Welcome to All in the Detail... I am so glad you are here!
I received an email from Crate and Barrel the other day and it was titled: The Top 8 Kitchen Must-haves for a Bridal Registry. Curiosity took hold and I had to take a look. This email got me thinking… ‘Must-haves’ according to whom? Yeah, yeah... I know - Crate and Barrel, duh. But after looking over the email… I knew they definitely didn't ask me (or any other homeowner) to vote. Maybe sales are down a little on some of these items and it was time to jump start the marketing? If we had all these ‘gadgets' for the kitchen… exactly how big would our kitchen have to be? Talk about a need for extra storage! Then I got to thinking… Are these on anyone's list?
What do you think: Must-have or Must-not?
I received an email from Crate and Barrel the other day and it was titled: The Top 8 Kitchen Must-haves for a Bridal Registry. Curiosity took hold and I had to take a look. This email got me thinking… ‘Must-haves’ according to whom? Yeah, yeah... I know - Crate and Barrel, duh. But after looking over the email… I knew they definitely didn't ask me (or any other homeowner) to vote. Maybe sales are down a little on some of these items and it was time to jump start the marketing? If we had all these ‘gadgets' for the kitchen… exactly how big would our kitchen have to be? Talk about a need for extra storage! Then I got to thinking… Are these on anyone's list?
What do you think: Must-have or Must-not?
1. Nespresso® Citiz White Espresso Machine $249.95
Swiss precision for the coffee connoisseur. Nespresso's fast, convenient espresso machine combines Thermobloc heating, 19 bars of pressure and automatic pump priming for the purest, subtlest coffee aromas and flavors and richest crema. Slim, retro-modern countertop presence in fresh white; automatic capsule ejection, and removable water tank and drip tray.
MUST-NOT: Isn’t this why there is a friendly barista at Starbuck’s?
2. Hurom Slow Juicer SALE $358.95 sugg. $400.00
Patented low-speed technology extracts juice faster than most high-speed centrifugal juicers and expels drier pulp for a higher juice yield — all while saving energy. Auger action acts like a mortar and pestle to break down the cellular structure of fruits and vegetables and release the deep-seated nutrients and minerals, minimizing oxidation and preserving precious enzymes.
MUST-HAVE: I have to admit there is NOTHING like a fresh squeezed glass of orange juice in the morning. If I could PAY someone to prepare this everyday, I would! So juicer, yes... this thing - what does it say it does?
3. Cuisinart® Griddler SALE $99.95 sugg. $185.00
This timesaver is a nonstick griddle, contact grill, panini press and open grill all in one—with one reversible plate and dual temperature controls allowing for simultaneous use in two formats. Five separate cooking options handle everything from pancakes and sauces to steaks and burgers to grilled cheese and panini.
MUST-NOT: I think I could do the same thing with a iron skillet… although I have been curious to see how nifty those Panini Presses are.
4. KitchenAid® Custom Metallic Series® Copper Stand Mixer SALE $499.95 sugg. $529.95
KitchenAid® updates this kitchen classic with a beautiful metallic copper finish and our exclusive 5-quart glass bowl. Powerful 325-watt mixer goes from a gentle stir to a fast whip with a flick of the control switch, while a hands-free 67-point planetary mixing action thoroughly blends ingredients all the way to the edges. Head tilts up for easy access to bowl. Flat beater, "C" dough hook and wire whip included.
MUST-HAVE… MUST-HAVE… MUST-HAVE: I LIVE with my KitchenAid Mixer. I am surprised that poor thing hasn’t given out on me. This marvel of marvels is the next best thing since sliced bread.
5. Breville® Electric Tea Brewer & Kettle SALE $249.95 sugg. $299.99
Tea aficionados will appreciate the thought that's gone into this brewing technology, designed to steep any style of tea to the desired strength with the touch of a button. Programmable brewer with auto-start has variable electronic controls with five temperatures specified for green, white, oolong, French press and black tea (boil setting).
MUST-NOT: Ok, first off, I admit I am not a tea drinker (except Sweet Ice Tea… after all, we are in the South, y’all). But I make my tea on the top of a stove. I have tried the automatic tea brewers and ‘can’t teach an old dog new tricks’ comes to mind. I will concede this may be for some tea drinkers, because – DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT TOUCHING MY COFFEEMAKER!
6. Cuisinart® 6.5 qt. Digital Slow Cooker SALE $99.95 sugg. $185.00
Slow cooking gets a modern makeover with sleek new lines and improved performance. Housed in brushed stainless steel with chrome-plated handles, this 6.5-quart unit gently and evenly cooks food. Touchpad control panel with digital LCD offers cooking accuracy on warm, simmer, low or high settings. 24-hour timer with four heat settings automatically switches to warm when cooking is complete. Removable black ceramic pot and stainless-rimmed glass lid with chrome-plated knob go straight to the table.
MUST-HAVE: This is the working woman’s BEST FRIEND. I have gone through probably 10 of these in my um-teen million years of cooking and working outside the home. Trust me, YOU WANT THIS. And size does matter here, you want to be able to put the whole meal in here – don’t skimp.
7. Cuisinart® Toaster Oven-Broiler SALE $79.95 sugg. $145.00
Compact cooking versatility and modern design make this countertop toaster oven-broiler an ideal choice for today's lifestyle. Brushed stainless and black housing is outfitted with wire rack, broiling rack and baking/drip pan. Nonstick interior and removable front crumb tray are easy to clean. "Always even" shade control monitors toasting temperature for maximum consistency; auto slide-out rack means convenient, hands-free loading and removal of foods.
MUST-HAVE/MUST-NOT: I am torn on this one. I have NEVER owned a toaster oven so I really can’t think of it in a practical way, except when I heat a whole oven to warm something or broil something. However, my sister and her husband SWEAR by theirs…. At their house, EVERYTHING goes in there… I think my sister could make Thanksgiving Dinner in it if it was requested.
8. Vitamix® 500 Professional Blender $599.95
Start a culinary revolution on your countertop with this commercial-quality blender, prized by chefs for decades. The Vitamix® does it all: makes smoothies and cocktails, frozen desserts, nut butters and hot soups from raw ingredients in just a few minutes.
MUST-HAVE: I have had those dinky little blenders all my life and if you use too much ice for a Margarita just once - your kitchen will smell like the Indy 500 track burning with rubber. A friend gave me a professional blender one year and – HOLY MOLY – Where have you been all my life? I can mix anything in there and never get near the “race track”!
Ok, your turn, what’s your thoughts?
‘Must-have or ‘Must-not’ ?
