7/17/2026

Russell Hobbs Colours Plus 2-Slice Toaster (RHT2655BLK)

This is a simple but effective toaster. It doesn't occupy much space on my kitchen bench, and it looks good. It defrosts and toasts, and it has an eject and stop button and a crumbs extractable tray. The knob can be pulled up when the toaster finishes so that the bread can be more easily picked up. The bread slots are spacious, something that I love as I tend to use breads of different thickness and types. Toasting is quick, but the quality of the toasting is average and rarely the same on the same setting with the same type of bread.

Read the instructions before using this toaster. Don't put bread the first time you use it because you'll get a terrible chemical burnt stench. The instructions say that this is 'curing' the materials. Whatever that means. I really disliked the chemical stench, but it didn't happen again.
 
I used to have a better taster from this brand, so I can say that this one is average quality. This one is a basic toaster at a affordable price. I bought this in a hurry after my previous one died, but I prefer fully stainless steel toasters that toast more evenly and consistently well.    

Anko Over The Door Vertical Hook (41H x11W x 2D cm)

This is a very simple over-the-door hanger. It is quite long, so I can hang plenty of stuff on it, from my rain coat, a small bag, or now that is winter my oversize hoody, scarf, and a small bag. I wish it had some sort of felt or padding at the back because, as it doesn't, the hook moves and bangs the door often. If your doors are made of scratch-prone wood or delicate material, perhaps this isn't for you. For the rest, great value for money. 

USEFUL INFORMATION

Materials: Coated Iron. 

MIND: Indoors only. 

HÅLLBAR Bin with lid (Light grey) (3 Litre)

This bin is the smaller in the Hallbar line and I find it extremely useful. It's made of very good quality plastic, and has a very pleasurable roundish design that I love. These boxes can stacked on othes of the same size or on bigger ones from the same line. It can  also be integrated into a kitchen drawer or cabinet.
 
It can be used as food scrap bin, but I mostly use it for storage. I have four of these under my kitchen sink  holding scourers, sponges, cleaning clothes and gloves, small garden tools, tealight candles, and used batteries among other items. They come with a white self-adhesive label for easy identification.
 
The lid needs to be put into position.First one has to slide right or left the "hinges", then close the link and press the lid hooks down onto the hinges. It's easy but, depending on the items, sometimes they're a bit tricky to position.

Designer = Henrik Preutz.
Materials =  + 50% recycled plastic.
Measurements =  Lower outer measure, depth: 11.7 cm. Upper outer measure, depth: 16.2 cm. Lower outer measure, width: 16.6 cm. Upper outer measure, width: 20.0 cm. Height: 17.1 cm.

 

KVASTSPIREA Plant Pot (Indoors & Outdoors) (12 cm)

The Kvastspirea plant pot is really simple and elegant and looks great indoors and outdoors. I have one of these with an artificial plant and makes it look really stylish and more realistic. It is very light to carry from one place to another, as well. It can be used with real plants as long as the real plant is potted in a suitable pot and you use this to hold that pot. so it's mostly decorative.

Designer = Lisa Hilland.

Materials = Steel, Polyester powder coating.

 Measurements = Height 13 cm. Inside diameter 13 cm. Max. diameter flowerpot 12 cm. Outside diameter 15 cm.

KUGGIS Storage box with lid, white (32x32x32 cm)

I'm a fan of the Kuggis storage boxes line, of which I have many at home for different storage purpose.  However this is my least favourite. 
 
These square Kuggis cubes look simple and elegant and fit into the Kallax and Vihals cube storage units. They're also perfect to create a mobile unit when using the Invallning trolley, which I also own (as in the photo). They lid makes it perfect to stack, but not more of three rows are recommended. 
 
This is perfect to fill in with bulky items that aren't heavy. E.g. cushions, winter throws, travelling and decor items that aren't being used, small items of clothing, and so on. I tried to put box inside and one of them broke.  There is only one cut-out handle, so you cannot carry the boxes that easily.
 
Assemblage of the Ikea boxes I've bought in the past has been super easy, so I didn't expect this item to be different. The instructions are clear and simple to understand. The problem is that sliding the panels into each other and down isn't easy at all, as some of the knobs slide easily but not others. I find them these a pain in the rear, so I won't be buying them ever again.  

Designer = IKEA of Sweden.
ASSEMBLY LEAFLET.

Materials = PET plastic (min. 50% recycled).

Maximum stacking height = 90 cm. 

MIND  = Not for food storage contact.   



 

 

 

 

7/16/2026

Yosoo White Chinagraph Peel-Off Wax Pencil (8pc set)

My disappointment at getting this slightly white wax pencil turned into a blessing in disguise. Because I've used it as guide on some coats of paint to draw something and I was able to delete it afterwards with little effort. It is a very waxy pen, and it's more like those flat wax sticks that one used for drawing sewing patterns of fabric but with less white lead. 
 
THE SO-SO
> I don't particularly like the peel-off system as you cannot control the volume of lead out.
> The first pencil I used broke its point, in a chunk, after using it two seconds. 
>  I have a true China white pencil and this is a wax pencil not a Chinagraph. I haven't used it on glass or fabric just on top of dry acrylics or dark surfaces and it's barely visible and too waxy to stick to anything else. 
> The lead is slightly white not really strong opaque white. 
 
ANNOYING
Although very cheap, I wanted to buy one pencil, not a whole set.  
 

Northcote Pottery Leonard Self-Watering Pot (20x18 cm)

This is a very nice self-watering UV-resistant plastic pot that I use both indoor and outdoors. This size is perfect for herbs and small or medium-small plants. I love its lightness, so I can move the plant between my backyard and my living area with little effort.  The colour is true to the product page photo. It looks expensive, but it's quite cheap. The lower part is the water receptacle; it has a small pout where to introduce the water. I like the self-watering feature because it's really important during Summer and warm period. This size and model is available in other colours, so I will be buying more!