I go through phases of liking things and at the moment I have a particular interest in homemade bathing products.  They smell divine!  Good companies seem few and far between but I found EcoCentric, a one-stop shop for gorgeous eco homewares.  I’m absolutely loving the look of their organic cosmetics and I’m sure you will too.  The gift sets would make an extra special present for a friend (erm, or yourself!!)… 

Organic soap gift box (set of 4 soaps) , £13.99

Luxury soap gift, £8.95

Love Box, £14.50

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I’m back from visiting Scotland’s autumn Trade Fair guys!  It’s the first time I’ve been and to be honest I was a little unimpressed… mainly with its size.  It was so much smaller than I had anticipated, especially when compared to those held in London.  I wonder if this is to do with the current retail climate and the fact that buyers have cut their budgets, being more select about which trade shows they attend.

My Baboo was a company which stood out amongst the rest, with its adorable knitted treasures.  You can even buy the wool and patterns and make your own!  Look out for their fabulous Christmas tree decorations, coming soon.

The Ochil Soap Companywas another lovely company, selling beautiful natural products handmade in the Ochil hills in Scotland by owner, Fiona.  The soaps smell delightful and the presentation is second to none.

I really liked the ranges produced by Snapdragon too, especially their woollen doorstops.  Inspiration comes from Snapdragon’s Garden in Loch Lomond National Park and each piece is unique.

The verdict?  It’s nice to do business with smaller companies and sell a product which is special and unique.  Will I be visiting Scotland’s Autumn Trade Fair again?  I doubt it, which is a shame because Scotland had so much to offer yet it seems companies just aren’t making the most of it.  Perhaps when the retail climate improves things will pick up a bit…

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We all know that it’s the home accessories which make a house a home- personal to you.  Just the other day I was searching the ‘net for some new scented sachets for my drawers and came across the Heathcote & Ivory website.  This British company specialises in decorative bath, body and home fragrance products in beautifully co-ordinated ranges… all so pretty!

If you’re looking to add a bit of character to your home, Heathcote and Ivory is the place to look for vintage-style accessories.  Their website is full of gift ideas, too!

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We’re in the process or redecorating our small bathroom and if I’ve learned one thing it’s this- in a small space, less is always more.  Steer clear of overdone themes; every detail, image, or colour has more presence in a small bathroom.  Each element must be carefully considered. 

A mixture of pale colours, clear glass and reflective surfaces can create an illusion of space in a small bathroom. Cool, light colours such as pale blue, lilac and aqua can help to make a room seem larger.  Try decorating the bathroom entirely in one single colour or shades of the same colour to add to the illusion of size.  Sounds simple but it works!

Wall-mounted fittings (see below) make the floor area appear larger and cabinets or vanity units that are on raised legs have a less bulky look.

Accent your decorative scheme with well-planned lighting inset into the ceiling. Good overall ambient light is important, along with careful placement of ‘task lighting’ in shower and vanity areas (ie light where you require it most).

Why not consider using marble or brass?  Costly materials are more affordable in small quantities and add a touch of luxury.  No girl could say no to that, right?!

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I’ve just come across Burke Decor, an online homeware boutique based in the US… but fear not everyone, as they ship internationally!  Owner Erin Burke created the company in September 2007, which sells gorgeous homeware at affordable prices.  My favourites are the funky shower curtains, below- guaranteed to make showering that little more exciting!

New York- Brooklyn Bridge

Venice scene

Scene from the infamous Studio 54

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