I'm a serious person. I was forty years old in my own mind by the time I was in first grade. But having children has made me a little more fun. We spend a lot of time in the kitchen, and they've found some silly kitchen tools that make me smile and are just as functional as their more mature counterparts.

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If you've grown tired of run-of-the mill cookie cutter shapes — the star, the heart, the Christmas tree — then you're going to love Printmeneer. This small Dutch company makes the coolest cookie cutter shapes: diamonds, clouds, mountain range profiles, pig cuts, penguins, even a Herschel graph! And they're all made using a 3D printer.

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Do you have a mandoline hiding in the back of your pantry, just begging to be used? Get into the habit with these recipes and tips for making the most out of this versatile tool. More

Q: I am one of those "can't boil water" people who never really cooks. I want to learn, but I'm not sure where to start. I'm finally moving into my own place this summer and I don't have any tools of my own. What do I need and what are some easy recipes that I can start learning with?

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I am a huge fan of the slow cooker. It's not for everyone, but for me, I love being able to assemble a slow-cooker meal in the morning (when I have time) and know that it will be hot and delicious by dinner (when time is in short commodity). I've gotten pretty good at spotting recipes with slow-cooker potential over the years. Here's my best advice.

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A reader recently expressed her frustration with the available selection of ugly, plastic cake keepers. She wanted something pretty she could display on her countertop, but also something with a lid to keep things fresh. Well, there are plenty of options that marry those two functions! Here are 10 lovely places to start:

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Do you know the quickest way to dull a knife? Turns out there are three. I'm the first to admit I've done two out of three of these things at one time or another, but now I know better — and you can, too! 

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Sometimes there are just no words. I mean, this is... I don't know. Amazing? Incredibly ingenious? Completely wacked out and hilarious? But hey, you have to admit it's practical. Why carry a lunch bag when you can just wear one? All kinds of questions arise, though: does she match her snacks to her clothes? Does she follow the rule of style to 'look in the mirror and take one thing off' and take out one snack instead? The mind boggles.

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How cute are these fruit-shaped wooden serving boards? They're perfect for small appetizers, with just the right amount of whimsy. (Take note of the painted edges.) And they're made in Vermont!

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I absolutely love the smooth chicness of anything matte black, particularly in the kitchen. With so much that's already bright and shiny in that room — stainless steel appliances! Shimmering tile! Glossy ceramic plates! — I find matte textures a welcome diversion. They're understated yet still glamorous. Here are a few matte black kitchen and dining things I've had my eye on lately, from a simple faceted vase to a mind-blowing Bertazzoni range. (Guess which one I will not be purchasing anytime soon.)

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