12 Cool Kitchen Gadgets That Are Pretty *And* Practical

Cool Kitchen Gadgets

There's nothing like a nifty little tool to spark excitement and creativity in the kitchen. Thanks to these cool kitchen gadgets, your time in from of the stove can be cut in half – they're all simultaneously practical yet stylish! From smart appliances to quirky utensils, consider this post your go-to guide for cool kitchen gadgets that will *actually* help you get stuff done.

Dash Express Egg Cooker

This egg cooker can cook up to 7 eggs at a time, from hard-boiled to poached.

Nostalgia Electrics Electric Shaved Ice & Snow Cone Maker

Once you've got this baby on-hand, you'll never let your snow cone cravings down again.

KitchenAid 6-Quart Slow Cooker

This appliance will help see your slow cooker recipes to the *utmost* success.

Keurig HyperChiller

When you're wanting a cold dose of caffeine, just throw some hot, freshly-brewed coffee in this frozen cup for a killer iced coffee in mere seconds.

Angry Mama Microwave Cleaner

This grumpy gal lets the grime inside your microwave know who's boss. This pick deeply cleans through hot steam, once you fill it with water and vinegar and microwave it for a few minutes.

OXO Meat Shredding Claws

These sharp meat shredders will tear through cooked chicken, beef, or pork in no time.

Dash Mini Waffle Maker

Because everything's cuter when it's mini-sized.

GreenLife Ice Cream Maker

You can make any ice cream flavor you've ever dreamed of with the help of this ice cream maker!

Zulay Kitchen Hot Chocolate Machine & Hot/Cold Foam Maker

This pitcher will pour out cold foam, hot, latte-ready milk, or hot cocoa depending on the setting you use. We love a multipurpose kitchen gadget.

Bonjour Chef's Tools Crème Brulée Torch

This tiny torch means crème brulée's gonna become a *very* regular thing in your kitchen.

Zwilling Digital Scale

This easy-to-use food scale will help you portion out ingredients or your go-to meal prep dish in a jiffy.

Insignia Portable Ice Maker with Auto Shut-Off

For the people who don't have an automatic ice maker in their fridge, this countertop one is a total game-changer.

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Brit + Co. may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

Lead image via Target.

Other than taking the long weekend to veg out with a hearty BBQ spread and plenty of refreshing cocktails, Labor Day is the perfect excuse to splurge on your home. With so many brands running deals on everything from fancy air purifiers to plush mattresses, the financial burden that comes with investing in those larger-scale purchases is easily alleviated.

One part of my home that’s constantly taking a beating is my kitchen – more specifically, my cookware. It’s in desperate need of an upgrade, which is why I'm shopping for some spiffy new pans and pots this Labor Day. After years of sautéing, baking, bubbling, and boiling, your cookware might be feeling a lil’ beat down, too. Take advantage of these stellar Labor Day cookware sales from brands trusted by cooks of all kinds, from home chefs to the professionals!

Our Place – Up To 40% Off Sitewide

Our Place

Always Pan 2.0

This aesthetically satisfying pan tackles 10 jobs in one with a totally toxin-free ceramic nonstick coating. You can save $40 on it during Our Place's Labor Day sale!

Our Place

Perfect Pot

This "family-sized" nonstick pot will be a total lifesaver come soup season. Plus, it's gonna look very pretty on your stovetop. save $35 now!

Our Place

Cookware Set Pro

If you're ready to press 'reset' on your entire kitchen setup, this set comes prepped with a titanium Always Pan, the Perfect Pot, the Mini Perfect Pot, and the Mini Always Pan to cook a variety of dishes. This set is a whole $215 off for Labor Day!

Caraway – Up To 15% Off + Exclusive Bundles

Caraway

4-Piece Cookware Set

Another fantastic cookware set, this Caraway bundle is fully rid of toxic coatings and forever chemicals to ensure your cooking and health is high-quality. This 4-piece consists of a fry pan, sauce pan, sauté pan, a Dutch oven, and a handy lid holder for super convenient storage. Save $150 during Caraway's Labor Day sale!

Caraway

Dutch Oven

This 6.5-quart pot will be able handle all the soups and stews you're about to chef up this winter. It's very durable throughout, boasting a non-toxic ceramic-coated interior. This blue pick also adds a playful pop of color to your stovetop!

Caraway

11-Piece Bakeware Set

This fully-fledged bakeware set is ready to go with a whopping 11 pieces of equipment, but zero harmful chemicals. Save $150 on it during the Labor Day sale!

Xtrema Cookware – 20% Off Sitewide

Xtrema Cookware

Signature Series Set

Made of non-toxic ceramic, this set ensures safety at every point of the cooking process. It comes with a 9-inch signature skillet, three long-handled saucepans with lids, and two 100% organic cotton handle potholders! Plus, it's 25% off right now.

Xtrema Cookware

Saute Pan with Lid

For a quick upgrade, opt for a sauté pan. It's likely the most-trafficked cookware piece in your cabinets, so it can wear and tear a lot faster than your other tools. This sleek black pan comes in an 8-inch or 10-inch diameter to suit your personal needs. Save 20% off now!

Xtrema Cookware

Round Dutch Oven

You can do a multitude of things in a Dutch oven, including baking bread and roasting meats. We love a multitasker, and this one's 20% off!

Great Jones – 25% Off With Code 'POPCORN'

Great Jones

King Sear Cast-Iron Skillet

Great Jones brings the fun to cookware with tons of bright colors! This royal blue cast-iron skillet will be the talk of your next dinner party (and every meal after that) for its ability to look good and cook good.

Great Jones

The Fry Family Nonstick Pan Duo

This pan duo is maybe one of the most stylish upgrades you can get for your kitchen. They're made without PTFE and PFOA chemicals, which means cooking with them is healthy for you and the planet. The duo is $30 off right now!

Great Jones

Holy Sheet Duo

My sheet pans really need replacing from all the sheet pan dinners and cookies I make, and I am heavily eyeing this colorful set from Great Jones. These pans are durable and easy to clean, thanks to the nonstick ceramic coating they're crafted with. Keep one for savory stuff, and the other for sweets. They're currently $5 off with the Labor Day sale.

American Kitchen – 20% Off Sitewide With Code 'LABORDAY'

American Kitchen

Nonstick Casserole Pan

This deep pan boasts two layers of professional-grade stainless steel wrapped around a layer of super durable aluminum, all which help your food heat up evenly and stay hot. The best part is the handles on the sides and lid stay cool while you chef it up! Take 20% off with code 'LABORDAY'.

American Kitchen

Cranberry Color Cast Wok

Woks are an excellent piece of cookware to have in your kitchen if you enjoy making stir fries and fried rice. Woks heat up their contents super quickly and evenly, producing the best heated-through results. As opposed to a cast-iron construction, this wok is made from thick cast aluminum with a nonstick exterior coating and interior nonstick coating. Take 20% off with code 'LABORDAY'.

American Kitchen

5-Piece Starter Cookware Set

This set is the perfect gift for someone who just moved into their first apartment or home, if you're not shopping it for yourself. It comes complete with a 2-quart stainless steel lidded saucepan, a 10-inch stainless steel sauté lidded pan, and an 8-inch nonstick skillet so you can cook a multitude of meals. Take 20% off with code 'LABORDAY'.

Made In – Up To 25% Off Best-Sellers

Made In

6-Piece Tailgate Kit

Get on the grill with ease using this convenient 6-piece set! It comes with Made In's pre-seasoned Carbon Steel Griddle, a two-sided maple wood Butcher Block, a chef knife, grill press, their 1/4 Sheet Pan, and a 1/2 Sheet Pan. With their Labor Day sale, you save $131!

Made In

10-Piece Stainless Set

Your kitchen will never look more seamless than with this stainless clad cookware set scattered around. Each piece is compatible with gas, electric, and induction cooktops. You'll save a whole $235 when you snag this set during the Labor Day sale!

Made In

3-Piece Back To School Kit

This basic cookware set is perfect for college kids since it comes with everything you need to start out on a great home-cooked meal. The Non Stick Frying Pan, Chef Knife, and 1/2 Sheet Pan trio is unbeatable, and you can snag it for $204 (was $273) with the sale.

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Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

If there's one thing that unites all teen TV shows, it's consistently casting people who are way too old to play high schoolers. Riverdale, One Tree Hill, and even Stranger Things have all fallen victim to this trend, boasting a lineup of beefy, chiseled actors who are supposed to be 15 years old. And Outer Banks is no exception.

OBX season 4 part 2 drops on Netflix November 7, and if you're like me, you're going down every rabbit hole to find out as much as possible about your favorite Pogues, which is why I scoured the internet to figure out the actors' ages — and how they compare to their character ages (including the cast member that's almost TWICE their character's age). Keep reading for the full scoop!

The 'Outer Banks' Cast Ages Vs. Their Characters

Jackson Lee Davis/Netflix

Madelyn Cline as Sarah Cameron

Sarah Cameron is 19 years old in Outer Banks season 4, while Madelyn Cline turns 27 on December 21.

Jackson Lee Davis/Netflix

Rudy Pankow as JJ Maybank (or is it JJ Groff now?)

JJ Maybank is around 19 years old when Wes Genrette asks the Pogues to find Blackbeard's treasure. Actor Rudy Pankow is 26.

Jackson Lee Davis/Netflix

Chase Stokes as John B. Routledge

While fearless leader John B. Routledge is also around 19, Chase Stokes is actually 32 years old. That makes him 13 years older than John B.!

Jackson Lee Davis/Netflix

Madison Bailey as Kiara Carrera

In Outer Banks season 4 Kie Carrera's 19 years old. In real life, Madison Bailey is 25.

Jackson Lee Davis/Netflix

Carlacia Grant as Cleo Anderson

Cleo Anderson seems to be around the same age as the rest of the Pogues, which would make her 19. Actress Carlacia Grant is 33 years old.

Jackson Lee Davis/Netflix

Jonathan Daviss as Pope Heyward

Pope Heyward is in the same grade as JJ, Kie, and John B., which would mean he's also 19 during Outer Banks season 4. Jonathan Daviss turned 24 in February.

Jackson Lee Davis/Netflix

Drew Starkey as Rafe Cameron

Rafe Cameron started the series at 19, which would make him 22 now. Drew Starkey just turned 31 on November 4. (Happy late birthday Drew!)

Jackson Lee Davis/Netflix

Austin North as Topper Thornton

Topper Thornton is probably 19 years old in OBX 4, while Austin North is 28 in real life.

Check out How Old The Bridgerton Cast Is for more shocking celeb revelations ;).

I don't make the rules, but having cute stuff in your kitchen makes you a better cook. I can fully attest to that sentiment – my kitchen is packed with everything from goofy kitchen magnets to quirky oven mitts and towels. Amazon has the most adorable finds when it comes to kitchen decor and gadgets – and these 13 products combine style and functionality effortlessly. These picks will truly make your kitchen the heart of your home. Scroll on for more!

Amazon

Didaey Silicone Oven Mitts

These $13 waterproof, durable oven mitts look like little sprinkled cupcakes, and that's all the excuse you need to hang them proudly in your kitchen.

Amazon

Mushroom Salt & Pepper Shaker Set

These cottage-core salt & pepper shakers are everything. Shake a little magic into your next meal for $15 for the duo!

Amazon

Generic Heart-Shaped Silicone Spatula

Because everything gets better when it's heart-shaped. The tip is made from high-quality, non-toxic silicone that can withstand high heat – including the dishwasher. The heart-shaped hole at the base of the bamboo handle makes for easy storage! Give your kitchen cookware set-up a cute upgrade for just $4.

Amazon

Zee Rustic Home Decor Ceramic Lilac Color Spoon Rest

This $21 decorative spoon rest will make your stovetop storage game look much more glamorous. It can easily be placed in the dishwasher for a seamless, painless clean!

Amazon

Fellow Stagg EKG Electric Gooseneck Kettle

This artsy kettle is definitely one of the best purchases I could've made for my kitchen! Not only is it aesthetically pleasing, it's super practical, too. It heats water very quickly, and you can control it to the exact temperature you like with the sleek dial. It goes for $165 and is worth every penny (buh-bye, old school stovetop kettles).

Amazon

Cambiar Paper Towel Holder

This $14 wooden paper towel holder is fitted with an adorable flower-shaped cap that keeps the roll in place, plus it just looks like a work of art!

Amazon

Annova 20-Piece Stainless Steel Silverware Set

Spruce up your next tablescape by placing down some colorful cutlery! This 20-piece set is ready to serve 4 place settings in utterstyle. Snag it for just $23. Dinner party, anyone?

Amazon

Sea Me At Home Vegetable Themed Tea Towel Set

If your kitchen towels are needing a good refresh, look no further than this set of 4 100% cotton towels. Each one boasts intricate illustrations of different veggies, so they're go right in line with your fave recipes! The set is now on sale for $20 (was $30).

Amazon

The Beast Mini Blender

This tiny blender ($99) is like a tiny piece of art for my kitchen countertops, and when it comes time to actually use it for making smoothies and sauces, it's such a seamless process. It's fitted with an ultra-powerful motor and expertly sharp blade that get the job done quickly. Since it stacks vertically, it's a great appliance for small spaces.

Amazon

Wenshuo Chubby Coffee Mug

Your morning coffee habit just got 1,000 times cuter. This stout little mug also comes with a sturdy coaster, and the set is just adorable. Upgrade your go-to mug for $30!

Amazon

Staff Oven Mitts

This set of oven mitts ($35) makes me so happy! They're super comfy on the hands, plus they're wildly durable, standing up to water and heat with ease. Since they're made from food-grade silicone, they're very easy to clean with a single rinse or wipe. Plus, just look at their little bow ties!

Amazon

Cravings by Chrissy Teigen 5.3-Quart Dutch Oven

Have you ever seen a Dutch oven so cute?! This one, crafted from matte enamel, will look just as cute sitting empty on your stovetop as it will full of food. It comes complete with a removable steamer basket that's a master at multitasking. It currently goes for $128.

Amazon

Art Deco Colored Vintage Coupe Glasses

Serving up some cute cocktails? You absolutely need some cute glassware to match! These multicolored coupe glasses make the perfect vehicle for espresso martinis and spritzes alike. The set of 6 goes for $46.

Check out our Amazon storefront to shop more cute home decor picks!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

One Tree Hill star Bethany Joy Lenz basically broke the internet when she revealed she was in a cult for 10 years — and just how much it affected her time on the teen drama. Her new book Dinner for Vampires chronicles her experience joining the Big House Family Cult, and the actress told Call Her Daddy's Alex Cooper she even distanced herself from the rest of the cast because of how controlling the group became. Unfortunately, that included her newfound friendship with Sophia Bush.

"Sophia herself was also hilarious and a bit mischievous, always down for an impulsive adventure," Bethany writes in her book (via People). Even though the pair started off the show so close they adopted puppies together, they quickly drifted, and Bethany adds, "I soon realized I wasn't equipped to get too close to Sophia."

"As bubbly and compassionate as she was, she was even more intelligent...Her mind could have been put to good use by NASA — except, of course, she's so beautiful the astronauts would never want to leave Earth," she continues. "I failed to notice that she was also trying hard...Frequently favored and constantly underestimated in life because of her beauty, Sophia worked obsessively at proving her value."

This honestly sounds pretty familiar to Brooke's character arc on the show — and it reminds me of the fact Sophia Bush said Mark Schwann and the writer's room wrote their personal struggles into the show. "They made practice of taking advantage of people's personal lives," she said on an episode of Dax Shepherd's Armchair Expert podcast. "Deeply personal things that were happening in their lives and they would wind up in storylines. It wasn't OK."

Bethany Joy Lenz continues that despite the fact her and Sophia hit it off at the beginning of filming, she "was using religion as my benchmark."

"My budding friendship with sweet Sophia became a casualty of this, and instead of sitting shiva for my ego, I really f—ing wish I could turn back time, walk into her trailer, and give her a long, hard hug," Bethany says.

youtube.com

- YouTube

While that breaks my heart more than a little, OTH fans everywhere are thankful the actresses have reunited since the show wrapped (and Bethany left the cult in 2012) for their Drama Queens rewatch podcast.

"We definitely talked about our time back then and what was hard and how great it was to reconnect and the feelings of unraveling things that were so mysterious to us at the time," Bethany told Alex Cooper. She also spoke on the recent rumored feud between her and Hilarie Burton, which fans began to discuss after they realized the actresses didn't follow each other on Instagram anymore.

"I love Hilarie,” she says. “I have always and will always and I don’t have any problem with her...There have been some bizarre misunderstandings that I really hope we can figure out one day, but I love that girl."

See The Adorable One Tree Hill Cast Reunion Pics for more on your favorite show.

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

There are few things we love more than binge-watching our favorite comfort shows. There's something about relaxing with a series that you know has a happy ending, cozy vibes, or your favorite fictional characters of all time. If you're in need of a relaxing activity that doesn't require you to leave the house, definitely consider grabbing some takeout from your favorite restaurant and curling up with a throw blanket to watch one of these TV shows. Take a deep break, press play, and escape for a little while.

Comfort Shows We Can't Stop Watching

Giulia Parmigiani/Netflix

Emily in Paris

Emily is over the moon when she lands her dream job in Paris, but with her kitschy fashion and sunny disposition, she finds that life in Paris isn't exactly what she envisioned. Not to mention the fact that her personal and professional lives get very messy very quickly. Catch up on the first four seasons on Netflix now!

Netflix

Sweet Magnolias

Dana Sue, Maddie, and Helen are lifelong friends who have been through decades of ups and downs, but their lives get even more complicated when they decide to open a spa together. Full of romance and Southern charm, this is the perfect show to warm you right down to your toes.

Netflix

The Great British Baking Show

While we're in the middle of baking season and pulling out all our favorite apple recipes, watch your fill of this fan-favorite show. Amateur bakers compete against one another for 10 weeks filled with signature and technical challenges as they hope to become the U.K.'s best baker.

The CW

Jane The Virgin

Jane has vowed to save herself for marriage but finds herself pregnant anyway when she's accidentally artificially inseminated, and her life — as well as the lives of the people around her — turns completely upside down. With storylines worthy of the most iconic telenovelas, Jane and her friends and family deal with everything from love and loss to drug lord masterminds.

Nicole Rivelli/2021 ViacomCBS, Inc.

Younger

After a guy at a bar mistakes her for a 20-something, 40-year-old Liza passes herself off as 26 to land a job in the publishing industry. But it turns out that the only thing harder than pretending you're in your 20s is making sure no one finds out your secret.

Fox

The Mindy Project

Inspired by the life of Mindy Kaling's mother, Mindy navigates both her personal life and her career as an OB/GYN. She strives to become the perfect woman with the perfect rom-com ending, but things never quite go according to plan, do they?

ABC

Sister, Sister

We're always down to watch a sitcom from our childhood, and this one is too good to miss. Fourteen-year-old twin sisters Tia and Tamera reunite after being separated at birth. When they decide to move in together, blending their families, life experiences, and personalities, hilarity ensues.

Warner Bros. TV

Friends

Doing their best to survive in New York City, six 20-somethings become best friends after life brings them together. Dealing with everything from career ups and downs to infertility to love and loss, they realize that they can get through anything if they stick together.

CBC

Schitt’s Creek

After their business manager embezzles all the money from their family business, the Rose family finds themselves completely broke. They have to rebuild their lives by moving to the only asset they were allowed to keep: a small town called Schitt's Creek. Perfect for anyone with a crazy family, this comedy will make you laugh and cry.

Netflix

Queer Eye

This is a great watch for any rainy day or when you just need something relaxing and fun for your lunch break. Filled with all kinds of food, fashion, culture, design, and grooming tips, the new Fab Five give emotional makeovers that change lives.

20th Century Fox Television

New Girl

After she discovers her boyfriend cheating on her, kind and awkward Jess finds herself living with three bachelors in L.A. Along with Jess's best friend CeCe, Jess and her roommates tackle complicated situations like loss, marriage, and breakups with a sense of humor that will make you laugh out loud.

Warner Bros. TV

Gilmore Girls

Navigating life in the intensely personal and interconnected town of Stars Hollow, Lorelai is an independent and feisty single mom who lives with her bookish, Ivy League-bound daughter Rory. Full of coffee, small-town traditions, and witty conversation, this is the perfect show to turn on when you want to get in the spirit for fall.

Glen Wilson/HBO

Insecure

This comfort show created by (and starring) Issa Rae focuses on the lives of two best friends. From issues in their romantic lives to awkward experiences at work, this series showcases the experience of Black women today with heart and humor that we can't get enough of.

Netflix

Selling Sunset

Agents at The Oppenheim Group in L.A. cater to luxurious and wealthy clients, all while proving just how seriously they take their jobs. Relationships are one of the most important things in the brokerage business, which means you're in store for some major drama.

Alison Cohen Rosa/Netflix

Dash & Lily

Dash can't stand Christmas; Lily can't get enough of it. When Dash finds Lily's hidden notebook full of riddles and questions, they begin to pass the messages back and forth across Manhattan and might just start to fall for each other in the process. This is the perfect watch for anyone who likes to get into the holiday spirit early — besides, what's more magical than Christmas in New York?

More Comfort Shows We Love

Fabio Lovino/HBO

White Lotus

We're still not over that season 2 finale, but if you haven't caught up yet, no worries. Here's the rundown for this season: the new group of vacationers — from an English expat and Hollywood producer to lawyer and investments manager — come together for a beautiful, complex, and shocking week in Sicily.

Des Willie/Lucasfilm Ltd.

Andor

Taking place before Rogue One and A New Hope, Andor follows Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) and his friends and family during a time when a Rebel Alliance is beginning to form against the Galactic Empire. We love how complicated and complex the storylines are within this series, as well as the worldbuilding.

Netflix

Harry & Meghan

This docu-series follows Prince Harry and Meghan Markle throughout their romance and after their decision to leave the English Royal Family in January of 2020.

Netflix

Wednesday

Jenna Ortega stars in this record-breaking Netflix series about the iconic Addams Family character who has to investigate a string of murders at her new boarding school. Aside from how amazing the series itself is, we're totally going for Wednesday Addams-chic with our winter style.

Netflix

Firefly Lane

Katherine Heigl and Sarah Chalke star in this series that follows two 40-somethings who have had an inseparable bond since their teens as they navigate life and love.

Matt Grace/Prime Video

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power

This series serves as a prequel to The Lord of the Rings series, and takes place thousands of years before the adventures that we know so well. It showcases how the different kingdoms in Middle Earth were formed, following different groups of characters as they embark on different adventures around the fictional world.

What's your favorite comfort show to watch? Let us knowon Twitter and subscribe to our email newsletter for the latest entertainment content!

This post has been updated.