What Was the Last Small Appliance You Bought, and Do You Love It?

I look at kitchen gear the way some other girls look at shoes and babies. I want it all! And I want to hug it and kiss it and pinch its little toaster cheeks. Okay, that’s weird to say, I admit. But you get my point. I’m obsessed with juice glasses, wooden spoons, and especially all the things in the small-appliance department.

I’m constantly looking sideways at my food processor, hand mixer, and microwave. Are you not working properly any more? Oooo, maybe it’s time to replace you! I’ve given more coffee makers to friends than birthday cards (I’ll give them my old machines when I get a new one).

Don’t worry — I’m not going out and buying immersion blenders all willy nilly. In fact, my first stand mixer was my grandmother’s, which I held onto for about 10 years before getting a pretty brushed copper one for my wedding. If I don’t have a legit reason to buy a new small appliance, I at least like looking at all the stuff in the store. (And then I cry and whine a little bit when my husband drags me away — empty-handed.)

All of this is to say that I like small appliances. A lot. Some of you may feel the same as me. Some of you might browse the aisle the way I do. Some of you might still be in love with whatever hand-me-down you’ve been using for the past 20 years.

Regardless, I want to hear from you: When was the last time you got a new small appliance? Was it to replace something you already had and no longer loved? Was it to fill a void in your kitchen? What did you get, and is it the best thing to ever happen to you? Discuss in the comments!