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Emma Bridgewater is famous for their gorgeous handmade tableware that embodies the quirky charm of Britain. Reinterpreting their most popular Black Toast pattern, the new White Toast offers a subtle and understated style. The iconic creamware is decorated in pure white letters that spell out tasty delights like Chicken Pie & Mashed Potatoes, Vanilla Ice Cream & White Coffee. A relaxed alternative to pristine white china, the White Toast Collection can be mixed with the seasons trendiest colours for continuous fresh style. Available online from Emma Bridgewater, the White Toast Tableware offers rustic sophistication and glamour.
White Toast ½ Pint Mug - £15.95
White Toast Cereal Bowl - £15.95
White Toast Pasta Bowl - £17.95
White Toast 8 ½" Plate - £12.95
White Toast 10 ½" Plate - £15.95
White Toast ½ Pint Jug - £19.95
White Toast Four Cup Teapot - £49.95
Posted by Kate on December 1, 2009 12:00 AM
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You can certainly tell its winter now! It's the first day of December and the temperature has plummeted; at this rate we'll have a snowy Christmas. The Viners Silver Snowflake Dinner Set is the perfect compliment for this chilly weather. The platinum flakes offer a glamorous accent to the pristine white porcelain tableware. Sprinkled with a pattern of metallic snowflakes, the Viners Snowflake Tableware has a contemporary festive style. Currently on sale at Viners, a 16 piece set of Silver Snowflake Tableware is a bargain at £20 (with free delivery)!
Viners Sliver Snowflake Dinner Set (4 Place Settings) - £20
Viners Silver Snowflake Serving Bowl - £30.60
UPDATE: At the checkout use the voucher code VINERS20 for an additional 20% off! It brings the 16-piece set down to an amazing £16!
Posted by Kate on December 2, 2009 12:01 AM
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The Modern Botanicals collection from the Big Tomato Company lets you mix and match patterns to create your own garden. Designed by Atlanta Bartlett, each piece of creamware is decorated with detailed drawings of flowers and insects. There are six different flowers matched with six different insects, while elegant capital letters ring the edge. From Camellia, Dahlia, Fritillary, Hydrangea, Himalayan Poppy and Tulip to Bumblebee, Dragonfly, Fritillary Butterfly, Hawk Moth, Ladybird, Large Blue Butterfly and Speckled Wood Butterfly the Modern Botanicals Collection captures the beauty of summer gardens. The dinner plates features a flower paired with a matching insect while the letters round the edge give both the common name and Genus of the flower. The Cake Plates feature a small insect which is named around the edge. The collection includes twelve different mugs, so you can chose your favourite illustrations. Rounding out the range, there are matching jugs, teapots, serving bowls, egg cups, teabag tidies, plant pots and plant labels all available on line from the Big Tomato Company.
Modern Botanicals Egg Cups - £7.95
Modern Botanicals Mug - £8.95
Modern Botanicals Cake Plate - £9.50
Modern Botanicals Dinner Plate - £14.95
Modern Botanicals Serving bowls - £45.00
Modern Botanicals Small Speckled Wood Teapot - £30.95
Modern Botanicals Large Tulip Teapot - £39.95
Modern Botanicals Teabag Tidies - £5.00
Modern Botanicals Plant Pots - £18.95
Modern Botanicals Plant Labels - £5.50
Posted by Kate on December 3, 2009 12:00 AM
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I love the classic natural style of these Opinel Kitchen Knives. Made in France since the 1890s, Opinel are well known for their utilitarian kitchen knives. With stainless steel blades and real wood handles, the Opinel knives have a practical timeless style. The set includes:
A Multi-Purpose Kitchen Knife - A Serrated Knife - A Curved Vegetable Knife - Vegetable Peeler
Packaged in a vintage inspired box, these lovely knives would make a brilliant gift for your favourite vintage aficionado. Available online from Pedlars, the 4-Piece Opinel Kitchen Knife Set is £39.50.
Opinel 4-Piece Kitchen Knife Set - £39.50
Posted by Kate on December 4, 2009 12:02 AM
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I've not got any little ones myself, but it only takes one trip with a young niece or nephew to realise how tricky it is to prepare bottles on the go. The revolutionary bottle from yoomi simplifies life by combining the bottle and warmer into one! Rather than lugging around flasks or asking for hot water, all you need to do is push the orange button and fit the insert inside the teat. Ready in just 60 seconds, the milk is heated as it flows through the channels on the insert. This gently warms the milk to natural breast milk temperature (32-34°C). The warmer then stays warm for up to an hour. There is no chance of overheating the milk and the warmer can be recharged up to 100 times. 100% BPA free the yoomi Self Warming Bottles can fit in any standard electric steam steriliser. A great idea for busy families on the go, the yoomi Self Warming Bottles are available from John Lewis.
yoomi Self Warming Bottle - £22
yoomi Warmer - £16
yoomi Bottle - £7.50
yoomi Slow Flow Teats (Pack of 2) - £4.50
yoomi Medium Flow Teats (Pack of 2) - £4.50
Posted by Kate on December 8, 2009 12:01 AM
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If you grew up wishing you were a member of the Famous Five or the Secret Seven, why not let Optima indulge those childhood dreams. Treat yourself to a picnic of hot buttered scones, tomato sandwiches, hard boiled eggs, slabs of cake and of course lashings of ginger beer on these lovely pale blue plates. The two person Blyton Picnic Basket features a bright red tin with a removable willow tray filled with hand crafted accessories. Bursting with vintage style, the set includes:
2 mugs - 2 plates - 2 knife & fork sets - 2 napkins - An insulated flask Salt & pepper cruets - A cotton plate bag - A cotton cutlery bag
A brilliant way to take a break from the hustle and bustle of modern life, the Blyton 2-person Picnic Basket is £70 from Optima.
Blyton 2-person Picnic Basket - £70
Posted by Kate on December 7, 2009 12:04 AM
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If meals were theatrical productions, Christmas would be a Broadway hit! After you've put so much effort into cooking the perfect turkey, you want to show it off in style. The Eva Solo carving set offers minimalist glamour for modern Christmas dinners. Fashioned from Asian blade steel, the ultra-sharp knife makes carving effortless. Both the knife and fork are made from a single piece of metal so the handle runs seamlessly into the blade and prongs. A sophisticated addition to your Christmas productions, the Eva Solo Carving Set is £106 from Made in Design.
Eva Solo Carving Set - £106
Posted by Kate on December 9, 2009 12:03 AM
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Sick of people asking you to pass the salt and pepper? Let the Salt and Pepper Bots come to the rescue! Like they stepped out of a 1950s Sci-fi drive-in, these bright-eyed bots are made to serve. Like the toys you had as a child, these clockwork figures wind up and then waddle away, though not always in a straight line. Sporting the iconic shaker tops you'll find in roadside cafes across the UK, these chaps capture a vintage future style. A great way to lighten the mood at dinner, the Salt and Pepper Bot Set is £19.99 from Firebox.
Salt & Pepper Bot Set - £19.99
Posted by Kate on December 10, 2009 12:01 AM
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I've managed to escape for a pre-Christmas holiday visit with a friend in Tunbridge Wells. It's a fabulous town for shopping. Yesterday I wandered into the Aga Store and managed to bag myself a brilliant bargain on a pair of Microplane Graters. They've been on my wish list for years! Designed for professional chefs, Microplane blades use chemicals to create extremely sharp teeth unlike traditionally stamped graters. The Professional series features an ergonomic curved steel handle and rubber foot that keeps it from sliding away. If you want some yourself, you can get them from Cooking Marvellous for £17.99 each.
Microplane Professional Fine Grater - £17.99
Microplane Professional Coarse Grater - £17.99
Posted by Kate on December 11, 2009 12:07 AM
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There is nothing like curling up on the sofa in a big warm blanket with a bowl of comfort food. Alessi have come up with a brilliant bowl perfect for those cosy nights in. Part of their affordable A di Alessi collection, the MooM Nomadic Bowl makes it simple to eat one handed. The deep spherical bowl has two small feet and a handy hook for holding you wine glass. Designed by Giovanni Alessi Anghini, these thermoplastic bowls are available in clear, white or transparent red. Ideal for quick meals and informal dinners the MooM bowls are £14.50 each.
White MooM Bowl - £14.30
Red MooM Bowl - £14.30
Transparent MooM Bowl - £14.30
Posted by Kate on December 14, 2009 12:06 AM
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If you are planning your first big Christmas dinner this year, it may be time to consider investing in a dishwasher. Even if you are short on unit space, you can still find dishwashers to lend you a hand. The Bosch Compact Dishwasher sits on your worktop and is just a bit bigger than a microwave. There are five wash programs offering everything from an Intensive 70º cycle, the Normal 65º cycle, the 50º Eco cycle, a Delicate 40º and a Quick 45º cycle. The Eco cycle uses just 7 litres of water, so you can help protect the environment while you save yourself time! Available in a brash and bold red or yellow, this dishwasher can make a modern designer statement. A brilliant way to relax and enjoy your holiday meals, the Bosch Compact Dishwasher is available from John Lewis.
White Bosch Compact Diswasher (SKS40E02GB) - £389
Yellow Bosch Compact Diswasher (SKS50E11U) - £429
Red Bosch Compact Diswasher (SKS50E01EU) - £429
Silver Bosch Compact Diswasher (SKS50E18EU) - £429
Black Bosch Compact Diswasher (SKS50E16EU) - £429
Posted by Kate on December 15, 2009 12:00 AM
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Sometimes you just want something cheap and cheerful, and the Dotty Toaster is just that. A great way to brighten up dull kitchens, the colourful spots are cute and cheerful. The Dotty Toaster has extra wide slots for thick slices of bread and features both a defrost & a reheat button. Don't forget the removable crumb tray too, which makes cleaning a snap! A nice basic toaster perfect for your first flat, the Dotty Toaster is £19 from John Lewis.
Dotty Toaster - £19
Posted by Kate on December 17, 2009 12:01 AM
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A part of Royal VKB's new collection of personal cutlery, the new design by Bow Wow lets you express your individuality. Inspired by nature, these stainless steel utensils feature petal like bowls and sprouting branch handles. For a dramatic table setting the three main pieces can be combined to create a tipi, adding height and glamour. Each set includes a knife, fork, spoon, teaspoon and chopsticks all presented in a stylish storage box. Available from Made in Design, a set of Bow Wow Cutlery from Royal VKB is £53.80.
Royal VKB Bow Wow Cutlery - £53.80
Posted by Kate on December 16, 2009 12:01 AM
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Now I've picked up one of the beautiful Slate Cheese Boards, I really need to get a cheese knife to match. This gorgeous Cheese Knife by Guzzini would make a fantastic complement. The sculptural form and gleaming stainless steel adds a sophisticated accent to the natural rough stone. Designed by Denis Santachiara, the Guzzini knife features a spherical handle and flat leave shaped blade. Made for cutting hard cheese, the Guzzini balances its artistic beauty with practical function. While my favourite is the Hard Cheese Knife pictured, there is a whole range of Guzzini Cheese Knives available from Made in Design.
Guzzini Hard Cheese Knife - £14.30
Guzzini Semi-Hard Cheese Knife - £16.90
Guzzini Bell-Shaped Cheese Knife - £16.90
Guzzini Hard Cheese Knife with Flaking Blade - £20.60
Guzzini Two-Pronged Fork - £16.90
Posted by Kate on December 18, 2009 12:06 AM
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Dan's loves bamboo. Besides being a fast growing renewable material, it's durable and attractive. Assembled from smaller bamboo pieces, gorgeous textures and patterns can be created from the grains. This Legnoart Grembo Fruit Bowl for example features several bands of different grains, creating a striking stripe effect. The warm bamboo is then accented with a stainless steel ring around the base, giving it an air if modern sophistication. Brilliant for serving fruit or salad, the Grembo Fruit Bowl is available in two sizes from My Living Space.
Small Grembo Fruit Bowl - £55
Large Grembo Fruit Bowl - £75
Posted by Kate on December 21, 2009 12:04 AM
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I love the modern romantic style of the new Marks and Spencer Peony Collection. The pristine porcelain plates are decorated with a lush pink peony accented with pale green leaves and black line sketches. The expressive 'painted' flowers mixed with rough sketches creates a contemporary decorative style. A beautiful alternative to traditional florals, the Peony Tableware has a soft feminine style without being sickly sweet. A glamorous tableware for any season, the Peony Collection is only available from M&S.
M&S Peony 12-Piece Dinner Set - £69
M&S Peony Cereal Bowl - £6
M&S Peony Pasta Bowl - £7.50
Posted by Kate on December 22, 2009 12:08 AM
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It's been a few years now since the first eco-kettles hit the market. This means we can look forward to the new and improved designs of second generation products. The Breville Hot Cup VKJ318 makes huge improvements on the original. Like the original, the idea is that you only boil the water you need, thus saving energy. However the new design offers a variable dispense feature that allows you to measure out between 150-250mL of water, depending on what you need. Unlike some eco-kettles, the Hot Cup heats water up to 85°C just a few degrees less than traditional kettles. The Hot Cup also holds more water so you don't need to refill it as often and there is a detachable drip tray to keep your counters tidy. Reading reviews on Amazon, it's obvious that Breville have got something right when designing the Hot Cup. Perfect for small families that only make a couple of drinks at a time, the Breville Hot Cup is £58.77 from Amazon UK.
Breville Hot Cup VKJ318 - £58.77
Thanks to S.Osborne's helpful 4-star review on Amazon UK.
Posted by Kate on December 23, 2009 12:03 AM
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We'll be back on the 29th!
Posted by Kate on December 24, 2009 12:03 AM
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When it comes to Christmas, Emma Bridgewater tableware is always on my list! It's never the wrong size and always matches what I already have. This year I received an 8 ½ inch Black Toast Plate (which takes me up to a set of four) and this pretty Daffodil Mug. The ½ Pint Mug is part of the Bridgewater Flowers Collection designed on behalf of the National Gardens Scheme. Bursting with bold and bright colours, these cheerful mugs brighten even the darkest days. Each mug features a single flower and has a message written across the bottom giving a bit of information about it. A great set to mix and match, you can build a kitchen garden with all your favourite blooms. Available online from Emma Bridgewater, the Daffodil ½ Pint Mug is £15.95.
Emma Bridgewater Daffodil ½ Pint Mug - £15.95
Emma Bridgewater Daffodil Baby Mug - £11.95
Posted by Kate on December 29, 2009 12:03 AM
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I can't help but have a soft spot for these Miffy Egg Cups. They are perfect for little ones breakfasts. The wide base can't be knocked over and those little ears make it easy for children to hold and move. Decorated with the iconic bunny in an orange spot, these ceramic egg cups are great for both boys and girls. An adorable addition to your children's mornings, the Miffy Egg Cup is £8.00 from Design Shop UK.
Miffy Egg Cup - £8
Posted by Kate on December 30, 2009 12:04 AM
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I forgot the other item on our Christmas list this year; one of the fantastic OXO Salad Spinners! The beauty of this spinner is in its silky smooth motion. The Good Grips Salad Spinner has a large black plunger that pops up from the lid. With just a few presses, the inner basket begins to spin; flinging the water from your salad leaves. When you're finished, just press the brake and the basket comes to a stop. The clever design has a non-slip base and the basket and bowl can even come apart to be used separately. Available in two sizes, the OXO Good Grips Salad Spinner is available from John Lewis.
Small OXO Good Grips Salad Spinner - £18.75
Large OXO Good Grips Salad Spinner - £25.00
Posted by Kate on December 31, 2009 12:09 AM
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