Archive for Obsessed With
Obsessed With: Crate & Barrel’s French Kitchen Table and Island
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Obsessed With: NapaStyle’s POURfect Bowls
Posted by: | CommentsEver start baking and when you go to pour the contents of a bowl into a mixer or pot and things go EVERYWHERE? My counters could tell of countless spills and "oops."
NapaStyle has showcased these POURfect bowls and the idea is genius. Couple that with the sassy red color and I think my kitchen is in need of a set or two.
Obsessed With: NapaStyle Carrara Marble Kitchen Island
Posted by: | CommentsDon’t get me wrong – I adore my Philly abode, but sometimes you just need extra counter space, no? And, one thing I’ve been obsessed with is looking at islands for the kitchen. Right now I have an open floor plan but with the mixer, the blender, the coffee pot, the wine Fridge, etc. – space is at a premium and moving the mixer to the back office is not an option unless I have a desire to toss my back out.
NapaStyle has this GORGEOUS Carrara Marble Kitchen Island that, while it’s a bit pricey (makes mental note to abandon any hope of purchasing a pair of Loubous and a new bag), it’s stunning. From the marble top to the modern details such as a pull out cutting board and wine storage, I’m in love. I can only imagine all the fun baking and treats that one could make here while not trying to find yet another spot to put one’s scraps bowl. Now, the fun part – finding the creative accounting method that will allow a gal to procure this lovely timeless piece of furniture.
Obsessed With: Sex & The City’s Cupcake Apron
Posted by: | CommentsWho knew that one could tie in the much anticipated Sex & The City movie with cooking, right? I mean, outside of Carrie’s remarks that she used her oven to store her sweaters or Samantha taking a homemade sushi class, the kitchen was not really part of the Sex & The City series or movie. However, when I saw some of the still for the upcoming movie, Sex & The City 2 movie, I caught one of Charlotte wearing an apron while cooking with her daughter.
In perusing the mall over the weekend, I came across the apron and gasped. The same apron from those stills is buried in the back of Sur La Table (shoot me later – I needed canning supplies and didn’t have the time to wait for Amazon)
So if you want to channel your inner Charlotte in the kitchen, hurry and pick up this sweet Cupcake Apron.
Kitchen Beauty Must Have – Huge Lips Skinny Hips
Posted by: | CommentsMy friends often joke that the beauty products in my house rival that of the neighborhood CVS and I have to admit that they might be right. However, there are two products that are a must in my kitchen – my fave hand cream and a tube (or three) of my fave go-to lipgloss, HUGE LIPS SKINNY HIPS by my new fave beauty brand, Purple Lab.
About a year or so ago, I heard about this phenomenal lipgloss called Huge Lips Skinny Hips and I couldn’t find it anywhere in Florida. I had used a bunch of different lip plumpers and they hurt, they weren’t always “cocktail friendly” and when you have lips that are numb, what good does that do, right? Purple Lab’s creatrix, Karen Robinovitz, was a journalist/author who took a leap of faith in creating her own beauty brand and recently made the move to HSN. They have a ton of products and it has totally changed this gal’s beauty routine. I have numerous tubes of Huge Lips Skinny Hips everywhere – in my makeup kit, my purse, my desk and, yes, my kitchen drawer. See, this lipgloss has Hoodia in it which is an appetite suppressant and, when faced with a big bowl of freshly made cookie dough or cake batter, this helps curb the temptation to do any excessive “quality control”.
All her products are double-duty beauty and this lipgloss conditions, plumps and color your lips all in one swoop. Plus, the glosses are buildable color – which means that one of my faves, Red Sole (after the iconic shoe – you know the one), goes on sheer and is the perfect red. They have other fun names such as Kitty Pole Dancer (a nude pink), Goji Berry Smoothie (a gorg. mauve) and Lychee Martini (a sheer peach) .
So, in honor of the spring that is about to be upon us, I’m going to pass along this kitchen beauty must have product to you. On May 3rd, we’ll be giving away 1 tube of their Crystal Clear for your kitchen arsenal.
Rules: You must leave a comment on this post. If you tweet about it – leave another comment. If you sign up for the email updates to the right, let me know in the comments and you get another entry. Easy right? On May 3rd at 7pm EST I’ll pick a winner randomly and your lips will sparkle!
Good luck!
Obsessed With: Nest With Chocolate Truffled Eggs
Posted by: | CommentsI have to say I don’t go crazy decorating for the holidays – but when I saw this Nest With Chocolate Truffled Eggs from Williams Sonoma, I thought how gorgeous it was and how perfect it would look as a dining room table centerpiece. I’m afraid to see what other Easter goodies that the Williams Sonoma catalog will feature. Thankfully, for my wallet’s sake, it hasn’t arrived in the mailbox just yet.
I know, I know – behave Lys.
Obsessed With: Bialetti Mukka Glass Stovetop Cappuccino Maker
Posted by: | CommentsCan I first say that while I’m beyond thankful to be back up north, I am NOT thrilled with the bucketloads of snow that dropped on Philly’s doorstep. For one, that means that an excursion to the local Starbucks when I’ve got a touch of cabin fever is just NOT happening without some serious chance of car skidding. See, while we live in Manayunk, my apartment is a good car ride and a somewhat steep hill (or two) away from all things Main Street.
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.
Obsessed With: Le Creuset Cassis and Lilac Collections
Posted by: | CommentsOne of the best investments besides my knives that I have made for the kitchen has been the Le Creuset. Le Creuset is functional, heats beautifully, cleans like a dream and, most importantly, looks gorgeous! Now you know I have been obsessed with all things Caribbean as Teal is my fave color, however when Sur La Table debuted Le Creuset’s new Cassis and Lilac collections, my jaw dropped. The Cassis color is this deep rich purple that reminds me of my great grandmother’s favorite chair. The Lilac bakeware brings a sense of spring to one’s kitchen and is a complement to any other Le Creuset pieces you may have.
I have come to this important realization – that my Caribbean and Red Le Creuset pieces can co-exist with the Cassis and Lilac collections that need to be in my kitchen. A bonus realization – the braiser definitely is coming home with me!
Lilac Bakeware Set – functional and beautiful
Cassis Cast Iron Braiser – I sooo need this (more than a pair of Tory Burch Revas!)
Check out the Cassis Dutch Ovens…
And isn’t this Mini Cocotte adorable? Mini Mac & Cheeses come to mind…
Images courtesy of Sur La Table
Gift Guide For The Aspiring Gourmet…
Posted by: | CommentsThe holidays are right around the corner and are you still stumped for that *perfect* gift for the foodie in your life? Well, Cooking in Stilettos is here to help. Some of these gifts are just too cute to pass up (even if it’s for yourself – shhh – don’t worry, I won’t tell).
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!
Obsessed With: Calphalon’s Contemporary Stainless Roaster Pan…
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Seriously, Food Network is going to be at the receiving end of a Come to Jesus chat from my wallet. Between the Le Creuset, Vietri, Emile Henry, etc. that I lust after and adore, my wallet is ready to smack me to high heaven. I mean, if you add up what this gal can spend in a year on just kitchen stuff and culinary exploits – well, we’re talking about a pair of Loubous – maybe more.
A year or so ago, I decided to add to my cookware collection with some stainless. I was never a fan of the All Clad – I wanted something that looked different, chic and well, like it belonged in my kitchen. So, after many an episode of Simply Delicioso, I realized that the chic cookware Ingrid Hoffman cooked with was, indeed, Calphalon – specifically the Contemporary Stainless line. I bought my first piece a few months ago and loved it. I’ve added to it bit by bit and have quite a few things on my wishlist. However thanks to one Ms. Sunny Anderson and her Chicken & Waffles segment that aired this weekend, I realized that I want, need and MUST HAVE the Calphalon Contemporary Stainless Roaster Pan. I mean, I could roast a chicken myself and not have to run to the store for a rotisserie chicken. It’s not just for holidays with a big turkey or ham – and economical. Well, kind of. Granted that I could get a pair of gorgeous nude “Paris” Black/White Ruffled Pumps for the same price as the pan but still – gorg. right?
Thankfully I have a 20% off coupon for Bed Bath & Beyond that might be put towards this lovely – well, after I’m done unpacking all my pots and pans for the kitchen…
