What to give your favorite baker for Christmas pt.1

I don't know about you guys but I know I have tons of people I love who bake. I am always wracking my brain for ideas of what to get them that they could truly use. Here is a good list that you can use for a few ideas.


First I would be remiss if I did not mention a Kitchenaid mixer. It is the true workhorse in my kitchen and I would not be cranking out half the things I make without it. This mixer makes my life so much easier. It is also so versatile and you can buy all kinds of attachments for it. You can make your own pasta & ice cream with it as well.



They retail between 267$ and on up from there. Here is a link where you can purchase one from Amazon

Next up is a good, cute apron. I can't seem to bake without getting flour in my hair, on my clothes, or all over my kitchen. I always make a huge mess so this is essential. I love Jesse Steel. The company makes amazing aprons and they are so old school and retro.



You can find them all over Amazon for less than 40$. This makes the perfect Christmas present.

If the baker in your life decorates cakes this next item is a must. This bad boy is so sturdy and revolves making your next cake frosting a job a piece of cake so to say ;) Ateco is a great company and I will swear by them and this stand.



You can find that here on Amazon.

Next up is measuring cups and spoons. This area so you have so many choices and some are better than others. My personal favorite is the set I am using from Pampered Chef. You really just gotta look around and see what fits you and what you are comfortable using. Here a few ideas though.



You can find that Here on Amazon. It retails for less than 10$ making this a very affordable gift that your baker will appreciate.



If you are looking for something quirky or just not the norm this is perfect. I love these. You can find those here for less than 11$. This is another affordable gift.

Next up is a Food Processor. I am in Europe so we use 220 power so right now I have a cheapy food processor that gets me by until we move back to the states and I get a nice one. I could not live without my food processor. I love it! It chops and grates and purees things in seconds. Food processors are almost magical. They can mix doughs together, grate cheese, make quick work of those veggies you need to chop up, and so much more. Here is the one I am currently drooling over.



These are a little pricey but believe me when I say so worth it. You can find this one Here for 216$. You can NOT go wrong with this.

So that was pt. 1 of what to get a baker for Christmas. There is so much more and I will be doing a pt. 2 here soon. I hope this helps inspire some of you guys.

Favorite Things Friday # 01

So I am constantly being asked who to use for cupcake liners, premium vanilla, baking equipment, Kitchenaid or off brand, who to go to for spices, etc. etc. So I am going to start my favorite things Friday. Every Friday (well almost) I will try to post a new blog about a favorite product of mine. I am not being compensated or given anything free. These are all products I have purchased with my own money and have fallen in love with.

Without further adieu I give you Favorite Things Friday reveal 1. I am in love with, as if I could I would marry Beanilla. If you have never heard of them don't walk, run to this website as fast as your legs (or well fingers) will carry you. Why are you still here go to Beanilla. This site is essential in my baking. I won't, no I refuse to use any other site for my vanilla extracts, vanilla bean pods, or any other flavor extracts.

You are actually in luck because of Friday November 16th 2012 they are having a 25 for 25 sale. You get 25 Madagascar beans for 25 bucks plus free shipping. That is a steal, those beans can be expensive.


Let me give you a short run down as to why I love this company and then I will get into what the site offers and all that amazing stuff.

Living in Europe presents it's challenges. I have to use the APO mail box system and anyone who uses them can assure you it's a pain and it takes a long time to get anything. That is a problem for me as one I need ingredients that I can't get here in Belgium such as amazing vanilla, my American size cupcake liners, etc. etc. So I shop online and have to wait for the mail system to provide my goodies.

Beanilla got my box here in a week! So that a plus for them. I always love opening up my box and seeing this.



Who wouldn't smile seeing that?

Another reason I love Beanilla is because they provide high quality vanilla at great prices. So far I have tried the Tahitian Vanilla that is to die for and now I am working on Madagascar vanilla. They are both amazing and I wish I could bath in it.. not really but you get the point.

I also ordered these glass jars to eventually make my own vanilla extract when we PCS back to the states.



Throw some vodka and vanilla bean pods in there throw a bow on it and you have yourself a fantastic Christmas present.

Beanilla also provides other wonderful extracts such as Chocolate extract, Lavender flavor, Cinnamon flavor, Cherry Extract, Coffee flavor, raspberry extract, coconut, orange, almond, and it keeps going.

They provide an assortment of glass jars and bottles and also have instructions so you can even make your own vanilla extract.

So for all your extract and vanilla needs please be sure to give this site a chance. You will not be disappointed. I sure wasn't.

Coffee Talk # 10

So I am really trying to be more active and steer my blog away from just more than recipes. It's not really any fun unless you really get to connect with your audience and let them get to know you a little more.

So a friend recently has been doing swaps and I really wanted to get involved. So she steered me to a blog who is doing a coffee mug swap and that is awesome! It kinda stinks being overseas because the mail is sooooooooooooooooooo slow..literally slower than the speed of snail. Not joking here.

So without further adeu I give you coffee talk with the very funny mrs. Nat over at ohemgee

This week it's all about your pet peeves and bad habits and we all know I have a ton of those. I am super opinionated so here we go.

1. What is your worst habit?

By far my worst habit has got to be that I bite my nails and the skin around it. Also when I paint my nails, because I am super lazy, I don't repaint them until the nail polish has chipped its way off my nails. I know attractive. My hands are a mess. Here I'll even throw in an example. No judging.



2. What is your biggest pet peeve?

My biggest pet peeve has got to be when my family leaves trash around the house. Case in point- my husband is losing weight right now so he makes these nasty diet shakes and drinks them in the living room. He will just set them on the window sill behind the couch, his computer desk, or even on TOP OF THE TV. As you can tell that infuriates me to no end. I don't get why he can't simply pick up his cup and take it to the trash can. My children are included in this. They leave trash all over the place. It is seriously maddening.



^ Totally my husband ^




3. What is annoying you right this very minute?

This is an easy one. We are waiting for the USAF to give us orders so we can get the heck out of dodge (Belgium). It's maddening waiting for something and being told well for sure on this day.. no just kidding we actually meant this day... oh just kidding 2 more weeks. I really just want to know where we are going so I can start planning our PCS back to the states.



4. How do you relieve stress?

I either drink a nice glass of red sparkling wine, watch my favorite shows, or bake.

5. What TRULY makes you happy?

Maybe it's cliche but really it's my family. They are my rock. This includes my amazing mom and dad & my husband & boys. My boys are truly one in a billion. They are both seriously hilarious and so loving. My husband is hilarious too, well when he is not being irritating by leaving his empty cups everywhere ;)



I hope you enjoyed reading about my bad habits and pet peeves =P