Confession: If I don't have a hostess gift , the first place I look is the cabinet full of wine bottles I have received as hostess gifts myself. Sure, it looks like a fine, old vintage--but that's because I haven't had a party since 2005…
UPDATE AUGUST 20, 2015 : So, it's been a year now that I've been using Mastrad's Purefizz Soda Maker and suddenly...it just wasn't working. Ugh. Like, the cap wasn't fitting correctly and required (i.e. wasted) sometimes 4-5 CO2 chargers…
I am a sucker for kitsch, as long as it's clever. My apartment is filled with funky knick-knacks that I believe add to its charming--or what my mother likes to call "eclectic"-- style, so these witty coastal Reed Wilson Design coasters a…
Cookie cutters have come a long way since I was a kid and we could choose between Jelly Jar and Lopsided Heart. Thanks to 3D printers, we can now have our cookies cut like charcuterie diagrams, our favorite literary characters, three-dim…
I love a good glass of wine any time of the year, but especially during the summer months. There's something about sipping a good rosé on a picnic or starting dinner with an effervescent, chilled dry Lambrusco that brings out the wine lo…
It's picnic weather down South, and we're spending most nights out on the back porch, sipping on some tea and eating dinner with the neighbors. It's idyllic, until the kids start playing frisbee with their plates. I'm not big on plastic …
Our neighborhood pool has a strict no-glass policy, which is why I’m excited about the portable wine bags from Wine2Go. I get that glass, concrete and bare feet are a dangerous mix, but relaxing by a moonlit pool after a long day while m…
I weaned my family off of paper napkins awhile ago, and we've never gone back. This is mostly thanks to my ever-growing supply of cool cloth napkins , like these ombre napkins at Nine Space. I love that the ombre trend is hitting kitchen…
Mealtime is the one time my busy kids sit still for a little while, so I love that smart people are creating such interesting learning dishes for kids, educational placemats, and other housewares that let kids do more than doodle at the …
Our readers recently went nuts for Sip Snap lids , silicone drink covers that stretch to fit over any glass, turning it into a sippy. Well clearly it's a trend because now CMP favorite Silikids has just released new silicone drink covers…
I finally understand the benefit of those embossed, custom rolling pins. I love to bake for my family, especially a yummy batch of homemade cookies, but it all turns tragic when I try to decorate them. As in, my kids aren't quite sure if…
My kids do really well drinking out of actual cups, but sippies and cups with straws are a fixture for my little ones who still tend to spill a little. Or, on bad days, more than they actually get in their mouths. That's why I'm really d…
Here's one of my secrets for keeping the kids well-behaved at mealtime: Avoid kids' dishes that look like they're kids' dishes. Don't laugh. I've found that when kids eat off of plates with cartoons on them, it seems to set the scene for…
I went nuts over the Ninjabread men cookie cutters when we featured them awhile back because heaven knows we love unique cookie cutters. So it's no surprise that I'll soon be adding these gingerbread action man cookie cutter s to my coll…
I've somehow collected way too many pint glasses over the years that aren't necessarily my taste, especially since I've been out of college for awhile. I'm pretty sure I'm due for a glassware upgrade, which is why I've got my eye on thes…
I have always had a thing for salt and pepper shakers, with phases ranging from kitschy mid-century to delicate 20's-era, to modern and handmade. I'm not sure I actually need another set, but I sure have my eyes on these Kate Spade salt …
We love functional. We also love whimsical. So when the two come together? Boom. The hard-working tea towel gets a charm makeover in designer Christina Weber's Studiopatro shop--and with a quote by indie filmmaker Jim Jarmusch, no less. …
It's been a while since we found a cool pair of kids' chopsticks to feature around here, so I'm excited to have discovered Chomp Stix . Especially considering I have children who ask to eat our local sushi restaurant--despite eating like…
Gray skies, dirty snow, and drippy slush of winter? I reject you. Give me color and shine! Especially if it arrives in the form of these vibrant, mod, ceramic dishes by Ceramica Botanica . Handcrafted in Texas by Susan Rodriguez, each ce…
Their purpose may be pretty utilitarian, but I love how a really good set of coasters can embellish a table, almost like a piece of jewelry jazzing up a basic outfit . And the handmade Italian-stone coasters I spotted on Etsy at Meadow T…
I can't even think about spring cleaning until the outdoor temperature is above freezing, but this vibrant dinnerware set from Cortney and Robert Novogratz makes even the coldest day feel bright. At least, that's how I imagine it while I…
When I've spent hours working on the perfect Christmas meal, a great holiday table setting is important to me. Serving it on plastic Santa Claus plates with paper napkins is not really my thing, since I want to show my friends and family…
Hostess gift season is upon us big time, and this has always been one of my favorite kinds of gifts to track down. Just look at our Hostess Gifts Pinterest board which is already filling up with fun new ideas ; something about making sur…
Oddly enough, I'm not talking about literary Halloween zombies; I'm talking about cookies. Specifically, those made with this adorable set of Jane Austen cookie cutters. Because honestly, I've always wanted to take a bite out of Darcy. W…