Domestic Sluttery's Mums Take Over: Finding bargains for your home

For many reasons my mum is something of a mystery to me. She seems to know me better than I know myself ("Try that Alex, you will like it" or "I knew that dress would suit you"). I don't know how she finished a law degree and single-handedly raised three girls when I can barely keep on top of things working part-time. And I'm consistently surprised at how she's kept our house cosy and beautiful on a shoestring budget.

I'll admit that when I was 14 the last thing on my mind was the new wallpaper in the hallway or the kitchen flooring she'd spent days laying herself. But those things were important to her, and I love that she didn't let a little thing like having no time or money get in the way.

(Apologies for the lack of mother-daughter picture, but they're all tucked up in a photo album back home. But at least mum is wearing a hat and smile, just like me.)

So how does one get the house of their dreams (well, nearly) without spending much at all? Sounds obvious, but the best tip mum offered was keep your eyes peeled for a bargain. But if you're going down the never-paying-full-price route then you'll need to be patient and prepared to rummage.

Mum recommends making friends with the staff in your local charity shop. (Not shopping in a charity shop because you're embarrassed? You're missing out. And if anyone asks, it's vintage dahling.) She's something of a regular at the Littleover Village branch of Age Concern, and as a result they'll often put aside bits and pieces that they know my mum would love.

There's tonnes of lovely stuff from the charity shop in our house, but my favourite is this 17 piece teal tea set which was procured for £8.50. Unfortunately the milk jug was missing, but it had never been used before:

Sometimes sheer luck comes into it too. This vintage enamel sign was found in our shed - no idea how it got there. But other than a bit of rust around the edges, it was in good condition and went perfectly with the white walls in the kitchen:

Which brings me to a second top tip from Mum. If you're prone to getting bored quickly with your surroundings then keep the walls in your house white. That way if you fancy a change - from a new sofa or rug to set of cushions - your new furniture and accessories will always match the walls. After all, what clashes with white?

These gold hands are a one-off piece of art that mum found in the local charity shop. Being something of a statement piece, they bring the theme together. And the black statuettes were mere pennies from a market in Burton:

The gold border on one wall is a sticker (from a selection at B&Q) that can be easily removed once mum changes her mind:

And don't underestimate the power of the interwebs. Mum found two second-hand Chesterfield sofas in dove grey (one pictured above) from eBay, and paid £350 for both including delivery. Considering that vintage Chesterfields can start from £700, this was a bargain and a half - we didn't hear the end of it for weeks...

What hints and tips do you (or your mum!) have for kitting out your home on a budget?

Shop in the Spotlight: Lazy Oaf

I'm no stranger to Lazy Oaf's online store. Stocking stationery, accessories (like this Oyster card holder) and doughnut-shaped cushions, I'll always find something original and funny.

So when their London shop emerged from it's revamp, Domestic Slut Gail and I were there to be nosey, take pictures and decide what we'd come back and buy.

Situated just off swingin' Carnaby St, Lazy Oaf isn't particularly big but fits in perfectly with the other small and quirky shops on the street (like neighbouring Anna Lou of London). It's compact size makes it so much easier to browse and I was surprised at just how much I didn't notice on the Lazy Oaf website.

I don't know how I missed this cheeky Oaf No. 5 necklace (£14):

I love how the jewellery and accessories were displayed here. You don't see skulls wearing sunglasses very often:

How do you display colourful perspex jewellery? Why, on more colourful perspex of course!

Stationery fetishists will be pleased to note that Lazy Oaf isn't all about the jewellery - they have all the notepads, exercise books and postcards you can shake a stick at. I'm particularly fond of this card, which doesn't seem to be available online:

If you're ever around Oxford Street or in need of a unique gift, then do pop into Lazy Oaf. It's far more original than Paperchase and you're bound to find something that will make you smile.

The 40 Winks Hotel

If you haven't seen any pictures of 40 Winks, you may find it hard to understand why people are waxing lyrical about a two-bedroom boutique hotel in East London. But "the most beautiful small hotel in the world" (according to German Vogue) is breath-taking, and anyone with the faintest appreciation for interiors will fall in love with it. Sian and I were lucky enough to take a peek around the hotel and chat to owner and interior designer David Carter.

40 Winks is David's home, and was already in use as a unique location for fashion and celebrity shoots. But when he started getting requests from people wanting to stay overnight (and his interior design work took a hit thanks to the recession) he opened up his house as a hotel. Just under a year later, 40 Winks is receiving international guests and being booked up five months in advance. Impressive, especially when you consider that's almost entirely through word of mouth.

But the most surprising thing about 40 Winks is it's lack of exclusivity. Though most of the guests are in the creative and design industries, anyone is welcome to stay. And with rates starting from just £90 per night, they could afford to - though David could easily charge twice as much. "There's a pay cheque at the end of it, but I don't do it for the financial reward", David told us over cups of Earl Grey. "All these people keep the house alive".

And that's certainly true. Magical-looking and surreal as 40 Winks is, it still feels warm, cosy and lived-in. There's a small bar in the lounge, but no bartender - guests just make their own drinks and are trusted to pay for them honestly. There's no room service, but guests are welcome to make full use of the kitchen.

Staying at 40 Winks, I'd imagine it would feel like being the guest in someone's very large home - it just doesn't have the generic, and almost clinical, atmosphere that you get in most hotels. You wouldn't find this little guy in the Hilton:

I don't think I've gasped, oohed and aahed as much in any other building. There are so many highlights, but I fell in love with the dark and sexy bathroom:

And the attention to detail is just perfect, as is the balance between slightly shabby and designer luxury. Fornasetti porcelain and secondhand bits and bobs (yes, that is the technical term) are all part of the decor:


With quirky charm by the bucket-load, 40 Winks is the setting to some pretty amazing events - perfect if you want to visit the hotel but can't get your hands on a room. We especially like the look of Tart at 40 Winks, a vintage afternoon tea with a difference. And the Bedtime Story Nights are the only valid excuse you'll have to wear glamourous pyjamas and curl up with a teddy bear in public. These events book up hours after being announced, so get yourself on the mailing list if you're interested.

Minutes after leaving, I was already plotting my escape back to 40 Winks. So much prettiness, charm and magic in one small building.

For more information on events email [email protected] and for reservation enquiries (good luck!) email [email protected]. You can see more photos here.

Wear your heart on your tights

With Spring approaching it's about time I weaned myself off the thick tights. Flattering as they are, black opaque tights don't exactly go with sundresses and shorts (I'm being woefully optimistic about our Summer, aren't I?). Having had my legs covered up since September, I'm not quite ready for baring all just yet. So these sheer heart tights (£8) from Topshop are a nice compromise.

The pale pink hearts makes them the least Wintry tights I've seen and go perfectly with the pastel pieces floating around on the High Street. Just be extra careful when putting them on - sheer tights snag!

H! by Henry Holland at Debenhams

Just before Henry Holland launched his collection for Debenhams, a couple of Domestic Sluts were invited to take a peek at a few pieces. To be honest I expected everything to be plaid, denim or adorned with studs - as someone who shies away from trends, this would not have been A Good Thing. But I was pleasantly surprised to find that most of it was wearable and wouldn't date after one season.

We got to choose an outfit to go home with. Gail went for the above Purple Square Spot Dress (£30) and said "I spotted this short but cute number as soon as we walked in. I love the Peter Pan collar and the fit is flattering for busty girls. Apparently it's Henry's take on the classic polka dot - by making them into squares - and it's going to be perfect with my vintage blocky grey heels and opaque tights 'til the weather perks up."

I chose this Black Floral Tea Dress (£30):

I love that the angry florals stop it from looking too twee - all too easy with puffed sleeves and a flouncy skirt. It also looks really good with black opaque tights, so I won't have to wait for sunshine and/or decent weather before wearing it.

This Tan 'Quentin' Satchel (£40) goes with pretty much everything in the range (and my wardrobe):

Even if you're not particularly into Henry Holland you'll find something to like in this range. But I'm sure that fans of House of Holland will love the fact they can get one of his designs from just £4.

Cupcake decorating at The Cocoa Box

Much as I believe that the cake is the most important part of a cupcake to get right, the fun of making (and eating) them is in the pretty decorations. Trouble is, I'm not exactly au fait with a piping bag and my creations often look amateurish at best. So I was more than happy to take the Cocktails and Cupcakes class run by The Cocoa Box in Hampstead, North London.

We had eight cupcakes each just out of the oven (baked in the same room, actually) for decorating but more were handed around for snacking purposes. Cocktails were delicious and unlimited, like all cocktails should be.

Edible glitter, sugarpaste, fondant icing, sweeties butterfly cutters and piping bags full of frosting was provided - basically everything you could ever possibly need to make your cupcakes look all spangly and sparkly:

I expected the class to be reminiscent of my GCSE Food Technology lessons (where you can't so much as crack an egg without the teacher's say so) but it was much more relaxed. Our Instructor Lisa would occasionally stop to teach us how to make sugarpaste roses or use the piping bag, but she pretty much let us get on with it.

I don't think the combination of sugar and cocktails helped my decorating skills. I made a bit of a mess:

But the afternoon was so much fun and perfect for people who haven't done cake decorating before. I chose to make my cupcakes as gaudy as can be - think frosting, marshmallows AND red glitter - and nobody batted an eyelid. I'd imagine that the classes would make a nice alternative to clubbing for a hen party, too.

Book a place at the Cupcake and Cocktails class here for £45, or check out The Cocoa Box's other classes.

Paris Melody Card Holder

Three weeks later after my trip to Paris and I'm still staring lovingly at the holiday snaps. Why can't I see something as stunning as the Eiffel Tower from my bedroom window? Why can't I have steak frites and wine for dinner every day? Humph.

Anyway. Because of this I'm loving anything that will remind me of my trip to Paris, including this card holder (£6) from Lazy Oaf. Not only is it super French, it's got space for up to 16 of my favourite pieces of plastic.

Sluttishly Savoury: Thai green curry with prawns

Like everyone else (it seems) I've spent a lot of the past week sniffling, coughing and generally feeling germy. When I feel like this the last thing I want to do is cook - the idea of chopping, frying and standing up doesn't really appeal. But neither does the idea of having toast for dinner again. So I compromise and make this really easy Thai green curry with prawns. Yes it involves chopping, frying and not being on the sofa but it's so worth it. And the chilli really helps with snivelly noses.

You will need (serves 2 greedy people):

200ml coconut milk
150g prawns
Half an onion, chopped
3 cloves of garlic, crushed
Handful of frozen green veg like broccoli or spinach. Whatever you fancy, really.
1 whole stalk of lemongrass, crushed (just bash it with a rolling pin)
1 small green chilli, finely chopped
Fresh coriander, chopped
Squeeze of fresh lime juice
Oil for frying
Salt to taste

Make it!

1. Fry the onion and garlic in a bit of oil on a low heat. After a minute or so, add the chopped chilli.

2. Fry for another minute.

3. Once everything starts to smell delicious add the coconut milk, prawns, lemongrass and frozen veg.

4. Simmer on a low heat for 20 minutes. If you have a cold, go back to watching your bad telly of choice.

That's it! All done. Serve with lots of fluffy white rice and a smug smile.

Flickr image from sporkist's photostream

Shopping Heaven: My Sugarland styling event

I know that the word 'fabulous' is often overused, but that's the best way to describe My Sugarland. The North London boutique stocks a mix of vintage and designer fashion, and is an absolute pleasure to shop in.

They also hold a number of fashion events in their lovely store. My Sugarland is run by stylist Zoe Lem, so Domestic Slut Gail and I were very keen to go along and see what tips we could pick up in the course of their latest styling event.

And we weren't disappointed. Though nothing Zoe told us was particularly revolutionary, it just made so much sense. She also happily offered an individual figure analysis of sorts after her talk, which was incredibly useful. Most of the women there were convinced that they were pear-shaped (including Gail and I) - rearranging a blouse or cinching a belt proved otherwise.

A 15% discount was offered on the night, and though I'm not in a position to spend upwards of £300 on a dress (no matter how heart-breakingly beautiful that dress may be) I really enjoyed browsing the store. Go, if only to check out the gorgeous alternative wedding dresses or the adorable shoes.

Stunning silk undies from ASOS

I'm not a big fan of bows and polka-dots on the same garment (annoyingly they're everywhere this season) but I've made an exception for this silk underwear set (£32) from ASOS. It's just so gosh darned pretty. At just £12 for the shorts, it's really rather affordable as well.

And if you're totally stuck for Valentine's Day gifts, this set would make a lovely (if a teensy bit predictable) present. Luckily for absent-minded boys everywhere, ASOS will get this to you by Saturday if you order by 6pm tomorrow. GO GO GO!

Boy-friendly Valentine's Day Cards

Buying a decent Valentine's Day card for the boy in your life can be a bit tricky. Soppiness, love hearts and sparkles are best avoided, and then there's the whole 'L' word debacle. Fortunately if you give Clinton's a miss, there are plenty of imaginative, fun and boy-friendly Valentine's Day cards available online.

This 'Wild Thing' card (£2.90) from Her Little Place will make any boy giggle. Because all boys like songs with guitar-y bits, right?

Yes, the 'You're Just My Type' card (£2.70) from Nancy & Betty does have a bit of pink on it. But look! A pun!

The 'You're My Favourite' card (£2.50) is perfect for anyone sending anonymous cards (even if it is a bit Sweet Valley High) - the lovely people at Lazy Oaf will hand write a custom message on your behalf.

Design Porn: Bone China spoons by Caroline Swift

I tend to avoid buying things that are a) white or b) likely to break in my clumsy hands. Whether it's nice bedding or vintage teacups I know that eventually I'll get it mucky or smash it into smithereens. But then I saw these bone china spoons (£48 for two or £165 for six) at designer Caroline Swift's online store. I may have to rethink my policy.

Handmade, unglazed and pure white, these are very special pieces of cutlery. I'd organise whole afternoon teas just so I could admire them. These would make an amazing wedding gift, but I don't want to wait that long before I have these spoons.

And if that wasn't enough, the packaging is divine:

Yes, that is a porcelain tag. *swoon*

Design Porn: Valentine's Lasercut by Rob Ryan

A few of the Domestic Sluts would readily call Rob Ryan their favourite artist. His fragile lasercuts are often heart-breakingly beautiful, so it's no surprise that he's created a special piece for Valentine's Day.

I love that the Valentine's Lasercut isn't overly romantic. You could give it to a boyfriend, girlfriend, spouse or even a friend that you think is wonderful.

The limited edition piece (only 250...) is available from his London shop or Etsy store for the bargain price of £47. That's the same as an upmarket bunch of lilies and many, many times more charming.

Blogs We Love: The Beat That My Heart Skipped

The Beat That My Heart Skipped has been on my radar for some time. Run by stylist Rohini Wahi and supported by regular contributers, it's one of the few blogs I read where I find myself bookmarking the majority of posts.

What I love about this blog is the variety of content. Though it has an interiors focus you'll also find recipes (will someone make me these muffins?), book reviews and interviews with artists and designers. But my favourite section of the site is Things To Make and Do. My DIY skills don't extend any further than putting together IKEA bookshelves but the projects are fairly simple - just look how pretty (and easy to make) these Vintage Cakestands are! Go visit and be inspired.

Know a blog the Domestic Sluts might like? Leave a comment below and we'll investigate!

Things for boys: Lego brick wallet

Though I can't see myself using this Lego brick wallet (£20) from ColorByNumbers I still really like the idea. Each wallet is handmade to order with ACTUAL lego bricks and would make a nobody-else-has-it gift for the boy in your life.

Certainly beats something from Topman anyway.

Bollocks to Baking: Le Dolci Cake Club

What does the see-through toaster we featured last week and Le Dolci's Cake Club have in common? Both make you say "OMGTHAT'SAMAZING" followed by "Why didn't I think of that first?"

So what's a Cake Club then? Basically it's like a magazine subscription for cakes. Sign up - subscriptions start from just £14 - and you'll get a different freshly-baked cake, pie or tart delivered to your London home/office/wherever every Friday.

Le Dolci recently sent me a box of nine mini vanilla cupcakes and I didn't say no to one. Or three. And what pretty cupcakes they were! I shared them between my tiddly sisters (3 and six) and they went crazy for the glittery frosting and pink sugar star that topped each cupcake.

The cupcakes didn't disappoint in the taste department either. They were quite sweet and heaped high with creamy frosting, but because they were mini it wasn't overpowering in the least.

There are caveats to getting yummy baked goods delivered to your door every week (gaining a few pounds being one) but I still think this is a really nice idea. And it's not like you have to eat them all yourself.

How do you stay stylish in the snow?

At first I thought this snow thing was fun. My rather grubby street was all a-shimmer and the hideous blizzards were the perfect excuse to drop any healthy eating New Year resolutions (who wants salad when you can't feel your toes?). But eight days later and the novelty is ebbing somewhat. There's nothing fun about a hacking cough and even a trip to the corner shop becomes a mission. But the worst thing about the bone-crushing cold, for me, has to be the limiting effect it has on my wardrobe.

After spending all of last week bundled up in multiple layers - we're talking tights under trousers and vests under everything - I'm determined to make an effort to keep warm and stylish until this cold snap ends. I've had it up to here with sturdy boots, keeping my scarf on indoors and wearing nothing but jumpers. I miss my peep-toe heels! I want to wear floral print dresses! And most of all, I'd like to wear something other than flat boots and jeans.

So, dear readers, we'd love to know how you're coping in the snow. Are you braving swishy skirts and stilettoes, making clever use of layers or just eschewing social contact until you can be coaxed out of trackie bottoms?

Flickr image from dichohecho's photostream

Bollocks to Baking: Hummingbird Bakery, Soho

I'd put off visiting Hummingbird Bakery for some time, purely out of a reluctance to leave my corner of North London for the wilds of Portobello Road. But when I heard that a branch had opened in Central London, I popped in after work (a mere ten minutes walk) with the intention of trying the legendary Brooklyn Blackout Cake. Unfortunately they didn't sell it, so I went for a classic Red Velvet cupcake instead.

Before I get to the cakey part, a word or two has to be said about the sheer delightfulness of this bakery. It's gorgeous, pink and shiny - like any cupcakery should be, really. The staff are incredibly lovely, and don't mind if you drop change all over the counter because the cold has sent your hands funny. So before I even left Hummingbird, I was happy. Excellent start.

Anyway back to the cupcake. Hummingbird thoughtfully package their cupcakes in little cardboard containers. It meant that even after traipsing in Soho for an hour, the frosting on my cupcake didn't get squished and every swirl remained intact.

I'm very pleased to report that the cupcake tasted every bit as delicious as it looked. And it's not very often that I can say that about sweet treats. The sponge was light and not overly sweet, but the cream cheese frosting was nothing short of divine.

Even with the special packaging, the Red Velvet cupcake was only £2 - I've paid the same for decidedly average cupcakes. I'm really impressed with Hummingbird Bakery and I'm looking forward to my next trip far more than I'd care to admit.

Shop in the Spotlight: Rifle Paper Co

Just when I thought Domestic Sluttery had sniffed out all of the gorgeous stationers, I stumble across Rifle Paper Co. After checking that the US-based website ships internationally, I immediately fell in love with pretty much everything.

This Circus Birthday Card ($4) is in the Kids section, but who wouldn't want this card? It has a giraffe and elephant and a man in britches!

Also in the Kids section is this rather profound "Better Days" Print Set ($18).

So Illustrated Notes & Calling Cards (from $100) might not seem necessary, but these ones are customised to your likeness!

The only problem with Rifle Paper Co? There's not enough stuff! I'll be checking back regularly to see what other papery goodness this store will be stocking.

Bollocks to Baking: Primrose Bakery

Last week Domestic Slut Gail and I hotfooted it to Mayfair for the opening of the Front Room, a cupcake and champagne bar. The tipple was Perrier Jouet ("hic") and cupcakes were provided exclusively by Primrose Bakery. We've heard good things about the Covent Garden and Primrose Hill branches of this bakery, but we were left a little disappointed.

But let's start with the positives: the cupcakes looked perfect. The frosting was expertly swirled and each cupcake was finished with sugar flowers or heart-shaped sprinkles. Lovely. The frosting tasted brilliant too - not too sweet and the right consistency.

That said, the presentation doesn't count for much if the cake isn't up to scratch. And unfortunately the sponge was too dry, something that Gail and two other ladies we talked to agreed with.

I'm still going to visit the bakery, because both branches look stunning, but I'm just not as excited about it as I was before.