Shop in the Spotlight: Utility's online shop

In summer last year, I wrote about a gorgeous homeware shop in Brighton called Utility. It crosses between a hardware store and swanky lifestyle shop (think B&Q meats Labour & Wait). But the best thing is that it doesn't have lofty prices. Even with enamelware being so popular at the moment, the shop keeps its prices low (and its chit-chat friendly).

And now they've opened their online shop! If you don't have any seaside trips, you can still pick up all these lovelies:

The enamel pieces start at £3.25!

Except for the cool enamel mugs, they're £2.70.

These stopper bottles are great to have on your desk while you're writing. I live in constant fear that I'll knock glasses over my laptop. The little ones at £9.50 and the litre bottles are £9.50.

The airtight jars are just £3.50. Oh yes. I'll be needed twenty so I can make jam. They also sell packs of spare seals for £1.60. This shop thinks of everything.

These infested labels (unused but apparently sourced from a nearby hospital) might stop people from stealing your ice cream. They're just £1.50.

Delivery is actually a little pricey - it's a flat rate of £4.95, but that takes you right up to a kilo. Just buy lots and lots of little things to make it worthwhile. Labour & Wait. You've got competition.

Shop in the Spotlight: Utility

Last week, I took a little jaunt to Brighton to play with the penny falls (I won a lollipop and a rubbish keyring, I'm quids in). Brighton is the most fabulous place, as local Domestic Slut Carrie will tell you. Quirky little shops, unique cafes and a beach a few minutes walk away make it the perfect place for lazy ambling.

One of the shops we ambled into was Utility. I almost came out with everything. Had I not been carrying too much stuff already, I'd have snapped up some of their gorgeous homewares. It's hard not to compare their prices to London shops, and I'm certain they'd be three times the price in the capital.

Enamelware for £2 a piece and gorgeous glass water bottles for £3.50 caught my eye. And the whole shop has charming little messages around it. The owner is friendly and despite the whole vintage thing being everywhere at the moment, this place feels real. That's rare these days.

Utility are opening an online shop soon, but those of you visiting Brighton can find them at 2a North Road. Do pop in and say hello, it's a really special shop.