Shopping for a new home. Not long to go...

Hi guys,
I've mentioned it a couple of times, but now it's nearly official. We've exchanged contracts, paid the deposit, and in 14 days we pick up the key and officially become homeowners. So what have I done to celebrate? I've gone shopping, of course! Here are just some of the things I've picked up so far: So far I've bought new bedding and new lamps for our bedroom. A new mirror and vases for the living room. A toilet roll holder and shelving unit for the bathroom (I'm all glamour!) Mugs and my dream cutlery chandelier for the kitchen. And this is just the tip of the iceberg of all the new things we need.

As well as all the fun stuff like ordering wallpaper samples, buying new furniture and browsing through endless interiors blogs (I'm addicted to ApartmentTherapy) I've also had to start thinking like a proper grown up very quickly. Checking out home insurance comparison websites, buying life insurance, and even writing our wills. Scary! But I think it's important to protect yourself by having home insurance, and protect the people you love by having life insurance. Especially now we have little man to think about!

Right now though, I just can't wait to get those keys and move in. And of course I'll be showing you all the 'before' pictures as soon as I do!

Love Tor x

* This is a sponsored post

Fabfrocks at home: On the wish list!

Hi guys,
Can you believe that there are just six months left until the wedding of the year?! Yes, i'm talking about my wedding of course, not that insignificant Prince, or whatever! Things are really hotting up: vendors are booked, DIY projects are underway, and in the next couple of months Mike and I will get to do the funnest task of all: choosing our gift registry.

The hunt for the perfect gift registry has lead me to all sorts of sites that I wouldn't usually visit, including The Handpicked Collection: lots of unique and unusual gifts, and perfect for our situation because we've been living together a couple of years, so we already have a toaster, kettle, fish slice, etc. Here's what i'd rather have instead:

-Have you ever seen anything cuter than this penguin door stop? I think doorstops shaped like animals are something you can never have enough of.

- A matchbox holder with an elephant on. I didn't even know such things as matchbox holders existed, but now I do I want one for my coffee table!

-Whilst it's true that I can't bake, I think my mangled attempts would look much prettier under this retro cake hood.

-I love this little mini keepsake chest. It's a perfect place to store jewellery or little love notes. This would also make a pretty nifty Mothers day gifts (If you think that far ahead. Which I do.)

-Although the blog is all web 2.0 (*I am aware this is a horrible phrase!) I actually love writing letters and receiving proper post. So I absolutely couldn't resist these stamp mugs!

Ultimately though, the wedding gifts are unimportant. Making a fantasy shopping list for your home is fun, but (without sounding too girly) what really matters is that our friends and family can all just be there to spend the special day with us. And that someone buys me that matchbox holder!

Love, Tor xx

Turning Japanese, I really think so!

Lovely fiancé has just returned from a two week business trip to Hong Kong and Tokyo, and I just can't resist sharing the lovely Hello Kitty gifts he brought for me: as i've mentioned more than once before, my love of Hello Kitty knows no bounds, and if it was up to me that adorable little kitty would adorn my whole house. We're all allowed our own moments of dubious taste, and this is mine!!

First up is this big slouchy leather handbag - I was shocked when I saw it because it's actually pretty subtle and usually these Hello Kitty accessories are made of pleather whereas this one feels as soft as butter!


I LOVE the big Hello Kitty hair turban; perfect for wearing post bath with my Hello Kitty PJ's. There are also Hello Kitty socks, the cutest ice cube tray, a mug and spoon, and if you're wondering about the Hello Kitty figurine sat on the toilet, I think this picture probably explains what made him choose that:

Rather than have Hello Kitty stuff all over the house I try to concentrate the collection in one room - in this case the bathroom! The toilet mat is also new.

All of these presents were lovely surprises, but sadly, despite hunting every Sanrio shop he passed, Mike couldn't find the one present I asked him for: the Hello Kitty and Dear Daniel bride and groom plush dolls. So whilst I know this is an off piste request (normal fashion service resuming tomorrow!) if anyone knows where I can buy them in London, i'll be forever in your debt!

Love, Tor xx

Etsy obsession of the week: CandleLynn's yummy cupcakes!

I know it's the title of the feature, but it's true to say I really am obsessed with Etsy. The obsession started with jewellery, ranged into fashion, and now i'm turning to Etsy for my homewares too: so although this is a fashion blog this weeks Etsy obsession is a seller who actually specialises in making candles: CandleLynn. I figure that if you guys are anything like me your desire for pleasing aethetics branches into your home too!

My kitchen is cupcake themed (see visual evidence below) so imagine how excited I was when I found scented candles shaped like cupcakes and other food stuffs, perfect for my kitchen. Because my kitchen/living room is open plan I like to have scented candles in the kitchen after i've cooked, to take away the cooking smells (I think i'll call that a Tor's top tip!)

They are also a bargain: less than $8 US for your choice of three cupcakes: i'd go for a selection of pink and yellow ones and display them on a floral cake stand!

I left my job last Friday and am taking just over a week off before I start my new role. As well as a whole host of wonderfully fun fashiony things, I also intend to have a proper Spring clean of the whole flat, including of course the kitchen. I will be buying myself these candles as a reward when the job in complete: they're hand poured, and handmade when you order them. They are highly scented with high quality, fragrance oils and you choose your own colours and fragrances. This seems like a highly decadent cleaning reward without spending too much money!

Whilst we're on the topic of domestication and my kitchen, I realised I was getting old this weekend, when I asked for a new dinner service for my birthday, instead of the usual clothes/shoes.

I saw it about a month ago and fell in love. Three more trips to see it, and I knew it had to be mine. I think the blurb on the site will describe it better than I can: "Patterned bone china dinnerware and serveware designed by Concetta Gallo for Habitat. This distinctively beautiful yet odd aesthetic is all about contrast and juxtaposition. Photographs are mixed with original drawings, smooth graphic lines with grainy textures, flowing liquid colour with block line and intricate detail, and precious gold finish with a floating, surreal sense of scale." So beautiful and unusual: although possibly too pretty to let anyone eat from them!

Love, Tor xx