{Private collection} Unpackaged

At the end of each day, I am shocked at the amount of waste we produce as a family of 4. It’s mostly all food packaging: wrappers, containers, packets and useless plastic. On saturday I went to my friend A's new Kickashna Gym Club (more to come on that when I can get some decent photographs together). Across the road from her place, near Hackney's London Fields, I came across Unpackaged. 

Unpackaged, is a zero packaging grocery store, hipster style. It used to be in Islington and has now moved to a more spacious home, complete with a café and bar.

The concept is simple: you reduce your waste and only buy what you use. Bring your own containers and get refills for everything: liquids (olive oil, wine, juices), cupboard essentials (flour, rice, pasta...), pulses,  household products (washing up liquid, soaps), home made jams, cheese, toiletries... 

I couldn't help but think that it is a modern version of the traditional "hanout" from my native Morocco. Imagine a man standing in a 4 square metres space, and somehow he has anything you might need to cook from scratch. You can swap your own containers or get his for a deposit.

Although it is difficult for Unpackaged to compete on price with larger distributors, it is cheaper than buying packaged products in your standard corner shop. Next time I go to the gym I will take 5 containers for refills, and maybe grab a coffee. I must remember to get a travel mug. Although I could just have a nice coffee at a table! All by myself...

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House keys

While looking for an image of a house key, I came across this. Clever.
Which one do you prefer?

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2.

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{Design} Rex the peeler

I have something about kitchen tools. This peeler is one of the best and most useful tools I have come across for any kitchen. It is a classic design dating from 1947 and has been virtually unchanged since. It is manufactured by Zena in Switzerland. I will peel any vegetable with a vengeance and has a small side knife for removing potato eyes. It is so cheap, it is definitely a must have.

{Design} Wheely fun

I know this toy has been around for a while, but my 18 month old just got this wonderful wheelybug from Hippychick for Christmas. They go backwards, forwards, sideways, round and round. Hours of fun for little ones with this a beautifully designed toy. Even his big sister (7) enjoys it...

{Design} Foundry coffee table

This beautiful foundry coffee table from CB2 is heavy duty but light on its feet. It is made of silver powder coated iron and has a matt finish for an industrial look.

{Art} All the bicycles in Berlin

I need more wall space at home. This illustration by James Gulliver Hancock is going on my wishlist.

{Design} Swiss panorama knife

I love this idea, it is simple and really puts a smile on my face. I get all nostalgic when i think back of the great friends and good memories from Switzerland. The Swiss Panorama knife reproduces the Swiss horizon in various places: From top to bottom: Bernese Oberland, Lake of Constance and soon to be available Zurich. This is a great gift for your favourite cook.

{Design} Silver diamond ring by Metalicious

I saw this lovely ring by Metalicious on Etsy and am loving this clever design! It closely resembles a hefty 2 carat diamond, but upon closer inspection, it turns out to be completely silver!

{Outdoors} A seed in a gutter

Gutter gardening is nothing new, but such a clever way to plant vertically. I love this image, with a bit of elbow grease and some imagination, we can turn an abandoned spot into a nice little corner. This green wall is definitely in my to do list - as I don't have a garden - now I need to keep a free weekend to this when spring comes along. 

{Food} Serbian wedding cake

My mum sent me these photos of this amazing wedding cake. I need to explain that my mother is from Serbia, and that all things savoury are always a hit over there.  Most of all charcuterie! I will keep that in mind for my next big gathering. Love it!