A few of our favorite things: The Queen’s online gift guide for the foodie in your life!

(Gift descriptions, clockwise)

1. Pineapple Beverage Dispenser $68.00: If you grew up in the south like I did, then you know that pineapples are THE symbol of southern hospitality. In fact, my mom had more pineapple decor than any one woman should ever have. This pineapple beverage dispenser from Anthropologie, reminds me of my childhood and is perfect for some sweet tea or lemonade!

2. 10-Piece Glass Bowl Set $39.95: Contain yourself if you can! This 10-piece glass set from Williams Sonoma is my favorite! Simple, beautiful and functional, they’re very useful for preparing your mise en place and for storing in small kitchens.

3. Charles Viancin Silicone Food Storage Lid Covers $7.95–$12.95: Plastic wrap be gone! I am in love with this silicone creation that provides an airtight seal, and works with any smooth-rimmed bowl or pot. Oh and did I mention it is dishwasher, microwave AND oven safe?!

4. Personalized Casserole Dish $54.00: The beauty of the casserole dish is its variety. Not just the ingredients you fill it with, but the shape, size, color or pattern of the dish. Go on, girl, get crazy—express yourself! With so many fun hues, sizes and shapes, even on the busiest of occasions or the dooziest of days, placing your meal in a sunny container can change your entire mood.

5. Dotty Match Potholders $12.00: They’re cute! They’re colorful! They’re comfy! And let’s face it… a girl can never have too many pot holders.

6. Jalapeño Corer $10.95: How many times have you removed the seeds from a jalapeño and then neglected to wash your hands before rubbing your eyes? It burns! Oh, how it burns! Never make that mistake again with this gadget gem!

7. Casserole Carriers $38.00: Made from amazing chevron-printed fabrics, these totes make for easy transport and real down-home appeal. They’re chic and sassy! Want to make one of your own? Check out our latest cookbook or this YouTube video and learn how to craft your own!

8. Scalloped Celebration Cake Stand $24.00–$38.00: You worked hard on that sweet treat, so show it off! From a cake to cupcakes, even a big pile of cookies, every day is a special occasion with these adorable stands.

9. The Casserole Queens Make-a-Meal Cookbook: Mix and Match 100 Casseroles, Salads, Sides, and Desserts & The Casserole Queens Cookbook: Put Some Lovin’ in Your Oven with 100 Easy One-Dish Recipes Come on, you knew these would make our list!

10. Custom Heirloom Silverware Jewelry, starting as low as $30.00: Order custom-made, or ready-to-wear one-of-a-kind pieces, from Elizabeth Lyons Designs this holiday season. These unique silverware-to-jewelry pieces make for a very special holiday gift and are so very culinary chic! (Hence the name!)

Happy shopping!

Fun with Jingles!

Ready to have some fun with jingles? We are!

The other day our dear friend Laura Graf sent us a note saying she was feeling creative (and possibly a little bored!) and wanted to write us a jingle. She came up with three very unique ideas, but we need your help in deciding which one to choose. We will be collecting votes all this week and next, and will close the polls on July 8^th. The winning jingle will get placed on our website, and who knows – maybe we will even make a video!

To learn more about our little songstress, check out Laura at http://www.reverbnation.com/lauragraf

Jingle #1 (Performed to the tune of “Love for Sale”)

Jingle #2  (Performed to the tune of “Put Your Head on my Shoulder” )

Jingle #3 (Performed to the tune of “I Love Rock-n-Roll”)

Sandy’s Salsa Situation!

I love salsa.  I mean I REALLY love salsa.  Not the chunky stuff though — I love the vinegary-smooth burning kind.  If my nose isn’t running and my mouth isn’t on fire when I’m done eating, then it didn’t count.

I recently had to go on a business trip and was away from home for about a month.  I could NOT find my brand of hot sauce anywhere.  I ended up buying and trying over 10 different hot sauces while I was gone and none of them gave me the flavor and burn that I crave from my favorite.

Once I got home, I made a bee line for my grocery store to load up on the spicy red liquid, when much to my horror, I found that MY grocery store, as well as all surrounding stores, have quit selling it!

Panic started to set in.

I wrote to the company that makes the hot sauce and asked them WHY they would deprive me of this thing that brings me so much happiness.  They responded and suggested that I first acquire some sort of life, and then they gave me a list of area grocery stores that might carry it.  I should note that all of the stores they listed are very far way, but I drove to them all.  Of all of the places I visited, I found a single bottle and I bought the crap out of it!

Needless to say I was bummed, but then my main squeeze did the most amazing thing and surprised me with the bestest treat ever!  He ordered an entire case of my beautiful beautiful salsa online.  I LOVE YOU ML!

It’s like Christmas.

So pretty!

Get in my belly!

I’m a happy Queen.

How about you? What is your favorite salsa?

For the clumsiest of Queens in your life

I don’t know what they put in this stuff but it’s like a little miracle in every bottle. Trust me, they don’t call me ‘grace’ for a reason—I spill often. This has saved my carpet, my couch, cocktail dresses and many aprons. Pair with a bottle of red wine for a wonderful holiday gift idea!

You can buy you own bottle here: http://amzn.to/fqnYfo

Wine Away