These are a few of my favourite things...

I've been swamped with work recently and found myself spending what little time I do have free contemplating the magnificence of London-based designer Charlene Mullen's wonderful cushions. I've wanted one for years and curse my lack of forethought at not snapping one up a couple of years ago when they were a measly £45 apiece. I adore the Aerial sparrows and lovebirds circa £130 on her own website) but would be equally happy with one of the "Ralph's relatives" cat cushion range (circa £45). The individual expressions on each different cat are superb but it does give rise to the question of whether or not multiple cat cushions would make me a crazy cat lady - even though I don't own a cat? For this kind of hand-embroidered beauty, I'd be willing to be mocked. I've decided to start saving for one, although I have the feeling I'd probably hover anxiously over anyone crude enough to actually sit on the thing, especially if they were (as is common for people visiting Casa London Lisbonite) holding a glass of red wine. These cushions prove that for worry-prone folk like me, form and function cannot always be twinned. That said, I am certainly going to crack open a new piggy bank and get saving.