After our upcoming kitchen remodel, my goal is to have as few things as possible cluttering the countertops. There are certain essentials, however, that need to be there — like our KitchenAid mixer and our Boos board.
We love our Boos board and use it everyday for chopping vegetables and herbs. We are careful to use a separate plastic board, though, for working with meats of any kind so that we can keep everything sanitary and clean.
I recently fell in love with this cutting board system by Joseph Joseph which offers an organized solution for keeping cutting boards from “cross-contamination.” Its sleek storage container and four color-coded chopping boards are not only aesthetically interesting, but practical as well. The illustrated tab on each board helps a cook easily identify the boards to ensure the same board is used each time for similar food types.
I am not sure if I need to add anything else to my already very full kitchen cabinets and countertops, but if I did, it might be this!
We’re remodeling our kitchen in a couple of weeks and so I’ve begun the process of cleaning out cabinets and drawers in preparation for the new cabinets. It’s amazing what kitchen tools we’ve accumulated over the years. As people who love to cook, we’ve become “gadget and appliance freaks,” always loving to try new tools.
But the process of purging and sorting has really made me think about what the essential tools of the kitchen really are. What are the things that I could not do without? Here’s a list of my essentials — which I’d highly recommend adding to any registry!
All Clad Measuring cups and spoons — I am in love with these measuring cups and spoons and am still grateful to the friends who gave them to us as a wedding present! I love that the 1 cup measuring cup has marks for smaller quantities like 1/4 cup and 3/4 cups, that way I don’t have to dirty multiple measuring cups. They are also very sturdy and feel substantial in the hand.
All Clad measuring cups and spoons
Kitchen Aid Mixer — Makes the perfect batch of chocolate chip cookie dough. Need I say more?
Kitchen Aid Artisan Stand Mixer
Heat-resistant silicone spatula — I use this when I cook, when I bake… it is my go-to mixing spoon and I love that I never have to worry about it melting.
OXO heatproof silicone spatula
Nesting bowls — I use these every day. Ev-er-y-day! I keep them in the cupboard in two sets so that they are easier to lift out.
glass nesting bowls
Colander — I prefer this type of colander to the large mesh colanders as the latter are very hard to clean — especially after draining pasta.
Footed Colander
Creamer — My Apilco Creamer comes in handy for not only serving up cream with coffee, but also when making small batches of vinaigrettes or for serving sauces.
Apilco Porcelain Creamer
Zester — We use this microplane zester way more than I ever would have imagined. It is easy to use and washes fairly easily, too.
Microplane Rasp Grater
Whirly Pop — OK, this may not be an essential, but I really can’t live without it! My husband and I love homemade popcorn and the Whirly Pop makes the best popcorn we’ve ever had.
Off-the-shelf wedding planning guides are helpful ways to keep contracts, fabric swatches, and inspiration photos and articles organized in one place. Often times, however, they don’t fit exactly what a bride needs for her particular wedding.
I love this idea from Martha Stewart, which allows a bride to organize her wedding planning materials just the way she wants them. These decorative folders can be customized with fabric matching the color scheme of the wedding.
The folder facades would be helpful for any party, not just weddings. Get organized today!
Cookbooks, entertaining, and etiquette books read like enthralling novels for me, and I pour over every photo and blurb. I could spend hours soaking up all of the practical advice and being inspired by the recipes and ideas.
The newest entertaining book in my library, thanks to a dear friend, is Entertaining Simple, by Matthew Mead, who hits the nail on the head when it comes to simple, easy ways to dress an impactful table. Mead reviews the elements of the basic table “wardrobe;” offers clever ways to reuse the same serving piece in multiple, stylish ways; provides clever decor ideas; and caps it all off with delicious recipes.
I particularly appreciated his focus on how to use the ordinary elements in one’s home — egg cups, glass votive holders, cake stands — and turn them into extraordinary focal points on table.
Looking for a gift for your favorite entertainer? Look no further!
My husband and I are not big fans of Valentine’s Day. It’s a little too commercial for our taste. So from the start, we vowed not to make a fuss of the holiday. Instead, we created our own tradition: staying home and cooking lobsters — one of our favorite meals.
This year, our lobster feast was fairly low key. We had spiced shrimp with cocktail sauce to start, a mixed greens salad, lobsters, all followed by strawberry shortcake for dessert.
I often blog about the presentation of a meal — the place setting, the tablescape — the little details that make the event special. While those things are important, the practical work of preparing and cleaning up after the meal should also not be overlooked. Here are a few practical matters we ran across when preparing our Valentine’s Day lobster feast:
serveware and lobster tools
Our lobster platters aren’t used everyday so we keep them stored in a sideboard rather than in the kitchen. Items you don’t use regularly need not be crammed into your kitchen cabinets. Make sure they are clean before you store them and set them in a sideboard or your storage room. If the item is decorative, you might wish to display it in a hutch or elsewhere in the dining room.
The lobster tools were on our registry. Knowing we loved lobster, we knew they would be useful to have on hand. We only registered for a set of 4 tools, realizing we probably wouldn’t be having large lobster dinners at our home. And in the case of lobster and crabs, not everyone always needs their own set of tools. When registering for or buying speciality kitchen items, linens, or serveware, consider how you will use them and only buy what you need.
lobster rolls
We decided to cook four lobsters and eat two for Valentine’s Day and prepare the meat from the other two for lobster rolls — another all-time favorite of ours. I always buy Pepperidge Farm top split buns for the rolls — the sides of the buns are perfect for buttering and toasting. Fill them with some lobster meat mixed with chopped celery, a little mayonnaise, salt & pepper and voila! Decadence!
lobster shells
After cleaning all of the lobsters we were left with a mountain of shells. My husband suggested we make lobster stock. Brilliant! We added the shells to water, chopped onion, celery, and carrots, and a little white wine and let it simmer for a couple of hours. Now, we’ll have homemade stock on hand when we need it.
freezer label for lobster stock
We often end up with a ton of things in our freezer and sometimes it’s hard to tell how long something has been in there. (Scary!) So I’ve started using freezer labels to mark the date on each item. Martha Stewart’s template for freezer labels came in very handy. I printed the template onto full-size label sheets and cut them with paper cutter. I keep a stash in my drawer near my freezer for when I need them. No more guessing how long something has been in the freezer!
Simple things like properly storing serving pieces, making full use of every food item in your kitchen, and keeping food organized and well-stored can make the behind-the-scenes preparations of any party much more enjoyable.
As I stare at the mountain of gift wrap in the wake of opening our Christmas presents, I cringe at the thought of throwing all of that pretty paper away. The ribbons I always keep, but the paper? I know I will never re-use it to wrap another gift (it would be so clear that was what I did!) so what else can I do with it?
Before throwing out all that decorative paper, check out these ideas on how to “recycle” the wrap:
Create Liners
Use the paper to line drawers (just test first to make sure the ink does not rub off on anything) or a serving tray (great idea from Martha!).
Tray Liners idea from Martha Stewart Living
Cut into Squares
Use the squares for origami or set a stack by the phone for notes. Keep some on hand for craft projects with children.
Cover Books or Journals
I’ve been really into covering books lately (which totally takes me back to high school when I covered all my books with paper bags and drew all over them!). Wrapping paper is the perfect decorative cover for your reading material.
Frame it
If it is particularly high quality and aesthetically grabbing, make it into a wall hanging by framing it. An inexpensive way to add a splash of color to your wall.
Make Cards or Embellish Gifts
Save the paper in your gift wrap stash. Use cut outs of the paper to embellish homemade cards or use a strip of the paper to add a layer of wrap to a gift.
Embellish a Box
Paper-Source is a great go-to resource for all-things-paper. I am digging their clever idea of using wrapping paper to embellish the top of a gift box. Click on the photo to be directed to the “how-to.”
Wreaths are a beautiful way to decorate one’s home for Christmas. There are plenty of store-bought options out there, but why not try to create one yourself, customizing it to your home and decor? Click on the photos below for DIY instructions on how to make each lovely, festive wreath!
Finding the perfect artwork for a new home can be such a challenge. (My husband and I have lived in our home together for four years and there are still some bare walls!) Australian-based company, Castle, has some gorgeous solutions for that dilemma.
I adore these prints — each of which would be perfect gracing a wall of a newlywed’s home.
"Mr & Mrs" hand-screen printed artwork from Castle
"For Ever and Ever" print from Castle
"For Ever and a Day" print from Castle
While you are on the site, be sure to check out Castle’s beautiful collection of bright, cheery bed linens — another perfect item for the newlywed’s nest!
Whether you are a bride hoping to save money by doing flowers yourself or a newlywed wanting to dress up yournest for the holidays, one of my favorite DC-area floral design studios has the perfect solution: fabulous and fun workshops!
Petal’s Edge recently announced the following upcoming floral design classes. To register call 703.518.8488. Space is limited so reserve your spot soon!
Petal's Edge centerpieces from a Rex & Regina wedding; photo courtesy of Chris Baltazar
Bridal Bootcamp. Want to save money but feel insecure about your ability to provide a professional look to your wedding flowers? Join this intense one-day, weekend workshop and learn how to arrange flowers with industry experts. Course covers flower selection and care, design tips, and common mistakes. $150 per person, which includes the cost of flowers and box lunch.
Flower School. Love flowers and want more experience? This series of classes takes place over three evenings and is appropriate to the person who wants to learn about how to buy, care for, and arrange flowers. Several methods of flower arranging will be covered. Classes are hands-on with flowers that students take home after class. $250 per person. Wednesday – Friday, December 2 – 4 or December 9 – 11. 6 – 9 pm.
Winter Workshop. Join us for holiday-inspired flower arranging projects. Take one class or both. Course includes the cost of flowers, all supplies, and a holiday masterpiece to take home. $100 per session or $150 for two.Floral Topiary: November 30, 6 pm. Use an uninterrupted mass of carnations to create a festive tabletop tree. Dining table centerpiece: December 7, 6 p.m. Winter fruits and vegetables add a conversation piece to this unusual pairing of flowers and holiday greens.
I don’t smoke, but do I find myself in need of a light more often than one would imagine. Lighting candles on a birthday cake… votives the dining table… starting a fire in the fireplace or the fire pit outside….
Matchbooks are certainly helpful in those scenarios. In fact, we keep our ever-growing stash of matchbooks from restaurants we’ve patronized in decorative tin canisters. Matches, however, can be a pain — especially when there are a lot of candles to light! This is when a lighter can come in handy. (My husband prefers using our creme brulee blow torch when we need a light, but there is such a thing as too much “fire power”!)
I’ve recently stumbled across some beautiful lighters, which would not only be practical in the home of an entertainer, but would also flaunt a little style, as well.
Tsubota Pearl's Stick Lighter (Gloss Finish) from A+R Store
Lighter with engraved crocodile scales decor by Cartier
I’m always looking for great hostess gifts — something unique to bring when visiting a friend or attending a party.
These numbered napkins from Heather Lins make a perfect gift for so many reasons!
When each guest or family member is assigned a number, there is no question of whose napkin is whose. No more wondering, “Is this my napkin?” And using linen napkins for everyday dining is so eco-chic! (For more on using linen napkins for everyday, check out this previous post.)
Heather Lins has chosen a fabulous font which makes the design so appealing. It’s fresh and modern and the neutral palette can work with any decor.
In my opinion, a home can never have too large a linen napkin collection, making these a near foolproof gift!
