Drinking

An espresso machine that learns what you love

As a means of saving money, I've started to make my own coffee at home as often as possible. I've made enough pots in my French press to know how to get the brew just like the corner store does it, extra thick and black without being too bitter. This works out to the mutual benefit of my roommates, since I usually make a whole pot and don't drink all of it (although I've been known to do it every once in a while).

But sometimes, a girl's just got to get something a little … Read more

Brighten the night with creative hostess gifts

Ah, the hostess gift. Sure, if you're desperate, you can grab a bottle of wine from your rack and stop by the dollar store to pick up a wine bag on your way to the party. But if you're a little bit creative, you can give a gift your hostess will enjoy, remember, and even appreciate.

This set of six plastic "crazy glow" cups from Oriental Trading Company is fun and sure to brighten any gathering. The glow swirls around the 12-ounce cups for up to 6 hours and turns ordinary drinks into something special. At $… Read more

Turkish coffee set delivers flavor and fun

I'm currently spending five weeks visiting my husband's family in Israel, and we're right in the middle of the holiday of Passover. As is traditional during the intermediate days of the week-long festival, yesterday we went on a day trip to get out and enjoy nature--and to eat. A lot. At the end of the day, after eating continuously for 7 hours, we decided to head to a nearby campground and roast marshmallows. And to drink? Well, Turkish coffee, of course.

Is that not what you generally drink with your toasted marshmallows? Well, you're missing out. … Read more

Pitcher is picture of relaxation

Ah, weekends. Just look at that picture; doesn't it look like a weekend in motion? Very slow motion. It is the picture of relaxation. In fact, it looks so relaxing that a nice, cool drink poured from this pitcher would go great right now--perfect for heading into the weekend.

The Prodyne Fruit Infusion Pitcher is an elegant solution to a simple problem. No longer must real lemon-flavored water come with the unfortunate side effect of having to dodge seeds and pulp. A removable rod holds fruit or berries and infuses the liquid throughout. Water can be refilled without wasting … Read more

Grind and Brew coffeemaker keeps the coffee coming

I'm on a coffee kick. Of course, that's not saying much as I am usually on a coffee kick, and have been for a very long time. I, like many others, watched the country as people were introduced to what good coffee was. No longer did we have to suffer the mugs of cheap, flavorless corner store brew. Suddenly, there were half-decent options everywhere. Luckily, not only did coffee improve, but also coffee making. So in addition to being treated to more delicious options, there are also better ways to make coffee--and more specifically, keep it warm.

The … Read more

Cruise into morning coffee-making on autopilot

Making coffee is never an easy task to focus on early in the day. For some, myself included, mornings are a miserable mess until coffee has been introduced into the equation. The problem is that sometimes it can be difficult even to get to that point. Luckily, some smart folks got to thinking and integrated a timer into a coffeemaker. This one innovation certainly makes life easier for those of us who don't function well without the magical elixir.

The Cuisinart Coffee on Demand 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker offers the convenience needed by morning-challenged coffee lovers. With 24-hour programmability and … Read more

All-natural shot glasses

If you've ever run out of glassware at a party, you've probably racked your brain for something else you can use to serve drinks. Have you ever considered raiding your fruit basket? The ShotCarver allows you to remove the core of apples, pears and other fruit with a twist of your wrist, leaving just enough space inside for a shot. From the moment I saw the ShotCarver, I've been trying to decide what the best combination of liquor and fruit might be: some vodka in a tart green apple seems promising. Of course, you can use the … Read more

A personal coffee press to help ease the daily grind

A good coffee press can ensure that your morning cup of coffee is perfect. Bodum offers a variety of coffee presses, but the star of its line is their original: the Chambord Coffee Press. It's an elegant design that lets you see exactly what's going on with your coffee through the glass accented with stainless steel. It holds 12 ounces, enough for three cups of coffee--you can get larger versions of the Chambord Coffee Press. However, that can lead to coffee sitting in the press, cooling, and acquiring the bitter flavor of old coffee. The only reason to … Read more

Stop. Picnic time!

As the weather warms up, it's time to get a move on. Spring has sprung, the baseball season is about to get underway, and everywhere people are going to be spending more time outside. Those people are going to be hungry. Nothing beats spending a warm afternoon surrounded by fresh air and the sweet smell of grilled meats and vegetables. This year, plan on taking your grilling show on the road and really perk up your picnics.

The Picnic Time Vulcan Cooler With Grill can help you achieve your grilling mobility. In one convenient package, you can carry all … Read more

Put the squeeze on your New Year's resolution

Remember your New Year's Resolution? No? It's not surprising that you don't. It's not the type of thing you want to remember anyways. Well, today is your lucky day and I'm here to remind you what it was. It was to lose 10 pounds, right? Well, no wonder you let that one slip. Losing weight is no fun. Except if you do it right, there is no need to sacrifice flavor. Drinking juice is certainly a delicious and healthy way to help you to get back in shape in the coming months--if done in moderation.… Read more