Tag: Christmas

  • The Best Thing I Bought This Year: Electric Hot Water Kettle

    In these final days of Christmas shopping I was thinking about those hard-to-shop-for loved ones in my life and I found myself asking, “what’s the best purchase you’ve made this year that someone else might enjoy, too?” (I think this might be a new tradition for me that sticks! We’ll see come next holiday gift-giving season…)

    After breakfast this morning I was trying my best at some stubborn oil stains on a beautiful stainless sauté pan and was reminded that blazing hot water and baking soda is a great remedy. But waiting for water that hot? No, thanks! (Cue the quarantine cooking learnings from Jamie Oliver’s 15-Minute Meals…)

    via GIPHY

    Enter: The Electric Hot Water Kettle

    Truth be told, I’ve had one of these at my office for years, simply for making hot tea in the mornings. But using it for the ultimate life hack that it is preparing hot water for any use? It had never dawned on me prior to Jamie’s efficient meal prep teachings. Major lightbulb moment. Thanks, Jamie! ?

    Thanks to Jamie’s musings, I was encouraged to order another kettle for home use and snatched one up on Prime Day. Remarkably, it was the only thing I purchased on Prime Day! How’s that for personal restraint in the “Needless Spending” category? ?

    Chefman” is the brand I have at my office that I believe was purchased at Best Buy years ago, at least five plus, and that thing still cranks out hot water on the regular.

    Chefman Electric Kettle on Amazon

    There are two (lots of) versions on Amazon currently and truth be told, I can’t tell the difference between the $29.99 version and the $45.00 version so… caveat emptor! (“Buyer Beware”) If we’re being honest, both are probably just fine. Go ahead and spend that $15.01 elsewhere, honey.

    AmazonBasics Electric Kettle

    Now priced at $24.00, the AmazonBasics version was $21.99 before and marked down to $17.59 on Prime Day so I snatched it up for the Casa de Chaos. I wish I had gotten one for the beach, too, at that price! Le sigh…

    Don’t Forget the “Why”

    If giving an electric water kettle feels even more impersonal than a coffee maker (unless it’s a Keurig® or a Nespresso® – now that is love) I mildly worry about that, too, so I’ll be sure to include a little note about WHY I love this device, how it’s made my life easier this past year, and maybe some goodies to enjoy with it (tea, dehydrated noms, etc.) and a link to catch up on Jamie Oliver’s 15-Minute Meals!

    So, friends, what’s been the best thing you’ve bought this year?

    Let me know in the comments!

    PS: I used Amazon affiliate links in this post. If you buy something as a result of my recommendation, they might reward me with a small commission. Thanks in advance for supporting my writing!

  • Another Simple Holiday Wish List!

    via email forwarded by Brandon (thanks, B!):


    Dear Santa: We’ve Been Good All Year

    While you are out doing your holiday shopping this year, please consider donating a gift to the dogs and cats at the Wake County Animal Center.

    This year, the animals are asking Santa for:
    –Pet shampoo and brushes
    –Cat litter
    –Puppy or kitten formula
    –Paper towels and bleach
    –Blankets and towels
    –Cat and dog toys (dishwasher-safe)
    –Monetary donations

    How could you say “No” to that? I can’t!

    {Image: via Wake Co. Animal Center enews}

  • Make a Difference this Holiday Season

    Seriously y’all, it takes very little effort to do good things. And hey, you might even get to attend a party and see some folks you love in the process!

    Tonight – Thursday, December 2nd, 7:00pm (like head there in the next hour) 😉
    4th Annual Downtown Santa Ball
    The Downtowner Magazine is proud to sponsor our Downtown Santa Ball on Thursday, December 2nd, from 7-10pm in order to help children in need and to provide what might be the only gift they receive this holiday season. We’re pleased to have MeetandCompete.com as a co-sponsor for our fourth year. 100% of proceeds and all gifts will benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Wake County. The event will be held at the Union Tavern located in the Depot building of the Warehouse District (directions below). Just bring a gift and enjoy amazing Downtown Raleigh and free beer and wine. Support the Union by purchasing other spirits!

    Thursday, December 9th, 6:30pm
    Jingle Ball 2010
    Get your holly on at this year’s Jingle Ball… and be sure to get there early. Suz and I got there last year as the food was finished and the open bars dry. So we donated, mingled, and headed over to Landmark for a few drinks. Couldn’t complain though, because I was stoked to see the turnout continue to increase for yet another year! I would say that was a mighty successful Thursday night!

    Thru December 18th
    Donate at ANY local Toys for Tots collection point… get the local details at http://raleigh-nc.toysfortots.org/ or find your own local Toys for Tots details (for all of you non-Raleigh folks) online at toysfortots.org!

    All December
    Need stocking stuffers or gifts? For just $13.95 you can get a terrific gift and help Soroptimist International of Raleigh, NC with local service projects that benefit women and girls. Auto Bell Car Wash will donate 50% of each Full Service Car Wash coupon purchased. The coupons have NO expiration date and are honored at all 61 locations around the Triangle and the Southeast. To purchase, contact Joyce Rothchild at 919-518-1093 or by email at jrothchild@soroptimistraleigh.org.

    Got more locally awesome ideas for me to share? Send ’em on and I’ll list in a jiff! Email: ncsulilwolf@gmail.com.