There is something undeniably classy about a globe and if it screams vintage style, so much the better.
Pedlars stocks a selection of antique globes, but if you want an up-to-date globe for homework help and general smartiness, then check out the Marian from After Noah.
It's illustrated to look like an antique, with beautiful muted colours, but is a modern globe. Perfect!
£48 from After Noah.
At the moment I have my beads stored in a variety of boxes, jam jars, and bags. It's not a terrible system, but something more unified and easy-to-browse would be even better.
While browsing for ideas, I came across this on the wonderful CraftyNest. It's a fab way of repurposing an old spice rack - and makes a beautiful bead display to boot. Check out the tutorial here.
Anthropologie is one of my favourite fantasy-shopping hang outs. The site now delivers to the UK, making that pass time infinitely more dangerous.
This vintage-style dessert bowl comes in dusky pink, a light lime or pretty turquoise (pictured) and, despite its delicate appearance, is dishwasher and microwave safe. £5.05 each, available online.
This Maclaren buggy (suitable from six months) is decked out in a cheerful Cath Kidston spotty print. It's exclusive to John Lewis and costs £210.
I am a sucker for red and white so this almost makes me wish I was having another baby. Almost.
This gorgeous shopping bag is made from old rice sacks, embellished with scraps of pretty cotton. It's fully lined, too, with a couple of internal pockets.
Designs vary as each is handmade. £36.50 from Pepper and Brown.
I also love Rice's patchwork travel bag. Hop over the cut to see if you do too!
With the weather (finally) improving, it really is time to get out in the garden.
As my fingers are not exactly green (I prefer the sitting and admiring of beautiful gardens to the hard labour of weeding and planting), I shall have to rely on the pretty flowers on these vintage-style trays to brighten my patch.
They cost from £6.50 and come in three sizes from The New Eden.
This simple white bedding set from Tesco is 100% cotton but costs just under thirty quid. Although I love colour, there is something - yes - enchanting about crisp white bed linen. Plus, it's the perfect base for any number of pretty cushions, blankets, quilts or bedspreads...
Cath Kidston has been at it again... Writing a book, that is. It's out in October, so plenty of time to save up your pennies, and it's called Sew!
There are 48 projects in the book including bags, soft toys and clothing, plus trace paper and cut-out patterns. As if that wasn't enough to make you reach for your credit card, Sew! also comes with a length of unique fabric (specially printed for the book), handles and button, to make up into a bag.
[Thanks to Kate for the tip-off!]
I'm thoroughly enjoying Kirstie's Handmade Home, how about you? Kirstie is such a warm and enthusiastic presenter and there have been some truly beautiful projects and crafts on the show.
Most of the crafts (glass blowing, iron work, cake decoration) are probably beyond my skill and time - and cash - but I loved the idea of quilting (Episode 4, catch up at 4OD here). Firstly, I have a sewing machine and basic needlework skills. Plus, I am a fabric junkie. In fact, I can't believe I've never considered quilt-making before...
When trying something new, I'm all in favour of starting with a kit, and this cheerful Circus quilt from Buttonberry is calling to me... It's £28 and could be used as a picnic blanket or toddler's playmat as well as a cosy quilt.
Related: Fat quarter handbag
Fabric hearts are a shabby chic staple, but I see no reason why pretty hanging birds cannot enter the mix.
These are made from felted wool (taken from old blankets and jumpers, so ethically very sound) by British designer Elizabeth Cook.
The birds are handmade and will vary slightly. They cost £4.50 each from Green Tulip.
Related posts: Bird and heart ribbon | Bird clothes pegs
