I love to cook, but cleaning is definitely not my favorite thing. Now that I’m married, I’ve got even more to clean and an extra mouth to feed–and impress! Wearing an adorable apron makes cooking even the most easy of meals seem glamorous and I’d rather vacuum in one of these than an old ratty shirt.

From left to right:

• Ballyhoo Vintage sheer red apron with heart detail
• Cupcake Provocateur “Cupcake Cutie” apron
• Anthropologie “Sunny Rose” apron
• Jessie Steele “Cafe Toile” apron
• Carolyn’s Kitchen “Dorothy Apron”
• Williams-Sonoma “Jardin des Fleurs” apron
• Addicted to Aprons “Rose Blue Stripe” apron

I have a confession to make. I have a real weakness for cocottes. In fact, the smaller, the better. Of course, I have a few large Le Creuset cocottes, very useful for me to make all my stews and soups. Le Creuset offers a lifetime warranty, so this should be a good incentive to get a few. In France, most French cooks have inherited at least one from their mum or grandmother.

But my ultimate favorites at the moment are the mini cocottes.

I also like the Staub line — a company from Alsace, in France — which offers really great cheery colors, in many different sizes and finishes. My newest one is the two-quart in grenadine.

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