Now, as SL will tell you, my coffee making skills have improved somewhat since days of old but they still need some serious tweaking.  I have a coffee/espresso machine here at the house but there’s always something that is just not right. Technically, it’s not swill and is better than the local police dept. brew but still – not ‘Bucks quality.

Now that we’re snowbound for yet another day or so, I’m craving a killer iced latte, the way the pros make it.  And then I saw this – the Bialetti Mukka Glass Stovetop Cappuccino Maker.  Yes, I know – I saw the sticker price.  It’s the price of a great pair of Steve Madden wanna be Brian Atwood killer stilettos that I have been obsessing over.  If anything this blizzard has taught me is that you can’t put a price on really good coffee when you are cooped up in the house with no trip to Starbucks in the immediate near future.  Plus, who really could rock killer stilettos in 2 feet of snow, especially in Manayunk.  Clearly, this is the better investment.

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Update:  The Video is having technical difficulties.  You can view it HERE

Did she forget anything?

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Check out these adorable Cupcake notecards from Felt & Wire Shop

Sometimes, you want to experiment with other styles of cooking but aren’t sure if your spice cabinet is up to par. You know what Emeril says “that red box of pepper from 1989 – toss it out”.  Well, you might want to check out this “I Like It Spicy” spice kit with all the essential spices for only $18.00 from Out of the Blue Delivered.  This kit contains everything from Sea Salt to Chilis – you can’t go wrong with that.

What about Thai cooking – you can check out their “Let’s Have Thai Tonight” spice kit with such spices as Lemongrass, Kaffir Lime Leaves and more.

What about that person that aspires to be the next Bobby Flay?  I know we’re in this midst of a blizzard up here in Philly but there are people who will grill regardless of the temperature drop.  Well, check out these fabulous “Grill Grates” with two interlocking grates and a GrateTool that set you on the path to becoming the next GrillMaster.  No more charred veggies that fall to the abyss. 

Wine is always a great gift for the holidays, but for that sommelier in training, well why not give a fabulous decanter?  Check out Spiegelau’s Siena decanter that came across this gal’s path.  To quote Rachel Zoe “I. Die.” 

Speaking of the Za Za Zu factor, Lenox has this gorgeous 2 qt. Aspen Ridge Round Covered Baker that has me at hello.  Now, I don’t know about you but a quality baker is something that gets used quite a bit in this gal’s kitchen. 

I know I have a habit of printing out recipes that I’m testing and they run the risk of getting splattered.  This Portochef Recipe Album from Umbra is a perfect idea!

One of the items I could not see my kitchen without is a quality cutting board.  The people over at Michigan Maple Block have a Cutting Essentials Kit that would be wonderful under the tree, complete with a professional grade, solid maple butcher block cutting board; a bottle of Emmet’s Elixir Cutting Board Conditioner and a LamsonSharp 7” Santoku knife with a gorgeous Rosewood handle.  Now tell me that wouldn’t look fabulous in your kitchen?

Now, being a shoe gal, I had to point out that this set of Cinderella Espresso Spoons are a great stocking stuffer for that stiletto lover!

I absolutely cringe when I have a bottle of wine in the fridge that has lost its edge.  The Sharper Image has this Wine Preservation Kit with 4 Stoppers that can make sure that you never have to feel the pain of sipping wine that has been lost to the horrors of shelf life.

Speaking of the Wine Lover, what about a membership to The California Wine Club?  The prices are reasonable (hello – $34.95), there is no yearly commitment and exposure to wines one might not normally come across.   Even has a 100% guarantee. 

Ok, what about a Chef’s Coat to go with one’s stilettos?  Check out this “Fitted Chef’s Coat” that would look great with this gal’s new Elizabeth & James stilettos… Plus – it can be customized… hmmmm.. Think I need to place an order quick!

Finally, a stocking stuffer this gal would love – an adorable “I Like Shopping” tote from reisenthel that fits in a purse.  BRILLIANT!  How many times have you been caught out and about without a reusable shopping bag or, like I often do, remember that they are in the trunk of the car.  (Hate that)  At just $9.50, you can get one (or three… just in case of a “Shoe shopping emergency” ).

Happy Holidays everyone!

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First of all, Sur La Table has this phenomenal gift set with both the DVD of Julie & Julia and the epic “Mastering The Art of French Cooking” which should be a staple for any home cook, no?

For those that adored the character of Julie Powell, you might want to check out her latest novel, Cleaving: A Story of Marriage, Meat, and Obsession

or the book upon which the movie is based, Julie and Julia: My Year of Cooking Dangerously

What about those that love the classic Julia Child.  Well, in addition to any of her cookbooks, you can also pick up the DVDs of:

Julia Child – The French Chef,

Julia Child’s The Way To Cook DVD

or

Julia & Jacques Cooking At Home

Finally, you know what would REALLY be great – what about wrapping up the DVD of the movie within the Mauviel Oval Copper Fry Pan from the Sole Meuniere scene where Julia just falls in love with French food.  Now THAT is a great idea to put under the tree for that special someone (even if it’s for yourself – don’t worry – I’ll never tell).

You just can never go wrong with Julia Child…

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About a year or so ago while in Philly, I saw the Mattone in Sur La Table.  I desperately wanted to try it but I put it back.  On a couple return trips, I would fondle but put it back not only for the unitasker issue but also because it was so heavy it would send my luggage into overdrive. 

Recently, while perusing Williams Sonoma’s latest offerings, I noticed that they too had a Mattone. 

And, finally – NapaStyle has a Mattone in my favorite color – teal.

You know what I always say – if something crosses your path repeatedly, pay attention.  Well, guess what – I’m listening…

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While doing a little retail R&R this weekend, you know this gal HAD to go to Williams Sonoma, right?  First of all, if you have the chance to go on a weekend, go.  The smells in there were amazing!  They did some demos on Sunday and were showing their Meyer Lemon Quick Bread but I digress.

They had on display the Penguin Sparkling Water Maker which is essentially a water carbonator.  I have to say, I’m a fan of the occasional bubbly water and soda.  Not to mention, sparkling water is a must when I have cocktail parties.  So, would I use this – probably more than I care to admit.  I’ve been quite paranoid lately with all that I’ve read online re: soda, additives, etc. and to think that I could possibly make my own citrus libation and know exactly what goes in it – SOLD. 

From the Williams Sonoma website:   

Adding effervescence to holiday festivities, this eco-friendly soda charger quickly transforms ordinary tap water into fresh sparkling water. Enjoy it on its own or as the base for cocktails or homemade sodas. It’s fun and easy to use: Simply fill the reusable glass carafe with water, insert it into the Penguin and press the carbonating “beak.” You can customize carbonation so each batch has just the right amount of fizz. Freshly charged seltzer water is a green alternative to its store-bought counterparts. Conserving energy and resources, it eliminates the need for plastic bottles – along with the environmental impacts associated with shipping and shopping for bottled water – and no batteries or electricity are required. 

While the price is a bit steep *cough cough*  I wouldn’t be adverse to it if it saves money and energy in the long run.  Paying it forward, one glass at a time.

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A few weeks ago, after the Sur La Table debacle, I bit the bullet and ordered the Lotus Sanitizing System from Chefs.  I wanted to get it before my organic delivery as Erin had suggested that the fruits and veggies might need a serious wash. 

I tend to have a bit of a MONK complex when it comes to cleaning food due to one too many ER trips years ago.  I would have constant side attacks and the doctors were clueless.  It was later figured out that tomatoes were the culprit and, of course, I just felt that with some produce, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Lotus cleans your produce and removes any residual pesticides and dirt that the grocery store might have left behind.  Thanks to an amazing rep of Chefs - Elaine – I receieved this in the nick of time.  She made sure that there were no hiccups and that my system was sent right away. 

Of course the newer version takes up less counter room and is pretty simple to operate.  It took a few tries but I got it to work and, can I say, I haven’t had any problems.  I use it for cleaning all the produce as well as the sanitizing cleaner.  It works so well that I am thinking about getting a few other attachments for it. 

I can’t recommend this system (and Chefs) highly enough.  I was skeptical at first when I started contemplating getting the Lotus.  I read the reviews online and stalked boards incessantly and I’m glad I did.  Now that I have it, I don’t see me going back to the old way anytime soon.  Not to mention, the peace of mind knowing that I’m not spraying chemicals all over the place as I clean up after the pug.  Lotus did good!

And, yes, the food tastes amazing!

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