Leaving On A Jet Plane...

I'll let you into a secret, I'm a little bit obsessed with aviation.

I love planes, adore flying (even the take off bit that everyone seems to hate sees me sitting with a huge grin on my face) and become like a small child in a sweet shop when visiting an airport.

It has to be said though, travelling used to be a lot more glamorous. Trips were planned (rather than just decided on a whim with a quick log on to EasyJet) and women had their hair beautifully coiffed with glamorous outfits and lipsticked smiles.

Today it seems that even celebs can't be bothered to dress up - choosing comfort over style.

Which is why I was delighted to be told about this cushion from Mini Moderns. It's from their Lost & Found collection, which turns vintage fabrics into stunning cushions.

I love vintage fabrics because they always feel like they have a story behind them. With some late night detective work, I found out that this yellow fabric started off life having something to do with the British Overseas Airways Corporation.

Perhaps it was used for stewardesses uniforms or even those little covers they used on the seat head rests.

Either way, I love it and think it would look perfect in my living room.

Seaside Dreaming

I've spent most of this weekend with my leg on a cushion.

A severe bout of blood poisoning has meant cushions have had to be practical not just stylish for me.

That doesn't mean I haven't wanted to look for gorgeous cushions of course and a friend alerted me to Fiona Howard's beautiful designs recently so I thought it was only fair to share.

It's not entirely by accident that I've chosen her lovely, whimsical Harbour design. Whenever I'm poorly or bored, my mind often wanders back to beautiful Falmouth where I spent three years studying.

And this cushion reminds me more of that beautiful, special and unique place than any other maritime-inspired one I've seen.

I haven't got sea-faring legs at the moment (I haven't even got walking-from-one-room-to-another-faring legs!) but as soon as I do, I'll be off to Falmouth to breathe in the sea air, dine on scallops and watch the boats bobbing on the river. Bliss.

How True!

The way I feel about 2009 has changed dramatically in the last few months. It's fair to say for one reason or another the start of the year was shit with a capital S.

Erring on the side of pessimism has often been a trait of mine but no longer. Don't get me wrong, I haven't suddenly become an eternal optimist (it's not by chance that journalists are some of the most cynical people around) but I'm seeing the brighter side of life - and I like what I see.

Someone told me back in January that being made redundant, would, eventually be the best thing that ever happened to me. At the time, I didn't believe it but finally 7 months on, I can say, that while it wasn't the best, it certainly hasn't been the worst.

I'm working again but this time I feel like I'm my own boss, making decisions that I never had the chance to before.

So, when I saw this cushion by Emily Peacock I thought I would adapt it as my new mantra.

Because let's be honest, it's true! It also reminded me of a quote I saw recently in a magazine " fear is temporary, regret lasts forever" I'm kinda standing by that one too.

The Tree Of Life

A while ago (mostly because we couldn't get Sky to work) we had to chop down bits of the only tree in our garden.

I knew it had to be done (after all how else was I going to watch Gossip Girl?) but as the other half balanced precariously on the ladders, wielding a saw with me muttering about him being careful and cursing Rupert Murdoch at the same time, I felt a little tear in my eye.

I love trees, new saplings, beautiful old oaks, cherry trees are my particular favourite (I never climbed them mind, much too girly for that sort of shenanigans) so it made me sad to see us butchering our only one.

Trees and nature have long been the inspiration for interiors designers, and this gorgeous Dotty cushion from 95% Danish (available at Furnish) is no different.

I love the almost naive design and gorgeous mustard shade of the leaves (it's also available in two other colours) and its going on my wish list as a must-have of the new season.

Well, buying a cushion might relieve my guilt until the real tree grows back...