Happy Friday! I’m back at the Dollhouse, having driven up on Wednesday. Yesterday was the first official day of spring! Yay! It’s been beautiful here, a little chilly, but otherwise, really nice. I have a few new additions to the Dollhouse kitchen to share, but first I wanted to share a jacket I just purchased at L.L. Bean. Unfortunately, it’s not on sale, yet. Based on the reviews, I think it’s been a great seller for them, which is probably why it hasn’t gone on sale.
Since I need a jacket for an upcoming trip to Breckenridge, Colorado, I couldn’t wait around for a sale. It’s a beautiful color! I have several jackets, but none are the insulated type. I love all the special pockets this one has and how it’s longer in the back than in the front. It’s a ski jacket, and though I won’t be skiing on this upcoming trip, I know all those pockets and design features will be great for future Ohio winters. If you like the look of this jacket, read more about all its fancy features here: Women’s 3-in-1 Jacket.
A while back I brought up my Lenox Butler’s Pantry Gourmet dinnerware to use here in the Dollhouse for every day. I love the pattern but quickly discovered that the dishes are too curvy for the dishwasher that’s currently in this house. It’s almost impossible to get them to stand up in my current, ancient dishwasher due to their large size and curvy-edged shape.
So on this trip, I brought up a set of Mikasa Italian Countryside that I rarely use. The plates are much flatter with a non-curvy edge. So far, they seem to fit in the old Dollhouse dishwasher a lot better. I only have 6 place settings, so I’m thinking of buying another 4 place settings here: Mikasa Italian Countryside, 16-Piece Set, Service for 4. That would give me service for 10 which would be great. Right now, I only have 6 place settings so no room for breakage or having more than 6 for dinner. 
New Glasses! I think this may be the one item I was most looking forward to bringing up this trip! I’ve been making do with some colorful hard-plastic, solo-cup-style glasses similar to these below, but without the stem. They aren’t the inexpensive throw-away plastic ones, but I obviously wanted some real glassware for everyday use. Ever since moving into the Dollhouse, I’ve tried ordering a few sets of glasses online, but I never liked any of them. I guess I’m picky when it comes to everyday drinking glasses. When it came down to it, what I really wanted was what I use every day at home!
This is what I use at home: La Rochere Napoleon Bee glasses in the 12 oz size. I love, love, love the shape of these, and after using them for a gazillion years, I have never had one chip or break. So I finally broke down and ordered them while they were on sale. I love the 12 oz size since it’s not too small and is the perfect size for iced tea or water with a meal. Here’s how they look in the Dollhouse kitchen cabinets, washed and ready for service. You’ll find them currently on sale here: La Rochere Napoleon Bee Glassware.
Can you believe I have never purchased a set of cookware for myself?! When I was first married, I used a set of Revereware that I think, my sister gave me. Later, when my parents passed when I was in college, I inherited a really sturdy, heavy set of stainless steel cookware that I’ve been using for over 40 years. I brought that cookware up to the Dollhouse a few trips back, but when I’m back in Georgia, I am missing it. So I finally purchased a set of cookware for the house here. Now I can take my other cookware back home where I need it. I went with All-Clad since it has such great reviews.
I love the pretty copper showing around the bottom. I’ve read that it’s not too difficult to keep that little ring of copper looking pretty by using BarKeeper’s Friend every so often. I purchased THIS version of Bar Keeper’s Friend which is supposed to be a soft cleanser and non-abrasive. I hope that’s true. If possible, I’d like to keep it looking as nice as it does today.
Any fans of All-Clad out there? I’ve been reading some of the tips in the reviews for cooking with this cookware and much of what I’ve read sounds similar to what I’ve always done with my inherited stainless steel cookware, but I’d love any tips you have to share! You’ll find the set of All-Clad that I purchased available here: All-Clad Copper Core Stainless Steel Cookware, 10-pc Set.
Happy Spring!
Hi Susan, have a wonderful time on your trip to Breckenridge. I haven’t been there in years! I bet it’s grown a lot. It used to be a cute little hippie-ish town back in the day. Anyway, you’ll be looking good in your new jacket.
Yes, I have some All-Clad and like it very much. I don’t have that pretty copper ring though. Hmm. Just from using it, I’ve learned how to cook without letting things stick too much, so it’s really not bad to clean and it will outlast me, that’s for sure!
I love Butler’s Pantry. I never did buy it, but it’s still one of my favorites and ideal for a really pretty day-to-day pattern to use.
Stay healthy on your trip. I’ve been sick and am still battling it, but feeling a bit better each day. I hope you and Chip and the family have a great time in Colorado. Can’t wait to see your photos!
Susan – great choice with the new cookware! I am slowly getting rid of all my non-stick pots & pans and replacing them with the old copper bottom Revereware. After reading too many articles about non stick getting into the food while cooking (my non-sticks were really old), I decided to go with the Revereware. It’s a piece by piece collecting effort (mostly from etsy or eBay or antique stores), but I love the hunt. I never had good cookware myself, so I’m definitely in the learning curve of using stainless steel pots & pans on an electric stove. I love the bee glassware you have! Happy Spring!!!
I’ve had a regular set of All Clad for at least 20 years. It still looks brand new. I have always hand washed it. I don’t use oil when I cook so it has only had water or veggie broth in it, but I don’t have a problem with sticking food. Just heat the pans until a drop of water dances across the surface of the pan, not just sizzles up, and they are pretty non stick too.
I am sure you will enjoy your new cookware for years to come. I recently bought the Bar Keepers cleaner at Home Depot, 26 oz for less than $ 4.00. The price really varies depending on location. It is also great for keeping your stainless steel sink gleaming.
Wishing you a happy healthy vacation.
So busy Susan. I have a similar coat, not the jacket. It has the zip out liner.
I love those bee glasses. Where is the new dishwasher on the list ? So aggravating the wavy plates won’t fit.
Are you at the point of two of everything ?
Not sure just yet. Almost!
I have some pots from that set! You will love them, Susan. I cut a piece of lemon and press it into saltand use this to scrub the line to a clean. You’ll find a few other methods in this article you may want to try:
https://www.thisoldhouse.com/21304474/how-to-clean-copper
Hi Susan, congratulations on your AllClad! I have a set that is at least 20 years old. However, you MUST use powder Barkeeper’s Friend EACH time you use it to prevent build up of unpleasant things from cooking. I use olive oil to make my daily eggs (only a half tablespoon for two to three eggs). One cannot allow a buildup of cooking debris in the pan, on the sides or the bottom or eventually it will not be removeable. Sometimes, “sticky stuff” hides on the inside side of a pan and the BKF removes it easily. I move my fingers over the pan or pot to make certain there aren’t any unnoticed unpleasantness.
I love taking the extra minute to polish my pots and pans, and they all look better than new. If you want a non-stick pan, no butter or oil necessary, I recommend very highly the non-stick by Hestan. They have at least 2 types of non-stick pans. I have a GE Monogram induction cooktop and when I use the Hestan pan, the heat transfer is incredible. I look forward to replacing my AllClad 12 inch with a Hestan. AllClad will warp if the heat is too high, which has happened to me twice, and the pan bottom must be flat on an induction or you do not have the necessary contact for best performance. This may not be an issue on a gas stove, but be mindful of your heat level as a little goes a long way with AllClad or Hestan (Hestan sells on its own website and on Williams Sonoma).
Best of luck and years of happy cooking!
I have the Mikasa Italian Countryside dinnerware and love it!! It is such a pretty shade of ivory. And I also use the bee glassware which is a favorite. I hope you have a wonderful time on your vacation!!
I too have the Mikasa Italian Countryside….I bought it after I saw it on Stonegable’s blog. I just love it….so great for everyday use. Breckenridge is beautiful! If you are cold blooded you might want to think about getting the rechargeable handwarmers. I just bought a set for my 92 year old mother that is in rehab from a broken femur….her main complaint was that her hands were so cold and another friend swears by them. I bought them on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CC189314?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title Have a fun trip.
I’m a cook. My son is a chef. I have lots of All Clad. I bought it when it first came out. But it has many iterations. I’ve gradually replaced those early pots and pans with d5, which I adore. I love to keep my cookware looking shiny and new as possible since it hangs openly in my kitchen, alongside glorious Bourgeat Copper. To that end I always use Bar Keeper’s Friend. I just use the powder and a no scratch sponge reserved just for this purpose after each use. If you cook on high heat you get a rainbow effect at the bottom of the pan. This is easily removed with BKF. I alway attend to the bottoms of the cookware as well. There are no unsightly brown spots. It still looks beautiful!
Susan, I have a set of Revere Ware my mother-in-law bought me as a shower gift over 50 yrs ago, I guess she was afraid her son wasn’t going to be fed, and they still look as good and perform as well as the day I got them. I do use the Bar Keepers powder on them every time I use them. Sprinkle a little on and use a soft scrubber and then dry the bottom. Good as new!
It’s the Barkeepers Friend Powder product that is the miracle cleaner!
I echo all the others who recommend the Barkeepers Friend for your All-Clad. I do put my All-Clad frying pans in the dishwasher, but the BkF is great for removing any stubborn spots along with a Crown Choice non-scratch scouring cloth. You can buy the cloth with the BkF in a bundle on Amazon. That combo was a game changer for me- I never want to be without those cloths now for cleaning my stainless cookware.
Barkeepers Friend also makes a “More” spray that is a game-changer at removing soap scum, etc. from shower doors, walls, and faucets/fixtures. No, I don’t have any affiliation with BkF but it’s so great I want to share!!
The pastel jacket is so pretty!
Thank you for mentioning the More spray, Ann. I’ve never heard of it before, but now I’m going to try it.
Have a great trip to Breckinridge, it is a pretty town. You are coming to our neck of the woods, we are in Boulder. I have a set of all clad I have had for over 30 years, but no copper on it. Good choice!
Love my All Clad though I’m not so diligent in using the Bkf on it. I also love my Hestan non stick pans. I have an 11″ and 8″ and do believe they are higher quality than others. I’ve had them over a year and they’ve held up great.
We had a great family trip to Breckenridge several years ago with our kids and grands-beautiful spot! I know you like a good home tour, so you’d enjoy a tour of the house we rented-Ski Lynx Lodge. It’s in a beautiful setting! We had about 12 at the time and it worked great for us.
Susan, I really like the Mikasa Italian Countryside dishes! Question… Do they show marks from silverware? My white dishes do show marks, which are removable with Bon Ami, but I wish I didn’t have to do that. I was thinking about buying a set of these to replace them.
I haven’t really used these enough to know just yet, but so far I don’t see any. I will let you know if I start seeing marks appear.
My husband has the All-clad copper core too. He loves it.
I was telling him about your plantation shutters. He read your post. We live close to Dayton and want to know where you purchased them. I want to get plantation shutters for our new home.
Thank you!
Awesome, that is great to hear!
I purchased my shutters from Signature Shutters. They were the only company I could find in this area that offers real wood shutters. They also make Polywood shutters, I think. Ask for Marc, he’s super knowledgeable.
https://signatureshutters.net/
Thank you so much! We’re definitely going to check them out.
My daughter loves her All-Clad. We could use new cookware. I love my old Pampered Chef non-stick but am on the look-out for a new set one of these days. Let us know how you like that new set you bought. Love that jacket. Great color for you, too.