I have about as much patience for place settings as I do for utensil drawer dividers. Granted, it’s a lot easier to just reach for a fork or a butter knife when you know where it is, but I’m still going to just toss freshly-cleaned utensils into the drawer and let them fall where they may. Same goes for place settings: instead of following a prescribed pattern, utensils on my table fall naturally to where they are most beneficial.

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Tags: etiquette, placemats

Countertop appliances and kitchen gadgets usually get put away after use. Not because they may look funky: while design is constantly in flux, the issue is usually available space. Yet, some everyday kitchen tools allow for perfect placement without a second thought. Topping that list might just be the teakettle. It looks at home when left out in the stovetop, and the easy functionality is always within hand’s reach. As long as you’re going to leave the teakettle out, it might as well look good too.

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Tags: Demeyere, kettle, Mid-Range Gifts, tea

Plain white rice can be so… plain. While that can be good for everything from digestion to how awesome it works with practically any other ingredient, it’s how it’s served that could use a little sprucing up. Especially when we’re talking about exceedingly cute hearts, stars and bears.

The Inomata Sushi Mold Rice Ball Maker transforms everyday boring sushi into exciting fun-shaped sushi you can play with. Place rice into the mold, cover, press and then push it out—your fish won’t know what hit it. Although that salmon nigiri might have an inkling when it sees that bear coming at it.

Tags: cute overload, fun, Inomata, Japan, molds, rice, sushi, TGIF

Garlic is a finicky thing. Some may say that even a little is too much, while others say that there can be no such thing as too much of good thing. Whether you like, love or hate garlic, its pungency isn’t the only aspect that requires a little attention: Where the heck are you supposed to store the stuff?

In the cupboard? In the fridge? On the counter? In a hanging basket with other fruits and vegetables, shedding garlic paper and imparting its essence to everything it touches?

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Tags: ceramic, Cheap Gifts, chopper, earthenware, garlic, Koopeh, MSC International

Measuring spoons. Handy little devices–when you can find the one you are looking for. Even the ones that come attached to a plastic ring tend to get separated and subsequently lost. Forget building a better mousetrap, at least when it comes to baking essentials, it’s all about corralling those measuring spoons.

This set of Foldable Measuring Spoons at Sur La Table would do nicely. Including four of the more commonly used measurements of ¼ tsp., ½ tsp., 1 tsp. and 1 Tbsp, the one you are looking for is always at hand. Assuming, of course, you don’t misplace the entire set. For $3.95, maybe picking up an extra set isn’t a bad idea.

Tags: junk drawer, measuring, utensils

A kitchen appliance that plays tricks with your eyes isn’t necessarily the first thing you want to see in the morning. However, stunning design is always appreciated. With these two appliances you get both.

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Tags: art, design, kettle, Prestige, toaster