Thursday 27 November 2014

Advent

The upcoming period of Advent is fast approaching. The shops are awash with chocolate advent calendars from every confectionery brand imaginable. I have been interested to see however some advent calendars with a difference. For those of us wanting to avoid the sweet stuff before all we'll be eating at Christmas time there are some rather sophisticated, albeit much more expensive alternatives out there.  I have added images of some of these below, just in time for you to get yours for Monday 1st!

Selfridges

Tesco beauty

The Body Shop




Jo Malone

Lego

Liberty

No 7

Tuesday 18 November 2014

Christmas Order Deadline


Please note that tomorrow, Wednesday 19th November, is the cut off date for all orders to be placed if you wish to have your kitchen worktops fitted in time for Christmas dinner!  All kitchen worktop orders placed after tomorrow will be installed in the New Year.

Discount Worktop Store will be closed for Christmas from 5pm on Friday 19th December until 9am on Monday 29th December.

Monday 17 November 2014

BBC 2 - The Great Interior Design Challenge



I'm loving BBC 2's interior design competition programme at the moment, The Great Interior Design Challenge. Amateur designers are let loose on rooms to show their design ability and creative flair. Considering these contestants have had no formal training, I'd say the results are almost always fantastic! This is what the website has to say about the programme which is currently in it's second series...

"The search for Britain's best amateur interior designers. Working in a variety of architectural styles, the contestants have three days to impress both the judges and the homeowners". http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04nj4d5

It's a really creative programme and although I've not been inspired to make any major decor changes to my own home, I have added an Interior Design board to Discount worktop Store's Pinterest page. http://uk.pinterest.com/discountw/

Tuesday 4 November 2014

Remember, remember...


...the fifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot.

I see no reason, why gunpowder treason

Should ever be forgot.





I've always loved Bonfire Night, with the sparklers, fireworks, everyone out together at the bonfire on a chilly night and of course the food. It wasn't until a couple of years ago though that I actually looked into the full story behind the reason for Guy Fawkes/Firework/Bonfire Night and I found it fascinating. It certainly makes sense of all the trappings I associate with the date. You can read about it at the link below if like me you weren't sure of the history behind the festivities.

http://www.parliament.uk/education/about-your-parliament/history-of-parliament/guy-fawkes/

One of my fondest memories of Bonfire Night is my mum's Treacle Toffee, which was very difficult to eat but delicious and the night wasn't same without it. I looked up a recipe for this traditional treat that I've shared with you below and as soon as I get myself a sugar thermometer, I'm going to attempt to continue this family tradition for my own daughter...well, until she's old enough to eat it it'll just be for me!


Bonfire Toffee


Ingredients



  • oil, for greasing
  • 450g dark brown sugar
  • 125ml hot water
  • ¼ tsp cream of tartar
  • 115g black treacle
  • 115g golden syrup


Method

  1. Line the base and sides of an A4 sized tin with non-stick parchment and then grease it really well.
  2. Put the sugar and hot water in a heavy bottomed pan and heat gently until the sugar is dissolved, do not stir the mixture at any point instead tilt the pan if you need to move it around.
  3. Weigh out your remaining ingredients, if you put them in a really well greased jug they will be much easier to pour out. Once the sugar has dissolved add all the ingredients and pop the sugar thermometer in, you can use the thermometer to give it a quick swirl but try not to mix it too much.
  4. Bring to the boil and boil until you reach soft crack on your thermometer (270/140C) This may take up to 30 minutes, be patient and do not leave the pan unattended as it can change quickly. As soon as it reaches the temp, tip it into your tin and leave it to cool.
  5. Once cool remove it from the tin a break up with a toffee hammer or rolling pin. Store in an airtight tin or wrap up in boxes or cellophane bags to give as gift.

Taken from http://www.bbcgoodfood.com