Coffeemaker Crazy

As much as I hate to part with my tiffany blue coffee maker, I think the time has finally come.  It turns off mid-brew, and the "on" button is completely missing so turning it on requires a bit of skill. So, after four years of loyal coffee brewing, I began the search for a new coffee maker. Turns out it's not as easy as I had imagined. I have already brought two home and returned them and am up to my ears reading reviews. I want something that will flow with the white and bamboo in our kitchen, but I also want it to have a slightly retro feel. 

Here are some of the current contenders:

Kitchenaid vs. Cuisinart

These are (obviously) very similar styles, and both of them have mixed reviews. Half the purchasers love their choice, and the other half hate it.

Hamilton Beach vs. Cuisinart

The HB reviews state that it is difficult to pour cold water in the the reservoir, which really is quite small. A few Cuisinart reviewers said that their units stopped working after only six months.

Krupps vs. DeLonghi

Same mixed reviews with Krupps... water drips on the outside, coffee drips when pours. I do really like the look of it, though. The Delonghi has no reviews. (Is that good or bad?!)

What are your opinions? I want something that will look great sitting on the counter, but I also want it to work well for the next several years. What coffee makers do you use?

xoxo

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Summer Entertaining

Besides the incredible southern heat, summer also brings us endless opportunities for cookouts and entertaining. I love having people over to our apartment, and bar-b-ques are definitely one of the best ways to spend an evening. Here are some of my recent favorites for your summer entertaining.

1. Helianthus Goblet
2. Charcoal Picnic Grill
3. Leaf Pile Floor Cushion 
4. Seagrass Carafe 
5. Camps Bay Recycled Radio
6. Leap Frog Floor Cushion
7. Summer Flower Coasters 
8. Beast's Feast Bowl
9. Ice Invaders Ice Cube Tray
10. Kitchen Line Up Apron 
11. Sorrento Dinner Plates
12. Citronella Tea Lights




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oatmeal isn't just for breakfast

i love oatmeal. which is kind of weird considering that i just recently {as in this past summer, recently} began eating it in it's intended, breakfast cereal form. {we have husband to thank for that. i am now addicted to oatmeal with brown sugar and strawberries.}

even though i never had the taste for oatmeal cereal, oatmeal raisin cookies have been my favorite since i was a child. i still love the good old chocolate chip cookies {especially oatmeal chocolate chip cookies}, but there is something about the cinnamon-y, nutmeg-y taste of an oatmeal raisin cookie that just makes my day.


so recently i decided to try a couple martha stewart oatmeal cookie recipes. the first was a simple oatmeal, cranberry, and walnut variety that i made for a sweet friend's birthday. the recipe is pretty healthy since it calls for applesauce & whole wheat flour, and i love the combination of cranberries and walnuts in just about anything.


the second recipe that i am trying is for peanut butter-chocolate chip oatmeal cookies. these will be a bit more indulgent seeing as how the recipe calls for whole, salted peanuts {although i bought the ones that said lightly salted}, 1/2 cup of natural peanut butter, and chocolate chips. yum. i will let you know how they turn out!


what are your favorite types of cookies {besides chocolate chip}?
xoxo


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you know you're an adult when...

... you get super excited over the prospect of new cookware and appliances.


the background story:
lately our blender has been leaking from the bottom, spilling strawberry-banana-chocolate-soy-milk smoothies all over our white counter tops and into the blender base. it also has the tendency to spew chocolate soy milk out of the lid during its mixing process for no apparent reason. then, our saute pan decided to flake off into our scrambled eggs the other day. i guess that's what i get for buying the adorable, inexpensive pink pan from tj maxx.

i did a bit of research regarding which are the "safest" types of cookware {ones that won't flake off and give us cancer}, which are the longest-lasting, and which are the most eco-friendly. i basically found that stainless steel and cast iron are the way to go with pots/pans, and aluminum or glass is best for baking. as for cookies sheets, i would like to find one that is 100% aluminum, but i may just get a silicone liner for the cheap ones we have now.

so, husband and i are going to make a trek to macy's this weekend to use some of our gift card money from the wedding {it's a good thing we have gift cards. i never realized how expensive blenders and pans could be!} to purchase one/some of the following:

{a turquoise kitchenaid blender}

{a silpat liner for cookie sheets}

{stainless steel saute pan/deep skillet}

{cast iron skillet}
we received a martha stewart enameled cast iron casserole for our wedding that i absolutely love, so i am leaning towards the cast iron option. also, the idea of not having to replace them {at least for a reallllly long time} is incredibly appealing.

our need for new cookware really has me rethinking all of the cheap bakeware and pans from target and tj maxx that got me through college. i am really looking forward to investing in a few key pieces that will be healthier for us and will last much longer.


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gifts for: the baker/cook/chef

for the person who loves to cook or bake,

any of these items will definitely bring about smiles.

an apron for days spent up to their elbows in cooking/baking:

{get it here}

fancy pot holders to brighten their kitchen:

{get them here}

a milk bottle carafe for homemade juices:

{get it here}

ceramic ruled measuring cups for all their recipes:

{get it here}

a unique timer for keeping track of what's in the oven:

{get it here}

a set of eco-friendly mixing bowls for years of baking:

{get them here}

happy holiday baking and cooking to you all.

xoxo

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cup vs. mug

the other day my bestie and i had a conversation

about coffee cups vs. coffee mugs.

as much as i love many of my vintage tea cups,
i drink my daily coffee out of over sized mugs,

even if i don't fill it up all the way.

i just like the feeling of a big, warm cup in my tiny hands.

a mug filled with hot chocolate mix and peppermint

or spiced tea and gingerbread

is a simple, personal gift for anyone on your list

that won't send you into financial distress.

an easy place to find unique mugs is anthro

or search online for really unique mugs

husband would love this trigger mug from a+r

this hand painted tree mug from etsy is perfect for an outdoorsy guy or gal

a monogram mug from this seller is an easy gift for anyone on your list

vintage tea cups definitely have their place in my life,

but as for daily use, i am a mug type of gal.

what about you?

are you a cup or a mug person?

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opinions, please!

one item that i have long been coveting for in my kitchen
is a kitchen aid electric stand mixer.
i absolutely love to bake, and i know i would use it quite often,
so it definitely is not a matter of if i will purchase one
but more a matter of when i will purchase one.

that being said, i placed one on our wedding registry
simply hoping to acquire enough gift card credit to purchase it.
this coming weekend, macys is doing a friends and family discount,
and i think it is time to take the plunge.
between gift cards and the discount, it's not a bad price.
here's my issue.....


this is the one i originally wanted {the one that i registered for}
i simply adore the color.
i think the turquoise makes the mixer look that much more vintage,
and you know how much i want to rework my kitchen
into a vintage turquoise and red color scheme
and how much i like turquoise in any room in our home.


here is the more practical option:
i am definitely not drawn to the white, but i don't really mind it.
the only reason it is in the running is price.
this one is $100 less.***
it is a bit smaller than its competition,
but honestly, it's pretty comparable.
also, it is a color than can be incorporated into any kitchen.
i do love my red and turquoise and don't foresee that changing,
but in thirty years i may feel differently.
{and yes, i plan on still using it in thirty years. it's a lifetime kind of appliance.}


so, my dears, what would you do?
go with the prettier, more expensive one since we are using gift cards
or go with the less colorful, less expensive one
and use excess gift cards for something else fun as well
{a nice menswear watch, makeup from benefit, jeans for husband}
??????

***EDIT: after the discount/coupon the difference between the two is $70.

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finishing touches

with the cool weather setting in

and the thanksgiving holiday around the corner,

i have started to think more and more about christmas presents.

{things to give, not receive!}

this year i decided to make all of my presents in the kitchen.

although a bit nervous about this rather large undertaking,

i think it will be a fun, personal way to give one of the things that i love the most,

the comfort of homemade, delicious food.

i am still tweaking the recipe list,

{check back for a detailed account later!}

but i have started to think about packaging a bit.

i know i want to find some mini mason jars for one of the goodies,

and i stumbled upon nice package when looking for finishing touches.

the site has adorable tags, twine, boxes,

and anything else you may need to wrap sweet little gifts

{or even do a bit of decorating}

i love these metallic tab stickers, especially as a garland on a brown box

personalized award ribbon tags

to make brown paper packages that much more special

this pennant bunting is simple and sweet

i love the personalized simplicity of it all,

and i think it is quite perfect for the types of gifts i will be giving this year.

stop by nice package and look through their creative gift wrap ideas.

which one is your favorite?

xoxo

images courtesy of nice package

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winter squash

i love vegetables. i really do.
so i was pretty excited to figure out a simple, but delicious way
to prepare acorn squash.
it's a bit intimidating to figure out what to do
with odd vegetables like winter squash,
but this paula deen recipe was quite scrumptious:
{and quite simple as well.}


cut the squash in half and pull out the seeds and pulp.
{but don't throw the seeds away! you can roast these in the oven with a bit of salt & pepper for about ten minutes for a really great snack!}
mix together 2 tbl spoons butter, 2 tbl spoons brown sugar, and 1-2 tbl spoons maple syrup
{i only used about 1 tbl spoon syrup to keep it from being too sweet}.
to make a paste, and spread over the squash cavities and rims.
bake at 400 for an hour.

the squash will come out a golden color,
and mine had melted butter/sugar mix pooled in the center,
which solidified into a yummy, sweet glaze.


sometime this weekend i plan to try a recipe
from one of my favorite chefs,
giada's roasted acorn squash and gorgonzola pizza
{i am convinced she and i would be friends if we met in real life. don't laugh.}
i think it will be another addition to my growing list of wonderful recipes.

i'll let you know how it turns out!
xoxo



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coloring {inside} the lines

i am absolutely dying to paint the walls in our apartment,

but unfortunately, it is very much against the rules.

still, i am so inspired by these lovely images

and wish that i could paint our walls turquoise.

in a living room or den:

image credit

image credit

in a bedroom in combination with chartreuse:

image credit

in a vintage kitchen with pops of red:

image credit

behind the sofa with a "keep calm and carry on" print:

image credit

in an office with black and white contrast:

image credit

or perhaps a turquoise door somewhere?

image credit

definitely in our next home.

the only problem would be deciding which room....

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How Cute is This?

I know this may be a bit nerdy, but I receive a daily craft from Martha Stewart's website via email. Yesterday's craft was too adorable not to share: a Twig Trivet!

I really love the idea of taking something ordinary that one would normally toss aside and using it for something unique, yet practical. Not to mention that this project is eco-friendly! Click here for directions on how to make one yourself! Another idea is to bundle old wine corks together with industrial metal zip ties to make a trivet. I plan on completing both of these DIY projects in the near future and will let you know how they turn out!

image courtesy of MarthaStewart.com

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Family Ties

My grandmother recently passed down quite a bit of her vintage furniture and cookware, and it is currently abiding in my kitchen. (Unfortunately, most of the furniture is residing in storage until August.) Among some of the items that she gave me were sets of pyrex dishes, salt and pepper shakers, old cracker and coffee tins, a set of heavy mixing bowls, and a lovely soap dish. All of the kitchen accessories are things that I would have bought at an antique store, so to receive them for free was very exciting. Not to mention the sentimental value in that they were hers. Because I am so close to my mother, spending time with my grandmother was quite natural, especially since she lived across the street. Each time I cook or bake using my grandmother's cookware, I will have wonderful memories of doing the same at her house when I was young.

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Banana Not-so-Coffee Muffins

As I have mentioned before, one of my favorite pastimes is baking, and yesterday I decided to give the Banana Coffee Muffin recipe a try. Although the muffins turned out quite tasty, there was no trace of coffee flavor to be found. I was slightly disappointed since I brewed extra strong coffee and used a bit more than what the recipe suggested. Perhaps next time I will use espresso instead. Even still, they were a delicious addition to my morning cuppa joe.

The muffins did, however, provide an opportunity to utilize the lovely cake stand and serving tray that my sister gave me for Christmas. Merci ma soeur!

Ingredients:

1/3 cup melted butter

4 ripe bananas, smashed

3/4 cup sugar

1 egg, beaten

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/2 tablespoons strong coffee

1 teaspoon baking soda

Pinch salt

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup chopped pecans, toasted or raw (I actually used walnuts and placed them on the top of the muffins instead.)

How to:

Preheat oven to 350, and prepare muffin tin with grease or with paper liners. With a wooden spoon, mix butter into the mashed bananas in a large mixing bowl. Mix in the sugar, egg, coffee and vanilla. Sprinkle the baking soda and salt over the mixture and mix in. Add the flour, mix until it is just incorporated. Fold in the chopped pecans. Pour mixture into a prepared muffin tin. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes. Cool on a rack.

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