3/10/2025

VARIERA Drawer Mat (150 cm)

This is a large roll of thick good quality rugged plastic that can be used to protect kitchen drawers, cupboard shelves,  kitchen tops,  shelves in general, and even as floor mat on which to place small items of furniture. It can be cut easily. I placed part of it on top of my washing machine to protect it from the metal baskets I have on to of it, and it's great. It also limits the movement of the baskets when the washing machine is spinning. Great price and quality., and so many uses I can give it to it.

3/08/2025

Schwarzkopf Brilliance (89 Bitter Sweet Chocolate)

I've never tried this Schwartzkopf hair tint before even though this is a brand that I like. 
 
The package contains a large colour tube, a bottle with the developer, a generous tube with post-colour treatment, a pair of average plastic gloves and the instructions leaflet. All of this is average for most DIY hair colours I've tried. As I always do, after mixing the colour I used my professional colouring bowl and comb to get the best possible results. 
 
The quantity of product is more than enough for long hair if you want to do both regrowth and cover the rest  of the hair to unify the colour. 
 
I followed the instructions and the resulting colour was not as lovely as in the package photo, but it looks natural and nice. I left it on the roots and the rest o of the hair the time recommended in the leaflet. I would normally leave it longer on the roots as I have many thick rebel greys, but I didn't do it this time. The result is that the colour covered my greys but not enough to make the regrowth the same colour of the rest of the hair. It would have needed more time to fully achieve those results. 
 
The conditioner tube was quite large and it can be used for at least two washes if you have long hair, or three if you have it short. However, my hair is really dry at the moment, so I used it all. It detangled my hair beautifully and left it soft and shiny. 
 
I would say that I prefer other colouring brands, but this is still a good economic option. If your greys are many and thick, wavy or curly you might need to adjust the time to get a consistent uniform colour. 

ÅKERBÄR Plant Pot (Galvanised 6 cm)

This mini plant pot looks like something taken from my parents' childhood, a time when galvanised metal was widespread for household purposes. This size is really tiny. The product page photo does it justice. It does not have a waterhole on the bottom, so small cacti and succulents are perfect for this pot as they don't need much irrigation. They can be used indoors and outdoors, but I've always had them indoors. I use them as crayon holders, and I have them inside the Risatorp desktop organiser.

DESIGNER Willy Chong

SOCKERÄRT Vase/Jug (White, 16 & 22 cm)

I've had this for about 10 years and it still looks on trend and as new. This jug/vase is made of metal coated in a porcelain-like enamel. I've used it mostly as vase but also as stand-alone decor item. This is a timeless modern classic piece that looks beautiful in different rooms and amid different design styles. It's both contemporary in its minimalism and traditional as the Sockerart reminisces of the late-19th and early-20th century Southern European jugs. I delight in contemplation always, because of its creamy whiteness, the porcelain look, and the beautiful curves. The jug comes in two different sizes, and both are great. 
 
 DESIGNER Sigga Heimis
 
 

FLÅDIS Basket (Seagrass, 25 cm)

I've had two of these since they were first released. During these years, I've given them multiple uses and placed them in different rooms: magazines holder, umbrella holder, stand-alone decor item, laundry and crafts materials storage, to leave a winter throw in winter, and anything else you can imagine. I've used them both folded or unfolded depending on the room I placed them and the use I give them. They have an African flair to me, something that I love. They're made of sturdy flexible seagrass. Unlike other seagrass basketry, it doesn't shade at all. These baskets are super-easy to store away because of their flexibility and foldable design. The natural seagrass colour is beautiful and blends well with any home decor. The craftsmanship is fantastic.
 
DESIGNER Ikea of Sweden

3/02/2025

PRICKIG Microwave Lid (26 cm)

I really fancied this dome because I use the microwave everyday and I hate using single-use plastic film to cook or reheat food. This seemed like the perfect solution. It's made of sturdy grey-ish plastic with some geometrical motifs printed on it. It's perforated on the top to allow the steam to flow out. 
 
I hate disposing of plastic products, but I ended giving away this lid after months of barely any use. It didn't work for me and the microwave I own due to my microwave heating settings and size. 
 
The Prickig  was too bulky for my small microwave, and also too big to store it away when not in use. The whole point of buying this lid was to prevent food splatters and outbursts, which badly stain my microwave. I thought that the lid's thickness and perforated ceiling would help with those. However, this wasn't the case; so much so that sometimes, the lid will jump up. Also, the lid would heat up considerably.  
 
The lid is dishwasher safe (up to 100 degrees), but you'd need a large dishwasher to put it in. Washing before the first use is recommended. 
 
DESIGNER Unknown.

LAGG Pot Stand (Green, 18x18 cm)

I've had this silicone trivet for almost 10 years and it still looks contemporary. It does the job perfectly and can be stored anywhere as occupies barely any space. Probably, the colour is the only thing that has aged, but leaving aside the colour, it's still a great piece of design at a killer price. It's dishwasher safe and stands temperatures of up to 160°C. 
 
DESIGNER Sarah Fager.