There's no place like home.

I am moving to university next week, after several 'gap years' in which I believe I have learnt more than during my whole thirteen years at school! I am currently in the process of packing up my belongings to take with me - a highly important manoeuvre! There are many people who would argue that being so materialist with your possessions is a crime and that we do not need little ornaments and pretty photo frames. However, I truly believe that your possessions can be as important to your identity as your clothes and personality are.


Here are a few of the things on my packing list (photos taken from phone, hence poor quality):

Some Russian Dolls that I have had forever and really love

This is a little fish with a moving tail that I bought from a street seller in Belize. I bought it because it reminded me of 'Finding Nemo' and the quote "Just keep swimming" which got me through the most difficult two months of my life when I was teaching in an impoverished rural school in Cayo, Belize.

My beloved teapot and tea cups - I bought the teapot in the souks of Marrakech, Morocco. The tea cups are fake willow pattern and are the best shape for drinking mint tea from.

And here is my mint tea! The pukka brand of mint tea is really really good, and this is the pot I shall keep the teabags in. Mint tea tastes best when brewed for a fairly long time and when very sugary!

My army of diaries and notebooks - from top to bottom:
1. Personal diary (Paperblanks)
2. Quotes notebook where I write down snippets that I like from books, newspapers and everyday life etcetera.
3. General notebook for lists and scrappy notes (Paperchase)
4. Poetry notebook - I record any poems that I come across and like (Paperblanks)
5. Moleskine diary for appointments and timetable, also has address book inside
6. Notebook to keep interesting newspaper cuttings and interesting facts in! (Paperblanks)
Below: some of the pages from notebook number 6!

My favourite mug and one of my favourite books :)

Last week I spent an afternoon wandering around London looking at homewares in shops such as Liberty and Selfridges, and also little antiques shops and charity shops. I couldn't afford to splash out on all of the beautiful things I fell in love with (there were many) but I made mental notes of my favourite things to add to birthday and Christmas lists! Here are a few of the items I love:

My wish list (in a vaguely logical order):
1. Tile by Rob Ryan www.misterrob.co.uk
2. Wedgwood 'Queen of Hearts' Sugar Bowl and Cream Jug
3. Paperweight from Liberty
4. 1940s style perpetual clock (oak) www.pedlars.co.uk
5. Roberts DAB Digital Radio
6. Liberty print Union Jack cushion
7. Virginia Graham, ceramic coasters and cups
8. Leather Rhino footstool, Liberty
9. Globe, www.pedlars.co.uk
10. Espresso Maker, www.pedlars.co.uk
11. Spotty dinner plate, The Conran Shop






These two jugs by Adele Thurstan are absolutely gorgeous. I have no idea whether you're actually meant to use them, or simply 'display' them somewhere prominent in your house, but I would definitely love one either way.