I saw this case from Casetagram  the other day, and thought what a fantastic way to bring some of your photos to life, and in a practical way. I love Instagram, along with many other fantastic photo apps on the iPhone, which probably means I am taking more photos than ever, but leaving them locked in the files of the phone or the laptop.

And as a food blogger, then I take a lot of photos of food, restaurants, food shops, ingredients…a whole spectrum of food related photos, some of which are not bad. And I know from other blogs there are some people out there taking some amazing photos, that deserve to be seen by a wider audience.

These are US$34.95, with free shipping worldwide, so whilst not cheap this would definitely be a very unique and personal gift.

Chocolate pizzas have been around for a couple of years, so this is a nice spin with a make your own kit version. Plenty of chocolate and toppings, but feel free to freestyle it!

I know very little about cult New Zealand snacks, so interested to see them carrying a New Zealand Goodies Box. I have no idea what a Mighty Perky Nana might be, or Pineapple Lumps, but if they mean something to someone you’re buying for they’ll love it. And if they don’t, then they’ll have a laugh working their way through them. Not their country? Good news, there are Aussie and South African boxes too.

Who says cake stands have to be twee and pretty? Loving the vinyl cake stand!

I’ve not seen any of the Sagaform glasses anywhere before, but think they’re really attractive. I like sturdy glass and the colours work really well here. There are champagne glasses and all purposes glasses, even martini glasses.

And whether baker or Star Wars fan, then surely the Darth Vader baking tin has to be there on Christmas lists this year. Presumably only fit for baking chocolate sponge rather than vanilla, always on the dark side of baking.

In case someone has been really, really good, and is clear that it is going to be a very good summer next year, then there is always the mobile beer bar. Perfect if they do lots of entertaining involving beer. And if you have £7,300 to spare!

So, worth a look for something a little bit different. And then there’s always their selection of Christmas lights!

It’s unusual for me to think about my own list so early, I know. But a mass baking session on Saturday, and a big lunch gathering yesterday left me with a few thoughts. So just in case you’re getting organised now:

1. Please can I finally have a KitchenAid mixer? Really, I’m not fussy about the colour, just would like one to speed up baking, but if there is a cobalt one needing a home then I can look after it. If we’re in for austerity measures, which I think we might be, then I could give a home to a Kenwood Chef. And a tin of blue paint.

2. I’m doing more baking this year Santa, and if I promise to leave you something more imaginative than a mince pie, could you see your way to leaving some more cooling trays please? If the sleigh is going past Lakeland, they have a great 3 tier version that folds flat, as storage is still limited. By the cake tins.

3. Whilst you are there, please can you find room for some Magic Non Stick Liner? Just discovered this, what a joy to go on the baking sheets!

4. Dr T fitted me out a larder this year, giving me lots of room for all the flour and sugar and things. If you’re rummaging round at car boot sales between now and December 25th, some proper vintage containers for any of those items would be lovely. Proper vintage please though, not elf repro.

5. We realised when trying to cater for 9 that we don’t actually have matching plates for anything over 8. Do you think we could round up the Denby to 10? Oh, and could you add in another milk jug please? Yet again ended up with the plastic bottle on the table.

6. I have all kinds of cutters, but I don’t have a set of plain round ones, which seems an over-sight. But I could probably still find room for the Ninjas as well.

In fact, Santa, we have so little matching stuff that Dr T and I should probably get married again and have a new list. Failing that, I’m rather liking the whole mismatched thing, never been very matchy, matchy. So vintage glasses always good, loved the champagne coupes from last year, a few more always good.  And if I’ve not been that good, but just a notch above the sack of ashes, then a tea towel from To Dry For is fine with me.

Thanks Santa!

Photo by rondostar on Flickr.

Let me just say this first: I love this book! I was sent The Cookiepedia as a review copy, and I love it. I even cope with the fact it doesn’t tell you a helpful conversion for a stick of butter, other than cups or tablespoons, but other than that it’s a delight.

I mean, what’s not to love a book that gives you the space you really need to scribble your own notes in, as you tweak recipes to really suit your own tastes. And then biscuits and cookies of every description, without getting too fancy. In fact, I would say this is perfect for the weekend, if it’s going to be wet and you’re going to be home with kids. I used the brownie recipe from here with MGG, and it was perfect, given that it uses cocoa rather than needing to invoke a bit of double boiler action.

There’s everything from chocolatey ones to fruity ones, and pretty much everything in between. I think it would make a great gift for a keen home baker, if not for a very competent, experienced one. This is not showstopping stuff, just the sort of stuff you would want to eat at home, with a cup of tea.

If you want to go to town with this as a gift, then you could add in a baking sheet, or some fun cookie cutters. I’ve written before about those I’ve been lusting after, but you could definitely follow a theme given the huge variety now available. Of course, all this depends on you being able to give this great book away! Sorry, but it’s a keeper for me!

I think it’s probably quite clear that I am both very fond of my baking, and therefore also have an unhealthy amount of love for Lakeland too. A new catalogue and new gadgets is always a moment of quiet joy.

So I’m really not sure about why I’m not sure about the Victoria Surprise Cake Set. I mean, I love, really love a great Victoria sponge. I love it when the filling isn’t mean. I even have a passing nostalgia for those sponge flans that my Mum used to make for buffets, even if I hope the sachet jelly is now long gone.

And so in theory the Surprise Cake Set should be a good thing. I am just not really sure if I need another set of round tins in the cupboard. Could I give my guests a surprise in a different way without it involving cupboard space? I mean, if I was looking for a gift for the baker who had everything, then I guess this would be a good gift. But for those of us with limited space then maybe not.

What do you think? Would you give it house space?

For a traditional, country based cook who likes cakes, then how about this double glove from Aga, with its pretty cupcake applique.

For something quite contemporary looking, then I really like the Isabella ovenglove from Not on the High Street. Practical and a strong design, good colourways in either red or blue, this would work in everything from a very sleek modern kitchen to a clean lined country version.

Is there a kitscher way to throw down the gauntlet than with the Briar Rose one from Cath Kidston? Will suit the country loving cook, or at least one who thinks they might!

For a high tech cook, then perhaps they’d like the Silicone Oven Glove from Lakeland. There are only 3 reviews on the site, two of which are really positive, and one not very. It is designed to be very heat resistant, and is more masculine looking than some.

If you’re going to tattoo your knuckles, then go the foodie route and have Love and Cake on them. Otherwise take the temporary route with this double sided single mitt. Why should cake time exclude bling time? Perfect for the glamorous cook.

For classic looks, and for doing good at the same time, then I like these butchers’ stripe mitts from Fifteen. All profits from the sales of Fifteen products go the Jamie Oliver Foundation to fund the Fifteen Apprenticeship Programme. Good sturdy construction, and a design that won’t date.

Every keen cook needs a good oven glove, but there is no reason for them to be dull! In my view, great standby gift for all kinds of food lovers.

I was tweeting the bad news on Sunday that our beloved Gaggia coffee machine had suddenly stopped working. Like between breakfast and elevenses. And I say our beloved, but it’s very clearly been Dr T’s machine, as it is quite temperamental, being Italian.

So the twitter fonts of knowledge pointed me in the direction of some really interesting and useful pieces of information:

1. A great article by Tim Hayward on his pursuit of the perfect espresso,which led to

2. A Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine, which ranks up there as not a bad route to the perfect espresso and

3. It’s featured on a great site, called Has Bean Coffee, which has a great range of gadgets and gizmos for the serious coffee lover.

The site is a great resource if you’re searching for gifts for a serious coffee lover, with everything from machines to beans, even home roasting kit, which really is taking it to serious levels! I do like the idea of a bespoke coffee tamper, which fits your particular machine at home, and can be engraved, so a truly one-off gift. There’s also a small but interesting collection of books, just to give them the extra edge on their espresso brewing!

Meanwhile, Dr T says he’s going to strip down the Gaggia and repair it, but says it’s all my fault. I had thought the night before the break down that if the Gaggia ever gave up, then maybe this would be a good choice to replace it. But then it may just be that it sounds a little less temperamental than the Gaggia! But if it comes back to life, then I’ll be investigating some new stuff for him to make the most of it!

Crema in motion shot by Emily Prachthauser on Flickr.

Just a quick post, as I spotted this new flask from Marmite. I’ve written before that I sit most markedly in the hate camp when it comes to the taste of Marmite, but I do love their imagery.

And I love a good flask! This strikes me as more of a flask for tea, rather than for carting round a big, chunky soup. It holds half a litre, so that’s quite enough tea for one or two after a nice country walk. I guess you could make hot Marmite with it, but that would contaminate the flask for ever!

I’ve had the same measuring cups for years, and they still do a great job, but how could you not want to give kitchen space to these? I found these at Strawberry Fool, good site, and 10% off across the store with code PICNICTEN, which is valid until midnight on 27 March.

So really, what more reason do you need to buy a set? If you really want to push the boat out, check out the matching measuring spoons!

I think I’ve been a bit slow to pick up on these, and in fact spotted them in City Super in Hong Kong on my last visit, but am quite keen on the Bobble water bottle. Not only does it look pretty funky (and comes in a big range of colours) but is a portable filter for tap water.

I think more and more of us are aware of our drink miles, as well as our food miles, and bottled water always strikes me as one of the most bonkers things ever. And a Bobble means you can filter tap water wherever you are, with each filter being able to work through 150 litres of water. There are a couple of sizes available, depending on how much water you need during your average day, and replacement filters are easy to get hold of.

When you think about how good our water is to start with, then this just helps it to be that bit more palatable. Plus there’s the knowledge that you’ll have saved the world from all those plastic bottles. Who says being green has to be dull? These are great looking!