If simplicity and clean lines appeal to you, then it's worth taking a look at the online Muji store. It's furniture is mostly a warm red ash, while it's storage containers go to depths one could not dream of. I particularly like this acrylic table cum magazine rack, for £115 it's affordable, practical and chic.

Posted by Carole

Carole Sleight

I have to constantly marvel at how you can get some good looking products from big stores such as Matalan. Take these stylish baskets for paper, toys or whatever you fancy. Well they cost a very respectable £5 - so now what's your excuse for all that mess everywhere?

Posted by Carole

Well I'm afraid it's no surprise that Ilva are shutting up shop. A shame though as they promised so much style and competition to Ikea and Habitat. But that does mean you can buy some well priced pieces like this melamine storage for £348, this price should now be reduced. However I'd still want to see the goods in the flesh, as a friend had a lovely Ilva sofa experience and a wardrobe disaster.

Posted by Carole

Ross (my hubby) has just received one of these Normann Copenhagen collapsible green funnels. In fact his was black and they come in red too. Anyhow, I can now reliably inform you that it works and feels like a very clever bit of design in your hands. For £13.50 from Beth Stevens you get a great piece of functional engineeering, not sure when I'd use it but it's a good talking point.

Posted by Carole

The Pier is definately a shop for those of you who have a love of all things which are mosaic laden, twinkly, bejewelled or Indian/Moroccan inspired. Saying that they do have some great plain and simple outdoor lighting and this cream and black embroidered curtain panel. It measures 140cm wide by 230cm long and costs £29. It's new in, so is not part of their current Spring sale which ends this week. So if life is feeling a bit dreary, then add some sparkle from The Pier.

Posted by Carole

This peely bin is flying off Lakleands shelves for £13.99. Undoubtedly this is helped by Warwickshire Council rolling out a new residential recycling shceme, but being unable to provide the desk top caddies to store your food waste in. Or could it be that it's a rather attractive cream enamel alternative to my big heap of peelings staring at me from the sideboard?

Posted by Carole

Being a huge fan of boxes, I felt duty bound to remind you of the virtues of the Holding Company - the container Kings. What amused me though was the realisation that I'd never thought of a box for my remote control , which I can't find at the best of times - in or out of a box. These people are a storers delight - worth a chuckle just to see what you could be hiding..shoes..bras..belts...don't get me started.

Posted by Carole

I had to show you this Erin fabric from Laura Ashley because it's the same name as my daughter and is reduced from £20 to £10 (a metre I presume?) It's a repeated mimosa print and is just one of their elegant and fairly floral household items on sale. This shop has had a big surge in profits, looking at their stock it's not hard to see why.

Posted by Carole

My new idect phones are useless because the mouthpiece is so critical, that people often can not hear me - which really defeats the phones objective. This 1960's Scandiphone from Plumo would be an ideal replacement. It's a distinctive white or orange, has the dial hidden in it's base and costs £49. It's the 10th anniversary of this eclectic company, who specialise in lots of girly clothing and accessories with random lovely house fiddly bits thrown in. There's lots of inspirational and indulgent stuff for Mothers Day too.

Posted by Carole

Re-found objects is definately high on my list of ten great home sites. These simple £8 paper lanters are typical examples of their well chosen, often recycled and unusual products. The site is joy to navigate, it's quirky yet elegant - log on if you don't believe me.

Posted by Carole

I can't resist twinkly lights, they can cheer up a dull room and mask the cracks in the wall. These colourful and vibrant Chinese paper lanterns from Kitsch cost £19.95 for 20 paper lanterns on a 6m cord, complete with approx 6 bulb spares (indoor use only). As it's Chinese New Year soon and they can deliver in a day, you could still have your chinese take away, in shall we say a more atmospheric setting. If not, then you could opt for the chilli, bunny, duck or pink fluffy heart lights.

Posted by Carole

My favourite store Woolies is having it's annual clearance sale. Lots of rubbish but worth persuing for it's bargain vases, cushions and laundry storage. This stainless steel bin could be used in the kitchen or as a laundry basket and is reduced from £40 to £20. As I seem incapable of throwing out things, I will hide all my clutter instead.

Posted by Carole

Now the Christmas pud has settled. it's time to grab a bargain ot two. First to Marks and Spencers where you can pick up this cheap and cheerful pack of 3 paper lanterns reduced from £25 to £7. Great for your teenage child, a student pad or if your spending went a little over at Christmas.

Posted by Carole

If you are not one of life's shoppers and have yet to venture out to the High St, then log onto John Lewis right now. If you order by 3pm tomorrow, then your goods will be delivered free of charge with the speed of an online reindeer. This Naomi lamp costs £25 and would make someone out there very happy.

Posted by Carole

Dunelm might not be an obvious destinaton point for you unless you live close to one or if you're my sister. But if you've got a keen eye and want to do a cheap and quick make-over then log on and pick up an assortment of cushion covers from £1.99 or an eye-catching 91cm Rialto roller blind starting from 21.99. Then finish off with a cherry Spriza wall clock for £4.99 and a lima rug for £29.99. Then lie about where you bought them.

Posted by Carole

I've got a soft spot for the Oliver Bonas shops, as they always seem in the throes of an identity crisis. In one swift shop you could be the owner of this vintage ceramic knob in a luscious cream or vibrant green, for a very respectable £4.50. Or pick up some great children's wooden toys; a resplendent chandelier and a massively reduced nolita party dress for £29 - forget Asda this is everything in one log on.

If you've enjoyed this entry, then please vote for Housebible in the 'Homes' section of the Bt Online Awards. by this Sunday. Make us bloggers happy this Christmas.

Posted by Carole

I don't actually own a bike (yet) but if I did this scott garage for £28 would definately appeal to me. All Tidied Up is a website aimed at people like me who dream about somewhere to put all the rubbish I accumulate on a daily basis. They've thought of a vessel to hold or hide every object in your home. Quite an exciting thought, if I didn't have the small problem of needing to build an extension first to hold all the baskets and hooks.

Posted by Carole

Not on the High Street is a shoppers delight, with well chosen products from over 600 small craft outfits. Holly Tucker and Sophie Cornish have taken their business from their kitchen table to an office with 11 staff. This vibrant verneer inspired ball chair is a Bodie & Fou selection, 2 more web savvy women, more on them later. The chair had been designed by sculptor Finn Stone, costs £155, is made from recycled polyethyene and comes in black, white, red, green, brown and fuschia. It also can be used in or outdoors..what can this chair not do I wonder?

Posted by Carole

For all you organised people out there (of which I am very envious) here is an attractive £15 advent calendar with a difference. Twenty-four little drawers to put a treasure in each day, forget thoughts of acorns or seeds only chocolate will do. It's currently not available until November 11th from Jo Jo Maman Bebe who yes are the baby and maternity people. But they also stock some well crafted and unusual gifts, I wouldn't mind finding some cup cake candle holders in my stocking.

Posted by Carole

Well there can't be many people who haven't got a bit of Ikea in their home. Even if it's a duvet cover or that classic striped children's rug - yes you know the one. Anyhow they also have some great fabrics like Patricia who costs a very reasonable £4.49 per square metre. Looks fresh and quite retro to me and just screams buy me when I look at the hideous yoghurt encrusted covers on our chairs.

Posted by Carole

I think you have to be a bit careful with Dwell products. But you can find a gem like this white lacquered butterfly chair for £19.95. It's always worth taking a look at their products in the flesh as the catalogue is flashy but deceptive.

Posted by Carole

Now these 3 oak veneer storage shelves could either look sylish or the cheap £20 they cost from one of my favourite mooch stores - Woolworths. I'd put them in a childs room for cd's, trinkets or special books. Worth a look and while you're at it, you could always recycle your old mobile and pick up some Halloween goodies.

Posted by Carole

I know I should have told you ages ago about 100% design but this year I can't get there, so why should you go to this fantastic and exhilirating event? If you do have to go, take a peek at this delicious green sofa at Thorsten Van Eltens shop/online adventure. Made by Alexandor Taylor and available in heaps of colour from £1,180 - a fantastic website and a must visit show.

Posted by Carole

These large aluminium house numbers will spruce up your front door or perform as an ornament. Personally I can never understand why people don't spend a few bob on their house number, given it's something they have to look at every day. So hop along to the Conran shop, whizz past all the large digit and beautiful furniture pieces and head to the bargain section. You'll find these numbers are reduced from £9.95 to £7.46, plus you get to parade a Conran shopping bag.

Posted by Carole

You are art is the best website I've seen for personalising your own art. It's site is clearly laid out and the process is explained and priced well. Plus you can always drop into their shop should you still need some clarification or inspiration. How rewarding to tell your admiring guests that you created the art on your wall.

Posted by Carole

This £14.50 recycled can crusher is a vast improvement on the heavy metal one I once owned and lost en route from Brixton to Hackney. The Guardian raved about this Home Recycling site for it's vast selection of recycle bins and indeed they are a joy to behold. First I need to mount one of these balck or blue beauities on my wall and get squeezing.

Posted by Carole

If you're stuck for a gift idea then log onto Dotcom Giftshop and have a very affordable mooch. This elegant white antique cake stand or food tray is 43 cm high and costs £14.95. Lots of great and inspired ideas for the kitchen, bedroom, him or her or anyone who fancies something a little bit special.

Posted by Carole

Ok so a big fluffy Arctic throw from Heals is the last thing on your mind right now. But as it's currently reduced from £170 to £85, this could be a shrewd Winter investment. I got given a similar one for a wedding present and have had nearly five years of toasty bed times and bear games. Highly recomended.

Posted by Carole

Perch your coats on these sitting bird coat hooks for a quirky and subtle way to inject a bit of creative decor into your hall. A bargain from Heals that breathes some of the beauty of the outdoors into your indoors, without any messy consequences...and at the bargain price of £10, they'll leave you singing.

posted by Kieran

I presume you already knew that the Pier store was online? I have to confess that I'm not a big fan of the Indonesian/Mexican look, but they do have lots of little surprises. This Hessian embroidered circles cushion is not only eye-catching but also reduced from 15 to £12. Now I don't have to rummage through the store, I might be be purchasing more there.

Posted by Carole

Lots of loveliness to be had at Laua Ashley right now. In 10-14 days times you could be the owner of this Marissa etched mirror for £60. It measures 46cm by D1.5cm and would look great in quite frankly any room. Have a mooch around the site and pick yourself some 2 for 3 champagne flutes or save up to 25% off their furniture. They've extended their Bank Holiday offer until June 4th, handy for those of us who take a long time to make up our mind.

Posted by Carole

Well Joules really is a site for all you horse-loving folk out there - just look at the range of polo shirts. In the midst of this they have some great outdoor chairs, picnic ware and these 3 powder blue cake tins for £19. Or check out their clearance section and get a pinker version of these 3 for £10, a bargain.

Posted by Carole

Now these fun-loving Bimbi placemats could seriously brighten up any childs dinner-time. Any enticement would currenly help with Erin, so spending £14.40 for 6 could be a great investment - and yes they're plastic too. I've never dropped into Formahouse before and was pretty wowed by their extensive list of kitchen utensils - made me wonder how I've got by on so few.

Posted by Carole

If beds and linen are on your shopping list then head to Feather & Black and buy this wrought iron design classic. The Oliver bed comes bronze or white and is available in 4 sizes, the single is £305.10 while the Super King is £449.10, a Spring saving of 20%. While you're online pick up some gorgeous floral bed linen to compliment your new resting place.

Posted by Carole

Ok so Wickes doesn't exactly spring to mind when you think of bathroom or kitchen shopping. But with a whopping 50% off this shaker inspired Alaskan range you might want to check out where your nearest Wickes store is.

Posted by Carole

Can't say I'm a big fan of Linda Barker, but that could be due to an excess of DFS adverts. But I do like her range of floral wallpapers starting with this chrysanthemum inspired £20 per roll creation. But I like the sites she's with even more. Graham Brown has a well selected range of established and new designers, great prices, style and just take a look at their set of Wow wallpapers......and go 'Wow'.

Posted by Carole

If I could be a catalogue, then it would be the Pedlars one. Full of quirky and stylish, very well selected housey/ garden /life stuff to lust after. This set of 4 aviary melamine dinner plates cost £24.95. But I could have picked on their willow teapot and mugs, their lights, their smellies...take a look and tell me you don't want just a little something?

Posted by Carole

I'm not a massive fan of Mfi , finding a lot of their products cheap and not very cheerful. This doesn't stop me looking and stumbling across the odd well crafted bargain like these 1950's Arne Jacobsen inspired Orb chairs with chrome legs. Available in 4 colours and costing £75 a pair - this product might just tempt me back into that dismal store.

Posted by Carole

For some of you being able to buy Ikea stuff online will come as the best news you've had all day. Bad news (for some of you) is there's not an awful lot on offer and you don't get a vegy hot dog thrown in. However purchasing this simple, 50's feel Septim pendant light for £10.49, could postpone an argument or divorce after a trip to this popular Swedish store. For Ikea devotees you could join the Ikea family for discounts and product news, or submit your home for an Ikea makeover. Have to confess to enjoying Ikea virtually much better than the reality experience. Do miss that nibble at the end though for mission accomplished, no fatalities.

Posted by Carole

Spring is in the air and I wish I could justify buying these vibrant Prestige green saucepans. Reduced from £100 to £50 for 5 pans - a 14cm milkman, 16cm, 18cm & 20cm covered saucepans and a 24cm open french skillet, all finished off with a DuPont non stick interior. Makes my black ones look very dull and boring, so off to Debenhams for me.

Posted by Carole

My twin regulary boycotts Next on the basis of 'You can spot a Next clothing item from 100 paces'. Maybe so but that doesn't mean you should completely ignore their growing interior section. These red paper lanterns
are playful and hurrahhh battery powered so no ugly cables, plus only £8. While you're there, I can safely say they have the best priced selection of bathroom accessories. And I should know as I had a temporary fixation about these, thankfully it's now passed.

Posted by Carole

Having lived with plain wooden stairs for five years, I really want to liven things up with a runner. This turkey red Chatham number fits the bill perfectly from Roger Oates. Prices start from £620 to cover a straight run of 13 steps. If this sounds too scary take a peek in their clearance basket at rugs, runners or fabrics - as there's not a bad selection.

Posted by Carole

Feather & Black also incorporates the Iron Bed Company, so you can expect a great selection of beds and some sumptious linen. This Aspen bed is different in that you can chose the fabric it is upholstered in and it's currently reduced from £975 to £925 for a double. Lots of March bargains to be had as well as some beautifully designed childrens furniture and duvets -might motivate me to have a much needed Spring clean.

Posted by Carole

You're guaranteed a quirky shopping experience when you enter the world of Corolla Cream. Heaps of fabulous vintage finds like this 1960's coffee pot designed by Jessie Tait for £40. Apart from the unusual site layout, which resembles a car boot table top ensemble, they also hold an online market every Wednesday and Sunday. Join their mailing list and you get a £5 gift voucher, this site is a must for people like me who love a good weekend rummage.

Posted by Carole

If you can't afford the real Panton, then how about this cheeky curvy replica for £45 from Dwell . You can see the real thing at their shops in Balham, Islington or Fort Dunlop in Birmingham, they also have a fairly substantial online shop. Their magazine is very tantalising but as I found out a lot of the goods are quite disappointing in the flesh. This chair also comes in black and the child's version is £19.95, as they say you get what you pay for.

Posted by Carole

Highly sustainable bamboo is the material of the past and of the future. The Pier have some lovely inlaid and lacquered bamboo things with a nice retro touch such as this Kitebo Mirror from Vietnam, reduced from £65 to just £45. There are vases and bowls to match too, from the sale price of £12.

Posted by Ros