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I often feel bad for blokes that like to cook. There seems to be an assumption that only women buy things for the kitchen, so there is a lot of pastels and cupcakes splashed across everything. The Hairy Bikers are now working to even up the balance with their new collection of cookware. The Hairy Biker Pestle and Mortar for example is finished in cobalt blue glaze that offers a masculine style. The inside of the Mortar is unglazed, revealing the cream stoneware. The unusual mortar shape allows the matching pestle to rest on either side and gives it a distinctive profile. Available from John Lewis, the Hairy Biker Pestle and Mortar is £25.
Hairy Bikers Pestle & Mortar - £25
Posted by Kate on February 1, 2010 12:06 AM
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My mum has just moved into one of those huge American RVs where space is a prized commodity. Rather than leave their old silver service in storage, she's decided that that they may as well use it. She called me a couple of months ago looking for Silver Cloth Cutlery Rolls to store their knives, forks and spoons. Not only will it protect the cutlery, it will keep everything from rattling around while on the road. At the time they were impossible to find, but now that she's made her own, Lakeland have found these lovely blue Anti-Tarnish Cutlery Rolls. The soft cotton fabric is impregnated with a 'secret formula' of ionic salts that prevent your silver from tarnishing. Just slip your tableware into the individual pockets and then fold the top down before you roll it up. If you have larger items like serving spoons or candle sticks there is a matching drawstring bag made from the same anti-tarnish cloth. A space efficient way to store and protect your tableware, the Anti-Tarnish Cutlery Roll is £12.99 while the Serving Spoon Bag is £9.99 from Lakeland
Anti-Tarnish Cutlery Roll - £12.99
Anti-Tarnish Serving Spoon Bag - £9.99
Posted by Kate on February 4, 2010 12:00 AM
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I love my Emma Bridgewater tableware, but save it for those special dinners and celebrations. Just the times when these lovely platters would be so useful! At Christmas the Large Platter is perfect for serving a huge roast goose or turkey. The medium platter can serve up a whole roast chicken with potatoes and salad, fabulous for those special Sunday dinners. Finally the small platter is brilliant for presenting delicious sides or individual cakes. A fantastic addition to your holiday table, the Emma Bridgewater Platters are available individually or as a set of three in either the cheerful Polka Dot or the charming Black Toast.
Small Black Toast Platter - £24.95
Medium Black Toast Platter - £49.95
Large Black Toast Platter - £85.00
Nest of 3 Black Toast Platters - £159.90
Small Polka Dot Platter - £24.95
Medium Polka Dot Platter - £49.95
Large Polka Dot Platter - £85.00
Nest of 3 Polka Dot Platters - £159.90
Also in case you missed them last time, the Emma Bridgewater Bakers have been re-released! Click here to read the Kitchen Critic article and links!
Posted by Kate on February 3, 2010 12:00 AM
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With Valentine's just a few days off, these Gender Bread Cookie Cutters are a great idea. Create personalised cookies that symbolise your relationship or decorate them with your sweetheart's favourite candies. You could also make unique place settings for a Valentine's Day dinner party or have a fun decorating party for children. Available in two styles the Gender Bread cookie cutters feature either two boys or a boy and a girl holding hands. Designed in the UK, the Gender Bread Cookie Cutter is £7.95 from Gift Lab.
Gender Bread Cookie Cutter - £7.95
Posted by Kate on February 2, 2010 12:07 AM
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The fabulous @lipsticklori (Twitter) found the Tea Sub and I just had to share it with you. Reminiscent of the famous Beatles movie, this cheerful submarine dives to the bottom of your mug to brew your favourite tea. The nose of the silicone sub opens so you can fill it with loose tea, while the round pierced portals let water in to mix freely with the leaves. Suspended from a thin metal chain and hook, it's easy to rescue from the water when your tea is brewed. A quirky gift for tea lovers, the Yellow Tea Sub is £6.99 from Play.com.
The Yellow Tea Sub - £6.99
Posted by Kate on February 5, 2010 12:07 AM
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I don't know about you, but I've had enough of snow and I'm already looking forward to summer. If you want to make the most of the fine weather, the Guzzini Pic Boll is a brilliant choice. A contemporary update of a classic 70s design, the Pic Bol features the bright trendy colours Guzzini is famous for. Inside the frosted white ball fit an impressive six place settings, making it great for impromptu parties. The set includes:
2 Containers • 1 Tray • 6 Flat Plates • 6 Deep Plates
6 Fruit Plates • 6 Beakers
A compact picnic set perfect for alfresco parties, the Guzzini Pic Boll is £66.90 from Forma House.
Guzzini Pic Boll - £66.90
Posted by Kate on February 7, 2010 12:06 AM
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I think Tala could offer empty boxes and I'd still be tempted to buy them. While you may not be looking forward to Valentine's Day, the Tala Pancake Making Set will have you impatient for February 16th. With a fantastic retro style, Tala transforms basic kitchen utensils into vintage inspired glamour. The Pancake Making Set includes a non-drip dispenser, a heart shaped ring, and a special aluminium pancake pan. Perfect for those who struggle to flip pancakes, the two-sided non-stick pan lets you pour in the batter, close the lid and the turn the entire pan over. A great addition to both Valentine's and Pancake Day, the Tala Pancake Making Set is £18 from Debenhams.
Tala Pancake Making Set - £18
Posted by Kate on February 9, 2010 12:03 AM
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If only I had a kaffeeklatsch of espresso lovers to serve with this fantastic Espresso Cups Tray. I love the repetition of line and shape in this clever design. Each square porcelain cup stands on its own bamboo saucer, which slots into the larger bamboo tray. There are also small steel spoons which rest across the centre of each cup. Designed by Fellina Sok-Cham, the Espresso Cups and Tray is the winner of a student design contest. A brilliant modern design, the set can also be used to serve desserts or even appetisers! Available from The Design Museum Shop for £49.95, the Espresso Cups and Tray adds a minimalist designer glamour to your next gathering.
Espresso Cups + Tray - £49.95
Posted by Kate on February 10, 2010 12:07 AM
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Le Creuset are famous for the fabulous colours of their beautiful oven-to-tableware. Now they've added a deep and sophisticated Cassis to their trendy palette. Le Creuset have been making high quality cast iron since 1925, and the dark blackcurrent glaze adds just a touch of cool colour to these timeless pieces. The new Cassis collection includes both the cast iron casseroles and the versatile stoneware dishes. To celebrate this fashionable new colour, John Lewis and Le Creuset are also offering a free set of three stoneware Glamour Mini's with the purchase of any Round or Oval Iron Casseroles till the 31st of July (or while stocks last.) A great time to invest in this quality cookware, the new Cassis Le Creusets are available from John Lewis.
Le Creuset Cassis Square Grillit - £65
Le Creuset Cassis 20cm Round Casserole - £90
Le Creuset Cassis 24cm Round Casserole - £115
Le Creuset Cassis 28cm Round Casserole - £140
Le Creuset Cassis 25cm Oval Casserole - £100
Le Creuset Cassis 29cm Oval Casserole - £120
Le Creuset Cassis Shallow Casserole - £125
Posted by Kate on February 11, 2010 12:08 AM
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I'm always a sucker for a nice wooden spoon. Not exactly the most complex of kitchen tools, there's still something reassuring and warm about a well designed spoon. As part of their new kitchen collection, the Hairy Bikers have created some practical wood utensils with a touch of humour. Made from FSC approved European beech, they each feature a witty phrase down the handle. The three-piece Utensil Set includes a large and medium spoon, each with sculpted handles, while the spatula has a stylish pattern of holes. Similarly the Hairy Biker Salad Servers mimic spanners and feature handy magnets which keep them together. Hard-wearing, simple and functional tools, the Hairy Biker Utensils Sets are £6 each from John Lewis.
Hairy Biker 3-Piece Utensil Set - £6
Hairy Biker Salad Servers - £6
Posted by Kate on February 12, 2010 12:05 AM
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Blending natural beauty with environmental responsibility, slate has recently started appearing on stylish table tops. London Kills Me uses reclaimed slate to create these whimsical placemats. Featuring loose sketches of iconic London Landmarks, these mats capture the juxtaposition of modern life. The images of Canary Warf, Battersea Power Station, the great wheel and Big Ben, and the Gherkin and the Tower of London, are all printed by hand upon the dark stone. Like the Slate Cheese Board we featured last year, you can draw or write on the mats with chalk personalising each one. Available from Rockette St George, a set of four London Landmark Placements is £42 while a set of matching coasters are £24.
Four London Landmark Slate Coasters - £24.00
Four London Landmark Slate Placemats - £42.00
Continue reading "London Landmark Placemats by London Kills Me" »
Posted by Kate on February 13, 2010 12:05 AM
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Fantastic! I've been dying to write about the Edge Brownie Pan for years, but till now it's only been available in those far off American shores. Firebox have come to our rescue though, and are now stocking these clever pans! The genius design of the Edge Brownie Pan ensures that every brownie you bake is the delicious balance of crispy caramelised edges and moist chewy centres. The interior walls of the pan help circulate the heat evenly and make all your brownies 'edge' pieces. Cast from a heavy-gauge aluminium, the durable non-stick pan makes it easy to pop out and slice your brownies. A Firebox exclusive, the Edge Brownie Pan come with a special nylon spatula and a handy recipe leaflet all for £29.99.
Edge Brownie Pan - £29.99
Posted by Kate on February 16, 2010 12:02 AM
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If you love slate, but the London Placemats we featured on Monday aren't quite your style, you may prefer this lovely Dandelion pattern instead. Made from reclaimed slate, each mat is hand-printed with a rough dandelion sketch. A mixture of black and white drawings, the floral pattern accents the natural slate. Created by London Kills Me, the contemporary floral design brings a trendy spring style to your table. The Slate Dandelion Placemats come in sets of four or six, and there are also matching coasters available from Rockett St George.
Set of 4 Dandelion Placemats - £39
Set of 6 Dandelion Placemats - £54
Set of 4 Dandelion Coasters - £24
Set of 6 Dandelion Coasters - £36
Continue reading "Slate Dandelion Placemats" »
Posted by Kate on February 17, 2010 12:00 AM
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Whether you're making cocktails or lemon marmalade, nothing is better than fresh pressed juice. Chef'n have created the FreshForce citrus press to get every drop of that delicious flavour. The patented steel dual-gear mechanism gets an impressive 20% more juice from your limes, lemons and small oranges. With chromed, die-cast zinc metal parts and nylon handles, it's both durable and dishwasher safe. Never buy pre-squeezed juice again, the Chef'n FreshForce Citrus Juicer is £19.99 from Firebox.
Chef'n FreshForce Citrus Juicer - £19.99
Continue reading "Chef'n FreshForce Citrus Juicer" »
Posted by Kate on February 18, 2010 12:04 AM
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I love the modern take on vintage style in the M&S Posy Gingham Tableware. The pretty pink tableware is liberally sprinkled with plump blooms and accented with a light raspberry gingham. In places the white stoneware is revealed, giving it contemporary precision and breaking up the pink before it becomes overwhelming. The only flaw I can see is that I doubt I can convince Dan to eat off these pretty plates. A brilliant collection that captures the free spirited style of contemporary retro, the Posy Gingham Tableware is available from Marks and Spencer.
Posy Gingham Side Plate - £6.00
Posy Gingham Dinner Plate - £7.50
Posy Gingham Bowl - £6.00
Posy Gingham Cup & Saucer - £7.50
Set of Four Posy Gingham Mugs - £19.50
Posy Gingham Teapot - £25.00
Posy Gingham Creamer & Sugar Bowl Set - £25.00
Posted by Kate on February 22, 2010 12:06 AM
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You can find inspiration anywhere, and this Hot Barock Trivet has me planning a whole dinner party with elegant china and sophisticated flavours. I may have to redecorate the dining room. Made from five separate silicone pieces, this classically inspired trivet can accommodate any sized plate or dish, while the architecturally inspired forms make a practical centerpiece for your table. Placed on a coloured tablecloth, the Hot Barock Trivet will blend classic and modern styles. Available from Pedlars, the Hot Barock Trivet is £14.95.
Hot Barock Trivet - £14.95
Posted by Kate on February 24, 2010 12:09 AM
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They may not help you cook, but they will certainly brighten up your kitchen! Similar to those Chinese lantern lampshades, these decorations have a bamboo frame and are covered in colourful silk. I love the blue colander with its tiny holes and curvy feet. They'd look wonderful hung in a sunny window, and help generate an eclectic style. A kitchen themed work of art, the Silk & Bamboo Decorations are £49.95 each from Pedlars.
Silk & Bamboo Pot - £49.95
Silk & Bamboo Kettle - £49.95
Silk & Bamboo Colander - £49.95
Posted by Kate on February 23, 2010 12:03 AM
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Back home, pot lucks are a common way to feed large parties of people. With everyone bringing a dish big enough to feed their family, there's never a shortage of food even if unexpected guests arrive. It's also a great way to share the work around when organising those big holiday meals. The Lock & Lock Salad Bowl is a brilliant container for these events. The robust plastic bowl won't get damaged while travelling, and the many clips around the top make sure the lid won't come loose. Finally the big blue handle makes it easy to carry even if you've got your hands full of bags or children. Great for all types of cold salad, the five litre bowl can go straight from the fridge to the table. A fantastic way to make travelling with food easier and less stressful, the Lock & Lock Salad Bowl is £14.99 from Lakeland.
Lock & Lock Salad Bowl - £14.99
Posted by Kate on February 25, 2010 12:07 AM
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When walking through the store, the vibrant Janice Tchalenko Poppy Tableware instantly captivates you. The bold poppies sing with fluid grace, blending fine art and practical china. With metallic accented petals, the lush ruby blooms are paired with soft and hazy leaves for a modern romance. Designed exclusively for John Lewis, the Janice Tchalenko Poppy Tableware brings a passionate beauty to your table.
Poppy Mug - £8.50
Poppy Dessert Plate - £4.00
Poppy Dinner Plate - £5.50
24cm Poppy Low Bowl - £13.00
34cm Poppy Low Bowl - £25.75
15cm Poppy Footed Serving - £9.25
23cm Poppy Footed Serving - £21.00
Medium Poppy Jug - £19.75
Large Poppy Jug - £23.50
Posted by Kate on February 26, 2010 12:09 AM
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