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Pretty Japanese postcards – and money to a good cause
























Aren't these Japanese-style illustrated postcards beautiful? 
They're from Our Shop, the retail side of Our Workshop, a graphic design collaboration which aims to showcase fresh new creative talent. They sell well-chosen vintage things, handcrafted homewares – and stunning artwork in the form of cards, like these.
The artist behind this limited edition set of five A6 mini-prints is the illustrator, Julie LaBulle. Each postcard features a unique japanese icon, from a kokeshi doll, kite, lucky cat, daruma and a koi fish. On the back of each postcard, there is a little history about each object. The set costs £10. 
All profits from the sale of these postcards will go to The British Red Cross/Japan Tsunami Appeal.

Five favourite Easter thingies


I'm not a big Easter celebration sort... but I could be tempted by some of the sweet bunny-egg-chick themed things in the shops right now. Hard to resist...

1. Our Workshop is a lovely place to browse online for handmade and vintage goodies. And these egg-shaped salt and pepper shakers, just £3.50 would not only give a sweet Easter twist to your Sunday lunch – but you could use them all year round.

2. These Russian chicks, £10 (set of four), from John Lewis are totally pointless but make for a dinky festive mantlepiece adornment. And kids will love playing with them too.

3. Simple but stylish, no? Wooden bunny ears egg-cup , £10.95 from Not on the High Street (check out their sweet Easter egg cosies too)

4. I had a bit of a bonanza window shop at NOTH (or should that be eggs-travaganza, ba-boom). These dinky crocheted chick egg holders, £1.50 each, are adorable though, how could I resist? Perfect for a children's egg hunt, or simply on the table for breakfast or a small, chocolate-y pudding...

5. Do you need bunny-shaped Easter bunting? YES YOU DO! Get yours from Etsy, around £3.30 per garland, plus £1.57 for postage.

PS – if you're looking for cute Easter cards to send, try Claire Giles. Lovely graphics.

The lovely Cox & Cox
Spring catalogue


What a treat – the Cox and Cox spring catalogue has just appeared on my doormat. And it's full of affordable treats to spruce up the home for spring. A few highlights to inspire...

How cute are these apple bookends? Perfect for the stylish small person in your life (if only children actively chose attractive vintage books, too... perhaps they could go on a nice high shelf – or is that a bit wrong?!).  Mmm. Maybe. Still, they're only £12.50 a set – why not get two pairs?



What a pretty way to display hyacinths. You really feel like spring has sprung with the heady smell of these babies filling the house... They cost £18.50 for the trio 



As regular readers know, I can't resist a nice bit of a canine accessory. This 'bullseye' lamp, made from poly-propylene plastic, would make a great nightlight, or just soft living room floor glow. He's available from the end of the month, and doesn't come cheap – he's £90. But a dog is for life... 



I'm a bit over wall stickers... but these pretty bird window stickers give the whole idea a fresh twist. And they're so friendly-looking  – they're meant to be for children's rooms, but I'd be very happy to wake up and find these little tweets hanging out. They're available from the end of the month too and cost £12.50 for a pack of ten.






Who says fairy lights are just for Christmas? These ones are most definitely summer-friendly; the tiny Moroccan-style lattice-cut lanterns give off such a pretty glow. And just to prove it, the Maroq Light Garland Maroq Light Garland(£36) isn't available until late June... but we think it's worth the wait.

New York (Magazine) I love ya

If, like me, you love fantasizing that you live in a New York appartment, or maybe a bohemian Brooklyn basement, Wendy Goodman, New York Magazine's style editor, could help to feed your dreams. 

Her regular 'Space of the Week' spot always features such interesting homes – and, unsually, they tend to feel attainable (apart, perhaps, from the New York bit). This colourful place, above, owned by a pair of NY-settled Aussies with a penchant for Peruvian rugs, is far from polished and untouchable-looking – but it's super cute and very inspiring. Love the blue walls particularly. 

Read about the owners and see more pictures in the slideshow the New York Magazine

The Etsy blog: spotlight on 'granny chic'


I'm really loving the Etsy blog, which I've just discovered. They regularly feature Etsy members' homes – and follow each inspiring "I wanna live there!" shoot with a long and dangerously tempting shopping guide from around the site, to help you get the look yourself. 

This pretty home is in Connecticut and belongs to Amanda Wytas-Ackerman who lives there with husband, Rob, their three children and Buster the bull mastiff. 

It's a very simple detail but I just love the homely, tied kitchen curtains. And how cute does that candle look in the fruit bowl? Also most inspired by the use of a battered door leaning against the wall as a way of adding a different tone and texture to a wall. Enjoy.