I don’t know about you, but I’m a sucker for a cute cake/cookie/whatever tin. I really don’t have any more space for another one on our already cluttered countertop (this kind of relates to last Friday’s post!), but I’m always tempted.

This new one from Emma Bridgewater caught my eye at the weekend …

I didn’t splurge, but isn’t it cute?! Love the heart shape!!

What are your kitchen weaknesses?

Coming up tomorrow: the Jubilee beauty booty starts here!

Ever since I interviewed Ruth Clemens – the self-billed “manic mummy and baker extraordinnaire” who came second in the first series of BBC2′s The Great British Bake Off – for nonstopmama, I’ve enjoyed her great home baking blog, The Pink Whisk (her first book is due out in April, BIG congrats, Ruth!).

Her latest post, A sneak peek into The Pink Whisk Kitchen struck such a chord that I just had to mention it.

Revealing her ‘real life’ kitchen – not as big as she’d like, and packed to the rafters with cooking kit and all the signs of super-busy family life – Ruth proves you don’t have to have a kitchen that looks like it’s been styled for a glossy interiors mag spread (or an impossibly pristine TV kitchen) to create one full of character, warmth and love.

Some of the most welcoming kitchens I’ve been in have also been the most modest, mad or cluttered (or, even better, all of the above) and FULL of character and heart.

One is my Italian Nonna’s kitchen – small but always spotlessly clean, swept and with a pot of espresso or pan of pasta water bubbling away on the simple, freestanding stove. Just-washed dishes were put away on the storage rack above the sink, which drained them at the same time – no frills, no fuss. She’d always sit at a small table chopping herbs at bionic speed with her mezzaluna, eyes sparkling and putting the world to rights with whomever was keeping her company. The family ate in the adjacent living room, at a big, round table, almost always with the TV on (so you’d need to compete with newsreader or game show host to be heard). Wonderful.

Do go and check out Ruth’s lovely blog, and let me know what you think here, too, about creating a ‘home that loves’, regardless of space, style and budget!

I don’t know about you, but the biggest go greener, energy saving challenge in our home comes down to heating. I’m always the one sneaking up that dial a teensy-weensy bit, “just to take the edge off” as I put it. I know I shouldn’t – for the sake of the environment, fresher air and our bills – but that’s after I’ve put another jumper on (plus another, and leggings, thermal socks, slippers and I’m walking around wearing the sofa throw like some sort of poncho). My husband, meanwhile, is breaking a sweat in a t-shirt and tempted to put his shorts on.

Like most families, other habits we’re working on include persuading small people to switch off lights, computers and stuff when they’re not in use, not keeping the TV/DVD/radio on standby and not using the tumble drier more than is possibly necessary (guilty).

What better time to get our act together, then, and rethink our habits than Big Energy Week, which kicks off today, running from 16-21 January?

During this week, Southern Electric is working with Citizens Advice and a range of charities, consumer groups, switching sites, Ofgem and the Government to offer practical advice on saving energy (and, hence, money) in the home, with everyday tips, advice and more.

From today, you can hop over and take an Energy Efficiency Survey to get your energy efficiency rating and then pick up some practical, energy saving tips.  Read on for more info, and lots of energy saving tips!

How pretty is this throw-it-all-in washbag by Lisa Stickley?

Sooo sweet. The perfect wipe clean – so practical, hoorah! – but vintage, shabby chic-style design (and it’s S.P.A.C.I.O.U.S. – perfect for throwing in the essentials for a family break – or the baby’s essentials …).

Good to know about in case you’re looking to replace a bag that’s looking a bit washed-out (but not in a good way)!

So, it’s Twelfth Night tomorrow – officially time to put away the Christmas decs, holiday DVDs and That Michael Bublé Album for another year. And no more sneaky chocolate coins with that 4pm cuppa  …

But!

I’m a firm believer that fairy lights are not just for Christmas. In fact, keeping a string or two of twinkling white lights up around the place is the perfect antidote to the post-Christmas ‘sweep’ when everything seems so bare and, well, un-sparkly.

In fact, this is the perfect time to snap some up in the sales. We have some up permanently in the kitchen (and, um, the living room, oh and there are some in the hall …). I call them ‘happy lights’, and they’re so cheering and welcoming, especially on cold winter evenings.

You can find some really cute novelty ones, too, that would work all year round. Like these ones with little cars on them, at John Lewis …

Do you love the look of fairy lights, all year round? How do you lighten and brighten up your home in winter?

I’d love to know!!