katgurl85's Profile

At that price point, from my exact experience you want to buy what you need. I spent AUD 130 on a set (which had been reduced) and found myself back at the shop a year later because all of the handles had split.
I was (luckily) able to get store credit for my earlier purchase (under a warranty) and bought myself a carbon fibre block, and a Global Cooks and utility knife (we're still looking for a cheap bread knife).
This sounds quite negative, but buy the best you are prepared to have destroyed by the people you have to share your stuff with (a friend of mine had a brand new knife completely destroyed by a flatmate's boyfriend who was cutting a coconut on a sink).

I have a slim Bosch dishwasher installed in my kitchen, it's about 2/3 the standard size and it's great for two people. I've never felt it was too small and it takes up much less space.

If they are precious enough to keep then you don't want to alter them so I'd opt for storage. If you use the pieces in your house, then as the years progress they are likely to become less special and the room may feel like a play room (which might not reflect that your home contains a girl who has outgrown them).
You may have already done this, but I'd involve your daughter in the decision making. I remember my mum getting me to go through my toys with her as I grew older and picking out the ones that I had really loved and I know that there's a box of loved toys waiting for the day when I have children.

I'm a serial eat-at-my-work-desk'er but I've recently started changing that, not for any of the reasons listed above, but because I've started wearing a pedometer and I struggle to get enough steps without a bit of midday activity. So far it's a really nice change to my routine.

I am a die-hard keep cup fan, I have used one every day for about three years. My work colleagues got me a new colourful cup for my birthday this year, but if they hadn't I'd still be using my original one. They keep your coffee warm longer while remaining comfortable to hold, your barista will know your usual coffee by your cup colour and they wash up easily (all parts of the cup can be separated easily when you want them to, but not when you don't).

I love my memory foam topper, bought it largely because my partner despised my firm mattress and it is like sleeping on a cloud.
I guess it depends on how firm you like your bed, but I love sinking into my bed at night. The temperature side of things was a bonus.

I was amazed at the difference a professional clean made after 4 years in my last rental. I asked my estate agent to recommend a company. In Australia it's pretty much expected that you will get the carpets cleaned at the end of your lease to get back your bond, going with their recommendation was the best option because if they had any questions about the quality of the service they took it up with the company.

Here here CHARLIE26

"Pavlova is actually considered a New Zealand dessert, not an Australian dessert." - this only holds true for Kiwis, it's a dessert in both countries!

And the provenance issue will never be settled, or Aussies wouldn't be Aussies and Kiwis wouldn't be Kiwis.

I always use mine for hot dishes, to the extent that I see it as a core function of a wooden chopping board. I've had an Ikea board warp on me before, so it is now almost exclusively a trivet but it is heading to chopping board heaven when I move shortly.

I'm keen to try the flavours in this dish. I think I'd take the extra few minutes to grill fresh peppers myself (blacken, then steam in a plastic bag and peel off the skin). I'd definitely think about adding a small red chilli to the dish, maybe even some bacon.