Breadbox

Ceramic Colanders

2010-03-11T04:26:00.001-07:00

These pretty colanders are made from glazed ceramic are useful for washing produce or straining pasta. But their real value, in my opinion, anyway, is how charming they look doubling as fruit bowls.

@ Pottery Barn, $10-$29

w.r.d. Bottle

2010-03-09T04:56:00.000-07:00

This w.r.d. (water ready to drink) bottle definitely sends a message. And even if it wasn't eco-friendly, this sleek stainless steel bottle with a clip top is infinitely more chic than a wasteful plastic ones.

@ cb2, $20

Lodge Enameled Cast Iron

2010-03-08T04:04:00.001-07:00

I'm pretty impressed with Lodge's new enameled cast iron line. Finally, there's an affordable option to the far more expensive Le Creuset and Staub enameled cast iron cookware. Lodge's enameled cookware is as heavy, durable and good-looking as Le Creuset. The line offers Dutch ovens and skillets in a range of sizes and comes in Island Spice (shown), Caribbean blue, Kelly green and Cafe, a warm brown shade. Best of all, most pieces are priced under $50.

@ Amazon, $35-$65

Pasta La Vista Sponges

2010-03-07T12:18:00.002-07:00

Spongioli -- or ravioli-shaped sponges -- might actually inspire you to practice your Ah-nold accent when you're doing dishes or wiping down the countertop. Pasta la Vista, kitchen grime. Comes in pack of three large, anti-bacterial spongioli.

@ Mod Living, $13

Match Convivo Dinnerware

2010-02-27T06:39:00.000-07:00

This impressive tableware collection harmonizes pewter and ceramic to create the beloved Convivo line. Handmade by artisans in northern Italy, Match Convivio pieces look fantastic in contemporary settings, not to mention traditional ones. In fact, pewter has been used as dinnerware since 3000 B.C. Match pewter contains 95% high grade tin, hence the "95" stamped into each piece. The collection is food-safe, lead-free, FDA-approved and dishwasher-safe. Granted, the stuff isn't cheap... but it sure is gorgeous.

@ Amazon, from $57

Stuck on You Wall Hooks

2010-02-26T04:51:00.002-07:00

Designed by Thelermont Hupton, these eye-catching kitchen hooks are a fun, colorful way to keep oven mitts, pot holders, dishcloths and aprons at the ready. They'd also be cute in other rooms too. Made of powder-coated steel.
@ The Future Perfect, $35/each

Simrin Laminated Fabric Trays

2010-02-25T04:36:00.001-07:00

These trays started as vintage, hand-screened fabrics. A bit of magic by the folks at Simrin, and they are reborn as fun, totally unique trays that still look like linen, but are resistant to water and stains.

@ Matter, from $80

Plucked Petals Measuring Spoons

2010-02-24T06:22:00.000-07:00

It's hard to imagine that something as functional as measuring spoons should be called 'adorable' and 'darling.' But that's exactly how to describe this measuring spoon set, which features a quartet of hand-painted blossoms. Each one is perfectly sized for a tablespoon, teaspoon and its fractions and each bloom nestles -- adorably -- on the leaf.

@ Anthropologie, $24

SuperTryer Place Mat

2010-02-23T15:29:00.002-07:00

Finicky (or timid) eaters might be tempted to expand their horizons with this cute, colorful SuperTryer placemat. Mushed beans, anyone?
@ Moomah, $10

EatSmart Precision Digital Scale

2010-02-23T13:54:00.004-07:00

Chefs and dieters rarely agree, but they both swear by one thing: When in doubt, always use a kitchen scale. After years of wondering why I never got consistent cookies and pizza dough with the same recipes, I finally treated myself to a kitchen scale. And even though I'm not a chef or a dieter, I too now swear by one of these.

@ Amazon,", $25

Babushkups

2010-02-19T06:19:00.003-07:00

Nested juice glasses are already a smart way to save shelf-space in tight quarters. But created to nest as Babushka babes, they're a small stroke of design genius.

@ Perpetual Kid, $18

Le Creuset in Lilac & Cassis

2010-02-18T13:23:00.005-07:00

You kill me, Le Creuset.

Years ago, I got a couple of your great-looking (and awfully durable) Dutch ovens in cherry red. And then you rolled out new lines of crave-worthy kiwi and turquoise. And now, you scoundrels release your ovens and wares in a gorgeous shade of cassis? It's not like your Dutch ovens ever need be replaced, Le Creuset. You've made these tempting new colors just as exasperating as they are desirable.

@ Sur La Table, $20-$275

Penguin Browniepops

2010-02-18T13:13:00.002-07:00

Seriously? How adorable are these little fellas? They are brownies on a stick (you had me right there) which are then covered in a hard icing shell. I'm always intimidated by ordering perishables online, but these little guys might force me to take a chance.
@ Williams-Sonoma (internet-only), $30

Critter Cutters

2010-02-18T11:28:00.002-07:00

Q: How do you get the pickiest, finickiest, most annoying eaters to enjoy their PB&J?

A: Critter Cutters sandwich cutters. They are tall enough for regular sandwiches (unlike cookie cutters, which flatten the whole thing. Shape sandwiches into butterflies, elephants, dolphins and puppies. Cute, huh?

@ The Spoon Sisters, $17/set of 4

CookMarks

2010-02-09T11:20:00.002-07:00

Smart idea: CookMarks, made by RSVP, give you quick access to your favorite recipes while keeping cookbook pages (relatively) clean. A few splatters on a much beloved cookbook are always good, but colorful silicone rings ensure that the mess is minimized. They are easy to grab with greasy fingers, dishwasher safe and color-coded so you can flip between recipes.
@ ChefTools, $10/set of 4

Onion Goggles

2010-02-07T11:52:00.003-07:00

I can personally vouch for these. Over time, I've gotten more and more hyper-sensitive to onions. It got so bad that I'd basically given up on chopping them by hand. I bought these a few years ago and I can now whip up a batch of French onion soup without shedding a tear. Of course, they make me look like a goof, but I'll suffer few minutes of embarrassment over an onion-free existence. (In case you're wondering, the Onion Goggle people did not pay me to recommend these. They just worked for me.)
@ Amazon, $19

Canvas Wine Bag by Anya Hindmarch

2010-02-03T13:27:00.003-07:00

Anya Hindmarch's natural canvas tote features charming illustrations of reds, white and bubbly, along with six canvas dividers, so that wine snobs can carry a six-pack of their very own.
@ Net-a-Porter, $120

Groundhog Day Cupcakes

2010-02-02T16:22:00.004-07:00

I couldn't resist posting this, especially after Punxsutawney Phil predicted six more weeks of winter earlier today. But the good news is that I'm pretty sure that baking up a batch of these guys will help chase away the winter blues.
Recipe @ Cake Mix Doctor

French Copper Cookie Cutters

2010-01-28T14:28:00.002-07:00

Love, love, love these. They're made from sturdy copper and would be so fun to decorate. They'd put a fun twist on any Valentine's day treats that may in the works.
@ Paris Market & Brocante, $18

Bottle Screws

2010-01-27T16:32:00.002-07:00

Here's a cute and affordable way to preserve your wine if you didn' t polish off the entire bottle. These silicone 'screws' are reusable and come in fun colors. Best of all, you don't need a screwdriver to uncap the bottle.
@ Pop Deluxe, $13/set of 3

Whoopie Pie Plate/Kit

2010-01-26T13:45:00.004-07:00

Legend has it that whoopie pies got their name from Amish farmers, who would shout 'Whoopie!' when they'd find one in their lunchboxes.

You can see if that still happens by tucking one of a home-made sweet treats into someone's lunchbox too. Williams-Sonoma has a new kit to make it easier, which includes a whoopie pie pan and/or a mix. Or try making them from scratch with this recipe from the New York Times.
@ Williams-Sonoma, $35/set

Molo Float Champagne Flutes

2010-01-22T11:43:00.002-07:00

Delicate, tall-stemmed champagne flutes signal celebrations, but sometimes they can be a bit too delicate. Which is one reason I'm drawn to these Float champagne flutes, designed by Todd MacAllen and Stephanie Forsythe of Molo Design.

They're still elegant, but in a fresh, modern way. They're designed so the 'liquid is emphasized, becoming a lens of liquid color, suspended within the glass, projecting a play of colored light onto the table surface.'

The design also means that coasters are not required. Instead, any moisture from condensation beads up on the underbelly of the glass, creating a pretty optical effect.
@ Greener Grass Designs and Amazon, $90/set of 2

Inset Salad Servers

2010-01-22T11:34:00.002-07:00

At last, a solution for anyone who tends to misplace one of their salad servers. This ingenious -- and affordable -- design keeps a pair stainless steel salad servers in one, easy-to-store unit. The brushed steel finish and silhouette design add a modern touch.
@ Amazon, $15

Silver Honey Bee

2010-01-15T17:12:00.003-07:00

This is a pretty adorable way to keep honey handy. It's cleverly designed so the wings protect the good stuff, and provide a resting spot for the cute little honey spoon. Such a nice, non-sticky way to add some sweetness to a cup of tea or a scone, and it definitely looks good on the table.
@ Delight, $43

Anatomic Dishware

2010-01-13T13:04:00.005-07:00

This wonderful/creepy dishware set, designed by Lisa Turner, is not exactly what we'd like to see under an otherwise appetizing meal. But artfully displayed in a kitchen? Absolutely.
@ TableArt, from $28