Current Obsessions: My 18 Favorite Kitchen Items

I’m going to be honest with you, I’m not a big cook. I actually don’t even enjoy it. Ok I hate it. Most weeks I barely get by. But, I do have a few things in my kitchen I couldn’t live without. And today I’m sharing them all with you! Bonus- these would make great gifts, because a lot of them are items that just aren’t the most fun to buy, but are so incredibly great to have. And don’t you worry, I threw a few fun-to-buy items too!

Current Obsessions: my 18 favorite kitchen items

My 18 favorite kitchen items - appliances, wood cutting board, candles, cookbook, wood accents, cozy rug, dishes.

1. Wood Salt & Pepper Shakers $15 These look pretty out on your countertop, and are only $15!!

2. Olive Oil Bottle $95 I really waited a long time to buy this olive oil bottle, because it is definitely a splurge, but it did not disappoint. It is such a pretty bottle, and I do use olive oil daily, so it was completely worth it. Would make such a nice gift.

3. Instant Pot $60 (regular price $130) Honestly I use this for just a few things and LOVE it, but you guys, if you cook meat, which I don’t, I hear it is the best thing ever to own. Highly recommend for beans and rice & steel cut oats though!! Bonus- as I’m writing this it is more than 50% off!

4. Salad Spinner $31 I’m going to be honest with you again, I don’t eat enough salads. There, I said it. But when I do, I always reach for this! It’s really a great item to have on hand. The best for drying!

5. Apotheke Candle $74 I recently was gifted this candle, and didn’t think much of it. Until I started burning it. You guys, THE best. It smells amazing, and looks so pretty out on my countertop.

6. Wood Paper Towel Holder $20 Paper towel holders are so boring. Unless you have a cute wood one with faux leather and brass details. That’s $20. I love this.

7. Cuisinart Mini Prep Food Processor $40 Want to know something about me? I love tortilla soup, but hate big chunks of stewed tomatoes & onions & chilis. So I put them in this little guy and turn it to mush. And then make my super easy tortilla soup. Love this little guy.

8. Cuisinart 14-Cup Food Processor $250 And for the bigger jobs, I use the big daddy. I’ve had both food processors for years and cannot recommend them more. I make the most delicious Thai Peanut Burgers (from a cookbook I’m sharing below,) that I use this for weekly. LOVE

9. Brass Cookbook Holder $68 Looks pretty out on your counter and super functional.

10. Cozy Wool Runner Rug $560 (regular price $800) Ok this guy is a splurge but COMPLETELY worth it. I went through several less expensive runners in my kitchen that I never loved until I settled on a Pottery Barn wool rug that I’ve had for years. My rug is no longer sold, but it is very similar to this one. Same material, size & colors. So warm & cozy under feet.

11. Glass Lidded Jars $14 I keep my flour & oatmeal out on my countertops in these glass jars. They look so pretty, and are super convenient & practical. Also would be so pretty storing fun things like Christmas cookies.

12. KitchenAid Mixer $300 My KitchenAid mixer was actually a gift from probably 15 years ago, and it is still going strong. Such a great item to have (or give)!

13. Cast Iron Dutch Oven $50 This sits out on my stove full-time. Looks pretty, and is super functional too! Would be a great gift with a cookbook or cute towel set.

14. Farmhouse Soup & Sandwich Set $17 each My mom got us these a few years ago as a Christmas gift, and we LOVE them. So great for salad & soup or sandwich & soup combos.

15. Wood Cutting Boards $285 Another splurge that I couldn’t possibly love more. I bought these probably close to 5 years ago, and they continue to be a very favorite item of mine. Two of them live stacked leaning against my backsplash and add just the right amount of warmth to my kitchen. When in use, they are so great for entertaining. The large one I use all of the time for everything from sandwiches to a charcuterie board to cookies.

16. Wood Pedestal $35 This also lives full-time out on my countertop. Right now it holds the candle, wood salt & pepper shakers & olive oil bottle that I shared above. Would make a cute gift with a candle or Soap Dispenser Set (which I have also used it for.)

17. Ceramic Vase (utensil crock) $20 I use this vase as a utensil crock, which I love. Cannot beat the price.

18. Minimalist Baker Cookbook $22 Remember the part I started with about hating to cook?!? Well this is seriously the only book I cook out of. I eat mostly vegan, and my family does not, and everything out of this book is a hit. My mom, who loves to cook, (and is not a vegan,) LOVES this cookbook too. And she has cooked way more of the recipes than I have, and seriously they are all the best. Perfect to pair with the cookbook stand above.