Look at the Pretty Shiny

Mexico City

2011-04-19T01:13:00.000-07:00

I'm quite a fan of the application Halifax is currently promoting on Facebook. It takes your profile information, analyses it and decides where you should go on holiday, with pretty exhaustive info such as how much a pint will set you back and where you might like to eat out.

As you can see, I'm apparently an 80% match to Mexico City, where I can buy the following things:

And whilst I'm not usually one for eating out, these do look quite tempting:

Check it out and let me know which destination it recommended for you.

This post is sponsored by Halifax

Domestos Zero Limescale

2011-04-05T03:47:00.000-07:00

It's well known that I hate shopping. Traipsing around town with girls usually makes me want to shoot myself. However, even I have a couple of things that excite me when it comes to buying stuff. They are stationery and homewares. Yeah, I'm a bit weird. I won't wander around clothes shops ooing and ahhing and trying things on, but I'll happily spend half an hour in Bert's homestores deliberating over a set of oven gloves.

Yes, I'm cool.

On a similar theme, Domestos have just released this video promoting their Zero Limescale range. The clip challenges you to find the ten germs - I'll warn you, it's pretty hard. You have to watch really closely...

Sponsored by Unilever

Candles

2011-02-27T10:47:00.000-08:00

Found here

Bed in the Wall

2011-01-09T07:33:00.000-08:00

Found here

Pretty Wall

2011-01-06T07:12:00.000-08:00

Found here

Candle Cake

2011-01-04T04:36:00.000-08:00

Found here

Pretty Bedroom

2010-12-29T07:55:00.000-08:00

Found here

Plant Pots

2010-11-21T17:41:00.000-08:00

Found here

Ideas for your Outside Space

2010-11-20T06:53:00.000-08:00

Found here

Beams

2010-11-14T12:32:00.000-08:00

Windows

2010-09-25T06:18:00.000-07:00

Found here

Treehouses

2010-09-23T03:41:00.000-07:00

These rock. I'd love to just live in one full-time.

Found here

Sofas

2010-09-19T05:30:00.000-07:00

Found here

Customise and Create Your Perfect Room

2010-08-12T02:32:00.000-07:00

Guest post by Dani

Do you love decorating your home but have trouble figuring out where to start and how much to spend? If the answer is “yes”, then you’re in luck - this article aims to help you realise the dream of your fantasy room. Decorating isn’t as hard as you might think, and you don’t have to spend an arm and a leg to achieve high style in the home if you know how (and where) to shop.

The first thing you should do, after deciding on the personal style you wish to go for, is to set a budget. This will help you figure out where to look for those key elements of your room’s decor. A great way to start is to find the central piece of furniture, at a store like Habitat, and then work from there. If you’re on a budget, like most of us are, look for online discounts, for example Habitat discount codes. Then, you can mix and match items, fabrics, and pieces from both stores and other shops to create a truly individual look.

Here are a few great tips that anyone can follow to create the ideal room on a small budget. But remember: set your budget and stick to it!

Check Charity and Second-Hand Shops

Charity and second-hand shops are the best places to find those one-of-a-kind pieces that will truly reflect your style. These types of shops always have interesting items, but beware – they don’t stock them for long. The key to finding a great conversation piece or an antique that isn’t priced as highly as it should be is to keep checking the local outlets regularly. The turnaround time for really cool items is pretty fast, so shop frequently. Also don’t forget car boot sales as they can often yield interesting items very cheaply.

Shopping Online

Shopping online is also a great way to find the right stuff for your fantasy room. Doing a simple search for funky pieces may take you to an online auction listing or an odd little market that specialises in alternative decor. Today, more and more people are hosting “tag sales” online; so check places like eBay and other venues where individuals sell their own unwanted belongings.

Reuse What You Already Have

This is a really great way to save a ton of money. Take an inventory of everything you already have in your home and see how you can freshen it up. Rearrange your furniture; turn those old drapes into pillow covers. Be creative with what you have and you may find that you already have a few very useful items.

It’s easier than you think to customise and create your perfect room, even when money is tight. Anyone can shop around to find that one fabulous central piece to transform a room, and it doesn’t have to break the bank. Check your favourite store – if you like to shop at Habitat, discount vouchers can end up saving you quite a bit of money, and then design the rest of the room around that focal point. The possibilities are virtually endless.

Plant Pots

2010-08-11T01:00:00.000-07:00

Whoever thought they could look so pretty?

How do they get them to grow like this?

Love the juxtaposition of candles and plants.

Good idea for your old fish tank

Simple. Beautiful.

Found here

While we're outside...

2010-07-29T00:57:00.000-07:00

Yesterday there were outhouses; today, just outdoor areas.

Found here

Outhouses

2010-07-28T01:02:00.000-07:00

Found here

Living Rooms

2010-07-27T02:06:00.000-07:00

Beautiful use of space in a conservatory

Look at that sofa!

Found here

Indoor Inspiration

2010-07-25T22:33:00.000-07:00

I have the same chair, and can vouch

for its all-round wonderfulness

Lovely idea for a wallpaper replacement

Found here

Beautiful Rooms

2010-07-25T05:28:00.000-07:00

Found here

Kitchen Ideas

2010-07-24T05:41:00.000-07:00

I especially love the herb rack

Could the stove be any more beautiful?

Outdoor kitchen, anyone?

Unusual cutlery storage idea...

I love the use of fabric instead of doors

A pretty way to store fruit & veg.

Pretty, compact kitchen

Found here

Hammocks

2010-07-23T01:13:00.000-07:00

Found here

Beautifully Decorated

2010-07-22T02:12:00.000-07:00

In my computer, this picture was stored as 'Deserves a post of its own', because it does. Look how beautifully this place is set out. It just goes to show how much you can do with a small space. I do love a mezzanine layer as well.

Found here

Snake Curtain Holder

2010-07-18T00:55:00.001-07:00

Found here

Outdoor Rooms

2010-07-16T00:26:00.000-07:00

Found here

Unusual Beds

2010-07-14T13:34:00.000-07:00

Found here

Octoshawl

2010-07-12T16:37:00.001-07:00

Found here

Pretty Candles: Presentation

2010-07-10T21:32:00.000-07:00

Not sure I'd recommend the stair ones for reasons of fire safety, but they look lovely.

Found here

Bookplants

2010-07-09T00:01:00.000-07:00

What a great idea for a plantpot:

Found here

Bedrooms

2010-07-07T13:15:00.000-07:00

I do love a dark room

Though sometimes the lighter ones can be pretty too

Excellent use of space and lighting

A bit rich for my tastes, but the canopy is beautiful

Very much loving the spiral firecase

This reminds me of Shop Friend's room

Totally impractical, but very beautiful

Not sure how comfortable a circular

bed would be, but this one is very pretty

How to light your room, the creative way

I've never been a fan of these - don't really like

sleeping under a net - but it does look nice

Look at the colour of the wall! And the

furniture is so simply designed. Love it.

Lovely use of plants

Found here

Bathrooms

2010-07-06T14:07:00.000-07:00

OK, it might not be so easy to have a bath, but look how pretty it is!

Made all the more awesome by the amazing headdress:

Beautiful shower, which lights up and plays music:

Want a novel bathroom? Stick it in your conservatory:

Found here

Reef Armoire

2010-06-30T21:08:00.001-07:00

Found here

Books in Trees

2010-06-29T05:37:00.000-07:00

A way to decorate your outside space and ensure you always have something to read (though quite what you'd do if it rained, I don't know):

Floating bed

2010-06-29T05:35:00.000-07:00

Probably not conducive to a good night's sleep, but beautiful all the same:

Bathrooms

2010-06-29T05:34:00.000-07:00

One indoor: simple beauty

One outdoor:

Wallpaper and a Bench

2010-06-22T07:41:00.001-07:00

Filo Sofa

2010-06-09T00:04:00.000-07:00

Taking its inspiration from filo pastry, this sofa looks fantastic; just imagine never having to clean it, just stripping the layers away and replacing with new ones. I can imagine it being easy to ruffle, but I like it all the same.

Eleven Beautiful Coffee Cup Designs

2010-06-07T12:44:00.001-07:00

Beautiful Kitchenware from Rockett St. George

2010-05-11T09:57:00.000-07:00

A really cool addition to any kitchen, Rockett St. George is selling traditional tattoo-style kitchen roll at £5.50 a punch, which is hardly cheap, but look how pretty it is!

They also have a pure wood salt box:

A fun skullduggery apron:

Some skullduggery oven gloves to match your apron:

Some sky planters. How do they work? I have no idea, but I think they look wonderful:

...in fact, here's a picture guide to how sky planters work. Genius:

Shakespeare Journals

2010-02-12T01:19:00.001-08:00

For anyone who loves writing, here are some really, really beautiful Shakespeare journals, by immortallongings on Etsy. I found them through Hidden Eloise, the artist currently embroiled in a heated dispute with Paperchase about them stealing her design.

If you need a pen to write in the journals with, Kyle Cassidy is giving away some fountain pens on his blog; all he asks of you is some creativity. Even if you don't want a pen, the blog is worth looking at for the beauty of some of the writing.

A door, a toast-maker, a house made of citrus fruits

2009-12-21T09:30:00.000-08:00

Look! You can write messages onto your toast!

Beautiful kitchen

2009-11-07T00:29:00.001-08:00

Arguably all the bed space you need

2009-11-07T00:27:00.000-08:00

Mousetrap bed

2009-11-07T00:22:00.001-08:00

Dangerous, yet appealing:

Pretty room

2009-11-07T00:21:00.001-08:00

Embroidered floorboards: what a fantastic idea

2009-11-07T00:14:00.000-08:00

Designer Monika Jarg has created these embroidered floorboards, which I would definitely love to have in my house... having said that, surely the embroidery would fall apart quickly? But still, beautiful idea!

Colourful Kitchen

2009-10-11T22:37:00.000-07:00

Paper-Covered Utensils

2009-10-11T22:31:00.000-07:00

Sofa-Tree

2009-10-11T22:27:00.000-07:00

Really Useful Doormat

2009-09-21T04:52:00.001-07:00

Book Tower

2009-09-21T04:48:00.000-07:00

How much do you want one of these? I could probably do it in my flat... low ceilings, lots of books. Hmmm. I know what I'll be doing with my evening!

Nine Strange (But Brilliant) Staircase Designs

2009-09-09T08:56:00.000-07:00

Beautiful Disorderly Desk

2009-09-07T04:18:00.000-07:00

Lethal Kitchen

2009-08-25T02:15:00.001-07:00

If you've ever wanted to stick something in your mouth and pull the trigger, here's your chance. No, don't worry, they're not lethal weapons. They're coffee mugs, available for $16 each from A+R Store. Perfect for the person who has everything, including a slightly twisted sense of humour.

Victorian Chic

2009-08-22T03:20:00.000-07:00

Found these beauties over at Victorian Trading Co.

Speaker

2009-08-19T03:13:00.001-07:00

Beautiful Bed

2009-08-19T02:48:00.001-07:00

Classic BBQ Skewers

2009-08-17T03:56:00.001-07:00

Pretty Jars

2009-08-14T14:00:00.001-07:00

A Beautiful Bath

2009-08-14T09:40:00.001-07:00

Well, a girl can dream, right?

Don't Throw Away Your Old Computer

2009-08-14T07:43:00.001-07:00

Freaky Baby Cup

2009-07-27T13:27:00.000-07:00

Dressing-table

2009-07-26T02:30:00.000-07:00

Ideas for your Outside Space

2009-07-22T10:54:00.000-07:00

Notes from a Favourite Site

2009-07-19T05:51:00.000-07:00

Designers' Block: without a doubt one of the best blogs on the Interweb. Here's one of my favourite pics to whet your appetite; then head over there and see her other masterpieces!