Whilst killing a bit of time over a cup of coffee I was doing my usual internet sniff and search. And, joy of joys I happened upon this. Throw out your Xbox or Wii and get ‘back to basics’   –  no, thankfully I am not talking about John Mayor’s 1992 General Election Campaign, I’m talking about the simple, relaxing art of colouring.

Read the full article in all it’s glory here. So, do I go for Indie Rock or Gangsta Rap???

Woweeeeeee! I am not sure that the Fire Safety Officer that came to Purple Circle the other week would appove but I do  – these things are damn hot. They are produced by a french company called Fire Design and look fabulous, you can even create your own. But in honesty, when push comes to shove I am more likely to care about getting the hell out of there than thinking about how good I look weilding a cow hide extinguisher. But they did bring a smile to my face and therefore I’m favouring form over function (you know the rule – if it’s fabulous it’s in)….just to work out which one is foam and which is the CO2…..

Come on baby, light a fire!

I just simply love these award winning bird feeders from Born in Sweden. Made from recyclable plastic they can be mounted to a window giving you a prime viewing position to watch your feathered friends. And the best bit is, they look flippin’ lovely too – so you don’t look like you have your nan’s tupperware box taped to your kitchen window. Marvellous. Buy them at 95% danish for £14.95.

Who couldn’t do with a funky bird house in their soul?

The Lovely Package people have tracked down some great branding for dog treats – in a hugely cluttered marketplace this packaging really err takes the biscuit (err sorry can’t believe I just did that). But isn’t it great? Simple, stylish and wholesome I am sure this really appeals to those empty-nesters that are time poor and like to ensure their pets get the best. Bit like me really.

Pet packaging with personality – pure doggie style?!!

Hurrah for Rebecca Proctor who has launched a book jam packed with design loveliness and the best bit is: you can buy it all with a clear concience! Its called ‘1000 New Eco Designs and Where to Find Them‘ and its full of stylish buys including the Seat of London cushion which is made from recylced bus and tube fabrics. I spotted these delights last year when in Covent Garden at the London Transport Museum store, the cushions are made from a fabric called Moquette and you can purchase your own bit of transport history by choosing from designs initally launched in 1937 through to 2007 and applying them to cubes, cushions, chairs and all manner of things.

So buy the book, buy the products, and sleep soundly at night.

I thought I would drop in a little word about my Peacock bangle that seems to be getting some admiring glances of late. I bought mine in Nottingham a few weeks ago, and since then its made an appearance in The Sunday Times I’m told. Classically Peacock feathers were thought to be unlucky as the actual design of the feather looks similar to that of the evil eye well I am here to redress the balance as whilst Urban Outfitters have this on sale for £12 shop.com have it for £6.

Now I don’t want to come over all slushy but I do believe in love at first sight because every so often a piece of design hits you smack between the eyes and that’s what happend to me when I spotted this at the weekend. Minding my own business whilst visiting family in Wales I was trolling the streets of Cowbridge looking for the delectable when there it was – I stood rooted to the spot, through my hands up to the heavens and cried ‘I need this in my life’. So for you like minded folk I have the pleasure in telling you it’s from Sanderson and despite being fully aware that I am self-confessed 50s-holic, well you just can’t fault this design – it’s availiable in  wallaper, fabric and readymade cushions for those of us who like it easy.