Topper the morning to you!

Searching for ideas for birthday cakes recently, a friend told me about Pegitdolls; wooden figurines painted to look like brides, pirates, footballers, superheroes, film characters… you can even get a ‘mini-me’ version of yourself copied from a photo. They’re fun yet non-cheesy – a winning combination.

Handpainted by Esther, a London-based graphic designer, they’re perfect for wedding, birthday and anniversary cakes – or just as a little present for someone. I particularly love the little Snow White and Yoda dolls (below):

They’re all around £6-10 each, which is pretty reasonable for something bespoke, and you can frame them afterwards as a keepsake. If I were getting married again, I’d definitely commission a little personalised bride and groom to grace my cake top.

You can order one of your own by searching for ‘Pegitdolls’ at http://www.etsy.com

Sun, sea and chic

As I mentioned last week, I went to Whitstable recently, and had a lovely time. A sweet little seaside town, it’s great for mooching, with lots of cute nic nac shops, stores selling affordable vintage furniture, and more charity shops that I’ve ever seen crammed onto one main street.

I picked up some brilliant bits and bobs, but my favourite boutique by far was The Whiting Post  (www.thewhitingpost.com). Stocking new retro-style dresses, a huge range of Orla Kiely items, and boasting a table groaning with quirky jewellery, it’s the kind of place that’s impossible to leave empty-handed.

My picks? The fun doggie brooches and the kitsch retro flower earrings, above (mentioned on this blog a few months ago), which you can also buy direct from the lady who makes them, at http://www.acornandwill.co.uk.

So, the next time you fancy a trip to the seaside, set your sat nav for Whitstable and let me know how you fill your shopping bag!

Strict doormat policy

On a trip to Whitstable at the weekend (more on this later in the week), I spotted this brilliant doormat, above. Granted, it’s not understated or classy, but it is funny and unusual, and it’d definitely raise a smile when people came to visit.

You don’t have to travel to the south coast to buy one though – you can get it for just £12 (plus £3.95 P&P) from http://www.jadoremavie.com; or £12.99 from http://www.beautifulcountryhomes.co.uk.

If I were you, I’d put your name down for one quick!

The highlight of my week

In my book, stationery shouldn’t just be useful – it should also be fun, brightly-coloured and look good on your desk.  So, these little beauties tick all the boxes (or should I say, highlight all the boxes?!)

Yep, these are no ordinary highlighter pens; they’re highlighter pens disguised as pots of nail varnish. Granted, they won’t give you cutting-edge neon nails, but they will look good on your desk (and come in handy when you’re working/studying).

A set of four ‘High Stylers’ costs a reasonable £7 from new webshop http://www.Frology.co.uk.

Believe it or not, the shop is run by Harry Frohlich, a 14-year-old from Pinner. Frohlich means ‘happy’ in German, and so Harry should be – he’s obviously got a good eye for great products. I fully expect to see him pop up on The Junior Apprentice any day now…!

(All pix courtesy of http://www.frology.co.uk)

Oh deer!

Now, normally I’m all about the bargains, but when I saw these brilliant deer earrings (kindly being modeled here by their owner, my lovely friend Emma), I had to draw them to your attention.

They’re very cool, but cute too – a winning combination in my book. Designed by Brighton-based jeweller Jeremy Hoye, silver versions cost £60 while gold-plated silver versions, like the one above, are £75 per pair. His website, http://www.jeremy-hoye.com, is well worth checking out – he has loads of similar studs, including squirrels, two-tone pineapples and lifelike mini pansies.

They’d make an amazing present for someone special – or you could pop them on your Christmas wishlist  (it’s never too early to start!)

If your budget won’t stretch to these kinds of prices, as always, I have found an alternative. These cute hypoallergenic silver metal fawn earrings from Oliver Bonas (below, http://www.oliverbonas.com) are just £8 and come in a little gift box. Oliver Bonas also sell a gold ‘Bambie ‘ necklace, very similar to the Jeremy Hoye studs, for £9, also below.

For one day only: 25% off at Habitat!

Remember these amazing cushions from Habitat I mentioned on the blog a while back – the ones that cost just £12 each? Well,  tomorrow, you can get them even cheaper…

For £9 each, to be exact, as Habitat are giving all shoppers 25% off everything all day during trading hours instore (tomorrow, 6th June); or from 7pm tonight until midnight tomorrow if you buy online at http://www.habitat.co.uk.

All you need is code JE25EM at the instore/online checkout.

While you’re snapping up those cushions, you might also want to load your basket with some other lovely items at knock-down prices…

My favourites? The stylish Kilo side tables in a range of colours which will be just £18.75 (instead of the usual £25) each, or £57.50 (instead of £70) for a nest of three; the super cool graphic Mell melamine picnicware, which will cost from just £1.87 for a plate (instead of £2.50); or a set of four water tumblers (three different coloured sets available), for £6 (instead of £8).

See you at the tills!

A lot on your plate

I hardly dare write this in case I’m tempting fate, but it seems as if summer if FINALLY here.

And with all this perfect picnic weather we’re having, what you need is some picnic tableware. I’m currently lusting after these retro-ish Wall’s Ice Cream melamine plates, above, £5 each from John Lewis (www.johnlews.com), decorated with old skool favourites – Strawberry Split, Funny Feet, Twister and Starship 4.

The plates are part of a much larger picnic range in the same design, with cool bags, from £17; beakers and mugs, £4.50 each; water bottles, £10; and a roll-up picnic rug, £25.

Personally, I think they’re all Fab (oh, that’s another type of ice cream altogether!)

PS: Love these designs but want something other than picnicware? Snap up this brilliant storage tin, £7.99 (below), from http://www.safariisland.co.uk.

If you live in London, you can also buy the tin in person at Ed in East Dulwich (41 Northcross Road, SE22), for £9.95. Most of their gorgeous stuff is online at http://www.rigbyandmac.com but sadly this is an in-store item only. Shame!