I'm not quite sure what's happening to me but it seems that some how color is slowly but surely making an appearance in my home (gasp!). Maybe it was my recent trip to the Rose Bowl Flea Market that got me loving color again — who knows, but I love it! More

I'm in love with this ring of 'cheap and cheerful' measuring spoons which is a little surprising since I'm not a big fan of plastic. But there's something so basic and practical about them. Nothing fancy here — they were probably were thrown in free with a Tupperware order circa 1962. At some point their looks became outdated and I'm sure most of their siblings have ended up in the landfill. But that is perhaps some of their charm: that they endured and in doing so have become more lovable. More

This square of rubber may not look like much, but in the last few weeks, it has quickly become one of my new favorite kitchen tools. It has single-handedly transformed the task of peeling persnickety cloves of garlic from annoying to easy-breezy. More

Cuisipro Stainless Steel Measuring Spoon Set

• $11.95
• Amazon

My measuring spoons are in sad shape — old plastic spoons with markings rubbed off — that sort of thing. My husband bought me this set of measuring spoons for Christmas, and they're delightful. Sturdy, narrow enough to fit in bottles, and with a curved handle that is perfect for prying open lids of spice tins.

Set includes 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 1 teaspoon and 1 tablespoon. Another set is available that includes pinch, 1/8, 2/3, 1-1/2, and 2 teaspoon spoons.

Recipe Sticky Notes from Knock Knock

• $3.75
• Knock Knock

Hoping to get some cookbooks for Christmas? Let's hope you get a pack of these delightful sticky notes in your stocking too. They're great for marking recipes you'd like to try, and then making notes on what was "flavorsome, toothsome, and loathsome."

3 x 3 inches; 100 sheets.
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Back when Coffee Joulies were just a Kickstarter project, I felt like these heat-absorbing beans that promised to cool your coffee to drinkable temperature and keep it there could turn into either an easily-dismissed gadget or a gimmick. A few weeks ago, I finally had a chance to try them for myself. More

Pyrex Balloon Whisk

• $11.98
• Amazon

I've been working on a book about pudding, so I have become something of a connoisseur of whisks. This Pyrex whisk is my latest find, a blend of wire whisk and silicone blades. It's not the right whisk for every job — it's too big to get in the corners of smaller pots — but it's fantastic for thoroughly whisking and aerating larger quantities. Easy to clean, too. More

Cookie baking should be fun and festive, not stressful and harried. To ensure this is always the case, prep your pantry and spice cupboard so they're sorted and stocked for the holiday season. More

On Thanksgiving day I emerged from the kitchen to make an important announcement. Actually, it was more of an ecstatic cheer. I have found The One! You see, ever since I parted with my old, classic can opener (after a decade of service it was warped and rusted), I have had a surprisingly difficult time finding a good replacement. More

Specialty: Professional grade, handcrafted steel knives
Price Range: ($$$) High-End

With years of experience working in professional kitchens behind him, Bob Kramer set out to perfect the culinary world's most important tool—the kitchen knife. More