NOTHING GRANNY-ISH ABOUT MY NEW CRUSH!

There are some passions I have that my mates think are about daft ... take my leopard print shopping trolley, for instance. The comments I got about that. Well!

Another crush that has people look at me in a strange way is for knitted tea cosies. Now, I take my tea drinking pretty seriously ... I need beautiful china mugs (in which the milk goes in first!) and the tea must be made in a tea pot.

And it follows then, that the teapot must be equally beautiful and covered by a fabulous knitted cosy. I stock up on these every year at the Bournville Fair - a little old lady sets up her stall of knitted goodies and sells cosies for just £3 (pictured).

A quick search of the internet shows many, far trendier companies sell them for upwards of £20 (just don't tell the old lady in Bournville!).

GRAHAM & GREEN ... OOH YES PLEASE!

The arrival of the new season Graham & Green catologue is always cause for celebration in my house. I can settle back with a cuppa and browse the latest goodies from this uber chic on-line home store.

Here are my favourite items from the latest AW10 brochure ... each one could make it very swiftly to the top of my Christmas wish-list.

Perhaps though, my biggest crush is for the birdcage lampshade. I was in a fabulous shop called Bottega in Tarporley that had them throughout and they looked amazing. The stag's head runs a pretty close second, though.

To indulge you own passion for fabulous home accessories, you can visit the Graham & Green website here.

Clockwise: Aluminium heads; from £79; inspired by Indian tribal prints, cushions from £32; the bird cage lamp shade, £350.

ON-LINE RUMMAGE FOR VINTAGE BEAUTIES

Oh, I do love a good rummage. Sadly, as a mum of two under ten regular flea market and antique shop visits are a rarity these days. However, that hasn't marked an end to my passion - instead I have traded in Saturday morning mooches for Thursday afternoon surfing! And while my computer can never compete with a "real-life" shop, I can still lose an hour or so browsing at some beauties on-line.

At the moment I'm developing quite a crush on Vintage Home, a website dedicated to beautiful textiles, sumptuous eiderdowns, classic accessories, paintings and prints. Each item is personally selected for its beauty and charm alongside the adage "... to help make your own vintage home that little bit more adorable."

I'M LOVING "NOT ON THE HIGH STREET"

One of the greatest joys for any home-ista is discovering something that no-one else has. That special find that will finish off a decorating scheme or complete a display on a mantelpiece. Well, one of my favourite places to look has to be Not On The High Street. Both the catalogue and website are filled with countless objets d'art, striking artworks and interesting gift ideas and will have you ooh-ing and aah-ing. Guaranteed!

Here's a few of my favourite things from the scrummy Christmas guide:



From left: Brussels Sprout Wreath by
The Contemporary Home, £25;
'Victorian Bird' Art Panel by Floss & Co,
£20; Birdcage Memo Holder, £45;
and Hearts Blanket
by Slumberbugs, £26.50

IT'S MORE THAN JUST THINGS!

I'm sure most of my friends think I'm shallow, the amount of time, love and interest (and, cough, money) I put into "nesting". After all, there's a recession on!

But to me, my home is very much my heart. If it's messy and chaotic, then so am I. If it's serene and calm, likewise.

Scientists make no secret of the importance of our environment and I have always understood the need to be surrounded by beautiful things.

Whether I'm raiding vintage fairs for a Victorian tea set, searching through charity shops to find some kitsch 50s piece or distressing furniture to suit a room, I am at my happiest when I am enveloped by my home and my gorgeous bits and bobs.

So this blog is my way of sharing that passion and hopefully you'll share with me too.