My Birthday Wish List

In one week's time my 31st birthday will be upon me - yipee!  A time for indulgence, treats and personal gratification.  I like to milk my birthday for what it's worth and I allow myself guilt-free requests such as magazines, pampering, new clothes and anything else that takes my fancy.  Okay, it's not that different from the norm but it's always an enjoyable time never the less.  :-)

For a bit of fun I thought I'd look through the virtual shopping aisles and pick out my favourite lingerie and homeware pieces.  There's nothing quite like a bit of imagination splurging!

First to go into my birthday basket is the Freya 'Beau' bra set (28H) in the new colourway, Lollipop, due out February (how convenient?!)  When the 'candy' Beau came out last year it did nothing for me, in fact the colour made me dislike it.  Now it's going to be in this juicy, fruity pink colour, I love it!  I'm obsessed!

Freya 'Beau' collection in Lollipop

I love burning candles and my favourite brand is by far Yankee Candle.  I've been enjoying them for about twelve years now and I'm as yet to come across such quality home fragrances elsewhere.  Having sniffed a sneak peek of forthcoming scents I knew I'd want A Child's Wish when it comes out.  It's floral but really fresh and spring-like.

I think cushions are one of those things I'm pretty obsessed about.  I fall for cushions so easily and so often, my sofas and bedroom are a crazy mismatch array of cushions!  This cushion would definitely live in the bedroom: it's awesome.  The very Party Ring-esque Celebration Biscuit cushion by Sass and Belle.

Then I would be sure to throw in the Nadin bra set by Comexim.  The design and colours are so unusual but vibrant and girly.  I love it!  I've been afraid to buy overseas though as I'm not sure what size I'd need to order.

Comexim Nadin collection

Buying a new handbag is one of my favourite past times and Nica has regularly been my go-to brand.  I've lost count how many I've bought!  I just love the texture of their fabrics and the lovely colours they use.  I would love the shoulder bag from their Nica Play range in green.  Yum!

Some shades of pink can be a bit wimpy but when I saw this clock I was smitten with the hot pink.  I can't stop looking at this Acctim clock called Lorene.  The other half probably wouldn't be very impressed but I'd be thrilled to see it everyday!

As I'm a list freak (you wouldn't believe how many lists I have on the go at any one time) stationary is always of huge interest to me, particularly pads of paper and notebooks.  I didn't see this on Dotcomgiftshop until today: the pretty Vintage Doily sticky memo pads set.  I would so enjoy myself writing up my things to do!

I've been cross stitching for 15 years and recently taken to making cushions and little cute home decorations so storage for my needles and crafty tools is essential.  Currently my boxes are practical and far from pretty so it would be nice to have some attractive storage solutions.  Button It is so far up my street, I'm sure it was made just for me.  The gorgeous colours and covetable silver buttons make them absolutely yummy.  This hot pink polka dot sewing box would be perfect for my most important bits and pieces.  Mmmm, yes please!

Becky x

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Pretty Vintage Home @ Dotcomgiftshop

Recently I said January is the month for fresh starts and new experiences and so a few weeks ago I placed my first order at vintage inspired Dotcomgiftshop.  I've been visiting the site and receiving the emails for quite a long time but I just never got to the point of placing an order.  I think I'm one of those people who are seduced by free delivery and have always been put off by the £3.95 postage charge.  I think if it were less I'd be more inclined to frequently order bits and pieces rather than fill my basket and forget about it!

I finally decided to purchase a few items that I've had my eye on, and with the early January sale on, the prices were all the more enticing.  My order arrived earlier this week.  It took a little longer to turn up than I was anticipating (especially as I'd paid for the delivery, and orders I'd placed elsewhere online - which were free p+p - had come before this did) which I'm guessing was down to a successful flurry of orders down at Dotcomgiftshop central.

Anyway, here's what I got >

Blue Retro Vintage Kitchen Wall Clock

There were three different colours of the clock: cream, red and blue, and I was undecided whether to go for the bold red or the powder blue for the kitchen.  After much deliberation I opted for the blue.  I'm happy I went with this colour because although it is not the same vibrant blue as on the website, it works well with my other kitchen decorations and is actually a much nicer shade.

I was unsure what the clock was constructed from when looking on the website but I can now confirm it is wholly plastic with the exception of the metal hands.  The blue fascia has a good depth which makes it hang prominently from the wall.  The face is cream which is complementary to the vintage look.  All three colour options are £6.95 each in the sale.

Pantry Design Set of 3 Cake Tins

I first mentioned these lovely looking tins in a post last year when I was deciding which cake tins to buy.  I bought some different ones but because I still loved these I knew I had to buy them in the sale.  I paid £6.95 for them which was a brilliant price, but I was gutted to see they dropped again in price to £4.95 on Monday, the day my order arrived.  Oh well!

These tins are really well made and I love the matt finish of them.  They are really very small cake tins, not the same sizes as my Tala tin set, and you wouldn't be able to fit a family cake in the two smaller tins (I guess that's why they're labelled as biscuits and sweets!) but their adorability lets them off.  Very pretty and uber retro.

Pantry Design Set of 2 Tea Towels

This tea towel duo came so daintily presented with its turquoise ribbon and tag, it would make the perfect housewarming gift.  It was a shame to spoil the party and untie it!  The cotton tea towels are a good size and thickness and both display the song birds print which match the cake tins above.  I'm really pleased with these and think they look really good.  They're £3.95 in the sale on the website.

I've already been back on the site checking out what other goodies are in the sale.  There are some matching Pantry Design items including a set of 6 spice tins down to £3.95 and a set of 3 coffee, tea and sugar canisters now at £4.95.  Also some pretty and practical storage bags, such as the kitsch Suki Jumbo Storage Bag for £2.95.

Are retro themes your thing?  Do you love a vintage kitchen or do you prefer a more modern, simplistic look?  

Becky x

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Winter Sales - Lingerie and Lifestyle

It's always a sad time when Christmas Day has passed but you can look forward to the winter sales for a bit of retail therapy.  This year has been a terrible one for rain and nothing else, and for what must have been the first time in absolutely ages, it rained on the big day.  Even now, on New Year's Eve as I write this, it's bucketing down and sounds completely rotten coupled with the howling wind.  I don't know about you but I don't want to venture outside unless I really need to, so it's great news to know that there's some excellent sales happening online.

I've been hopping about the web checking out my favourite shops to see what goodies have been knocked down in price, and I've not been disappointed.  Here's some of my top picks of the best lingerie and home sale items.

Cath Kidston has a select range of desirable pieces on sale.  I really want the useful and pretty Circle Ditsy Hanging Tidy.  It's good to look at and would store umpteen nick-knacks.
Was £18 Now £12

Bravissimo has a variety of sale lingerie, including a piece from their own gorgeous collection, the Bettie Mae Bra.  The colour is gorgeous and the plunge style would suit me extremely well.  

Was £32 Now £25.50

I love Dotcomgiftshop for their vintage inspired goods, there's always something I have to have from their cute and quirky ranges.  The exclusive Pantry collection is so sweet and I'm excited to find there's some in the sale, such as this adorable Set of 6 Spice Tins.  

Was £9.95 Now £3.95.

Matalan is really coming into it's own these days; their prices are reasonable and the quality really good.  The chic nude colour Metal Bow Purse is stunning and thankfully in the sale!  

Was £8 Now £4

Figleaves Boudoir collection is something a little more special, like these Black Tie Lace Shorty knickers.  I love the generous lace with the wide satin band featuring a black tie, instead of a run of the mill bow.  

Was £22 Now £17.60

Over at Leia Lingerie the beautiful Freya Martha Bra is finally in the sale!  Featuring soft fabric, pretty butterflies and a fresh aqua trim, this will be the perfect buy to take you into spring.  

Was £29 Now £14.50

I always like to have a compact mirror in my bag (for when I get a rogue eyelash or random rabbit fluff in my eye!)  The Vicenza Heart Mirror and Photo Frame in the Debenhams sale is so cute and stylish.
Was £10 Now £5

I've picked up a few things in the sales including a wool skater skirt, studded sweater and these two buys which I thought were amazing value and so attractive.

I bought this make up bag from Boots in their half price Christmas catalogue sale for only £4.  I hadn't even noticed it before so I was taken by how pretty it was when I saw it.  It's from the Minnie Couture collection and is such a good quality peach case with chunky brass zipper.  The big black bow makes it look very chic too.  I'm using it to store my essential make up in.

I then found this awesome little shoulder bag in Primark.  It was the only one there still with the full price tag but at the checkout it was just £3!   It's a muted nude/beige colour with velvet black spots and brass clasp.  I found it a little too gaping when I put my purse in so I stitched the four corners where the strap ends meet the bag and now it's better and much safer.  

There's so much good stuff in the sales right now, have you spotted a bargain?  Which shops would you say are the best to hit for the sales?

Becky x

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Christmas Decorations - Vintage & Homemade

I am hugely excited that there's less than a week left of November because it means very soon our Christmas tree and home decorations will be going up!  I have a nostalgic love of all things Christmas, and this year I'm really into the homespun and bygone era look, channeling that 'make do and mend' mantra and the colour pops of the 50s.

Image - Cath Kidston

What I covet most about Christmas is tradition and being able to indulge in reminiscing past Christmases and adoring passed down decorations that have made it through to another generation.  My Dad, who's the most Yorkshire of Yorkshire gents I know brought from home some of the best Ye Olde decorations dating back decades before his own birth.  Ancient glass baubles which hang precariously from their ever thinning stems are beautiful to unwrap and gaze at, but what's more beautiful is the age behind them and the love, the family stories, and a time you can never revisit.  In my too young an eye to know first hand, the 40s and 50s were the best times for a good old Christmas.  When that satsuma and apple in the bottom of your stocking (or Dad's old long sock) really was a festive treat and we appreciated every little carol and cracked nut.

So this year I'm especially hoping to create a bit of a vintage spin with my already bulging collection of decorations, but there's another look I also warm to quite a lot, and that's the Scandinavian look.  Natural fabrics and materials, rows of repeating patterns in vibrant singular colour, and reindeer depictions.  Everything a cosy fair isle wooly jumper represents and more!

Star Pendant Lamps - Ikea, Mushroom Decorations - Dotcomgiftshop, Robin Ornament - Next,
Wooden Reindeer - Parlane, Deer Mug - Cath Kidston, Owl Decoration - Homebase, Vintage Cushion - Dunelm Mill, Fair Isle Stocking - Linea at House of Fraser

There is so much on the high street right now that confirms vintage and homemade is the current trend and I've been battling the temptation to buy it all.  But, with a clever eye for a bargain I've been able to find some amazingly priced Christmas pieces, and what I haven't succumbed to purchase I've crafted myself.

Here are a few items I bought -

Wilkinson Wooden Deer Heart - £1

Wilkinson Paper Chains - £1

The Range Jingle Bells - 79p

The Range Glass Toadstool - £1.59?

Here's some cross stitched hearts I've been making.  They are stitched on red, green and natural aida, backed with red felt and sewn up with blanket stitch.  The deer and stag designs came from Cross Stitcher magazine which I made with my own shades and I padded these ones with wadding.  The Noel heart is a flat tree decoration and my own design!  I love this kind of pattern.

Is a vintage Christmas your style or do you prefer a more modern look?  Or perhaps a winter white theme?

Have I missed a shop that I would go crazy in?

Share your favourite Christmas trends and traditions!

Becky x

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Hello Autumn! Cute Cake Tins for Winter Baking

Autumn has officially landed this weekend and I've been thinking nothing less of getting the house all snug and attractive for the forthcoming months of Winter.  Christmas is never far from my mind either, I'm afraid to say, even though we're still only in September.  But if you're really into Christmas like me and a religious festive baker, you'll know that it's around now that you should be baking your Christmas cake for optimum yumminess!  This year I'll be making four Christmas cakes so I'm just preparing all the ingredients and equipment I'll need so I can take on this mammoth cake challenge.  

I wanted to get some nice, new cake storage tins so this week I've been browsing around baking departments online and in town.  The vintage look is still a huge theme so I found myself bookmarking several websites and with the dilemma of which pretty tins to go for.  

Dotcomgiftshop has this absolutely adorable Pantry design trio cake tin set for £12.95.  I just love the powdery colour scheme and retro wording.  This set would look amazing with my other cream kitchen storage accessories.

Something a little more vibrant for the kitchen yet still retaining the retro look, the Argos Living cake tins (£9.99) are another really cute set.  The bold cherry red and white polka dot design is really stylish.

I love those vintage metal advertising signs and old adverts from yesteryear.  It makes me think of a sweeter era, romanticising the thought of rosy cheeked housewives baking tasty treats all day.  I know the reality wasn't quite like that in the 50s but it doesn't stop us admiring the looks of that bygone time.  

This set by Martin Wiscombe that I found on Mollie and Fred (£18.99) would really brighten up my cupboards.  How cute can that cupcake tin be?!

I bought a fantastic set of 3 cake tins by top baking brand Tala that I found on Wilkinsons website for only £10.  I got the set today and they look just as pretty in real life!

The biggest tin which would fit tons of cupcakes or a big celebration cake is baby blue with white stars.  The medium tin, the perfect size for a tea time victoria sponge cake, is candy pink and white striped whilst the smallest tin, for finger cakes and goodies, is apple green with white spots.  All the tins are topped with cream lids decorated with fancy words of tasty treats such as 'crumbly cookies' and 'scrummy chocolate cake', all of which will of course be making an appearance inside my tins!

What kind of cake and biscuit tins do you use?  Have you seen any other super cute retro kitchen accessories which would match perfectly with these tins?  

Are you planning on making a christmas cake?

Becky x

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Boudoir Buys

I'm a true boudoir girl.  Not only do I love modelling the boudoir genre and have a passion for gorgeous lingerie, I adore all things beautiful to prettify the bedroom.  The current trend for vintage inspired looks combined with shabby chic French and country themes makes acquiring the boudoir look really easy.  

I enjoy shopping for quirky and feminine things, with so many goodies on my wish list!

Here's some of my current lust lovelies:

'I am Fabulous' Glass Door Hanging Sign
£6, Boux Avenue

Enchanted Bird Coathanger
£10.95, Dotcomgiftshop.com

Large Round Mirrored Jewellery Box
£38, Laura Ashley

Rose Water Skin Freshener
£6.95, Rose and Co

Lace Wedding Purse
£22.99, Through The Cottage Door

So many gorgeously beautiful pieces that will add a touch of femininity to any boudoir!

Becky x

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