DWS on Pinterest

Following the previous Blog about the wonders of Pinterest, DWS has finally got themselves an account. Please visit our page to see lovely pictures of all the kitchen worktop ranges we supply, from  Dupont Corian, Quartz and Solid Surfaces, to Hardwood & Granite.

See our worktop pinspiration here http://uk.pinterest.com/discountw/

Sneak Preview

We enjoyed taking part in the Scottish Home Show in Aberdeen so much that we've already booked a spot at the Ideal Home Show from 22^_nd - 25^_th May 2015!

This show takes place at the SECC, Glasgow and we're already so excited to do it all again. We get the feeling the Glasgow show will be even busier than the one in Aberdeen so that was a good warm up. We will be at the Glasgow show with even more ranges of luxury worktops to show potential customers so please drop by to see us if you're there. 

We also have an exciting giveaway nearer the time so watch this space!

Check out the Ideal Home Show website below and book your tickets soon to avoid disappointment.

http://www.idealhomeshowscotland.co.uk

Spring Forward, Fall Back

Don't forget to put your clocks back one hour on 26th October for the upcoming Daylight Saving Time clock changes. Unfortunately the dark evenings are here but at least we get an extra hour in bed that Sunday!

Sunday, October 26, 2014: 2:00 AM back to 1:00 AM

Baking Blog

The Birthday Girl

Like me, you may be thinking with the colder weather and dark nights coming in that you might take up a hobby to get you through the Winter. Lately, thanks to a persuasive friend, I've been inspired to get baking, which I may make my new hobby as I really enjoyed it! Don't get me wrong, I've been baking since my school days but always stuck with safe and not too fiddly bakes. For example, I think I can safely say I can whip up a pretty decent batch of scones or a Victoria sponge but something I have always avoided is cake decorating...a dusting of icing sugar was my limit!

My recent baking adventures all started when my daughter's first birthday was approaching and I was bemoaning the lack of exciting birthday cakes out there (within my budget) for a little girl's first party. My friend who could easily be crowned Bake Off's "Star Baker" suggested I make one! My instant reaction was 'no way'. I had flashbacks of some gingerbread bears and cupcakes I once made for a Children In Need Bake Sale. I got so fed up with the decorating part (lack of patience for anything that's not "convenience") that they looked a sight!

Cupcake decorating

Happy with the finished product...and tasted great too!

After much convincing I agreed to the said challenge. I was pretty nervous, yet excited about this venture and turned to Pinterest immediately. We narrowed down the cakes we liked the look of and somehow I picked what looked to be the most complicated, although I was assured it would be easy.

Nearly there!

...and we did it!!

Mallow pops

chequerboard vanilla & chocolate sponge

After two marathon baking sessions and more eggs and butter than I've seen before, we had created two vanilla and chocolate chequerboard cakes. These were layered with buttercream and smothered in Italian meringue. The hardest part was to come, after colouring it, the icing had to be rolled and put on the cakes then the fiddly, time consuming decoration would take place. Like I said this was the part I dreaded and have to confess I ended up avoiding that as my friend was left with said job (I think she was secretly relieved! haha) I was disappointed in a way that I hadn't conquered this part of my baking fears but the first part has motivated me to do it all again and tackle it all.

We also managed to produce 36 pink sparkly cupcakes.  This was down to a measurements mishap as it was supposed to be 12 cupcakes but obviously 36 was a much better outcome. These having been in my existing repertoire were fine, in fact very tasty. I did ice them with a piping bag which was a first though.  As if I hadn't had enough of all things sugary I made some mallow pops late the night before the party. These were nice and easy but effective. I melted some milk and white chocolate, dipped the marshmallows in the chocolate then into different sprinkles. Although a bit too sweet for me, I really like the look of these for a kids' parry so will make them again.

My auntie made this cake for her granddaughter
just days after my cake. It seems it wasn't
just me who was feeling adventurous!

So all in all a very worthwhile and successful feat. I probably won't be buying birthday cakes again in the future and I may even attempt some more complicated treats during these long dark nights.  The DWS team will be pleased I'm sure :-)

Scottish Home Show success

We are now all back from a very busy weekend at this year's Scottish Home Show in Aberdeen.  The show started at 10am on Friday morning and it was none stop until we packed up at 5pm on Sunday evening! We had planned to make the journey home on the Sunday evening but thought better of it when we remembered that the Ryder Cup spectators would have the same idea. We didn't want to be battling through traffic all the way to Glasgow airport!

DWS' stand

It was great to meet so many potential new customers at the show and there was a great atmosphere and camaraderie amongst the stall holders. We were able to show off our lovely new banners and people were delighted to hear that our premium brand worktops may be within their budget after all!

The weather was glorious in Aberdeen so we were able to enjoy the stunning views at Aberdeen beach after a hard day's work at the AECC.

Jordan & Laurence after the show

Now the work really starts however with all the follow ups, quotes and calls we're receiving from the people we met.  It was a great, successful and hopefully fruitful weekend and we're already planning on doing it again at the Ideal Home Show, Glasgow in May 2015...we enjoyed it that much!

The DWS team

1 Week To Go!

With only one week to go until the AECC begin building this year’s Scottish Home Show, we are down to the last few days until we hit the Granite city!

 

As of yesterday, all exhibition space has now gone, making this year’s show the biggest and most exciting yet. There are over 24% more exhibitors than last year, and 47% of these are brand new to the event, giving regular visitors and new potential visitors some very good reasons to attend.

Myself, Laurence & Jordan, who have been the lucky ones selected to go to the Home Show are really looking forward to being part of this event next week and meeting new and possibly existing customers. 

Scotland's Referendum

http://scotreferendum.com

I can't believe it is only two days until the referendum which could change our country forever! It seems like it has been spoken about in the media for ages but it is now upon us.

This Thursday the 18th September 2014 is the day we can make our vote count towards what we hope for Scotland's future.  There's been much said by both Yes & No camps on the subject but I suppose the overriding issue is that nobody can really know entirely what will happen for Scotland and the UK, whether the outcome is yes or no. Come Friday however we will know what the majority of Scottish residents voted for and we will hopefully be looking forward to a positive future.

For any of you looking for last minute inspiration or to find the answers to your questions, the website above may help. There's plenty more out there too!