Ever since Pete and I started saving to buy our own place my imagination has been running wild with decorating ideas. One thing we're both dead set on is having built in book storage in our living room so it's like a lovely cosy library.

This room is a lovely blend of traditional and modern and the bright yellow with the black floor and walls looks fab.

I really love dark wood shelving. I know it gives quite a masculine feel to a room but with soft lighting and plush soft furnishings it's just beautiful.

If we end up having alcoves some shelving like this would be dreamy. I'm really loving slate grey paint at the moment too.

Because we'll be on a budget I was worried that we'll have trouble with limited space in some rooms, but this picture just shows that even with a smaller spave you can have a stylish comfy space. Wall to ceiling bookcases would be a no-no with this size room but you could still have some pretty wall shelves instead.

And how about this ingenious storage solution? What a great idea for using some usually ignored space!

This cocktail bar looks just gorgeous with the matching wall and shelving, I think this is the ideal for our living room if it's big enough. Cocktails and books... perfection!!!

I found all these photos on Houzz one of my favourite home design websites.

(this isn't a sponsored post)

Hi guys! So I'm selling this gorgeous Modcloth dress which I bought a few months ago. It's brand new with tags and in it's packaging and obviously has never been work.

Unfortunately I didn't read the comments on the dress when I ordered it which would have advised to order a size up as the waist runs a little small so sadly this beauty didn't fit me as I'm a 22.

It's such a gorgeous dress I'd love it to go to a good home! It is still available to buy from Modcloth here but is sold out in the plus sizes. If you click the link there is a photo of someone wearing it and also a video with one of the stylists wearing it too so you can see how lovely it is.

Just pop me and email at n.whittington@gmail.com if you're interested. I'd like to get £25 for it ideally but am open to offers and will ship internationally, just tell me where you are and I'll give you a price!

Thanks sugarplums!

This dress is now SOLD thanks everyone!

I am in looooove with this dress! As soon as I saw it online I knew I had to order it, you see I have a major thing for black and white stripes. One day when we own our own place one of the rooms will be wallpapered in monochrome stripes for sure.

It's a great dress for wearing out but can easily be casualled up with a nice cardigan. I was unsure of the drop shoulder on this cardy when I first got it, but lots have people have commented that they like that detail. It's a really nice soft fabric too and has been great for work and play.

Dress - Simply Be

Cardigan - Very *on sale now!*

Shoes - Irregular Choice (a few years ago)

Necklace - Lady Luck Rules OK (sadly no longer trading)

Pete often tells me that I stand like a toddler at which I get annoyed, until I saw this photo and realised that it's true...!

I spent this morning wandering around town dropping off flyers for my beauty parlour at shops around town and on the way swung into a few charity shops on the hunt for pretty things to dress up my table at fairs. I got a good haul for under ten pounds and it's made me even more excited for my first fair next Sunday in Birstall! The pretty pink jug and bowl above was one of my favourite finds and was just £2.50. It's not as large as usual dressing table jugs but just perfect for holding a little bouquet!

I'm going to use these little glass dessert bowls for holding bobby pins...

And this little tray for holding butterfly clips. I actually bought two of these, the other will have my hair spray and heat protect products on.

This cute little pot will hold my brushes and combs - the pink roses tie in perfectly with the ones on my banner!

I didn't actually buy this little framed cameo, my gorgeous friend Gemma picked it up for me at a car boot! What a doll she is!

And this was a treat to myself - the Penguin Classics edition of The Great Gatsby. I haven't read it since I was about ten years old and was adamant that I would read it again before Pete and I go to see it at the cinema. I'd adore a little powder room wallpapered in that lovely metallic bronze and cream pattern!

Have you found any wonderful bargains recently?

I've recently been on the hunt for someone to make me a custom name brooch to wear at my pop-up beauty parlours this year and in my searching remembered the fabulous Von Trash Jewellery!

The company is run by a lovely lady called Paula who hand makes(!) all of the gorgeous pieces - no computer programs or laser cutters here people just pure talent and expertise with a saw blade!

Von Trash specialises in creating pieces that bring back memories of your favourite childhood movies, tv shows, computer games and bands as well as creating custom pieces to order.

Hocus Pocus is one of my all time favourite movies so this necklace went straight on the wish list!!!

You can find Von Trash Jewellery on their Etsy Store and on Facebook!

Hi ladies and gents!!! As I'm feeling super generous today I am giving you the chance to get 10% off a makeover at my pop-up beauty parlour at any fair in 2013!!!!

Just print off the image above and bring it along to get the discount!

I'm looking forward to meeting lots of you lovelies this year, do come and say hi and stop for a new 'do!