Okay, I eat popcorn maybe once or twice a year so when I do, I go all to H--- in a hand basket. Large Dutch oven, olive oil, fresh popping kernels, medium heat, constant shaking. When popped, humongous stainless mixing bowl, half lb. unsalted butter and salt to taste. Yummmmm. Oh, forgot to say, this ritual usually follows a dinner of sliced tomato and cucumbers. One does need one's veggies! :D

Haha CCI, it's good to know I'm not the only one happy to use such a convoluted description of a handy shower tool. I don't think there'd be any issue with bicarb in the front loader, although I use it in a top loader with a liquid detergent. It just boosts the power of the detergent, which is why you're able to use so much less of it. The vinegar works as a softener, but doesn't leave any vinegar smell. Honestly, since doing this my towels and face cloths have been softer than ever. It took a few washes to get the full effect, but it was noticeable from the first one. Vinegar and bicarb also help keep the machine fresh and clean, as well as the plumbing, potentially saving problems down the track. My Dyson recently blew up, it was well out of warranty. There are TWO filters you need to clean, not one... I'd only been doing the one, for almost 8 years! Anyway, they sent me a code to cover postage costs and I boxed it up and sent it off to them. They had it back to me very quickly with a brand new replacement motor (and filters), which has a new warranty on it. It cost me almost $90. Fantastic service. Every single part is replaceable, I love that. What a shame more companies don't have such great service and ethic.

Yes I'm very pleased with the results, it was worth the work and time (and money) I like the black stools and they are very comfortable too. I just bought the new kettle and toaster they are white and they are kept in the appliances cupboard. I did bought a new coffee machine (delonghi Grand MAestria) in silver and I placed it on the benchtop as it doesn't fit in the appliances cupboard. The touch of colour will have to be the fresh flowers and fruit basket! Speak soon!

Our apartment is perfect for my partner and I as we love monochrome, soft colours and grey! The owners before us loved the red and black combo so added a HUGE red glass panel stuck onto the black caesarstone splashback as a feature. They did something similar in the bathroom over marble (gasp!) and in the study they replaced the inbuilt black wooden desk with red wood laminate. As it is super expensive to replace marble and caeserstone it is something we can't do right now and have to live with it. I tend to block it out of my mind... It's horrid.