Friday Etsy Crushes

Persy the Opossum Scarf by Silly Hilli

Mechanical Animals by Oh My Cavalier

White Grrr By Perfect Children

Francesca Romantic Floral Crown by Gardens of Whimsy

Real Bunny Journal by Sweet Bestiary

I'm having one of those slow, non-starter days today. I had my job interview yesterday and consequently I am left waiting anxiously by the phone today. To pass the time and avoid over-thinking, I've been catching up with some of my favourite sellers on Etsy. Here's a few items that put a smile on my face (yes, even mr grr).

Ferm Living

1. Vertigo Wallpaper

2. Powerpole Wallsticker

3. Lab Bottle

4. Bowl

5. Ferris Mobile

I've never been a massive fan of minimalist design, I'm too much of a hoarder and a clutterbug to live in any sort of diciplined way. On the other hand, I can't get enough of Scandinavian style. I love the plain dentist-white walls dotted with candy-coloured accessories. Minimal is one thing, but simplicity is another. If you can pair down your colour-schemes, you can let your quirky collections shine.

Danish designers, Ferm Living, are a brilliant source of inspiration for this style. Their bold, unique pieces would be a real talking point in your home, and a guaranteed warm feeling every time you lay eyes on them. Moderation is the key: let these items speak for themselves.

1. I'm in love with thick striped wallpaper at the moment. I usually go for a faded grey stripe, but this jet black would look amazing against a dark plum coloured wall. All Ferm Living wallpaper is part of a new generation of non-woven papers that are easier and faster to hang; you just apply the paste to the wall and line the paper up. My man would be ecstatic.

2. If you don't feel like covering a whole wall with pattern, wall-stickers are a great way to add some interest to a room. This telegraph pole sticker really jumps out at you and would make a huge impact on walking into the room.

3. I love all Ferm Living's kitchen range. Their use of glass and porcelain is so iconic, and yet very fresh. These glass lab jars are perfect for displaying single stem flowers or cooking oils. I'm very tempted to order one as an olive oil pourer.

4. This porcelain dining ware is absolutely adorable. The circus-style bunting really sets off this bowl; child-like but very stylish at the same time. Pair with some coloured melamine cutlery and a crisp white tablecloth and you're good to go.

5. I don't usually get mobiles but this ferris wheel carved plywood number really gets me. And sometimes, when something grabs you, you have to grab it back. This would look great hung on a wall as a decoration next to a shelf full of other curiosites. Very retro.

Lissie - When I'm Alone

My favourite song at the moment. I love the sound of Lissie's voice, it's so full of emotional and grit. Plus, she is an amazing natural beauty. Makes me wish I had more freckles.

If you like this, check out her covers. She does an amazing version of Lady Gaga's 'Bad Romance' and brings a whole different sound to the Metallica classic 'Nothing Else Matters'.

Design Craves

Elephant Doorstop, Laura Ashley

Vinyl Pockets Shower Curtain, Urban Outfitters

Caravan Sewing Basket, Cath Kidston

Bobby Red Metal Desk Lamp, Habitat

Wooden Owls, Utility

Today has been a day of gentle recuperation from a busy weekend's filming, in conjunction with the receiving of several items of very good news. The first being I have a job interview on Thursday after several weeks of hearing nothing from anywhere I'd applied. Very exciting. The second: I have enrolled upon a diploma course at the National Design Academy and start in 2 weeks!

To celebrate the commencement of my adventure into interior design, I thought I'd share with you a few of my favourite finds in the world of home accessories. Aren't they lovely? I especially like the elephant doorstop, he is so adorably clumsy looking! Which would you love to have in your home?

Burlesque Beauty School

My first attempt at creating victory rolls!

Adding flower accessories

Experimenting with retro bows

Edible lip glitter

Last night I attended a master class led by the notorious queen of the stage Anna Fur Laxis in how to create a classic burlesque look.

We went through all the essentials to creating the glamorous pin-up look:

• The 1-minute perfect eyebrow secret
• How to make lips and eyes 'pop'
• Eyelash application
• Perfect eyeliner flicks
• How to cheat your way to victory rolls
• Using flowers and scarves

I'm amazed how much I learnt in just 2 hours. I don't often wear that much make-up and have never been particularly confident with eyeshadow, but I now feel I can experiment more with my day to day look. Most of the other gals were really amazed at how their look turned out, everyone underwent such a transformation!

Have a look on Anna's website to find out more about the colourful world of burlesque or to book a class.

Stitched Cards

I have been making greetings cards this afternoon, after feeling very inspired by these lovely hand-stitched cards from Ethel and Iris.

Zinc White's Spring Collection

From the Flower Ring Collection

From the Brooch Collection

From the Pebble Ring Collection

Models - Tammy and
Timmy The Sheep
Clothes - Model's own
Photography - Zinc
Stylist - White

Here's a little sneak peek of the Zinc White spring collection pieces! Made using recycled art pencils from the famous Derwent pencil factory in Cumbria, all Zinc White's beautifully hand-crafted jewellery is deliciously colourful and cheerful and, best of all, 100% recycled!

This incredibly talented duo can take any old thing you might find lying around your home, neglected and lonesome, and transform it into something totally fresh, unique and wearable.

Their primary aim is to 'radically change the way society thinks about waste and fashion', and I think I can safely say they are very much on their way to doing so!

Visit their Facebook Page to find out more.

Stockists: Thunderbug Art Collective, Byram Arcade, Huddersfield.