A cushy little number

A couple of years ago, fancy 3D cushions cost a fortune. Now, suddenly you can pick 'em up for less than the price of a bottle of wine (okay, a restaurant bottle). They're the quickest, cheapest way to chic-up a chair or sofa that I know of.
I've got my name down for the currently sold-out purple loop felt cushion at Matalan (£10), but TJ Hughes, Debenhams and Next also have some gorgeous designs too. Don't faff around with pastel shades though - go for the brightest, boldest colours your sofa can handle.
My top picks are (from the top): Mauve felt ripple cushion, £16, Next (also available in pink); Red felt twist cushion, £16, Next (also available in cream); Nia teal felt flower cushion, £7.99, TJ Hughes. 

Hangin’ on the telephone

I know no-one uses landlines anymore (when mine rings, I know it’s going to be either my mum or a double glazing salesman) but having seen the old skool Moshi Moshi handsets for iPhones by Native Union (the purple one below is £29.98 at www.amazon.co.uk) at the Ideal Home show the other week, I’m convinced they’re set for a comeback.
So, if you’re going to go down the retro route, I recommend you invest in  a Wild and Wolf Trimphone. My workmates gave me a turquoise one for my birthday, and I was extra excited when I realised it’s exactly the same model Lady Gaga wears as a hat in the video for Telephone. They’re available in red, purple or white for £35.95 at John Lewis (http://www.johnlewis.com/); turquoise for £35 at Debenhams (http://www.debenhams.com/); green for £34.99 at  http://www.tch.net/ or visit http://www.retrowow.co.uk/ for the full range of colours, £28.99 each.  

Who says cutlery has to be boring?

Has anyone noticed how ridiculously expensive even basic cutlery is? And unless you go designer (Robert Welch has some very classy designs), it’s all pretty bog standard shapes and patterns, too. So, why not shake things up a bit with this lovely Mix and Match cutlery set, £24.99 for 16 pieces, from www.strawberryfool.co.uk. Each knife, fork and spoon has a different patterned handle – team them with a gingham check tablecloth and some bright-coloured cotton napkins from www.Ebay.com and you’re away!

Shady ladies

Wandering around Brick Lane market in London on Saturday, I came across these gorgeous lampshades handmade by the lovely and very modest Sasha and Elisabeth. I bought one of their blue/green silhouette designs for my friend Amy’s birthday and it went down a treat, so I thought I’d share them with you. The shades cost £28-£42 each from the girls' stall in Brick Lane or online at www.sashaandelisabeth.co.uk and work with both pendant and lamp fittings. They come in loads of different fabrics, but if you can’t find one you like, the girls also offer a custom-made service.

Flamin’ go visit this website!

I stumbled upon a brilliant place for present shopping today – www.flamingogifts.co.uk. As well as selling lots of great stuff cheaper than other sites I’ve visited, they’ve got some brilliant gifts I’ve not seen anywhere else.

Check out their pretty Fruit Tree Bird Make-Up Bag, £10.79; quirky Moomin mirror, £6.39;  and fun Babushka earbuds, £8.99. I’ve put my order in already!

Tweet yourself to these!

From the number of people clutching their winter coats rather than wearing them on the station platform this morning (yep, I was one of them…) it looks like spring is finally here.

To celebrate, I’ve been getting into a flap over all things birdlike – there’s some gorgeous stuff in the shops at the moment shaped like our feathered friends. Here are some of my favourites:

Sparrow Keyring, £9.99, http://www.findmeagift.co.uk/

Dove Salad Bowl, £29.95, www.rockettstgeorge.co.uk

Okko alarm clock, £28, Habitat (http://www.habitat.co.uk/)

Birtie Bird cushion in catkin green, £29, John Lewis (http://www.johnlewis.com/)

Do-nut eat them all at once

There are two types of people in this world - those who love Krispy Kreme donuts, and those who obviously have no tastebuds. If you're one of the former, check out these amazing new chocolates, £8.95 from Krispy Kreme booths.
They come in a mini box identical to the donut box, and they're shaped like little inch-wide donuts. There are six flavours, each 'inspired' by a donut flavour (so there's a coffee one, a chocolate truffle one, a jam-and-cream one, a lemon one...) and not only do they look brilliant, but they taste UNBELIEVABLE.
They'd make a brilliant present, but frankly, if you manage to wrap them up and give them away without wolfing them yourself, you're a much stronger person than I am...