How Do You Like Your Espresso in the Morning?

Presented in a cute and colourful espresso cup, of course! 

Well, actually I can't really drink espresso, as strong caffeine has been known to send me a little loopy. (Give me a cup of Yorkshire tea any day.) My husband, however, loves the stuff and now has a selection of suitably dinky espresso cups to choose from. He received them as a gift from my Mum for his recent birthday, and they are the perfect addition to our kitchen. Just look at them! They're from the House range at John Lewis, unfortunately I couldn't find them online but they have an equally as attractive Le Creuset set on offer at the moment. 

Are you team coffee or team tea?

Claire x

My Perfect Christmas Table

We all want our Christmas dinner to be perfect. I'm talking a deliciously succulent turkey, crisp and fluffy roast potatoes, sublimely seasoned vegetables; the list seems endless. I've never cooked a Christmas dinner myself, so hats off to all those that have. I personally struggle with a regular roast dinner, so I'm not sure how I would cope with cooking the most important meal of the year. There's just so much to think about. One aspect of Christmas day that you can usually plan in advance, is the look of your Christmas table. 

Below I've pulled together my wishlist for my perfect Christmas table. Let's hope old Saint Nick has made note of how good I've been this year!

The table:

The foundation for any festive family meal is, of course, the table.
This pale solid oak beauty is the perfect base for my elegant and simple scheme.

Chairs:

I've long been a fan of mismatched dining chairs.
These three work well together thanks to their distinct yet vintage vibes.
1 / 2 / 3

Crockery:

My Christmas crockery upgrade would have to be to these perfectly imperfect white 'Wobbler' plates and bowls from Loaf. I don't want any distractions when it comes to surveying my piled-high plate of Christmas goodies.

Cutlery:

The gold cutlery trend is a little too brash for my earthy and paired-back theme.
That's why these simply chic knives and forks from Zara Home hit the spot for me.

Napkins:

Elegant linen napkins can soften or smarten up any scheme.
These ones fit perfectly with my refined and rustic vision.

Place names:

I think I have enough creativity in me to replicate these name cards and they ooze with Scandinavian style. Follow the full DIY here.

Crackers:

I think I may have an unhealthy obsession with Craft paper. If an item is made out of, or wrapped up in, this lovable brown paper, I will most probably buy it.
Case and point are these delightful and eco-friendly crackers from Not On The High Street.

Centrepiece:

I have a thing for foliage filled tablescapes. The inviting and warm look that they effortlessly create is exactly what I want on Christmas day.
Just be extra careful where you place those candles!
1 / 2 / 3

What does your perfect Christmas table feature? Have you already thought about what it will look like? 

Claire x

This post was written in collaboration with Loaf.
Loaf stockist details: LOAF.COM / 0845 459 9937

4 / One Pic Wednesday

Source

This rather perfect little picture appeared on my Pinterest home feed and I fell for it. Open shelving is something I would LOVE in my kitchen but there is abso-blummin-lutely no way I will ever bite the bullet and make the move away from cupboards. I rely far too much on my those little cupboard doors to hide away all my messy evidence. The above pic is how I would like my kitchen to look in an ideal world. We're pretty close already as we have the butcher's-block counter tops, the belfast sink and white subway tiles. I just need some traditional Falcon enamelware (and maybe some golden eggs) and we'd be all set. It's already on my #wishlist ;-)

Claire x

crisis averted?

Ok.  So it turns out I am terrible at keeping up with regular posts.  Oops.  

Anyway, just a quick update as I think I've found my utensils...

Nigella Lawson's Vitreous Enamel Utensils.  Queue beams of sunshine gleaming down from the heavens.  

Must. Buy. Now.  And at £27 on tesco direct, why the heck not?!  

I must say that I came across these beauties thanks to a lady I follow on instagram.  Thank you Victoria's Cottage. 

CB

kitchen crisis

I am on a mission. 
For quite some time now I have needed to update my kitchen utensils.  My current selection is shameful.  Old bits and pieces I've brought with me from my uni days and I think it is sort of ruining my kitchen aesthetic.  (I am sure some people will laugh at this statement, as utensils are hardly an eye catcher).  Anyway, regardless I need to get this taken care of.  Cue relentless trawling of the internet...

Jamie Oliver - a bit too swish for my taste

ikea - simple and I am sure it does the job

Le Creuset - wow look at those curves.  Ha!  But £25 a pop is a bit much for my budget

Raymond Blanc - I think we're getting closer with something a bit more like this but would have to see it in person

notonthehighstreet - just for a laugh.  

Any recommendations would be gratefully received.  I do quite like a mis-matched selection, so I am scared that investing in a full on set will be too 'samey' for me.  Hmm...

Not sure if this selection has averted my 'crisis' but I will update once I make a commitment ;-)

CB