DIY a Kimono in 30 Minutes for Just $10!

We’ve been seeing kimonos everywhere these days, and while the swoon factor is high, the price tags can be even higher. (Case in point, last month I fell in love with a gorgeous silk kimono shawl only to be broken up about the $220 price tag.) That got us thinking we just had to hack the look. Not only did we DIY our own flowy kimono in just 30 minutes — fair warning, this project requires you to have your sewing basics down — but by making the garment yourself, you can choose the print and fabric of your dreams, which means keeping an eye on the price tag, too. Our tropical patterned fabric “set us back” just $10! That’s a much better solution than shoveling out all that dough for the light fall layer, and truth: we feel just as fancy in ours!

Materials:
– 40 by 55-in piece of fabric (silk or chiffon)

Tools:

– pins

– sewing machine

– tailor's chalk

– fabric scissors

– ruler

Instructions:

1. Start with a 40 x 55-in piece of silk or chiffon. Fold it in half and be sure that the wrong side (the side you don't want to show) is facing you.

2. Measure down 10 inches and in 6 inches and mark it with your tailor's chalk.

3. Join your marks and draw a sort of L shape. Repeat on the other side.

4. Now pin all along your Ls and cut the excess. Then sew your seams together.

5. At this point, take a ruler and find the exact middle of your rectangle and cut it height-wise from top to bottom, but be sure to cut just the top layer of your fabric.

6. Almost done. Just fold more or less 1 inch of fabric from the center of our kimono, then repeat along the edges and sew.

First, it's all about creating the boxy pattern, which you'll measure and mark out on the "wrong" side of your silk or chiffon with tailor's chalk. Pin, then cut your marks, which will become the sleeves, and sew the seams together. Beginner sewers, not so bad, right? Advanced peeps, you got this!

Now it's time to create the opening, which is beyond basic — no buttons, toggles or zippers to worry about here! Just find the center part of your fabric and cut just the top layer down the center. Then, fold about an inch of fabric along the cut to create a smooth hem and sew it together. You are done! Get ready to feel all kinds of glam.

This kimono is a perfect layer for the first days of fall, not to mention it dresses up nearly any outfit — it can make a tee and jeans look super posh and take a maxi to the next level.

We're all about the simplicity of this breezy look, though you could always amp up the drama by adding fringe along the hems. Ooh la la indeed.

What's the last piece of clothing you've DIY-ed? Did you make it to try out a trend? To get the look for less? Or just because you love to make? Tell us about your style projects @BritandCo!

It seems like the Sunday scaries came earlier now that TikTok's likely officially banned in the U.S. (goodbye BookTok)? Viral social media or not, every Sunday some of us get that dreaded feeling before the start of a new work week. There's even an entire Instagram account that accurately describes how we feel when the 'I hope this reaches you well' emails start rolling in on Monday.

While I definitely relate, What if I told you there were things you could do to lessen your anxious thoughts so you can have a productive week? They're not going to solve all of your problems, but they'll put those pesky Sunday thoughts in a bowl of Epsom salt so you can finally relax.

Here are some easy things to do on a Sunday to make your week amazing!

MART PRODUCTION

1. Set aside time for prayer or meditation when you wake up

Before you reach for your phone to check the news or your social feeds, take a few seconds to let yourself fully wake up. Once you're feeling more present in your body, say a prayer or find a meditation practice to do for 5-10 minutes. It's a great way to ground yourself while lowering your chance of rushing to get everything done before Monday.

KoolShooters

2. Indulge in a longer morning routine

You don't have to tell us that you probably speed through your morning routine during the work week so give yourself permission to go a little slower on Sunday. You can soak in a lavender or eucalyptus epsom salt bath, or spend time exfoliating your body while in the shower. You can also use the new face mask you've been meaning to apply to your face!

Other things you can do are light a yummy smelling candle and listen to a soothing music playlist that makes you feel calm. It's our favorite way to create an at-home spa experience!

Victoria Harder

3. Begin planning your weekly tasks

This doesn't sound like fun, but having a snapshot of what you need to do during the week helps you stay on a track better than winging it. Something is bound to come up that pushes your tasks back, but you won't feel as rattled when your plans are upheaved.

In your physical or digital planner, block out your potential schedule based on tasks you know are more important than others. This will help you get more things done, making work less stressful.

Ivan Samkov

4. Go grocery shopping so you can meal prep

Meal prepping doesn't have to involve an elaborate plan, especially if you don't like to cook. Think about what you generally like to eat during the week. Let's say you usually drink smoothies in the morning, salads for lunch, and a mediterranean bowl for dinner.

You can create a grocery list that mainly involves produce (i.e. romaine lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, peppers, cucumbers, etc.,) and a lean meat or fish. From there, you can find different salad dressings, toppings, or seasonings that'll help you create several meals based on what's in your cart.

Sarah Chai

5. Tackle your overflowing laundry

You know the pile of clothes and towels you keep walking by, pretending like they're not there? They're going to irritate you during your busy week so start washing them on Sunday. As much as joke about not liking to fold our clothes once they've been washed and dried, it truly feels good not to have more tasks to focus on after a long work day.

Katie Mansfield

6. Plan your OOTDs (even if you WFH)

We're not asking you to become the world's next influencer by suggesting you should plan your OOTDs on Sunday. It's more of a way to help shake off any anxiety or angst during the week. Even wearing a new cozy rib knit set while you work from home can boost your mood, helping you perform much better at work.

And if you want to snap a picture of what you're wearing to share on Instagram, who are we to stop you?

Anastasia Polishchuk

7. Do something just for you

In the spirit of self-care, use Sunday to go for a hike, read a book, host an impromptu dinner party, or wander aimlessly around Target. You can even take a candle-making class or fly a kite! The 'what' doesn't matter as long as it's something that unlocks your inner kid and a ton of endorphins.
Alison Ives, Brit + Co's VP of content and creative says her Sunday usually consists of a "two mile reservoir walk" with her husband and their dog before grabbing a cup of coffee. She also catches up on reading magazines, journaling, and listening to an audiobook!

Cora Pursley

8. Honestly, take a rest day

You could do a ton of planning to make sure you have a productive week or you can use Sunday as 'do-nothing' day. Brit + Co's entertainment editor Chloe Williams says "I use Sunday as a rest day so the most I'll do are the dishes and check if I have extra meetings on Monday."

Polina Kovaleva

9. Go to bed earlier than midnight for once

If being a night owl hasn't made you feel any better come Monday morning, it's time for you to get the kind of rest that makes you feel like you were floating on clouds all night.

Meredith Holser, Brit + Co's affiliate writer says she tries to "resist doomscrolling" aside from focusing on self-care activities we mentioned earlier!

Looking for more advice for tackling the week? Be sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Every Gilmore Girls fan knows that Luke and Lorelai were always endgame. Despite the fact they had to watch each other get into different relationships (while I love Max, I'll never be able to stomach the way Christopher acts ugh). But there's one moment in an early Gilmore Girls episode that teases Luke and Lorelai getting married, and even though I've watched it countless times I never caught it before!

Here's that Luke and Lorelai wedding detail you probably missed in Gilmore Girls season 2.

Lorelai teased her wedding date way before 'A Year in the Life'

@dianaathome Caught on my 11523rd rewatch 🤯 #gilmoregirls#gilmoregirlstiktok @valeriescateyescream ♬ original sound - Diana @ Home

Gilmore Girls season 2, episode 3, "Red Light on the Wedding Night" opens with Lorelai and Rory tasting Fran's cakes at Weston's Bakery ahead of Lorelai's wedding to Max. And when Fran insists the girls stay to figure out exactly which cake flavor they like the best, sticking firm to the idea that there's nothing more important than your wedding day, Lorelai doesn't bat an eye when she says, "Well, it ain't Guy Fawkes Day." And TBH, Fran's confused response is exactly how I felt the first time I watched this episode.

We all know Lorelai gets cold feet when she realizes she's not actually in love with Max and bails on him before the wedding. After all, it's definitely more memorable than Lorelai's joke, which I've always taken to be a throwaway line (she really does have a random sense of humor). That is, until @dianaathome on Tiktok pointed out that Guy Fawkes Day, a British holiday celebrating the failed Gunpowder Plot that happened in 1605, takes place on November 5 — the same day as Luke and Lorelai's wedding in A Year in the Life.

I can't believe I never caught this! And I'm not the only one. "I don't know if I'm more impressed that someone snuck this in or that you found it!" one user commented, while another says, "It is Helen Pai and Dave Rygalski's anniversary. [Luke and Lorelai's] original wedding date June 3rd is Helen Pai's birthday!" (Helen Pai is the real-life, albeit loose, inspiration for Lane Kim!)

Now, while this is a super fun connection to find, a lot of Gilmore Girls viewers are realizing just how much they dislike Lorelai's behavior in the actual scene (as in, eating all the cake knowing Sookie was already preparing one). And it's sparked a ton of conversation.

"I felt so bad for [Fran]! She put all the effort and make all those adorable and tasty cakes and the two of them are like “Hehe screw ethics we get to eat free cake!”since Sooki was just going to make one for free," one Reddit user says. "Maybe it’s the service industry in me talking but I can’t get over how annoyed I would be."

Another goes so far as to say this scene is why they "I like to think this is the reason she wouldn’t sell the Dragonfly to Lorelai & Sookie. Revenge."

If Fran's cake tasting really was free, then eating her out of house and home just for fun is definitely not cool, Lorelai. (Although I still think it's not as unrealistic as her showing up to Chilton in a tee and shorts).

Did you catch this Gilmore Girls Easter egg the first time around? Let us know on Facebook!

Influencers are always in the know regarding the latest gadgets and most stylish products. From eclectic tea kettles to adorable food storage and space-saving solutions, we love turning to our favorite social media gurus for kitchen inspo and cooking hacks. These 45 kitchen gems can elevate your space's style, level up your cooking game, or just help you stay tidy, and we have influencers to thank for them.

Thanks for reading about our favorite finds from across the internet! FYI: We participate in affiliate programs and may get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

Make Your Cooking Cuter With Le Creuset Mini Cocottes

Amazon

Right now, influencers are obsessed with mini cocottes. They might not be ideal for party-size batches of chili, but they're an adorable way to store salt, serve dips, bake desserts, cook eggs, make personal sides for everyone, and more.

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Hop on the Wonder Oven Train

Amazon

The Wonder Oven is a multifunctional countertop appliance that will air-fry, steam, toast, bake, reheat, roast, and broil. These come in trendy colors and have a simple and retro design that elevates your kitchen. Influencers adore the compact size and versatile functions.

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Enjoy the Freedom of Flexible Cutting Boards

Amazon

These high-quality cutting boards use an extra-thick material that can bend to make moving ingredients much easier. The slim but durable design is convenient to store, and the non-slip design can save you from knife slips. They're a go-to for the wisest cooking influencers.

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Yeti Espresso Cups for Camping or Casual Coffee

Amazon

Yeti-loving influencers have found their newest obsession — Yeti espresso cups. These tiny Yetis are a stark contrast to the massive 50-ounce bottles we fill with ice water. The dishwasher-safe material keeps your double-shot hot for longer, so you can sip leisurely and savor the drink.

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Electric Ice Cream Maker for Custom and Quick Flavors

Amazon

This electric ice cream maker looks like an old-school wooden design, but it's actually modern and quick. You don't have to manually shake it for an hour to get ice cream. Instead, just press the start button and enjoy homemade ice cream in 20 minutes.

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Create Extra Space With This Sink Caddy

Amazon

We all need some extra space sometimes, and this convenient sink caddy is the perfect solution to cluttered kitchen counters. It fits snugly into corners to hold soaps, sponges, scrubbers, and more, so you can keep your counters clear and clean.

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Classy Speakeasy-Style Oil Dispensers

Amazon

Dry goods aren't the only thing to decant. You can use these refined oil dispensers to decant and precisely pour various liquids. They give your kitchen high-class speakeasy vibes. Fill them with oils, vinegars, dressings, juice, iced tea, cocktail mixers, and more.

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These Nesting Mixing Bowls Have So Many Uses

Amazon

These Wildone Mixing Bowls with Airtight Lids are a sleek-looking matching set for all your mixing and prepping needs, featuring 22 stainless steel mixing bowls in varying sizes, three grater attachments, measurement marks, and non-slip bottoms. With airtight lids included, this set is perfect for storing and transporting your creations.

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Give Your Leftovers Love With Food Huggers

Amazon

Food huggers are a sensational way to ensure your half-used food products stay fresh for longer. These cheese food huggers are supremely popular with influencer chefs. They preserve flavor with an airtight seal around opened cheese blocks but work for many other foods too.

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The French Fry Cutter That Slices Them Into Even Pieces

Amazon

Potatoes, carrots, zucchini — this French fry cutter can slice all of them into delicious fries with a simple press on the handle. The best part? It's made from high-quality stainless steel that's unlikely to rust over time and cuts the fries into even pieces so that they all cook at the same rate.

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Use a YolkFish to Get the Perfect Yolk

Amazon

Use this adorable little fishy to suck up egg yolks and leave the egg white behind. Most egg separators require you to crack the egg into them, but this fish can save you when you forget that step. It gently extracts the yolk in one motion to simplify the process.

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Eat Like an Influencer With Pasta Bowls

Amazon

A plate doesn't offer the coziness of a bowl, but bowls can be too confining. The solution is these pasta bowls, which are flat like a plate with rounded sides like a bowl. They're ideal for pasta, salads, ice cream, rice dishes, and more.

See it on Amazon

Style Your Stovetop With a Patterned Tea Kettle

Amazon

Influencers love aesthetics, and bland electric kettles just aren't as cute as this patterned kettle. The artsy but timeless design gives your kitchen a more luxurious feel. But it's not just about form — this 2.4-quart kettle rapidly boils water to save you time.

See it on Amazon

Stay Sanitary Using a Automatic Soap Dispenser

Amazon

Few things are grosser than touching your soap pump with dirty hands. Influencers are recommending automatic soap dispensers that are touch-free. This dispenser uses an infrared sensor to detect your hand and pump out the right amount of soap for clean hands.

See it on Amazon

Embrace Modern Nostalgia With a Retro Microwave

Amazon

Microwaves aren't the most attractive appliance, but this retro microwave is eye-catching and cool. It adds a nostalgic touch to any kitchen but has modern features, including an LED display, pre-programmed settings, and even cooking capabilities. Make your microwave a statement piece!

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Mini Waffle Maker for Better Breakfasts

Amazon

Standard waffle makers are too huge for most people to keep in the kitchen, making this mini waffle maker a brilliant alternative. You can impress friends with beautiful golden waffles that rival the best diner in town.

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Rachael Ray Egg Tray for Dapper Appetizers

Amazon

Rachael Ray is the original kitchen influencer, and her ceramic egg holder is a lovely way to enhance your hosting game. Use it to serve hors d-oeuvres, like deviled eggs or stuffed mushrooms. Or, simply store your unused eggs in it to elevate your fridge's look.

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This Dutch Oven Is Your New Secret Ingredient in the Kitchen

Amazon

Cast iron Dutch ovens are lifetime kitchen staples, but they can be expensive. The 7-quart Crock-Pot Dutch oven, now 17% off, guarantees perfect results with its even heat distribution. Highly rated with over 8,000 ratings, it's a deal worth seizing.

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Oat Jars to Make Overnight Oats Cuter

Amazon

Overnight oats are an art, and these oat jars are the ideal canvas. Make every cup of overnight oats picturesque and flavorful with the airtight, updated mason jar design. The containers even come with tiny stainless steel spoons to make oat-eating on-the-go easy.

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Blend Your Heart Out With a Vitamix 5200 Blender

Amazon

Vitamix blenders continue to be beloved by influencers, as the speed controls, durable materials, and impressive power are unmatched. Stainless steel blades can blend frozen fruit into luscious smoothies, transform cold vegetables into hot soup, and more exciting feats.

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Scoopers for Even Little Dollops

Amazon

To ensure cookies, ice cream scoops, muffins, and more are perfectly sized, Influencers use these easy scoopers. When you use a regular spoon, baked goods come out uneven, which is not ideal for a top-notch Insta post. These give you identical sizes with every scoop.

See it on Amazon

Gold Measuring Spoons for Glamorous Baking

Amazon

Plastic measuring spoons are out, and luxe gold measuring spoons are in. This set of measuring spoons adds pizzazz and elegance to your kitchen collection. The spoons are also magnetic, ensuring they stay tidy and together in your drawers.

See it on Amazon

Elevate Your Storage With Bamboo Baggie Holders

Amazon

Plastic bags aren't exactly pretty, but you can make your storage more appealing with these bamboo bag holders. This set of four is made to fit various bag sizes and shapes. They'll keep your storage bags neat while giving your drawers or cabinets a more curated look.

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Season Like a Chef Using This Spice Drawer Organizer

Amazon

Consider this your complete spice organizing kit. It comes with four tiered racks that lay in your kitchen drawers to make all your pieces visible. But the set also comes with uniform glass jars and labels, so all your spices match beautifully.

See it on Amazon

Go Al Dente All the Time With These Pasta Tools

Amazon

Influencers were on the bread-baking train for a while, but now it's about making pasta. This beginner's pasta-making kit gives you all the tools you need for homemade pasta, including ravioli cutters, a drying tree, gnocchi board, and more.

See it on Amazon

Magically Create Counterspace With an Extra Large Cutting Board

Amazon

Get this massive cutting board to create extra counter space. It's big enough to fit over most kitchen sinks and stovetops, giving you more room to chop, roll, and prep all your ingredients. It even has detachable legs to hover however you need it to.

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Look Like a Pro in a Kitchen Apron

Amazon

Find a kitchen apron that matches your aesthetic to curate a fabulous kitchen vibe. Whether you're blending fruit or rolling out dough, things can get messy. These aprons add a fashionable flair to every meal and protect your clothes from spills and splatters.

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Decant Like a Kardashian With Glass Canister Sets

Amazon

People fell in love with Khloe K's beautifully stacked cookies, and influencers are still all about the chicness of glass canisters. Use the airtight containers to store flour, sugar, coffee, baked goods, pasta, candy, cereal, and beyond. They keep food fresh and look elegant on any counter.

See it on Amazon

Make Dinner Faster With a Rice and Grain Cooker

Amazon

Many of the health influencers are all about rice cookers, as they make rice dishes exponentially easier. No more checking the rice every five minutes and still overcooking it. This compact cooker can make up to six cups of fluffy rice every time.

See it on Amazon

Drizzle or Douse Using a Honey Dispenser

Amazon

This honey dispenser is beautifully designed to keep sticky liquids from making a mess while making it delightful to add honey to your food. The stand stops drips from hitting the table, and the double-stopper design ensures you only get as much as you want.

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Enjoy Lazy Mornings With a Breakfast-in-Bed Tray

Amazon

The jury is still out on the bed-rotting trend, but there's nothing wrong with sleeping in! And with this breakfast-in-bed tray, you can enjoy a hotel-style meal from the comfort of your comforter. The sleek wood and easy-to-carry design make bedroom breakfasts effortless.

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Skip Starbucks and Use a Coffee and Espresso Machine

Amazon

This combination coffee and espresso machine is a hot commodity among caffeine-addicted influencers. It uses capsules to make decadent coffee drinks and espressos in whatever size your heart desires. It's also a sleek addition to your countertop.

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A Slim Toaster for Tight Spaces

Amazon

You don't need a bulky toaster on your counter. Instead, get this double-slice slim toaster, which can fit two pieces of bread and take up less than four inches in width. Slide it into small spaces to enjoy a countertop toaster without sacrificing much countertop space.

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Execute Breakfast With a Bagel Guillotine

Amazon

Cutting a bagel perfectly down the middle is tricky — unless you have a handy bagel guillotine. With this simple tool, you can slice your bagels evenly every time, making for beautiful and balanced breakfast sandwiches, bagels and lox, and more.

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Undershelf Storage Basket to Utilize Every Inch of Space

Amazon

The top organizing influencers will tell you that undershelf storage is valuable, and these baskets are the best way to use it. Maximize your space by taking advantage of the empty air beneath every shelf and surface, storing food and tools in these polished wire baskets.

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Revamp Your Cooking With a Ceramic Cookware Set

Amazon

Ceramic is the new kitchen trend, and we don't think it's fading anytime soon. Ceramic cookware is effortless to clean, nonstick but healthy, and fabulous to cook with. This comprehensive set has all the stovetop cookware you need, plus a few utensils and protective rubber mats.

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Gold Paper Towel Holder for Glitzy Clean-Ups

Amazon

Influencers know aesthetics are about details. Get this gold paper tower holder and add a little glam to every roll. It's an adhesive design that you can stick underneath or on the side of a cabinet, on a wall, or anywhere it'll look high-end and built-in.

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Embrace Quiet Luxury With This Block Knife Set

Amazon

Influencers like to chop in style, and this upscale set of knives, complete with a block and built-in sharpener, is the pinnacle of fashionable cooking. The block also features a water and rust-proof cleaning and drying system for sanitized, squeaky-clean knives.

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Fit This Mini Air Fryer into the Smallest Kitchens

Amazon

People are still obsessed with air fryers, but what about the people with small kitchens and limited counter space? This mini air fryer allows everyone to enjoy crispy, crunchy food without the oil. The two-quart capacity is just enough for an individual or couple.

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Steel Salad Spinner for Clean and Healthy Eating

Amazon

We've all seen the stunning salads influencers whip up. But salads can be more work than they seem. With this salad spinner, you can wash ingredients to ensure you snack on safe food and streamline the salad-making process. Clean greens with one hand!

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Safe Mandoline Slicer to Slice Everything But Your Fingers

Amazon

Mandolines are treacherous, but this safe mandoline is a different story. It's versatile, easy to use, and easy to clean. With four slicing options, a non-slip suction base, and a handguard, you can cut everything from French fries to cucumbers without cutting yourself.

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Add a Little Green to Every Meal Using Herb Scissors

Amazon

Fresh herbs can be the difference between a great dish and an oh-my-god-this-is-everything dish. But picking thyme leaves and chopping parsley is time-consuming. Use these clever herb scissors to make fresh herbs easier. They also work for chopping ingredients like peppers and green onions.

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Comfy and Reliable KitchenAid Silicone Oven Mitts

Amazon

Influencers recommend these KitchenAid oven mitts because they're sleek and effective. The ribbed design and non-slip silicone mean you won't ever drop a hot dish again. And the high-end color options can enhance any kitchen aesthetic.

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Stop the Stacking With a Pan Organizer Rack

Amazon

All the cooking and organizing influencers love these pan organizers that stop you from roughly stacking your pans. Stacking can cause damage and wear and grabbing the bottom pan is annoying. This rack is the easy solution, protecting your pans from one another.

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An Under-Sink Organizer to Clean Up Your Cleaning Supplies

Amazon

If your kitchen sink cabinet is a black hole, you're not alone. But we can save you from the oxymoron of messy cleaning supplies with this organizer. It's designed to hold all your supplies, from spray bottles to extra sponges to dishwasher tablets.

See it on Amazon