Ba dun ba dun ... time for tea!

Pop some tea into this infuser and have a Jaws-themed cuppa!

In honour of the Interior Design Show (read more here), which starts tonight and runs through Sunday, I thought I'd share this clever and functional design.

Those of you who follow me on Twitter have already been sent this link, but I thought it was just too cute/gory not to post a photo! (Don't worry, it's just red tea!)

The Sharky infuser, by Argentinian designer Pable Matteoda, won third place in designboom's Beyond Silver competition, which aimed to find designs for functional and prestigious silverware with a twist.

On the competition page, Matteoda says, "INFUSION means to extract certain properties from an soluble ingredient such as tea leaves , herbs or fruit by soaking in liquid (water) until it gets saturated. So we can say that a infuser is the in charged of make this happen. This is a ludic point of view about the color given off from the phenomenon, which makes more interesting the waiting of the whole process."

Would you let Sharky take a swim in your mug?

I totally would. And would hum the Jaws theme the entire time! Ba dun ba dun ....

Found via 2modern. Check out more quirky products in the Conversation Piece column and stay tuned for all the latest from the Interior Design Show in our decor section!

Crushing on the slow cooker

So, as those who frequent my blog and my Facebook page are already aware, I've been growing pretty fond of my slow cooker. In the last two weeks, I've used it to make beef and broccoli, Philly cheesesteaks and pineapple chicken, all to rave reviews from my husband.

Fellow Yourhome blogger Vicky Sanderson has also admitted a "culinary crush" on the slow cooker, recently writing a round-up of a few different models and sharing recipes on her blog.

And, if last week's poll is in any way accurate, we're not the only ones having a bit of a love affair with the slow cooker.

Just over half — 51 per cent — said the slow cooker would be among their kitchen crushes for 2009, while just over a third said they weren't interested in the slow cooking trend.

The remaining 15 per cent said they didn't know (but I'm guessing some of them might be swayed before year's end!)

Vote in this week's poll, on whether Is a builder obligated to disclose to a purchaser that a suicide occurred in the house just before the sale closes (learn more in Bob Aaron's column), on the front page.

Slow cookers hot for '09?

While anchoring may be the premiere trend expectation for 2009, this is really a catch-all term for the many things people will do to nest in the coming months — from purchasing cable knit blankets and gourmet hot chocolate to kitting out home bars and theatre sets.

One fascinating facet is the prophesied rise of the slow cooker. One such prediction comes from the CBC's Food Bytes team, which writes that as people stay in more, they will turn to the slow cooker, "the perfect vessel for comfort food, and turning inexpensive cuts of meat into nourishing meals."

As a new-ish slow cooker owner, I'm still learning to branch out from the chili and pasta sauce standbys, but certainly enjoy coming home to a warm, cooked meal after a day of work.

And, I recently learned there's lots of room to grow — props to Food Bytes for sharing the link — with the "A Year of Crockpotting" blog.

Blogger Stephanie was a little ahead of the curve, spending 2008 trying a different recipe every day. From a solid beef and broccoli recipe (which I tried yesterday) to candles and even a full turkey, she reviews each effort — including some failures — for a full 366 days (it was a leap year).

What do you think? Will you dust off your slow cooker and/or try some new recipes this winter?

POLL: Hosting duties

The holiday season, and all its parties, are now pretty much behind us. The treats have been eaten, the drinks drunk and a steady dent put in the piles of inevitable leftovers. (Check out healthzone's fitness guide to help get your waistline back on track).

During this time, just over a third Yourhome readers (37 per cent) hosted a holiday party, according to our latest poll (though I'm thinking that many of us were too busy with hosting and party-going duties to cast a ballot!)

Sixty-one per cent opted to skip the hosting duties and two per cent said they didn't know if they'd be holding their own party.

Now, with much of the entertaining behind us, it's time to box up the decorations, clean up the messes and get started on 2009 - complete with some home-related resolutions.

I know we're already three days into the New Year, but I'm still setting mine, though I'm certain they will include unpacking my "box room" and better organizing my office space.

Vote in this week's poll (on the lower left of the front page) on whether you set New Year's resolutions for your home, and share them by commenting on the story, this post or by emailing me.

Festive food traditions

Now that we're into December, cookies and other holiday sweets have officially become a food group in my household, with plans to whip up a batch (or two) of biscotti this weekend. (I'm thinking dark chocolate-orange should hit the spot).

The holidays also mean the sweet smells of apple cider, eggnog and shortbread cookies will waft through my house for the next few weeks, leading up to a holiday baking marathon with my mom when I land back east. We'll mix up a few batches of squares, fudge, a few varieties of cookies, an easy truffle, some bread and a few other treats.

Then, we'll sneak a few treats and set them aside (or at least try) until we're ready to share them at our annual Christmas Eve party.

What are your holiday food traditions? Is there a sweet treat that you just can't live without?

And, if you're looking for some sweet inspiration, check out our Yummy Yuletide Guide and the Star's Cookie-a-day calendar.

Holiday entertaining tips

I had the pleasure of being invited to a luncheon yesterday at the gorgeously remodeled KiWe Kitchen – so named for its King West location, not a New Zealand influence.

Hosted by restaurant co-owners Steve Cicekian, chef Chris Straker, Vito Tomasicchio and Ralf Madi and interior decorator Lisa Canning, it was an afternoon designed to offer great holiday entertaining tips and menu inspiration.

Straker offered up a totally scrumptious festive feast. A grilled shrimp with pineapple chutney appetizer was totally delish, as was the goat cheese salad and main of tuna and spicy spring rolls. It was a great alternative to the traditionally heavy holiday fare served at most parties.

The dessert was a totally decadent chocolate cake and spiced hot chocolate – an excellent remedy to the afternoon’s snow, and a great idea that I’ll likely mimic for holiday parties. (It takes the already great idea of a hot chocolate dessert bar to a whole new – and luxurious - level!)

While chowing down on this delicious menu, Canning (from HGTV’s Marriage Under Construction) also shared her tips for holiday decorating on a budget, showcasing a table done for $25.

She used glass vases and martini glasses that she already owned, some newly purchased ornaments in silver and white and a liberal sprinkling of candles to create a winter wonderland-esque setting that I believe even I could try at home.

And, in a very neat trick, she used several lengths of ribbon (which she says could later be used in gift wrapping) to create a sparkly table runner. Canning says it should always glitter during the holidays!

Her other tips include bringing in nature, using a white palette with pops of colour, re-purposing objects you already own (silver and glass can be used year round) and personalizing elements.

For yesterday’s event, she made us each a personalized place setting/ornament using scraps of leftover material from decorating projects cut into festive shapes (mine’s a star). She says it's eco-friendly and easy.

(Canning and Straker will also be showcasing their holiday looks and menus on Dec. 2 on Breakfast Television.)

Happy Thanksgiving!

The leaves are changing colour, the air is crisp, and I'm just a few hours away from heading out to spend the weekend over-eating with family. Yes, it's Thanksgiving!

It's a time to give thanks for family and friends, enjoy wonderful food (check out our recipes and tips) and perhaps even show off your mad kitchen skills. (Learn how to roast a turkey here).

Personally, I'm thankful that this year I am not solely responsible for feeding those near and dear to me! I'm no slouch in the kitchen, but a Thanksgiving feast can be a really big responsibility - which is why last year, I abandoned the oven and grabbed a Thanksgiving feast of won ton soup and spring rolls with friends.

On a more substantial note, I'm thankful that this year I'll get to share the holiday with my in-laws and my husband. It's still hard being away from home on the holiday - I particularly miss my mom's apple dressing, made from a secret family recipe, and peeling apples with my dad for pies, but I'm very grateful to have family in Ontario to share the weekend with.

So share your reasons for being thankful, check out Yourhome.ca's Thanksgiving guide and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!