Keeping it Realtor

Skull Votive called Yorick

I love dressing the table for a special occasion and Halloween is a great time for experiment. 

There are all kinds of weird and wonderful table decorations that you can use. If it's an adult party you're having then don't go overboard.  Have a look at these fantastic glass Yorick votives.  A few of these tea light holders coupled with some fat candles dripping with wax would be a good base for your Halloween table.

 Add some skull napkin holders and a centrepiece of black roses and you're ready for some Halloween fun. 

Wine Holder made from Tuscan Tiles

Sometimes I find something that I'd dearly love myself and this Tuscan Tile Wine Holder is one of those things. 

Made from 200 year old Tuscan roof tiles and stabilised with graceful, flowing metal grapevines this stunning wine holder has made number one on my Object of Desire list. 

This would make a a lovely wedding gift but get your order in quickly because this gorgeous wine holder is on special limited quanties. 

Beautiful.    

Slate Placemats & Coaster sets.

You all know that I've got a funky new glass dining room table and that I've been on tthe lookout for some unusual placemats to keep that modern look. 

Well..... have a look at these really unusual slate placemats and coasters  which are simply embellished with a delicate dandelion design.  Beautiful don't ya think?  Also you could personalise them by chalking the name or names of your dinner guests. 

Use your imagination and make a game of it by chalking a favourite song or personal catch phrase on each placemat  

If you're really talented how about drawing a caricature of each guest. 

Slate placemats,  I love them.

Say it with an Anne Taintor Mug.

You'd never find one of these fab mugs in any home belonging to a Stepford wife but I bet they've had the same thoughts at one time or another.  These retro mugs by Anne Taintor made me laugh out loud at the witty and sarcastic comments printed on them.  I bet you do the same.

Choose from comments like "Life is too short to cook for you people".  "High maintenance doesn't begin to cover it" and my favourite "As a matter of fact I am the f*** Queen!. 

I want them all!

Calf and a half milk jug.

Those ancestors of mine would never understand that milk jugs could be such fun. 

This hand crafted double walled glass milk jug is really obvious and it's fun but I don't think it's for me.  

 It's one of those kitchen accessories that I'd admire if one of my friends had it but I wouldn't rush out and buy it for myself.

 What do you think, udderly hilarious or udderly hideous?  

Modern Glass Milk Jug

I've got  lots of milk jugs but none of them actually match any tableware I have. They aren't even a good contrast .  

I've  inherited most of them and they're lovely but they're a bit twee, a bit flowery and way too fancy for my taste. 

That's why I love this  glass milk jug.  It's in the shape of a carton of milk and it's modern, casual and just the very thing I need. 

It's made of hand blown glass,  it's modern, quirky and I could use this every day.

Pot Holder

Well it looks like Florida's gone and  done it again; it just blew our shorts off, so no apologies for  showing you this fabulous pot holder from the Disney Store. 

I'm still very much in the holiday mood and trying not to think about going back to work.!  

 I'm just going to relax and look at my holiday photographs and try not think about work until I really must!

 

Cool Revolving Serving Tray with lids.

If all the predictions are correct then we're in for a drier and warmer summer than we usually have so I'm getting prepared for lots of salads. I'm also planning on eating outdoors as often as possible and that's when  this revolving serving tray will come into its own.

Just fill the deep bottom tray with crushed ice and fill the top vented trays with lots of delicious party food.  The food will stay crisp and fresh and there's even a handy dip cup. 

All  of the upper compartments plus the dip cup have there own lids so if you're using it ouside you know the food's going to be bug free too.

This would be great for indoor parties too.  

 

Fire Wire Barbecue Skewers for Dad.

Wouldn't these funky Fire Wire BBQ skewers make a great Father's day gift?  What dad could resist showing off at the barbecue with these stainless steel flexible skewers. 

Because these skewers are bendy they can be placed around the edge of the barbecue and that way free up the rest of the grill.  Just make sure that there's part of the skewer draped over the edge of the barbecue and that way you don't even need tongs to turn the meat. They also make it easier and cleaner to marinade meat and vegetables. 

These skewers would work well on small portable barbecues too and because they're so flexible you could have them ready in a marinade while you travel. Yes,  I think these Fire Wire skewers would make a great father's day gift and because they're dishwasher safe they'll keep mum happy too.   

Father's Day gift.

It's always difficult to buy something personal and something that will get used for Father's day. 

Whatever you buy will be appreciated but let's face it those fiddly little screwdrivers in the leather case will probably disappear into a drawer or into the shed and never be seen again.

Also if your dad doesn't play golf well you're sunk.  So many gifts are woven around golf and the many items it seems are vital to this game. 

Also how many pairs of socks or hankies can a man have? 

My own dad used make a little game of these occasions when he would pretent to wonder what was in the parcel and then "guess" that it was either for the nose or the toes!

Anyways here's a couple of nice mugs which I'm sure will be appreciated and used.

So take your pick,  tea or coffee. 

I love the  Kings Choice Quality Tea mug but I'm a tea drinker anyway.  The husband on the other hand is a coffee drinker so he would love the Potting Shed Coffee mug.  At only £3.95 these funky mugs would make an ideal Father's day gift.