Looking around our home I’ve noticed that Craig seems to be winning in the his / hers stakes and there’s a distinct lack of girliness. Although we tend to agree on the ‘big bits’ (furniture, pictures, and carpets) - when it comes to accessories, we’ve been lazy.

When Craig and I met and decided to start a home together (in the space of about 3 short weeks!) - both of us had our own places and we went through the age-old ritual of sorting though each others bits… no pun intended. We did the usual “I’m not so keen on that”, “That’s okay…” thing - we were in that funny polite (and short-lived) phase before you delight in saying feel you can say exactly how much you hate each others choice of duvet cover.

The result? We’re left with a real mixture of knickknacks and accessories that neither of us are attached to, but we can’t bring ourselves to throw away. Everything feels very bland, colourless and boring. I seem to have fed all my creativity into Dexter’s room, and none into rooms that Craig and I spend most of our time in.

Cue Cath Kidston. I’m determined to have a slice of her in every room.

I’m a massive fan of her prints. They’re so distinctly pretty and instantly recognisable. Her name has become synonymous with all things country, shabby chic, and most importantly, British. Slipping little pockets of it throughout the home has an instant uplifting effect and screams of nostalgic chintz. Whether it reminds you of Grandma’s house, the cool girls from school (you know - the ones that have gone on to work as fashion buyers for Topshop), or walks in the country - you instantly feel proud of our heritage and transported back to your childhood.

3 LITTLE KNOWN FACTS:

1. Cath Kidston is Kirstie Allsopp’s cousin
2. Cath has an adorable Lakeland Terrier called Stanley who features in many of her prints
3. She once described her London’s Holland Park shop as provoking a Marmite Reaction - “People either love it and want a little bit of it very much, or want to stab us.”

Well as a fan of the brown stuff, I can safely say I’m in the ‘Love it’ camp and once walked into a metal bin whilst admiring the shop front in my hometown, Reading.

Here are some of my favourites bits:

Just the thing for cosy nights in - Dexter and I could wear cute Mummy-and-me matching prints! This Tiny Cowboy Sleepsuit is adorable, and it might shock you to learn that I have been known to rock the odd pair of pyjamas (when I’m not slinking about in Agent Provocateur undies of course (*cough… never)).

And when it’s time for us to bed down and dream of winning the lottery, Dexter could slip into his Dinosaur bedding and I could snuggle up with Craig under an Antique Rose Eiderdown - this looks so cosy and warm and would inject a bit of much-needed colour into our whiter-than-white bedroom.

I need a new change bag for Dexter and have fallen head over heels for this Spot Saddle Bag - with some cute little pockets for keys and my mobile, all my baby baggage could be stowed inside this gorgeous little number. It’s also manly enough for Craig for when he and Dex head out alone to do boy-things.

With a contrasting wooden handle umbrella, it would inject some life into my outmoded wardrobe - I might even pass as ‘cool’ again. I’m pretty sure my trench-coat is circa 1970 so would match this perfectly.

For the living room, a simple splash of Antique Rose on our sofa cushions and I’d get the girliness I’ve been craving. Whilst snuggling with Craig on the sofa in front of the fire, I could also make a patchwork quilt for the new baby from these Cotton Patchwork Squares (it can’t be that hard… right?). A year on in, I might even have something beautiful like this to tuck a little madam up in.

I just love how beautiful fabrics inspire crafty-folk and there’s some amazing creations on Pinterest by people turning otherwise dull objects into charming Kidston-inspired Decoupage / Handsewn Objets D’Art - like lampshades and iPad coverlets. The nice thing about Cath Kidston in particular is that she actively encourages it.

I’ve even stumbled across some Cath Kidston inspired nail-art that just goes to show how far this iconic woman has pervaded everyday culture.

But, if you’re like me and haven’t seen a sewing machine since your mum sewed on your Girl Guide badges, there’s always online stores like Amara to pick up something beautiful - many of their lines aren’t available through the Cath Kidston site at the moment and there’s plenty of other aspirational brands to tempt you too (such as Missoni Home, Roberto Cavalli, and Pip Studio).

I’ve also put togther a Pinterest Cath Kidston (Wishlist) Board with some other gorgeous bits I’m lusting after, and some of those handmade treasures I mentioned earlier.

This is my entry to win £200 worth of Cath Kidston products from Amara, the luxury online boutique.