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Kitchen Decor

Whimsical Whisks for the Whimsical Cook’s Whimsical Kitchen

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Fred & Friends Carrot Whisk

I am all about the whimsy! ALL ABOUT IT… so, as you’d expect, I don’t just have a whimsical kitchen, I have a whimsical home.

Scratch that – I have a whimsical LIFE.

Fred & Friends King Kong Whisk

So, naturally, these Whimsical Whisks on Amazon have caught my eye. It’s just a matter of deciding which one I want first:

The Carrot Whisk

  • Whether you’re whipping up a crepe or a carrot cake, Fred and friends the cooks carrot will help make it happen
  • We’Ve coated the wires with green durable, and easy-cleaning silicone making for easier whisking and so it looks like a carrot
  • The handle is plump, cushy silicone too; fits perfect in the hand for those long tough whisk jobs
  • The whisk is completely safe on the top rack of the dishwasher
  • Add a touch of garden design and whimsy to your kitchen crop with Fred and friends

The King Kong Whisk

  • Highly evolved whisk
  • Stainless steel whisk
  • Silicone cushioned handle
  • Gorilla is pure silicone
  • Easily cleaned

The Bird Whisk

  • Silicone coated tail feathers work wonders as a whisk.
  • Whisk is molded from heat-resistant, easy-to-clean virgin silicone.
  • Add just the right amount of”swish” to any sauce.
  • Make your recipes take flight with WING IT.
  • It’s a product that combines fun and functionality in one.

Each time I think I’ve made up my mind, I change it again. Seems whimsical isn’t all I am – indecisive tops the list as well.

See each of these adorable whisks on amazon by visiting Whimsical Whisks.

Fred & Friends Bird Whisk

More fun in the kitchen from Fred & Friends Below…


Last-Minute Gift Idea for Cooks in Your Life: Rachael Ray Moppines

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Rachael Ray Moppine

A while back (actually quite a while, I believe) I wrote a review or Rachael Ray’s Moppines. Loved them then, loved them now. This morning, while thinking of great last minute Christmas gift ideas for cooks, I thought of these moppines and how much I love them. I checked Amazon and, sure enough, if you order them asap, they’ll arrive before Christmas.

Speaking of love, I’ve got NOTHING but mad love for Amazon, too.

Since reviewing my own red moppines, A LOT of gorgeous new colors have been added to the Moppines Collection – meaning you can go all matchy matchy with anyone’s kitchen color scheme.

  • brown
  • mustard
  • celery green
  • blue
  • brick red
  • smoke blue
  • orange
  • purple
  • red
  • burnt orange
  • lavendar
  • green

And they are all gorgeous. Click here to take a closer look.


Adorable Gift Idea for Foodies and Cooks: Le Creuset Stoneware Honey Pot

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Le Creuset Stoneware Honey Pot
I can’t decide which I love more about this beautiful Stoneware Honey Pot from Le Creuset – the gorgeous Dijon color, the name Le Creuset on the dipper, the bee on the front, or its overall great looks. I’m calling it a tie and I’m calling it something I need in my kitchen badly.

  • Stoneware pot holds up to 16 ounces of honey
  • Non-porous enamel finish; resists odors, staining, chipping, and cracking
  • Special cut-out lid to fit its accompanying Silicone honey dipper
  • Dishwasher-safe; microwave-safe; oven-safe up to 500 degrees F
  • Measures approximately 5.0 IN 4.0 IN 4.0 IN

If you order soon, you can still have this Stoneware Honey Pot delivered by Christmas. Le Creuset has an unreal number of gorgeous stoneware lovelies for the kitchen – many of which are also available in this Dijon color. Or, if you’re like me and pretty much go with every color of the rainbow, that’s more than possible too!


Beautiful Non-Slip Kitchen Mat Sets: Lots of Styles to Choose From

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Coffee Design Kitchen Rug Set

While the 2 Piece Non-Slip Kitchen Mat Set (pictured above: Coffee Design), is shown here under the category Christmas Gift Guide, it may be more appropriate to consider it “FOR MY Kitchen…  Before Christmas”  because most of us like to do a little “sprucing up” before company arrives.

While I love the beautiful designs these mat sets come in, the thing I love the most is the fact that they’re “non-skid” and that their edges won’t “dog ear” like some mats do. Even those with the best intentions tend to do that and it drives me batty.

  • Non-Skid latex rubber backing, fade and wear resistant
  • Absorbs water and dries quickly, protect your kitchen from moisture and stain
  • Package includes 2-piece rugs. Size: 15.7×47.2 inches and 15.7×23.6 inches (40x120cm+40x60cm)
  • Machine Washable, low pile height for easy to clean and vacuum , thin design to fit under doors
  • See Below for some of the other designs available, then click through for the rest!


Handbag Cookie Jars???? Handbag Cookie Jars!!!

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Red and Black Handbag Cookie Jar
I have collected salt & pepper shakers for quite some time and find it a challenge to know where to keep them. I mean, when you’re a collector, you want to display your lovelies and there’s only so much space available. That’s why I am always completely and utterly floored when I see people who collect cookie jars and actually find shelves and space to display their beautiful collection.

I remember seeing a woman’s collection once in a magazine (probably Taste of Home) and her gorgeous cookie jars were neat as a pin arranged by season on shelves PLUS they filled up a floor to ceiling cabinet. With glass doors, of course.

I guess it takes one collector to be impressed with other collectors, but cookie jar collectors are all kinds of cool.

Beige and Gold Handbag Cookie Jar
The Handbag Cookie Jars, pictured here, would make perfect additions to anyone’s cookie jar collection OR each one would make a fantastic “only child” cookie jar.  We all have space for that – heck even our first apartment would’ve had room for a cookie jar.

  • Ceramic cookie jar
  • Stylish red with gold accent, classic Black and White, or elegant Beige and Gold
  • Not recommended for dishwasher and microwave
  • Measures 9″W x 6″D x 9″T

Black and White Handbag Cookie Jar
Take a closer look at each here: Handbag Cookie Jars!


The Pioneer Woman on Amazon: Colorful, Beautiful, and Fun (and Her Merch is too!)

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The Pioneer Woman Flea Market Oven Mitt and Pot Holder Set
The Pioneer Woman Kitchen Set Pot Holder and Oven Mitt
Sigh. As if I don’t spend enough money on Amazon on Rachael Ray products, now they have another obsession of mine right there in plain sight for me to splurge on – The Pioneer Woman is primed to jump in my cart a few times a week.

Everywhere you look in my kitchen and dining room, you see Rachael Ray and The Pioneer Woman. Ironically, they’re two of the celebrity cooks I turn to the most for recipes and television entertainment as well. I love that their kitchen merch compliments one another so beautifully.

Everything is so bright, colorful, and happy – like the ladies, themselves.

My family knows that when it comes to buying gifts for me, they can’t possibly go wrong with these two collections.

The Pioneer Woman Iron Cookbook Holder

The Pioneer Woman Cast Iron Cookbook Holder

The Cast Iron Cookbook holder above is definitely something I need. It’s already available on Amazon, so no waiting is involved. Whoot!

The Pioneer Woman Flea Market Salt and Pepper Shakers
 

The Pioneer Woman Flea Market Salt & Pepper Shakers
While a lot of The Pioneer Woman is already on Amazon, others – like the salt & pepper shakers above – are coming in just a few days (you can go ahead and throw merch in your cart, though, of course – a trick my husband often wishes I hadn’t figured out).

Click through any of the links above or below for more gift ideas for cooks in your family – especially the one you see in the mirror. You know that one’s on the “nice list” after all!


Stainless Steel, Ceramic and Composite: The Kitchen Sink Approach

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If the kitchen is the heart of the home, the sink must surely be the heart of the kitchen. Used in every single task – from washing hands before you start cooking, to food preparation, to cleaning dishes and wiping down worktops when you’ve finished – it’s part of the kitchen work triangle. It’s such an essential appliance that getting the right sink for your kitchen is key.

Depending on your exact needs and the available space in your kitchen, you may already have decided on the sink design, such as the number of bowls and whether the drainer should be an integral part of the sink or the worktop. You may have thought about inset or under-mounted sinks too.

Of course, you’ll want the kitchen sink to fit in with the overall style and design of your kitchen. When it comes to looking at the material your kitchen sink is made of, you may be surprised at the wide range of styles and finishes you can choose from. Here are the top 3 contenders.

Stainless Steel

A practical choice that has stood the test of time, stainless steel is hardwearing, long lasting and easy to keep clean. Stainless steel sink designs have come a very long way over the years, making them not only a stylish choice for contemporary spaces but often a less expensive option compared to other materials too.

Stainless steel is impossible to crack or chip, making it extremely durable to withstand the daily demands of everything your kitchen can possibly throw at it (though perhaps not literally!). The material is heat resistant, if perhaps a little prone to water spotting and scratching, and will tolerate most cleaning products.

Because of the vast range of styles and finishes available, a stainless steel sink can blend in beautifully with any kitchen design, including appliances, fixtures and fittings.

Ceramic

Ceramic sinks are nothing new – they’ve been around for centuries and are still popular today. Traditional models such as Belfast sinks or Butler sinks are still available from many manufacturers and there’s a huge range of newer shapes and styles on offer too. Ceramic sinks really come into their own in country kitchens and traditional settings.

Ceramic is silky to the touch and very robust, which makes able to cope with everyday kitchen use with ease. Extreme temperatures are not a problem, nor are common household chemicals. What’s more, a ceramic sink is a doddle to clean; a regular wipe down will ensure that it stays stain free for years.

Be careful, though, when handling heavy saucepans, as carelessness has been known to cause chipping.

Composite

If you’re looking for durability and strength, a composite sink could be the answer. Composite sinks are manufactured in stone – they look and feel like natural stone. Depending on their exact composition, countless matt colour and texture variations can be achieved to suit the specific requirement of your kitchen design.

Good quality composite granite sinks are formed under high pressure, man made from about 80% granite and 20% acrylic resin. The resulting material is non-porous, very hygienic, and resistant to scratching, chipping, staining and extreme temperatures.

Composite sinks made of quartz and acrylic resin are close cousins; the labels ‘granite sink’ and ‘composite stone’ are sometimes used instead to describe the materials.

Granite composite sinks don’t need chemical cleaners, and abrasive cleaners may in fact scratch and dull the surface. To look after your sink, give it a good wash with soapy water every day and then dry it off with a towel to prevent hard water staining.

Article provided by Mike James, an independent content writer working together with UK-based luxury kitchen provider Price Kitchens, who were consulted over the information in this post.

12 Iconic Design Objects No Kitchen Should Be Without

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The following article is a sponsored post.

Kitchen trends and fashions come and go but some designs stand the test of time. Whether you are furnishing a new kitchen, updating your appliances or utensils or simply refreshing the space, think about the impact that even a few carefully chosen objects can have on the overall impact and feel of your kitchen.

Far from advocating clutter, we subscribe to William Morris’ famous maxim that you should “have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.” With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of 12 objects of desire that are sure to enhance any kitchen. Each one is a perfect fusion of functionality and style and a design icon with its own history to prove it.

If you are after an instant injection of style credibility to your kitchen, you may need to go shopping…

Dualit Toaster

Designed in Britain just after World War II by the entrepreneur Max Gort-Barten, the toaster’s iconic design is as fresh now as it was when it first came onto the market. The German-born designer received a CBE for services to the British manufacturing industry in 1989.

SMEG Fridge

As popular now as it was when the colourful retro styling was considered cutting edge design in the 1950s, this original Italian design is now widely available in array of up-to-date colours to fit in with any kitchen design.

Duralex Picardie Glasses

With a design dating back to 1927, these quintessentially French bistro glasses have become a staple in homes all over the world. Different sizes and colours have since then been produced.

Mason Cash Bowl

Mason Cash were established in the 1800s and the ceramic mixing bowl with its unique design has stood the test of time. So much so that your mother or grandmother probably has one in her kitchen.

Brabantia Bin

Another design icon, this sleek, stainless steel bin originates from a small factory in Holland. The first range of solid pedal bins was launched in 1955, and they’ve been at the forefront of kitchen waste ever since.

Bird Whistle Tea Kettle

This 1984 design landmark by Michael Graves sports a moulded plastic bird that makes the stainless steel kettle whistle. Clever, funny and stylish, the kettle still sells over 100,000 units every year.

Le Creuset Casserole Dish

With a design going back to 1925, Armand Desaegher and Octave Aubecq joined forces to create a porcelain enamelled cast iron pot, and the first of many Le Creuset cooking dishes was born.

Juicy Salif Lemon Juicer

Designed in 1988 by Philippe Starck for renowned Italian kitchen utensil manufacturers Alessi, this citrus press is a visually striking centrepiece and perfect example of postmodernist design.

KitchenAid Mixer

The classic Kitchen-Aid branded mixer was launched in 1919 according to a design by Herbert Johnson. Manufactured in the USA, this kitchen food mixer now has annual sales of over $20 billion around the world.

BiMoka Express

Invented in 1918 by Alfonso Bialetti, this Italian stove top coffee maker has a sleek geometric look that has made it a design that is recognised the world over.

Peugeot Pepper Mill

Developed by Jean and Jean-Pierre Peugeot in the 1840s long before the French company became famous for making cars, this classic design can still be found in homes and restaurants everywhere.

Brown Betty Teapot

Finally, no English kitchen would be complete without a proper teapot, and they don’t come more traditional than this one. Originally made in Stoke on Trent in 1695 from red clay, tea made in a Brown Betty Teapot as considered to be the best – and possibly still is.

Article provided by Mike James, an independent content writer working together with luxury, bespoke interior designer Middleton Bespoke, who were consulted over the information in this post.

Today’s Menu: Pig Chef with Chalkboard

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Today's Menu Pig with Chalkboard for the Kitchen

Often I write about things on the food blog that have blown me away in an attempt to allow you to, also, be blown away. Other times I write about things that I’ve fallen in love with and plan to get my paws on as soon as possible, if not sooner.

The cutie above falls in the latter category – I don’t have him in my possession yet but, trust me, it’s just a matter of time. This Chef Pig Holding Today’s Menu on a Chalkboard is available on Amazon and, if you love pigs like I do, you’re already deciding where to put him.

Product Details:

  • Unique
  • Portable
  • Anytime best buy
  • Excellent party decor to welcome guests
  • Made from polystone

I love the idea of letting everyone know what to expect for supper but, let’s be honest, mostly I just love the cuteness.

Big time!

See  Chef Pig Holding Today’s Menu on a Chalkboard for more information.


Pepper Appreciation Post: Peppers, Peppers, and More Peppers!

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Chili Peppers Salt and Pepper Shakers

Hot Chili Peppers Salt & Pepper Shakers

Ever have a food obsession sneak up on you? This is the case with peppers and me. I’ve had a life-long love affair with certain foods….

  • chocolate
  • coffee (don’t try telling me it’s not a food, I will not listen)
  • tea (see above)
  • coconut
  • seafood – specifically shrimp, cod, and catfish
  • eggs
  • onion rings
  • sweet potatoes
  • cream cheese


But peppers are one of those foods that came looking for me. This particular all-encompassing fascination with all things peppers actually just came about in the last two years.  I always found them to be beautiful, tasty, and very serviceable – but the appreciation never hit full tilt fanaticism until recently.

And yet, here I am, currently unable to get enough of them. It’s one of those situations where I have to reign myself in or I’ll put them in everything. They simply take whatever dish they’re in and kick it up notches.

Take tossed salads, for example. I buy those colorful little bags of sweet mini peppers (organic) and chop them up with the rest of my salad ingredients. They add more flavor and crunch than you can imagine. They also perk up potato salads, soups, scrambled eggs, and meatloaves. Stuff them with cream cheese or any cheese combination and they become show offs.

Love it when that happens.

 


Next time you’re in your produce section, find the little bag of mini sweet peppers or grab a couple of chili peppers or jalapenos and experiment with them. They add a lot of kick and excitement to so many dishes. Try roasting them before using them in recipes, too, for a real knock out experience.