Pastry scrapers really need their own infomercial. It slices! It dices! It cleans up gunked on messes! I use mine for all of the above. More

Learning how to choose the right cut flowers is the first step in creating an arrangement that will stay fresh and vibrant longer. If you're skipping the florist for Valentine's Day, here are a few tips for picking something up yourself.

• How To Choose Fresh Cut Flowers
  Apartment Therapy More

I spent this past weekend cooking for a large party, which meant six- to eight-hour stretches on my feet on a hard kitchen floor. Yet at the end of it all, I had very little back and leg pain thanks to my trusty Dansko clogs. More

No matter who you're with this Valentine's evening, you probably want a meal that is simple yet a treat — something easy to pull together after work, a meal to make you sink into the enjoyment of a quiet evening at home. Here are some suggestions for you: Foolproof instructions for cooking a perfect steak, and a dish of creamy pasta with lemon and hazelnuts. There are some quick, no-cook appetizers, a boozy cup of mocha, and a fizzy pink cocktail. And dessert, of course — the best brownies we know how to make, and a chocolate mousse to dream over. Oh, and real crème brûlée. If that doesn't get you in a Valentine's mood we don't know what will! More

As a restaurant employee, let me just say this. Please don't go out to dinner on Valentine's Day. In fact, please stay home the week before and after. I beg of you. I won't elaborate, but why fight for a reservation when you can cook up a delicious, romantic meal in the privacy of your own home.

More

It's about this time of year that I start getting antsy, culinarily speaking. It's still winter and my body craves those hearty dishes of squash and legumes. But I'm also ready for the bright, fresh flavors of spring. This couscous salad with its roasted squash and citrusy vinaigrette bridges the gap. More

Specialty: Inspired touches for your kitchen and beyond
Price Range: ($$) Mid-Range

The trend toward curated shopping makes me happy. I love discovering a new site with a smaller selection of charming objects that tell a story about the owner. Leif's story is that it's those little touches that bring big personality to a space. We couldn't agree more.
More

This post is timely for me because I just moved into a new house and spent all last week setting up our kitchen and pantry, organizing the basement, painting, and making a few dump runs. Moving, as most of you already know, has a way of forcing you to think about what you really use and reevaluating the rest. The pantry is no exception. More

Q: I recently received a bag of "Schokonudeln" (chocolate noodles). I hate to let anything go to waste, so I'm determined to make something out of these.

I don't think they're sweet. The ingredient list is simply durum semolina, eggs-20%, and cocoa powder-6%. I thought about making some variation of Cincinnati chili, although these aren't spaghetti noodles. Of course, if they turn out to be sweetened, it may be hard to do a savory dish. Any thoughts?

Sent by Crystal More

IKEA furniture is great but we always love it even more when it has been altered. In addition to the usual DIYing we see, there's a whole industry of aftermarket add-ons for customizing IKEA furniture...

• Resources for Customizing Ikea
  Apartment Therapy More