H&M Homeware Spring/Summer 2011
Unlike every other savvy high-street shopper, H&M is a brand I struggle with. The false warmth of fluorescent lights and squeaky laminate is enough to put me off, but getting up close to the clothing range sends me running. I know it’s supposed to be cheap, fast fashion, but must it look like it too? The jersey is a little too stretchy, the floaty fabrics more voile than chiffon. It’s one of those frustrating places where everyone seems to find stuff I like, but when I go in? Nothing. Read more…
Dive for your Dinner
Supply and demand: we want everything, we want it fast, we want it cheap and we want it all year round. But what if our requirements are having an unseen detrimental effect on our community and our world? Lease finds out what you can do to help. Read more…
Grow Your Own
With housing estates shooting up faster than seems humanly possible, gardens are getting smaller and few and far between. With this in mind, Lease investigates an alternative; having your own allotment. Read more…
Scrimp and Save – The Fun Way
Fed up of watching your finances disappear on menial necessities? Expert thrifter, Rebecca shows you how to make the most of your money (by not spending it!). Read more…
Chateau for Rent?
It’s all doom and gloom in the housing market, but that doesn’t mean dreams of living in central London have to float away. Lease discovers a new way around impossible mortgages and rocketing rent prices, plus an ingenious way to beat squatters. Read more…
Ten of the Best (and Worst) Home Blogs
Find out about the homeware blogs Lease rates and hates by clicking here.
Grab an Online Bargain!
Don’t forget to grab a bargain with April’s Ten of the Best Online Bargains! Read more…
Waste Not, Want Not
Lease meets Heather, 22 and Marcus, 31 a couple who renovated their whole house on a shoestring budget. Here, Lease finds out how they did it…Read more…
Transformation Time!
Fed up of my student digs, I decided to give the place a mini-makeover using a few accessories and a lot of elbow grease. Here I show you how I did it and offer some tips for decorating your own space. Read more…
1. Bottle, Wilkinsons, £4 for a set of 6; Tala Cook’s Measure, Next, £5; Flower, hairband, Boots, clearance at 50p; 2. Heart Tin, Valentines present; Mirror, Neighbour was going to throw it out, free; 3. Home hooks, charity shop, £1; Kilner Jars, Sainsburys, half price, £1.09-£1.13; 4. Blackboard, found in a skip, free; 5. Bottle, as before ; Mini bucket, charity shop, 20p; Flowers, hairclips, borrowed from housemate; 6. Cath Kidston button tins, borrowed from housemate.
1. Bath mat, Sainsburys, half price, £3.50; 2. Flannel, Sainsburys, half price, 50p; Hand Towel, Sainsburys, half price, £2; Bath Towel, Sainsburys, half price, £3; 3. L’Oreal Silver Shampoo and Shine Blonde Conditioner, stolen from my mum; Cath Kidston Bubble Bath, Brush Roll and Pencil Tin, borrowed from housemate; O.P.I mini nailvarnishes, Christmas present; Elemis Minis, part of a goodie bag received at London Fashion Week; Tea Light Holders, IKEA, £1.99 for a set of 5; Lovely by Sarah-Jessica Parker and Coco Mademoiselle by Chanel, my own; 4. Lavender bag, Charity shop, 50p for 2 ; 5. Wicker Basket, Poundland, £1; Flowers, Charity shop, bought as basket display, 50p; 6. Heart on a rope, borrowed from a housemate, free; 7. Bottle, Wilkinsons, £4 for a set of 6; 8. Blue Vases, Next, £8 for a set of 3; 9. Bottle, as before; Pearls, found in my jewellery box; Soap & Glory Daily Smooth and mini Flake-Away, Boots, part of a super-size Christmas set, half price plus staff discount, £15.
