Lovin' From the Oven

My 2012 Holiday Gift Guide for the Baker

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How are you guys doing on your holiday shopping? Are you all finished? Have been since June? I’m usually more of a last minute shopper, but I somehow was able to finish all my shopping before December.
Just in case you were still looking for that “perfect” gift, I’ve compiled a list to help you out for that baker/foodie/kitchen fiend friend of yours.
Books:
1. The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook by Deb Perelman: $19.75 – I’m a huge fan of Smitten Kitchen’s blog and link back quite a bit to her page. I’m so excited that she was able to put together a cookbook of her own and show off her talented work. Deb’s book won’t disappoint the blog reader.
2. Bouchon Bakery by Thomas Keller: $24.99 – This book covers savory, sweet, easy, and complicated recipes. It’s a versatile book for every kind of baker.
3. Baking: From My Home to Yours by Dorie Greenspan: $25.97 – I probably repeat this way too much on my blog, but this really is my favorite cookbook.
4. The Cookie Dough Lover’s Cookbook by Lindsay Landis: $12.71 – Every recipe has cookie dough. Every. Single. One.

Gifts under $10:

 

1. Baker’s Twine Sampler from hobbiesfromtheheart on Etsy: $9.99 – I’m currently obsessed with twine. Decorate with it, wrap up some cookies, secure a package… I’d love to have it in every single color!
2. Half-Dozen Egg Cart from Anthropologie: $8.40 – Use this to carry eggs or jewelry. Same thing.
3. Assorted Blue Cupcake Liner Pack from CupcakeSocial on Etsy: $5.05 – Pretty cupcakes mean pretty blog pictures!
4. Homegrown Monogram Mug from Anthropologie: $8 – I’d personalize everything in my kitchen if I could.
Gifts under $25:
1. Poppy Ring Rolling Pin from Anthroplogie: $18 – I received one as a gift for my birthday years ago and I still love it more than ever. It’s even more gorgeous in person, if that’s possible.
2. Snapware Large 2-Layer Cupcake Carrier from Amazon: $18.97 – Snapware makes the most reliable carriers, if you ask me. They last, are heavy duty, lightweight, and carry a whole lot.
3. A Year of Cookie Cutters from Crate & Barrel: $18.71 – One cookie cutter for every month of the year. Get rid of all those unnecessary cookie cutters and keep them all in one place.
4. Personalized Recipe Cards from InvitaPaperStudio on Etsy: $22 – Yes, more personalized items. I was serious about getting everything in my kitchen personalized.
Gifts under $50:
1. 14kt filled gold baking necklace from FreshyFig on Etsy: $42 – The perfect little sentiment.
2. Norpro 3 Piece Stainless Steel Cookie Scoop Set from Amazon: $44.60 – I go through cookie scoops like no one’s business. Norpro is the only brand that seems to last longer than the others.
3. Keep Calm and Bake on Print from LivyLoveDesigns on Etsy: $30 – Comes in different colors so you can match your kitchen.

4. The Original Kitchen iPad Rack / Stand / Holder from Amazon: $27.95 – My iPad is used in the kitchen quite a bit, and this handy dandy tool will keep it out of the way of flour bombs.

 

Gifts under $100:
1. Pink Essentials from Sur la Table: $84.96 – For the girly girl baker.

2. Breville BJE200XL Compact Juice Fountain 700-Watt Juice Extractor from Amazon: $99.95 – Juicing’s the new fad! I would throw everything in this thing.

3. Gourmet Moleskin Gift Box from Williams Sonoma: $69.95 – As if Moleskin couldn’t take more of my money, they come out with this little set targeted toward the baker. Be still my heart.

4. Personalized Recipe Gift Set with Embosser from Williams Sonoma: $69.95 – A cute and tough recipe box that can be passed down from generation to generation. Oh, and more personalizing.

 

Gifts for balllerrsss where money ain’t a thang: 
1. Nespresso Machine from Amazon: $249 – The new machine that has come to replace the Keurig. I demoed this in a Sur la Table store and was blown away by the results. Sure, it’s a bit pricier than a Keurig, but the espresso that comes out of it is heavenly.

2. Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast-Iron 5-Piece Cookware Set from Amazon: $379.95 – Le Creuset will forever be my “Chanel” to the kitchen.

3. Cricut Cake Personal Electronic Cutter from Amazon: $343.99 – Totally unnecessary, but totally entertaining.

4. Ruffoni Copper Cookware Set from Anthropologie: $1098 – I love the look of these copper pans. If I had a hanging pot rack, I’d be all over this set. Well, assuming I’d have a grand to blow as well.

Do you have any items to add to the list?

My New (ish) Kitchen

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I’ve gotten a couple of requests from readers to post my kitchen from my apartment that I moved into at the end of May and am finally getting around to it. It’s a LOT more spacious than my previous apartment and I love everything about it. The glass door cabinet, the granite countertops, the new stainless steel appliances, and the plethora of cupboards won me over when we were looking at apartments. If the kitchen’s amazing, then the rest of the place doesn’t matter. Okay, that’s not 100% true, but the kitchen does play a huge factor.

Yes, it’s still an electric stove, but it sure as heck beats my old one with coils.

  kitchen

kitchen2

kitchen3

There’s two entrances into the kitchen and it gets a good amount of natural daylight from our balcony. There’s more cabinets and counter space to the left of the last picture that I forgot to take a picture of.

Also, these pictures were taken before I moved in, which explains why it’s so clean and empty. I’ve never been one to use dishwashers before, but having one now, I don’t know how I ever lived without one. It’s one magical little machine, I tell ya.

Another awesome feature about this kitchen is the corner cabinet on the bottom. It opens up to a two story lazy susan. Love!

Well, that concludes the tour of my little kitchen. Hope you enjoyed it!

Review: CoverGirl Lash Perfection Mascara & a Giveaway

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I was given COVERGIRL‘s LashPerfection™ mascara earlier this week to try out. Well, truth be told is that I don’t know anything about makeup. I’m completely lost in that department. Usually, my dearest little sister does my make up/hair whenever I have something important to go to. Since I moved out, I figured 24 years old was about a good time as any to learn how to put on make up. Maybe.

I’m usually more of a “put on a little eyeliner and I’m good out the door” kind of girl. Eyeshadow? Useless. Cover up? I don’t even know what category my skin would fall under. So when I got an offer to try Cover Girl‘s Lash Perfection Mascara, I figured I had someplace to start.

covergirl

Not that I have anything against make up… I don’t. It definitely gives you a boost of self esteem and even gives you the feeling of “rolling out the red carpet” if you don’t wear it that often. Make up, with the help of my sister, has the ability to transform you and give you the confidence that you need for that big day.

What big day am I talking about? Wedding day, meeting significant other’s family, birthday parties, a night out, or in my case… interviews. Sure, looks aren’t everything, but first impressions are important!

This mascara had a large, easy to maneuver brush. It went on smoothly and remained clump free despite how many times I brushed over my eyelashes (yes, I did that just to test it out). The only complaint I have is that it kind of sticks throughout the day. Overall? The product is unbeatable for the price range.

While we’re on the subject of make-up and looking great, you might want to check out the Looking Your Best posts in the Life Well Lived section of BlogHer.com. There are some great application tips and ideas for switching up your look for fall! You can also check out other reviews here.

Want a chance to win a $50 gift card to drugstore.com? In the comments, tell me about a time when using makeup gave you the added confidence you needed for an important event in your life.

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