Fiesta conundrum

I've been considering Fiestaware for a few years now. My plain white dishes are plain, white, and chronically chipping. By contrast, Fiestaware appeals to me with its boldness and durability. Unlike safe white dishes, it makes a statement. Did you know it's made in West Virginia, and that this year is its 75th birthday?

My problem was always deciding which colors to put together. Macy's, for example, currently offers 15 different colors. Not to mention, there are 4-piece and 5-piece place settings, round and square dishes, and tons of serving pieces. It's positively overwhelming.

Do I choose 3 or 4 or more?

Do I go with cool jewel tones, fresh fruit colors, earth tones, or a modern combination of neutrals and trendy colors?

The answer came in the form of display window in a kitchen boutique at the Greenbrier hotel (also in West Virginia, incidentally.)

Here is the combination of Fiestaware colors they had on display:



And the fact that I discovered this two weeks before Christmas? Pure serendipity!

I think the key is to choose one neutral to anchor the group, then choose colors that go with the neutral individually...



...but can also be paired up nicely without the neutral.



My colors are called Shamrock, Peacock, Chocolate, and Sunflower.



Fiesta!

Bumkins SuperBib

It took me 6 years and three kids to discover this bib, but now that I have one, I'm getting rid of all others. Everything about this bib is perfect: the hook and loop closure is adjustable; it is just wide and long enough; it has a pocket; and it comes in cute prints. But the best thing about it is the fabric. The way I would describe it is "taffeta" with a little bit of waterproof coating on the back. It dries very quickly, so I can rinse it off, hang it to dry from a cabinet knob, and it's dry for the next meal. One bib is all you need!

Clean Day

Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day is the brand. Countertop Spray is the product. BASIL is the scent. That's the important part. It smells so good, it makes me want to clean.





Could there be a better endorsement than that?

First product review

I think it's appropriate for my first post to review a product I believe belongs in a museum. It's a can opener. And I don't just think it should be in a can opener museum, if such a thing were to exist, or even a kitchen gadget museum, which I would totally have a season pass to; no, I think this can opener should be in the Museum of Modern Art.

It's the OXO Good Grips can opener. The one in my utensil drawer has been mine for over 10 years. I even had a mini fridge magnet replica of it which broke because it was not of same the superior quality as the original. Everything about this can opener is perfect. It's manual, obviously, with a simple and perfect design that is just chunky enough to make opening cans almost effortless. Automatic can openers? I scoff at your loudness, and the way you take up counter space. This humble version is the perfect balance between minimalism and cushiness, and cats don't some running when you use it.