Aprons from Anthropologie

I wish I was one of those people who flitted around their kitchens, making 2 cakes a day – mainly so I could then proceed to eat them – like in the movies. Unfortunately every time I cook it tends to look like a flour bomb has exploded, and I am covered in batter and icing...not always a bad thing! In order to create the perfect movie, baking goddess look you definitely need an apron in your life, and I feel that I have reached the age where wearing in apron is appropriate. I have completely fallen in love with this collection of aprons from Anthropologie. They are all in different shapes, colours, patterns and styles yet all have that perfect housewife quality too them. I think my favourite one is the blue and white stripes one with the big ol' bow on the front, so cute and it has that vintage look too it. I definitely think all of my cakes would taste better if I looked the part too!

Sophie xo

Timorous Beasties - New York City toile

At the moment me and my boyfriend are trying to sort out a lil holiday in New York, we have always wanted to go and are sooo insanely excited at the prospect of maybe actually going. So naturally I am completely obsessed with anything New York based at the moment. The New York City series from Timorous Beasties, a Glasgow based design studio is right up my street … or should I say side walk – Sorry that was a bad joke. I love this modern take on such a classic and iconic piece of textiles design. This style has definitely made a come back in the last few years with the whole vintage/shabby chic look being so popular, but this is by far the best version I have seen! It quirky and humorous and comes in lots of different options. In particular I have fallen in love with the lampshades! Browse the whole collection and their other work here.

Sophie xo

Mirta Jewellery

Beautifully simple, elegant design that has a bit of a kick too it is the perfect way to describe Mirta jewellery. Mirta originated from Croatia and has bloomed into a wonderful Etsy shop featuring pieces that are bold, functional and strong. Most of the pieces use sterling silver, yet they have a slightly tarnished black look too them which just enhances their edgy image. I think my highlight has to be the Chandelier earrings, the simple black outline creating the perfect silhouette. Each piece really speaks for itself, it's a shame more jewellery designers don't listen to the golden rule that Mirta has adhered too so well, “Less is more!”

Sophie xo

The Sill

I have mentioned before how as a city dweller I seriously struggle to bring a bit of outdoor living to my little flat in Whitechapel. Let's just say it's not exactly the greenest of places. The Sill is a company based in New York who are dedicated to matching pots and planters too your city home. Something that I also struggle with is actually buying plants! It sounds silly but it 's genuinely hard to find any form of potted plant which won't cost you a fortune. I love The Sill's vast array of pottery and you can get the plants to go in them too (only I'm not sure how they would survive the long trip to London.) My particular favourite has to be Jean Gerard planter, this geometric stoneware pot is perfect for fitting into little areas from desk to sideboard.

Sophie xo

J Schatz - Cilindro Pendant

One thing you really don't see very often in lighting is the use of ceramic. We often see this versatile material being used for dinnerware, and occasionally wall lighting. However, these Cilindro pendants from J Schatz are completely made from Earthenware Ceramic. I have seen this kind of material for wall lighting, but always thought it would be too heavy for pendant use, JSchatz has proved me wrong and I'm so glad he did! This stunning glossy pendant is beautifully crafted, with an assortment of random holes poked into them to create stunning effect when lit. They are handmade in New York, so each one is completely individual. They come in seven different colours, but my personal favourite is the orange (I'm really into orange at the moment.) This would be perfect for a kitchen, I love the relationship between the ceramic plates and the ceramic light!

Sophie xo

Excited for Christmas...already!

I have never been a massively competitive person. As I kid I usually had accepted that I had lost before it had even begun, and busied myself playing with a cat or something. But today I have won a game of Monopoly for the first time … ever. Never in my 21 years have I actually won a board game. Needless to say I feel pretty smug right now.

I don't know about the rest of you but in my household have christmas written all over them. Is it sad that I am getting excited about christmas already?! Yes – probably. Is it even worse that I started shopping for decorations? Most definitely. But I'm still really excited. So far on my list are these beautiful vintage silver baubles from dotcomgoftshop, this rather lovely berry wreath from Heal's and (one slightly outside my budget) this amazing vintage Christmas tree light from Vintage Marquee Lights on Etsy. Yep, christmas is going to be awesome – now just to wait another 3 months.

Sophie xo

Ed Carpenter - Pigeon light

Awesome, florescent lights shaped like pigeons? What is not to like? These adorable little lamps are from Ed Carpenter. Inspired by the common pigeon these little men are perfect for a bit of mood lighting, they are fun quirky and full of life. They come in several colour ways but my personal favourite is the orange. It is attached to a small peg so you can clip onto any surface and your ready to create that soft moody glow. These would look perfect in a kids room but i'm pretty tempted for my living room!

Sophie xo  

We are here jewellery

I know that I have bought up my weird obsession with uncut precious stones several time in the last few months, but every time I see them I just fall in love all over again. Like these pieces from We are here, a jewellery studio run and designed by Emilie Shapiro. Her use of material, texture and clear inspiration from around the world all create a stunning collection of rings, bangles and earrings. She describes herself as an alchemist which I think is pretty spot on! I think my favourite piece is this Aquamarine ring. The rough, raw edges create a rugged piece but it is still stunning and perfect for everyday wear. I'm not usually a bangle fan, but I am also eyeing up the Vine bangle. Inspired by a flower vine this dainty piece looks perfect alone or with some friends. Check all of We are here's range and fall in love just like I have!

Sophie xo

Kristine Five Malvaer - Bloom Lamp

The other night I watched FernGully, never seen it? Why on earth not?! It's probably one of my favourite childhood films. There are fairies, a funky soundtrack and it teaches kids about the environment. I'm not sure why but these lights designed by Kristine Five Melvaer called Bloom really remind me of a fairy tale, mystical forest scenario or in other words - FernGully. The droplet shaped shade is like a big ripe juicy fruit waiting to be picked. With an elegant curve in the base it creates a closed flower like pendant which is perfect for a cheeky bit of mood lighting. I particularly love the Orange colour – it looks like a big grapefruit - nommm. Kristine is definitely going onto my favourite designers list, all of her word is so beautiful and has a real organic vibe too it.

Sophie xo

Egizia - Ali Baba

I am currently reading Wilber Smiths book – River god, and now I really really want to go to Egypt. It's full to the brim with stunning descriptions of the egyptian culture and now I really want to go! But bringing a little of Egypt into my house is made so so easy with this stunning range from Egizia called Ali Baba. Egizia have been designing from their base in Italy for 50 years but 10 years ago teamed up with Paola Navone to create a range that draws upon the unique qualities of glass, silver and metal. Each piece is handmade and has such a luxurious feel too it, the subtle use of colours brings an exotic yet modest feel to each piece. My personal favourite is the little tea tray which fits 6 coloured shot glasses, perfect for a cheeky late night tipple.

Sophie xo

Mengsel - Moka Express Print

As a coffee lover I love the Bialetti expresso stovetop, it's a classic piece of kitchenware that will never go out of style. So I am completely in love with this print from Mengsel, a little studio run by Luzelle Van Der Westhuizen. With her mixture of Scandinavian and African background she creates these simple yet bright and bold prints full of life. But my particular favourite is her Bialetti stovetop prints which comes in a few different colour ways – the best has to be the hot pink! I love all of her work so much (pretty sure I have posted it before) she is definitely one of my favourite print designers out there! Enjoy!

Sophie xo

Mod Pieces

I am forever on the lookout for individual, unique pieces to fit snuggly into my already full house. As most of you know I have a weird obsession with lighting, so when I found Mod Pieces, a shop completely dedicated to unique pieces of lighting I was smitten. They specialise in weird and wonderful lamp bases, ranging in materials, eras and styles. Some have been up cycled and some are still in their original skin. They sell pairs, singles and my favourite part , the Lamp Orphanage – full of discarded beauties. My absolute favourite has to be this mental – massive pottery lamp in a beautiful turquoise and camel colour. It's just amazing, and huge at 25” in height! I want it so bad! Plus they sell those beautiful shades I was eyeing up from Avril Loreti yesterday! But then comes the down side (for me anyway) They only ship to Canada and the US! I will now sit in a corner and grump for a while.

Sophie xo

Avril Loreti - Paint Chip

'Everyone has a little designer in them!' Well spoken Avril!

Avril Loreti's range of Paint chip table wear is the perfect way to dress up any table. Using different paint ranges she has created these modern and fun placemats, table runners and napkins. She has named each colour herself, including Something blue, Park Promenade, Heart beat and Orange you glad (my favourite). This in genuinely one of those products that I squeal at a little every time I see it – I just love them so much! I particularly like the table runners, they are so effective but I can't choose my favourite colour. I think I would have to get one of each and rotate? Have a look on her Etsy shop – She also does some rather lovely lampshades I am eyeing up too!

Sophie xo

Paper Lamp shade

I am really weirdly drawn to this paperlampshade from Cow&Co. It's playful, colourful and versatile. The paper and wire combination means you can bend and shape it any way you please, creating your own piece on art right on your ceiling. It's a cool idea, and would be brilliant in any room. I especially like the choice on the inside layer being a bright popping yellow, it adds a little something extra. However, It's pretty pricey at £155 – still really want it though!

Sophie xo

Ps: Cow&Co - New favourite shop!

The Pup Crawl - Lights-up leash

What is better than buying something really cool to put on something really cute? When all of this wearing and buying is for charity! These awesome light up dog leashes are the perfect night time walkies accessory for your lil pal. Each leash donates $3 to one of the hundreds of animal shelters looking after and finding homes for the lost little guys out there. The Pup Crawl started out in 2009 by doing night time dog walks across Brooklyn Bridge to help raise money – and has been gaining in strength every year since. They now sell these rather dashing light up leads so that everyone across the world can join in! I don't have a dog (Sob!!) but if I did I would definitely be on this wagon!

Sophie xo

Lee Broom - The Crystal Bulb

So, lets be honest it probably doesn't get more glam than crystal, it sparkles, it's classy and has a lot of versatility. Introducing the new brain child from Lee Broom, TheCrystal Bulb. Behind such beauties as the Decanterlight series, OneLight Only pendants and his crazy light up furniture pieces, Broom is fast becoming one of my favourite designers at the moment. His style is completely decadent and full of luxe glamour. His new baby is this brilliant bulb that combines the luxury image and technique behind crystal cutting. I'm particularly excited for this release as it will be happening as part of the London Design Festival which starts next week. I already have (a increasingly long list) of places and exhibitions I want to go too, Broom's studio is one of the top on my list.

Sophie xo

Thomas Eriksson - Red cross cabinet

I am sad to say that this week has been a bit rubbish. There is a flu/cold/general groggy feeling sweeping through my house and we are all sitting about feeling sorry for ourselves. It's times like this when I am very thankful for tea and chocolate biscuits. But more than once in the last week I have found myself rummaging through my 'stuff draw' trying to find my stash of paracetamols. I decided I probably need some kind of medicine cabinet, unfortunately in my search for one, I have fallen in love with one for £615...hmm. It's designed by Thomas Eriksson for Cappellini. It's a brilliant and simple design that comes in several colours. My personal favourite has to be the classic red. The red cross is a classic symbol of medicine, and he turns this everyday symbol into a piece of functional design. Even cooler? This cabinet is a permanent feature in the Museum of Modern Art in New York. You can get it from DesignShop UK.

Sophie xo