Our only gripe about making muffins and cupcakes is the laborious ladling, spoon by spoon, of batter into the cups. We always drip and splatter everywhere, too. This little pitcher promises to make all that much easier. More

We just noticed that one of our very favorite carafes is on deep sale over at VivaTerra. Not only is it beautiful, but it's also green - made of recycled glass. More

Well, summer's in full swing and the Fourth of July is only a few days away! We've been drinking a lot of iced tea, and this pitcher is perfect for it. More

As much as we love the idea of Southern hospitality, with sweet tea made a day ahead and properly chilled for a night in the fridge, we are rather more prone to sudden strokes of craving for iced tea. We think of it and want it and yet are forced to drink either weak or warm tea. Enter the Tea Forté Tea-Over-Ice brewing pitcher. More

Among many coffee purists the Chemex brewer is the gold standard. Its elegant shape is perfectly melded to function, and it's a design classic that resides in the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art and the Smithsonian. But how's the coffee? More

Simple carafe. This Palsby Lidded Carafe is a lovely meld of form and function. The lid seals with a silicone gasket , and it's small enough to fit in the refrigerator door. Dishwasher safe, too. Sturdy yet beautiful - the best kind of kitchen design. $35 at Canoe.

File under good ideas: this Pitcher with Insert from Crate & Barrel has a column inside that can be filled with ice to keep your drinks frosty cold without the quick dilution of melting ice. You can fill with any of your favorite cold drinks and lounge outside while it stays cold.

It's glass and it holds a generous 61 ounces - almost two liters. It's $8.95 online and at Crate & Barrel stores.