When I was at college, one of the most exciting things to happen to me apart from bumping into Craig Charles was the opening of a Lakeland store.
Because Lakeland really is the closest thing to a real-life Innovations catalogue, and you know how much I loved those. Of course, like an Innovations catalogue, 50% of the stuff is brilliant, inspired and useful, and 50% is utter bobbins.
Bobbins, however, is in the eye of the beholder and whilst it's hard to dispute that this has no earthly point, I'm sure some of you will adore the gadgets which make me squint and say, "Really? I mean, really?".
Take these two items. Literally take them from me.
Because the lovely folk at Lakeland have sent me stuff that implies they think I like baking and I don't. I really don't.
Kransekake Cake Pan Set (rrp £9.99)
A kransekake is a traditional Norwegian dessert made of stacking concentric rings of marzipan cake that's eaten at weddings, Christmas, or New Year's Eve. Many, many layers of cake. Many.
I did toy with the idea of making the Dark Tower of Barad-dûr for a Lord of the Rings extended Blu-Ray marathon, but then realised that this would never, ever happen. The tower, not the marathon.
Christmas Tree Trinket Cookie Cutters (rrp £9.99)
I went through a phase of really wanting some stained-glass window biscuits (with the coloured bit made of jam or melted boiled sweets), but despite this yen, such was my laziness that I just kept hoping one of my colleagues who claimed to "love baking" would make some for me. She never did and we don't work together any more. These things aren't connected though.
Anyway, I now have the means to make them myself with these cute cookie cutters. I could even thread a ribbon through the biscuits and turn them into Christmas tree decorations. Am I going to? Am I hell.
COMPETITION - WIN WIN WIN [CLOSED]
The Cookie Cutters and the Cake Pans count as separate prizes.
If you would like to win either, please leave a comment saying which one you want and your contact details ie your email address or twitter name.
Closing date is midnight on Monday 28th November - the winners will be picked at random. UK readers only - sorry!
EDITED TO ADD: The winners are Miss Whiplash (kransekake pan) and @cj56 (cookie cutters)
Comments
@helenzaltzman is who I am.
My parents live relatively close to the original Lakeland store in Windermere and my mum and I used to spend rainy days marvelling at the crazy things people would buy (then buying some ourselves!).
@cstix2stknives
I don't want to out undue pressure on you or anything, but you do know that I ACTUALLY WOULD make Barad Dur if I had those pans, right?
Right....?
Please can I win the cookie cutters so I can do a more competent job of making stained glass cookies for the person I definitely do fancy these days.
Have realised that I could DEFINITELY win my office Christmas baking contest with the crazy tower cake - could make it into a Christmas tree :-)
It's for CHARIDEEEE and everything.
OK - I'm done now...
Will cease to harass ;-)
@JemmaEatWorld
@sigridsofia
@angeltreats on Twitter
karen s
twannywun at hotmail dot com