Tax Return Wednesday Wishlist!

It’s the 15th of April, you guys, I hope you all got your taxes in and got some money back.  Because if you did, it’s time to stimulate the economy with some products that are both helpful and decorative. Or, I guess you could save it, too.  That’s probably the more prudent thing to do.  But forget I said that and check out these awesome items:

1. SILPOURA

This genius device makes it easy to drain your pasta, or pour out the fat from a pot without all the contents tumbling out, a problem I face often. Apparently you can use it to just pour things too, which seems so simple but makes a big difference.

Buy it here.

 

2. TIPPY TEA TOWELS

Now this is my kind of tea towel. As much as I love Earl Grey, Green Jasmine, and Oolong, when you’re having a party, Whiskey, Gin, and  Vodka are the real stars.

Available at Dot & Bo

 

3. CERAMIC RULED PITCHER

As a science nerd, I loved, and still love, the look of beakers. They’re so clean and scientific and easy to use. Plus, it secretly used to make me feel like a mad scientist, and, also, I was really cool in high school.

This pitcher puts a fun twist on a classic, more home-y than science-y, and would make me feel like a mad kitchen scientist, which I’m totally okay with!

Available at Domino.

 

4. ONYX CUTLERY SET

Silver or stainless steel is sooooooo 2010.  It’s all about ONYX now.  How sexy would this cutlery set look on my (or your) eating table? Classic shapes but with a modern color and style, this will definitely make eating feel so much cooler than before.

From Dwell Studio

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Wish(list)ing it Was the Weekend

*Yawn*

Mondays get a bad rap. It’s Wednesday that is the roughest day of the week.  It’s the last climb toward the top of the mid-week hump before the slide down to the weekend. The worst is when you wake up and think it’s Thursday and that the weekend is almost here, only to realize that was wishful thinking.

Speaking of wishful thinking, I do a lot of running around town for my day job, including going into every store imaginable. Fortunately that gives me time to browse stores I don’t normally get into, mostly because I can’t afford them (yet!), but I’m always pleasantly surprised when I find things that are both stylish and affordable.  For example:

1. KALEIDO TRAYS

Remember Tangrams? It’s like they grew up and became functional. Just looking at this picture makes me want to move the pieces around to create different designs! Obviously while eating the various items I will put in them so that at the end it’s like a big reveal of the final design.  Sometimes you have to create some suspense to keep it interesting.

Buy them at Design Within Reach

2. TRYGG SERVING BOWL

Ah, Ikea.  The mainstay of college dorm rooms and apartments, that tries so hard to make a home feel classy and modern.  Sometimes it works!  Sometimes…you can tell it’s from Ikea. And why is there always one extra piece whenever you put Ikea furniture together?

Anyway, for affordable accessories for your kitchen, they can’t be beat. This glass serving bowl is only $2.49!  $2.49!! It’s design is simple enough that it can go with any sort of theme you have going on, or you can use them as mixing bowls and feel like you’re on a cooking show because you’ll look so professional!

It’s at Ikea!

3. PERFECT ICE CUBE TRAYS

If there’s one thing my boyfriend and I fight about over it’s who forgot to make more ice.  (I think it should be whoever finished one of the ice trays, he thinks it should be me.  RAGE.) We aren’t blessed with an ice maker in our fridge, just two plastic ice trays. The kind that you either have to try real carefully to take out, or shake real hard and hope you catch most of it. So these silicone ice trays are definitely on my wish list.  Easy to get ice out of, and they make perfect little squares which are way cute in cocktails. I want 8 of them.  SO WE NEVER RUN OUT OF ICE.

Available at Amazon or many other places.

4. BEAUTY IS ON THE INSIDE VASE

It’s true that it’s not what you look like on the outside, but on the inside that counts. That’s the saying, at least.  In the case of this vase, it’s very literal. But fortunately this happens to be a beautiful concrete vase on the outside, which only enhances what’s on the inside.  Just like real life!  Wait. That sounds shallow. Is that shallow?  We’re all beautiful, no matter what I they say.

At BoConcept

That’s all for today.  Hopefully it makes Wednesday go a little faster!  We’re coming for you, weekend.

March? Already?

It’s March already! How did that happen so quick, weren’t we just celebrating the New Year (in Vegas. With Britney.)?

The days have been getting longer, and this weekend we lose that precious hour of sleep. But it also means the trees are in full bloom, the days are warmer…well, not for a lot of you non-Californians, I hear. But the point is, we’re heading into my favorite time of year: Spring! Full of renewal, bright greens, fresh flowers, and maybe my birthday. So if you’re thinking of gift-giving, a few of the following ideas might be helpful. *winkwink*

 

1. WONDER VALLEY OLIVE OIL

From not-too-far out in the desert comes a new olive oil that sounds delicious and full of promise. Described as “buttery, herbaceous, fruitful, and grassy,” Wonder Valley Olive Oil captures the history of Ancient Rome along with the magic of Joshua Tree.  I love anything made in California, and with a limited first pressing, this olive oil definitely lands at the top of my wishlist this week. I can’t wait to try it!

Grab a bottle at Wonder Valley. 

 

2. VINTAGE FRENCH BAR

I’ve decided that 2015 is the year I put together a proper bar area in my apartment.  A place I can keep my fine liquors and barware, and impress my guests with my cocktailing skills.  And by “guests” I mean “myself.”  Most nights of the week. This antique bar from Restoration Hardware is classic yet modern and will make you feel like the most civilized bartender in town.

Check it out at Restoration Hardware.

 

3. VODKA COASTERS

 

There’s not one of us who can’t relate to this. Cell phones + alcohol = awkward next-day conversations where you try to convince someone that, really, it wasn’t you who said that weird thing, it was that saucy minx, Vodka. She’s got sticky fingers when it comes to cell phones, and she knows just the wrong thing to say.  But if they don’t believe you, this subtle reminder will help.

Available at Sur La Table.

 

4. TEA(M) TOWELS

 

 

A good couple is made of people who are a great team together. The type who can dance around each other in the kitchen at optimum efficiency, and who complement each other in every way. These hand-printed, cotton Tea(m) Towels epitomize great teamwork in the kitchen and make a nice conversation piece.  Though, now that I’m thinking about it, there seems to be a lot of “I’ll cook, I’ll clean” in my house…

Buy from Blackbird Tees on Etsy. 

 

5. METAL CANISTER SET

 

Who doesn’t love a little bling in the kitchen? These stylish copper/silver/gold hued stainless steel canisters are perfect for storing your dry goods in a place you can have them on show, instead of hidden in a cupboard. Coffee, tea, rice, polenta, quinoa, whatever it may be, I’m sure it will feel much more exciting to scoop it out of a gold canister.

Glam your kitchen up at CB2.