Home & Garden Blog » 2007 » June

Incense Set, $3.99 (was $6.99)

Incense is not for everyone, but some find the aroma completely relaxing after work or before bed. It’s certainly worth trying, and here’s a chance to avoid buyer’s remorse. This incense set is a steal at $3.99, considering it comes with everything you need to get started, including 20 sticks, 20 cones and holders for both. That’s like a 4 month supply. It comes in green tea and jasmine, which I would have a hard time choosing between, although jasmine would probably win out in the end.

I think it would make a great gift, especially if you know someone who needs some “me” time to decompress.

Left to Right: Round 2qt $114.95, Oval 5qt $189.95, Round 7 1/4 qt $234.95.

If you weren’t into casserole making before, I’m sure you are now that you’ve gotten a look at these Le Creuset French Ovens. Actually, you can do a lot more that whip up a tuna surprise in these chic cast iron pots. In addition to baking, they’re good for marinating, broiling, braising, sauteing, and even freezing. I know, they’re magnificent.

Because they’re cast iron, they conduct heat well and cook evenly, which is always a plus, wouldn’t you say? They also work well over low heat–a totally necessary function for supreme sauces and soups. And all Le Creuset ovens have a lifetime warranty.

Really, though, even if they just did an okay job, I’d still love them for they’re looks alone. You know me, I can be shallow when it comes to colorful cookware.

Special Offer: If you click on the blue link to Kitchen’s Universe, you’ll get a special value pack that includes a cast iron cookbook and two rubber spatulas when you spend $199 or more (on Le Creuset items). If you spend $399 or more, you get a 7-piece spatula set.

Cuisinart Mix It In Soft Serve Ice Cream Maker, $99 

Who wants soft serve ice cream?  Just about everyone I know would scream “yes!” to that question–its so good. The only problem with most soft serve is that it only comes in chocolate or vanilla, which are both great, of course, but sometimes don’t you just want some mint chip soft serve?  This Cuisinart Mix It makes 1 1/2 quarts of soft serve, sorbet, and sherbet in as little as 20 minutes, and it comes with a recipe book so you can experiment with your favorite flavors. Not bad.  Plus it has that little chute that unleashes sprinkles, chocolate chips, nuts or any other topping you can imagine right onto your cone or bowl. Mmmm…now, I really want an ice cream.  No, really.

Gourmet Standard 9-Piece Cookware Set, $239 (was $499)

This is one of the best deals I’ve seen all day. Copper cookware usually costs through the roof as you can see with that old price. But they’re worth the big bucks if great food is your thing because they are amazing at conducting heat, which means they cook evenly, lessening the chances of scorching. Basically, when you turn the flame down, these pans will cool accordingly without a long wait. Copper pots and pans are the tool of the trade for lots chefs, and you can even stick them right in the oven.

Quoizel, $24.99

The summer’s here, and the time is right for…stylish outdoor lighting. There’s nothing like spending those toasty and long summer nights outside, and a lantern is a great way to keep things light and bright. Plus, the style is a great pick-me-up if your patio is suffering from the decor doldrums. With so many great styles, from antique to modern, choosing just one is tough.

Here’s what I like:

Sea Gull, $128.70

Kenroy Atwood, $142.20

Livex, $65.88

Alexander Lotersztain, Solitaire workstation (2004)

It’s a long way to Australia, but if you happen to be making a trip, you should check out the new exhibit at the Melbourne Museum entitled Freestyle:New Australian Design for Living. You have until July 22 to view the work and stories of 40 Australian designers working in the mediums of furniture, lighting, textiles, housewares, jewelry, fashion, jewelry and accessories.

Handmade, one-of-a-kind designs are viewed along side those that are mass produced in order to reflect the maturity of contemporary Australian design. The personality, passion, and process of each designer is also considered in conjunction with the broader cultural contexts of their work. Plus, you can see some cool stuff, like that Alexander Lotersztain desk above.

I’m certainly intrigued.

Tilonia, Queen-Sized Quilt, $109.95 (was $149.95)

Tilonia Home is an online craftstore that benefits Barefoot College in Tilonia, Rajasthan, India. The college works to meet the needs of the poorest of the poor in this region by promoting the production of rural arts. Tilonian craftsmen and women attend the college to learn how to improve their design techniques and gain access to marketing outlets. These rural artisans produce clothing, accessories, home furnishings, paper products, toys, metalwork, and leather goods.

Which brings us to this quilt, a great comforter alternative for those hot summer nights. I love the uniqueness of this design–the blue and yellow are both cool and calming. Here’s a close-up:

Couldn’t you see this in an Anthropologie catalog for some outrageous sum of money? Yet this is only $109.95, it’s 100% cotton voile with combed cotton filling, and it helps bring people food, water, education and the path to self-sufficiency. What’s not to love?

The taste of barbecued meat, fish or veggies is almost always superior to other means of cooking, but before you can start grilling you’ve got to choose the right instrument. Here are some of the big issues to consider when deciding on a grill:

Gas Grills…

Charcoal Grills…

• bring an intense smoky flavor to food since they
• use briquettes, wood or both.
• burn very hot, which is good for searing large cuts of meat.
• are more time-consuming than gas grills and require more time to preheat, but grilling enthusiasts seem to enjoy the ritual of slow cooking.

Once you’ve chosen a type of grill, the next step is to decide on a size. Really, it’s all about lifestyle. If you’re buying a grill to cook small family dinners, then go small, but if you plan on amazing your friends and neighbors with your award-winning ribs on a regular basis, go big. In terms of cooking grids, consider this:

• Porclain-coated cast iron grids retain heat best and are easy to clean. Plus, they’re rust resistant.
• Stainless steel are rust resistant, but food can stick to them (but non-stick spray might help that.
• Cast iron grids require curing to keep rust at bay, but they cook evenly and age well.

Pictured: Duncan Affinity Gas Grill, $399 and the Weber Ranch Kettle $1008.90

Click here to see more grills.

Japanese Paper Lantern String Lights, $19.95

These lantern lights are a great find. Adding a colorful string of lights to a room can really liven up your home for a party or bring a little festivity and gentle light to your everyday decor. These paper lanterns come in either a fan or butterfly pattern, and the colors are delightfully vibrant. There are ten lanterns per string, which is the perfect length for hanging across a wall. Easy addition, lots of character.

In habit, $58.95

If you haven’t made any changes to your home’s decor in a while, you’re probably itching for something to help beat the blahs. A quick, easy, and relatively affordable way to shake things up is to add home accessories with interesting colors or designs. A decorative pillow or two works wonders in this capacity, and you’ll be surprised by how much life this simple item can bring to any room in the house.

Tilonia Artisan, $24.95

Three Sheets to the Wind, $78

Wrapables, $ 19.95

Not Neutral, $39.99 (was $52.95)