FIVE FAVORITES: FOR THE KITCHEN

Ten years ago, the kitchen was the very last place I wanted to be. Today it's often the first place I want to be- especially on the weekends. Finding things to use in the kitchen that make being in the there that much more fun is a treat for me. Today I thought I would share a few of my recent faves. I wouldn't say these things are groundbreaking to say the least, but I use them often so I thought I would share!

.01. Donna Hay's Cookbook: "The New Classics": I discovered this cookbook while browsing in Anthropolgie and proceeded to spend almost 30 minutes sitting on the couch in the store flipping through this gorgeous book. Naturally I ordered it! I am a long-time fan of Donna Hay and this cookbook really shows off her amazing talent. Honestly, it's more like a really big 400 page food photography art book that has a bonus of great recipes. Some of the recipes classic recipes with a twist and some are just basic recipes that I swear have never looked so GOOD! A few recipes that grabbed my immediate attention were her Brownie Cookies w/ Peanut Butter Frosting, Ginger, Chili, & Lime Chicken, Garlic & Tarragon Seafood Hotpot, and the most beautiful Basic Lemon Tart. There are other recipes in the book that I wouldn't consider making - but seeing her stunning photos make me so interested in trying them. That's when you know a cookbook is a good cookbook...

.02. Ozeri Kitchen Scale: Maybe it's just me, but I feel like I'm seeing more and more recipes with ingredients in ounces and grams than in teaspoons and cups. I get so frustrated when a recipe (especially a dessert) calls for 8oz of something that is packaged in a 12oz bag. So I purchased this scale, which has been quite helpful! It's very sleek, accurate, and doesn't take up a ton of room in my already packed cabinets. Love it.

.03. "Food Network" on SnapChat: Just when I thought I couldn't get bear yet ANOTHER form of social media, I get hooked on SnapChat. I have an account, but I'm only SnapChat stalking for now. Food Network is one of my favorite accounts. The account features 10 stories (that update daily), that consist of kitchen tips, really great recipes, and personal stories of people on the Food Network staff. The way the content is put together is really creative, so it's definitely something I check daily!

.04. Crate & Barrel Aspen Dinner Plate: A classic white plate is a classic white plate - but they are all different in quality. Gosh I've learned that the hard way! I've been using a set of these simple white plates as my everyday dishware for over a year now and none of them have broken or have magically chipped in the dishwasher. I bought the set of 8 plates for a deeper discount and it was so worth it! The reviews for the plates are spot on...

.05. Method Grapefruit All-Purpose Cleaner: I have slowly been changing out all of my cleaners at home to products that are friendlier to the environment. I know that vinegar and a little lemon juice makes the perfect all-purpose cleaner, but I just can't stand the smell of vinegar. Not even the slightest smell of it. Period. I've tried. So my go-to cleaner is Method's Grapefruit All-Purpose Cleaner. I use it in the kitchen (I even clean my gas stove with it!) and in the bathrooms. It's affordable cleans well, smells great, and can be found at Target, on Amazon, and pretty much any grocery store.