The office needs more interesting

Our agency will be moving offices in the next few months and we've all been tasked with finding interesting designs for everyday office objects.

I just happened upon these fab creations from Mexican designer, Christian Vivanco.

The first is from a project called 'Under my Roof' where Vivanco has set out to create objects using architectural icons, in this instance the red roofed cottages of Norway.

Who wouldn't want a tidy desk with one of these cute in trays?

The second is also based on the concept of roofs ... the Hool Na chair. Is it a house reduced to a chair? Or a chair with a roof? Who knows, but I want one!

The perfect office hideaway for some quiet thinking time

Check out the rest of Vivanco's beautiful designs and colloborations here.

No running in heels

During the festive mayhem last year I took a tumble in the snow and managed to do some fairly disastrous damage to the tendons in my foot. Cue a scene worthy of Kill Bill when I finally managed to wiggle my toes again, plus a whole lot of hobbling around on crutches until the arrival of 2011.

Eventually the limping came to a halt and life in London resumed it's usual (dizzying) pace. But, four months on, the pain and swelling are back, which means no more running ... and no more heels. Watch my bottom lip quiver ...

I might have to hang up my heels for the foreseeable future, but these spiky stiletto planters from giddyspinster on Etsy are cheering me up.

Who knew stripper heels could look so good

The clever artist behind these creations removes the top of each stiletto, sands it down, drills holes for drainage and then plants a cactus in a mix of natural and organic fertilisers and soil. Impressive!

Perhaps I should donate a pair or two of my own for upcycling?
 

Bedroom makeover

The country was good, wholesome, fresh aired fun, but it's pure bliss being back in my own bed. Especially after so much food and cake (went for the red velvet in the end ... everyone was impressed and came back for seconds ... yum).

Have decided I want to give the boudoir a grown up, sultry makeover though. Time to start saving for these gorgeous finds from Graham & Green.

Completely unneccessary but beautiful trunks I can use to hide all the clothes I no longer wear, but can't bear to part with.

Obviously need one of these to match the trunks (and keep useful things like my alarm clock and bedside reading on).

A girl can dream. Which right now, is what I should be doing. Night night for now! x
 

To bake or not to bake ...

I'm getting out of the city this weekend. It's my mama's birthday so the whole family is gathering for food and fun ... and cake ... which I said I'd bake.

Earlier in the week when I was still full of energy, I thought baking a birthday cake would earn me extra 'loving daughter' points. I planned on getting up this morning, throwing myself into the kitchen and emerging a few hours later with a delicious chocolate and almond cake with ganache icing. Sounds delicious doesn't it? This morning, tired from a long week and slightly squiffy from yesterday's springtime wine, I'm not so sure it's a great idea.

Wouldn't a picture perfect (and delicious) red velvet cake from The Hummingbird Bakery be more special? You can't get them in the country afterall and it would mean an extra hour in bed ...

Humble homemade chocolate versus ...

... fancy and fashionable London type?

I've also never been able to make a red velvet cake or cupcake with any degree of real succes. Oh the dilemma!

At least it's led me to finding a cute new purchase for the kitchen - these retro Typhoon kitchen scales.

Like with the cakes, I'm struggling to choose between them!
 
Heal's stock a whole range of colours, but the cheapest price I found online was from Red Candy. How have I not stumbled across this treasure trove of red home accessories before? My kitchen is red, as is my lounge, so I can see this site becoming a favourite.

Right! Time to get baking (maybe).
 

Spring is in the air

Ah how I love London in the sunshine. 

Lunchtime pints outside the pub, al fresco dining and plenty of white wine on ice. 

Time for bunting and funtimes please.

How Naught-tea ...

Wow it's been an age since I last posted. How lazy did I get? 

There has been a little project on the go that's been taking up a lot of my time recently though. My wonderful and very talented friend Stellabombella is illustrating a short story book for me - very exciting (except for our looming deadline!).

While she was searching for inspiration for an afternoon tea illustration, she came across this adorable tea set from Dutch illustrator Esther Horchner. I love it! Especially the little knicker spoons ...

Sadly it's sold out for now, but as soon as some new stock comes in, I'm grabbing a set. My green tea will never be the same again ...

Recycled bicycle

The Boy is a complete bike nut. He's as fanatical about kitting out his ridiculously overpriced (but stylish) bike as I am about baking cupcakes and while I'm lusting over the contents of Olive magazine, he's got his nose in Mountain Bike monthly.

I've found him the perfect gift though. Something that will hopefully inspire in him the same love of Home that I have. A recycled bike wheel clock ...

Love, love, love this. Hope he will too. And even if he doesn't, he's as hopeless as I am at turning up on time so at least it'll prove useful!