Pots Galore

Finding the right pot can require real trial and error. Now days, you cannot even rely on brand names to assure you that your pot won't be second rate. Gone are the days where pots can last you a lifetime {my parents still own and use pots they received when they were married}. Unless you make the right choice.

It seems most cookware brands have a 2nd or 3rd string line that may seem like a bargain....until you get it home. My suggestion is never buy a pot sight unseen. And don't be fooled by all the big names in cooking {or entertaining} who have been flooding the market with branded cookware. Just because they cook well, doesn't mean "their" pot is good. Most of them probably don't even use their own pots, they just license their name.

My favorite brands are All-Clad and Le Creuset. Unfortunately, even these 2 giants in cooking now have 3rd string lines. An easy rule of thumb is to stay away from anything that is coated - anodized, non-stick. I have yet to find a non-stick or anodized line of cookware that is worthy. 

Stainless is what I use for everyday cooking. But my dream cookware is copper. Copper cookware is not only beautiful, it makes cooking delicate recipes a breeze because the heat is so evenly distributed throughout the pot or pan. The only downside is that it can be difficult to clean and can be extremely heavy.

The best of both worlds is stainless with a copper core. While you don't have the beauty of copper, it's great for every day use because it cleans easily, is lighter weight but has the heat conduction of copper. 


If you want your cooking to start off on the right foot, start by having the right equipment..... remember it's all in the pot!

For Music Lovers Only

Music is such an integral part of my life and who I am. No I am not a famous musician masquerading as a wanna be blogger, I am just a huge fan of music. All kinds of music. I don't discriminate {well maybe against polka or Justin Bieber-ish music}. In fact, I really think I could piece together the soundtrack of my life {or at least the parts that I can remember}.

• Spinners {my very first album ever!}
• The Wiz
• Culture Club
• Michael Jackson
• Mötley Crüe
• Guns N' Roses
• Aerosmith
• REM
• LL Cool J
• A Tribe Called Quest
• Jay-Z

Now that I am {finally} on the cusp of moving into my new home, one of my super high "wants" is a centralized audio system so that we can play music all over the house. Weelll it looks like that's not going to make it into my dream home package. But thankfully I found the next best thing......Sonos.

Sonos is a wireless audio system that allows you to play music using in-home WiFi connection. You can stream music from your iTunes collection, mp3 collection and from a host of popular internet radio sites like Pandora, Spotify, SiriusXM, Rhapsody, Napster, iHeartRadio and many others. 


The great thing about it is that you can start with just one of the box-like speaker systems for your main room, and then add on additional speaker systems for other rooms as your needs increase {or you find the money!}. I love the fact that you don't have to purchase {or keep up with} a separate remote for the system. You can control the entire system and each of the zones individually, all from your computer, iPhone, iPad or other tablets and phones. 

Just a few more weeks {hopefully} and I can begin choreographing the next segment of my soundtrack......what's on yours?

A mattress fit for a queen or king {literally}

I was perusing the Home & Garden section in my local paper, honing in on the list of deals and steals for the coming week. Most of the deals weren't really that great, or were for things I just didn't need.  Then I read:  Hästens is discounting some of its all-natural handmade mattresses up to 30 percent, while supplies last (the 200T II King, originally $35,080, is $24,556; the Luxuria Queen, regularly $10,120, is $7,084).

A $35,000 bed!?!? I know, why am I surprised. You can go big with everything else -- gold/platinum plated grooming pieces, diamond encrusted drinking glasses, retractable floor covered pools -- why not your mattress where you go to rest and rejuvenate.

Hästens offers beds that are truly unique; each one taking 140+ hours to build and made entirely by hand using only the finest natural materials. Your bed is made to order and signed by a Hästens master craftsman. Hästens uses use only all-natural materials in their beds; such as the finest pure flax, wool and cotton, carefully selected pine and genuine, hypoallergenic horsehair.

While currently I do not have a $35k bed in my budget, they have me sold on their beds. I MUST at least try laying on it, if not actually having one one day. They say a good night's rest is the absolute precursor to almost everything -- health, performance, mood, happiness. So why not increase your chance at a truly restful slumber by only settling for the best for where you lay your head. I'm sold!

p.s. If you can't afford one you still have a chance at a luxurious sleep! Try out a Hästens bed at any of these fine hotels.

Swimming pools & caviar

If I had a pool {and a whoooooollllle lot of $$$$$...I mean über düber rich} this is what my pool would look like:

Closed for partying...I mean socializing

Open for bathing {that's what they call swimming...heehee}

Wordless Wednesday...The Ultimate Spa Shower

In search of the perfect plush

There are only a few things I obsess over....shoes {oh yes!}, gadgets {oh iPhone, iPad, MacBook how I love thee, let me count the ways}, food {live to eat, not eat to live} and a few other things.  But probably the weirdest obsession I have is with towels.  Bath towels and wash cloths to be precise.

I have been searching for quite a while for the perfect combination of plush, thirst and durability.  A towel that starts out soft and full, soaking up water instantly, and remains that way wash after wash.  I can literally walk through a store running my hands along the towels and know if they potentially have what it takes.

For a while I thought that 100% Turkish Cotton towels were what I was looking for.  But unfortunately they all are not created equal and sometimes the only way to know that is to buy and wash them for a month or so.  

I also thought my search was over when I found a set of Hotel Collection towels at my mother's house.  I knew that they were not new, but they still felt amazing!  I happened to be at a friends house who had hand towels out and after using it I knew that it too was part of Hotel Collection's line, and sure it enough it was.

Thinking my life long quest was over, I hit the internet doing a visual search for these towels.  I found some that looked right so I ordered them.  Unfortunately, they were wrong wrong wrong.  When I took them back to the store I was told that the company discontinued the style that I was seeking and were no selling this new {lesser quality} style.

So the search continues.....

{Post a comment if you have a towel brand that you love!  I will try any and everything in search of plush perfection ☺}

Shhhhh....Mommy's sleeping

shi shu blankets

I first learned of these blankets when I found their baby blankets at Giggle {here's a link to my post on M.O.M.S. Baby}.  I initially picked up the baby blanket because it was pretty.  But when I finally pulled it out to pre-wash it before my second little one was born, I felt it for the first time and fell in love!  It was the softest baby blanket I had ever felt {and I am always on the lookout for the perfect baby blanket...thus, I have TONS}. 

When I looked up the company I was so excited to see that they made an adult size version!  The throws are made of 60% cotton and 40% bamboo.  The bamboo is what makes these throws so luxurious.  {I hear they even made it into the gift bags at the Golden Globes last year!}  These are the perfect throw for cuddling up with on a chilly fall night.