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Designer cupcakes have become all the rage, with impressive decorations that look too good eat! But fancy decoration isn't the only way to get people's attention, with a Giant Cupcake Mould bigger is definitely better! Now we've featured an aluminium Giant Cupcake Mould before, but this new Silicone Baking Mould has a few advantages. The most obvious difference is storage size, because the silicone mould is in three pieces they can stack within each other.
However it's that third piece that makes the silicone Cupcake Mould really interesting. It acts as a spacer in the bottom mould, creating a convenient pocket you can fill with your frosting. A clever cake suitable for parties of all ages, the Giant Silicone Cupcake Mould is £19.99 from JML Direct.
JML Direct
Giant Silicone Cupcake Baking Mould - £19.99
Pasta Daddy
Giant Silicone Cupcake Mould - £16.99
Posted by Kate on July 1, 2010 12:08 AM
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Inspired by the traditional Russian dolls, these cute nesting glasses take up hardly room at all. Featuring colourful babushka patterns, they bring a hint of that childhood curiosity. Like the story of the three bears, the set includes a 14 ounce daddy cup, a 10 ounce mummy cup and an 8 ounce baby cup. Made from a strong, dishwasher-safe borosilicate glass, they're a great choice for everyday use. Available from Play, the three-piece Babushkups set is £10.99
Babushkups - £10.99
Posted by Kate on July 2, 2010 12:13 AM
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Good design isn't about the newest technology and materials, it's not about brand names designers; good design is something that speaks to you. Common everyday materials can be given a personality we instantly love. For me this Japanese Teacup is a perfect example. The handless cup has a gently curving form with a soft rippling finish. The expressive branches are created by cutting through the gorgeous blue glaze, creating a rich contrast between the raw clay and the glossy glaze. A simple and traditional design that speaks to us even now, the Japanese Teacup is a beautiful reflection of life. Available from the V&A Museum Shop, the Japanese Teacup with Lid is £15.
Japanese Teacup with Lid - £15
Posted by Kate on July 6, 2010 12:09 AM
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Searching through several kitchen sites, it's clear that a new company has entered market. Ecology Tableware & Cookware offers a modern minimalist style with environmentally-friendly credentials. Made in energy efficient factories and with virtually no chemicals, the high-quality ceramic by Ecology lets you cook in guilt-free confidence. One of my favourite pieces is the Ecology Garlic and Onions Canister. The three piece container stacks, keeping onions on the bottom & garlic on the top. Designed to keep these bulbs in the cool, well-ventilated dark, the Ecology Canister naturally prolongs the life of your produce, while keeping it neat, tidy and close to hand. Available online from Divertimenti, the Ecology Garlic & Onions Canister is £29.95.
Ecology Garlic & Onions Canister - £29.95
Posted by Kate on July 5, 2010 12:08 AM
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Good design is really timeless; ideas that seemed fresh and innovative 40 years ago can still engage and inspire us. The Smoke Glasses by Joe Colombo look like new contemporary designs, but they were created in 1964 (back when smoking was still cool). The short stem was designed to sit between your thumb and fore-finger so you could still hold a cigarette in the same hand. Hopefully that isn't a feature you'll need, but the sculptural form is still captivating. Dramatically designed water, wine and champagne glasses, the Smoke Glasses are available from The Home Online.
Set of 2 Smoke Water Glasses - £49.95
Set of 2 Smoke Wine Glasses - £49.95
Set of 6 Smoke Champagne Glasses - £149.70
Posted by Kate on July 7, 2010 12:08 AM
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Besides the fantastic Warbeck & Cox tea towels we featured yesterday, they also offer a selection of dramatic cotton napkins. A brilliant way to add interest and personality to your table setting, the Warbeck & Cox patterns bring originality and designer flair. Available in three distinct patterns, you can add a unique charm to your dinner table. The blue Damask pattern captures a classic sophistication, while the black Key print has an air of vintage revival. The quirky beetle print is available in black or emerald green and exemplifies contemporary style, with its entomological sketches. Designed and made in England, the Warbeck & Cox napkins are ethically sourced and environmentally friendly. A brilliant compliment to plain china, a set of four napkins is £17.00 from Warbeck & Cox online.
Set of 4 Warbeck & Cox Beetle Napkins - £17
Set of 4 Warbeck & Cox Key Napkins - £17
Set of 4 Warbeck & Cox Damask Napkins - £17
Continue reading "Warbeck & Cox Napkins" »
Posted by Kate on July 9, 2010 12:02 AM
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Tea towels are fashion accessories for the kitchen. Like small fabric works of art, there are designs for every style and budget. Started by a British textile designer, Warbeck & Cox are a new company creating quirky and fun textiles perfect for the kitchen. Made in England from ethically sourced materials, Warbeck & Cox offer environmentally responsible products. Their tea towels feature lovely sketches printed on 100% linen union and have a loose expressive style. The Peppermills design is an obvious kitchen favourite, while the pale blue Damask pattern offers a subtle sophistication. The eclectic keys pattern and the bright Iron design add a quirky charm and character. A brilliant way to indulge your designer tastes, these fabulous tea towels are available online from Warbeck & Cox.
Warbeck & Cox Peppermills Tea Towel - £8.50
Warbeck & Cox Irons Tea Towel - £8.50
Warbeck & Cox Keys Tea Towel - £8.50
Warbeck & Cox Beetle Tea Towel - £8.50
Warbeck & Cox Damask Tea Towel - £8.50
Warbeck & Cox Grasshoppers Tea Towel - £8.50
Continue reading "Warbeck & Cox Tea Towels" »
Posted by Kate on July 8, 2010 12:08 AM
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Herdy creates bright trendy products made and made completely in Britain, more importantly though they also work to support our beautiful Lake District. For example, their first project was to support the certified training of two dry stone wallers. All this good work is supported by their cute sheep themed products. Mixing bright vibrant colours with the simple sheep face, Herdy had created an endearing British design. The fabulous graphic tea towels are made of 100% cotton, while the cheerful bone china mugs are handmade in Stoke-on-Trent. A great way to support British manufacturing and our gorgeous Lake District, the Herdy Tea Towels and Mugs are available online from the Herdy online store.
Herdy Classic Mug - £9.99
Herdy Smit Mug - £9.99
Herdy Tea Towel - £6.99
Posted by Kate on July 12, 2010 12:06 AM
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In this heatwave, you could be forgiven for thinking you were in some hot exotic locale. If you want to embrace the heat, the Shadylace Parasol adds a splash of tropical style to al fresco dining. Designed by Chris Kabel from Drood Design, the green polyester canvas is has a leafy pattern that lets light through. Much like sitting under a tree, Shadylace offers a lovely dappled light so you can appreciate the fine weather. Capped with a golden bird, this coloured canopy offers the beauty of nature in the comfort of your own garden. Available in either green or white, the ShadyLace parasol is £230 from Made In Design.
Shadylace Parasol - £230
Posted by Kate on July 13, 2010 12:09 AM
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If you love strong spicy flavours, you've probably experienced the painful misfortune of getting chilli in your eyes. Jim Hannon-Tan at Alessi has devised a simple solution in the Piccantino. The soft rubber body allows you to crush and crumble your chillies, releasing their fresh flavour, while protecting your fingers. If there's any chilli leftover, the polished steel cap will let you save it for later. Small enough to fit in your pocket, it's a perfect gift for connoisseurs who always want to top up their meals. The famous red chilli is a good luck charm in Naples, so hopefully the Alessi Piccantino is just a sign of good things to come. Available from Made In Design, the Alessi Piccantino Chilli Scruncher is £13.
Alessi Piccantino Chilli Scruncher - £13
Posted by Kate on July 14, 2010 12:09 AM
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Whether you're trying to save pennies or the environment, we'd all like to reduce waste and keep our vegetables in their best condition. For potatoes, onions and garlic, bags like the Mastrad Vegetable Keepers make this quite easy. The machine-washable cotton bags protect your vegetables from light, while the hanging bags also let air circulate. Featuring two draw string openings, you fill the bag with new vegetables from the top and remove them from the bottom as needed. This ensures you're always using your oldest veg first before it has chance to spoil or sprout. Available in sets of three, each is a different size and colour coded for your convenience. A great way to organise your pantry and make use of extra wall space, a set of three Mastrad Vegetable Keepers is £19.50 from Amazon UK.
Mastrad Vegetable Keepers - £19.50
Posted by Kate on July 15, 2010 12:09 AM
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If you are one of those lucky souls talented enough to create gorgeous cupcakes, you want people to enjoy you hard work. But after all that effort, you don't want to see them squished and smashed in a packed lunch or bag. These cute Individual Cupcake Caddies from Lakeland protect your creations when on the move. Held securely by raised fins in the base and an icing 'spear' in the lid, your iced artwork is nestled safely inside the plastic case. My only worry is that they are described as being suitable for cupcakes up to about 5cm, which I'd have called mini-cupcakes, but other than that reservation they look very useful. Available from Lakeland, a Set of Two Cupcake Caddies is £7.99.
Set of Two Individual Cupcake Caddies - £7.99
Posted by Kate on July 16, 2010 12:07 AM
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When I was little, I was fascinated with my mother's apple corer. It had a bright orange handle you'd normally see on a screwdriver and a thick ring of blunt teeth. I probably remember it so clearly, as I could never get the blasted thing to work. I could never get enough pressure to cut through the apple, and once someone had helped me it was always a fight to get the core back out of the tool. It looks like Cuisipro have solved all my childhood frustrations with their new Apple Corer. The new ergonomic handle helps you put all your force behind the blade so it slices through the apple easier. Then when you've finally succeeded, a quick flick of the lever opens the blades and releases the core. A brilliant new design for this retro kitchen gadget, the Cuisipro Apple Corer is £7.99 from Lakeland.
Cuisipro Apple Corer - £7.99
Posted by Kate on July 18, 2010 12:02 AM
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Somehow finding the right funnel for the job is always a challenge, but Cuisipro have created a brilliantly adaptable tool in their 3-in-1 Funnel. Each of the three funnels has been designed for specific tasks, while also combining for greater flexibility. The small funnel is brilliant for filling narrow necked bottles with liquids or spices. The medium grey funnel has a specially designed spout that makes awkward pepper mills easier to fill. Finally the large Funnel is perfect for filling Kilner jars and features a removable strainer. The small and medium funnels have air flow channels to improve liquid flow, and when combined creates a high capacity funnel for filling bottles. All three funnels are made from heat resistant plastic, making them safe for soups and hot fruit purees. When not in use, the handles clip together so the smaller funnels store inside the largest, saving space. Ready to tackle anything, the Cuisipro 3-in-1 Funnel is £7.99 available from Lakeland.
Cuisipro 3-in-1 Funnel - £7.99
Posted by Kate on July 20, 2010 12:08 AM
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Want to create intricate detailed decorations, but frustrated by traditional icing bags? The Easy-Squeeze Deco Pen could be a handy alternative. The Deco Pen comes with two precise nibs, and is easy to fill through the large side opening. The large circular body is easy to hold giving you that fine motor control so important when writing names or drawing fine decorative lines. Even better when it comes time to wash up, the icing won't stick to the silicone! A great place to start if icing bags are too intimidating, the Easy-Squeeze Deco Pen is £9.99 from Lakeland.
Easy-Squeeze Deco Pen - £9.99
Posted by Kate on July 21, 2010 12:01 AM
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I'm a bit embarrassed to admit it, but I've already started planning for the holidays. In our house that means Thanksgiving in October and Christmas in December. I'm really taken with these 3D Pastry Cutters from Lakeland; they add a fantastic flair to your pies and tarts. The set includes four cutters: two different leaves perfect for seasonal celebrations and fruity shapes like strawberry and pineapple for summery sweets. Just cut through your pastry with the cutter and press the plunger to add the decoration. Arranged around your pies and desserts, they create a gorgeous decorative boarder. About 6cm across, the 3D Pastry Cutters could also be used to make bite-sized biscuits and nibbles. Available from Lakeland, a set of Four 3D Pastry Cutters is just £3.99.
Set of Four 3D Pastry Cutters - £3.99
Posted by Kate on July 22, 2010 12:09 AM
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Combining vintage and eastern styles, Wedgewood have created an elegant collection perfect for afternoon tea. Pretty blooms and humming birds are drawn across pastel polka dot backgrounds. I love the undulating shape of the delicate teacup handles. Beautifully detailed, these bone china pieces have a light and florid style. Gilded around their rippling edges, Wedgwood have given a glamorous touch to this charming china. Available from John Lewis, the Wedgewood Cuckoo Afternoon Tea Range includes individual tea cups, tea plates, a sandwich tray and cake stand.
Blue Wedgwood Cuckoo Teacup & Saucer - £30
Pink Wedgwood Cuckoo Teacup & Saucer - £30
Wedgwood Cuckoo Sandwich Tray - £45
Wedgwood Cuckoo 2 Tier Cake Stand - £55
Set of Four Wedgwood Cuckoo Tea Plates - £65
Continue reading "Wedgwood Cuckoo Afternoon Tea Range" »
Posted by Kate on July 23, 2010 12:07 AM
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I love those graphic illustrations from the sixties; they have such character and charm. So I was immediately enamoured with this small plastic lunch box! Cheerfully proclaiming 'I Love London', there's an iconic red bus and several stylish figures stood at the bus stop all within a lacy boarder. I'd eat sandwiches everyday if I got to pack them in this trendy box. A generous 15cm by 13.5cm and an impressive 7cm deep, there's plenty of room for sandwiches, biscuits and other treats. Available online from Oliver Bonas, the affordable 'I Love London' Lunch Box is just £5.
'I Love London' Lunch Box - £5
Posted by Kate on July 26, 2010 12:00 AM
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We all have the odd recipes that flop, but sometimes it can feel like everything is going wrong. On days like these you need a sense of humour, and the Domestically Challenged Apron is a tongue in cheek admission. Made from 100% heavy duty cotton ticking, the apron is decorated with typeset words giving it a vintage inspired style. Combining humour and practical sophistication, the fun Domestically Challenged Apron is £12 from Cox & Cox.
Domestically Challenged Apron - £12
Posted by Kate on July 27, 2010 12:06 AM
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I'm sure by now we've all seen the I'm Not a Paper Cup. It looks like those disposable take-away coffee cups, but is made from durable and reusable ceramic with a silicone lid. Kitchen Critic has never featured it because I was never convinced by its eco-credentials. Were you really going to take it into your local coffee shop for a refill? Were people going to start making their daily caffeine fix at home? It might be good for use in an office, but that was about it. However, I'm rather taken by the new version the Tea Lover's Eco Cup. Decorated with an eastern blossom design in the Victorian blue, it has a whisper of elegant china. Besides the original silicone lid, they've also added a band of silicone to protect your fingers, like those cardboard cup holders they have in Starbucks. A pretty way to enjoy your tea on the run, the Tea Lover's Eco Cup is £10.99 from IWOOT.
Tea Lover's Eco Cup - £10.99
Posted by Kate on July 28, 2010 12:03 AM
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I love bold rhythmic patterns; they offer such detail and create a strong balanced effect. The Violet & Pea Birch Veneer Tray is a brilliant example. Designed by Lotta Kühlhorn and made in Sweden, her designs hope to bring you a slightly nostalgic warmth while retaining their contemporary style. The green leaves create a rich busy pattern, while the deep purple flowers offer a wonderful contrast to the light background. A fantastic designer piece that is both a decoration and a practical tray for drinks and snacks, the Lotta Kühlhorn Violet & Pea Birch Veneer Tray is available from HUS & HEM for £23.00.
Lotta Kühlhorn Violet & Pea Birch Veneer Tray - £23.00
Posted by Kate on July 29, 2010 12:08 AM
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Who doesn't remember popping down to the chippy and coming back with those hot newsprint packages. Poole Pottery is now celebrating 150 years of British Fish and Chips with their new Newsprint Earthenware. Designed by Andrew Tanner, the Fish and Chips Tableware offers a nostalgic style that won't leave ink on your fingers. Designed and made in Great Britain, the set even includes a pie dish and mushy peas bowl and an exclusive ceramic chip tray. A great way to eat your takeaway in style, the Poole Fish & Chips Tableware is available from Cook in Style.
Fish & Chips Mushy Pea Bowl - £3.49
Fish & Chips Side Plate - £4.99
Fish & Chips Dinner Plate - £5.99
Fish & Chips Tea Cup & Saucer Set - £6.99
Fish & Chips Pie Dish - £7.99
Fish & Chips Chip Tray - £11.99
Posted by Kate on July 30, 2010 12:06 AM
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