Unique Tableware by Aldo Bakker

The stunning white porcelain tableware collection by Dutch designer Aldo Bakker caught me eye. His graceful pieces were studied to fulfill a specific function. He likes his pieces to be tactile. Usually, they take their meaning when you hold them in your hands.

I was intrigued by the oil platter. The two surfaces of the oil platter work together. You pour the olive oil on the horizontal dish. You turn it slightly on the side to brush your bread against the vertical dish. You end up with the right amount of oil on your bread piece.

Although I admire the concept, I wonder how effective the oil platter is in a real-life application. How long are you willing to hold the oil platter on your hand? How well the oil stays on the dish when you put it on the table?

More Serving Ware

The salt cellar seems to be the more practical of the entire collection. I imagine it as an elegant way to serve fleur de sel at the table. His water carafe rests on a table on the side instead of standing tall. You need to hold the carafe with your both hands to serve water.

I am curious. Are they are more than conversation pieces? Have any of you seen and use these pieces? If so, how do they perform?

SOURCING:
+ Oil Platter by Aldo Bakker $169 USD
+ Salt Cellar $129
+ Water Carafe $229
+ Aldo Bakker’s Web site

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The Homesteader’s Kitchen | Book review

Robin Burnside wrote a cookbook that promotes a lifestyle from the farm to your table. One aspect of The Homesteader’s Kitchen that I enjoy is her desire to teach people how to make your salad dressings and sauces from scratch. Making your own sauce or dressing is healthier, tastier, and it often only takes a few extra minutes to make your own. You will also learn how to make your own yogurt, crème fraîche, corn tortillas, ghee and ponzu sauce.

You also get recipes for beverages, breakfast, breads, soups, vegetarian entrees, fish, poultry and meat entrees, plus desserts. The Chicken Dijon with fresh dill is a quick and easy recipe to prepare on a weekday. On average, a dozen recipes are presented per category.

The tone of the book is comforting. For example, when she talked about pie making, Robin suggested to start with an open-faced pie. She mentioned where we should be careful when making our piecrust. Her writing style might inspire novice cooks to cook and bake more often for their family.

Robin Burnside was co-owner, chef and baker of Carmel Café in Carmel and Café Amphora at Nepenthe in Big Sur.

SOURCING:
+ For Americans: The Homesteader’s Kitchen by Robin Burnside $14.39 USD at Amazon.com [affiliate link]
+ For Canadians: The Homesteader’s Kitchen by Robin Burnside $23.99 CAD at Amazon.ca [affiliate link]
+ The Homesteader’s Kitchen Web site

Disclaimer: I received a free copy from the publicist of Gibbs-Smith (the publisher), with no commitments from my part. I featured this cookbook because I like it.

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Remember the Order of Operations in math? Well, this is like that—but for your face

If you’re of the Barbie school of thought (“Math is hard!”), then I hope I haven’t ruined your day by mixing math with makeup. And skincare.

But seriously—you should’ve been paying attention in class when they talked about the Order of Operations. Remember that? It’s the order in which you’re supposed to add/subtract/multiply/divide… and goodness me, similar rules exist in beauty!

I’m talking about the order in which you should be apply products to your face. Here’s how it should go. If you’re not doing this, I’m sorry, but—UR DOIN IT RONG.

More here: Remember the Order of Operations in math? Well, this is like that—but for your face

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Britain Buffet Servers for an Elegant Buffet Table

Elegant buffet servers enhance the look of your table. Holders and caddies are handy to bring the plates and flatware from your kitchen to the table. The pattern of the Britain Buffet Servers is neither truly traditional nor modern. And the beauty of pewter means that this set will never go out of style. I like it to bring a formal sense to your buffet table.

Made of pewter, the Britain Buffet Servers are handcrafted in Italy. The baker and flatware caddies come with dishwasher-safe, microwave-safe, and oven-safe glass inserts. They are available at Horchow.

SOURCING:
+ Pewter Flatware Caddy $340 USD
+ Pewter Dinner Plate Holder $240
+ Pewter Salad Plate Holder $200
+ Pewter Single Baker $230
+ Pewter Double Baker $230

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Simple Ceramic Dinnerware

These tableware pieces are produced by a ceramics studio in Jersey City and sold at Canvas. I appreciate their simple lines. I usually lean towards simple dinnerware because they give me more freedom when I design my tabletops. I let the ad-hoc accessories and decorative elements create the punch.

And no one can deny that the styled pictures make the bowls and plates more desirable. Good photography sells whether you are a retailer or a blogger. Canvas is a retailer that specializes in home products created by artisans and craftsmen from the US and abroad.

My favorite pieces are:

+ Hand-Made Earthenware Cooking Utensil Holder in a matte white finish$56 USD
+ Earthenware Colander w/ Saucer that is unfortunately sold out
+ Bistroware Small Pasta Bowls in vintage white finish $18
+ Glass mini Carafe $18

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Visit link: Simple Ceramic Dinnerware

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(Million-dollar) reader question: Is there a difference between salon and drugstore products?

Oh boy. Reader Kate really cut to the chase with this question, didn’t she:

[A]s far as using a good shampoo and conditioner for damage, do you find there is a big difference between drugstore and salon brands? Is it worth it to buy Kérastase over Pantene?

This is the kind of thing that keeps beauty editors up at night. (Okay, not really.) But ask any beauty editor on a magazine’s payroll and she’ll dance around it like the cast of Jersey Shore at Karma. (How do I know that’s the nightclub they go to? OF COURSE I don’t watch that show.)

But since I’m not beholden to any publishing house here (who are, as you know, not about to displease any advertisers), I can give my honest opinion on the whole Drugstore versus Salon Dilemma…

See the article here: (Million-dollar) reader question: Is there a difference between salon and drugstore products?

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Betty White: Bestest Curmudgeon Ever

No-one does cantankerous better than Betty White. … [visit site to read more]

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The Collectible Momiji Dolls, Mugs and Key Rings

The Momiji Dolls are just for little girls. It is mostly young women who collect them. Each hand-painted Momiji highlights a personality trait and has her own look.  The collection is created by up and coming designers from around the planet. The dolls are as diverse as the designers who made it, which means that they don’t always have an Asian flair.

You can find derivatives products such as key rings, mugs, notebooks, pens and bags. I would hang the key ring on a purse, a handbag and simply use it as a key chain. The doll prices range from $10 to $16 and the key rings are at $7.50 on the US online store of Momiji. They are so adorable that I might become a collector. They fit nicely in a wooden rack.

Founded in 2005, Momiji HQ is a little office in Henley in a small English village called Arden. The village is famous for its ice cream.

SOURCING:
+ Enamel key ring: lucky $7.50 USD
+ Enamel key ring: sister $7.50
+ Enamel key ring: best friends $7.50
+ Dancing Girl Momiji doll $16
+ Dancing Girl Momiji mug $10
+ Poppet Momiji mug $10
+ Mabel in box $15

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Fast Weight Loss

A Mermaid Birthday Party for a 4 Years Old

Sherry Willis wrote to me about the nice Mermaid Birthday party she hosted for her 4-year old daughter. She did a great job designing cute cupcake and cake toppers, fun games to occupy the kids and imagining the party decor.

I like the idea of decorating an homemade Bean Bean Bag Toss game. It’s a simple idea that adds a personal touch to the party. Another fun activity was the fishing game. She custom made everything. Each guest has a bucket with a name tag to put in their catch of the day.

With a little work and creativity, it is not that hard nor expensive to tailor a kids birthday theme. To give you a head start, you can stop by Sherry’s etsy shop. She sells banners, cake toppers, birthday hats, favor tags and invites. Have a look at her Circus party favor tags. The Mermaid theme should be available in a near future.

SOURCING:
+ More details about this party at Party Pops
+ Party Pops shop on etsy

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