My Latest Kitchen Obsessions

My latest obsessions in the kitchen are brought to you by my latest sourcing escapades for clients – I fell head-over-heels for these sets of dishes, and I can’t seem to get enough! Before kids, I was quite the gourmet, and as they’ve gotten older, I’ve been able to let her out of the cage more often.

Kitchen Obsessions | Dishes To Make You Feel Fancy

I have dreams of beautiful artisan-made dishes to show off my cooking prowess, but for now, I will settle for creating delicious macaroni and cheese that fills my kids up with wholesome ingredients.

It’s pretty much a staple in our house each week as the busy week winds down and wraps up. My secret ingredient? Cholula hot sauce. Yes, trust me, it adds the touch that you otherwise can’t quite put your finger on.

I have envy when I see the most straightforward dish on a beautiful plate. It makes me happy! Styling a simple dish elevates your dining experience, even when one of your toddlers shouts because they got the wrong color plate. What can I say? I sourced a high and low-cost option in my search for fabulous dishes.

My top pick is from Crate & Barrel, and my lower-cost find is from IKEA. I’m guilty of sacrificing style when it comes to breakable items while my kids are still young, but the IKEA choice is fabulous and beautiful without being spendy.

Check them out:

IKEA Gladelig dishes

Crate & Barrel dinnerware set

Kitchen Obsessions | Toasters vs. Air Fryers

Guess what? Our toaster is on the fritz, and while I’m late to the air fryer train, I’ve been considering one for some time. We want to toast enough for our breakfasts, and making a chicken in short order is top of my list. I began searching for an air fryer/toaster combo when I found this gem – perfect for those days when I need to make dinner, stat!

I’m not a fan of crowded countertop surfaces, so I chose options that took up the least amount of space while maximizing function. Our homes are working harder than ever, so it only makes sense to use tools to make our lives easier and more fun!

Initially, I planned to buy a new toaster and call it done. I had FOMO, though, and the thought of being able to make sweet potato fries at home in short order appealed to me.
Preparing dishes ahead of the busy week takes the pressure off when everyone asks, “what’s for dinner”? I can tell you it happens all the time and will continue to happen, especially after I’ve been knee-deep in a project and lost track of time.

I broiled it down to the two best options for size and functionality, allowing for maximum space efficiency and cooking functions.

Here are the winners:

Baking Tools & Storage

Many ask if I have a bread machine – my response? I am a bread machine. You can set your watch to the timer when I bake cinnamon rolls from scratch, and my kids can’t wait for them to be ready! I purchased a KitchenAid mixer in 2020, though, and I have not looked back since.

I have several favorite tools to make baking and cooking more fun.

Find them here:

Cooking and baking are an escape for me – enabling me to unplug for a bit and focus on what’s right in front of me. I lose myself in my work, and baking helps me clear my mind and refill my inspiration cup! I make everything from fancy focaccia (that quickly disappears), dinner rolls, to sourdough loaves. Working in the kitchen comes naturally to me, and while I was in college – I ran a restaurant. What?! Yes. I tend to pick up skills and keep going. Learning is vital and having various experiences and skills is my superpower. The tools shared above are essential to keeping my kitchen running clean and organized. I jumped for joy when I found the little countertop sweeper – moms, it’s a game-changer.

What are your favorite kitchen gadgets & tools that are a staple in your kitchen? Tell me below! Hungry for more? Check out my kitchen sourcing post here.

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Kitchen finds and gadgets that keep the kitchen fun!