diff --git a/hyde/tests/test_model.py b/hyde/tests/test_model.py
index e980fc9..7e91121 100644
--- a/hyde/tests/test_model.py
+++ b/hyde/tests/test_model.py
@@ -65,7 +65,6 @@ class TestConfig(object):
 
         assert c.deploy_root_path == TEST_SITE_ROOT.child_folder('deploy')
 
-
     def test_conf1(self):
         c = Config(sitepath=TEST_SITE_ROOT, config_dict=yaml.load(self.conf1))
         assert c.content_root_path == TEST_SITE_ROOT.child_folder('stuff')
diff --git a/hyde/tests/test_util.py b/hyde/tests/test_util.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6f7e287
--- /dev/null
+++ b/hyde/tests/test_util.py
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
+"""
+Use nose
+`$ pip install nose`
+`$ nosetests`
+"""
+
+from hyde.util import load_python_object
+import os
+
+def test_can_load_locals():
+
+    file_class = load_python_object('hyde.fs.File')
+    assert file_class
+
+    f = file_class(__file__)
+    assert f
+
+    assert f.name == os.path.basename(__file__)
diff --git a/hyde/util.py b/hyde/util.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..470d946
--- /dev/null
+++ b/hyde/util.py
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+"""
+Hyde utilities
+"""
+import sys
+
+
+def load_python_object(name):
+    """
+    Loads a python module from string
+    """
+    (module_name, _ , object_name) = name.rpartition(".")
+    __import__(module_name)
+    module = sys.modules[module_name]
+    return getattr(module, object_name)