This weekend was the International Housewares Association Show, which is conveniently held here in Chicago (completely for my benefit, I am sure). \u00a0 I attend every year, trolling the aisles looking for a new idea, new trends, new products. \u00a0 Unfortunately, the gourmet section of the show was virtually non-existent this year – so nothing new and exciting there!<\/p>\n
That said, I\u00a0did find some things I am feeling enthusiastic about. \u00a0 One vendor had three! \u00a0A cupcake maker that will make a single cupcake, from virtually any cake batter, in the microwave oven in under 2 minutes. \u00a0 A popcorn popper that will do 2-3 cups of popcorn in the microwave without oil. \u00a0And a cup that will make a slushie in your hand in no time at all. \u00a0 I haven’t ordered these yet, but I am sorely tempted – very high on my super cool list.<\/p>\n
A few people\u00a0sent me on product hunts – I\u00a0found several different melamine trays and bowls for one\u00a0client – amazing the patterns that are available! \u00a0And I\u00a0have a full list of really nifty ideas for one of our real estate agents!<\/p>\n
Themes and trends – copper is still going strong, both as an accent color and as a material in cookware. \u00a0The sea and beach themes are big – whales, octopuses, sea shells and lighthouses. \u00a0I have read that the ‘colors of the year’ are pastel blues and pinks, but that certainly wasn’t evident at the show.<\/p>\n
I will be at the show one more day – Tuesday is a short day- looking to see if there was anything I missed the first time through and filling in a few of the areas I know I missed. \u00a0Then it is down to reading the pile of catalogs and making the ideas turn into reality!<\/p>\n
Smiles!
\nLise<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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