There's a Gift for That š
practical, delulu, obvious, cute, fun!
Iām personally on a mission to buy less, so I did think long and hard about this āgift guideā - but at the end of the day there are so many creative, talented, amazing people, brands, and makers, and I feel compelled to cheerlead.
Youāll see that the slides are organised by the chapters of (shameless plug incoming)āØThereās a Soup for ThatāØ. The recipes in the book are categorised not by season or ingredient, but rather by mood or circumstanceā¦ and everything you see here is meant to support each aforementioned mood or circumstance (in addition to soup, obviously).
Important Notes:
If you havenāt bought my book yet, please do! Hihi
I donāt make any money from this, I donāt know how affiliate marketing works! One exception is Citizens of Soil, where Iām delighted to share code SOUPS10 for 10% off the best olive oil you can get your hands on!
The links/brands/products are a mix of American, UK, European. I know that you (as in you readers) are from all over the place, so I hope thereās something for everyone!
Products go clockwise from the top middle.
SOUPS FOR WHEN YOU JUST CANāT
This chapter is dedicated to the days when you just canāt be bothered, canāt cope, canāt get dressed.
Training chopsticks for when regular use of chopsticks is asking too much.
I like to think having a cute wiggly spoon would help bring some pep back into your step.
Iām shocked at how many people donāt have a silicone spatula. It is one of the most used and appreciated utensils in my kitchen.
Fluffy slippers for not-leaving-the-house days.
I love everything that Okay to Rest stands for!!!
A beautiful tray for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in bed.
The most beautiful plates and bowls (from Carolina Irving and Daughtersā collaboration with Remy Renzullo) from which to enjoy the aforementioned breakfast, lunch, and dinner in bed.
Hulken bags have wheel and handles, for all of your schlepping needs.
We all know the drill: you put stuff on the bottom of the stairs with the full intention of carrying it up at some point. Weeks go by, and it doesn't happen. This special stair basket will change the game! Note: there are much more affordable varieties out there, but this oneās the prettiest.
Quick Meals
Borough Broth for a quick hug in a bowl - whether sipped straight from a mug or used in a soup, this is the ultimate time saver with mega nutritional benefits.
Miso paste to add depth and umami to any lacklustre meal.
Udon noodles are endlessly customisable and satisfy carb cravings stat.
Bold Bean Co - a nutrition & flavour powerhouse in a glass jar that will convert any bean skeptic.
Sirocco bouillon paste - specifically the beef stock variety - tastes almost as rich as a slow-cooked beef stock. And the packaging is fabulous.
Alphabet pasta for a spoonful of nostalgia.
Lao Gon Ma chili crisp, undisputed winner of my heart and pantry.
SOUPS TO IMPRESS
This chapter is dedicated to soups youād make for company - easy on the eyes and the taste buds.
Espresso cups for an amuse-bouche shot of soup at your next dinner party.
The ergonomics of this ladle are unclear but it's definitely a showstopper.
Beautiful handmade bread ornaments by Nil of healgoblin. So whimsical and cute!
Granted, you could (and probably should) make buffet cards of your own, but these are deliciously delulu.
A bottle of sommelier-approved olive oil lasts much longer than a bottle of wine! Use code SOUPS10 for 10% off the whole site & 2 months to the Olive Oil Club:)
Salt & pepper grinders. Shiny and beautiful!
Some v. gourmet, v. luxurious, v. high quality hand-packed tinned fish (and mussels and oysters) by Pyscis.
A set of knives from Allday Goods - top-knotch blades with fun and funky recycled plastic handles. Huge fan of this brand!
A set of goodies from Noma Projects. I love the Mushroom Garum, Dashi RDX, and Corn Yuzu Hot Sauce!
ONCE IN A BLUE MOON
This chapter is dedicated to the seasonal starlets that come around just once a year - and all the foraging or gardening gadgets.
A beautiful orb-like watering can to make the task more fun.
A foraging basket thatās giving Hansel and Gretel. Having a breathable vessel to collect mushrooms in is crucial!
A baseball cap to protect your head from the elements (wet, and hot respectively)!
A truffle slicer and a mushroom knife-brush hybrid. The former to give you wafer-thin slices of truffle, the latter to help you keep your basket clean while foraging for mushrooms!
A herb stripping bowl. If youāve ever despaired while stripping thyme leaves off the stem, a herb stripper will change your life. Just pop one end of the herb in the corresponding hole, pull it through, and the bowl will collect the leaves.
This falls under the delulu category: highballs hand-engraved with wild mushroomsin Czechia with. I wish I could *add to basket*, in the meantime I just *add to wishlist*.
Garden shears with colourful hand-crafted leather handles, guaranteed to cut a minimum of a million times (I wonder who tested this?). For the gardening enthusiasts among you.
Gardening gloves to protect delicate hands. I like this colour!
EMOTIONAL SUPPORT SOUP
Sometimes you just need a hug.
A beautiful leather tabletop lighter that youāll never lose - to light a scented candle. Did you know that there are star-sign birth flowers? Inspired by the relationship between smell and emotional well-being, Flammes candles aim to āspark connections and restore the magic of feeling-good through modern perfumeryā. Delightful!
If shoes arenāt sounding comfortable, try down socks.
Rachel Saunder is a ceramics queen. Her erasable notepad is the best journal: write all your worries down, then wipe them away for a blank slate.
As someone who's always cold in the winter, an emotional-support *heatable* stuffed animal fulfils multiple needs.
Stream great cinema from home - films by emerging and established filmmakers alike. Just donāt start with The Substance if youāre feeling vulnerable.
Glass flowers by the amazing Sandralexandra - theyāll never wilt or die (just donāt drop them). Put them in your favourite vase (this egg-shaped from Nymphenburg Porzellanmanufaktur is on my wishlist).
A good pillow is crucial for lazy days at home. Hotel Elma and Bazaar Rumi make really special ones!
SOUP AS MEDICINE
It is a well-known fact that sleep and hydration are key to recovery. A few other things can speed it up too.
A beautiful rattan thermos to keep tea hot all day long, and a 0.5L mug to encourage more tea drinking.
Spooning honey from a jar tends to be messy. This honey spoon doubles as a lid (genius) and comes with a pretty glass jar.
A hot water bottle is a sick-day staple, bonus points if it has a beautiful woollen cover.
Pretty tissue box covers make the repetitive act of pulling out tissues a bit less depressing. Embroidered and dyed versions! So cute!
A nice warm robe for wrapping up post-bath, pre-bed.
Pretty cotton pyjamas and a silk eye mask for comfortable shut-eye.
A pretty lemon squeezer for that extra dose of Vitamin C in your water, soups, and teas.
I have had my eye on this gravity fed water filter by Endless Rhythm for a looooong time. I would love one in every colour but if I had to choose Iād go for the honey yellow model.
DESTINATION SOUPS
This category is to be taken very loosely. The chapter intends to transport you to other places flavour-wise, for which Iād recommend a trip to various international supermarkets. In the context of this gift guide, I go more in the direction of travel gadgets, things to make your life easier on the go, and fun things that will transport you across the world (and beyond).
For all your meds, supplements, vitamins, and happy pills.
There's no mixing up suitcases if you have one of these!
Fixes bland food in a pinch (get it).
An all-rounder tote for everyday carrying (artwork by Willa)
A sushi clock to show you itās always time for sushi.
LL Bean Boat & Totes are the best travel bags because they sit safely on top of a rolling suitcase. Here you can have it embroidered with a personal hand-drawn note!
An alien ring for when youāre feeling otherworldly.
I dream of being a super organised traveler with dedicated compartments free of clutter, this could help me become that.
CHILLED SOUPS
Summer calls for chilled soups of all varieties, preferably enjoyed outdoors and with company.
A picnic basket for carrying sandwiches and gazpacho.
A jug for serving ice cold gazpacho.
A baseball cap to shield you from sunrays.
An ice bucket to help keep your gazpacho ice cold.
A sun umbrella for long lazy lunches.
Fabulous colourful glasses to sip from, made in Italy and Mexico.
A glass carafe for in-fridge storage.
More fabulous glasses - these swirly ones are handblown in Bath.
BROTHS & STOCKS
Aside from patience, there are some gadgets that can make broth and stock-making easier and more delicious.
This genius contraption stores garlic and onions below, in the dark and cool, and fruits in the cork above. Comes in a few colours, form and function, perfection!!
I've had my eye on this forever. Makes reaching for a pinch of salt so much more exciting!!
Stanley cup this, stanley cup that, big dumb cups aside, a smaller variety with a spoon is great for soup-on-the-go.
Tudi cookware is beautiful and enamel cast iron. Better for you and beautiful!
What kind of gift guide would this be if I didnāt plug some of my own merch.
Iāve had this mug in blue (I actually own 4) for 7 years and counting. Perfect handle to mug ratio if you ask me!
Knowing that I have multiple kilos of Maldon sea salt in my pantry gives me innter peace.
We should all try to move away from plastic tupperware! Enamel is super food safe, and though it's not transparent like glass, it wonāt break if you drop it.
TOPPINGS & SIDE PIECES
We can all agree that a soup on its own isā¦ lonely. Toppings and sides are crucial soup companions and so are the gadgets used to sprinkle and drizzle.
Silver-plated chicken-feet tongs for grabbing croutons.
A beautiful bread knife for slicing sourdough.
Ichendorf Milano makes beautiful glass things including this oil bottle with an adorable tomato inside!
A want, not a need: solid silver condiment sleeves.
Salt, pepper, seeds, nuts - anything that comes in twos can go in this conch-shaped double dish.
Butter is the natural companion to bread (which is the natural companion to soup). A cute butter dish makes butter spreading even more fun!
I LOVE toast racks and own several. When not in use for toast, they make great letter holders.
For bigger parties, a bread basket fits more slices than a toast rack! In case the sterling silver version doesnāt fit the bill, a classic woven model works just as well!
THANK YOU FOR TUNING IN!
I enjoyed this so much! š
Perfect perfect perfect