Tub Fillers

Ive started thinking a little bit about my bathroom in bite sized chunks as there is a lot to consider. The first challenge to overcome in converting the tub only room to a shower room, will be choosing the new shower system and taps. Im quite keen to keep the existing bath tub, but need a new tub filler. The existing one is deck mounted so there will be two tap holes in my cast iron tub when it is removed, which means I will need to stick with the same configuration rather than having it wall mounted.

The manufacturer of the mini basin mixer I ended up using in the toilet room also does a matching shower range and I am considering sticking with the same model - the KAI range from Crosswater.

Three options for tub fillers are above - one pillar tap each for hot and cold water, a tap where the water is mixed in a spout, or two taps with the spout being out of the wall. Aesthetically I like the pillar taps. Functionally I like the combined tap... I think I'll see where the rest of the system takes me before making a final decision.

Rosti Mixing Bowls & Cranberry Walnut Loaf

Thank you Philippa for my lovely pale blue Rosti mixing bowls. They came in handy when making this Cranberry Walnut loaf!

North African Serving Trays

I finally got around to hanging my souvenir serving trays in my kitchen. I hung them with coloured ribbon to match the leather centres from nails in the picture rail. I chose to use one black and one burgundy ribbon just so it wasnt so matchey-matchey. I like how they look with the round clock.

Successful Poached Eggs at last!

Im so excited as today I finally successfully made poached eggs for breakfast! I have, over the years, tried and failed using the following techniques:

1. Drop egg into a vortex of boiling water (the white just separated and made a mess in the saucepan)
2. Add oil (or vinegar) to boiling water before dropping in egg (The white separated and egg tasted pickled!)
3. Steam the egg in a non-stick egg cup in a pan of shallow boiling water (The egg stuck to the dish even with the addition of oil, and butter to grease the sides
4. Microwaving the egg in a non-stick microwaveable egg cup (The egg just over cooked and looked like something processed and from McDonalds)
5. Drop egg onto a sheet of cling-film, twist at the top, and drop into a saucepan of boiling water. (This was the most successful in terms of having a soft middle and not loosing most of the whites, but it looked like a crinkly old shopping bag so lost points on appearance)

The successful method was so simple I even got it gooey in the middle on my first attempt.

1. VERY gently drop egg into a barely boiling saucepan of water (if its boiling too much the bubbles will break up the white)
2. Leave for 4 minutes without stirring. Gently nudge the yolk to make sure its not stuck on the bottom
3. Remove with a slotted spoon and serve (letting stand for 30 seconds)

(Photos taken with the Hipstamatic app on my iphone)

De-cluttering Part 1 & 2: Clothes & Papers

Step 1 - Review wardrobe

Last weekend I went through my closet looking for things to take to the charity shop or to throw in the bin and managed to dispose of 2 carrier bags full of old clothes.

Step 2 - Sort through all paperwork

Today I went through every single one of my binders, folders, and stacks of 'important papers'. Everything is digital now so I managed to fill a garbage bag full of old utility bills, statements and newspaper clippings. All my bills and statements are online so this should help minimise unnecessary build up. I plan to scan some of my papers so I can bin the hardcopies too.

Dualit NewGen Toaster

Im already procrastinating from my flat 'to-do' list, but have been seduced by this toaster from Dualit which comes in a range of colours. The pale blue and the red are lovely, but I think Id get tired of them after a while, so quite fancy a classic polished stainless steel or white one. They come in 2, 3 & even 4 slice versions.

Im switching my bank account over to Santander and for the 'trouble' they are giving me £200 cash back so Im thinking this would be a nice thing to spend some of that money on. The other half will go towards the countertop on which it will sit.

Happy New Year!

To start the new year, here are a few photos that I took in my garden back in Canada before flying home to the UK. We had a green Christmas, but it started showing 2 days before I left. This year, my new year's resolutions for the flat for 2012 include:

1. Save up enough money for the kitchen countertop (the temporary painted plywood top is getting a bit boring now)
2. Get gas hob installed (after countertop installation)
3. Install new kitchen tap (already purchased)
4. Plan bathroom renovation project
5. Decide on whether to install new floorboards in the kitchen or paint existing ones
6. Annual de-clutter