How to be a domestic goddess -- or at least look the part

I'm naturally suspicious of chefs and cooks who don't look like they enjoy what they make. I'm not advocating that a chef risk her health and be morbidly obese (which would seriously impede a chef's culinary abilities anyway -- cooking can be very physical), but I find the idea of a chef who cooks lots of fatty foods but doesn't partake a bit disingenuous. You've gotta practice what you preach: If you're gonna cook calorific foods, you best be willing to sit down next to me and chow down so as to avoid making me feel like a giant heifer whilst you graze. Nigella Lawson, authoress of my all-time favorite cookbook How to be a Domestic Goddess, looks like she definitely indulges now and then (or maybe even often). Nigella isn't one of those women who pretends to eat her hot fudge sundae. Oh no, she eats it (and at midnight standing in front of her fridge in her pjs if her show [Food Network's Nigella Express] is to believed). And I love her for it -- she's completely rocking that Grecian goddess look.

While internet surfing today, I happened upon Nigella's website (click here), which has many of her fabulous recipes along with her kitchenware. I'd seen some of this before, but never the entire collection, and I must say, I almost wish I were getting married all over again, because I'd register for most of this stuff in a heartbeat. I really love the Scandinavian design elements in these pieces and I think the matte finish on most of these items is brilliant. While I love how light and bright her "classic" collection (the first set of images) is, I am (per usual) drawn to her liquorice iteration (or as I'd call it, "Nigella Noir"). It's interesting how color choice can completely change the look of an object -- the blue and cream pieces have a very retro vibe, while the cool matte black look more modern and even a bit dressy. If I (or my credit card) had to pick a single item to get, I'd have to settle on the liquorice set of piglets, though the lavender measuring cups (and I love that they look like teacups!) are a close second.

Fortunately for us, her line is (almost entirely) available for purchase by U.S. residents via BlissHome. I've pulled together a few of my favorite items here, but surf on over yourself to check out the complete collection. Also note that most of her items are available in three colors: robin's egg blue, cream and black.

From Collages

From Collages