Most of the time I think it’s a fine accomplishment just getting a decent family meal on the table for dinner. Let’s face it, most households with kids are in constant overdrive, between taking kids to sports and other after school activities plus all of the other details that it takes to keep a home running smoothly. Or even a bit bumpy some days! So while wearing a fabulous cotton kitchen apron isn’t the first thing on your mind when trying to pull a meal together, there is simply a touch of added fun putting on something comfortable and colorful while you cook.

I love these unique kitchen accessories not just because they add a splash of color and style into my cooking, but because I just feel better when I put in on -  as if I’m suiting up! It’s like putting some fun music on when I clean, it just makes the task a bit more enjoyable somehow. These cool kitchen items are not only wonderful for yourself, but they make great gifts for friends, family, and housewarming parties!

I think many of us have either owned or used Corelle dishes sometime over the years. I remember my sister receiving a set of Corelle at her bridal shower years ago and she has some of the pieces to this day. They still make many wonderful Corelle pieces and many have clean, modern lines that look great in any home. Plus you can mix and match different pieces as needed. I really like this Corelle Simple Lines 16 Piece Dinnerware Set.

I think the style of these dishes is pretty timeless, and I especially like the squared plates and bowls. They look very nice on the table, quite different than the usual round plates most of us use regularly. This type of dinnerware set not only makes a great bridal shower gift, but it’s a great housewarming gift too, especially for someone moving into their first place.

We use placemats a lot in our home, mostly in the kitchen, but sometimes in the dining room too. I have a few different sets that I like to switch out depending on the ocassion or the time of year. We enjoy our small family meals together and our big family gatherings too - and I like having little extra things that add fun extra style to the table. I especially love these handmade batik fabric placemats for their bright colors and their unique flair. 

The handmade placemats are made of 100% cotton and are sold as a set of 4. You can choose from 10 cool colors and patterns. They’re handcrafted in the USA and are naturally colored using flowers, veggies, and berries. They’re not just a great gift for your own home, but would really make quite a thoughtful housewarming gift for someone special. Because these custom kitchen accessories are sure to add a special touch to any table setting.

In our home we do our best to make healthy choices when it comes to the food we eat. Whole grain breads, whole wheat pasta, fresh fruits and vegetable, high fiber cereals. Our philosophy is as long as we mostly eat the good stuff then it’s okay to have some of the more sinful foods and treats now and again. I’m very big on salads, preferring the pre-packed bags of mixed greens for convenience. But I was making a big mistake when it came to eating the greens by not washing them first! I took it for granted they were already cleaned but have since read that these packaged lettuces should all be washed prior eating, even if the bag states “triple washed”.  I find cleaning the lettuce a bit of a hassle, so that’s why I love the ECKO Salad Spinner.

 This salad spinner is a great size for our family and it even doubles as a fruit bowl on our counter sometimes. It certainly makes cleaning lettuce so much easier and it’s comforting to know we’re eating healthier because of it.  I highly recommend this kitchen gadget for anyone who enjoys salads in their home and wants to make a healthier choice for their family too.

When I saw these beautiful chafing dishes and this classy soup tureen I felt this overwhelming need to buy them and throw a party.  The truth is while we do a lot of the big holidays around here, we’re not generally party-throwers throughout the year.  But these servers are so enticing, it’s hard to resist.  Now to figure out where to store them..

Cookware and bakeware make wonderful housewarming gifts.  You can make a great impression by picking something special, like this unique round bread baker from Romertopf.  It’s useful, attractive, and something that the new homeowner can bake many lasting memories in over the years to come.

What’s great about a gift like this is it’s something one-of-kind that doesn’t cost a fortune. And the recipient will appreciate your thoughtfulness.

Yep, I admit it, I’m a coffee junkie.  I spend way too much money in Starbuck’s and Caribou when I think about it, well just imagine what my grandparents would think!  But I love it, can’t help it.  Don’t drink, don’t smoke (now there’s a really expensive habit).  I also get coffee delivered from Gevalia - I brew it up and pour a nice hot cup into one of my cool mugs.

But at least I’ve gone decaf, yippee!  No jitters, no crankiness if I’ve been up for hours without a cup.  So it’s a mild addiction. And a tasty one!

It’s actually been a long time since I did the bridal shower circuit.  Most of my circle of friends have long since married and are busy raising families. Now it’s the next generation for me, the nieces and nephews graduating from college, getting engaged.  I realized I was a bit rusty on the whole thing, how much to spend, what to get them….

And with so many great gift ideas, it’s hard to choose! But it’s also a lot of fun and it’s brought back great memories for me too. So I’ll really enjoy picking them out something special that I know they’ll love!

Nothing takes the frost off of a cold afternoon like warm hot cocoa.  Now we’re not talking about opening an envelope of  Swiss Miss or Nestles, but the really delicious kind of hot cocoa…made with  unsweetened cocoa powder, sugar, milk,  and vanilla extract … and maybe a dash of cognac for the grownups.

We serve it up in a big ceramic mug and then top it with some thick, creamy homemade whipped cream.  Treat yourself or your friends to a cup of real hot cocoa — you’ll never go back to store-bought again!