Eat Breakfast Like A King

There's an old saying we should often be reminded of -- Eat breakfast like a king, eat lunch like a prince, and eat dinner like a pauper. To eat like a king every morning, the kitchen needs be stocked with the right food, and be organized in such a way that the selections are readily available.

I'm a huge fan of Target and I found their recent breakfast selections quite impressive. Target busy family isles are filled with Nature Valley products, Nutella's and cereals. That's exactly what my family like and what energies us in the mornings. Check them out. I also have a few ideas on how to store breakfast items in your kitchen.

via: bhg

via: thehouseofsmiths

via: honeyandfitz

via: pinterest

Fruit Bouquets

Hello everyone! Recently, I reviewed Pop Chef and quite impressed with the way this little popper popped fruits. My daughters enjoyed creating stars, hearts and flowers out of watermelon, kiwi, honeydew melon and cantaloupe. Glad this is not a carving knife and it required minimum supervision. It seemed to handle well up to 2" without getting struck in-between. Assembly and cleaning were easy and it is dishwasher safe.  I bet this will be a great addition to pre-schools and day cares where children can be thought about healthy eating habits with a hands-on demonstration of fun fruit creations. I can't wait to host a party and startle my guests with my fruit bouquets.

via: Pop Chef

Instant Ice Cream For Everyone

Our kitchens are guaranteed to be filled with gadgets that help us with the basics -- to cook, grind, chop, heat and so on.. how about something that makes instant ice cream with just some shaking.  I tested this product and made vanilla ice cream in minutes. All I had to do was follow simple step by step instructions and voila ice cream was ready after a good 3-4 minutes of shaking. Best of all, there was no need for any electricity. Interesting to see how salt and ice works its magic while the arms gets its exercise... Its also a great birthday party activity!

Ice Cream Magic
Disclaimer: All opinions are mine

Bright Kitchen Backsplash Ideas

The kitchen backsplash adds color, texture and personality to any kitchen. It is an important design element that is not only dazzling but is the ultimate surfacing option to keep water from seeping through the walls between your counter-top and cabinets. Wall paints are not water-resistant and will be almost impossible to keep it stain-free.

Ceramic tiles, porcelain, glass, marble, stone and mosaic are the most popular backsplash options, using stainless-steel, cork, bamboo, laminate, etc., are also evolving. It is easy to pick a backsplash design for solid counter-tops and lighter cabinets; it can be a bit tricky for granite and darker cabinets. Bring in as many samples as possible -- try different sizes, shapes, patterns, color combinations that include monochromatic, contrasting and harmonious colors before you finalize.  I've a page filled with colorful tile backsplashes that might give you some ideas...

via: homes-design

via: tilelifestyle.com

 via: ezpong.com

via: freshome

via: styleathome

via: designernotes.modwalls.com

via: apartmenttherapy

via: ECOblue

via: dickoatts 

via: http://maughandesign.com

A Macho Kitchen

Macho kitchen gadgets are entering kitchens and making powerful statements! Lately, I'm seeing more mustaches on gadgets and accessories than on men. These gadgets are fun and quirky, and they can make anyone smile. Here's what I found for mustache lovers like me!

via: click on the images

Kitchen Coffee Nooks

I'm dreaming of a coffee nook with a big "V" somewhere in there. It doesn't seem impossible to create one after putting this collection together. All I need is a nook in my kitchen or my dining room dedicated to making coffee; one of these -- a dresser, console, cabinet, or a credenza; a few open shelves or wired shelves; some hooks to hang my coffee cups; an espresso machine; and finally a variety of coffee powders and condiments. I can only imagine how energizing it will be make a hot cup of coffee in such a nook. Hope you agree with me and enjoy the picks here.

via: lifemorelovely.blogspot.com

pinterest

via: pinterest

 sweetnumber9

 

via: thevintagewren.blogspot.com

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 via: pinterest

Crystal Chandeliers in Kitchens

Crystal Chandeliers are stunning everywhere -- even in kitchens. Imagine yourself walking into one of these kitchens where the crystal icicles reflect and create shimmering lights. Sometimes, you need this vibe to get in the mood for cooking. Remember, chandeliers doesn't have to be centered in a room and you really can't go wrong with your selection -- whether it's ornate or simple. A chandelier in your kitchen is bound to be a conversation piece.

via: pinterest

via: indulgy

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via:veronabrit.blogspot.com

via: modernjanedesign.blogspot.ca

via: decorpad

via: houseofbliss.blogspot.com

My Newest Affiliate

From cheese graters and chili mills to oven mitts and retro timers, Cilantro has lots of unique kitchen gadgets that make cooking fun and easy. Check them out..

1. Cheese Grater

2. Banana Slicer 

3. Chili Mill 

4. Steel Ball Whisk

5. Citrus Zester

6. Food Decorating Pen

7. Frog Oven Mitt

8. Food Pod Cooking Basket and Stainer

9. Green Retro Timer

Spiral Herb Gardens

Ever wondered what a Spiral Garden is? A snail-shaped medicinal garden that also looks like a pyramid.  Sadly, these are not as popular as you would think considering all the benefits it has to offer.  I use cilantro and mint generously in my cooking and I'm thinking of building such a garden this spring.. will tell you how it goes. Tell me if you will consider building a spiral herb garden in your backyard. Here's the list to convince you:

• You will need only a small landscape for this clever vertical garden. Construction of such a herb garden is quite simple. Spiral can be edged with a variety of materials. See my examples below.
• Spirals create micro-climates -- Herbs that need full sun should be housed at the top and bottom is for herbs that like to grow in shady conditions. The top of the spiral is also drier than the bottom because of gravity. Water falls downwards in a circular pattern, leaving the top dry and the bottom moist. Mint and parsley love the extra water and oregano, rosemary and thyme like the dry conditions. 
• You can fill the spiral with different varieties of soil.
• Harvesting is easy -- all the herbs are confined in one place. Most of the herbs will be at waist height resulting in less bending.
• Certain herbs are pest repellents.  For example: Mint - repels flies, fleas, mice, rats and ants; Basil - fly and mosquito repellent; Sage - repels a variety of insects; Thyme - repels insects and also helps with preventing musty odors.  Imagine these herbs growing together.
• It is unique. It is eco-friendly. It is beautiful.

caras-ornamentals

 via: envisionpcc.blogspot.com

via: pinterest

via: vermicomposters

via: sportsmansguide

 

Sky Planter

Boskee, a.k.a. the Sky Planter, is quite unique.. you have to look up and chop herbs directly into your salad bowl. A perfect example of an evolved garden. Seems like a simple concept that is well implemented -- a locking disc holds the plant and soil in place upside down and a reservoir feeds water gradually to the plant roots. 

Orchids and other indoor plants can be hung similarly, but I really like the idea of hanging herbs right where I need them the most.... how about you? Will you enliven your ceilings with indoor plants?

via: boskke  -- founded in New Zealand by designer Patrick Morris; Available in several online stores for around $25.00.

A Chef's Kitchen

You will find my article @ ezinearticles - my first writing elsewhere :)

Retro Vintage Stackable Tea Sets

These sets brightened up my day! I home you like them as much as I do :)

For a little princess via: modcloth

Or for a handsome prince via etsy

Or this Partners in tea time set via modcloth

 Or this beautiful set via etsy

or this super cute set via etsy