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Looking for a challenge in the New Year? Try your hand at urban husbandry with an Eglu. This sleek compact pod fits neatly into your backyard, while providing a safe home for 2-4 chickens. A great way to try your hand at farming, just a couple of chickens can provide you with a constant supply of fresh eggs. The smooth sweeping plastic house is easy to clean and perfect for first time chicken owners. An innovative design the Eglu is quick to set up and features a fox-proof run all wrapped up in a sporty modern style. Available in seven colours from Omlet, the Eglu lets you experience the joy of producing your own food.
Eglu - £353
Eglu with Two Chickens - £388
Posted by Kate on January 2, 2009 12:09 AM
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It turns out that 75% of jars sold worldwide use the same size lid. For designer Jorre van Ast this simple fact inspired the clever Jar Tops. The set of five plastic lids transform your empty jars into handy kitchen tools. Instantly create a sugar shaker, a milk jug, a chocolate sprinkler, oil or vinegar bottle and a water jug. Perfect for students or those moving frequently, the Jar Tops offer loads of personality and function that packs up small. Whether you use common everyday jars or special interesting jars you’ve collected, the Jar Tops let you change your servingware whenever you fancy. They always say it’s better to reuse than to recycle, and with these clever lids you can save space too! Available from Nigel’s Eco Store, the Jar Tops are produced by Royal VKB.
Jar Tops - £11.99
Posted by Kate on December 31, 2008 12:03 AM
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Now that Christmas is over we’ve officially entered the season of leftovers. If your fridge looks like a sea of cling film and foil you may want to invest in a few of these Eco Food Covers. Made from food-grade silicone, the Eco Covers stretch over plates, bowls, pots & pans. Suitable for use in the fridge, freezer, oven and microwave, they are also great when taking dishes to parties and picnics. Easy to clean in the Dishwasher, these handy covers can reduce the amount cling film and tin foil you need to throw away. Available from the Guardian Eco Store, each set includes 3 covers:
Small: Covers up to 15cm containers
Medium: Covers up to 20cm containers
Large: Covers up to 25cm containers
Set of Three Eco Food Covers - £12.23
Continue reading "Eco Food Covers" »
Posted by Kate on December 30, 2008 12:07 AM
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While snow and cold are fine for Christmas, I’m already looking forward to spring. With these Bamboo Servers and Chopping Board you can bring the fresh taste of Spring to your kitchen. Featuring simple flower shapes, the Bamboo collection has a charming graphic style. Made from bamboo, the quick growing material is sustainable and doesn’t even need pesticides! Perfect for serving up salad and bread, these warm striped utensils have a natural charm and beauty. Cute eco-friendly accessories you can afford the Bamboo Servers and Chopping Board are available from Nigel’s Eco-Store.
Bamboo Flower Shaped Salad Servers - £8.99
Bamboo Flower Shaped Cutting Board - £9.99
Posted by Kate on December 29, 2008 12:15 AM
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Christmas is a time of festive decorations, and there is no reason why you can’t bring festive spirit into your kitchen. This year I’ve found two wreaths that celebrate Christmas with foodie style! The first is Lakeland’s Star Anise Wreath, the star-shaped spice is the perfect choice for Christmas. Both sophisticated and rustic, this wreath has a lovely liquorice-like aroma. Hang it with a gorgeous wide ribbon ('Continue Reading' to see photo) and you’ve a glamorous decoration for both modern and traditional homes. Or if you’re looking for something a bit spicier this Christmas you might find a traditional Chilli Wreath from Papilio more appealing. Popular in South America, the preserved red chillies are bound to a coco-hair wreath making it an eco-friendly choice. Both wreaths bring a unique kitchen theme to the Christmas holidays, and offer a charming change to the normal mass-produced wreaths.
Lakeland’s Star Anise Wreath – £14.99
Traditional Chilli Wreath from ‘Not on the High Street’ - £22.00
Continue reading "Kitchen Wreaths" »
Posted by Kate on November 10, 2008 12:06 AM
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Last week we also received a few stylish Sarah Smith Microfibre Cloths from Severn Delta. These fantastic kitchen cloths deserve an article all to themselves. Tough and durable, you’ll always want one of these Microfibre cloths close at hand. Featuring bright graphic patterns, contemporary florals and vintage inspired prints, the Sarah Smith Microfibre Cloths will keep everything from cookers to glasses gleaming with effortless shine. The technology in these massive cloths gets you two fabulous features:
Cleans without Chemicals – With just a spot of water these micro fibre cloths scrub up even grease. There’s no need for abrasive scourers.
Perfect for Glass & Stainless Steel – Simply wipe with a wet cloth and polish with a dry one for a streak free shine.
Perfect for bathrooms and kitchens, these microfibre clothes are even large enough to replace your tea towels! A great way to reduce the number of chemicals in your house or simply save yourself the effort of getting them out, the Sarah Smith Microfibre cloths are an easy way to be eco-friendly and fashionable. Like the Sarah Smith Dusters and Cleaning Cloths, the Microfibre Cloths are ‘Made in Britain’ and are machine washable. Soon to be your kitchen’s best friend, the full range of Sarah Smith Microfibre Cloths are available from www.sarah-smith.co.uk
Pack of 2 -Sarah Smith 4 In 1 Microfibre Cloths - £5
You can also find them at Supermarkets like Ocado:
Pack of 2 -Sarah Smith 4 In 1 Microfibre Cloths - £5
Posted by Kate on November 4, 2008 12:09 AM
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Cleaning is never fun, but you can now scrub your kitchen in fashion with the new Sarah Smith Cleaning Cloths! Last week Severn Delta sent us several of the brightly coloured dusters and cleaning cloths to try-out, so we got out our camera and started cleaning. The Sarah Smith Cloths offer a fine balance between disposable and re-useable. The light-weight but durable cloths can be thrown through the washer about ten times, after which you can replace grubby cloths with pretty new ones. I was impressed by how soft the Ultra Absorbent Cleaning Cloths are once wet, they lose the stiff paper feel you expect from disposable cloths and become lovely comfortable cloths that are easy to use. In contrast the Sarah Smith Dusters aren’t as soft straight out of the packet, but they are quite large so you can do a fair bit of dusting before you need to clean it off.

Available in a wide range of patterns, the Sarah Smith Collections include modern florals, graphic prints and pastel classics; so you’re sure to find something to match your own individual style. Practical cloths in bright cheerful colours, you won’t need to hide these cloths when company comes around to visit. Finally, the Sarah Smith Collections are even made in Bridgewater, Somerset! British made, highly fashionable and effective the full range of Sarah Smith Cloths are available online at www.sarah-smith.co.uk.
Pack of 3 - Sarah Smith Ultra Absorbent Cleaning Cloths - £1.50
Pack of 2 - Sarah Smith Dusting Cloths - £1.00
You should also be able to find them in your local Tesco, Sainsbury's, ASDA or Waitrose. Ocado has them listed here:
Pack of 3 - Sarah Smith Ultra Absorbent Cleaning Cloths - £1.50
Pack of 2 - Sarah Smith Dusting Cloths - £0.99
Continue reading "Sarah Smith Cleaning Cloths" »
Posted by Kate on November 3, 2008 12:05 AM
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As the weather turns colder and the days get longer, you may start wishing you could jet off to some where interesting and exciting. Indulge these dreams with these artistic glasses that will inspire you while you relax with a cool after-work drink. The four small glasses are each etched with a familiar skyline from one of the worlds most fashionable cities. Designed by Nicci Green, views of London, New York, Paris & San Francisco are captured in a loose sketch style. A great addition to your drinks cabinet, the Citi Skyline Glasses are even made from recycled glass. Available online from the Design Museum Shop, a set of four Citi Skyline Glasses is £24.00.
Set of Four Citi Skyline Glasses - £24.00
Posted by Kate on September 30, 2008 12:01 AM
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Maybe we don't know how to manage modern life while preserving our planet, but that doesn't mean we can't try to bridge the gap. Just because they are environmentally responsible, doesn't mean they can't be products you'll love. Take the Green Planet Frypans for example. Made from 50% recycled aluminium and with lovely bamboo handles the Green Planet Pans have less impact on the environment, but their elegant design is still stunning in the kitchen. The layered bamboo handles have a warm natural beauty that complements the clean modern design of the pan. Featuring the Classic Teflon non-stick coating, the Green Planet Frypans are currently on sale at Lakeland.
24cm Green Planet Frypan – £10.99 (RRP £17.99)
28cm Green Planet Frypan – £11.99 (RRP £19.99)
Green Planet Stir-Fry Pan – £12.99 (RRP £21.99)
Posted by Kate on August 18, 2008 12:06 AM
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With so many stores now charging for carrier bags, it's tempting to look for a stylish alternative. These bright bags from Reisenthel offer a modern interpretation of traditional baskets. Designed by Katja Horst, the Carrybag features a light aluminium frame and a fabric basket made of a tear-proof polyester fabric that is even washable. However unlike it's wicker cousins, the Reisenthel Carrybag can fold flat for convenient storage. Simply remove the plastic side supports and the bag collapses neatly away. Perfect for groceries or merely carrying around bits and bobs, the Reisenthel Carrybag is available in kiwi green and red for £28 from FunktionAlley.
Reisenthel Carrybag - £28
Continue reading "Reisenthel Carrybag" »
Posted by Kate on July 14, 2008 12:06 AM
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I love getting together with family and friends for parties and celebrations, but it isn't always easy to serve a large group of people. Traditionally people would turn to paper plates, but modern designers have created some clever solutions that are kinder for the environment. The new CaterPlate provides a light weight solution to all your party problems. No more juggling or dropping knives, each CaterPlate provides your guests with cutlery, a plate, two sauce trays and a safe place to hold your wine glass. While at first glance they look like one use items, each of the utensils can be reattached after use. A brilliant balance between disposable and reusable, you can wash the CaterPlate but you also don't need to worry if they get broken. A great addition to your summer barbeques, parties and picnics, the CaterPlate is available in black, clear or orange from Smarter Products.
Pack of 6 CaterPlates - £4.99
Pack of 10 CaterPlates - £7.59
Pack of 48 CaterPlates - £32.99
Continue reading "CaterPlate Disposable Plate Set" »
Posted by Kate on July 10, 2008 12:05 AM
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Lighting can dramatically change the mood and ambiance of your kitchen, and with a few of these Pendant Jelly Lights you can add character and charm at the same time. Vintage jelly moulds are reclaimed and transformed into these brilliant light shades. Each shade is made from a large metal mould and then paired with a small jelly mould as the pendant's rose for a clever lighting solution. By reusing the traditional shaped moulds, they blend classic kitchen icons with modern lighting design. A brilliant addition over kitchen bars, the Pendant Jelly Lights are £45 from RE.
Pendant Jelly Lights - £45
Posted by Kate on June 30, 2008 12:01 AM
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If we take a short detour out of the kitchen we find the final two homeware items on our list. Our last bath towels had been used till they were in tatters, so it seemed time to get some nice durable towels for our new home. We believe that organics are better for both our health and the environment. There are already so many artificial chemicals out there that it seems mad to keep using them unnecessarily. Cotton production alone uses 16% of pesticides worldwide, which while they aren't ingested directly, they can make their way into the soil and water. The Linea Organic Towels Collection offer some fabulous new colours like this lush Leaf green and creamy Pearl as well as a golden Sand and an earthy Pebble. Lovely, thick and soft the Linea Organic collections include large bath sheets, bath towels, hand towels and face cloths. Available from Jenners and House of Fraser the Linea Organic Towels are currently in the Summer Sale:
Linea Organic Pebble Towels
Linea Organic Sand Towels
Linea Organic Leaf Towels
Linea Organic Pearl Towels
Priced:
Linea Face Cloth - £2.40
Linea Hand Towel - £7.20
Linea Bath Towel - £12.80
Linea Bath Sheet - £18.40
Posted by Kate on June 19, 2008 12:08 AM
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Posted by Kate on May 30, 2008 12:04 AM
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While everyone has at least heard of organic vegetables and the benefits they offer, it's surprising that other plant derivatives are often ignored. Cotton production for example accounts for about 16% pesticides used worldwide. While you aren't in danger of ingesting these chemicals, they still make their way into water supplies and eco-systems. Lately there has been a growing trend for organic cotton products; small collections of clothes and towels have been released, but often they are only available in natural creams and beige. So in contrast, the new organic kitchen collection by C'est Ca is quite exciting. Featuring a modern vegetable print with trendy greens and deep purples, these fashionable kitchen gloves offer eco-friendly style. Made from non-GM plants and grown without pesticides, the pretty Turnip Apron and Oven Gloves are ideal for modern ethical kitchens. A brilliant new collection that allows you both style and ethical options, the Organic Turnip textiles by C'est Ca are available from John Lewis.
Organic Turnip Oven Mitt - £14
Organic Turnip Double Oven Glove - £16
Organic Turnip Apron - £18
Posted by Kate on May 21, 2008 12:06 AM
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I love the heavy solid beauty of the John Lewis Rustic Glassware, and it's even better when you can enjoy this sophisticated style while still being ecologically-responsible. Created in Spain, the Rustic Collection is made from urban recycled glass which produces the subtle green hue. Using technology that helps to conserve energy and materials, this is fashion that both your pocket and the planet can afford. The designs of the Rustic Collection feature sturdy stems and and lovely flowery bowls which add contrast to the sharp straight lines of the hi-balls and tumblers. A wonderful collection that adds character and warmth to your table, the John Lewis Rustic Glassware offers guilt free style and beauty.
John Lewis Rustic Glassware
Rustic Ice Lip Jug - £11
Box of 6 27cl Rustic Goblets - £25
Box of 6 47.5cl Rustic Goblets - £33
Box of 6 12.5cl Rustic Wine Glasses - £23
Box of 6 20cl Rustic Wine Glasses - £27
Box of 6 Rustic Tumblers - £12
Box of 6 Rustic Hi-Balls - £15
Posted by Kate on April 18, 2008 12:00 AM
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Another new eco-design, the Lobo Plunger Filter Kettle offers another way to save money, energy and the environment. The Lobo Kettle features a plunger design that forces the water through a purifying filter before you boil it. The plunging action allows you to measure out just the water you need, ensuring you don't waste extra energy boiling water you won't use. Each press of the plunger releases 285ml of water into the boiling compartment. Purified water promises the best tasting drinks, all boiled quickly and efficiently in this sleek modern kettle. A brilliant addition to contemporary kitchens, the Lobo Plunger Filter Kettle offers responsible consumerism in a sharp technical style. You can find the Lobo Plunger Filter Kettle for £62.99 at Nigel's Eco Store.
Lobo Plunger Filter Kettle - £62.99
Continue reading "Lobo Plunger Filter Kettle" »
Posted by Kate on April 2, 2008 12:09 AM
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As we wait with anticipation for warmer days, why not order a 'Life's a Picnic' bag ready for those sunny afternoons. Full of Eco-friendly items, the 'Life's a Picnic' bag is ready to serve a party of four or eight at a moments notice. All stored in a natural jute bag, the napkins, plates, cups, glasses, and even cutlery are compostable and biodegradable. Ethically produced from sustainable plant resources, the set can be reused several times if gently cleaned. Perfect for a spontaneous day out, the 'Life's a Picnic' set ensures a conscientious meal out for the whole family. Available from Nigel's Eco-Superstore:
'Life's a Picnic' 4-Person Set - £16.99
'Life's a Picnic' 8-Person Set - £21.99
Posted by Kate on April 1, 2008 12:06 AM
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