{Declutter: Kitchen}

As part of my ongoing decluttering and living with less project, I tackled my kitchen drawers and cupboards...

So what are my kitchen essentials? What can stay & what can go?

The essentials

My trusty Sabatier knives that were a wedding gift are getting a bit old looking - perhaps I've not looked after them as well as I should have. If I could, I'd buy from this range - these Kasumi knives are manufactured in Japan no less and have a great reputation. Perhaps a new home gift...hint, hint!

Another essential is my Kitchen Aid - a 30th birthday gift from my husband. I love it!

Unfortunately my frying pan is also getting old & no longer non-stick. Perhaps time to invest in a new one, especially with my new weekend pancake routine and omelette skills!! I'd like this Mauviel one please ;-)

When I'm looking to whisk or blitz something quickly without using my Kitchen Aid or Magimix, I have a Braun hand blender that I couldn't live without. It's lasted well and I'd definitely recommend it. I don't use all the attachments though, so could probably have managed with a cheaper version.

One of my other essentials is a set of measuring spoons which were a gift from Bex at Olive Dragonfly. They're really handy for properly measuring teaspoons and tablespoons of this and that. I use them frequently.

A few other additional little items are my silicon spatula, digital thermometer (useful for when cooking meat) and cake decorating stuff (a few shaped cutters, piping bags and nozzles).

Things I have but rarely, if ever, use

Honey drizzler (not sure why I thought I'd use this!!)
Chopsticks
Garlic press (I'm lazy & buy garlic paste)
Tea strainer
Blow torch
Zester

Tell me, what are your kitchen essentials?

{Project 333 - Living With Less}

So I mentioned before that I have been making space in my wardrobe and I said I was keen to participate in Project 333, whereby you live with 33 items for 3 months. I thought it would be difficult to narrow my clothing down to 33 items, but I've actually found it ok - turns out I don't have as many clothes as I thought! It's the accessories, jewellery in particular, that I've found difficult along with my shoe collection!

Items I've not included in the list:

• Watch
• Links of London bracelet
• Alexis Dove Wild Rose ring
• Prescription glasses (I'm getting my new pair of Tom Ford glasses this weekend from SpecsDirect2U - excited!!)
• Underwear
• Pyjamas
• Loungewear
• Workout clothes

Here's my list of 33 things:

1. North Face parka, black
2. Ted Baker trench coat, beige
3. Urban Outfitters tuxedo style jacket, black
4. Grey zebra print scarf
5. Fossil handbag
6. Grey flower mini handbag, from my neighbour's shop Velvet Moon
7. Black patent boots from Next
8. Black patent court shoes from M&S
9. Russell & Bromley black shoe boots
10. Hunter wellington boots
11. Dune trainers
12. Sequin jumper from Mango, black
13. Gem jumper from Warehouse, grey
14. Karen Millen pencil skirt, black
15. Mint Velvet bandage skirt, black
16. French Connection dress, black patterned
17. Salsa bootcut jeans
18. Next skinny jeans, denim
19. Next skinny jeans, purple
20. Oasis shirt, orange
21. Oasis shirt, cream
22. Mint Velvet grey cardigan
23. Wolf t-shirt
24. Mint Velvet black cardigan
25. Mint Velvet nude/black lace vest
26. Pink blouse with lace detail on the back from Primark
27. Sequin dress from French Connection
28. Plum wool dress from Baujken
29. Animal print silk dress from Warehouse
30. Gold lion belt from Warehouse
31. Grey studded jumper from Tesco
32. Black shirt from Tesco
33. Grey dress from Baujken

I just need to pack away the rest of my wardrobe, for now anyway, and I will attempt to manage with just these items for the next 3 months - so that's until mid-May. Eek! If the weather improves, then I might need to revisit my list!