Poster Perfect

Dear 3 followers (and anyone else scoping out my blog!), Apologies for the 2 month gap, a girl's gotta' work, and I happily picked up work in the UK to help pay the electric bill that runs the battery for this laptop I am typing from.

So, I admit it...I'm a poster snob. I feel they're "studenty" as they say here in Scotland. It reminds me of college dorm room days, which, let's face it, was the first time many of us displayed our interior decorating skills. And as students, we had to do it on the cheap, taping posters of famous and favourite rock bands, actors/actresses and artwork onto the four walls of what was to be home.

When moving to Scotland last summer, I opted the route of renting a furnished flat, which included the below scary poster hanging over the master bed:

In simple words: It creeped me out. A change was needed, but I to stay on budget, so I was excited to catch a glimpse of this great foodie poster (yes, poster) in the gift shop of the Churchill War Rooms in London:

The poster's nutrition message appeals to me as I'm a dietitian by training. So, lessons learned: 1) poster art can work if it tells a story you are passionate about, but I recommend just one per household, please! and 2) You can find fab home decor anywhere, including a fantastic history museum.

A Cut Above the Rest

I’m not vegetarian. Meat is important to me. I love how when it comes down to it our bodies tell us what we need. Thirsty? Must drink water. Low iron level? Crave steak.

BTW, I’m a dietitian by training, but yes, my blog focuses on décor, not diet. Don’t judge.

Steak knives are great table dressing. The stainless steel ones are so classy and make me feel all grown up in restaurants.

Recently though, I was in Paris taking a spin through Monoprix, a major French supermarket chain, and found a new take on the steak knife: A set of steak knives in their own chopping block

This unique and colorful design will snaz up your tables for buffet-style suppers or casual dinner parties.

I spotted it in John Lewis as well. For my friends back in the States, you can buy the knives sans knife block at Crate & Barrel for $39.95

or check out these variations with the block by Wüsthof available at Crate & Barrel and Sur La Table, respectively



And for the record, I’m not at all suggesting giving knives as a Valentine’s Day present; that could end up messy.

A House Full of Love

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, love is certainly in the air. Don’t fret if you aren’t yet with that special person, you have love in your life from family and friends and perhaps even from a beloved pet (my flat sadly does not allow these little fur balls, but one day I plan to make up for it with both a cat and a dog).

In the meantime, you can cozy up to these adorable LOVE pillows from John Lewis, full of flashy, glittery beads and patchwork, with more than one style to suit your home décor needs:

Be sure to grab your piece of happiness today. At £34, who says you can’t buy love?

I've Got a "Clutch" on You

Ever hear the saying "A girl can’t have too many shoes"? Well, the same is true with handbags. Having a teeny tiny flat requires a creative mind to display and store your bits and bobs, so I was excited when passing through Superdrug during their after-Christmas sale and spotted this Union Jack clutch for just a fiver:



This design is adorable, but not my personal fashion style. Quickly realized though it would look great displayed on my dressing room shelf to store (and hide) my massive collection of lipsticks and glosses (because us girls can’t have too many of those either). So I held my clutch on this clutch and am happy to have found it a home.



I feel so efficient to repurpose something ordinary into the extraordinary!

Baby It's Cold Outside

My first winter in Scotland is proving to be a cold one. I have a newfound appreciation for the hot water bottle but not so much for the sterile look of them.

Therefore, a cover is essential and there are many fashionable designs available these days in cashmere, knit, fleece and fur. One stop at Boots can certainly do the trick and help you stay within your budget (surely one of you New Year’s resolutions, as is mine):

Don’t forget to check the men’s section in department stores. That’s where I found mine a few years ago, lovely stripes in earth tones all set in soft cashmere:



My other resolution is to finally learn to knit; let’s see if I keep it and can make a cover for my houseguests water bottle by next winter.

Stay warm!