In case your week needed a little bit more cheer, I'd like to present you with the Mario Batali Wind Up toy. Just turn the switch and watch him flip spaghetti and meatballs in one hand, shake a bottle in another while gliding across your countertop! I'm not sure exactly why or when he licensed his likeness for this funny little toy, but I sure am thrilled. I only wish I had known about this before Christmas as it would have made a great joke gift for quite a few foodies on my list. The Mario Batali Wind Up toy will set you back $14.95.

Sometimes I crave a delicious dessert that doesn't involve a bunch of elaborate steps and expensive ingredients. I know that I could just have vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce, but it's winter and I'd rather have something that is warm gooey goodness. When a craving like this strikes, I make chocolate banana bread pudding. Since I always have bananas, chocolate and sliced bread on hand, it comes together so quickly (35 minutes). If you're having a sweet attack and want something homemade fast, read more

In my group of friends my house is known as the "cheese house." You know that skinny crisper drawer in the fridge that's meant for cheeses, but most people put whatever odds and ends go in there? Well at our house it's full of cheese, many different kinds. You see, I get really into one kind and then find a new favorite and move on. So, until my new love bores me and I go running back to the first cheese, I need to have a good way to store it. To learn my cheese serving tips and storage techniques read more

On New Year's Day, after a long night of divine celebration, I will be attending a brunch. The brunch is an annual event at my mother-in-law's best friend's house and has been happening since before my husband was born. As a hostess myself, I understand the importance of being a great guest and that's why I have to bring the most amazing hostess gift for her. She is an incredibly chic woman and her parties are always special down to the very last detail...the only problem is I have no clue what to get her! That's why I'm sending you off to market in search of an immaculate hostess gift. It can't be anything boring like a bottle of wine or a box of chocolates, so get creative!

Once we find the perfect gift I'll place it in this basket, lined with gold fabric so keep it small, usable, and fabulous. Save your finds in the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the tag of Hostess Gift. I'll choose the one that I think most suits the hostess and bring that to the brunch on New Year's Day.
Don't know what the Yum Market is? Feeling confused on how to save on TeamSugar? Read geeksugar's fantastic explanation.

Everyone likes a nice glass of bubbly and since New Year's Eve is just a few days away, I thought I'd let you know about Toad Hollow's Risqué wine. It's a sparkling "vin vivant" (lively wine) that is named after the Can-Can (known as "Le Ballet Risqué" in France) and does a fabulous job of capturing the dance's "devil-may-care" attitude. With tones of fresh green apples, pears and other fruits, this sparkling wine is superb for celebrating.

• Watch Curb Your Enthusiasm's Susie Essman and Vogue food critic Jeffery Steingarten have an interesting lunch together in 'We Can Always Order More' - Serious Eats
• Delicious looking cioppino (fish stew) - Simply Recipes
• Just in time for New Year's Eve, The Cheap Drunk's Guide to Inexpensive Bubbly - Eat Drink One Woman



• Intricate Watermelon Carving Artwork - haha.nu
• Bacon Brittle, not Peanut Brittle. Bacon. - Chow
• If you didn't get enough cookies for Christmas, try these Cranberry-Cherry Icebox Ribbons - Slashfood

Every so often a new trend will pop up in the restaurant game. In both Salt Lake City and in Denver the new trend is "pay-as-you-can." Yep that's right. You walk in, you order, you eat and when the bill arrives, you pay what you can, or what you think it's worth. Think of it as the "Robin Hood" method of dining. If you're rich, maybe you want to pay more so the less fortunate can eat the same thing as you. To learn more about this new trend, read more

Tonight if you arrive from work starving, tired, and hopeful of eating a home cooked meal but without the energy to prepare anything, this recipe is for you. Baked turkey sandwiches with brie and cranberries is on the menu, and you'll have it ready with minimal effort in under twenty minutes. Perfect for an any night dinner and even better if you've got turkey leftovers from Christmas. To make this for dinner tonight, read more