a few more favorite things.

you all know my friday favorites, but this holiday season i had some items i couldn't tell you about because they were gifts. gifts that were somewhat tough to part with. lucky for me, i didn't have to part with all of them because three of my favorites were given to my better half so i have easy access: "the silver spoon" published by the dreamy phaidon press, a highly-rated peppermill from unicorn and these ceramic "paper" coffee cups by jansen + co.

"the silver spoon" is the first english edition of a 50-year-old classic italian cookbook and over the weekend, i had the opportunity to make two dishes from the book. the simplicity of the dishes (sausage meat with horseradish and green beans with garlic and bread) and the ingredients are the reason i love cooking italian food to begin with. there are over 2,000 recipes, so i'm eager to dive in deeper. (i do think it's curious that phaidon published it; it doesn't have the same feel of their other incredibly arty books.) visit phaidon's silver spoon microsite for recipes and chef menus. about 25.

my better half hates our perfex pepper mill and i'm not entirely clear as to the reasons, but there it is. i did some research at cook's illustrated and found that the unicorn pepper mill was recommended and i can understand why. it's nearly a perfect grinder and i love the texture of the pepper is gives. my only complaint? i do not love the design (i much prefer the aesthetics of the perfex) and since it's plastic, it gets slippery if you happen to operate it with damp or oily hands, as does occasionally happen in my kitchen. 34.

i immediately fell in love with these cups and the store that sells them, rockett st. george in the uk. the simple design, the little surprise quote on the bottom, their very uniqueness. i paired this gift with a stovetop espresso maker so my better half could enjoy a cappy at home. and the store's customer service is excellent. when the box of cups arrived damaged, the company refunded the cost of the order. i can't wait to order more! (how cute are the little ones, too?!) £19.50.

photo credits: powell's  .  rockett st. george  .  unicorn