I don’t know what it is about weirdly shaped ice cubes but I’m kind of addicted to them… there’s something oddly comforting about having, say, diamonds floating around in your juice.

A: Frozen Smiles at Urban Outfitters, £8.00 (GBP)

B: Cool Jewels Ice Cube Tray at Purves.co.uk, £5.75 (GBP)

C: Blue Penguin Ice Cube Tray at Heals, £4.00 (GBP)

D: Red Heart Ice Cube Tray at Heals, £4.00 (GBP)

E: Plastis Ice Cube Tray at IKEA, £0.99 (GBP) ea

F: Electric Guitar Ice Cube Tray at Urban Outfitters, £9.00 (GBP)

Just in time for adding to the Christmas list, these lovely additions to the home would make any self-respecting decor fan happy.  Dear Santa…

A: Black Peacock Prized Aviary Pillow at Anthropologie, £46.76 (GBP)

B: Night Bird Planter at Anthropologie, £22.78 (GBP)

C: Jewellery Tree at The Cotswold Co, £49.95 (GBP)

D: Venetian Screen at Bloomsbury, £125.00 (GBP)

E: Queen Clock in Orange at Hunkydory Home, £49.95 (GBP)

F: Metal Deer Head* at Graham and Green, £75.00 (GBP)

G: Stag Head Candle Snuffer at Joanna Wood, £19.00 (GBP)

H:Decorative Letters and Numbers* by Little-Childs at NotOnTheHighStreet.com, £7.50 (GBP)

I: Pink Forest Fairytale Lamp at Oliver Bonas, £49.00 (GBP)

I was flicking through Grazia the other day and nearly fell off my chair when I saw a particularly lovely pair of black shoe-boots for less than £20… at Peacocks, my new favourite store.  Is it just me, or have they dramatically improved the quality and class of their stock lately?  See what you think:

A: Red Chiffon Ruffle Front Dress at Peacocks, £18.00 (GBP)

B: Black Crochet Trim Top at Peacocks, £12.00 (GBP)

C: Dogtooth Tie-Waist Coat at Peacocks, £30.00 (GBP)

D: Black Checked Long-Sleeve Shirt at Peacocks, £12.00 (GBP)

E: Black Beaded Scoop Neck Dress at Peacocks, £18.00 (GBP)

F: Grey Tartan Jacket at Peacocks, £22.00 (GBP)

G: Black Patent Shoe Boot at Peacocks, £15.00 (GBP)

H: Black Elastic Strap Court Shoes at Peacocks, £12.00 (GBP)

Yes, it’s all doom and gloom lately, I know how you feel.  Believe me.  On the plus side, however, stores and retail chains are feeling the pinch and doing crazy things like marking gorgeous clothes and accessories down to what can only be described as amazingly affordable prices.  Behold:

A: Mink Short Jacket at Debenhams, £49.00 (GBP) on sale

B: Tie Neck Check Blouse at House of Fraser, £10.00 (GBP) on sale

C: Ruffle Cami at ASOS, £20.00 (GBP) on sale

D: Tie Front Swing Shirt by Kookai at ASOS, £28.00 (GBP) on sale

E: Grey Waterfall Front Shell Top by Principles, £27.00 (GBP) on sale

F: Shola Heels by Dune, £42.50 (GBP) on sale

G: Funnel Neck Textured Cape Coat at ASOS, £28.00 (GBP) on sale

H: Hooded Sweater by Ichi at Littlewoods Direct, £25.00 (GBP) on sale

In a completely unrelated incident, I may have been driven insane this week by H&M’s lack of an online shopping facility for the UK.  I’m considering lobbying parliament.

I found myself in the interesting position today of having coffee with someone who works as a contract researcher for the V&A.  He gets 40% off the items in the V&A store.  I almost had a heart attack.  In other V&A news, the Museum of Childhood collection that’s available at the moment is absolutely fantastic:

A: Mary Jane Wellington Boots at the V&A Store, £25.00 (GBP)

B: Gentlemans’ PJs at the V&A Store, £15.00 (GBP)

C: Paint Your Own Cat T-Shirt at the V&A Store, £16.00 (GBP)

D: Owl Breakfast Set at the V&A Store, £9.00 (GBP)

I really can’t get enough of this style of hat at the moment, thanks to my friend Sarah telling me to try one the other week in H&M and it looking completely divine:

A: Wavy Patchwork Beret at Monsoon/Accessorize, £15.00 (GBP)

B: Cable Knit Slouch Beanie Cap at Top Shop, £12.00 (GBP)

C: Gunmetal Multi Sequin Beret at Miss Selfridge, £15.00 (GBP)

D: Lurex Sheen Beret at New Look, £8.00 (GBP)