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Showing posts with label inspiration. Show all posts
Showing posts with label inspiration. Show all posts

Wednesday, 29 October 2014

Inferior Inspiration #15: Halloween food edition!

Although my (fairly minimal) Halloween decorations are up again this year, they haven't changed one bit from last year's Halloween decor post.  Writing a feature for WOW247 about the 5 best Halloween inspired sweet treats on offer in Edinburgh last week inspired me to trawl Pinterest and compile a list of the most creative and cutesy Halloween party food I could find for this year's themed blog post.

Source: 1 / 2 / 3

It's pretty much unheard of for me to choose the healthy option when it comes to snacking, but I have to admit that these are some awesome looking fruits and vegetables.  At least the fruit kebabs have marshmallows on them (which, as far as I'm aware, haven't yet been classed as a fruit) along with the melon pumpkins and kiwi Frankensteins.  I also think the idea of hollowing out a pumpkin and using it to serve dip with vegetable crudités was genius and definitely worth a mention.  And I'm not sure who could really find the time to dye rice orange using carrot juice to make the jack o' lantern rice balls, but don't they look adorable?

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I think these poison toffee apples look so cool, even if their blackest black colour makes me a little bit nervous.  (If you're wondering, the secret is black food colouring, presumably in industrial quantities!)  The eerie eyeball cocktails are actually just lemonade with green sweets to give the colour and a floating eyeball cake topper, but I bet they would benefit from adding some alcohol for a 'grown up' party.  Marshmallow pops coated with festive coloured sprinkles look great and also seem pretty easy to make!

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How blooming cute are these chocolate owl cupcakes, decorated with a separated Oreo biscuit and M&Ms?  Again, they look fantastic but probably wouldn't take too long to put together, especially if you cheated and used store bought cupcakes - I promise I won't tell if you don't.  Everyone loves a donut, so who wouldn't want to include some monster donuts on their Halloween party buffet table?  Just be sure to remind everyone that the plastic vampire teeth are not edible...  Last, but certainly not least, the ingredients for spooky boo brownie bites - chocolate brownie and marshmallows - are an unbeatable combination, and these wee ghostly faces prompted screams (of delight) from me on first sight.

Sadly I won't have time to try my hand at making any of these terrifying treats for myself in the next few days, although Craig and I will be having friends round for a traditional scarefest movie marathon over the weekend.  Are you baking anything for a Halloween party this weekend?

Monday, 22 September 2014

Inferior Inspiration #14: Hello, Holidays edition!

Source: here

Hello, Holidays is the name of a (fairly brief) blog post series I've decided to start in the run up to an imminent and very exciting trip to the USA.  Craig and I leave for New York City one week on Wednesday (eek!) and will stay there for a week before driving to Boston, via Centralia and Scranton in Pennsylvania because we are massive nerds.  

In honour of this trip, my first Hello, Holidays post is a travel clothes and accessory wishlist with a few dream must haves for my upcoming adventure.




1. Of course, sensible shoes should be high on any traveller's shopping list.  I've actually already treated myself to a pair of these patent Dr Martens 1461 shoes (a purchase made even sweeter by a cheeky 25% off voucher during their £3 sale a few weeks ago) in anticipation of both our USA trip and the impending winter months.  They remind me of shiny new school shoes, but with a punky edge.  Hopefully the investment will pay off and these will be brilliant for traipsing the length and breadth of Manhattan and beyond over the next few years! (£80)

2. Whilst buying my Doc Martens, I also spied their tiny but gorgeous 7 inch leather satchels on a shelf and it was love at first sight.  I'm a big fan of satchels, and - although there is a special place in my heart for huge, cavernous handbags - a smaller bag is easier to carry around and keep a watchful eye over whilst sightseeing.  Sadly my bank balance wouldn't stretch to one of these beauties, but maybe one day!  I've seen a few dupes for this style in Primark, so I might settle for one of those in the mean time. (£45)

3. As a Scottish native, I'm always prepared for unexpected rain showers and I will be packing my trusty parka.  On a recent flight to France, I spotted a fellow passenger wearing this yellow lace, plastic raincoat which, frankly, looked amazing in person.  I very excitedly tried to source one for myself, only to find out that it was a Topshop piece that (devastatingly) is now sold out and unavailable, apart from the odd size 8 on eBay.  At a push, I might settle for something like this more traditional yellow rain mac from Asos (£90), but I'm determined to stay on the hunt for something more unique. (was £48)

4. Again, I actually already own this exact insulated travel cup in a blue floral pattern by Paperchase.  It was a birthday present from my sweet friend Nicola, and I think it's amazing.  Our NYC hotel room reportedly comes with its own Nespresso coffee maker and (yes, just to repeat, because I am a massive nerd) my plan is to fill my travel mug there in the morning to save some dollars on takeaway coffees.  The downside to this plan is that I will then have to carry the mug around with me for the rest of the day, but it's small enough that I don't think I'll have too much of a problem! (£6)

5. I've always been an advocate for keeping a travel journal, and I've done this on and off since I was a kid.  My accounts of family trips as a 7 year old are hilarious to read now, but they are also a good way to bring back fond holiday memories, filling in the gaps between and stories behind photos.  There are plenty of lovely journals and notebooks out there to choose from, of course, but I think this cartography journal and pen from John Lewis is particularly nice.  It would definitely make a good gift for someone about to head off travelling. (£14.95)

Do you have any holidays coming up, or any recommendations for NYC and Boston?  Let me know!

Sunday, 14 September 2014

Inferior Inspiration #13: Wedding edition!



A couple of weeks ago I found myself caught up in a whirlwind wedding week (not my own, I hasten to add) in lovely Brittany, France.  The beautiful bride and dashing groom were my very good family friends Anna and James, who went on to enjoy a well deserved mini-moon in Paris after the festivities were over.  I was honoured when Anna asked me to be a bridesmaid for the first time, and I'll never forget the amazing experience I had alongside such a lovely bunch of ladies.






Let's be honest though - mushy romance stuff aside - the best part about getting married has to be receiving lots of presents, right?  Like most couples, Anna and James registered for gifts so their family and friends could purchase something online, but they were also happy for guests to bring along their own choice of wedding present.  It was a brave move - they risked ending up with seventy or so romantic birdhouse mailboxes (any Office fans out there?) - but they also opened themselves up to a little bit of surprise and mystery (alongside the towels and Playmobil pandas - a must have for all newlyweds).

As this seems to be a wedding heavy time of year for a lot of people, I've put together a list of gift ideas below (at varying costs) to inspire those guests bold enough to go 'off list'.  By now you all probably know that I usually lean towards practical things, but that doesn't mean they can't be beautiful too!





Making a scrapbook or album of photographs is a fairly low cost gift option, but it is undoubtedly one of the most thoughtful presents anyone could give.  I think the laser cut heart scrapbook from Paperchase (£12.50) is very wedding appropriate, and you can either fill the whole album with special memories, or leave some pages blank for the happy couple to add to in the future.

If you're in the market for a bigger gift in the same vein, Polaroid style, instant cameras are very 'in' at the moment.  Sadly, Polaroid film is pretty ridiculously expensive these days, but the Fujifilm Instax brand is a comparable alternative.  I think their Mini 8 Camera (which comes in a few different colours) is adorable!  The John Lewis set of a Mini 8, batteries and twenty shots (£69.95) seems to be the most cost effective, seeing as Amazon are charging £59 just for the camera.  Make sure you hand this present to the bride and groom on the special day so they can start taking snaps straight away!





Crockery might seem like a boring cop out, but there are plenty of cute and quirky marriage appropriate pieces out there that I'm sure any couple would appreciate as a reminder of their wedding day.  You can find 'Mr & Mrs' mugs in different styles and at various prices all over the internet, but I'm a big fan of the Emma Bridgewater set (£39.95) because they also do a matching tea pot with four mugs (£54.95) and a 'Just Married' cake plate (£39.95) all in the same pattern and style.

Le Creuset is a fairly traditional gift, but (even though your Mum undoubtedly has some in her kitchen cupboards) the brand is still very popular, and they have some lovely and unusual items in their range that will last forever!  I like the idea of giving little 'Sweet Hearts' lidded dishes (£30 for a set of two) as a wedding present, maybe even filled with the bride and groom's favourite sweets or chocolates?  A good trick for guests on a budget is to keep an eye out for these dishes in TK Maxx, as they usually have them for sale individually at much cheaper prices.





Everyone loves a good novelty gift, but - come on, guys - let's make sure yours are cute and useful so they don't end up at the back of a cupboard somewhere, 'til death do us part.  They always say communication is key in any relationship, and the speech bubble chalkboard from Urban Outfitters (£12) will give the new Mr and Mrs an easy way to leave love notes (or abuse) for each other every day.

I think a heart shaped vinyl record would be an adorable wedding present, whether it's to be played or hung up on the wall for decoration.  The one above happens to be a remastered version of 'Love Me Do' by The Beatles which I found on Amazon (from £5.99) but any heart shaped record would do!  I know that Scottish band Kid Canaveral also have one for £4.99.

Finally (if you don't fancy any of my suggestions) there are approximately one billion lovely wedding gifts for sale at notonthehighstreet.com.  My personal favourite has to be these 'big spoon' and 'little spoon' pillow cases (£25).



Monday, 21 April 2014

Inferior Inspiration #12:

As strange as it feels to write here, in a few short weeks I will be finished all of my postgrad classes.  Honestly, I didn't even make a dent in all of that stationery I bought...  The course isn't quite over yet, though.  Between May and August I will be working on my dissertation which will involve plenty of research, writing and also filming.

As I'll be lugging books and camera equipment around Edinburgh and Glasgow (and possibly even further afield) for months, I thought it might nice to treat myself to a sensible yet handsome backpack.  The bags I've been looking at for inspiration all have a specific padded pocket that would fit my laptop and keep it safe.  They are also all extortionate!  You can't beat a good rucksack though, right?




1. The Pop Quiz Plus backpack from Herschel Supply Company is basic in design but still beautiful.  Inside you'll find a cute red and white striped lining and as many useful pockets a girl (or boy) could ever need. (£50ish)

Source: here

2. For something a little more feminine (but no less practical) there's the Jill-E laptop backpack in a more traditional style.  Budding photographers might be interested to know that you can purchase a camera insert for this bag to keep your equipment safe and secure on the go.  I love the style of this bag, but the pale beige colour makes me nervous.  I know it would end up filthy in no time! (£40ish)

Source: here

3. This Goodordering retro backpack in forest green fondly reminds me of primary school bags and the '90s in general.  I'm not sure how good the quality of this bag would be in reality (I found it on Amazon) but it comes in several colours and looks like it has plenty of space for books as well as a laptop. (£59)

Source: here

4. The interior of the Incase Campus mini backpack is - to be frank - pretty ugly.  However, I really love the exterior shape and colour combination of bright yellow and muted grey.  It's modern, lightweight and the hideous interior is very useful and (mostly) hidden from view. (£39.95)

Source: here

5. I am a sucker for anything bright blue, and this Unique Vintage Korean style backpack is no exception.  It actually comes in a whole host of beautiful colours, but the blue is my favourite.  I like the classic design, and it seems like this one can hold a lot whilst still looking cute! (£20ish)

Source: here

6. Curveball!  The JanSport Superbreak Sleeve is nothing like the other rucksacks on this list, but it still appeals to me.  Clearly not much would fit into this bag (aside from a laptop) but it's such a neat design that you can just grab and go.  I love it! (£15ish)

Source: here

Sunday, 9 February 2014

Inferior Inspiration #11: Valentine's Day edition!

Love it or loathe it, Valentine's Day is just around the corner again.  Here are some homely (mostly heart shaped) things that have got my ticker all a flutter:




1. Normally I wouldn't jump on the overly popular pug/French bulldog accessory bandwagon, but this Ben de Lisi cushion from Debenhams is freaking adorable. (£22)

2. Pretty and practical is my favourite combination, and these colourful Paperchase heart measuring spoons would be a cheery addition to any kitchen. (£3)

3. There's nothing nicer than novelty Le Creuset dishes.  You could bake a nice romantic pie in this heart dish from John Lewis, couldn't you? (£49)

4. Arguably the most romantic novel in literary history, Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte is worth a read if you've never tried it.  The Mr Boddington's Penguin Classic version (which you can find at Anthropologie) has a lovely cover so you can keep it on display when you aren't reading about good old Cathy and Heathcliff. (£9.99)

5. I mentioned my admiration for the Listography diaries in a recent post, but hadn't seen the Love Listography before.  Who knows?  It might be very therapeutic to list all of your thoughts about love - past, present and future.  You can grab a copy at Urban Outfitters. (£11.99)

6. Nothing says Valentine's Day like a new bathmat, right?  If you agree, this pop art inspired speech bubble mat from H&M will be perfect for beside your tub! (£7.99)

Wednesday, 4 December 2013

Inferior Inspiration #10: Christmas decoration edition!

Some early birds have already put up their Christmas trees and decorations, but I am nowhere near that organised.  Our Christmas tree (the question of real or faux has not yet been decided) will hopefully go up this weekend.  I love going through all of the tree decorations I've collected over the last couple of years when it's time to decorate, but there is always room on my tree for one or two more!


1. I think Alfie the monkey from Paperchase would be an adorable addition to any Christmas tree.  Isn't he so pudgy and festive? (£5)

2. I've seen a few baubles for sale in the same style as this Papier Mâché Ball from Oliver Bonas this year.  I love the retro colours and pattern! (£9.50)

3. These cute Felt So Good Spotty Present decorations by John Lewis come in green and red too, but the blue is definitely my favourite. (£4.50)

4. Let's face it, one of the best things about Christmas are the jingle bells.  Asda is selling a Metal Bells decoration that you can hang on your tree and jingle all you want! (£2)

5. Anthropologie has a load of stunning decorations for Christmas 2013, but I find this Darting Hummingbird particularly pretty.  It comes in other colours too, but imagine the beautifully girly Christmas tree you could have with this and other pink decorations! (£4)



Although the tree usually takes pride of place, you can't forget other Christmas decorations for around and outside your home.  I narrowed it down to my three absolute, cannot live without favourites...

1. I recently visited Vinegar Hill for the first time, and although there aren't any Scottish stores, you can still order online.  This Large Standing Handmade Felt Robin caught my eye in the Bristol shop, wouldn't he look cheery perched somewhere in your house for Christmas? (£19.99)

2. A pink flamingo might not be your first thought when it comes to festive decor, but apparently it's not Christmas for Paperchase without one.  He's a cute flamingo, and it would definitely be a conversation starter.  Just imagine him with a little Santa hat on.  Cute! (£12)

3. Okay, okay, I'll admit this isn't a serious suggestion.  But only because I don't have my own garden, or easy access to the roof.  Who doesn't need an Inflatable Santa in a blue VW camper van to decorate outside their home?  Riddle me that. (£100)

Monday, 28 October 2013

Inferior Inspiration #9: Halloween edition!


Happy Halloween!  Even if you aren't dressing up and going out to celebrate this year, it's still fun to get in the festive spirit.  Here's some Halloween themed inspiration to put you in the mood:




1. I have a Scroobius Pip jumper in a very similar style to this Skeleton Sweater from Topshop, and it's so cosy and easy to wear.  I could see myself sporting this one all year round, but it's especially appropriate for October! (£35)

2. If you fancy a quiet one on All Hallows' Eve, you can always treat yourself to a lovely bath with the Lush Pumkin bubble bar, a nice drink and a good book. (£2.75)

3. These Topshop Halloween Nail Wraps make everyone's favourite terrifying monsters look super cute. (£6)

4. Craig and I spotted this Jack and Jones Skull Sweater for sale in USC.  It doubles up as both a Halloween sweater and a slightly morbid Christmas jumper.  Jumpers in this style are pretty unisex, and I wouldn't feel strange wearing this one.  If Craig decided to buy one, I would definitely pinch it! (£45)

5. I have a soft spot for novelty Le Creuset pieces, and this Petite Pumpkin Casserole (available at John Lewis) is adorable.  It almost inspires me to get cooking!  Almost... (£20)

6. You knew I wouldn't be able to resist including a decorative cushion, didn't you?  This embroidered skull cushion from Paperchase is cheery and creepy - what's not to love? (£22.50)

7. Another Topshop sweater, this time a cosy Knitted Pumpkin Face Jumper.  The design is almost verging on too scary for me, but I'm a self confessed wuss! (£38)

Sunday, 21 July 2013

Inferior Inspiration #8:

With the sun shining so much lately, I've been inspired by everything bright and multicoloured!



1. The Wall's Picnicware range from John Lewis is both adorable and practical, with everything from plates and cups to cool bags and picnic blankets.  My personal favourite is the Twister print.  Who doesn't love a Twister ice lolly? (£4.50-£25)

2. This striped SKARUM cushion cover from IKEA is already in my possession, although I'm saving it to adorn the newly covered sofa.  More on that soon, hopefully! (£5)

3. I spotted this bright orange retro Wild & Wolf Trim phone whilst shopping in Oliver Bonas last week and fell in love.  I seem to have a weakness for novelty phones (our current landline handset is a hamburger phone). (£36)

4. I first saw this Urban Outfitters sleeveless shirt in a photo on Fiona's Instagram a little while ago, and I'm currently trying to decide if I want to take the plunge and buy it.  It has bicycles on it, what's not to like? (£35)

Sunday, 7 July 2013

Inferior Inspiration #7:

Historically, I don't have much of a green thumb.  Okay, that's a huge understatement.  Every plant I've ever tried to grow or maintain has died on me.  Most impressively, I once killed a water plant during my first year of uni, and I'm not sure that's even possible.  Still, lately I've been dreaming of a beautiful, serene garden to spend these rare sunny days we've been having in.  Maybe Craig can take care of the upkeep, and I'll just enjoy the sun?



1. Gerberas (and their relatives germini) have been my very favourite flowers lately, and at the moment IKEA have them potted in a wide variety of colours for a good price.  I'm thinking about planting some in our window box, but I'm too scared they'll die! (£3)

2. This striped RAMSÖ parasol with FISKÖ base would be a must for especially hot days in my imaginary garden.  It's also from IKEA, and comes in a nice turquoise blue colour as well as the orange. (£17)

3. Ideally, Craig will be finished mowing the lawn and watering the plants by the time dinner rolls around.  A barbecue is the obvious choice, and the Portable Kettle Barbecue from John Lewis looks about the right size for two.  I am genuinely tempted by this, as it's portable, cute and in the sale, but sadly we don't have anywhere to barbecue in real life. (£20)

4. How fabulous is this fuchsia birdhouse (also from John Lewis)?  I can't decide if it's extremely tacky, or extremely awesome.  I think probably both. (£49)

5. Lanterns and candles at night make any garden beautiful, and I like the hard wearing and nautical style of the Rope Lantern from Matalan.  To me it's versatile enough to be used all year round, not just in the summer time! (£12)

Sunday, 23 June 2013

Inferior Inspiration #6:

This inspiration post is really just a wishlist of cute summer clothes and accessories, because with the recent warmer weather has come the realisation that I have no summer appropriate clothes...




1. Although playsuits rarely fit nicely on me in real life, this one from New Look looks lovely on whoever they decapitated and dismembered to get the above image.  I'm definitely tempted to give it a go!  The playsuit seems pretty versatile, and could be dressed up or down depending on the occasion.  It's an online exclusive, though, so won't be available in stores. (£16.99)

 2. I very nearly bought these Vans in the Office sale the other day.  The neon pink might not seem like my usual style, but I think it's balanced out by the grey, and I do like to embrace my girliness every once in a while! (£25)

3. Iona from Iona Blogs alerted my attention to this adorable fox satchel from the online store Temporary Secretary on Twitter, and it was love at first sight!  I'm probably going to order one of these for myself in the very near future! (£18)

4. If a backpack is more your style, how about this one from the Paperchase sale?  Just because it's sensible, doesn't mean it can't be cute!  Useful for summer expeditions and adventures. (£12.50)

5. After seeing this iPhone case in store today, it would be totally impractical to have on your phone, but it's still a fun design!  It's also from Paperchase. (£12)

Monday, 10 June 2013

Inferior Inspiration #5:

After spending the weekend celebrating a family friend's birthday and having some delicious meals on some amazing tableware, I've been dreaming of new crockery.




1. The whole collection of Nature Table plates from Anthropologie are my favourite combination of strange and beautiful, but the Praying Mantis design is the weirdest (and therefore best). (£16)

2. These Burleigh Blue Calico plates are a more traditional style, but I still find them very pretty to look at.  It might be tricky to make sure they're clean when you're washing up, mind you!  You can find them at John Lewis in various sizes. (£9 - £14.50)

3. Although they're probably the most impractical type of crockery, I'm a sucker for dainty tea cups and saucers.  Some day, I'd like to have a whole mismatched collection of them!  I love the scalloped effect this set from Oliver Bonas has, as well as the lovely pastel colour. (£12.50)

4. I was very excited when I discovered that Le Creuset make mugs.  I mean, of course they do.  Why wouldn't they?  But, still, it's exciting!  They come in pretty much every colour you can imagine, and I spotted them at Debenhams. (£12)

Sunday, 2 June 2013

Inferior Inspiration #4:

I can't stop myself fantasising about gardens, patios and balconies.  It might have something to do with working through these rare but lovely, sunny days in a tin box with no windows!  If I had a garden, patio or balcony (which, unfortunately, I don't) I'd be very tempted by some of these items!




1. No doubt I would get myself trapped in one of these retro style deckchairs, but it doesn't stop me wanting one!  Unfortunately, these Penguin Classics themed chairs proved impossible to find in stock anywhere online, but they were too good not to show you all.  Price wise, they seemed to average between £60 and £70, so maybe it's better that I can't find one for sale!

2. Argos are offering this much more affordable (and much more available!) Garden Deck Chair in cheerful multicoloured stripes, gimme! (£25.49)

3. I mentioned in my last post about my visit to Edinburgh's new Oliver Bonas store that I was lusting after these Primrose Garden Chairs.  I can't choose between the mint and coral colours, so I'd probably just have to get one of each! (£59)

4. Also from Oliver Bonas (and also very necessary for any sunny garden or balcony situation) are these Shir Pastel Aztec Wayfarer Sunglasses.  I love this style of sunglasses, and I'm pretty much sold on anything with an aztec pattern. (£16)

5. As long as we're dreaming, I might as well imagine that I would go to the effort of packing myself a picnic to sit in my own back garden.  This Cherry Two Person Hamper from BHS would come in handy for that, wouldn't it? (£25)

Saturday, 25 May 2013

Inferior Inspiration #3:

I'm obsessed with cushions and throws this week, which can only mean one thing: I'm finally getting around to covering the sofa!  Hopefully in a matter of weeks we will have a beautiful, customised sofa, I can't wait!




1. These SPRINGKORN fleece throws from IKEA are totally garish, but I love both of the tropical prints. (£9)

2. I know the owls on this GULÖRT cushion cover (also from IKEA) are a little strange looking, but I think they're cute.  The bright hot pink colour cheers me up too! (£4)

3. Okay, admittedly there's a little bit of colour clashing going on in this collage!  Don't worry, I wouldn't put these cushions beside each other on my sofa in real life!  I find the Seashells Print cushion from Marks & Spencer to be a refreshing alternative to the samey nautical themed home accessories that are everywhere lately.  Let's give the anchor and beach house prints a little rest for a while! (£15.60)

4. I think this Ahoy There Lifesaver cushion from John Lewis is intended for a child's bedroom, but who could honestly resist it?  It would match the seashell cushion as well! (£15)

Sunday, 19 May 2013

Inferior Inspiration #2:

This week's inspiration post is dedicated to all of my furry friends out there.  Apparently I've gone a little animal accessory mad!



1. Craig has actually been eyeing up these cast iron stag head wall hooks in a nearby shop for a while, and I think they are small enough to be cute, whilst also being practical (there's that word again!).  I found them online at Toys & Interiors, but they are also available at Context Interiors if you are in the Edinburgh area! (£17.95)

2. Toys & Interiors also stock these stag head salt and pepper shakers, aren't they adorable?  I'm unlikely to spend nearly £30 on a pair of salt and pepper shakers, but they're nice to look at! (£29.95)

3. Okay, so apparently animal themed salt and pepper shakers are a thing.  Funnily enough, I don't even own a salt or a pepper shaker at the moment, but maybe that means I'm in the market for one.  I saw these French bulldog shaped shakers in Debenhams, and they are currently in their sale for a far more affordable price than their stag shaped counterparts. (£7.50)

4. If you read my post about DJCAD's Degree Show, you may already have seen some of Mary Beth Quigley's amazing stuffed animal creations.  I think Lorne the sausage dog would make a pretty cute guard dog!

5.  Perry the penguin is another member of Mary Beth's menagerie.  I would love to have him just 'chilling' out in the corner of my living room, but wouldn't everyone?

Sunday, 12 May 2013

Inferior Inspiration #1:

This week I have been dreaming of summer and digging bright colours, as well as practical home accessories that are also cute.


1. These Summer Stripe cushions from BHS come in six colours, but the orange is my favourite.  They remind me of garden furniture and sun loungers! (£8)

2. The Petrol Rococo frames from Urban Outfitters are reduced at the moment.  Is there such a thing as neon pastels?  If not, I have no idea how to describe these colours!  I've already bought four of the 5x7 inch sized frames in various shades, and I'm going to hang them together in a small collage somewhere.  Apparently I'm obsessed with photo frames and collages! (£5)

3. I thought these Water Cog Wall Hooks from Debenhams could inspire a great DIY project.  If old cogs aren't your thing, then pretty door knobs from somewhere like Anthropologie might be a suitable alternative.  Very practical, too! (£22.40)

4. A decorative clapper board, on the other hand, isn't very practical at all.  My inner film student would quite like one, though, and Debenhams has them in two sizes! (£9.60/£12.80)