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My Favorite Glass, Stoneware + Ceramic TABLEWARE SETS

  • NicoleDeRosa
  • Feb 24, 2023
  • 3 min read

Updated: May 25, 2023


Let me start by saying that with a few exceptions, glass is the safest material for items that come in contact with food.

Unlike ceramics & clay, glass normally does not leach lead, cadmium & other heavy metals. Unlike plastic, it does not leach hormone-disrupting chemicals. So, I personally only use glass food storage, glass cookware & glass tableware in my kitchen.




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STONE LAIN
"TOM" COLLECTION
COLOR: BLACK + WHITE
STONEWARE
16 PIECE SET FOR 4 = $119 (approximately)
32 PIECE SERVICE FOR 8 = $249.99 (approximately)



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SAFDIE & CO.
"HOME" COLLECTION
COLOR: CREAM
STONEWARE
16 PIECE SET FOR 4 = $57.14 (approximately)




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SANGO SITERRA

"CASUAL" COLLECTION

COLOR: WHITE

CERAMIC

16 PIECE SET FOR 4 = $75.39 (approximately)




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SANGO RESONA

COLOR: MOSS (GREEN)

STONEWARE

16 PIECE SET FOR 4 = $73.51(approximately)



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STONE LAIN

"TINA" COLLECTION

COLOR: GREEN & BEIGE

STONEWARE - REACTIVE GLAZE

16 PIECE SET FOR 4 = $138.55 (approximately)
32 PIECE SET FOR 8 = $249.99 (approximately)




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STONE LAIN
"COUPE" COLLECTION
COLOR: MATTE BROWN
STONEWARE
16 PIECE SET FOR 4 = $53.30 (approximately)
24 PIECE SET FOR 8 = $99.99 (no cups) (approximately)
32 PIECE SET FOR 8 = $119.99 (approximately)




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LE TAUCI
COLOR: WHITE (MATTE GLAZE)
STONEWARE
4 PIECE SET FOR 1 = $32.99 (approximately)




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STONE LAIN

"ROMY" COLLECTION

COLOR: SPOTTED WHITE & BLACK

STONEWARE - REACTIVE GLAZE

16 PIECE SET FOR 4 = $116.40 (approximately)

32 PIECE SET FOR 8 = $269.99 (approximately)





CORELLE

Vitrelle Glass


Corelle plates and bowls are made in the USA with Vitrelle® glass. Vitrelle® glass is a type of tempered glass, which has three layers of glass. This construction makes glass very durable, chip & break-resistant.

On the other hand, watch out for Corelle brand ceramic mugs. The material for mugs is not glass – it’s stoneware. On top of that, China is the manufacturing location for the Corelle mugs. If you do purchase a Corelle set, I suggest purchasing without the mugs. Instead, see the drinkware I suggest below.

Plain glass with no color or paintings on it is one of the safest options for glass dinnerware and glass cookware. Below is a dinnerware set by Corelle (a reputable brand) made with vitrelle glass. This is the set that we have:


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CORELLE
VITRELLE COLLECTION
COLOR: WINTER FROST WHITE
18 PIECE SET FOR 6 = $59.99 (approximately)



DURALEX

Tempered Glass


Duralex is a French brand that produces tableware and kitchenware from tempered glass. In this technique, the molded glass is heated to 1,112 degrees Fahrenheit and then cooled very quickly. This process gives it an impact resistance twice superior to normal glass. My recommendations are Duralex glass bowls, dinner plates, and dessert plates, which I have linked below.


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DURALEX
"LYS" COLLECTION
COLOR: CLEAR
SET OF 6 DINNER PLATES =
$54.69 (approx)
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DURALEX
"LYS" COLLECTION
COLOR: CLEAR
SET OF 6 DESSERT PLATES =
$30.95 (approx)




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DURALEX
"LYS" COLLECTION
COLOR: CLEAR
SET OF 6 BOWLS (3/4 inch) =
$45.95 (approx)






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DURALEX
"LYS" COLLECTION
COLOR: CLEAR
SET OF 6 CALOTTE PLATES (21 cm) = $41.22 (approx)



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DURALEX
"LYS" COLLECTION
COLOR: CLEAR
SET OF 6 PARISIAN BOWLS (13 cm) = $31.95 (approx)





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DURALEX
"LYS" COLLECTION
SET OF 6 CLUB PLATES (13.5 cm) unavailable - stay tuned for link!





BALL

Lead Free Glass Drinkware


We have been using Ball mason jars both as drinking glasses & as storage containers for years now. Tamara Rubin of Lead Safe America tested mason jars & found that the Ball brand mason jars were consistently the least likely to contain lead. Avoid colored ones as they tested positive for lead.

We use these Ball Pint-sized Mason Jars below as drinking glasses & glass food storage. I store homemade tomato sauce & soup in these Ball jars. They are the perfect way to storage food as they don't take up a lot of space like tupperware bowls etc.



BALL
20 Regular Mouth Mason Jars
16 oz. Pint
(glass with lids + bands)
$53.99 (approx)

Make sure you wash and wipe the lids to avoid rusting but do not put them in the dishwasher. And do not let food or liquid touch the lids as they may contain BPA or other bisphenol chemicals.



DURALEX

Lead Free Glass Drinkware


Duralex glasses are my favorites as well. Made in France, they are sturdy, yet they have a chic look.


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DURALEX
"PICARDIE" COLLECTION
CLEAR TEMPERED GLASS
18 PIECE DRINKWARE + TUMBLER CUP SET = $99.99 (approx)
(perfect for wine, tea, water & cocktails)



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DURALEX
"PRISME" COLLECTION
CLEAR GLASS
SET OF 6 TUMBLERS =
$40.95 (approx)





This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on the affiliate link + buy an item, I’ll receive commissions. Thank you for your support!


Source: Health-related claims have been reviewed by Myrto Ashe, MD, MPH, IFMCP

 
 
 

DEROSA FAMILY RECIPE - Insalata di Carciofi (Artichoke Salad)

  • NicoleDeRosa
  • Feb 16, 2023
  • 2 min read

Updated: Nov 13, 2023

Our family has a private website where we share our DeRosa family history amongst many other things. One of the exciting pages we have is called, The Family Table where we're going to share family recipes, stories, advice + more so that the future generation of DeRosa children have a place to virtually commune together + stay connected with one another in this crazy digital world. Without further ado, below is the first recipe in a series that I'm going to share aptly titled, DeRosa Family Recipes. I thought it was fitting to begin the series with the first course.

Insalata di Carciofi

(Artichoke Salad)

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You’ll commonly find this 'insalata di carciofi' on Tuscan trattoria menus during artichoke season as an antipasto but it’s also a great one to do at home – despite having to prep artichokes, this is a very simple + very quick salad that goes with everything from fish to meat to being a meal on its own (perhaps with a heavy ball of burrata and crusty bread).

First choose good artichokes. The ones most commonly used in Tuscany for eating raw are smallish, pointed dark
purple ones. Since you’re eating these raw + artichokes can have a rather astringent quality to them, you want lovely young + tender artichokes rather than older + tough ones that do better when cooked. A good sprinkling of your best salt + some shavings of proper Parmesan cheese are an excellent foil to counter that astringency. Finally, some tart lemon juice + a rather peppery olive oil round things off nicely.


Ingredients

  • 4-5 Artichokes (medium size)

  • 1 Lemon

  • Salt + Pepper (to taste)

  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil (for serving) - use my Primal Kitchen 10% OFF coupon code at checkout: DEROSA10

  • Parmesan Cheese shavings (1 handful) - (we love the Violife brand)


Directions
1. Fill a large bowl with cold water + squeeze the juice of half a lemon into it, set aside the other half for the dressing.

2. Prepare the artichokes by peeling the tough outer leaves off one by one, from the bottom going around + up until you reach very pale-coloured, tender leaves. Cut the stalk to about 1 inch long + then trim the bottom + stalk. Rub the cut parts with the lemon half as you go. Cut the top pointed half of the artichoke off completely then place the artichokes in the lemon water until you have trimmed all the artichokes this way.

3. One by one, slice the artichoke in half vertically. If there is a fluffy/thistle-like choke, remove it with a teaspoon (or a grapefruit spoon). Thinly slice the artichoke half + immediately place the artichoke slices in the lemon water. Continue with the rest of the artichokes.

4. Drain the artichoke slices well (pat dry with kitchen paper if necessary). Place in a large bowl + dress with the rest of the lemon juice from the lemon half, a few tablespoons of olive oil, a good pinch of sea salt + a grinding of black pepper. Scatter with Parmesan shavings + serve!











 
 
 

VALENTINE'S DAY - Gift Guides + Romantic Getaways

  • NicoleDeRosa
  • Feb 14, 2023
  • 3 min read

Updated: Feb 6


The best Valentine’s Day gifts feel personal, make someone’s life a little more fun or easier, and are often treats they want but may not make the splurge on for themselves. That said, the stress around finding a thoughtful Valentine's Day gift is real. How do you pick the perfect gift — or at least find something that will make your loved ones (and liked ones) know you picked it with them in mind?

Below are some of my favorite gift ideas (or maybe a little something for yourself!)



OUTFIT Ideas

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Sweet ESCAPES

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Winter is an ideal time for a last-minute romantic getaway. It’s an escape from the dreary winter stretch of time + from the monotony of the winter weekday. Here are my go-to spots for an easy romantic getaway.

Be sure to use my affiliate links from any of my partners below to book your next romantic getaway!



MIAMI


Hotel Recommendation: A buzzy boutique hotel in Miami, Esme is walkable to South Beach + an array of nearby restaurants and bars. Expect vibrant guest rooms with smart TVs, plus a tapas bar + rooftop pool.

TULUM


Hotel Recommendation: A luxe estate outside of Tulum, Hotel Esencia is surrounded by a white sand beach + tropical gardens. With multiple pools, full-service spa + top-notch service, you feel pampered as soon as you set your bags down.

NEW YORK


Hotel Recommendation: A resort in the Catskills, Inness is a modern getaway down a quiet country road. The Scandinavian-Americana blend of styles offers a chic backdrop to the attentive service, pretty views + food sourced from the resort’s organic farm. In warmer months, you’ll enjoy tennis courts, a pool, golf course + walking trails. But winter is a perfect getaway given the off-season prices + cozy factor.

NEW ORLEANS


Hotel Recommendation: Maison de la Luz is a luxury hotel for eccentrics, this NOLA gem is the upscale sister to the neighboring Ace Hotel. Tucked in a walkable neighborhood three minutes from Lafayette Square, the boutique guest house offers a nightly wine hour, brass room keys, standing porcelain tubs + a secret entrance to Bar Marilou.



Gifts Perfect for TRAVEL Lovers

I’ve researched, asked around, scoured my favorite retailers & tapped into my own experience & creativity to come up with this list of fab gifts (naughty + nice) to woo & wow the globetrotter on your list!

Whether gifting is your love language or you’re just looking for some inspiration, this list will earn you all the gold stars this Valentine’s Day. Nostalgia lover? Outdoor enthusiast? From big spends (like the latest mobile phones) to sweet budget gifts, I’ve got picks to cover everyone from friends & lovers to coworkers & family. Feel free to zero-in on one or do a little mix-and-match to find the perfect present!

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VALENTINE'S DAY Gift Ideas For HER














VALENTINE'S DAY Gift Ideas For HIM














 
 
 
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