Geisha Smoothing Towel

These are the most amazing exfoliators for the body. Dermalogica make a similar one but this Geisha Smoothing Towel is a bargain, and available in aqua, pink or white.

You can really scrub away at rough spots better than those exfoliator sponges or creams and because they dry very quickly they are more hygenic. $8.

Baking

I'm craving baking this week. Mum makes the most amazing chocolate chiffon cake. It's the most amazing combination of fluffy light sponge, with a moist, crackly top. Mum always laments to how they turn out - they didn't rise enough, or not sweet enough - but they are simply perfect, and she likes to trim the outsisde of any uneveness and gives me the crumbs. This cake is made for a glass of icey cold milk, and it's so light-as-cloud (or maybe because it's just so good) that it's nonchalant to eat two, three slices in a sitting.

Reminiscing of this wonderful cake, I pick up a Baker's Secret 23cm Springform Pan from Peter's. Since my loosebase tart tins weren't the success I hoped, I'm thinking I can also use these for high-walled quiches, as well as all manners of cakes.

The Girl Can't Help It

I have an admission to make - I sort of 'dump' my dirty clothes in the laundry until they're ready to be washed, and close the door. So I decided to get a proper laundry hamper, it seems a bit grown up after all.

Regent Laundry Hamper looks good and is the perfect size for a single household like mine. It has handles so can be easily dragged around to other rooms and a mesh lining that is easy to remove and clean. A bargain at $26.00.

Since I thought it might be bulky I decided to order it online, and added a few other things to the order. With bub's birthday coming up (sort of...May), I decided a Mason Pearson Child's Bristle Brush would be a lovely gift for her beautiful silky chestnut curls, maybe even a piece to keep well beyond her childhood. The baby pink colour is so pretty and the bristles are soft for children's hair. I thought about getting the handle engraved but it's wooden and I was scared it might crack, so left it as is. $62.00.

I don't have much storage space in my kitchen (read, almost zero) but I need basic baking utensils! The Wiltshire Patty Pan 12 Cup is only $5.00 and I can make Kath's wonderful mini quiches, mini cupcakes and anything else mini. I'm in a tart and quiche mood so get the Baker's Secret Loose Base Tart Set of 3. Update: I don't use this as much as I hoped. I would have liked something with higher walls for more filling. Perhaps best suited to an onion tart or a rich chocolate tart where a sliver is all you need.

OK, and I really needed the S & P Provence Covered Casserole Dish 19cm. These cute square pot will be adorable for pies, soups, baked pastas, or anything for curling up with on the couch on wintery nights. $6.50.

It's Almost Christmas!

Mum keeps such a busy schedule, and runs off those cheap newsagent diaries. She's such a sophisticated lady that I thought a Filofax Personal Organiser would be an ideal Christmas gift. She'll especially like it as it's leather, fits in her handbag and can be refilled each year. $74.00.

Catching The Peter's Bug

Dad just moved into his new place and I was the first to suggest Peter's for some kitchen essentials. Impossible to drag him away from work, we ordered online and he was very happy with how fast it arrived.

We ordered him a Calphalon frypan, a Berndes classic multifunction 7.5L set and yet another Mundial 7-piece knife set which he loves.

Of course, I had to add a few things to the order for myself. I was ga-ga for these Villeroy & Boch Switch 3 tumblers, with the pretty blue leaves motif and a bargain at $4.50 each. They're a lovely size and gorgeous for water and maybe even pudding-type desserts. And I love the Frenkel blue and white stripe beach towel that reminds me of a St Tropez hotel poolside towel which I nab for the summer which is just around the corner!

Update: unfortunately in the wash the blue pils onto the white and doesn't stay as glam.

My Own Home

When I moved into my very own place in August 2005, it was one of the proudest moments of my life. And of course it meant an opportunity to go shopping-mad at Peter's! I wanted to make a fresh start and everything new. Thankfully family donated some essentials and others arrived by way of a house-warming party, and there was Peter's for everything else.

* My favourite frypan, the Scanpan Classic 28cm with lid.
* I am obsessed with glasses so stocked up on the trusty Luigi Bormioli range: red and white wine, flutes, water glasses, shot glasses.
* I got everyone onto the Mundial 7-piece knife set, even mum who said she had the best knives! This is such a great everyday set and I use them all (except the sharpener, I have my knives sharpened at the Grower's Markets at Pyrmont).
* More essentials, like a Microplane medium ribbon grater, which I find indispensible, and Oxo Good Grips tools.

Welcome

I love Peter's of Kensington, that big pink centre of goodness on Anzac Parade in Kensington. More than a store, it's a Sydney institution selling homewares, kitchenware, food, travel accessories, gifts...and so much more. They have a nice cafe which is heaven when you need to rest your feet mid-shop. I don't think I've ever left there empty-handed...and their website and newsletters give me the perfect online 'hit'.

This is my spot to revel in products I've bought, what I'm doing with them and what I'm lusting after. Share with me your favourite purchases and how you use them. This blog is in no way associated with Peter's of Kensington and is simply a personal blog.