Mouth-blown glass in the shape of a chickadee and a dove become enticing flower holders. I like to put 6 down the center of the table with white berries or small flowers in them. Simple, elegant, and eye catching.

CHICKADEE 7″L x 4″W, DOVE 7.5″L x 5.5″H

New from Vivaterra.com
Price $39 for 2

How many times have you found a recipe that looked interesting and then when you wanted to make it you couldn’t remember where it was? It happens to me all the time and I don’t think it’s just the result of senior moments! When you like to cook and you read recipes from numerous cookbooks and websites and magazines, it starts to blur. Now there is a solution – for your cookbooks anyway. RSVP offers cookmarks for marking your place in cookbooks. In bright colors and made from silicone and stainless steel they are a colorful and attractive way to highlight desired recipes. No more racking your brain and stomping around in frustration. You will easily see the markers sticking out of your book. Sold in groups of 4, buy as many as you like. They are also cute gifts for friends. Check them out at www.chefstools.com.

Those who love to entertain are drawn to Kim Seybert’s designs. Combining a love of rich color and texture, she created a supremely stylish collection for modern living. These Crystal Dome Napkin Rings are one of my favorites from her collection (although it’s hard to choose because I like them all). They are 3 inches in diameter and come 4 to a set for $84. To purchase visit www.kimseybert.com

I purchased the organza napkins from Lartisana . They dress up every table setting and at $2.45 each, it is worth buying every color you like.

One of my most useful kitchen tools is a good quality pair of kitchen shears. Essential for cutting chicken, they can also be used for cutting the string on a turkey breast or roast, cutting chicken breasts into strips, cutting up brisket for hash and a myriad of other tasks. In a pinch, they can even be used to help open that parcel that just arrived at the door for you! However I wouldn’t do that too often as it may dull the blade. One of my favorite brands the sturdy but reasonably priced Wusthof Kitchen Shears available www.cooking.com.

It is so important to keep your hands clean in the kitchen. I love the Claus Portico line of Aloe Vera Liquid Soaps. The labels are beautiful enough to keep out on the kitchen counter and the fragrances are amazing. Melodia, Rozan, and Banho are amongst my favorites. The aloe vera based formula softens your hands as you wash them. Additionally, they contain wheat proteins that restore essential nutrients to the top layer of your skin.

13.5 oz. for $20 makes a great gift too

visit Claus Porto

Fabulous Honey Dishes from The Quest Collection!

Many of you are already familiar with the beautiful giftware and Judaica from the Quest Collection. Just in time for Rosh Hashanah they have a wonderful new honey dish shaped like a pomegranate that I cannot wait to get. All of their pieces are a combination of incredible artistry, sparkle and function. They are hand painted with enamel paint on pewter. They are then adorned with Swarovski crystals. They are food safe and will look great on your Yom Tov table.

Pomegranate Honey dish $170, to purchase Quest gifts in New York go to www.cblfineart.com, in Los Angeles www.galleryjudaica.com, or from the Sterling Touch in Brooklyn, 718 692 4010

Honey Dish with Fruits and Glass Bowl $250
Small apple shaped honey dishes (beautiful down a long table), 4 in a set $100, Great Value

I love to shop in gourmet food stores. I am always searching for new marinades, sauces, and dips that have kosher certification. This week I struck gold when I found this Creamed Honey from Don Suasser Apiaries now owned by The Hampton Honey Company. I have seen flavored honeys but never a naturally creamy honey that has nothing added to it. The honey is made from Long Island local bees and is whipped while it is setting. The result is a creamy crystallized yellowish white honey that is delicious and sweet and a perfect smooth spread for a Rosh Hashanah Table. Certified Kosher by the OU and purchased at gourmet stores like Citarella and Dean and Deluca in NYC>

Additionally, this honey is bottled and stored LOCALLY we’ve mastered the art of reducing the amount of energy required to bring honey from the hive to your table.

Totally unprocessed, this honey is allowed to naturally crystallize to create a smooth consistency, topped with healthy pollen, propolis, honeycomb and live enzymes. Great on toast, Croissants, English muffins and of course Challah and apples.
$11.00

Order Creamed Honey or their other honey flavors and products at www.donsausser.com

Many years ago at Rosh HaShanah lunch at a friend’s home I spied this unique honey jar. It was sterling silver and imported from France. The first thing I did when Yom Tov was over (besides solidify my new commitments to personal growth and deveykus Hashem!) was run to the store and order one for my home. Now, for a significantly lower price and with a click of the mouse you can get a silver plated honey bee that looks the same and probably doesn’t tarnish as easily. Have a sweet new year! To order, go to www.delight.com/Silver-Honey-Bee .

Michael Chiarello, of Napa Style, and star of Easy Entertaining on Food t.v. says the best way to roast a bird is vertically. The vertical cone design directs heat inside the chicken for faster cooking and vastly improves the flavor. Filling the vented center cone with wine, beer or water ensures that the meat emerges moist with a crisp golden skin. These two roasters are perfect for this kind of preparation either in the oven or on the grill. Surround the chicken with vegetables and potatoes and they soak up the juices and are a perfect side dish.

I use Michael Chiarello’s cocorico roaster from www.napastyle.com available for $38

Now www.Williams-Sonoma.com has their own version of a vertical chicken roaster for $30.

Sometimes we like certain products because of their beauty. Sometimes we like them because of their function. SILPAT mats fit the latter category. They are a fantastic boon to the frequent – and even sporadic – baker. Made of fiberglass and silicone, they can be used thousands of times. SILPAT mats never need greasing and can be laid on top of any cookie sheet. This eliminates mess on your pans and all cookies are easy to remove from the sheet. Environmentally friendly, you’ll never need parchment paper again – at least not to line a cookie sheet! Available online from many sites, I highly recommend SILPAT mats. Your family and friends will be particularly grateful when they see that you are willing to bake cookies much more often now!

Beautiful in function and form, this bottle opener caught my eye.

Its ergonomic design makes it easy to use, and the sleek mirrored finish and “water drop” inspired look make it pleasing to the eye and any table.

“Drop” bottle opener, $35, sfmoma.org

Table runners dress up any ordinary tablecloth and change the entire look of the table setting. It can make a table look more elegant, more casual, or just more fun. Check out this crisp, White Stone Runner for $59 from www.vivaterra.com. Smooth white stones add an entirely new, marvelously functional and bold dimension to traditional dining table decor. The runner’s white surface also provides a flattering, coolly elegant backdrop for centerpieces, flower arrangements, and serving dishes. No need for trivets with this natural solution.

Silver decor has adorned our homes for centuries. In addition to food and clothing stores, Jewish silver stores have their busiest times around all the Jewish holidays. And like all fashion, silversmiths and artists tend to have designs that are current. Currently, modern lines and designs are very popular. This beautiful Mayim Achronim is made in Israel and is $399. For more information please email STRLNG925@yahoo.com

Two other modern pieces to admire are from Gothamjudaica.com. The wire mezuzah is striking and the washing cup is beautiful to look at, and a pleasure to use. Ergonomically designed, the pure lines and graceful handle combine to produce a striking washing cup. The inside of the cup reveals the Hebrew words “al netilat yadayim,” the conclusion of the blessing for ceremonial hand washing. Designed by Sharon Geller-Metal, handmade by Italian artisans in sterling silver.

I love these colored vases from redenvelope.com. I use them all at the same time straight down the center of my table. When grouped together or lined up, they form an unexpected centerpiece and pick up the colors of any china. As a set of five, blue, amber, red, purple and green they are a bargain at $39.95, especially since any bud or flower from your own garden will fit perfectly in these vases.