Kitchen Cabinet: Flower Pots

Not the pots of the cooking kind, so not exactly kitchen cabinet, but I can see the  pretty pink Clycamen I'm hoping to pot up from my kitchen. It may even take pride of place on the shelf above the sink at some point.

But anyway, I'm torn between a few pots so need some help to decide! I've been trawling through Etsy (its becoming exhausting!) as I have my heart set on some handmade/rustic/organic looking like the pottery ones from Living Earth Ceramics (they do some great vases too though so I find myself distracted...). I also love the Celedon pot from Anthropologie, Helen Levi's desert planter, and for something different and more modern the Pantone pots are great (if only I could pick a colour!). And then there are the DIY ideas I've come across like copper-painted tin cans (check out all these ideas for repurposing tin cans!) or gold-leaf edged terracotta pots (though I think I might try this in my courtyard for a little glam update).

I'm also keen on the idea of an enamel chamber pot...

P.S. Want $10 to spend on already-discounted beauty products? Follow this link to Adore Beauty and spend away! I love the site for salon hair products at non-salon prices and access to many brands you can't otherwise get in Australia.

The Weekly Digest #28

1. Prize winning books by women you need to read NOW!
2. How much of a book addict are you? Buzzfeed has the answer! Let me know what you all get (I ticked 43 boxes - so basically I have a problem...)
3. The newest Time magazine with Beyonce leading the 41 other women mentioned (think designer Pheobe Philo, Hilary Clinton, Natalie Massenet aka Ms Net-A-Porter and Miley) as the world's most influential people. What's great though (and why you should get a copy) is that each bio was written by a close friend of the entrant. Sheryl Sandberg wrote on Beyonce, Stella McCartney wrote on Philo and J.Crew's Jenna Lyons wrote about Massenet. And that's just for starters. 
4. Brooklyn based Helen Levi's wonderful ceramics. The pitcher and mug sets are top of my list
5. A little while ago Book Depository released their list of the 100 best books ever, and now they've released the top 100 as voted by their customers. Check it out - you never know what you may find.
6. Olivia Burton watches. Just perfect. 
7. These recipes for strawberries from Saveur. How I wish they were in season, but alas, I'll just pin them for later.
8. Gorman's winter harvest quilt needs no explaining.

Kitchen Cabinet: Storage Tins

Storage tins are the handiest of kitchen things, and they can look good too. I have 2 old biscuit tins, one which fits a batch of any slice perfectly, that sit on my kitchen bench top always. You can usually be sure to find some tasty treat in their as well. Both of mine I picked up incidentally - one from Mum's collection and one came full of Anzac biscuits. There are a few that I'm contemplating spending my hard earned cash on.

Cath Kidston is an obvious place to start. She has a great spotted set out at the moment, and she did a gorgeous floral cake tin set previously that you can easily pick up on Ebay. Emma Bridgewater has the classic black toast set, and I like the farmyard ones though they aren't to everyone's taste.

For those who like a more sleek finish, Nigella Lawson has a beautiful set that come in cream and pale blue but they are hard to track down and thus rather expensive.

Orla Kiely has some great retro printed ones. I like the square/rectangle set myself.

Etsy is the place to go for vintage. I even found these lovely enamel ones that you can have personalised. And this yellow one is great as the base comes off for easy access to your cake. If you don't want preloved try Fishpond. I've never purchased from them before, but they have a great range.

Kitchen Cabinet: Candles

I am a fan of scented candles. And I know they are not strictly "kitchen cabinet" but I thought I should include them anyway. I wasn't always a fan though, and I'm still very particular about them. Basically, I have expensive tastes! I find candles to be the most soothing, and natural, way to scent your home. I almost constantly have one burning in the bathroom.

I'll always have a Glasshouse candle in the house. My favorites so far have been the (now discontinued) Sassafras, Esperance, and Rio de Janeiro (currently burning). Next on the list is Marseille - you can't beat a good gardenia fragrance. 

Diptyque are more expensive, but for fragrance quality they really can't be beaten. Again I love their Gardenia candle, and their Roses candle is the most realistic version I've found. The Jonquille candle is hated by my boyfriend (I think its a male thing as my father & Grandfather aren't keen either) but this flower will always remind me of my Grandma.

I have never tried the Tocca candles, but I intend too. They have the most beautiful florals. Florence is first on my list.

I must include Jo Malone (also from David Jones) as well for the incredible variety of fragrances they have. There really is something for everyone. What I like best though is that they are fairly unadulterated (you may have noticed most of these recommendations are) with only one or two scents.

These may not be the cheapest candles on the market, but they are a simple, elegant luxury that I find irresistible. An instant pick-me-up for my over-stuffed, bending under the weight, IKEA bookshelves.

The Weekly Digest #22

1. Claudia Pearson's Etsy shop. Very cute foodie illustrations on everything from calendars to tea towels. 
2. This up-cycled glassware made from old glass bottles. I like the blue glass tumblers and green vase.  
3. I love jam. I love it most when its homemade (I don't think I've ever actually bought jam in a supermarket...). The Jam Bandits are a creative pair based in Surry Hills who've come up with something I wish I'd though of - homemade, local in every way, small batch jam. Brilliant. See their site for info on where you can pick up a jar or two. Their Instagram is super cute too so get following. 
4. It's Mariah & Buble. Singing together. All your Christmas dreams come true. Watch it.

Kitchen Cabinet: Measuring Cups

Measuring cups are an easily forgotten kitchen item. We all have them, but how many of us have actually invested in them? I mean, cost per use, they are great value! Much better than that expensive ice cream churn you've got at the back of the cupboard... (I still want one, no matter how much I know I won't use it).

And there are some beautiful ones out there. Anthropology is a great place to start (I love these geese. Adorable!). If you're into vintage, Etsy is obviously your go-to. This green glass one is my pick, but I also like this handmade ceramic set. And functional doesn't mean devoid of beauty. I think this set from West Elm is to die for. They come in both enamel and copper, plus they have matching spoons sets if you're really keen. These ones are obviously for the elegant baker amongst us (or the clumsy, those goose necks look a little fragile...).

The Weekly Digest #20

1. Kaelen's spring/summer collection. Adore the graphic prints on quirky, sporty shapes. Coveting everything - from the easy basics too the special printed pieces. 
2. Lace table runners. I saw a picture on Pinterest and my heart was stolen. Etsy, Ebay and Vinnies will be the place to find one I feel. And hopefully just in time for my Christmas party this weekend.
3. And that brings me to my next major thought this week: Christmas! I admit, my tree has been up for weeks (I got excited) and I have been wholeheartedly planning a Christmas party. I have endless lists and ideas...
4. Passionfruit. Maggie Beer's banana & passionfruit pavlova in her new book started it. Since then I've become a little obsessed with the stuff. I've unearthed endless recipes! These would be some favourites that I can't wait to try: coconut meringue sandwiches with passionfruit ice cream, coconut rice pudding with passionfruit & banana, passionfruit puddings, passionfruit eton mess, passionfruit tart, orange & passionfruit yoyos, and passionfruit & ricotta cheesecake.  I know, long list.
5. The December issue of (Australian) Vogue. Arizona Muse is to die for.

Kitchen Cabinet: Ceramics

The kitchen kit. Everyone says something different - some say you need a million things, others are so minimal its just boring! I'd like to think I fall somewhere in the middle, though I admit if I had the space and the finances I'd probably have more things than I do! I also admit that I have quite a lot, and some would say more than necessary.

I do have some essentials, but there are many more things I just really want to see adorning my cupboard for no other reason then I like the look of them.

That's what 'Kitchen Cabinet' will be about! I mix of the thing sI can't live without, and the things I'm coveting. I might throw in some photos of beautiful kitchens for good measure.

This week I'm all about ceramics. I don't have enough of them! I'm really wanting some of these from Etsy store Art & Manufacture. Aren't the beautiful? The pie dish is top of my list.

Though that mixing bowl could sway me...

The Weekly Digest #17

1. I'm loving pearl barley! Its very old-school, and a wonderful way to bulk out stews, soups and other such things. My pick of the bunch at the moment: porcini, chicken & barley stew, braised lamb, barley, pumpkin & sage risotto, beef pie and 4-grain salad.
2. Enamel-wear. Also very old-school, its wonderful as a baking dish for pies and crumbles, there's some really cute teapots & jugs, plus I really like the buckets as they're both functional and nice to look at! Check out the Exchange Store if you fancy some. They've got some other wonderful bits and bobs too like metal tea caddies, soaps and retro watering cans. 
3. Honey. I have some creamed honey in the pantry at the moment & it's amazing! So, here are some other honey treats I'm craving: French honey cake, honey-berry roulade, lemon & honey Anzac tart and raspberry & honey tart.  

My summer outfit of choice.
ADEAM Spring Ready-To-Wear 2014

The Weekly Digest #14

1. This is a fantastic idea - personalised recipe tea towels. Pick a recipe, fill in the details and order! 
2. The adorable artworks and quirky gifts from Alice Tait (available here). I'm coveting the portobello road print, her city maps, and a spring day in Paris print.  
3. Wall art from Not on the High Street. And yes they do (mostly) ship internationally. Plus they have a million other things to tempt you too, from tableware to novelty sweaters. I mean, you get a personalised sketch of your house done! Now thats a housewarming gift. 
4. Bread. I'm becoming a baker! Kneading can be wonderfully therapeutic, but an electric mixer and dough hook make it easier! Start with a simple pizza dough (no worries if it fails to rise then), before progressing to a white loaf and then a wholemeal or multigrain. Once you've mastered those try these for something different: malted walnut seed loaf, honey wholemeal, rye ale & oat, raspberry, chocolate & hazelnut breakfast bread, sesame seed buns, and blueberry brioche.     

The Weekly Digest #13

1. These classic sleeveless silk blouses from Uniqlo. Perfect. Now they just need to open a store/ship to Australia!
2. Slow Magazine is all about living life in the slow lane, and taking the time to appreciate things. Sounds like a good idea to me. Check them out if you fancy changing pace. 
3. How gorgeous are these geese-shaped measuring cups? Not sure how practical, but I want them nonetheless! 
4. No-churn ice-creams. No more needs to be said! Try these ones first: basic ice-cream, raspberry ripple, blackcurrant ripple,  pomegranate, and margarita. 

Kitchen Cabinet: Emma Bridgewater

I first came across Emma Bridgewater mugs in those little knick-knack type shops when I was on my Gap Year in 2010. They are quirky and fun, and a little bit cutesy. There also a little bit old school. Suits me just fine!

Teapots, teacup sets, pasta bowls, jugs, mugs.... In any print or lettering you could imagine. There isn't much this husband and wife team don't do (you can read more about them here).

I don't recall ever seeing these in Australia, BUT, they ship internationally for very reasonable prices (and tax free). Would make a delightful gift for a special friend.

These are my favourites, but visit http://www.emmabridgewater.co.uk/ to explore for yourselves.

(clockwise from top left) 'Sweet Pea' teapot,  'Black Toast' half pint mug, 'Blue Hen' teapot, 'Hellebore' breakfast cup, 'Walk in the Park' pasta bowl, and 'Black Toast' jug.