Video: How to Make Plum Jam

I just couldn't resist posting this charming, vintage-feel video about how to make plum jam. From my Happy Weekend, Sunday's Bright Links and 10 Things posts you've probably gathered that I gain a lot of inspiration from food as I often link up to recipes and food/entertaining stories. In fact, I find food styling to be one of my biggest inspirations. So perhaps I'll start sharing more of my food-related inspirations here as well? Anyway, please do take two minutes out to watch this charming video by professional lifestyle photographer Carl Pendle and let me know what you think.

{If I'm gonna go to a party...}

I first discovered Sitting In A Tree events through the Oh Joy! blog (definition of an a-mazing blog) and I'm so pleased I did because these ladies know how to throw one heck of a decent party. Their latest bash - summertime & the living is easy - is my idea of party perfection. With a gastrotruck courtesy of MIHO providing delicious eats by day, colourful decor arranged under the shade of exotic palm trees and then live music and string lighting by night, I'm all over this super fun, sociable event. So, if you're in San Diego, California or San Francisco and would like Tori and Myka to work their event magic for you, you'll find them on facebook and on their beautiful blog.

Oh Joy! | Oh Joy! Eats | Sitting In A Tree

{Birthday giveaway: Kitchen goodies}

Today's birthday giveaway is one for the foodies. I recently blogged about how I often find myself inspired by food styling and the photography of recipe books. The kitchen is often full of exotic smells and exciting colours; it's one of the most sensory experiences inside the home and, I think, a place for endless inspiration when it comes to interiors.

If you're a fan of baking or kitchen paraphernalia, then you are luck because there are two prizes up for grabs today. The fun and funky Poppie muffin tray not only looks good when it's not in use, but being made out of silicone it makes baking so much easier. Whoever wins this has to bake me mini muffins, though...just kidding!

The second of today's prizes is the Lapu Lapu chopstick set, which sees a collaboration between Habitat and Italian designer Paola Navone. The collaboration includes bowls, plates and more, all of which feature the signature fish logo of Navone's studio. Win this funky chopstick set and Asian dining will never be the same again!

Images: Habitat

To enter this foodie giveaway, leave a comment explaining why your kitchen is in need of these stylish utensils. I'll randomly pick two comments when it closes at midnight tonight, and the winners will get either the Poppie tray or the Lapu Lapu set. Best of luck!

T's & C's: This giveaway is open to UK residents only, due to Habitat's delivery policy and closes at midnight on 9th March 2010. Only one entry per reader, please. The winner will be chosen at random by random.org. The Poppie tray and the Lapu Lapu set cannot be exchanged for cash or any other goods.

{Holly Jolliffe photography}

My Mum has a serious addiction to recipe books (sorry, Mum!) and for as long as I can remember her kitchen has been bursting at the seems with them. It certainly makes present shopping easy as I know she will always love a recipe book, but secretly, I'm also quite a fan of them for gaining inspiration. Be it the colourful, vibrant and cultural themes from the pages of Jamie Magazine, or the delicate, yet indulgent imagery from a Nigella book, I always find something that inspires me. The rich red of a pudding or the crackling of hot caramel - so many times the colour of one of my rooms has come from a recipe book. I think styling and photography for food and interiors often go hand-in-hand and boy do they make for some gorgeous imagery. Holly Jolliffe's photography is no exception and her online portfolio is perfect for escaping into for a dreamy five minutes.

Images: Holly Jolliffe