We just renovated our kitchen not that long ago, and now that we’ve changed the color scheme of the floor and walls, we realized that some of our kitchen accessories, like our pot holders and oven mitts, no longer matched with our new kitchen design.

It sounds kind of funny, but having those items clash and look cheap in our new swank kitchen just seemed wrong.  I couldn’t picture using a busted pot holder to withdraw delicious dinners from my gorgeous new stainless steel range .

So we’ve updated our kitchen accessories now to match our new kitchen, which is blue with a grey slate floor.  Do you like what I picked?

This Calphalon oven mitt is available at Bloomingdales.  For $15 this is a great oven mitt – silicone coated, machine washable, extra long arm and good thumb grip.  Plus you can get the matching pot holder so it makes a perfect set!

Tonight, I’m throwing a party; it’s my best friend’s birthday and we’re doing it big! We want to make sure we have her favorite dirty martini on hand at all times and the only way to make the classic martini at home is to have the proper tools . I got a martini shaker because there’s nothing that says swanky summer night quite like an ice-cold martini with a smattering of olives . And of course, like James Bond says, these drinks need to be shaken not stirred. How appropriately sleek is this Calphalon Martini Shaker ?

Not only will all my drinks be frigid but, I’ll look like a consummate professional. I’ve never been a barkeep or made a cocktail at home so any help is appreciated (even if it is just for looks).

Some of my friends stay away from the liquor so we have lots of great wines for them from BevMo .

I don’t know very much about wine, but I hear using a wine pourer aerates the wine and enhances its flavor. Only the best for my friends!