I know a lot of people have set a goal to cook at home more often this year and I love that! I’m the biggest advocate for cooking from home. When you cook at home you are more likely getting more nutritional dense food, appropriate portion sizes, and overall healthier food. Restaurants are in the business of making food taste good, your kitchen is in the business of not only making food taste good but to meet your nutritional needs. Below are my favorite kitchen tools and equipment that might help you cook better and/or enjoy cooking more.

Braiser When I use a pan for cooking 9 times out of 10, I’m reaching for a braiser. I love an enamel cast iron braiser because you get all the benefits of using a cast iron pan (like capability of using high heat) but the ease of cleaning and maintenance with the enamel. I actually have a braiser from Costco but when it’s time to replace it I’ll be getting one from Le Creuset because of the lifetime warranty and quality.

Mandoline I hate slicing things…especially when it should be thinly sliced. This mandoline makes it so much faster, and uniform.

Salt & Pepper Mill I bought a salt and pepper mill set from Peugot years ago and the brand is supposed to make the best salt and pepper mills…mine never worked that well and frequently got jammed. I replaced those with salt and pepper mills from Le Creuset and they work perfectly. I like to use freshly milled salt and pepper when I’m cooking so it’s important that they can withstand a lot of use. I also love the acryllic ones because I can be proactive about refilling them.

All-Clad 1.5 qt Saucepan When it comes to pots, I prefer using the All-Clad D5 line. I feel like I have a lot of control over the heat with this line. If you take proper care of the products they will easily last a lifetime. Since I mostly just cook for my husband and myself, I use the 1.5qt sauce pan most frequently.

Flat Whisk Most of the time I need to whisk something it’s either a sauce, dressing, or egg wash that really doesn’t require a standard French or Balloon whisk. This small whisk emulsifies everything so quickly.

Silicone Baking Mats I use these silicone mats almost every time I use a baking tray. They prevent the baking tray from getting damaged, prevent food from sticking, and I’m convinced I can get roasted vegetables crispier when I use these mats. They’re also great to use as a work surface with just a pinch of flour on it, when you are working with dough.

KitchenAid Stand Mixer KitchenAid Mixers are more versatile than you might think- I not only use mine for baking but I’ve used it to shred meats, make mashed potatoes, and to make sauces. From my experience, the 5qt is plenty…I’ve even made enough bread dough to make two loaves of bread.

I’m a huge fan of decorating with coffee table books. It’s a great way to fill space, include a subject matter I love, and there is something so chic about a stack of books. In recent years I have fallen in love with Assouline books, and I’ve enjoyed collecting them. Assouline is a publisher specializing in coffee table books that are luxurious both in the nature of the book itself and subject of the book. Most of their books are quite large making it easier to fill a space. The publisher makes books about any topic of luxury that you might like including fashion, travel, and luxury lifestyle. Below are my favorite books from Assouline.

Windows at Tiffany & Co.

Paris Chic

Italian Dream

Aspen Style

These books are more premium quality, and with that comes a more premium price tag. In my opinion they are worth it because most of the books they publish are limited edition so once they are not being published you can usually sell them for more than what you paid for them since they are somewhat collector’s items.

Happy New Year! When it comes to my eating habits, I always need a reset this time of year. Holidays are meant to be indulgent and enjoyed, but by the time January rolls around I am desperate for some healthy food. If you feel the same way I do, and you’re craving a healthy reset, below are some healthy recipes to jump-start your year. Keep in mind “healthy” means something different to everyone. As a type 1 diabetic, I am well aware every body is different and therefore dietary needs can differ.

Mains

Cod In White Wine Tomato Basil Sauce from Baker by Nature

Chicken Piccata from The Modern Proper

Buffalo Chicken Salad from Delish

Chicken Noodle Soup from Laura in the Kitchen

Lemon Garlic Shrimp from Delish

Chickpea Salad from Foodie Crush

Mustard Nut Crusted Salmon from Joshua Weissman

Sides

Garlic and Mushroom Cauliflower from EatWell101

Garlic Herb Roasted Potatoes, Carrots, and Zucchini from EatWell101

Breakfast

Chai Chia Seed Pudding

Crustless Quiche from Well Plated

I always love to look back on everything I purchased over the last year and think about the things that were really worth the purchase. Below are all my favorites from 2023.

Fashion & Style

Flare Jeans I actually bought these jeans back in either 2015 or 2016 but never got around to getting them hemmed until late last year. I absolutely love them. They are by far my most flattering jeans and probably my most comfortable jeans.

Sweater This was the year I fell in love with Sezane. If you are unfamiliar with Sezane, it is a French brand that strives for good quality clothing and sustainability. I now have several pieces from the brand and I’m always so impressed by the attention to detail and quality. The brand style overall also aligns with my personal style. It was hard to pick a favorite piece but this sweater is my current favorite Sezane piece.

Converse I bought these shoes for a trip to NYC in August. I love these converse shoes because they are comfortable and the canvas material makes them breathable so they’re confrontable to wear even in hot muggy weather.

Dior Scarf I’ve spoken so much about how much I love thin silk scarves like this and how I style them, so I’ll spare you this time. I absolutely love the colorway on this one.

Makeup & Skincare

Dior Foundation I love this foundation because it has a natural finish and light to medium coverage. It’s comfortable to wear all day.

Laneige Lip Mask This lip mask reminds me a lot of the Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask I used to love but this is more confutable to wear. It looks like a clear lip gloss so I love to wear it during the day. It’s the most hydrating lip treatment I’ve ever tried. My husband hates anything that is moisturizing but even he likes to use this occasionally in the winter.

La Roche-Posay Moisturizer Colorado has an extremely dry climate so having a good moisturizer is a necessity. I love this one because my skin absorbs it easily and it wears under makeup and/or tinted sunscreen well.

Chanel Blush This blush is the perfect shade for me. It’s also really easy to blend in and little goes a long way.

Glow Getter Body Wash I never knew I could love a body wash this much…it’s so luxurious feeling, gentle, and hydrating. I won’t use any other body wash if I’m dealing with eczema. It’s also great for washing off waterproof sunscreen.

Books

Lonely Castle in the Mirror This was not only my favorite books I read this year but one of my favorite books I have ever read. This was incredibly heartwarming and beautiful in the end. I wish so badly I could read this again for the first time.

We Were Liars This was my runner up for favorite book of the year. I love everything about this book- the plot, the dynamics between characters, the fact that it takes place in New England. I also did not see the plot twist coming and it literally made my jaw drop. It follows a group of angsty privileged teens as they discover the very real consequences of not getting away with everything.

River Sing Me Home This is a very moving book that will make you cry tears of sorrow and tears of joy. It’s captivating from the first page. I loved the authors writing style and I thought it was a powerful read.

The Flatshare I’m not really into romance books but I loved this one. There were so many wholesome moments. It’s a quick read but it had me savoring it.

Home

Chair I got two of these chairs to go near our fireplace and I’ve been so impressed with the quality and how comfortable they are. They surprisingly dropped in price since I bought them so I feel like they’re a great price for the quality.

New York Art My husband and I came across this photographer when we were in New York. His work caught my eye because he prints on gold leaf and I’ve never seen that before. I hung it in our entryway and when the light hits it in the late afternoon it looks like it’s glowing. Every time we walk by it, it brings back happy memories.

Le Creuset Casserole Dish I actually got my Le Creuset Casserole dish at their outlet store near me. I saw it in a pink ombre and just could not pass it up. I really love it because it’s deep enough for stuffed peppers.

Pillow Inserts Earlier in the year I got our living room set re-stuffed by a local business. Once we got it refilled it became clear we needed new pillow inserts too. I originally got down pillow inserts but quickly realized that was a huge mistake because they were not supportive enough for pillows on a sofa and feathers were constantly coming out of the pillows. I then bought these inserts and we are so much happier with them. They’re supportive enough and don’t make a mess. They’re also less expensive than the down inserts.

Side table I bought this side table to use as a nightstand in our guest bedroom. It’s the perfect size. I cannot get over the price considering it is a solid marble top.

Long Sleeve Pajama Set This is made with a satin-like material that is super comfortable. This is a great winter pajama set.

Sleep Shirt For me, this is a summer pajama. I personally prefer the long sleeves but they do have a short sleeve version. This is from the cool nights collection.

Henley Shirt This shirt is also from the cool nights collection. I love this collection because I’m a hot sleeper, so wearing a cooling and breathable fabric is a must. It’s also one of the softest fabrics I’ve ever felt.

Ankle Pants This is another item from the cool nights collection. If it is an option, I prefer a tapered pajama bottom but they also come in wide leg.

Short Sleeve Pajama Set This is from the same brand as the long sleeve set and also made from the same soft material. I prefer this set for the summer.

Cold weather is here and it’s time to bundle up. Below are my picks for the best slippers of the season.

Embellished White Slippers

Blue Celestial Slippers

White Slippers I have these and they are great if you want something supper cushiony and more supportive than most slippers.

Uggs

Cream Velvet Slippers I just ordered these because I wanted some cuter slippers. I also opted for the monogramming.

Star Slippers

Pants Sweater Shoes Earrings

Dress Shoes Necklace

Sweaters Jeans Beanie Shoes

I recently shared a review of all the books I read over the Fall season so it’s time to share all the books I plan to read this upcoming season.

Anna: The Biography by Amy Odell

As a teenager I loved reading Vogue. Now as an adult I love consuming their online content and still picking up the September issue every year. Speaking of the September issue, I think The September issue is one of the best fashion documentaries. Since I love fashion and a good biography I think I’m going to enjoy this.

A Christmas Carol and Other Christmas Tales

You really can’t go wrong with reading A Christmas Carol this time of year to get you in the Christmas spirit. I’m also planning on reading the Nutcracker, which as a book I’m admittedly kind of indifferent towards, but I’m a huge fan of the ballet.

Blame It on the Mistletoe by Beth Garod

I bought this book because I heard someone say it was cute and very atmospheric, and I love to read a cutesy light hearted Christmas book every year but I unfortunately did not read the synopsis before ordering it. I started the book last night an I’m not sure it’s for me. I enjoy a good YA every once in a while, but this feels VERY YA. I’m only about 4 chapters in and it had me cringing most of the time. It’s a quick read so there is a good chance I’ll finish it regardless of how I feel about it, but I’m hoping it gets better.

A Gentleman in Moscow: A Novel by Amor Towles

The plot of this book sounds very different from anything I’ve read before so I’m exited to read it. Historical Fiction’s tend to be my favorite books. This book is a New York Times Bestseller and currently in the works of being turned into a mini series on Showtime/Paramount.

I recently finished all the books on my TBR list for the fall. Below is a quick review (without spoilers) for all the books I read this season.

Sourdough by Robin Sloan

This book was super atmospheric and wholesome. I love that this tackled the feeling of getting your ideal job and starting to establish yourself as an adult but realizing maybe it’s not what you want in life. I love that the main character seeks fulfillment and happiness. This is the perfect book to read next August September when you’re in the mood for fall but maybe it doesn’t feel like fall quite yet. This was my favorite book I read this season.

The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston

I’m not hugely into romance but I heard so many good reviews of this book I had to give it a chance. I ended up really enjoying it. There is a plot twist that I saw coming very early on but it still had me captivated and dying to see how things played out. As you can tell by the title, this isn’t your typical romance and I really appreciated that. This was a close second for my favorite book I read this season.

Dreadful Young Ladies and Other Stories by Kelly Barnhill

This is an anthology and some of the stories I enjoyed while others I didn’t care for. All of the stories had witchy vibes without being scary which I really appreciated. Overall it was a good book to read during spooky season.

Dracula by Bram Stoker

I’m trying to get in the habit of reading one or two classics each year an this was perfect for spooky season. This book includes other horror classics but I just read Dracula. There were times when I felt a bit bored with the book and other times when I was really captivated. Since it’s a classic I feel it’s worth reading at some point.