My Daydream Home - More Tiles

My love of colourful tiles blossomed in India. I've since found more tantalising tile inspiration to share. Really love the way the kitchen in the first pic has just gone nuts and used mixed up tiles everywhere ... although on closer inspection don't think they actually are tiles :( in the first pic but cool idea of how to mix recycled tiles with a modern kitchen anyway.

(Sources: Desire to inspire, flickr)

Colour my gaze

Wearing old Gap top, vintage skirt from Oxfam, a mixture of charity shop necklaces, Kenzie shoes.

I have a love hate relationship with this outfit. On the one hand this orange knit top is one of my favourites and even though it’s from Gap – not the most ethical company by any stretch of the imagination – I literally wear it to death – with everything. I bought these platforms years ago and they've always been a fav, they'e literally on their last legs. Found this skirt for 2.99 in my local oxfam shop and thought they would work perfectly together and they do but i dunno – is it just too loud?? i know we’re all supposed to be wearing varying shades of beige at the minute but i’m just always drawn to brights. Wearing colour literally brightens my day.

Credit: Steve George Photography - visit his blog to see more of his gorgeous images.

Nkuku Obsession

I'm always banging on about the importance of branding and products to the success of Fair Trade companies and my latest discovery Nkuku have got it just right. Browsing their website has quickly turned into an obsession. Here are the products I am willing myself not to buy all at once.

How I want the shleves in my kitchen to look & gorgeous fringed towels for my bathroom.

I'm still desperate for lampshades - I'm loving this white cotton one. (please ignore my humble attempts at borrowing their photos)

Hooks and knobs to die for - I'll take all pls!

I already have a mini one of these guys currently holding my bedroom door open but this one is so much bigger ... and therefore better.

Cushions and handwoven rugs

... and my favourite - this handwoven Ayla throw - can so see it draped over my denim couch. My gorgeous friends at Altjeringa in Hove stock this blanket and it is even more perfect in real life (website coming soon).

Nkuku is the perfect example of how to do 'good business'. All their products are inspired by the traditional skills of artisans throughout Africa and India combining contemporary designs with age-old techniques, natural materials and sustainable methods of production. They have truly succeeded in finding the balance between beautiful products and ethical sourcing.

Etsy Finds: Viva Mejico!

To bring together the two earlier posts, I wanted to show you some of the

lovely vintage cotton embroidered Mexican dresses I've been seeing a lot of on Etsy.

Not only would they look great with clogs but they also come in blue and white!

Or rock it full on Mexican wedding dress style! I love that this sort of handmade delicately detailed dress was traditionally worn by brides.

As England is obliging us with some nice warm weather, these dresses seem the perfect thing to just slip on- light, natural cotton, simple shape, stunning colourful embroidery.

And finally- belt it!

I love the lace background in this last photo.

(Sources: purevintageclothing, twinheartsvintage, dollyrockervintage, maxandchichi, vdingy, lovestreetvintage, dollyrockervintage, beannaithe)

Clogs Baby!

First of all, I love the photos- they make the clogs look like glossy glowing sweets.

Clogs: fun and sexy? Who knew it was possible?

These silver ones could definitely take me out for cocktails and dancing!

Maguba- as they describe themselves: "Swedish design with a touch of latin spice, razzle-dazzle and colour". Not only do their clogs make me happy but I can lust after them guilt-free knowing they are made in Sweden, use environmentally friendly paints and dyes AND donate money to replant woodland for every pair sold. Now does anyone know if they are comfortable?

When my parents got married in the 70's, my Dad wanted to wear his height-of-fashion clogs. He was vetoed by his whole family...all he needed were some of these metallic beauties!

They have a brilliant 'Create your own' section that I spent a happy hour playing with.

My pick- the 'Barcelona' style with the turquoise sole and the metallic silver upper.

Blue Dress

I love blue and white together, in pretty much any combination, so when I saw this dress at Oxfam...

It's quite a 50's shape but I thought the ruffles had a little 70's vibe going on so I seized the opportunity to wear huge pink 70's Balenciaga sunglasses.

It must be fate because I found this lovely little blue and white saucer in the gutter on my way into town. The universe is telling me to seek out blue and white!

I love it! The label has been cut out of the dress though...and I worry that it is Primark. How am I to feel? On one hand, I bought it from Oxfam, but on the other someone might see me wearing it and see it as a endorsement of Primark. For now, until ethical fashion is the powerhouse we want it to be, I guess I will just do my best and avoid buying directly from Primark!

My Daydream Home - Canopies

Maybe it's something to do with the serious lack of summer over here in the UK but I constantly catch myself daydreaming about a light-filled bedroom complete with cascading canopy over a luscious linen clad bed. Mmmm.

(Sources: Desire to inspire, Atlantis Home, Toast, Fashion Squad. I have collected pictures for inspirations for years and don't always know where i got them from, please let me know if I need to acknowledge anyone else)