets, but quality is really important with bedding in my eyes, it needs to wash well and feel nice against your skin.

Extra tips...

When shopping online, look at the ratings and reviews for a product. You don't want the hassle of having to send something back because it wasn't quite what you thought
Shop when there is free online delivery, or see if there is a collect-from-store service which should be free
Keep an eye on any voucher codes sites to see if there's an offer somewhere you are intending to shop, obviously VoucherCodes.co.uk is one to check.
Check out the returns policy, if it's free you won't run the risk of extra expenditure if you need to send it back

DRINK - Douwe Egberts ground coffee packs

2012-01-22T21:11:00.000Z

Coffee lovers, this post is for you! Over the past couple of months I've been trying out some coffee from Douwe Egberts. I went out and got a cafetiere and invited my work colleagues to help themselves to six new varieties of coffee. Read on or find out more on Facebook.

House Blend (Strength 3) This is a great blend for everyday coffee, something you can drink at your desk at leisure. True coffee lovers mind find it a bit bland, but for me it was tasty and very easy to drink.

Café Milano (Strength 3) A laid-back blend with Italian charm. This wasn't cited as anyone's favourite, but was nice enough.

Flavourful Decaff (Strength 3) This was perfect for the office because one of my colleagues is actually allergic to caffeine. We all tried the decaff coffee and agreed there was no compromise on flavour, a good switch for anyone concerned about their caffeine intake.

Time Together (Strength 4) One of my co-workers said: "This coffee is quite nutty and smooth. Enjoyable with milk and very easy to drink as it isn’t bitter at all." I tried it too and found it to be quite enjoyable, even for a non-coffee drinker.

Morning Americano (Strength 5) designed to be drunk first thing in the morning, this coffee packs just enough punch to get your started.

Fired Up (Strength 6) with dark-roasted beans and intense flavours this was a favourite of the more hardened coffee drinkers. Definitely a bit too strong for me, but if you like your coffee dark and strong it's a winner. One colleague said: "Fired Up’ packs a punch with deep, rich flavour. Surprisingly it isn’t bitter but it’s strength is in the strong, earthy taste. A wake up call and a half!"

We didn't have a coffee machine so I picked up a really inexpensive cafetiere at Debenhams.

SHOPPING - Top Home Buys for January

2012-01-08T20:35:00.000Z

The sales are in full swing and that means there are bargains to be had. I've picked out a few pieces that have caught my eye in January...

Red Napkin Holder Bull & Matador - Bouf - Was £15, Now £12

You've gotta love this quirky addition to your dining table. Of course, it works best if you pony use red paper napkins too. It's a great little gift idea as well.

Designer Radiators - B&Q

Radiators can be ugly old things, so if you've doing up your home then getting some sleek designer radiators is a fab idea. I love ones which use up spaces that otherwise wouldn't be used, like under the low window pictured, and I love the mirrored version even more - such a practical yet stylish solution. For a limited time, B&Q are offering 15% off.

A La Cornue CornuFé 110 cooker

Agyness Deyn has one of these in her New York apartment and George Clooney and Brad Pitt are also reported to have one. They come in some great colours too including refreshing pastels.

By Nature Wildlife Havens

By Nature has launched a new set of pretty widlife havens, including a nesting box, bird feeder and insect hotel. Not only are they a great idea for supporting the wildlife near your home, they look really fab too. I love the pastel accent shade. The are all under £15. They have been designed by Sophie Conran, interior designer and daughter of Sir Terence Conran.

The S'well Wine Bottle (available in USA)

This 750ml bottle is designed to keep white wine chilled at picnics or social events. S'well wine bottles are handy and keeps wine cool for up to 24 hours, plus the stainless steel won't add any flavour to the wine itself.

SHOPPING - Top Home Buys for November

2011-11-13T20:51:00.001Z

1. And Chocolate Print - Bouf - £35

Show someone you care with this fab typographical print from One Must Dash, available at Bouf. I'm a big fan of monochrome prints and that's what I've got in my home. It somehow jars less with your decor which is also great if you move home quite a bit and want something to work with any decor.

2. Chick A Dee Smoke Alarm - Dutch by Design - £42.50

This quirky smoke alarm is a first for me as I've never seen someone do something different with this functional essential. You have to have one so it may as well look pretty.

3. The Edible Flower Bouquet - By Nature - £35

Like the idea of giving a bunch of flowers but don't like the wastage? What about giving a bunch that can be eaten afterwards? By Nature have a fab herb bouquet which can be used in the kitchen for a fully functional gift. The bunch includes bay, sage, chillis, rosemary and pepperleaf - what a fab idea!

INSPIRATION - GANT Home Collection SS12

2011-11-01T22:51:00.000Z

I recently went to the GANT press day for SS12 and here's a sneak peek at the homeware collection for next season. A coordinating palette of soft blues and neutrals with the occasional pop of red. It's all rather patriotic and flirts with both beach house, nautical styling and all-American design details like stars and stripes.

I loved the textured, cable knit throws and mix of striped linens used on the bed together. The striped styles reminded me of pyjamas and toothpaste, two things which are associated with bedtime.

Explore the full GANT home collection

ART - Inspiration From the Saatchi Gallery

2011-10-23T15:13:00.002+01:00

My boyfriend recently started a design course and I've been surprised by how much I am getting inspired from it. With projects to work on at home and tasks to complete I've been enjoying hearing all about it. One such task was to visit an art gallery or exhibition so we both went along to the Saatchi Gallery in Chelsea. It's free to visit and well worth taking a couple of hours on a Sunday afternoon to wander round.

I took lots of pics and have picked out a few of my faves below...

These crunched cars are by Dirk Skreber and taking them out of the usual, and rather distressing setting, they actually become striking and intriguing. Quite how it was all put together I don't know, but it was great to be able to see everything up close.

I snapped this picture because the colours worn by the girl sitting in the foreground tied in with the art installation behind her. The hollow tree trunk had been filled with brightly coloured foam. Rather surreal, but good fun too. The pictured art is by Folkert de Jong, as are the next few pieces I photographed.

Below are some rather ambiguous looking figures, sculpted by Rebecca Warren. They are crudely crafted with exaggerated body parts, and made from clay.

I loved this next piece as it reminded me of Tron. It's by Björn Dahlem and called The Milky Way.

And here's another using light, this time coloured neon. I love the chaotic mix of brights which make up these two separate installations.The first is by David Batchelor. There seems to have been lots and lots of light used within modern art, and it doesn't show signs of slowing down if these are anything to go by.

GADGETS - Philips PerfectCare Iron Review

2011-10-13T19:27:00.000+01:00

I hate ironing. In fact, I hate it so much that I rarely do it, perhaps twice a year I might break out the iron and tackle those creases. But when Philips got in touch to see if I wanted to give their PerfectCare Iron a go I figured I had best say yes. My boyfriend also encouraged me... but I think that's just so I could get started on his shirts.

Here's what the PerfectCare iron claims to do:

100% effective on all fabrics, iron any fabric in any order without having to change the settings
Up to 2 hours of steam ironing from one tank of water
100% safe on all ironable garments
The SteamGlide soleplate has great scratch resistance, excellent gliding and is easy to clean
Ready to use in 2 minutes

Being the good girlfriend that I am, I did start with his shirts and t-shirts. The claims that this iron glides over all fabrics easily are definitely true. It's a breeze! It did feel quite gentle on the shirts and t-shirts though and I think the overall finish could have been slightly better. Perhaps a few extra minutes taken over each garment would have resulted in perfection but I figured the quick method was good enough. Round 1... 7/10.

But to really put the claims to the test I decided to get out a silk dress that had been folded in a basket for months (it fits me again after a stint on Weight Watchers hurrah!) The dress is an ombre silk dress from Principles that I've had a while and to be honest I didn't even think I could iron it due to the shiny finish to the fabric, but after checking the label I saw that yes I could.

This is where the iron really becomes worth the money. There is only one heat setting but the claims say that it won't burn your clothing. I tentatively put the iron on the fabric and low-and-behold there was nothing but gentle steam and creaseless fabric. No nasty scorch marks, no dodgy patches. The fabric I was ironing was extremely light and thin and I was totally impressed with the results. Round 2... 10/10.

Before...

... and after.

The size of the steam generating part of the iron is pretty bulky, or at least I might struggle to store it inconspiculously in my tiny flat, but it is pretty quiet when in use and the iron itself isn't very heavy. As for the claims, yes it did heat up straight away, I didn't have to worry about changing fabrics and it does glide almost effortlessly. It's the fact that it makes ironing so much easier that means the £230-£280 price tag could be well worth it for those who don't want to feel like ironing is more of a chore than it needs to be.

So my verdict? This is the must-have accessory for the fashionista's wardrobe to keep those fabulous purchases looking their best. Will I be using it on his shirts? Probably not, life's too short to slave away ironing other people's clothes and frankly I'm selfishly saving this iron for all my special garments.

You can buy it at John Lewis.

BEDROOM - Agent Provocateur Bed Linen Collection

2011-10-12T21:40:00.002+01:00

From high-end lingerie to homeware... it might not seem like an obvious step, but in the case of Agent Provocateur it makes perfect sense. The new collection of bedding aligns with everything the brand stands for - it's luxurious, sensual and premium.

The models seen posing with the bed linen will certainly catch the eye but with frills, satins and beautiful details the bedding really does stand alone too. The colour palette is rich and opulent, but I'd be interesting to see how it shifts come Spring/Summer. The price tags are pretty steep, but if it makes you feel like the woman in the video preview then perhaps it's worth every penny...

Shop Agent Provocateur bed linen

NEWS - Wayne Hemingway Creates A Unique Umbrella

2011-10-02T13:25:00.001+01:00

Coca Cola and British designer Wayne Hemingway have teamed up for a special eco project. Coca Cola recently launched their new PlantBottle™ Plastic, their first ever 100% recyclable bottles which are partially made from plants and Wayne has designed a special umbrella to celebrate the launch.

Wayne Hemingway champions sustainable living and each umbrella is made from only five plastic bottles. The fabric of the umbrella is made entirely from 100% recycled plastic bottles which have been crushed and then processed back into yarn. Clever! The look of the brolly design is inspired by Brazilian sugar-cane, which is the sustainable source of the plant-based material used in the new packaging.

The best thing about the new plastic bottles is that the customer won't be able to tell the difference between the recycled ones and the old ones. It's an important step in reducing the company's carbon footprint. When you are a company as massive as Coca Cola, it's a responsibility to play a key role in sustainable projects.

Wayne Hemingway comments: “We hope this limited edition umbrella will get people thinking and ultimately inspire them to play their vital role in recycling their bottles – so Coca-Cola‘s new PlantBottle™ packaging can be re-used again and again.”

The designer umbrella will be available in Harvey Nichols Stores nationwide from September 12th for a limited period only and from the 26th September, it will also be available on CokeZone.co.uk

Find out more about the 100% recyclable bottles

I'll be carrying my Wayne Hemingway designed umbrella as soon as this heatwave gives way to the inevitable British rainy weather.

IDEAS - Bedroom Ideas for Boisterous Boys

2011-09-26T23:13:00.000+01:00

I was recently sent the latest bedroom ideas catalogue from Feather & Black. Although they offer furniture for adults and children, it was the children's ranges that they contacted me about and they are really lovely. Following on from my earlier post on ideas for girls' bedrooms, here are some style ideas for boys' bedrooms too...

Fun motifs
For younger boys, I love the shark print that Feather & Black stock, on rugs, cushions and soft storage. I used to work in an aquarium so I'm partial to underwater scenes and references, especially for kids. Prints, patterns and fun characters are almost expected for children but they do brighten up their bedroom.

Storage
Having a child definitely comes with a lot of clutter and you might find that your boy has more belongings than you do! In this case, hide things away in his bedroom with a great storage solution. The Noah Storage range at Feather & Black is a great option. With shelves, cupboards and drawers which can easily be removed or moved about, it's a versatile storage solution. The units are modular too so you can pick and mix the parts that suit your needs.

A desk
Before he's old enough for games consoles, a desk is perfect for drawing and story writing. Once he gets older you'll probably have to supply him with a laptop and nag him to finish his homework so enjoy it while it lasts. No matter the age though, a desk is an important item for a boy's bedroom.

Bunk beds
Got more than one boy and not enough space for separate rooms? Try the classic bunk bed which frees up floor space for them to charge around playing games. The Noah bunk beds from Feather & Black are great for smaller children, plus they transform into two separate beds so you can change things up if you need to.

Older boys
For older boys slick, industrial furniture can be an appealing choice. The Sydney set is made from powder coated steel and includes filing cabinet style drawers which are a great touch. Plus, it's got the desk built in which is one less thing to worry about.

Shop more childrens bedroom furniture at Feather & Black.

EVENT - London Blogging Tutorial Spots up for Grabs

2011-09-24T12:36:00.000+01:00

New to blogging? Want to know how to get started or grow your audience?

If yes, you could come along and find out more from me. I have 3 style blogs, contribute to Yell.com's interior blog and also run the blog for Debenhams. I've got 5 spaces up for grabs to my beginners tutorial next week so if you want to come along as my guest simply email me at jenny@thestylepa.com with a link to your blog, or a description of your blog idea and the one thing you'd really like to find out. I'll pick 5 ticket winners on Tuesday night.

Event: Beginners blogger tutorial
When: 1.30pm, Saturday 1 October 2011
Where: Westfield London, W12 7SL
With: Me

Plus if you are a bit more of an experienced blogger, Fashion Foie Gras and Disney Roller Girl are also holding tutorials. View full tutorials info.

Read the full post over on The Style PA

IDEAS - Beautiful Bedrooms For Little Girls

2011-09-10T10:22:00.001+01:00

Whether you're welcoming a new arrival or redecorating as your little girl grows up, something pretty but practical is likely to be top of your list for their bedroom.

I recently became aware of a retailer called Feather & Black who offer some great furniture and home accessories for kids' spaces. From my own experience, children are becoming far more interested in the decoration of their rooms and older girls may even want to choose everything. With littler ones it's all up to you of course. Here are some great ideas that caught my eye from Feather & Black...

Coordinating bedroom ranges

If you've got a little bit of money to spend and want a stylish solution for your child's bedroom then a coordinating set is a great idea. Matching furniture from beds and bunk beds to storage and shelving all tie together for a lovely scheme. There's a good mix of smaller children's beds and more grown up furniture sets as they get older. I love the white 'Charlotte' set which features a rather grown up and gorgeous dressing table and bed side table.

Floor cushions

Create a cosy atmosphere with fabulous printed and patterned floor cushions. These are great for creating a little den or for when they've got friends over. Plus the colours and patterns are very pretty and will look lovely within the bedroom's design scheme. Be quick though, these currently have great discounts.

Soft storage

Little girls always need storage what with all the toys, clothes and accessories. The soft storage pieces available at Feather & Black are a great idea. Not only are they practical, they're safe too for little ones as there are no sharp corners or solid bits to bump into. Whether it's a soft tub for throwing all their toys in or a hanging solution for clothes, there are some great options available.

Plus don't forget those great ideas for hiding away the clutter like under-bed storage. Toy boxes or blanket boxes can have a cushion added on top to double up as an occasional seat.

Shop more childrens bedroom furniture at Feather & Black.

RENOVATION - A Hove Home Fit for a Lord

2011-09-05T21:01:00.002+01:00

Ricky and Gemma got in touch with me a while back to share some pictures of a renovation they had carried out on a Brunswick Square flat in Hove. The area is highly sought-after for property and although the renovation work presented many challenges the finished result is stunning. There was fire damage and numerous original features covered up following the 1970s conversion of the building into flats.

You can read more about their project over on my post for Yell.com or see the before and after photos below...

DESIGN - Smack Nightclub's LED Room

2011-09-01T21:09:00.002+01:00

I love clubbing (when I can find a fellow raver to go with) and I love the idea behind the LED room at Smack Nightclub in Leamington Spa. Watch the video to see the amazing control and creative lighting effects that it enables. It really can adapt to fit perfectly the music playing.

Now I'm dreaming of the day that I've got a house big enough to create my very own LED room in. A bit frivolous perhaps? Yeah probably. But don't worry... I'll invite you all along when I get one.

DESIGN - An Amazing Use of Glass in a Home

2011-08-24T21:56:00.000+01:00

I had to share this amazing Town House in Chelsea using glass to create a modern look and a feeling of space and light. The basement living area feels light and airy due to the openness of the stairs which are also lit up with blue and purple lights. But it's outside that really shows off the use of glass. Those amazing windows lead out to a garden where the balcony has glass instead of balustrades.

Read more about the use of glass in this project over on my post for Yell.com's interior design blog.

INTERIORS - A Yacht I Could Live in

2011-08-13T19:47:00.000+01:00

Earlier this week I went sailing on a racing yacht (you can see the pics over on The Style PA for Men). But we also had the chance to sail on a very different boat, a sun-seeker with a lovely deck and beautiful living quarters. I've seen many yachts from the outside in the past, but very few have I had the pelasure of exploring properly until this one and i can definitely see the appeal.

The boat had 3 bedrooms, each with a bathroom of its own and decorated just as a luxurious hotel room would be. The living area had a large flat screen TV and big comfortable sofas. Then it was down a fewsteps to the kitchen/dining area and another dining table at the back of the boat. On top there was a sun deck where the boat could be driven from and where there was another table and room for sunbathing too.

I can imagine just floating around the Med on it, hopping off in beautiful harbours for dinner. For one day, at least I could pretend...

DESIGN - The Violin Factory

2011-08-06T18:55:00.000+01:00

I was recently invited to an event called The House of Hugo Boss which was set up to allow bloggers to experience 3 of their classic fragrances. The venue they chose for the event was a place called The Violin Factory near Waterloo and Southbank in London. The moment I walked in I was in love, it's a fabulous space that was restored over 2 and a half years by the architect owner. You may have seen it on Grand Designs.

You can read more about the house over on my post for Yell.com's interior design blog. Do take a look.

After the event my boyfriend and I took a stroll along the Southbank. Regardless of the fact that I've been a Londoner for over 2 years now, it never really gets old. It was lovely and sunny too which is always nice.

SHOPPING - Top Home Buys for July

2011-08-01T21:15:00.000+01:00

1. Metallic linen bedspread - Toast - Was £298, now £106.20

This gorgeous blue metallic bedspread from Toast is now available at a huge discount. Get set for Autumn early and save yourself almost £200 in the process. I love the soft, denim blue colour which looks great styled with country chic bed linen.

2. The Bose Companion® 20 multimedia speaker system - £199

I used to be a proper hi-fi geek and still think a great pair of speakers are super important for anyone who enjoys music. I recently threw out my old computer speakers which had broken and am currently plugged into my main amp and speakers. However, if I am to move my computer to another room I'd want a decent pair of computer speakers and this new set from Bose would be ideal. No need for a subwoofer and cler, natural sound is the claim and in my experience the brand delivers on its promises.

3. Seletti's quirky kitchenware - Bouf

I love these quirky kitchen essentials available at Bouf. Choose from Platinum effect or ceramic in a range of fun styles. From an eggbox carton to takeaway tubs, they are full of character and sure to impress your guests or at least keep them talking.

4. Hey Diddle Diddle picture - Bouf - £50

I love pictures with words. I've got a great London map made up of place names in my flat and I recently spotted some more awesome word art pictures too. This one would be great for a kids nursery or as a present to someone who has recently become a parent. It features lots of different nursery rhymes, all laid out with cute fonts and graphics to bring to life that rhyme. I simply love it. There are more like this too including a horror movie one.

5. The House & Home by Lisa Stickley collection at debenhams

The new season collection has been given a style update and features great crockery and serveware in a palette of pastels, cream and red with striking polka dots and floral designs. My sister would absolutely love this stuff. Plus I've met the lady behind the range and she's just as lovely as the collection.

YELL - 1950s Style Inspiration

2011-07-28T07:07:00.001+01:00

BBCs new drama The Hour has inspired my latest post for Yell.com's interiors blog.Take a look at how 1950s style and design is still important today.What is your favourite aspect of the 1950s?

Read full post on Yell.com

The Axia sideboard pictured above is by Paolo Piva, a designer for Poliform, and I just love it. Retro yet modern, subtle yet with that pop of colour. It's a pretty premium product, but you can buy it here.

RECIPE - Marmite Burgers

2011-07-26T13:57:00.002+01:00

I got a cool email from the folk over at Marmite yesterday with a recipe that Marmite-lovers might like to try. Marmite burgers will certainly add a little something extra to your summer BBQ, and I can honestly say I've never heard of it before. A truly original idea... let me know if you are a lover or a hater. Personally, I'm getting hungry just thinking about it!

If you are a lover then you should definitely become a fan of Marmite on Facebook - people over there have some amazing ideas on how to enjoy their fave food. And by 'amazing' that includes the odd, unusual and damn tasty.

INSPIRATION - Back Home in Hastings

2011-07-25T18:13:00.000+01:00

I love going back home to Hastings, my home town by the seaside. It's easy to take the place you've grown up for granted but when you come back and look at it as an outsider there are so many things to love. I've been away for 2 years and every time I come back I'm surprised by how much has changed - there is a lot of regeneration going on in the town and it's definitely improved dramatically over the last few years.

I took a stroll round the Old Town with my parents a couple of weekends back. My dad does have hoarder tendencies so junk shops and antique stores are always a winner. My mum thought it would be amusing to take a picture of me in front of a sign that featured my name - hence the photo at the top of this post. It's in front of a pub called the Jenny Lind.

The little shops are like treasure troves with wonders awaiting discovery. A shop that's recently been reopened holds a secret in the back part of the building. What used to be stabling for horses has been given a roof but the rest of it remains pretty much as it was which is quite a sight to see. If it wasn't for all the spider webs I'd want to go exploring.

I just thought I'd take this opportunity to remind you as well that I write a weekly post over on Yell.com's interiors blog, so if you want more articles just head on over there. Here are my posts from the last few weeks in case something tickles your fancy:

INSPIRATION - Wedding Season Snapshots

2011-07-24T13:09:00.000+01:00

It's been a busy Summer for weddings. I think the high profile celebrity and Royal weddings have made wedding season an even bigger deal than normal. It seems everyone I know has more than usual to attend. I've had 3 wedding invites so far, plus there was a work mate who jetted off to get hitched in Vegas - her 'do' sounded fab! I've picked out a few snapshots of the season below... flowers, food and fun primarily.

KITCHEN - Tea Towels to Treat Yourself to

2011-07-17T21:30:00.000+01:00

Tea towels aren't always the most exciting of purchases - mine are plain white and come from IKEA... boring right? Well I stumbled upon some fab ones at a website called Howkapow. Whether you fancy treating yourself or need a gift for a friend, these quirky tea towels could be up your street.

Dishes I'd rather be doing tea towel - £10

If you have to endure the boredom of washing up then at least do it with some Hollywood hunks by your side.

Seasonal fruit and veg tea towel - £9.95

Off the top of my head I don't know about the seasonality of vegetables and fruit so this tea towel would make a useful addition to my kitchen.

Gin lemons tea towel - £10

This fun tea towel would be perfect for mopping up those gin and tonics if the cocktail evening gets a little bit messy.

DRINK - Patrón XO Cafe (coffee infused tequila)

2011-07-10T12:51:00.000+01:00

For someone who doesn't generally like tequila, I sure drank a lot of it on Friday night at Henley Festival. But the reason is that this wasn't normal tequila... it was Patrón Tequila which is a whole different ball game. I tried it a year or so ago for the first time in cocktails and was really surprised by how nice it is. On Friday I tried a new variety - the Patron XO Cafe. The 35% proof tequila is infused with the finest coffee. We were served it both as a shot and on the rocks, although I think it's best served on the rocks. Get a cold glass with loads of ice and serve it up after dinner.

It can also be poured over desserts and is surprisingly sweet and rich. I really liked it and I'm not the biggest fan of coffee either. I also made sure to try a few Margharitas at the floating Patrón bar at Henley. Have you tried Patron before? Let me know which one you like or if you're got any good cocktail receipes.

I did find a couple of great receipes using Patrón XO Cafe over on the Spitting Feathers blog. The Patron Paranormal and the Easter Sundae (which also features cherries, Coca Cola and ice cream - Yum!). Pictures above for you to drool over...

VIDEO - The Buttery Biscuit Bass

2011-06-28T22:23:00.000+01:00

I'm a fan of Masterchef but Gregg and John do come out with some questionable little snippits sometimes. Imagine my delight to see then that someone has created a Masterchef Mash-up called Buttery Biscuit Bass. Whether you love or hate the culinary duo from the BBC, my guess is this will make you giggle... I've only just stopped sniggering 5 minutes later.

VIDEO - The Ultimate in Compact Living and Saving Space

2011-06-27T22:17:00.000+01:00

This apartment brings a whole new meaning to the term 'compact living'. Despite the tiny square footage of his flat (just 24sq metres) Christian Schallert has installed cleverly concealed storage and functional gadgets that mean he lives just like the rest of us. If it wasn't for the fab balcony I wonder whether he would have been so inspired by the small apartment though. I cannot believe he has had 40 people hang out in his pad. I live in a small flat myself and I can't imagine having to host more than a few for fear of feeling cramped but fair play to him. He's got a pretty awesome space.

Anyway, I really recommend you watch the whole things because there are so many clever little space saving tips that we could all learn from - pure inspiration. Enjoy...

SHOPPING - Top Home Buys For June

2011-06-23T23:15:00.000+01:00

Ruffle duvet cover - Urban Outfitters - was £120, now £60

Create a feminine and flirty atmosphere in your bedroom with this gorgeous ruffled bed linen from Urban Outfitters. The pink is soft enough to fit with a neutral colour scheme and even though I wouldn't usually choose something so girly I love it!

California bathroom shutters with 15% off - B&Q

Bathroom shutters are a great contemporary style choice for bathrooms. The white slats pictured above are tilted to allow light in while maintaining complete privacy. Plus when making an investment like this, a discount always comes in handy - discount is for a limited time.

The Siro Twist pet bed - Pet-Interiors.de

I can't resist a cute little doggy so when this arrived in my inbox I just had to share. At first glance the bed doesn't look like it's for pet's at all, the styling would be spot-on for us humans too. Plus it will keep your much-loved pet comfy and cosy - hurrah!

Crown Vintage® exclusive paint

Crown Paints has recently announced a new collection of paints called 'Vintage' to be sold exclusively through Homebase stores. I'm intrigued and can't wait to have a good look at the 30 flat emulsion shades. "Created in association with renowned British designers, Wayne and Gerardine Hemingway, Crown Vintage® is inspired by music, fashion, film, art and design across five decades of British cool."

Sagittarius Corsica Pull Out Spray Tap - Plumb Nation - £71.99

If there's one thing that makes a kitchen seem a bit 'posh' it's a pull-out spray tap. I wouldn't in the past have thought taps would get me excited, but after staying in a swish barn conversion a while back with a similar style of taps I realised how much I wanted to move, get a big kitchen and install some seriously fancy taps.

So what's on your interiors shopping list?

LIGHTING - Colourful String Lights From Bouf

2011-06-01T22:27:00.000+01:00

Want a more colourful garden? Simple! Choose these fabulous bright string lights from Bouf, made from cotton. Everyday would feel like carnival if you have these up on display. The fact that the string whichs links the lights together is clear is what gives them that special, floating in mid-air look. It's quite a unique process... 'Each hollow ball is made of hand-dyed, natural cotton, which is held together with natural gum.'

STATIONERY - Tinc Takes Desks by Storm

2011-05-25T23:06:00.004+01:00

At a recent press day a certain range caught my eye. It was colourful, it was fresh, it was fun... the name? Tinc. You can choose from 5 tinc hues at the moment, pink, green, blue, black and white. Pick your fave shade or colour block to your heart's content and you'll be ready to emulate the Tinc philosophy - Think, Inspire, Create. It's a revelation for desks everywhere which look tired and dull.

One of my favourite items from the range was the headphone splitter which comes in fabulous bright colours and a heart shape - swoon. The brand are also selling lanyards and water bottles which are great for festival season and a bit more exciting than the normal options.I'm also currently using a bendy blue pencil, it's just got an element of fun which creates a better space to work (or play).

The website is really fun too, I especially like the little chart tracking the popularity of each colour. If you want to see the goodies in the there is a recently opened store in Bath. Otherwise, head on over to the website to fill your basket with stationery goodness.

Shop Tinc online

FOOD - More 600 Calorie Dinners

2011-05-08T23:08:00.000+01:00

In my pursuit of eating slightly better, avoiding unhealthy snacks and still being full up, I'm trying to stick to 600 calorie dinners. Here are a couple more I've had lately, and apologies for the use of convenience food. If I had more time I'd definitely make more from scratch but I'm a busy gal.

Sainsbury's vegetable lasagne with bistro salad, red pepper and a bread roll.

This was a really delicious dinner; totally satisfied my in the taste department and filled me up. The picture doesn't really do it justice I'll be honest but the salad is fab with crisp red pepper and beetroot to add some crunch and extra flavour. I was well on my way to five a day with this one.

Two cheesy baked potatoes with tinned tuna and celery.

This totally filled me up, in fact two potatoes was overkill. I put them on my plate because it came in at under 600 calories but I din't end up needing half the second one. This would be a great dinner if you were exercising as I was today. Lots of protein and carbs. Adding the celery to the tuna was an idea I got from New York. The deli's there seem to always serve tuna with celery and it's a great alternative to spring onion which I find too overpowering.

FURNITURE - Contemporary Style by Ligne Roset

2011-04-24T11:51:00.000+01:00

I first saw the Ligne Roset brand at their Brighton store when it opened a few years back. You notice the furniture straight away because it doesn't just look the same as everyone else's. Their style of contemporary furniture featuring unusual colours is pretty unique and makes for a striking statement in any home.

The living room furniture is what I am most drawn to. I've got a thing for interesting sofas and Ligne Roset has plenty. Whether it's something in a bright, bold colour, something textured or something modular - you'll find it all at the brand's stores or online. I couldn't ever purchase a sofa that I couldn't lounge on, for me a sofa is first and foremost about comfort and style comes in a close second. A spacious or corner sofa unit is the style I love most and Ligne Roset have several with deep seat areas with room for putting your feet up.

Ligne Roset is definitely a luxury brand and the pieces are investments for your home which will pass the test of time. Sturdy, well-made and with plenty of design having gone into each and every item. When researching the company I was surprised to learn that it had been around since the 1930s, with such a modern look it's easy to forget the heritage that comes with it. But when you look down the timeline for the brand, you can see the influences from decades gone by which are still seen in pieces today. Much of the key items can be traced to pieces from the 1970s, an era that's very much in fashion again now, for fashion and homeware.

The website is handy for inspiration but also features useful room-planning software which can be downloaded for free. You can have a play and find out which furniture styles work best for your space before you commit to buy.

Ligne Roset isn't just available in the UK either, you'll also find they have US stores and plenty of locations across the rest of the world too selling designer furniture that's high on style and quality. Prices are at the higher end but you do get what you pay for. Ligne Roset have a team of brilliant designers on board creating new and inventive products for the home.

See a few of my top Ligne Roset furniture picks below...

Bloom Lamp

Malhoun sofa

Snowdonia Bed

DIET - 600 Calorie Dinner & Dessert Challenge

2011-04-20T21:38:00.001+01:00

I've recently embarked upon a healthy eating plan which includes Slimfast shakes and snacks. As part of the plan, 600 calories are allowed for a healthy dinner so I am trying to be as creative as possible to ensure I'm getting variety and a meal that fills me up so I'm not tempted to snack. I'll be posting some of my meals here for a little bit of inspiration to others in the same boat too... bikini weather is pretty much here already.

Today I stocked up on dinner and dessert at M&S...

DINNER
Cauliflower & chickpea curry with Garam Masala spiced aubergines and a long grain and yellow split pea rice. 350 calories, 3.99.
Bombay Aloo for two (yes I ate the lot) 180 calories, £1.99.

DESSERT
1/2 a Count on us thick and fruity yogurt - spiced rhubarb. 35 calories, 55p.
1 Meringue nest, 50 calories, 14p.

Total price: £6.67
Total calories: 615

Verdict: I feel full, the grub was tasty and dessert was delicious. I think I could do much better on price though, would prefer the lot to come in under at £5. I also went 15 calories over but it was worth it because I won't be needing anything else at all this evening.

This is all very good timing as I've been asked to take part in the Lighter Self Aussie challenge where us Aussie Angels will be trying to get healthier bodies and minds. Aussie have sent over a video to help kick start things too, see below for some easy exercises...

Aussie's Lusciously Light Videos: Part 1 from 1000heads on Vimeo.

My 600 calorie dinner and dessert challenge was something I was doing anyway as I've spent far too long stuffing my face, I hope I can shift a few lbs in time for the 3 weddings I have this season and fit into the gorgeous clothes I have sitting in my wardrobe.

Wish me luck and feel free to share any tips you've got too.

DINING - Liberty's New Kitchen and Dining Department

2011-04-05T18:52:00.000+01:00

When I heard that there was a new department at Liberty I was excited. The products are beautiful there, but so is the way everything is laid out and displayed. The new room which launched in March is a kitchen and dining area filled to the brim with fabulous china ranges, cookware, glassware and other essentials (and non-essentials) for your kitchen and dining room.

For those looking for something special, Liberty has exclusive collections from the likes of Emma Bridgewater ('Splatter' and 'utility'), Burleigh ('Blac Gentian') and Wedgwood ('Nature's Canvas'). There was a fun red polka dot collection of products which I know my sister and fellow blogger Abbie will love, and the carefully selected range of British cookery books were also worth a look.

We had the chance to chat to the buying manager for home Michelle Alger who explained that the inspirations for the new room actually came from a friend of her's who owns a country pad in Norfolk. She says "it's all about accessorising your kitchen".

Have you been and checked out the new department yet? let me know what you think if you do.

Upcoming Liberty events:

Thursday 14 April: Wedgwood pot throwing demon
Wednesday 20 April: Burleigh Easter decoration demo
Thursday 5 May: Ceramic decoration workshop, tea tasting and lecture

BRAND - RE a Touch of Vintage Chic

2011-04-03T21:51:00.000+01:00

I was recently invited to a breakfast event at Liberty to take a look at some brand new concepts. One of these was the satellite RE store that is coming to Liberty of London from 6 April. The theme of the pop-up shop is outdoor living; from gardening twine to furniture and al-fresco dining ranges too, there's something to inspire the green-fingerd and sun-loving among us. The products have all been curated by RE who have an incredible way of styling things to make you lust after them.

RE's beginnings are quite humble, in fact things started for the creators of the brand in a garage in Northumberland. Simon Young and Jenny Vaughan, who own the company, have a refreshing approach to their collections which includes vintage and mass produced items. It's this inventive mix of old and new which makes them stand out and they've got a cult following.

I love the vintage look for homes even though it isn't really what suits my own interior at the moment. One day perhaps I'll have a country cottage somewhere filled with gorgeous RE products. We had the opportunity to meet Michelle the buyer for homeware and the CEO of Liberty and you could just tell how excited they were about working with RE and to be able to give them a platform to sell their products within the prestigious backdrop of Liberty's.

Find out more about the pop-up RE store

HOLIDAY - February Weekend Break in Paris

2011-03-24T23:06:00.000Z

There are lots of things I love about Paris (and a few things I don't). Having been a couple of times before and knowing my way around enough to get by, I decided to take the boyf there for a birthday treat last month so we hopped on Eurostar and in no time we were there. Hotels.com helped me out with the hotel, we stayed in Hotel Aiglon in Raspail, just South of the centre and a short walk away from the Catacombs which we really wanted to go to.

Day 1. We headed to the hotel and were able to check into our room early which was nice of the hotel. After throwing down or bags we walked to the catacombs and after seeing the queue decided to come back later... would have been stood there for an hour! We instead went North to Notre Dame. I had been inside before, but not up to the top so we paid our 8 Euro (every tourist attraction seems to cost 8 Euro) and started the hike up the spiral staircases. The views are amazing from the top and after snapping away with the camera and visiting the largest bell in the tower we descended. After a walk via some other pretty buildings it was back to the hotel for a rest and to get dolled up for dinner.

We went to what we thought was quite a nice restaurant in the Marais for dinner, but the meal was quite disappointing. The garlic snails were amazing - yum yum - but the rest of the meal and the service was pretty bad. God knows what was in my sausage but all I can say is there was a distinct element of cheese and nowhere near enough mustard sauce to take the iffy taste away. We walked off dinner by the river and had a drink in a cute cafe by the river which restored our faith in French waiter service.

Day 2. We woke up and decided to indulge in room service, a tray of delectable goodies was delivered to our room including pastries, fresh French bread, butters, jams, tea and orange juice. It was just the fuel we needed for our day in Paris. We headed straight to the catacombs and the wait luckily wasn't quite so bad. You walk for ages under the streets of Paris before coming to the area which houses the bones of around 6 million people. It goes on and on with bones stacked up in a decorative way - unlike anything else I've ever seen and definitely worth going. They limit the number of people inside at any one time so it's quiet but quite eerie.

You can't go to Paris without seeing the Eiffel Tower so we hopped on a boat and went on a tour up and down the river. Then it was back for a scrummy and well-earned dinner at Indiana's back near our hotel.

It was a short stay, but I had a nice time and am sure I'll be back there soon. This weekend it's a trip to Somerset and then the countdown begins for New York. I literally can't wait. Let me know if you've any tips on what to do and where to go...

DRINK - An Innocent Way to Wake Up

2011-03-24T13:35:00.000Z

I was very lucky to be sent a special healthy breakfast package last week at work. The occasion? The new Innocent fruit juices that were recently released in big carafe bottles. I tried the orange juice with juicy bits and the apple juice. The apple juice was lovely and sweet, just up my street! I liked the orange juice too, although I'm not sure it would replace my usual favourite OJ.

The best thing is that these are not from concentrate, at least 9 pieces of scrummy fruit go into each and every bottle which means it's a healthy way to give your body a boost in the mornings.

Top tip: To make your juice go further, try the apple juice dilluted with water. About half and half is a good mix, and you'll be closer to both your 5-a-day and your 8 glasses of water too. Hurrah!

Visit the Innocent Drinks website for more details.

NEWS - Natuzzi Furniture Store on Tottenham Court Road

2011-03-16T20:25:00.000Z

Last week I was invited to the brand new Natuzzi store on Tottenham Court Road for their Italian takeover. Canapés, Prosecco and gorgeous luxury furnishing to ogle... what's not to like?! I made sure I sat on as many sofas as possible to check the comfort factor - all passed with flying colours. In fact, I'd have quite liked to park myself there for the evening.

Each piece of furniture is made to order and crafted in Italy so you might have a little bit of a wait until, it arrives. That said though, if you're investing in these items, you'll be expecting the finest craftsmanship anyway.

Take a look at my pics below and be sure to check out the spanking new store if you are in the area. Read more of my interior design articles over on Yell.com.

COMPETITION - Tell Your Street's Story and Win

2011-03-07T20:59:00.000Z

My Street is a nationwide documentary-making competition kicking off this month and concluding in June. The tutorial will be available online from 11 March. There'll also be online editing software to help you create your masterpiece.

So are you an aspiring filmmaker? To enter the MyStreet competition simply make a short film between 90 seconds to 9 minutes about your street. The style and format are open, the brief just asks that you think about your street and represent it on film. The films are going to be published on an online channel where they can be viewed by the public, creating a web of stories about the nation's streets.

The best films can be in with the chance of winning a first prize of £3000. The top films uploaded to www.mystreetfilms.com will be shown at OPEN CITY London Documentary Festival and viewed by an international jury where the best of the best will be selected and one will be awarded the £3000 prize.

NOVELTY - Hannah Turner Owl Egg Cups

2011-03-03T21:50:00.000Z

How cute are these! Ceramic owl egg cups by Hannah Turner who has been creating ceramics from her studio since 1991.You can buy them online or other parts of the delightful yet quirky range are available at department store Liberty.

DRINK - Cocktail Ideas for Spring

2011-03-01T22:00:00.000Z

TUACA Steak Dinner

1 1/2 oz TUACA

1/2 oz lime juice

Lemon wedge

Worcestershire sauce

Crystal Head Vodka Brain Freeze

1 1/2 oz. Crystal Head Vodka

1 1/2 to 2 oz. Pure lime juice

1oz. Simple syrup

Combine all the ingredients with ice in a blender. Blend until ice is well

crushed. Serve in a sugar rimed rocks glass garnished with a slice of lime.

Crystal Head Vodka Cranium

1 1/2 oz. Crystal Head Vodka

Cranberry juice

Grenadine

Pour Crystal Head vodka and Cranberry juice over ice in a tall glass. Add

splash of Grenadine (unstirred) on the top. Garnish with blood orange

slice.

Conjureversy

2 oz. Conjure Cognac

1 1/2 oz. energy drink

Serve on the rocks.

GIFTS - Give Interflora Your Valentine's Tips

2011-02-08T20:19:00.000Z

Valentine’s Day is almost upon us and to mark the occasion Interflora want to to provide the biggest list of places to go, things to do and gifts to give on February 14th.

Share your tips and tricks for the most romantic day of the year whether it's a gift idea or a romantic getaway. What is it that makes a romantic gesture truly romantic? It can be the best restaurant, your top hotel, anything you can recommend for Valentine’s Day.

To take part simply leave a comment on the Interflora blog or tweet it to @InterfloraUK using the hashtag #interflora. The most original and interesting tips will receive a gorgeous bouquet of flowers. I've sent my top tips over to Interflora for a little blogger round-up they are planning too.

Find out more here

FOOD - Review of Bull & Last

2011-02-05T21:33:00.000Z

Guest poster Davida reports on a recent London Sunday lunch:

The Bull and Last pub and restaurant, a grade 2 listed building idyllically situated opposite the Dartmouth Park entrance to Hampstead Heath has been said, by Giles Coren among others, to offer the best roast dinners in London. Living just a short stroll away and after a particularly boozy night out the evening before, my boyfriend, two food fanatic friends and I decided it would be the perfect remedy for sore heads and hungry tummies, so off we went.

We had to book a table 2 weeks in advance as Sunday’s are manically busy but when we arrived we certainly had the best table in the house, a spacious corner spot with a great view out the window of the Heath and its scores of runners on one side, and the pubs selection of Bull’s heads staring out at us from the other.

Service was speedy, but not rushed and we ordered tap water a diet coke and a glass of red wine from a jazzy shirted waiter to settle us in. The menu’s starter selection read like a something from the ‘I’m a Celebrity get me out of here’ menu de jour, but set in a British Barnyard, offering such delights as trotter wontons, pigs ears and on the charcuterie board - a pig’s head! We opted out of the starters as we were all too keen to get stuck into our mains but we did order a bread basket which was typically ‘gastro’ enough to impress.

My boyfriend Adam and pal Bridie both ordered the roast Partridge served with mash and a selection of veg including red cabbage and chestnuts, although Bridie commented that some green veg would have been a welcome addition and the bread sauce was a bit flavourless. Still, a fully flavoured bird and cooked to perfection. Matt ordered the Roast beef which came out looking more like an under done steak to me, but I was assured it was tender and delicious and was presented sitting atop a giant Yorkshire pudding served alongside green beans, and what we thought may be yellow carrots (exciting unusual veg spot!) but we remain unsure if we’ve guessed correctly. I decided to opt out of the roast option and go for the mushroom risotto, an extremely generous portion which included at least 4 different types of mushrooms. My only complaint was that I thought it was very buttery/oily but none the less, pact with flavour and perfectly cooked.

After convincing ourselves that the detox was going to start on Monday, we then proceeded to choose a cheese board and some ice cream, although Matt was very virtuous and just ordered a coffee. Adam and I shared the cheese board and chose 2 types, a goat (the best we’ve ever tasted) and a lovely creamy blue, served with oat cakes, grapes and spiced onion chutney. Bridie was bitterly disappointed that the last scoop of Honeycomb ice cream had just been licked, but she was assured by a friendly waitress that the chocolate and orange sorbet was every bit as good – although we had our doubts it was light and refreshing and a good end to the meal.

All in all I’m not sure I’d agree whole heartedly with Mr Coren’s opinion that they serve the best roast in London, stiff competition even against just North London’s variety of boozers, but the culmination of excellent service, a great location and good grub certainly made it a fantastic place to spend a lazy Sunday, perfect!

N.B – Cost about £80 all in all for four diners –but we only ordered one alcoholic drink.

FOOD - What's Cooking in January

2011-01-09T21:16:00.000Z

My friend and I decided to have an evening creating our own pizzas and we stocked up on some veg to get things started. I'd never tried Jerusalem artichokes before and they have a nutty flavour with a texture not dissimilar to parsnips. I'm going to try cooking them in a gratin or warm salad next. I'd also never tried baby aubergine and these were delish. Can think of loads of uses for them in Mediterranean or Indian dishes.

Topping 1 - Cheese, tomato, pesto, pine nuts and Jerusalem artichoke

Topping 2 - Cheese, tomato, baby aubergine, courgette

Topping 3 - Cheese, tomato, garlic, fresh basil, mushroom

Topping 4 - Cheese, tomato, garlic, yellow pepper, finger chilli

What is your favourite pizza topping?

I also decided to do a bit of baking last week. I'd had a stressful day at work and I didn't want to come in and start scaring at my computer or TV so I settled on making mini Victoria Sponge Cakes. They are one of my favourites, but I did cheat slightly and went for the M&S handy kit. I didn't actually want to eat them all myself so I took them into work and made sure my boyfriend got a few too. It was the first time I'd used silicone baking cases and they worked really well, the cakes just peeled straight out of them. Yum, yum!

PHOTOS - Christmas Day

2011-01-02T21:09:00.000Z

I love Christmas, while some people avoid spending too much time with the family, I enjoy every minute. This year I wangled a week off to head back to Hastings.

While mum prepped for dinner my sister and I took our dog Rufus out to stretch his legs at the nearby country park. I think he feeds off our excitement and gets far too excitable himself so before my grandparents arrived it was essential to wear him our slightly. It just so happened that Christmas morning was beautifully sunny but frosty, very pretty for photos.

The highlight of the day is of course the dinner and drinks. I was kindly given a bottle of champagne for my work with Motorola this year so we had that to start off with, with some orange juice. Then we moved on to some lovely Prosecco (one of my other favourite tipples). Dinner is always the same at Christmas, my nan prepares all the veg in advance and brings it round... the highlight was the crispy roast parsnips and sweet potato. I break the rules and have mint jelly with my turkey rather than cranberry sauce. My mum's roast potatoes are the best I've ever had, no restaurant or other person has come close to getting them so perfectly fluffy inside and crispy on the outside... delicious.

After dinner it's all about playing games. This year we had a go at Last Word - The Game which was good fun. We also played lots of Trivial Pursuit (a family favourite) and Stick Up and Shout by M&S which made us laugh non-stop.

What was the best thing about your Christmas?

SHOPPING - A Print For my Wall

2010-12-18T22:37:00.000Z

I've been looking for a print to go above my fireplace for 6 whole months and nothing has really stood out. Then I saw this and sent the link straight to my mum who was stuck for Christmas present ideas. All being well with delivery (silly snow) I will be hanging this picture up on my wall in the new year. It's just another example of the great home stuff that Bouf offer. Every email they send me makes me fall in love with yet another home accessory - it's dangerous for the bank balance.

View a close up of the print so you can read the text design.

DRINK - A Festive Tipple or Two for Christmas

2010-12-07T22:06:00.000Z

A great Christmas involves relaxing and enjoying yourself. In some households, it also involves a tipple or two - and mine is no exception.

Last weekend I got the festive season started by staying in a snowy lodge in Wales with my boyfriend and some friends. It was so cosy and the evenings were spent drinking, singing and playing games. Good old fashioned fun with no phone reception and no Twitter or blogging. Sometimes we all need a break, even from the things we love doing.

I was given a bottle of the new limited edition Sourz, spirited cranberry and apple flavour, and figured I'd get everyone's opinions on it and take it along. Because we are so classy we had our Sourz in sherry glasses. I quite liked it personally, I'm partial to the occasional cherry Sourz and this one did feel slightly festive. On its own it's a fun drink, but I also tried it in diet coke and it tasted just like an extra-tangy Dr Pepper. I think the verdict from the girls was a thumbs up although I think the boys weren't quite so keen.

The people at Sourz have also come up with some cocktail ideas which don't sound half bad... or you can create your own.

Unnamed Cocktail - (naming contest on Sourz.co.uk) :

Mix 2 shots Winter Limited Edition and 1/2 shot elderflower cordial
Pour in a glass filled with ice and a lime wedge
Top with equal parts apple juice and ginger ale

Cranapple:

Tall glass filled with ice
2 shots of Winter Limited Edition
Top up with apple juice and lemonade

Winter Warmer:

Tall glass filled with ice
1 shot of Winter Limited Edition
1 shot of vodka
Top up with cranberry juice

Also this week I also tried out a few different types of beer at an event with Beer Genie. I actually drink beer a lot more now than I used to, partly because I just enjoy the taste more and partly because the people I socialise with drink it. I'm always open to giving a new beer a go and give them a go I did. I discovered some of the festive varieties that brewers produce at this time of year.

From the different beers on offer my favourite was the Pickled Santa from Ridgeway brewing. It tasted quite fresh with a subtle cinnamon flavour and undertones of other warming spices. Another favourite was the Marks & Spencer Yorkshire Winter Ale which was very sweet and festive without a tang. Some of the beers are surprisingly strong, even up to 10% proof. For the stronger varieties I'd suggest one or two as a festive tipple would be more than enough. Do you have a tradition at Christmas of drinking festive beers? Which are your favourites.

And if you want to make your beer look super classy you'll be needing one of these... the BitterSweet partnership has collaborated with Amy Molyneaux, co-founder of PPQ, to create a gorgeous glass designed with female beer drinkers in mind. Amy created four unique half-pint designs and visitors to the BitterSweet Partnership website voted for their favourite style. LYLA, a sleek black glass with an intricate gold pattern, was the outright winner and I love it! What do you think? You can buy one here.

THOUGHT - I Love London

2010-12-05T16:51:00.000Z

DRINK - A Caffeine-Free Pick-Me-Up

2010-11-14T19:58:00.001Z

I am a slave to caffeine. Every now and again I cut it out and go cold turkey, but it always creeps back into my routine. I've managed to replace some of my diet cokes with caffeine-free varieties or Pret's Yoga Bunny Detox drink, but I'm always open to other ideas for a pick-me-up without the bad effects associated with caffeine. My friend has been working with a company called Firefly Tonics who have a natural alternative which she assures me are also super tasty. I was intrigued...

Emma from Firefly Tonics says “It’s the guarana and yerba maté that keeps me focused last thing on a Friday afternoon. I like coffee as much as the next person but it’s the last thing I feel like at 4pm at the end of the working week. Drinking Sharpen Up instead is much more tasty and refreshing but still gives you that same lift.”

But even better than Emma's word is the evidence that their drinks really do work following a clinical trial. With funding from Knowledge Connect, Firefly teamed up with London South Bank University to put their Sharpen Up tonic to the test.

For the trial, participants completed a battery of cognitive function tests before; thirty minutes after consuming a drink; and immediately after completing a maximal exercise test. In one trial participants consumed Sharpen Up and in the other an isoenergetic placebo drink that was identical to Sharpen Up in composition, except that the botanical extracts were not included.

30 minutes after consuming Sharpen Up participants performed better in the Sustained Attention to Response Test (SART) than in the Placebo trial. This suggests that people are less likely to lose attention and make mistakes when they have consumed Sharpen Up rather than a placebo drink.

Well, I'll definitely be giving it a try, how about you? Try Sharpen Up to get you going in the morning.

AUDIO - Bang & Olufsen BeoSound 8 Speaker Dock

2010-11-11T19:17:00.000Z

Many iPod speaker docks aren't very sleek and stylish to look at and have a tinny sound that irritates rather than excites the senses. The BeoSound 8 however, is a powerful new speaker dock for the iPad, iPhone and iPod that takes the digital music experience to a completely new level.

BeoSound 8 delivers breathtaking sound performance, elegant design and has a simple user interface. It is a fantastic solution for enjoying digital music either from your iPod, iPhone, iPad, PC or Mac.

The light and characteristic design of BeoSound 8 makes it highly flexible in use; it is perfectly suited as a music system not only in a main room, but also in the kitchen, on the patio or even at the summerhouse. It can be placed on a wall bracket or any flat surface and still deliver the fantastic premium quality sound that this luxury brand is know for.

It' also great that the BeoSound 8 can be networked using the Apple Airport Express so your music collection can be streamed wirelessly from your PC or Mac to the speaker dock. My whole music collection is on my PC so this definitely makes sense to me.

COLLECTION - LSA International Porcelain and Glassware

2010-11-08T22:48:00.000Z

A couple of weeks ago I headed over to the Soho Hotel for the Push PR press day and stumbled upon the LSA International collection. It was all laid out so beautifully and I fell in love with it a little bit. Pictured above is the ANIA porcelain range which draws on fold traditions from Poland. It's glam enough for special occasions but not too delicate for everyday too and the monochrome colouring is a really stylish statement.

There is also a very chunky bottomed collection of glass which again is one of my favourite things. I love glass to be quite crude and heavy rather than dainty and light. It's just more modern and actually far more practical too.

The one thing that I think lets this brand down slightly is the name, it just feels very corporate and I don't think it actually reflects the product. There's an extensive stockist list including the likes of Steamer Trading and Heal's to name just a couple.

Check out the LSA website for more styles.

GUEST POST - Orderly fashion... keep it pristine

2010-10-25T21:46:00.001+01:00

Shoes. Clothes. More shoes. Handbags. For many of us there comes a stage when we push our storage areas to breaking point. This is bad for clutter – and bad for the condition of our valuable belongings. So here, from our guest blogger, Big Yellow Self Storage, are some tips on keeping everything looking sparkling new.

Clothes

First off, take a good look through your wardrobe and ask yourself, “Do I really need all these items?” Anything that you can part company with will increase the space available for those that you keep. Similarly, out of season clothing, accessories and even bedding can go into clear storage boxes on the wardrobe floor to vacate precious hanging space.

Think about categorising your clothes and accessories. This not only keeps things neat and well organised but makes them easier to find next time you need them.

Believe it or not, you’ll also save space, reduce crinkles and make your wardrobe look neater by making your hangers all face the same way.

Shoes

A good pair of shoes will last a lifetime if cared for and stored properly. The first thing to do is ensure that your shoes are clean before your store them away, so brush off any dirt and give them a good polish. Then, to ensure that they keep their shape while in storage, insert a shape-holder or bubble wrap (not tissue paper – it attracts moths) into the toe area of each shoe. Finally, wrap the shoes in more bubble wrap before boxing them in their original packaging.

Don’t have the original packaging? No problem – wrap the shoes in bubble wrap, then place them in clean plastic bags.

One last tip: write a short description of each pair of shoes or, even better, stick a photo of them to the outer packaging. This will make them easier to identify and access without pulling everything out when you want to wear them again.

Handbags and purses

For many of us, the trusty and ubiquitous coat hook offers the easiest and quickest way to put away our handbags. And while there’s no problem with this in the temporary or short term, coat hooks shouldn’t be a long term storage answer for handbags. Why? Because:

they’ll put undue pressure on handbag straps
coat hooks won’t protect handbags from dust
it can all look a bit untidy

Ideally, handbags should be protected from dust, so boxes, bags or even pillowcases should be used. Make sure these are big enough to accommodate the bag without needing to fold, and therefore crease, the bag or the handle / straps. Remember, leather needs air circulation to maintain its condition so choose breathable containers for any leather bags. Another consideration is exposure to bright light. This may cause your handbags to fade over time – another good reason to choose drawers or wardrobes over coat hooks.

As with your shoes, fill handbags and purses with bubble wrap to keep their shape intact and, if you’re placing your bags on shelves line each shelf with untreated fabric or canvas.

It’s also a good idea to ensure that any metal features of bags are covered to prevent damage to – or impressions being left on other items stored alongside them. For more storage solutions see our blog.

GUEST POST: Creating the feeling of a spa in your home

2010-10-20T22:26:00.001+01:00

There’s nothing quite like booking yourself a mini holiday from the real world (you know the one where you have deadlines, housework and family issues to deal with) and checking in for some pampering in a swanky spa.

With many of us still feeling the effects of the recession, though, luxuries like spa breaks may not be possible. Fortunately, it's not always the treatments that really relax you – it’s the process of taking yourself off for some alone time, turning off your mobile, wrapping yourself in a fluffy bath robe, sipping some fruit tea and beautifying yourself a little. With some preparation, you can easily make your own bathroom the perfect spot for your weekly wind-down.

First, think about the design of the bathroom itself. Make sure you have a clean, modern space complete with deep bath tub, power shower and plenty of surface space to turn your bathroom into a pampering haven. If your bathroom’s looking dated or has mould that you just can’t shift, then consider an update. The last thing you want to do is look around thinking how you really need to clean! Online bathroom retailer BathEmpire has a great range of affordable roll top baths which have a really luxury feel – you can’t be stressed when you’re in a roll-top bath!

Secondly, set the scene. Make a ritual of dimming the lights, lighting up some scented candles and putting on some relaxing music. Try Yankee Candle’s new aromatherapy collection of candles – the Stress Relief candle has a fragrance of shea butter and cedarwood which will transport you to a far away land.

Lastly, make sure your bathroom is always fully stocked with a range of pampering products, from body scrubs to luxury cleansers. Elemis is one of the most popular UK spa brands, so it’s a safe bet to try at home. As well as buffing away any dry skin, Elemis’s Exotic Lime and Ginger Salt Glow will fill your whole bathroom with an amazingly fresh, zingy fragrance, and at £35 it’s a bargain because you’ll get lots of treatments from one jar.

If your bathroom is big enough, consider getting yourself a day-bed or a lounger where you can lie out to sip your tea and chill for an hour or even have a little snooze. Who needs a proper spa?

Thanks to Rob Watson, marketing manager of BathEmpire for this post. In his role Rob has a great insight into the changing trends and technology going into modern bathrooms. BathEmpire have been retailing bathroom furniture online since early 2009. Their ethos is to provide luxury, high quality products at the best price.

DINING - In Love With my New Witches Mug

2010-10-09T20:09:00.000+01:00

My lovely best friends got me this mug for my birthday. The Witches was not only a favourite book of mine growing up, I also loved the film and have been known to quote huge chunks of it. This pertty bone china mug is grown up, but with a burst of my childhood memories thrown in. In the excitement of using it for the first time I spilled my hot chocolate all down the side. Some of us never really grow up...

RECIPES - New Cookbook From Giraffe

2010-10-09T13:14:00.000+01:00

I love Giraffe, the food is big, bold and tasty and the restaurants are great for families too.

Now Giraffe have announced the release of their first ever family cookbook! It’s packed full of giraffe dishes that you can now cook at home. From burritos to burgers, falafel to fish, delicious salads and scrumptious desserts you'll find over 90 recipes from around the world. I'm not convinced that I can quite match their chefs, but I'd like to have a go. Founder Russel Joffe and Hugo Arnold are behind the cook book. I wonder which other chain restaurants will be following next.

Example recipe: Ranch style eggs tostada

Putting breakfast on an open tortilla is just one of those ideas that makes such perfect sense. If you are in a hurry or, just like to eat with your fingers, you can roll it up, or settle down with a knife and fork. It's all summer sunshine, bright colours and packed full of flavour. A wake-up call to be recommended.

Ranch style eggs

adobe sauce
tinned black beans
8 tablespoons tinned sweetcorn, rinsed and drained
4 flour tortillas
2 chorizo sausages, thinly sliced
2 cups mixed cheddar and mozzerella cheese, grated
2 tablespoons olive oil
8 eggs
a few sprigs coriander

Adobe sauce

3 tablespoons vegetable oil
100g white onions, diced
150g chopped tomatoes
25g fresh coriander, chopped
25g adobe chillies
1 teaspoon cumin powder
1 teaspoon coriander powder

Avocado tomato salsa

1 avocado, diced
1 beef tomato, deseeded and diced
1 small red onion, diced
2 tablespoons fresh coriander, chopped
1 clove garlic, chopped
1 spring onion, finely chopped
1 red chilli, deseeded and chopped or to taste
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
½ teaspoon lime juice
salt and pepper

1.Preheat the oven to 190C/gas mark 5.
2.Combine the salsa ingredients and season with salt and pepper.
3.Mix the adobe sauce, drained black beans and sweetcorn. Spread a thin layer of this mix on the tortilla. Place the chorizo slices on the tortilla and sprinkle the mozzerella cheese on the top. Place the tortilla on a roasting tray in the oven and cook for five to six minutes or until the cheese is bubbling. Keep warm.
4.Heat the olive oil in a frying pan and cook the eggs. Take the tortilla from the oven, put two eggs on each one and top with the avacado salsa. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and serve.

DECORATING - Bookshelf Wallpaper

2010-10-02T10:58:00.000+01:00

Have you always wanted an impressive library at home... now it's easier than you'd think. Just pick yourself up some bookshelf wallpaper. It's actually pretty realistic looking and textured too. It costs £68 a roll and you'd probably be best to keep it to feature walls only.

Buy it at Bouf

GUEST POST - National DIY Week Tips

2010-09-12T18:09:00.001+01:00

Guest post by Jessica Bourne at Moneysupermarket.com

In the current economic climate it is not surprising many homeowners are choosing to improve rather than move. Sainsburys finance has found that 1 in 5 personal loans taken out between January and June this year were for home improvement projects. With National DIY week fast approaching (20th-26th September) now is the perfect time to spruce up your home and garden no matter how small or big the job is. Why not get into the spirit of DIY week and commit to transforming a room in your house.

Improving your home does not have to cost a fortune, sometimes the smallest changes can have a huge effect on a room. You can also save money on DIY supplies through using discount vouchers. There are now hundreds of DIY vouchers available online to help you save on both DIY and gardening essentials. With many DIY superstores onboard and there are hundreds of discounts on offer that can save you money when improving your home.

Below are some tips on how to easily and cheaply transform a room in your house over DIY week:

Giving a room a lick of paint is one of the cheapest ways to create a new look, with so many colours and finishes to choose from the possibilities are endless. Painting is one of the easiest ways to ways to improve a room and can be rather enjoyable and satisfying. By choosing a paint that is different from the existing colour but will match the room's furniture you can easily change the appearance of a room. A great way to make a statement in any room is to use blackboard paint on one wall; this is especially great for children rooms. If painting a whole room feels a bit too drastic why not try stenciling, there are some great modern patterns out there that can give a room a real 'wow' factor.

If you want to give a room an entirely new look why not think about wallpapering. Choose bold statement wallpaper and apply on one wall, to create a chic modern look. There are thousands of quirky wallpaper designs out there that will really get people talking whether you create a statement wall in your kitchen or living room or paper your entre bathroom. The cost of wallpaper varies but there is sure to be a wide selection out there to suit your budget, wallpaper may cost a little more than painting a room but has a much bigger impact on a room.

Changing the fabrics in a room can dramatically alter the look and feel. These small changes are again a cheap way of transforming a room. If you have any fabric covered chairs, stools or pouffes why not have a go at reupholstering them. Use fabric with some stretch in and a staple gun, it is far easier than you would expect. Make some new cushion covers or curtains, if you can do both even better it will have a bigger effect on the room. If you are not too good at sewing why not buy some cheap plain curtains and cushion covers and stencil patterns on them to give them a personalised look.

If you are fed up of you tired looking furniture why not update it. Paint the furniture an unusual colour to give it a modern edgy feel, spray painting will produce the most professional looking finish. If you want something a bit more unique why not decorate your furniture with wallpaper or fabric you could cover a chest of drawers, wardrobe or chair. Painting the edges in a contrasting colour will make the piece stand out even more. This is a great way to give old furniture a new lease of life.

You can instantly change the look of your bathroom by changing the taps; there are some great looking taps available that can instantly make a feature out of the most basic baths and sinks. Why not try this in your kitchen too, you can make your kitchen tap a real talking point with some of the modern designs available. Whilst we are thinking about the kitchen you can refresh even the most tired looking units by replacing the handles, this is a cheap way to modernise your dated looking kitchen cupboards.

These are some low cost ways of quickly transforming the rooms in your home. So why not get creative and work on a room in your house over national DIY week.

National DIY week is running from 20th to 26th September, there will be advice and tips offered as well as great offers in DIY stores.

A moneysaving guide to decorating written by Jessica Bourne at Moneysupermarket.com

VIDEO - 100 House Cats Loose in IKEA

2010-09-11T12:55:00.000+01:00

A look behind the experiment of IKEA UK's release of 100 house cats into its Wembley store in the UK. If nothing else, the cat scenes are kinda cute...

CRAFT - Homemade London Craft Design Salon

2010-09-06T20:47:00.000+01:00

West End's first dedicated venue blends fashion, design and crafts to create a unique customer experience. Homemade London is a brand new salon offering evening and weekend workshops and short-courses in everything from bag-making and lingerie to signature scent creation, upholstery and chandelier making. It also offers sewing-machine hire by the hour, workshop space, organises private parties and hosts fashion and interior design seminars. It's just what London needs.

The salon is located at 21 Seymour Place, a pretty street surrounded by restaurants and boutiques in the Portman Village area between Marble Arch and Marylebone.

Founder Nicola Barron says: "The essence of Homemade London is about beautiful but simple and achievable designs, unique to the salon and made with the highest-quality materials. It will be a celebration of design as much as craft. A really important part of the process has been finding the right designers to run the classes - people who combine creative genius with a passion to share their skills and ideas. I've worked with them to create the right kind of workspace and shape the courses themselves.”

Classes are small, to ensure that customers get the personal tuition they need to create objects of desire, beautifully packaged to take home. The workshops are social experiences; customers can enjoy a glass of wine and a light supper or an afternoon tea as they work.

Example workshops at Homemade London include:

Lingerie workshops by Tactile Wonderland
Chandeliers by Emerald Faerie (whose 8 foot tall ‘Cinderella’s Revenge’ currently takes pride of place in Liberty’s shoe department)
Create your Own Signature Scent by Perfume Mistress
Vintage clothes restyling by Round London

If you book during September you can benefit from special introductory rates so get over there quick.

EVENT - Brighton Art Fair

2010-09-05T19:22:00.001+01:00

Brighton Art Fair is the largest visual art exhibition on the South Coast. Showcasing over 130 contemporary artists and attracting a capacity audience of over 5000 visitors each year, Brighton Art Fair has built a strong reputation for exhibiting exceptional quality artwork in a welcoming, friendly environment.

The Brighton Art Fair is unique in that the artists themselves sell their work directly to the public, bringing a personal feel to viewing and to the buying process. Visitors enjoy meeting the artists - learning about their creative inspirations, techniques and future projects.

Full details of participating artists and galleries can be found at: www.brightonarfair.co.uk Artists interviews and features can be seen on the Made blog: www.madeuk.blogspot.com

Where to find Brighton Art Fair: The Corn Exchange, Brighton Dome, Church St, BN1 1UE

Brighton Art Fair opening times:
Friday 17 September: 11am - 7.30pm (Late Night Opening)
Saturday 18 September: 10am - 6pm
Sunday 19 September: 10am - 5pm

Ticket Price - £6 (children under 14 free) includes catalogue, available on the door. Advance tickets available or £5 from the Brighton Dome box office 01273 709709.

Private View: Thursday 16 October 6 - 8.30pm. Limited number of £10 tickets available from Brighton Dome Box Office.

FOOD - Porters Wine Bar in Hastings

2010-08-30T22:14:00.000+01:00

Steak served on a 'hot rock'

I used to go to Porters Wine bar quite a bit but after a couple of bad meals I started to steer clear. This was a good few years ago and I've been back twice recently and have been really impressed with the food.

I've tried their mussels - delicious, the plaice - scrummy, and the Moroccan tagine dish - super flavoursome. Another of the menu highlights is the fillet steak which comes out on a 'hot rock' so you can finish it off exactly the way you like it and choose your own seasoning too. The fish is local and freshly caught just minutes away in the fishing area of Hastings Old Town.

In the summer it's lovely to sit out in the garden and during weekends the bar area quite often has live music too. The only downside is that the service definitely slides with very large parties as they have a habit of serving smaller tables first.

I popped back for lunch on another occasion and had the jerk chicken salad. It took a while to arrive (they were pretty busy) but when it did it was delicious and only cost about a fiver. A much better meal than you could get from most other local restaurants at the price.

So if you're in Hastings any time soon, check out Porters.

Moroccan lamb

Chicken and chips

Jerk chicken

Plaice

BEDROOM - Ben de Lisi Bargain

2010-08-26T21:08:00.000+01:00

Last week I had my sisters to stay and I realised that since moving into my new pad, there's no spare bed and not so much as a spare blanket to offer my guests. It was time I did something about it so I headed to my closest Debenhams and decided to put the sale to good use.

I picked up some sheets and a double quilt, but best of all was a fab Ben de Lisi bed linen set reduced from £40 to £20. Having not bought bedding for a while it surprised me just how much it can set you back. Seeing as this was just an extra set for guests that wasn't going to be used very often, the last thing I wanted to do was spend a fortune on it.

Next on my shopping list is a chair or a storage bench. Hoping to find those in a sale too, I just can't help myself. I'm a sucker for a bargain and there are Bank holiday offers on homeware until Monday too. Hurrah!

The bed set pictures is Shimmy by Ben de Lisi and if you're quick you might get it while stocks last.

KITCHENS - IKEA Future Kitchen Debate

2010-08-21T20:21:00.000+01:00

I was invited to a debate on the future of kitchens hosted by IKEA and held at the Barbican. You can read a bit more about the debate and the trends discussed over on my Yell.com blog post but here I thought I'd show you some of the kitchen concepts that IKEA came up with that are envisaged to satisfy the needs of a consumer in 2040.

In essence it's about 3 main areas. A kitchen that's natural and eco-friendly, one that's technologically advanced and finally one that meets our emotional needs. The increased stress and strain of our lives with constant interruptions from our communication devices and a growing scarcity of resources means our future kitchen needs to be super-savvy.

My dream kitchen of the future would be one that helps me cook healthy food and minimises waste. Any tools and gadgets that IKEA can create for that end would be worth buying in my eyes. I suppose I'll have to wait 30 years before I see if that's a possibility but we are definitely already seeing our kitchens get more and more intelligent.

Click on each of the images to read the text...

ART - The Surreal House at The Barbican

2010-08-15T19:58:00.000+01:00

Last Thursday evening I went to a debate at the Barbican hosted by IKEA and my invite gave me entry to the Surreal House art exhibition taking place there.

Firstly it was nice to wander round later in the evening than I usually would at a gallery but when it comes to surrealism Salvador Dali is my main point of reference. I used to visit Spain a lot and I've been to the Dali museum there and his wife's home too. There was a lot more than Dali in the exhibition of course which opened my eyes to other sorts of surreal art including film, photography and performance.

The space has been transformed into a maze of a house with rooms and roof-like slopes and then upstairs, balconies that overlook the floors below.There are pieces which inspire and intrigue and others which didn't really hold my attention.

I was transfixed however by the gentleman doing a reading of a Geoff Cox book to accompanying music, it was quite haunting. The various films being shown varied in quality in my opinion, although the Buster Keaton ones were quite fun to watch.One of my favourite pieces though was Concert for Anarchy by Rebecca Horn, the skill and patience required in putting it together were obvious.

I wandered round the exhibition with another delegate of the IKEA debate and we did have quite similar ideas on art - although she'd clearly studied it to a higher level than I had. Art is such a personal thing, especially in surrealism where it's not always so clear cut.

I like art that does any of 3 things:

Makes me wonder how on earth it was done or feel in awe of the skill or thought that has gone into a piece.
Is so figuratively accomplished that eyes on a person appear to be real or you could imagine reaching out and touching an object from within a painting.
Within sculpture, if something has a texture that calls out to be touched I tend to love it.

But art tends not to be displayed without commentary, certainly not modern art. The artist increasingly provides an explanation for the art and this is where I get fussy. I want the explanation to be about the thought process, the personal journey or feelings of the artist. What I don't want to read is some high brow concept with no relation to the actual art. Metaphors are fine if they can be tied in some way to what I'm looking at. Abstract is fine, but for me I want to know about the person who created the art just something that makes me understand or at least feel as if I understand it.

We are all different though and different things appeal to us. For me, surreal art is fascinating but I wouldn't want to hang much of it on my wall.

DRINK - Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc

2010-08-15T15:26:00.000+01:00

I was offered an opportunity to review a bottle of wine, the Villa Maria Private Bin Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, 2010, and as white wine is my vino of choice I jumped at the chance. I took it round to a friend's house after she offered to cook dinner and we gave it a testing.

I'm not much of a connoisseur when it comes to wine so I'll let you know what the winemaker says and then tell you what I thought of it...

"This powerful Sauvignon Blanc is bursting with a myriad of flavours including gooseberry, passionfruit, fresh citrus, melon and nettle dominant herbaceous aromas. The wine has an enticing palate with layers of juicy flavours, intensity and concentration, finishing with a refreshing crisp, clean line of audacity".

The fruitiness was definitely the thing that stood out about this wine and there was no bitterness or sharp after taste that I think separates the good from the bad when it comes to white wine. Usually I'm a chardonnay girl but this wine was just perfect for a girly evening or to have with a nice emal. It's suggested that you team it with seasonal vegetables and chicken, which we did - although it was in the form of a Thai chicken curry. Probably not quite right, but the two went together well in my opinion. I definitely tasted the melon and passionfruit but can't say as I could identify the nettle-dominant, herbaceous aromas - my palette isn't quite that accomplished!

The alcoholic strength of this bottle is a pretty powerful 13.5%. I'd usually prefer something slightly less strong so had to be sure to take smaller sips. It's all too easy when wine tastes so nice and is easy to drink to guzzle it down too quickly. We also tried it with a drop of lemonade to make a slightly more refreshing spritzer and it worked well like that as well.

I would definitely look for this bottle on the supermarket shelf when I go shopping next. Find out more about the winemaker at the Villa Maria website.

KITCHEN - Fun Farmyard Chopping Boards

2010-08-08T20:41:00.000+01:00

Introducing a new range of designer chopping and serving boards which are guaranteed to make you smile. 'Down on the Farm' is a collection of solid beech chopping boards with designs that draw on vintage animal shapes to give each board a unique personality.

Boards are individually boxed on a bed of straw. Made by hand from selected, sustainable Beech, sealed with demineralised oil for protection. “All our boards are free from the chemicals and hormones that can react badly with food, often found in plastic boards. They are ‘green’ and gorgeous looking.” they tell me.

Meet the Cast: Carmen the Sheep, Mildred the Hen, Horace the Pig, Bird in the Tree and Darcey the Cow. How cute!

Available at Yoostore.co.uk

VIDEO - Daisy Lowe Explores a Spitalfields Georgian House

2010-08-07T10:21:00.002+01:00

Join Daisy Lowe as she explores an 18th century Georgian house in the heart of Spitalfields, musing on the music she likes, her idols and what inspires her. I love the house and I really like Daisy too, she talks sense about style.

The house itself is a bit of a maze with nooks and carrnies to be discovered around every corner. It reminds me of my parent's house which has lots of quirky details that don't seem to serve any specific purpose.

EVENT - Feeling Arty? Draw With Lazy Oaf

2010-08-05T15:09:00.000+01:00

Lazy Oaf's Let's Face It event taking over Tate Modern's Turbine Hall this Sunday 8th August from 11am-5pm. Members of the public are invited to come along and draw their own self portraits on the walls of Tate Modern. They will be covering a 7m wall with dozens of colourful pages ready to be drawn into so it shall be a right visual feast.

There will be live drawing at various intervals throughout the day from established artists Zeroten, Joe Baglow and Ian Stevenson.

PETS - Dog Poo Bags With a Difference

2010-07-27T20:57:00.000+01:00

'Shit Happens'

I couldn't help but feature these dog poo bags... there's nothing glamorous about clearing up after your dog, but these make the whole process slightly more bearable - and amusing.

They feature funny prints, such as "Doggy bag", "Don't blame me" or "Size matters". One size - designed for all races from Chihuahua to Great Dane.

Dog poo bags, designed by jungeschachtel, sold on designspray. Price for 16 bags €12,90 .

ECO - Cleaning Products on Trial

2010-07-20T20:59:00.002+01:00

I've been ditching my usual cleaning brands and testing out some eco cleaning products from Alma Win this week.

Why choose Alma Win products? Well I'm told they are good for people whose family members suffer from allergies as they don't contain the harsh chemicals which can aggravate reactions. According to recent research, chemicals in common household cleaning products can increase the risks of children developing asthma, eczema and other allergies and even forms of cancer. It's definitely worrying when you think about it, so I'm definitely keen to see if the chemical-free alternatives are up to the job.

“Choose an organic brand which carries an official eco certification” advises Graeme Hume, UK distributor of natural, organic cleaning range, Alma Win. “There are a number of popular brands on the market which claim to be natural but clever marketing can be misleading and some products which shout about their green credentials are being economical with the truth. The governmental standards aren’t stringent enough so it is important to take responsibility for your own family and know what to look out for.”

Natural Laundry Scent
I've been using this with my washing all week. It's easily poured into the fabric conditioner compartment and works alongside your washing powder. It leaves washing smelling great, really fresh with a lemony fragrance. You can add more or less of the scent depending on how intense you want the fragrance to be. The bottle costs just over £5 and would last ages.

Toilet Cleaner Concentrate
It's probably not cool to get excited about changing your toilet cleaner, but I sort of am. The scent is just like peppermint not like those horrid pine-fresh versions that leave your toilet smelling, well like a toilet. It's used in exactly the same way as any other toilet cleaner or bleach product and it cleans just as well as others I've tried. The scent though is something that would definitely have me buying more and it quite surprised me as I always imagined eco products to be lacking in fragrance. Luckily the essential oils used in Alma Win products mean that just isn't the case.

Alma Win’s range consists of over 15 products including washing up liquid, household cleaner, toilet cleaner and washing powder, which carry the ECO Garantie certificate and are the only cleaning products which have been successfully dermatologically tested.

DESIGN - Discover Wolf & Badger

2010-07-20T20:13:00.000+01:00

I've been catching up with Zoe Knight and Samir Ceric of the fabulous boutique Wolf & Badger. The team with a firm footing in the world of art and fashion design couldn't be better qualified to source amazing designers and individual pieces to sell to their customers.

Read the Q&A here or take a look at a few of my favourite pieces from their exciting website below...

Wooster pendent light - £175 - by Jake Phipps

Wash Away All Sins Soap Dispenser - £65 - Undergrowth Designs

Lovesick Bunnies - £65 - Undergrowth Designs

21cm Contact Plates - £108.12 - Evthokia

'Hello Sailor' tile - £21 - by Kiss Her

View all homeware at Wolf & Badger

DESIGNER - Katy Potts Extends Her Range

2010-07-07T23:21:00.000+01:00

I just love this video to support the launch of the latest Teapot collection by Katy Potts. You may remember I covered her 'Tea for Two' range stocked at Liberty's some time ago and she's got a fab website and some lovely new product too. Katy Potts has designed a collection of new, quintessentially English teapots: Utterly English Teaware. Made by skilled craftsmen from the original Staffordshire Potteries each teapot is rich in colour and hand-crafted techniques such as banding, enamelling and gilding with 22 and 24 carat gold. Beautiful!

Katy tells me: “the hand painting and enamelling can take nearly an hour for each teapot and over 40 hours of firing! – they’re really special items that will be bought and looked after for many years to come. With the Wedding Season now upon us – they’re ideal gifts that be kept for years to come.”

Read more about the range at my Yell.com interiors blog spot.

Check out Katy's website.

AWARDS - 2010 Observer Ethical Awards Winners

2010-06-10T22:23:00.000+01:00

The winners of the 2010 Observer Ethical Awards, in association with Ecover, have been announced at a star-studded ceremony in London, presented by Colin Firth and Lucy Siegle.

The Obsever Ethical Awards are now in their fifth year and celebrate those that stand up and take action against environmental and social injustice. This national award shines a light on individuals and companies who work hard every day to make a difference.

Here are the saintly companies and individuals who scooped awards...

Lifetime Achievement

Gordon Roddick

Local Retailer

Local Roots & Wellie Boots

Online Retailer

Riverford Organic Vegetables

Campaigner

Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall

Politician

Caroline Lucas

Ecover Ethical Kids

The Recyclists

Jupiter Big Idea Award

Resomation

Ethical Business

B&Q

Fashion & Accessories sponsored by Marie Claire

From Somewhere

Conservation sponsored by National Grid

Pestival

Grassroots Project

Abundance

INTERIORS - The Birds

2010-05-16T19:48:00.000+01:00

I stumbled across these fab birds of prey coat hooks and now I desperately want them for my own. It's a cool and quirky idea and much more interesting than a putting up a few metal hooks on the wall. You could hang bags, coats or even necklaces on them and it makes a bit of a feature of the wall too. You can get hold of these on Bouf starting from £60 although there is currently an offer on if you're quick. I'm definitely loving the double bird option, although this costs more, grrrr.

Staying on the bird theme, I also spotted this beautiful birdcage antique effect mirror. More decorative than functional, but desirable none the less. You can pick this up for £115 at Bouf. It would look great as an eye-catching piece for a hall landing.

INTERIORS - Moving Day in the Old Town

2010-05-16T11:10:00.000+01:00

I was back home in Hastings for a couple of days this weekend, saying goodbye to my car and my old house. My parents were moving from their new build house to a quaint and quirky house in the old part of town. My part in the move was quite limited, I chose the wrong time to get ill and was given tea-making and lunch-fetching duties.

The contrast between the homes was really obvious. From something new and featureless to something very old and full of character. The best thing about the new house though is the views!

Boxes everywhere...

There are old details in the bathrooms like traditional tiles and taps.

But it's the views that make this house. Who needs a TV when you can watch the world go by from your window.

I love how old houses have so many nooks and crannies. They are the perfect place for cupboards and for storage. I was a little bit excited by the little 'Alice in Wonderland' door in my sister's new room though. It doesn't open properly so we have no idea what is behind there...

Rufus checks out the extra flights of stairs and numerous rooms for exploring. It must be so strange for a dog to understand what's going on.

It's a hard life...

ART - Elephants on Parade in London

2010-05-09T17:03:00.000+01:00

Last week's bank holiday Monday there didn't seem to be much happening in London so after hearing about the elephants on parade, I decided to go and hunt for some of them. I found a few as you can see from my pictures in the slideshow above, but there are 260 to try and spot in total dotted all over the capital. You can see them too from 3 May to 4 July throughout London.

The herd of elephants are here in an effort to raise GBP2 million toward the conservation of Asian elephants and UK conservation charities. The elephants are as big as real life baby elephants glittering with all the decorative genius that some of the country's top artists can supply. To raise money, each of the elephants has been sponsored and will be auctioned.

One of the most popular elephants is likely to be Benjamin Shine's contribution - so much so that arrangements have already been made for it to be covered by a 24-hour guard at its location by the Royal Exchange. Shine, a young artist, has transformed the template into a glossy black taxi, powered by a solar cell so that a sign lights up at night and its eyes turn into headlamps. Wow!

Another is a white-coloured elephant beside an enormous bronze flower, also white, by the sculptor Marc Quinn, one of four elephants generously sponsored by the Indian private equity investor Cyrus Vandrevala and his heiress wife, Priya. Quinn recently caused controversy by sculpting a nude of a thalidomide woman for the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square.

Rebecca Campbell, the wildlife artist, has created an elegant elephant, painted with flora and fauna such as palm trees and tigers. Rina Banerjee, an Indian artist working in New York, has plastered her elephant, Argus-like, with dozens of eyes. Peter Beard, artistic photographer and conservationist, has created one of the most iconic elephants entitled Mammouth Metaphor.

Elephants will stand guard over restaurants such as Scotts and the Ivy, thanks to the involvement of restaurateur Richard Caring. One of the most imaginative projects is sponsored by Rowan and Sunetra Atkinson, decorated by underprivileged children being helped by the Kids Company, of which Sunetra is a trustee. Other sponsors have given in kind. Farrow and Ball, for example, have provided £50,000's worth of paint. Transporting the elephants to and from studios has fallen to Eco Movers, a young company with a fleet of 12 electric removal vans.

While elephants have paraded in Holland and cows - 100 of them - in London before now, this is Britain's first Elephant Parade. Hearing about the Dutch parades - the brain child of father and son, Mike and Marc Spits, who had been moved by encountering a baby elephant in Thailand called Moscha whose leg had been blown off - Mark Shand immediately seized on the idea for his charity, the Elephant Family.

So go out onto the streets and you will find elephants in Berkeley Square, Hanover Square, South Audley Street; in Notting Hill, on the South Bank; in Greenwich Market and around St Paul's. If the Elephant Parade fulfils its mission to become "the world's largest financial support organisation for elephants," perhaps the tragedy of the Asian elephant's collapse can be reversed.

Check out the elephant route map to see them all

DESIGN - Collecting Your Inspirations

2010-05-02T14:32:00.000+01:00

Ever since I was little I've had an obsession with cutting things out of magazines, keeping the bits I love in folders for future inspiration. It's good to know that I'm definitely not the only one. Fellow blogger from Hastings Jeska does it too! I have to admit, her inspiration collages look a lot prettier than mine and since looking at her blog Record The Day I've been inspired to make more time for cutting and sticking!

Take a look at Record The Day - who knows, perhaps you'll be inspired to start a similar blog of your own. Jeska also has a fabulous design blog called Lobster & Swan which has been featured in loads of magazines, it's great and definitely worth following!

FOOD - Cafe Gallipoli in London

2010-04-25T20:02:00.002+01:00

My sister and I stopped here for lunch at the weekend and I chose it simply because it had a spare table outside. I'm so glad we did choose it because the food was delicious. So full of flavour.

The 2 course lunch menu is worth every penny. My sister had a spicy kofte filled with cheese and I had the chicken with pitta and salad. To start we shared the most amazing dip with chunks of bread.

The staff are friendly and it's got a good vibe about it. I think being seated indoors might be a bit cramped though... all part of the bijoux charm I suppose.

Check out my review of Cafe Gallipoli - I am The_Style_PA - on Qype

PHOTOS - Why I love Sunshine

2010-04-18T19:48:00.001+01:00

There are many reasons why I love the sunshine, but most of them were realised this weekend... My sister is with me for 2 weeks which makes it even better as I have someone to while away the days with. If only the weekends lasted longer. What did everyone else get up to while the sun shined? Let's be honest, it may not happen again for a while.

Carrot cake and diet coke at Crumpet on Wandsworth Common.

Crosswords, olives and Abbie's new shoes

The champagne, passoa, fruit juice and fizzy Vimto cocktails started well, and ended with a bit of a mess on my beautiful Habitat Sherbet throw come picnic rug

Regents Park at lunchtime... gotta love it

Hastings Old Town... how pretty is that!

NEWS - April 2010 Product Gossip

2010-04-10T16:16:00.006+01:00

IKEA has announced a series of new developments to their 2010 Catalogue iPhone app, following customer feedback. IKEA has redeveloped the app after inviting fans who had downloaded the app from the Apple iTunes Store to suggest ways the app could be improved via twitter, a phone hotline, email and on the App Store.

The latest version of the catalogue app, now features the most requested functionality, including:

Search function enabling customers to select products using keywords
Bookmarking, helping customers to save pages
Contents page, a colour coded index with links to main sections

Radox has launched a new line of antibacterial hand gels just in time for festival season. Whether you are heading off to Reading or wading through the mud at Glastonbury, these handy pocket size gels are the perfect survival essential for all festival goers this summer or if you are due to travel abroad this summer. Actually, I find them quite handy to have in your handbag too. The new varieties include:

Radox Clean & Protect contains tea tree oil and thyme
Radox Clean & Moisturise contains gentle chamomile and jojoba oil
Radox Clean & Refresh contains zingy lime and coriander.

Echo Falls are offering Britain’s girls next door a once in a lifetime chance to be the star of their very own advert viewed by almost 30 million people. To celebrate the launch of the new light and bubbly Pinot Grigio Spritz, the ads will be aired ahead of Come Dine With Me, throughout June, July and August

Female hopefuls aged 25 and over can put themselves forward as the perfect mix of sweetness and light, sparkle, fizz and freshness, to be in with a chance of getting top marks from the judges at Echo Falls.

To enter, visit www.echofallswine.co.uk, fill in the details, and then enter a few words as to why you believe you have got the sparkle. Finalists will be invited to London for a final casting and the winner will attend a full day shoot and feature in the Echo Falls adverts aired before the Come Dine with Me shows live on Channel 4 during June, July and August.

NEWS - Bad Bediquette is Ruining Relationships

2010-04-07T19:59:00.005+01:00

Been getting enough sleep lately? Debenhams research has revealed that nearly three-quarters of the UK population have considered splitting from their partners because of bad bed etiquette. The research also showed that 78% of those questioned have considered moving house and 80% have thought about moving to the spare room.

Sleep-deprived shoppers admitted the detrimental effect that sharing a bed can have on relationships when asked whether or not they have an extra duvet to guard against a cover-hogging partner. This was in response to a 41% growth in sales of single duvets which traditionally sell in fewer numbers than doubles, and a 24% growth in sales of king size beds.

Men are the biggest culprits for bad bediquette, with 16% more men than women being identified as creating an uncomfortable sleeping environment for their partners. The most common bed offence was the 'tuck and roll', which is when the culprit holds onto the duvet and rolls onto their front, leaving their bed-buddy out in the cold.

Also a huge bugbear was the 'midnight shuffle', which is when one person insists on sleeping pressed against the other and when the victim shuffles away, the perpetrator follows them across the bed resulting in a 'cliff-hanger' situation.

Snoring, teeth grinding, kicking and fidgeting, and talking were the next most common night-time faux-pas keeping nearly three-quarters of Britons awake.

Jessica Alexander from The Sleep Council said: "Research shows that one in 10 couples currently have separate beds; however, one out of five would love to have their own bed if only their partner would suggest it.

"A really big bed and separate bedding might solve some of the problems but if sleeping habits are desperately different then separate beds or bedrooms is the only answer. You can still have all the cuddles and intimate moments before retiring to get a good night's sleep - without which your relationship just doesn't stand a chance."

Have you ever considered going to the spare room? I guess I'm lucky in that interrupted sleep doesn't bother me too much.

DESIGNER - Quirky Designs by David Olschewski

2010-03-29T12:11:00.008+01:00

I love it when you see see a piece of furniture that uses such a simple idea to great effect. D avid Olschewski's designs use everyday objects from the garden and turn them into something entirely new. My favourite has to be the pitchfork coat stand. Don't worry, the edges are rounded off to avoid putting holes in all of your outerwear and it's novel while still being useful.

Again with the spade version, the shape really lends itself to the task at hand. The designer has really put a lot of thought and effort into getting it just right. And lastly the lamp that at first would appear to be made out of some kind of wicker weave is actually made of garden pegs. Love it!

Although you can buy these pieces on the Design Spray website, many of the designers are also looking for a manufacturer to produce their work in larger quantities. It's a great way for them to get noticed and I've seen so many amazing ideas from various designers on the website, it's worth having a browse.

FOOD - Today's Lunch

2010-03-22T15:31:00.003Z

Today I almost reached for a ready meal for lunch then thought better of it. An omelette would use up some ingredients in the fridge and be much healthier and lord knows I need to be healthier. Is anyone else trying and failing at the healthy-eating thing?

2 eggs, a splash of water, salt and pepper, 1 rasher of bacon, 1/2 a red pepper, 25g cheese and some Italian herbs and a sprinkle of parsley to garnish.

EXHIBITION - Playmobil in Paris

2010-03-15T17:59:00.000Z

Back in early February when I was in Paris, I visited a Playmobil Exhibition which transported me right back to my childhood. As a family we used to holiday in Spain every year when I was growing up and my sister nearly always celebrated her birthday there. Playmobil is a massive deal for kids in Europe and each year she'd get something as a gift to add to her collection. It really encourages the imagination in little boys and girls.

It was fascinating wandering round the displays all set up in specific themes from circus to fairytale, pirates to Noah's Ark. The curation was spot on and adult visitors were as enthralled as the kids. The exhibition runs until 16 May in the Musée des Arts Décoratifs situated near The Louvre. If you're in Paris, check it out. There are some pics below...

FOOD - Marmite XO Has Arrived

2010-03-14T21:01:00.004Z

You may remember I went to a special tasting session to help the Marmite team come up with their brand new, Extra-strong variety. Well it's finally available for the masses.

Marmite XO is now available in Selfridges, Waitrose, Tesco and Morrisons. I seem to recall it being priced close to a fiver when I passed Selfridges Food Hall recently so not cheap but I've been trying it and it's stronger, thicker and richer than your average Marmite so bound to last longer.

Let me know what you think if you've tried it. I'm a lover so naturally I love it.

EVENT - Discovering the Beer and Chocolate Combo

2010-03-07T20:43:00.012Z

Beer and chocolate as a combination isn't what you'd immediately think of, but an event last week aimed to change our minds. I like beer but it wouldn't be my choice when out drinking so I was intrigued and excited to try some new types. Kirsty Derry, Managing Director of the BitterSweet Partnership gave a short intro on the idea behind her venture, essentially she works to give women a voice in the beer industry and also to promote beer to women who haven't been encouraged to try and find something they like. If beer advertising wasn't so heavily aimed at men, more women would probably drink it.

The event was held at L'atelier des Chefs on London's Wigmore Street - who knew they had such a massive basement cooking area! It's a sleek space that offers cookery classes, even lunchtime ones for hard workers like me :) You can be taught to make a fabulous new meal then eat it too.

The start of the event was a bit of an education with a top expert telling us exactly what goes in to beers, what makes them light or dark or distinctive. We then discovered what sort of chocolate to team with different beers. Light ales like the Kasteel Cru went perfectly with strawberry and white chocolate. The orange accents in the Blue Moon went hand-in-hand with a beautiful orange cake covered in white chocolate icing.

The darker the beers got the the darker the chocolate until we tried a cherry beer, Bacchus Kriek, with Green & Blacks dark chocolate. That was my perfect combination! Here were my favourite of the beers...

First place: Bacchus Kriek
Second place: Blue Moon
Third place: Casteel Cru Rose

After the beer tasting session it was on to the truffle-making master-class (I'm at the back on the right in the pic above). We were set out in groups of 6 and although our group took a while to get started we most definitely ended up with the best set of chocs in the room. I'm sure my expert chopping had something to do with it... maybe. Each of the recipes we worked from contained one of the beers we had tried. Some beers were infused with cream, others were mixed with gelatine to make a jelly. It just goes to show that beer isn't such an unlikely baking ingredient for sweet treats after all.

My favourite Choc recipe: White truffle with Kasteel Cru Rose ganache rolled in crisp strawberry

It definitely did have an affect on me, the event that is not the beer. On my next girly meal at a friend's I took along some raspberry beer... yummy. The three favourites I mentioned above I'll probably buy again whereas before I very rarely have beer out of choice.

What about you? Are you a beer drinker? Which is your favourite?

REVIEW - The Wallace Restaurant Review

2010-03-07T20:10:00.002Z

I love The Wallace Collection and first visited when on my lunch break as I work nearby. It's a private collection and is free to wander around. This weekend I took my mum out for afternoon tea to the Wallace restaurant in the courtyard at the centre of the property. It's a fabulously bright and airy space.

I had booked ahead for the four of us and even so there was a bit of a confusion about where to seat us although they got there in the end. 2 of us went for the full afternoon tea which at £17.50 is probably at the lower end of the scale when it comes to London afternoon teas.

We had finger sandwiches with egg and cress, or cucumber along with smoked salmon open sandwiches and crab on Melba toast. This was followed by a huge scone with a generous helping of clotted cream and a choice of strawberry or blackcurrant jam. Delicious.

We also had a selection of cakes to finish off the meal but we couldn't manage those too, we had to share with my sisters who had gone for salad or soup. I couldn't fault the food or drink at all. Everything was delicious, almost perfect in fact and the fresh mint tea was the best I've had in ages.

The only downside was the less than enthusiastic service. I felt that things were a bit slow, and it wasn't really 'with a smile'. I'd definitely recommend it though as a centrally located and reasonably-priced treat. Here are some pics to make you hungry.

STYLE - Making things pretty

2010-03-02T23:27:00.003Z

I love it when you're walking around and spot something that makes you smile. I had that experience the other day while strolling through Soho in London. There were a couple of bicycles stood against a wall and they'd had their baskets decorated, one with coloured straws and the other with artificial flowers. It's those little things that help make the world look more beautiful.

DESIGNER - Jimmie Martin

2010-03-02T09:16:00.000Z

I stumbled across Jimmie Martin Ltd when viewing another blogger's site and I was really impressed with their work which includes fabulous furniture and home accessories. Some pieces are given an edgy update with graffiti-like scrawls and others have quirky character prints. The company also takes on special projects, one of which was The Burlington Club, Mayfair, where you'll be able to see their inspired decor and furniture. It's great to see such classic furniture shapes given a thouroughly modern makeover to great effect.

As with all beautifully original things this stuff doesn't come cheap - candles start at £30 - but if you had some cash to burn then it would be a great place to begin.

Check out the current stock

PARIS - Food Glorious French Food

2010-02-13T18:32:00.003Z

The French are known for their love of and flair with food. Paris is filled with fabulous restaurants and last weekend I had the opportunity to eat at a few of them. As part of my prize trip to Paris we were treated to meals in Restaurant 51 at La cinémathèque, Les Bateaux Parisiens and Le Saut de Loup. All come highly recommended and the latter two are a tad on the pricey side so I certainly wasn't complaining.

We arrived at the hotel to a gift of Laduree macarons in a rainbow of beautiful colours. My friend and I sampled the flavours over the course of the weekend and we have another friend who is a big fan of these sweet treats so we decided to bring a box back home for her. It went down rather well too.

At the hotel, we were also treated to champagne and a selection of savoury and sweet finger food. Check out those fab meringues!

Once we were all sorted it was off to Restaurant 51 for lunch. I chose a starter of cheese and ham crostini which to be honest filled me up quite nicely... then it was on to the main course. Chicken with mashed potato and a nice big dollop of mustard. Delicious and all washed down with a nice glass of white wine and a cup of the best peppermint tea I've ever tasted, ever!

My friend chose the same main as me but went for the soup starter - it was potato, tomato and asparagus and again, I think she didn't need a main after it. Others in our party went for pudding too, but knowing there was a 3 course dinner on the menu I wisely resisted.

Dinner was planned in at Les Bateaux Parisiens for a cruise on the Seine along with some light entertainment in the form of a French singer who did the most beautiful French songs, before jazzing things up after dessert with a little bit of Tina Turner and an 'interesting' version of Reggae Nights.

After an aperitif and a cute little olive muffin while we waited, I ordered the scallops to start. They came served in a green herb and chestnut sauce with spinach and it truly was one of the best things I've tasted in a long time. Creamy and full of flavour. I've never had chestnuts at all before, but I'll definitely be throwing them in a dish or two at home now and again. My friend went for the swordfish with sesame and coriander but with all the menus in French she hadn't realised it would be raw... I tried a bit and found it to be pretty delicious but my friend wasn't so keen.

For main I chose the fillet of beef with black truffle sauce and my friend went for the chicken in a foie gras sauce. I didn't take pictures as we've all seen what a bit of chicken and beef looks like. Our mains were accompanied with garlic, creamed mashed potato which was swimming in butter and lovely seasonal vegetables.

For dessert we decided it was best to go half and half to try two things on the menu instead of one. One dish was the restaurant's signature chocolate dish - the crousti bato, and the other gooey lemon and citrus tartlet. I did make the mistake of eating the grapefruit off the top in one go... what, it looked like orange?!

Our final meal of the weekend was at Le Saut de Loup near the Louvre. Another 3 courses of yumminess. My friend got the pumpkin soup which I tried, I dread to think how much cream was in it but it sure tasted good. I had the salmon with dill, lettuce and balsamic. We both got a club sandwich for our mains, mine with langoustine and then came the best part of the meal... the dessert.

My friend had her eye on an apple tart the whole weekend and her eyes lit up when it was on the menu. The apples were beautifully caramelised . And I gave in and went for the chocolate melting pud which was served with a mango sorbet - it was the most amazing combination and one that I'll be trying to repeat at home myself.

What I learnt about French food... if you are a vegetarian, then Paris isn't for you. There are very few, if any, vegetarian options on menus at French restaurants - it doesn't really suit their food ethos. Also, don't expect the waiter or waitress to speak English and don't expect to get a menu in English. Do a bit of research before you go, or be willing to try new and interesting things and you'll probably have some of the best food you've ever tried in your life.

Nom, nom, nom...

INTERIORS - Furniture in Wonderland

2010-02-01T20:25:00.002Z

With the return of Alice in Wonderland coming up (Tim Burton style) I thought I'd dig out this post from last year...

Furnishings company, MacKenzie-Childs, loved in the U.S. for its whimsical and distinctive products, made its international debut at Harrods last month. The MacKenzie-Childs brand, which is bright, colorful and innovative, will be available on Harrods’ second level encompassing more than 500 square feet of shopping space. Harrods shoppers will be able to choose from a full range of hand-crafted ceramic and enamel tableware, furniture and home accessories. The company is revered for its artisan creativity and craftsmanship – from its signature line of black and white Courtly Check tableware to hand painted furniture pieces such as the Turtle Table and the Fish Chair (pictured below).

Located in upstate New York on a 65 acre former dairy farm overlooking Cayuga Lake, MacKenzie-Childs engages more than 100 artisans and production personnel at the company’s design and production studio. Inspired by the designs of the company’s creative director Rebecca Proctor, artisans create products that celebrate a tradition of American hand craftsmanship. I just love the individuality of the design and the 'Alice in Wonderland' feel of the products.

"Harrods is thrilled to be offering the MacKenzie-Childs range within our Contemporary Dining department. We are proud to be the exclusive UK stockist for this iconic brand," said David Miller, Director of Home, Furniture, Sound & Vision and Toys, Harrods.

For more information and U.S. stockists, visit www.MacKenzie-Childs.com

INTERIORS - New Blog Guest Spot at Yell.com

2010-01-31T16:37:00.000Z

I'm now writing a regular post over at Yell.com's interior design blog. I'll be covering all sorts from ideas and inspiration to flooring and furnishings. I'm a fan of design generally and you already know how much I love to shop so hopefully those two things will combine to give you all an interesting read each week. Let me know if you want me to write about anything in particular - your feedback is always welcome.

To keep up with my posts just head over to my profile on Yell's interiors blog. You can also subscribe to an RSS feed there.