Pretty Utensils

Previous posts have probably alerted you to my Le Creuset and Pyrex obsessions but today I'm going to show you another of my weaknesses... pretty utensils. I just can't pass up a cute spatula or rolling pin when I see one and I believe that if something can be functional AND pretty well then why not ;-)

Here are some of my faves...

First up, my little spatula collection, I know nobody needs this many but they are so practical and look so pretty stashed together. These are a variety from Le Creuset, Cath Kidston, Wheel and Barrow and Target.

I love my Donna Hay duck egg blue silicon utensils, they are perfect for using with enamelled cast iron cookware as they don't scratch the enamel.

Yep, I love rolling pins, what can I say?

The above cream utensils and duck egg blue colander are from Nigella Lawson's enamelled range, they are so pretty :-)

I can stomach boring stainless steel as long as it's got nice blue accents.

This cute little sieve is from Jane Asher's Range and the oven glove is by Donna Hay.

Random baking supplies, even cake skewers can be pretty if you look hard enough :-)

And finally, some new baking supplies, I love baking with my boys and we're going to expand our repertoire to include cake pops and macarons :-)

Anyone else out there have a utensil obsession? I can't be the only one?!?

♥♥♥ Le Creuset ♥♥♥

Today I just thought I'd share some new additions to my Le Creuset collection. This cast iron cookware is a dream to cook with and comes with a lifetime guarantee, so I always snap it up if I see a piece I like on special or vintage pieces at bargain prices.

The new collection in Rosemary green is so pretty, such a gorgeous colour and this 24cm casserole is perfect for soups :-)

This 22cm casserole in the Dune/Almond colour is perfect for mashed potatoes cooked in chicken stock and mixed with chives.

This limited edition 22cm shallow casserole comes in really handy for my cheesy rice bake, yum!

This wok is MASSIVE!!! I love Thai green curries and chicken chow mein.

Ever since finding my first vintage Le Creuset saucepans designed by Enzo Mari I have never looked back. I much prefer these to cooking with stainless steel or non-stick pots now, the enamelled finish on Le Creuset pots is a dream to clean up and when looked after properly lasts a lifetime. I was delighted to snap up this set of 3 pots for a steal, the wooden handles are awesome too, no worry about burning your hands on the handles!

Speaking of Enzo Mari designed pieces I am thrilled to have finally added one of his casseroles to my collection. He designed these for Le Creueset in 1972 and this one is in lovely condition. I also have a lime green baker designed by him.

These stoneware bean pots are in the really pretty Satin Blue colour, they are perfect for single serves of comfort food like Chilli Con Carne or Cottage Pie, perfect to eat on the sofa with a fork :-) Try Sophie Dahl's Shepherd's Pie or Nigella Lawson's Chicken, Mushroom and Bacon Pie :-)

And finally, a utensil holder also in Satin Blue, I now have these in 3 different colours and they look lovely together :-)

If you're a Le Creuset fan too and would like to see the rest of my collection I shared it here :-)

Tray Jolie

OK, so the French for "very pretty" is "tres jolie" and I thought I'd be hilarious and change it to "Tray Jolie" 'cos this post is about pretty baking trays. I'm nothing if not original.

Anyway, I know I'm not the only one who has a thing for vintage baking trays. I love their patina, their pretty patterns and their history.

Here are my 3 faves!

I also love that they were made in Australia, France and England. The majority of cookware these days is made cheaply in China and just doesn't last like these gorgeous vintage trays have.







My favourite is the madeleine tray which is from France. I'm going to try Rachel Khoo's recipe soon :-)

Kitchen Corners

I just thought today I'd share some of my favourite little parts of our kitchen (I've just given it a good clean, so it's nice to capture it in this spotless state ;-)

I'm really not in love with the wood-effect cabinets and countertops in the house we're currently renting, but it's a good sized kitchen and has loads of storage for all my "stuff" so I've done my best to make it my own. Yes that's right MY own, I'm the only one in my house of boys who uses it!

Here's my little baking corner, my much adored Kitchenaid is surrounded by baking utensils, jars of cupcake wrappers, edible sprinkles and even little mini utensils for my boys :-)

Yes I DO love blue (and a hint of pink thrown in).

Yet MORE utensils, my favourite are my Nigella Lawson enamelled utensils and my Donna Hay silicone which I use with my cast iron cookware as they don't scratch it.

There's always something cooking on the stove.

The little blue framed notice board above was a thrift store find that I painted duck-egg blue (for a change) and use to display little Instagram photos of our trip to Paris (WITHOUT the kids!!!) last December.

My little corner of random bowls and cute things.

That's it, where I spend a huge portion of my time, fetching, preparing and serving up food to my hungry little hoard :-) By the way if you're as OBSESSED with kitchenware, recipes and ogling other people's kitchens as I am, head over to The Kitchn, one of my absolute fave blogs ever!!

Brrrrrrr

After days and days of sticky horrible humidity here in Sydney the temperature has dropped to a paltry 19 degrees Celsius, cold enough to get out my giant Le Creuset casserole and bubble up a big supply of yummy leek and potato soup :)

Oh no, not MORE kitchen stuff!

I'm afraid so! Why so many kitchen finds, you may ask. Well mainly because I am obsessed with kitcheny stuff but also because aswell as being fab looking, vintage kitchenalia is still so useful. I use my casseroles, bowls, dishes and utensils on a daily basis, and when they're not in use, they still sit there looking beautiful :-)

Here are a few...

I am in love with these beautiful canisters/jars. They are pretty large so I will either use them for utensils or flour and sugar etc. I love the way the green graduates into the gorgeous turquoise. They cost a total of $8 in Vinnies.

This little set of drawers has already had various uses in my kitchen, storing supplies for topping cupcakes, herbs, spices etc. They cost $2 at a market. I think they are reminiscent of this set which retail at 175 pounds!

I love Nigella Lawson's living kitchen range of products, but they are ridiculously expensive here in Australia, her set of 2 coffee cups and saucers retail at $89 at this store but mine cost $2 at a car boot sale :-)

This set of turquoise melamine cups were $1 at Vinnies, I love the shape and colour and the fact that my boys can play with them without any breakages :-)

Unusually shaped jugs really appeal to me - this one cost $1 at a market.

I paid $2 for this old flour canister at a market - perfect for utensils!

In my experience one can never have too many jars - these were 50 cents each.

And in upcoming posts:

- Stuff I bought that's NOT blue or green (shock!)

- My cookbook obsession

- Bread bin makeover