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...

Old Friends

I've made no secret that I love retro cushions and furniture. In fact, I often think that I was born in the wrong era (I made it as a 70s child by 9 months - good planning parents!) 

In fact, talking of parents, I remember a bedspread not dissimilar to this fab cushion from Hunky Dory Home knocking around when I was a toddler. 

I love the big, printed sunflowers - perfect for cheering up this dreary day (what happened to summer by the way?) and the colours just scream 1970s. 

Hunky Dory Home has some great other cushions and accessories for all over the home and if you don't believe me, well look for yourself. 

Broom, Broom

I'm a bit out of practise of travelling around London during rush hour, although this week has seen a lot of visits to town and boy had I forgot how angry people get when travelling around the city. 

I'm more than aware I used to huff and puff with the best of them, a train delayed by two minutes (horror) and over-packed train (disaster) and lo and behold someone actually attempting to get off a train before you can get on (that's almost grounds for manslaughter) but what working at home has taught me is it really doesn't need to be that way. 

So, your train's two minutes late or you might have to wait for the next, less busy one, so what? Is two minutes really going to make that much of a difference, is the country's economy really going to collapse if you're not at your desk by 9.30? No, it's not. 

So, next time you're tearing your hair out or have just been really nasty to the person behind you on the bus, maybe you should think of this cushion. 

I love its naivety (it is in fact intended for children), the colour and style. The Rush Hour cushion from 95 % Danish is the perfect antidote to rushing around like loons, making out we're the only ones who have to get to work and generally making rush hour a totally vile experience. 

Of course, once I go back to work in an office, I'm sure I'll be huffing and puffing along with the rest of you, but if you see me get red and wound up remind me of this cushion and I reckon I'll calm down...

Summer Holiday

I am craving a summer holiday at the moment - call it an urge to get away from South London or just the knowledge that my big, super trip across the Atlantic isn't until October, but it's getting stronger everyday.

Annoyingly, I'm not exactly flush at the moment so it looks like even a trip to Bognor is off the cards - not that there's anything wrong with Bognor (have never been - just trying to placate the Bognornese) 

So, in a strange, torturous effort to cheer myself up, I decided to look for holiday cushions. Well, if I'm not going to the beach - the beach can come to me in the form of soft furnishings. 

It was on one of my virtual travels (whilst desperately trying to steer clear of any holiday websites) that I came across these silk cushions from the ever-brilliant Re. 

They're inspired by vintage silk scarves and feature destinations such as Blackpool and the Isle of Wight. 

I love their kitschness and can imagine 50s ladies wearing similar scarves to ward off the cold British sea air. 

It looks like a lot of us will be staying home this summer thanks to the weak pound (yep, well done whoever that's down too) so maybe we should embrace our great seaside, after all there is enough of it...

HRH

To be perfectly honest, I am feeling less than regal today. More like Cinderella in fact complete with scrubbing brushes and mop and bucket. 

Which makes this cushion a rather odd choice. 

I'm not a Royalist either (although I wouldn't say no to being a princess - Harry though not Wills - too boring) but I really love this cushion. 

It's from good old John Lewis (or as my first boss will always refer to it "Johnny Lewis") and I love the way the design almost looks like a watercolour pulled from a canvas. 

So, in the absence of any Royals pledging undying love and offers of marriage looks like I'll have to make do with this cushion...

The Easter Bunny

Predictably, there's an debate raging on the BBC Have Your Say about what does Easter mean to you. 

Even more predictably there are those who are most interested in who got the most eggs and those who want the former to be struck down by some higher force for being so blase about one of the most important Christian festivals. 

Personally, I'm not really bothered about either side of the argument but it does give an excuse to show off some Easter-themed accessories. 

Those who know me know I'm not a particular  fan of rabbits (or bananas, or lying and cheating politicians - ooh this is a topical post) I know they're cute, I can see that but I've always found them a little unpredictable (must be all that hopping) and it freaks me out that they don't make a noise. 

I do however, really like this cushion - simply called Kissing Rabbits from Anorak.

And even I have to admit, the rabbits on this cushion are rather sweet. I have to say though, I'm glad the designers called it Kissing Rabbits instead of what we all know those bunnies really get up to...

Beautiful Brooklyn

I don't think I've ever made a secret of how much I love New York City. 

It is one of the few places I feel I could actually live and work other than my beloved London Town (and yes I did make that decision on the basis of a five day visit...) 

And while Manhattan is fabulous and everything you would expect it to be, Brooklyn is pretty damn fine too. 

I can easily see myself living in a beautiful Brooklyn Heights Brownstone surrounded by dogs, cats and children - hell, seeing though this is a fantasy, I'll have a cool loft in SoHo too...

...Ahem back to the real world then and this gorgeous cushion by Judy Holme which features the iconic Brooklyn Bridge (walking over it to Manhattan is one of THE most romantic things I have ever done) 

Soon, I feel my home with be full of NYC products in some strange homage to this fabulous city.