Ideas & Tips

Depending on whom you listen, you either believe that Champagne is only for special occasions or can be consumed whenever the mood strikes. Wherever you stand on the issue, what can be agreed upon is that Champagne is a beverage that usually commands more attention and formality than others.  Originally hailing from the northeast region of France, the country has held onto the name Champagne as legally theirs for more than 100 years through the 1891 Treaty of Madrid. Eventually all of Europe joined protecting the name. Legally speaking, even American companies are only able to use the generic term,...

Spaghetti is a dish that comes with a deep, long history and is popular for a number of reasons, including both its taste and the ease with which it can be prepared. However, though there is no official set of guidelines for what comprises the perfect serving of spaghetti, these common tips are worth remembering the next time you plan to make a batch of pasta: Olive oil etiquette: Though there will never be a consensus regarding how olive oil should be used with spaghetti, some people believe that it shouldn't go anywhere near the pasta while it is still...

Stainless steel is king in the kitchen and has been for decades, according to the Wall Street Journal. A recent article explored stainless steel's dominance when it comes to kitchen appliances, noting shoppers' unending devotion to the sleek, clean metal.  "The appliance industry has tried to promote new looks before," the article said. "In recent years, manufacturers have pitched 'oiled bronze,' 'antique copper' and a gray hue called 'meteorite,' as well as aluminum and other look-alikes, but none has been able to unseat stainless steel." No appliance finish resonates with consumers like stainless steel because none is so reliably attractive,...

The new year is the perfect time to get started on home improvement projects you've been putting off, and what better part of the home to improve than your kitchen? If you're a fan of cooking, you probably spend a lot of your time in this room, so here are some tips to help you upgrade it to be the best it can be without expensive remodeling: Replace cabinet knobs: If the knobs on your drawers and cabinets are tarnished or loose, now is a good time to replace them. You would be surprised what a new set of gleaming knobs...

You've invited everyone over to your home for New Year's Eve, and now it's time to start getting into the nitty-gritty of party planning and preparation. Hosting a New Year's party can be understandably stressful: People have high expectations about how they want to ring in the new year, and good preparation can mean the difference between a hopping party and a drunken, disorganized mess. Here are some tips to help you provide the best experience possible for your guests: Make a list. As in any situation where there are a lot of tasks to get done at once, it's helpful...