Fall is approaching, soon it will be time for stews, roasts and soups...

Being someone who likes to be prepared and enjoys cooking, I confess I tend to do quite a bit of research about what I buy for the Kitchen (from the produces I cook with, to the spices I use to the tools I cook/bake with). Reality is that buying good quality tools can be expensive though does not need to be. I thought I'd share my finds over the last few months.

First, let me elaborate and say that in my opinion there are various types of cooks, though two that really stand out. Some can cook using whatever leftovers are found in the fridge and what is in the pantry then there are those that follow recipes very carefully. Either way, I believe cooking requires "good tools". I am the first one to admit I have attempted to make meals at my then boyfriend now husband's studio with whatever pots and pan he had though often the results were fine, I found the cooking to be a bit laborious, I didn't have the right pans to have the even cooking... I will even add that trying to cut a roast with a dull knife is not easy. The point being there are certain things in a kitchen that I will rely on to cook with more ease: good cutting knives and good pots.

For knives, trust me when I say I know how expensive they can be. Just have a look on Williams-Sonoma website. Well, I go to rummage sale in nice neighborhoods and shop at TJ Maxx, Homegoods stores for a cheaper price.

For Le Creuset cast iron pots, I actually found the outlet store to be still too pricey. So I check thrift stores and again shop at TJ Maxx, Homegoods stores. I also discovered through researches online that Le Creuset has Second Choice pots that TJ Maxx and Homegoods stores often sell. By "Second Choice" is often meant small blemish on enamel coating, variation of color, not uniformity of coating... though really most time, nothing really visible unless you really look for. Hence, the pots are fine for cooking though often much more affordable. Again, note also that these stores also have new not "second choice" pots. I personally acquired one regular and one second choice at my local store.

This year, I added two more Le Creuset pieces to my kitchen (I bought these at my local TJ Maxx/Homegoods store.)