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Whimsical Kitchen

LOVE These Checkered Kitchen (or Laundry Room or Bathroom) Rugs

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I’ve been needing (okay, maybe wanting is closer to reality) new kitchen rugs, but can’t seem to find any I love. We like to switch up the colors and “theme” with the seasons and, truth be told, our summer-y rugs really need to go back into the linen closet for a while!

I do just about all of my shopping on Amazon (by almost I mean I still shop in grocery stores) these days, so naturally that’s where I was browsing earlier. When I came across these absolutely wonderful Buffalo Plaid Kitchen Rugs (Amazon link) and now my mind is absolutely set on them.

Things I love about these rugs:

  • They go with any kitchen theme. Our themes are rustic and whimsical and these rugs go perfectly with each.
  • Go with all colors! The black and white checks go with our primary colors red and purple.
  • Go with all appliance colors. Our large kitchen appliances happen to be black, so these will match perfectly. They’d also go perfectly with white or gray!
  • Durable-High Quality. These rugs are made of a new modified superfine polyester fiber. They’re non fade, which I adore. 
  • Non-Slip Backing. The anti-slip rubber on the back is a concave-convex dispensing design to ensure that the carpet is anti-slip, helps it to stay in place on the floor, meaning you don’t have to worry about the rug slipping with pets, kids, or husbands stumbling around at 5:30 am looking for coffee!
  • Easy Care. All you have to do is weep with a broom or vacuum regularly. They can even be put it into a washing machine when necessary.
  • Just in time for Holidays! While I’ve been focucing mainly on gift ideas, we all need to also focus on getting our kitchens

See Buffalo Plaid Kitchen Rugs (Amazon link) for more information. As for me, I’m now figuring out just how many I need. Seriously, y’all I am so in love with these.

Thanks for reading! ~ Joi (“Joy”)

Boo-tiful Halloween Dip Bowl Set (Love This so Much!)

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Not sure how I ever lived without this ADORABLE Halloween Dip Bowl Set (Amazon link).  This time of year is so wonderful it defies description. I have always been (and will always be) completely obsessed with Christmas and Thanksgiving but, quite frankly, I’ve only comparatively recently become obsessed with Halloween.

Maybe the older we get the more we truly, truly appreciate things that are just wildly fun and come with zero expectations… things that simply want to make everyone smile.

That’s Halloween season to a tee.

I remember when my daughters were little, I was obsessed with Halloween too. There’s a certain magic when you combine kids with Halloween. Now the kids in my life are all either in their 50s (husband), 30s (daughters and sons-in-law) or toddlers (grandbabies!) and making them smile is the one thing in the world that makes me smile the most.

Okay, my cats would figure in there too but their smiles are more audible than visual.

This colorful, fun, and deliciously unique dip bowl set is available on Amazon (they have so many beautiful Halloween dishes and decorations, I’m having a hard time not buying everything!).

  • 2-piece set
  • Nested set of two dipping bowls feature debossed sentiment rims, hand-painted interior stripes and exterior icon artwork
  • Material: Dolomite
  • Size: Size: small 2″ x 3 1/2″ dia | large 2

Please see the adorable Halloween Dip Bowl Set (Amazon link) for a closer look.

 

Halloween Dishtowels: Yes… My Mind IS Already on Halloween!

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How cute and colorful are these Halloween dish towels (Amazon link)??!! From everything I’ve seen (online and in stores), plaid is huge this year. Personally, I love it every year, but I’m seeing it everywhere this year – especially in black and white.

One of my biggest kitchen quirks and obsessions is dish towels. I celebrate each season with coordinating towels on the oven handle for show and in the drawer for go!

I can’t wait to add this set of three beauties to the rotation.  They’re 100 percent cotton, machine washable (tumble on low in a dryer) and measure 18×28 inches.

While I plan to use them in the kitchen, they’d also be ideal for a bathroom.

See Halloween dish towels (Amazon link) for a closer look and for more information. These are just so darn cute!

 

The Way to this Rachael Ray Collector’s Heart….

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Rachael Ray Measuring Cups and Dokkie

My husband went and did it again… he proved to me, for the billionth time, that I didn’t just marry a great guy, I married my hero. I wrote a post on my food blog a while back about a gorgeous set of Rachael Ray measuring cups. I wondered how in the word I didn’t already have them… given how I collect all things Rachael Ray and am in love with the colors.

Well, not only does he apparently read my food blog (awwwww), he takes hints even when they weren’t intended to be hints!

You guessed it.. I now own the gorgeous measuring cups and a ridiculously beautiful Purple Rachael Ray Moppine Towel as well.

In the pictures, here, the purple measuring cup looks more gray, but it is unmistakably a beautiful purple. One of our cats, sweet Dokkie, seems to be inspecting the colors above, doesn’t she??! When you’re a cat mom who is also a food blogger, you do not…. absolutely do NOT…. take photos of anything without help from at least one little Nosy Parker.

Some might would shoo the cat away and take professional-level pictures but not me. I simply take what I consider to be the cutest picture!

Rachael Ray Mopine and Measuring Cups

Rachael Ray Moppine Towel and Measuring Cups

As you can tell, the purple moppine towel is absolutely gorgeous – such a deep, bold shade of purple. I love the way Rachael Ray Moppine Towels (Amazon link) are made – you can put both of your hands into the hand pockets, allowing the rest of the moppine towel to cover your forearms, protecting you entirely from the hot deliciousness you’re removing from the oven. When you click through the link Rachael Ray Moppine Towels (Amazon link), you’ll see the WIDE array of colors available. I’ve had the red before as well and it’s also a beauty.

You can find the gorgeous Rachael Ray Measuring Cups on Amazon, too.

Rachael Ray Measuring Cups and Dokkie

Rachael Ray Measuring Cups and Dokkie

Bamboo Pig Cutting Board…. Yes, Please!

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I have always had a total, complete, and all-consuming love for pigs. If my cats (the one animal I have an even greater affection for) allowed it, I would have one – a female I’d name Patsy Swine. Come on, how could I not?

I often blog about pig collectibles and kitchen items on the food blog because I’ve heard from so many readers who love them almost as much as I do. I say almost because none of y’all have a name picked out for a pig you’ll never have.

This gorgeous bamboo pig cutting board is from Amazon and I am in love with it. It speaks to everything my own kitchen’s decor is about – a rustic/whimsical approach, heavy on pigs.

Here’s the thing – I have always loved pigs greatly. I even began “collecting” pigs for the kitchen over 12 years ago. Then something happened that made me fall even further in love with them and made me want to have them outside of the kitchen as well as inside of the kitchen…. this “something” that happened is a precious, lively, adorable 2 year old named Maddox and he (along with the rest of my family) makes my world go round.

Since he was about 6 months old, he has LOVED pigs and cats (I keep telling people he IS my spirit animal). While he loves all animals, there is a certain, palpable joy that comes over his face and into his voice when he sees a pig or cat (real, stuffed, drawing, figurine…). If it’s a cat, he laughs and meows. If it’s a pig, he laughs and oinks.

Why wouldn’t I want more of that in my life??!


Adorable Kitchen Gadgets for Kids who LOVE Dinosaurs!

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I was on Amazon earlier (full disclosure, I’m never really officially off Amazon), looking for dinosaur-related plates for my grand-babies. I have three grand babies and they’re all little boys – one is 2 years old, one is almost 6 months old, and the youngest? Well, he isn’t officially here yet, but he IS officially loved!

I found three WONDERFUL Dinosaur Food Holders from Funwares:

The TriceraTaco (the triceratops is one of kids favorite dinosaurs) is pictured on the left. It can hold tacos – or sandwiches, waffles, toast, English muffins, fish sticks, chicken nuggets, etc.

On the right is another one I’m kind of freaking out over, the NachoSaurus. I love that he comes with his little food dish for dunking and dipping. He could be used for fries with ketchup just as easily as chips with salsa or cheese. He could also hold candy, carrot sticks, or other snacks.

Last, but in no way least, is TacoSaurus Rex (pictured below). This guy can hold tacos, sandwiches, bagels… whatever the little “boss” has consented to eat that day!

I can’t wait to whip these out on my 2 year old grandson – he is WILD WILD WILD about dinosaurs and will love these.


Pig Paper Towel Holder: Pig Collectors will Lover This

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As someone who is both obsessed with and a collector of pigs, I feature a lot of pigs on this food blog. What’s funny is, I hear from SO many of you who feel just as strongly about them as I do.

They’re whimsical, fun, and impossibly cute… what’s not to love, right?!

The adorable Pig Paper Towel Holder, pictured here, is pretty much a MUST HAVE as far as I’m concerned.

Not only is she a beauty, she serves a very useful function – she give that ever-present and ever-wandering roll of paper towels an attractive place to call home.

  • Bring a farmhouse accent to your kitchen with this delightful paper towel holder featuring a fun-loving pig
  • This standing paper towel holder features a dark brown, rustic color that blends cleanly with your country-themed decor
  • The perfect housewarming or birthday gift for animal lovers, and anyone looking to add a country rustic aesthetic to their kitchen
  • Four hooves keep this holder standing evenly on your kitchen
  • Pig Paper Towel Holder, 6-1/4″W x 18-1/2″D x 6-3/4″H; Cold cast ceramic and wood

Click here for a closer look.


Adorable Retro Kitchen Aprons (How Can We Pick Just One??!!)

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The black and white Retro Kitchen Apron, pictured above, would make a perfect Mother’s Day gift idea (whether you’re buying it for your own mother or dropping hints for your own present!).

  • 100% Cotton,Made of high quality material, fashionable and practical with Pockets
  • Length: 72.5cm * Waist Width: 53.5cm
  • Waist Strap: L111.5*W3cm,Neck Strap: L54*W3cm
  • Ties at the waist and has an adjustable neck strap.Recommend to slim and medium height girls and women.
  • A wonderful household necessity for choice. Perfect for the home entertainer or adventurous gourmet , Also suitable as a work apron for restaurant, hotel ,cafe, shop, etc

The Red and White Retro Apron (pictured above) is equally adorable – as is the Black Retro Apron with Bow Pockets (pictured below). The red and white apron has a Minnie Mouse vibe that makes me weak in the knees. I absolutely love both Minnie and her famous boyfriend.

They’re all so cute AND inexpensive, in fact, that a lot of people are buying them two/three at a time. They’d make a wonderful gift idea for Mother’s Day, Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries… any time, for any lovely cook in your life.

The apron above is also available in red and white checks (below).

Click through any of the three links above to view more retro aprons. So adorable!

There are even more impossibly cute aprons pictured below. So many to choose from, right?!


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.