- Jars of tea bags and sugar are so welcoming, everybody wants to pop the kettle on for a cuppa when they have just arrived. The glass jars from IKEA (top left) have a rubber seal and will keep dried goods fresh and ready to use.
- I really don't like mismatched crockery and cutlery. I would rather have a whole set that is clean and simple than several more expensive sets combined together. Is this just me?
- Guest houses often forget to include a salad or serving bowl with serving spoons, always annoying. And they also often forget smaller bowls to serve snacks in. Just because I am on holiday does not mean that I want to eat straight out of the packet.
- I would also make sure the fridge contained: fresh milk, fresh eggs, a pat of butter.
All Eat & Drink Essentials are from IKEA, except the kettle and toaster which are from Appliances Online.
Prep essentials:
One of the joys of holiday is having time to cook and enjoy a meal with family and friends. I almost always miss something that I think is essential from my kitchen. My basic necessities are just that, the bare bones that I need to cook enjoyably, and holidays should be about enjoying yourself after all.
One of the joys of holiday is having time to cook and enjoy a meal with family and friends. I almost always miss something that I think is essential from my kitchen. My basic necessities are just that, the bare bones that I need to cook enjoyably, and holidays should be about enjoying yourself after all.
- Prep cannot even start without a good chopping board and a sharp knife. I almost always wish I had brought my own super sharp knives along, cutting a tomato with a blunt knife is no fun at all.
- I am always using my microplane zester (far left).
- The rest covers most dishes from breakfast to dinner, baking to casseroles.
- I should probably have included some mixing bowls too...
Every thing except the microplane available from IKEA.
Cooking essentials
- When it comes to cooking you can't beat a good set of pots and pans.
- I can't cook with out my tongs anymore, how did I ever turn something on the grill before, or serve pasta for that matter.
- You have to include an egg slice for those lazy cooked breakfasts.
- Lots and lots and lots of clean dishtowels.
Every thing here from IKEA.
Luxe additions:
A good casserole pot would be a good extra addition, I do love a casserole in winter.
A few disposable roasting pans, nobody likes cleaning up on holiday.
Luxe items you will find in my cottage's bedroom and bathroom:
- Lovely soaps at every basin, in the shower and at the kitchen basin. (I was given my Molton Brown by The Home but you can find them online)
- Trinket boxes to store your jewellery, watches and phones in at the bedside on on the bathroom cabinet. (Dante boxes from Country Road)
- A thick plush bathrobe for every guest, they don't cost much and make you feel so pampered. (Soybu Spa Robe)
- Lots of a clean towels. When they are frayed and marked they must go (a pet hate).
- Hurricane lantern to create safe candle light in the bathroom or bedroom.
- Lovely bedlinen, this selection is from Pottery Barn. Its worth buying new sets every year to make sure your guest know they will always have a bed that is fresh and inviting. Watch out for good deals to replenish your sets on The Home, even if its simply for your own bedroom or guest room.
- A good olive oil, local if possible - this one from Coriole
- Salt and pepper, I love the packaging of these grinders from Nomu
- A few concentrated stock pots, these ones from Knorr are my personal favourite
- A Nespresso machine and milk frother. I really love my morning coffee and all people need to is bring pods of their own choice. Love this red version, the Pixie
One day when I have a little cottage of my own, these are the essentials it will have. Let me know if I have missed any of yours.
One day...