EVENT - Joining Marmite's Marmarati

Last week I received an invitation to an event that was clouded somewhat in mystery. I had no idea what to expect, although of course I assumed it would be Marmite themed having recently declared my love for it on Twitter. The invitation arrived and I was suitably impressed by the effort and design that had gone into it - I just had to go and find out more.

In fact what the evening turned out to be was my initiation into the first circle of the Marmarati. On arrival at 5 Cavendish in London, where the event was being held, guests were greeted and invited to have a glass (or few) of champagne. After some mingling with the guests a curtain was drawn back to reveal a large banqueting table. A master of ceremonies gave us an entertaining insight into the history of the nation's beloved Marmite brand and then it was time to do some testing.

Yes, Marmite in a cocktail (along with coffee)

Our host for the evening

On went the blindfolds and we were all served 3 different Marmites and asked to take a taste each one using a teaspoon. Between each course we were treated to a rather scrummy, icy sorbet to cleanse the palette and then it was down to us to score what we had tasted. But the tasting wasn't over then. The rest of the evening was full of Marmite themed canapes and cocktails which went down very well with the Marmite-loving guests. We also got to chat to some of the people who work hard to make the very stuff we all love to spread on our toast.

I came away with some Marmite 'paraphernalia' entrusted to me in order to recruit other worthy members of the Marmarati. If you're interested to find out more about this secret society of Marmite protectors, then you'll just have to follow me on Twitter and perhaps some day soon I'll be able to tell you more. You can now apply to become a member - visit www.marmarati.org

Marmite tips:

• Warm up your knife before putting it in the jar so you don't leave a sticky trail
• Many people swear by Marmite and banana sandwiches... I've not been brave enough to try it myself though
• The dregs of the Marmite jar can be used to make gravy, just add hot water
• Try Marmite toast and boiled eggs for an extra tasty breakfast
  
• If you don't like to share, make sure you marry a hater
  

My favourite ways to eat Marmite

1. Toast some Hovis, white granary bread. Add a generous helping of butter and then spread on plenty of Marmite.
2. Toast some crumpets and add butter and Marmite as above.
3. Get some puff pastry, roll out and spread Marmite all over the surface. Then grate some cheddar cheese, add to the pastry and roll the whole thing up. Cut into slices and bake in the oven. Yum yum.

You can debate your love or hate of Marmite at the official Facebook page and the Marmite website is also worth a visit.

SALE - Discounted Samples at Knoll

KnollStudio is holding an exclusive, one day sample sale on Saturday 21st November 2009 with up to 90% off pieces from the iconic Knoll collection

The sale will take place at Knoll's new Clerkenwell showroom in London from 10am- 4pm; giving people a chance to purchase a piece of design history. The showroom was designed by eminent Italian architect Piero Lissoni so you'll be in stylish surroundings.



With reductions of up to 90%, design lovers will be able to purchase exquisite Knoll sample pieces, such as the East Side armchair by Ettore Sottsass, for £399 instead of £4100. While discounts on marble Saarinen dining tables will start from 35%, starting prices for Saarinen side tables will be under £100.00. The Knoll Star Buy will be the iconic Black Barcelona® chair, which usually retails at £3600 and will be going for £749. You might recognise this chair from my blog header at the top of the page.

There will also be a 15% discount on all orders on existing collections, including reductions on the latest designs by Ross Lovegrove, Cini Boeri and George Nakashima. This offer is extended to all Knoll dealers throughout the UK for one day only!

Track down your nearest participating store or any London locals should head to KnollStudio: 91 Goswell Road, Clerkenwell, London United Kingdom, EC1V 7ER

TIPS - The Domestic Secrets of Janet Ellis

Entertaining at home is now more popular than ever as the credit crunch takes its effect, but 80 per cent of mums said they would be embarrassed if someone came round and their house wasn’t looking at its best*.

TV presenter and mum of three, Janet Ellis, is one of those lucky few who makes running a tip-top home look easy. She's presented a series of home and garden makeover shows and knows how to make a home look inviting. Janet has teamed up with Zoflora disinfectant to share her top five home secrets to save money, without compromising on standards.

Fragrance

Half of all Brit’s agree that smell is the first thing they notice when they walk into someone’s house and a further two thirds admit to having a friend whose house smells unpleasant*. Before running for the aerosols and plug-in air fresheners to hide bad odours, stop and think what be could causing the smell? A regular cleaning routine should remove most unpleasant aromas. Look for products that kill bacteria and eliminate odour.

Light

When looking for a new home, light bright airy rooms are at the top of the most wanted list. Illuminate your home by using colour; neutral and pale shades are best for making rooms feel more spacious. Mirrors also can make rooms feel bigger and brighter – reflect natural light by placing them adjacent to windows. Finally if your home does not get much natural light you can cheat with clever lamps and lighting. Halogen bulbs are intensive and bright whereas energy saving bulbs give out relaxed cool tones. Candles provide soft lighting and a warm relaxing atmosphere.

Buy Wisely and Save Time

A few well chosen cleaning products that do a variety of jobs will save you time and money. Choose a multi-purpose spray that can be used all round the home. A good quality disinfectant like Zoflora will keep floors and hard surfaces hygienically clean and your home fresh and fragrant. With thirteen scents available there’s a choice for every home. Another “must have” product is a micro fibre cloth. These clever cloths remove the need for polishes and glass sprays. Using a few trusted products will speed up your cleaning routine as you won’t be running back and forth to the cleaning cupboard.

Storage

Minimalist living can only be achieved by the very few. The rest of us have homes full of precious memories and possessions. Picking the right storage will enhance your home as clear, tidy surfaces make rooms feel airy and your home will be easier to clean. Don’t sacrifice style for functionality – you’ll only end up resenting the big ugly plastic box in the corner. Choose natural materials for storage such as wood, leather or sea-grass box, which are sturdy and attractive and give you a sense of organisation and control.

Be Creative – Accessorise!

Accessories can make all the difference. Cushions and throws can really enhance a room, while vases and pictures let you display your own style and personality. Choose accessories with harmonious colours to help create a soothing atmosphere. Fresh flowers can also add a splash of colour, aroma and indulgence. Remember with accessories “less is more” - over-crowding your rooms will only make your home look cluttered.

Janet Ellis said: “A home should be a sanctuary from the outside stresses of the world, where you can relax, unwind and spend time with family and friends. That’s why I’m sharing my secrets to make quick, easy and cost-effective changes that will really help you freshen your home and your mood and make your home sparkle.”

For practical tips on how to make the most of Zoflora throughout your home visit www.zoflora.co.uk

LIGHTING - Sculptural Wooden Lampshades

I have a bit of an obsession with lighting... modern mainly, although I'm also partial to an ostentatious chandelier too. That is why the designs by Tom Rossau caught my eye. His creations use primarily wood veneers and occasionally plastic or mirrorfoil for a striking, statement centre piece.

The lights work especially well with energy-saver bulbs since the light these give out is typically harsh and cold and the veneer cuts down on this. The light which comes out is "warmed" and "softened" by the wood and you can see the grain inside the veneers. The rounded shapes, softness of the light and use of mostly natural materials helps create a calming effect. As well as this the lights are amazing sculptural pieces which the eye is drawn too whether or not the light is switched on.

Check out the beautiful shapes all intricately carved and carefully made in Denmark. They remind me of jellyfish but the clean lines also make them the perfect addition to a modern home.

Here are my favourites...

DIET - Nosh Detox Diary, Days 5 & 6

Read all about my 6 day diet plan using Nosh Detox each day... (more info here).

Eating:

Friday's breakfast was muesli but I added a few extra raisins... naughty me. On Saturday I had a chocolate cereal. I think it was the one I often buy actually, wheat-free and all natural.

About 11am on both days... superfood shot time.

Lunch on Friday was a Tuna Nicoise Salad with lovely potatoes and french beans. Saturday was Tofu and Broccoli salad. I need to buy broccoli every week, I've found some new uses for it and it's sooo good for you.

Friday's snack was portion of cashew nuts and on Saturday it was all about the rice cakes.

Dinner on Friday was a small, but really tasty, meal of salmon with marinated cabbage. The cabbage reminded me of something my mum makes at Christmas - not bad for detox food. Saturday's dinner was Daal and brown rice with raita... my boyfriend even helped me finish it off.

Cheating:

I worked late on Friday to meet a tough deadline... after that I gave into a glass of wine. Just the one mind you.

Today's tea:

Fennel tea was on the menu on Friday.

Scrubs:

Jasmine Flower Sea Salts for day 5 to soothe skin and day 6 gave me lavender ones. Lovely.

Overall mood:

Luckily with work being so busy I didn't have much time to think about food at all. The good thing is that by this point, I'm no longer craving caffeine or chocolate and I'm happier with smaller portions. I need to keep up the smaller meals if I'm to really take advantage of the kick start the detox has given me. It's so easy to fall into bad habits.

At the end of the 6 days I've lost a respectable 4lb. I reckon if I had stuck to everything 100% that would have been more like 5 or 6lb but everyone is different. Would I do it again? Yes probably, although I think I'd be more inclined to do the weekend detox every few months.

DIET - Nosh Detox Diary, Day 4

Read all about my 6 day diet plan using Nosh Detox each day... (more info here).

Eating:

Breakfast this morning was granola with soy milk. It was nice as it had fruit in, but not so sure about the seeds, I seem to only like them when covered with salty seasoning. Not good for me I know.

About 11am... superfood shot time.

Today's lunch was a lovely heap of quinoa mixed in with Mediterranean vegetables. It was filling enough for lunch and tasty too. Just like something I would bring to work myself, if I had the time to prepare it the night before.

My afternoon snack was not juice today, I had the pleasure of dried cranberries and raisins.

For dinner today I enjoyed a generous portion of Chicken and Chickpea Cassoulate with rice. This was completely satisfying. It didn't feel like detox food at all. I was worried that after working late I would be tempted to grab something on the way home, but I resisted and managed to wait till 7.30pm for my grub.

Cheating:

Nothing, absolutely nothing. Feeling positively saintly.

Today's tea:

An unusual one that I'd not heard of. Astragalus tea which is reported to be an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial. That's gotta be good for you.

Today's scrub:

Jasmine Flower Sea Salts to soothe skin.

Overall mood:

Can you tell my mood's improved. Today didn't feel like a struggle at all. No headaches, no hunger pangs and no cravings for chocolate or diet coke. I'm even starting to think I'll give up caffeine entirely... 2 days ago I would have never said that. This food part of the diet is much easier to stick to the liquid part of the diet, and I'm really hoping my stomach is starting to shrink a bit.

DIET - Nosh Detox Diary, Day 3

Read all about my 6 day diet plan using Nosh Detox each day... (more info here).

Eating:

Breakfast this morning was a muesli shake. Full of seeds, coconut and some cranberries.

About 11am... superfood shot time.

Today's soup was Sweet potato, butternut squash and chilli. It was pretty tasty and had a nice kick of chilli to it. While eating I got a bit sidetracked and the rest ended up going cold. Tip people, don't eat lunch at your desk - you'll always have your mind elsewhere, rather than on the food you're eating and I'm as guilty as anyone of doing this.

My afternoon snack of fruit juice is still in the fridge... see my cheat below.

For dinner today I had Spicy Moroccan vegetable tagine with quinoa. I'd never had quinoa before but it was quite nice, not too dissimilar to cous cous but slightly lighter. The Moroccan sauce was lovely, with juicy peppers. Delish.

Cheating:

Big cheat today... after not finishing my soup because it got a bit cold, I went out later on to get another soup to keep me going. I had an event on after work which meant I was getting home late, so I substituted my afternoon snack for something a bit more substantial.

Today's tea:

Gorgeous mint tea, which I love.

Today's scrub:

My sesame oil sea salts were nice but to be honest I just like the idea of taking five minutes to concentrate on the outside of the body, not just the inside.

Overall mood:

Today I felt like I had a lot more energy than the first 2 days of the detox, I didn't end up having all of my breakfast again which led to me needing to cheat in the afternoon. I don't think there'll be any cheating tomorrow though as I've just seen the menu and it isn't liquid... hurrah! Lots of lovely grub tomorrow and I think my stomach isn't expecting as much food any more so hunger shouldn't be such a problem either. Oh an Geeta from Nosh has reminded me that she's there to help if I have any issues. Definitely no cheating tomorrow!