The sun is shining, the shops are bursting with sale items, I have just been paid and it’s the end of a particularly stressful month so what better reason to splash out on a little treat just for me?

Not for the house, the husband or anyone but myself. So,  I went online with absolutely no intention of buying anything (isn’t that always the way?) and then someone twittered about a new Etsy shop selling vintage homewares.

I hopped on over to A Good Vintage and, before I knew it, I was the proud owner of this lovely alphabet mug! Combining my interests in typography, alphabet items (remember this?) and the colour red, I just had to have it.

I haven’t decided if I’ll use it for drinking from or on my desk as a pen tidy but am so thrilled with my treat just for me.

Alphabet Mug was bought from:  A Good Vintage on Etsy

I’m pleased to announce that the wonderful Lakeland are currently having a great summer sale. Packed full of innovative kitchen gadegts, garden supplies and a host of big brand names such as Cole & Mason, Simplehuman, Lock & Lock, Kenwood and Typhoon.

Personally one of my favourite items in this season’s sale has to be these cute birdie pegs which are reduced from £2.95 to 99p.

For more bargains check out the Lakeland website here: http://www.lakeland.co.uk/

Or order their catalogues here: http://www.lakeland.co.uk/requestcatalogue

Sometimes when it comes to the summer sales it’s very much a case of ‘you snooze, you lose’ and this was very much the case when I eventually got round to checking out the sale bargains at Gudrun Sjoden today.

I really wanted this reversible blanket in lime green (also available in dark red, lavander and black) in a large size but unfortunately that size has sold out. It features a pretty jacquard-weave pattern with birds and flowers contrasting with stripes and a geometric design. The weft is in 100% wool and the warp is cotton.

For other bargain homewares, check out their online sale here.

Summer has landed and with it comes sale season. There may be daily news items about economic meltdown, but everyone still loves a bargain and the good news for lovers of pretty pastel florals and kitch kitchenware is that Cath Kidson are jumping on the sale bandwagon too.

Remember that if the fabric is a little too pricy, check out the bedlinen for some great prints – our favourite is the cute circus elephant pillow case.

View the sale items here: http://www.cathkidston.co.uk/c-129-sale.aspx

Or just make do with indulging your imagination while saving your pennies and request a catalogue here: http://www.cathkidston.co.uk/s-10-request-a-catalogue.aspx?

If you can see past the gloriously garish carpet you will see our latest thrifty find for the house. We managed to find this lovely Beresford & Hicks dining table and four chairs in a local charity shop. Unfortunately the middle section of the table which allows it to extend is missing so we managed to get the set at a bargain price.

We are hoping to get the chairs re-upholstered and will get a replacement section cut so that we can extend the table when we have guests (and it won’t matter if it doesn’t perfectly match as we’d have a table cloth over it). I’m afraid I don’t know much else about the pieces (please email me if you do) but fell in love with the shape of the legs and just had to have them.

Wanted Wednesday – oh how I love thee! As our renovation budget has evaporated and we are becoming practised penny-pinchers, Wednesday’s are my chance to indulge in some imaginary retail therapy.

Money is no object on Wanted Wednesday! So, I’d like one, hell, make that two, sets of these Alphabet Drawers from Kent & London.

Based on vintage printing blocks and made from solid oak, the drawers measure h 800mm x w 1200mm x d 300mm.

As they are made to order there is a 3-6 week lead time but I’d be willing to wait. Pity they cost a scary £2,700!

Find out more here:  http://www.kentandlondon.co.uk/chestofdrawers/product_03/product_info.php

I don’t know why (cos personally the real things give me a severe dose of the willies) but I’ve developed quite a love for snails lately. I think it’s my newfound appreciation for all things ‘home’ and these lucky blighters get to carry theirs around on their back. I mean, how wonderful would it be to just pop into your house mid-supermarket shop and take a wee breather? Bliss!

This lovely ceramic lamp is currently available at Urban Outfitters but unfortunately, as with so many great things I find there, it’s only available in the US (if you find anywhere that has one that ships to UK please let me know).  It’s a perfect plain white, but can always be dressed up with a colourful shade and costs $42.  Enough to cure any phobia!

Art Deco Overmantel Mirror from John Lewis

Welcome to our first Wanted Wednesday a weekly post where we shine the spotlight on a product we would love to have or already have and heartily recommend.

This week we have a gorgeous art deco overmantel mirror from John Lewis. In my mind this would be an absolutely perfect mirror for above the feature fireplace in the lounge of the house as it’s suitably grand and art deco is one of my favourite period styles.

Unfortunately at £195 it is considerably over our budget but a girl can dream!

This mirror is currently out of stock online but is worth registering to be emailed when back in stock or checking your local John Lewis store.

View item: here.