100 days to go !

The London Olympics have snuck up on us, only a few months to go. Are you planning an opening ceremonies party? Or gathering your friends together to watch your favourite events? However you celebrate, these glasswares pieces will be the perfect souvenir.

     

Check out these gorgeous crystal glassware, my favourite are the decanter and tankard featuring the London skyline. I love the subtle and simple design and they were made in a Devonshire glass factory. These would make perfect host gifts, or why not just treat yourself?

april showers

The week has started off right with loads of morning sunshine, and just a few little drops of rain to keep things green. After a busy Easter weekend, and a few too many sweets and chocolate eggs, I need to get back into a healthy routine. With loads of fruit and veg coming into season this month, it's time to whip up some delicious salads. And not your regular iceberg lettuce salads either.

Salad spinners are always bulky and end up in the back of my cupboard. But check out this new Progressive Spinner, it's collapsible! And the body turns into a serving bowl as well, perfect for picnics and camping.

You always need a beautiful big bowl and handy salad tongs to set your table just right. I love this rustic Tuscany Bowl, perfect with the Tuscany Servers.  And the sleek and bright Bristol Blue Glass bowl will add some colour to a chic table setting, with Nickel Finnish Servers.

Make your own dressings so you know exactly what you are eating and can avoid all those processed dressings full of sugar and fat.

Check out the Jamie Oliver Flavour Shaker in gold which helps to release all the flavours from your ingredients, or why not measure out your own recipes with this Acrylic Salad Dressing Maker.

Try some new ingredients and get chopping! Check out the recipes section on The Cooks Kitchen for loads of creative and delicious ideas.

spring hopes

Easter weekend has arrived! Usually this time of year means blooming flowers and brightly coloured eggs and sunshine, but with the grey weather looming, it's time to stay positive and plan ahead.

I've been dreaming about countryside picnics, beach barbecues and weekend camping trips. There is just something so special about cooking food outdoors, it somehow always tastes better, or else you are just so starving from running around the beach or the park all day that anything grilled would taste good.

                        Whitsable Barbecue                                          Retro Cooler in Classic Cream

Many campsites and beaches don't allow fires, so this Whitsable Barbecue is a perfect solution. Instead of continually buying those throw-away barbecues, this will last for years.

A proper cooler is a must for me this summer, it makes creating delicious meals outdoors so much easier, and you can stop worrying that everything is going off in the heat. The retro look of this Classic Cream cooler is right on trend, with a sturdy handle and I love that it doesn't look like a cooler, just looks clean and classy.

                Flowers in Bloom Disposable Cup                               Glass Jar Votive Holder

These paper cups are simply gorgeous! Not your regular paper cup, these are worthy of a garden party or special barbecue. You can never have enough cups, so it's always handy to pack a few extra that can't get broken and add some colour to your spread.

These votive holders are so sweet, scatter some around your campsite to set the mood, or even just a few in the back garden. Hang them with the handle or simply sit them on your tabletop. I love the rustic country feeling they create.

Soon there will be sun (I hope)! I guess the other week was a bit of a tease, hopefully a tiny glimpse of spring to come. Can't wait to get out to the countryside the next sunny weekend I get, what would be your go-to camping or picnic perfect recipe? I need inspiration !

Happy Easter Weekend all !

beautiful bon bons

These new lidded glass jars are just gorgeous. I love the idea of a vintage sweetie shop or apothecary style display. You can fill your jars with any curios you like and switch them up with the seasons.

 

                      Ridged Glass Storage Jar                                             Glass Bon Bon Jar

They would add a touch of elegance to your kitchen - I can imagine them with simple sweets or mints, maybe specialty teas or dried hers and spices, like bay leaves or cinnamon sticks.

You might even use them in atop you dressing table or the bathroom counter. Fill them with cotton balls or flower petals or soaps, whatever colour or texture captures your eye.

Eggy arrangements

Get creative with things you already have around your home and create a beautiful Easter tabletop for your friends and family to enjoy.

Photos via martha stewart, better homes and gardens, fleuritica

You don't have to buy expensive decorations, look no further than your kitchen for egg cups, glass jars, cake stands. Run out to the shed and grab your watering can and maybe snip off a few flowering branches.

Give egg cups new life! Poke a hold in the egg and blow out the liquid, then placing single delicate stems, or crack open the top and place large headed flowers. Use a simple egg carton to create a centerpiece. Maybe place eggs on top of napkin ring holders for similar effect.

Pile up a cake stand with fake nests and chocolate eggs, and place branches sparingly along your table to bring the outdoors in. Tie ribbons to chair backs and glasses for little dots of colour, and don't forget place cards for a personal touch.

Fill your table top with coloured napkins, linen table runners, green grasses and blooms, coloured candies. Create a coloured theme like with sleek whites and blues, or bright yellows and oranges. Go rustic with linen and wooden details, or kitsch with polka dots and bunting. Simply just go for any combination of pastels you like best, and don't forget the flowers, adding a fresh spring final touch.

Whether you're celebrating Easter or simply having a spring time brunch or dinner party, look around you kitchen and be inspired by colours and textures. Happy Spring !!

Gratifying Guiness

Chocolate Guiness Cake via Nigella Lawson

You will be surprised how good this tastes, believe me. With just a hint of rich stout flavour, the Guiness makes this cake super moist.

The sponge is rich in cocoa notes and the rich cream cheese icing adds a certain zip. Its lingering taste will have people wondering what your secret ingredient is. Perfect for St Patrick's Day this weekend, Nigella's recipe is simple, and she doesn't mess around with cakes so you know you can trust this one.

Sweet treat

New in for spring, check out these these adorable Cupcake Kits. Cases and toppers make baking professional-looking, themed fairy cakes easy as, well, cake ! Peter rabbit never looked so cute as perched atop a vanilla cupcake.

 

Go cupcake crazy and impress your family and friends, with all our easy to use icing tools and extras. A cupcake plunger is always fun, letting you remove the core and add special fillings like jams or creams, or just loads of icing ! Create your own signature fillings, and each one can be a surprise.

A wire cupcake stand finishes the look, simple and sophisticated - easy grabbing for children and lets guests help themselves. Cupcakes are still in trend this year, and perfect for events when the last thing you want to be worrying about is making a fancy dessert. Have fun this spring with our themed kits and get creative with your cake flavours to make tasty and gorgeous cupcakes.