Latest news with #OurPlace
Forbes
a day ago
- Health
- Forbes
Stronger Communities: The Ripple Effect Of Self-Determination In IDD Support
Written by Dr. Katie Arnold, Executive Director, Our Place When adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are empowered to make choices about their own lives, the benefits extend far beyond the individual. Families feel more supported, communities grow more inclusive, and society benefits both socially and economically. Investing in IDD supports that foster self-determination for people with IDD leads to stronger, more sustainable communities for everyone. What Is Self-Determination? Self-determination refers to a person's right and ability to make choices about their own life. For people with IDD, self-determination does not always come easy—it often must be intentionally taught, nurtured, and supported. To make meaningful choices, individuals need clear, accessible information about their options, the time and space to reflect on their preferences, and the support of trusted people who can help them turn their choices into action. At its core, self-determination is about dignity, choice, and the right to direct one's own life—fundamental values that every person deserves to experience, regardless of ability. Our Place: A Model of Innovative, Person-Centered Support Our Place of New Trier Township (Our Place) exemplifies what self-determination looks like in action. Located just north of Chicago in Wilmette, Illinois, Our Place offers a robust model of innovative programs where adults with IDD are not passive recipients of care—they are active participants shaping their own experiences. Our Place is dedicated to improving outcomes for individuals with IDD by building a place of belonging and community connections and strengthening essential life skills. Participants at Our Place choose from a diverse range of programs that align with their interests and goals. They have the freedom to craft schedules that reflect what matters most to them. Innovative programs focus on developing social skills and fostering meaningful relationships. This person-centered model respects the individuality, values, and dreams of the people it serves. Our Place intentionally embeds self-determination throughout its operations, as demonstrated by its person-centered supports and commitment to quality. Using data-driven tools and personal outcome measures, the organization ensures each participant's voice guides planning and remains central to decision-making. Community Impact: A Ripple Effect in Action The ripple effect of self-determination is not only visible in the lives of individuals and families—it extends into the heart of the community. At Our Place, participants, staff, volunteers, and supporters contribute to a more inclusive, connected, and vibrant society. Adults with IDD are active participants in the local economy. When they are supported to live and engage in their communities, they spend money at local restaurants, shops, and businesses. Whether it's grabbing coffee at a neighborhood café, going bowling, or shopping at local stores, their spending contributes to the vitality of the local community. Community Lunch is a favorite program at Our Place, where participants visit local restaurants in small groups. They choose a venue and review menus to prepare in advance. With staff support, they practice ordering, managing money, and socializing—building real-world life skills in a supportive setting. This adds over $10,000 to the local economy, highlighting the broader social and economic impact of community participation. Adults with IDD also give back through extensive volunteerism. Participants at Our Place contribute more than 1,000 hours of community service each year. For example, every weekday morning, a group heads to the New Trier Township Food Pantry to sort canned goods and stock shelves, helping ensure the pantry runs smoothly throughout the week. This ongoing commitment has fostered strong connections between participants, township officials, and community members. These efforts help meet real needs and deepen social bonds across the community. IDD support programs also stimulate local employment. Economically, Our Place strengthens the local community as an employer and neighbor. The organization has created 18 jobs offering above-industry wages and comprehensive benefits for employees. Staff members, in turn, support nearby businesses—frequenting local coffee shops, filling up on gas, and picking things up at grocery stores—creating a local economic impact of more than $1 million each year. Collaboration is central to Our Place's community engagement. By partnering with schools, nonprofits, and other local organizations, Our Place enhances services and advances a shared commitment to equity and access. These partnerships also foster greater awareness, understanding, and inclusion of people with disabilities in everyday life. With deep community roots, Our Place has become a model for how self-determined lives can shape stronger, more connected communities. The Ripple Effect: Beyond the Individual When people with IDD are empowered to make choices and direct their own supports, the impact reverberates outward. Research shows that inclusive communities are not only more equitable, they are also more resilient and prosperous. Schools, workplaces, and local institutions that embrace diversity tend to be more creative, adaptive, and cohesive. Empowering people with IDD is not a charitable act, it is an investment in the health and sustainability of the entire community. Programs like Our Place create ripple effects that improve quality of life not only for people with IDD but also for their families and the wider community. At Our Place, the belief in everyone's right to direct their future drives daily actions and meaningful results. Through innovative programs and a commitment to choice, adults with IDD are empowered to live fuller lives. Investing in each person's potential strengthens the entire community.
Eater
5 days ago
- Business
- Eater
The 10 Best Deals of the Week (Including Snow's BBQ Delivered to Your Door)
is the commerce writer at Eater, and an award-winning writer with bylines in GQ, VICE, The Daily Beast, and other publications. A curious home cook with a deep love of Polish cabbage rolls, her devotion to food service journalism knows no bounds. This week, the deals are red-hot. Grab your bottle opener, because we're cracking open deals on mid-century modern outdoor furniture and rugs for summertime entertaining a rare Goldbelly sale on the world-famous ribs, pork chops, and more from an iconic Texas barbecue joint; and plenty of investment-worthy countertop appliances from brands like Our Place and Vitamix — because it's still the season for mastering gazpacho and salmorejo, and you'll need serious blender horsepower. Nordstrom's Anniversary sale has deals on Le Creuset, Viking, and Staub Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale is live from now until August 3, and to name a handful of favorites from the blowout event, we spotted deals on German-made Viking knife sets, canteens and to-go cups for outdoor summer activities, and an extra large version of Our Place's aesthetic convection oven. Check out more of our favorite finds from the sale here. Get $100 off a do-it-all set of Viking knives You don't have to spend hundreds of dollars to invest in great knives, but it helps when a 14-piece, German-made set from Viking is on sale. Our Place's Eater-approved Wonder Oven is $61 off Eater contributor Charley Lanyon tested the gamut of internet-famous toaster ovens, and concluded that Our Place's Wonder Oven was a stand out for its aesthetic, multi-functional design. As Lanyon writes, 'Beyond the looks, it has a wide range of functions, from baking and broiling to air frying, and it delivers solid (if not standout) performance across the board.' Save 31% off this Hydro Flask (and stay hydrated) There's a lot to love about this Hydro Flask, from the chic colorway to the ample 32-ounce capacity and handle, but the extra-wide mouth is what makes refills and cleaning a breeze. Goldbelly is offering 25% off Snow's BBQ When Snow's BBQ first opened in Lexington, Texas almost 20 years ago, it swiftly made a name for itself thanks to its big-personality pitmasters and, more importantly, its fall-apart-tender, ultra-flavorful smoked meats, which often sold out in just a few hours. It's won various accolades as one of the best barbecue joints in Texas, and now you can enjoy it at home. If you're living a far cry away from Lexington but still dream of trying the pit's GOATed meats, Goldbelly is offering up to 25% off its famous briskets, ribs, pork steaks, seasonings, and more for a limited time. Save 60% off chic MCM furniture at Article So many furniture companies and design houses have been revisiting mid-century modern decor in the 2020s, but Article's furniture consistently stands a cut above the rest; the designs feel retro yet contemporary, and versatile enough to blend in with minimalist Japandi and maximalist aesthetics alike. The company is having a big 60% off summer sale right now that includes choice picks from its wide array of indoor and outdoor dining furniture. Get $150 off this caned dining chair This enormous outdoor rug is $420 off Get 60% off the Summer Overstock Sale at Sur La Table Leave it to Sur La Table to pull through with a superb selection of iconic and heritage cookware brands (Vitamix, Staub, Zwilling, and Breville, to name just a handful), as well as newer additions to the cookware scene (Sur La Table's take on the Ultimate Fork, a recent favorite of our senior commerce editor, is also on sale). The powerful Vitamix Explorian blender is $50 off This versatile 'ultimate' fork is on sale (and is an Eater editor favorite) Bring this shatterproof melamine plate pool-side Now go jump in a pool somewhere. Sign up for Eater's newsletter The freshest news from the food world every day Email (required) Sign Up By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Buzz Feed
20-07-2025
- General
- Buzz Feed
31 Kitchen Items You'll Use All The Time
A jar opener to help you twist off the lid of that stubborn jar of pesto that's sealed tighter than Beyoncé and Jay Z's lips after theee ~elevator~ incident. This low-key genius tool tucks away under your cabinet, keeping your counters clear, and is ready to pop open everything from salsa to marinara with one hand and zero grunting. Whether you have arthritis, wrist pain, or just a healthy hatred of wrestling a jar of sauce, this thing delivers. A stylish Wonder Oven from Our Place that is so multifunctional, it can basically replace six kitchen appliances — saving you not only countertop space, but also serious coins because you'll never let anything go to waste. Whether it's reviving that sad slice of pizza or giving leftover, limp fries their crunch back, this aesthetic little powerhouse air fries, toasts, bakes, broils, and even steams your food to juicy, flavorful perfection — faster than your oven and with way less cleanup. Your leftovers might even taste *better* than they did the first time. The Instant Pot Duo you'll use so much, your stove will start sending 'u up?' texts. From weeknight stews to Sunday roasts, this kitchen baddie handles it all — pressure cooking, slow cooking, steaming, yogurt making, sautéing — faster and more efficiently than what a regular-smegular pan could even dream of. And once you've experienced how quick and flavorful dinner can be, you'll never look back (except maybe to wave goodbye to your pot and stove). Or a Dream Cooker from Our Place for those that want more of a *vibe* on their countertop, but don't want to sacrifice on quality. This sleek multi-cooker can pressure cook, sauté, slow cook, sear (80% faster, no less), with a nonstick, ceramic coating that handles everything from oatmeal to braised short ribs like a champ. Cute and wildly efficient? We stan a double-threat queen. A waterproof digital food thermometer that turns 'Is this done?' into a question of the past. It has a backlit display for night grilling or low light conditions, and it even locks the temp reading so you're not squinting over open flames like a human marshmallow. From steaks and salmon to heating up oil on the stove, this bad boy will definitely become your year-round kitchen MVP. The Guac Loc, a storage container so air-tight, it just might finally end your trust issues with leftover guacamole. You just add your guac to the container, press out the air, seal it tight, and marvel as it stays bright green for days. Your five-day old guac will truly have Chipotle shooketh. A pair of meat shredder claws so good, you'll be serving "Food Network star" energy along with that tender shredded turkey at Thanksgiving or that melt-in-your-mouth pulled pork at the family BBQ. They're melt-proof up to 475 degrees F, made from BPA-free, dishwasher-safe nylon, and sharp enough to tear through meat without tearing up your hands. If you're the host with the roast, these are a must. A seven-cup silicone mold that'll have you breaking up with overpriced egg bites for good. Not only is this budget-friendly accessory non-stick, which means you can jump from making egg bites to muffins with ease, but you can use it in the oven (up to 450 degrees F), freezer (up to -40 degrees F), microwave, air fryer, steamer, toaster oven, and Instant Pot. Dare I say you might actually enjoy meal prep now? Or an egg bite maker you can also use as a mini griddle — aka, your new favorite reason to skip the Starbucks line. With four egg bite cups and a larger cup that's perfect for making breakfast sandwiches, this compact powerhouse makes everything from DIY egg McMuffins to cheesecake bites. Whether you're short on time or big on breakfast cravings, you'll love having this little machine on your counter. A five-speed KitchenAid immersion blender so handy, it'll feel like a natural extension of your arm. Just imagine all the time you'll get back from skipping the messy transfer of ingredients from the pot or a bowl to a blender. You'll be able to just blend your soups, sauces, and smoothies right where they are. Plus, it comes with a blade guard, so your beloved (and let's be for real for real, *expensive*) cookware stays scratch-free and stunning. A clip-on strainer to cut down the number of steps from "done" to "in your mouth" on pasta night. Its attachable design ensures that it can fit a variety of pots and pans, and it is heat-safe up to 230 degrees F, making it perfect for draining pasta, filtering grease, and washing fruits and vegetables. So, fewer dishes and more food in your belly — fast... Need I say more? An electric peeler for anyone who would rather do other valuable things with their hands in the kitchen (like scroll on TikTok). Whether you're prepping potatoes, cucumbers, apples, or even delicate tomatoes, this peeler can handle them all and in just a matter of seconds. You'll be cooking hands-free, stress-free, and probably peeling everything in sight just because you can. A Ninja blender/food processor so powerful, it doesn't just crush ice — it turns it into fluffy snow, which makes it perfect for whipping up frozen margaritas, snow cones, or a slushy lemonade on the fly. It can also swap between a full-size blender pitcher, a food processor bowl, and a mini chopper, so you can blend, chop, and prep without hauling out three different appliances. It's giving minimalist energy with overachiever results. Surprise guests? You'll be snack-ready in minutes. A milk frother for anyone who is tired of paying *extra* for foam at Starbucks. Whether you're team coffee or matcha, this high-powered whisk delivers creamy, frothy perfection in seconds. And if you are sick of clumps and lumps in your protein shake or collagen elixer, this will ensure you get a smooth sip every time. Plus, the stainless-steel design makes cleanup a total breeze — you just run it under water and it will clean itself. If your morning ritual includes any type of powder + liquid, this gadget will be your new daily essential. A microwave pasta cooker if you've ever said, 'I want dinner, but I refuse to try.' If you're tired of waiting for water to boil like it's 1999, this genius container lets you cook your favorite noodles right in the microwave—faster, easier, and somehow still perfectly al dente. Your stove legit may never recover from the rejection. A corn peeler because in this economy, buying pre-frozen corn can feel like a ~luxury.~ This peeler is a much safer alternative to risking your precious fingers as you try to hack those kernels off the cob with a knife, thanks to the non-slip handle that will fit comfortably in your hand. I know you didn't have "peeling corn is my happy place" on your 2025 bingo card, but there's a first time for everything. A KitchenAid hand mixer that has all the bells and whistles you need to whip up your favorite treats, from mom's sacred chocolate chip cookie dough to grandma's world-famous mashed potatoes. If you love to cook, then I know you'll deeply appreciate the five speeds, the "soft start" feature that helps to keep what you're making in the bowl instead of splattering all over your clothes, and the lockable swivel cord that stays in its lane. Even if you only bake a little, this will definitely become your "right-hand mixer." A hands-free, electric can opener because using a traditional one can feel like doing algebra, and lining up the can perfectly so that the opener will finally puncture the top is the "x" that deserves to be left unsolved. With this bad boy, all you have to do is place the opener on the lid, press start, and it will smoothly cut around the lid. You'll never have to worry about cutting yourself on a rough edge again. A pair of cut-resistant food gloves for people who don't want any "surprise ingredients" to show up in their dinner salad. These gloves are not only machine washable and constructed from a lightweight, breathable fabric, but they also contain a high elastic nylon that's meant to help the gloves fit snugly on your hands. Because real talk, the only thing that should be shredded is the cheese — not your knuckles. An anti-fatigue mat to make standing at the sink feel like you're doing dishes on a cloud. It's got ¾" of high-density foam to cushion your feet while you tackle Mount Dishmore, plus a stain-resistant top that you can wipe clean faster than you can say 'oops, marinara spill.' Your feet? *Thriving*. Your back? ~Blessed.~ A frozen fruit soft-serve maker that will have you constantly saying "I can't believe this is NOT ice cream" with every bite. All you have to do is add your favorite frozen fruit, and within minutes you'll have a smooth, creamy treat that will have ice cream drafting a cease-and-desist. If you're lactose-intolerant, love sorbet, or just hate seeing ripe fruit go to waste, this will definitely be the most fun way to get more fruit into your day. Or a personal ice cream maker for those of us who are in the mood for ice cream, but not in the mood for the checkout line to get it. With this mug-shaped delight, all you have to do is freeze the base for at least 24 hours, add your ingredients, and churn. In just minutes, you'll have a single serving of your favorite frozen treats from scratch. An oil sprayer that will turn that jug of oil and cooking spray you have cluttering up your counter into one sleek, multipurpose bottle. You can choose between a fine mist or a clean pour with a flip of a switch. Drizzle on your salad or mist on your pan — this dual-dispenser does both with zero mess and max control. A cold brew coffee maker for anyone who's ever lost it while leaving the drive-thru because they took one sip of their coffee and realized the barista used 2% milk instead of oat milk again (insert melting smiley face). Instead, brew up to a week's worth of your own beloved beans at home in this dishwasher-safe pitcher that features a super fine mesh strainer, ensuring that you only get a nice smooth sip every time. This will not only make your wallet SO proud of you, but it also gives you extra time in bed in the morning. In fact, go ahead and press snooze one more time — you earned it. A pack of oven rack guards to help anyone that just wants their oven to be serving cookies and not third-degree burns. They sit right at the edge of the rack, can be cut to meet the lengths of your racks and can withstand temperatures of up to 446 degrees F. If you're a frequent baker, your wrists will deeply thank you for this one. A blue, apple-shaped produce saver because no one can afford to lose their precious fruits and veggies in this economy. They're designed to absorb the ethylene gas that causes your food to ripen, allowing you to waste less and to enjoy your hard-earned money on other ~luxuries~ like paying rent (insert several melting smiley faces here). A Cuisinart defrosting tray for those nights when you know you want chicken, but you also forgot to take it out of the freezer. Instead of calling in for take-out to get your chicken fix, you can keep your money in your wallet and just place your frozen meat on this tray, which is made of high-conductivity aluminum that helps to melt frozen items at a more rapid pace. A pop-out ice cube tray with bin and scoop, because sometimes even refrigerated water on a hot day can feel room temp. This compact tray set makes and stores ice in one neat container, and easily releases cubes with a satisfying press — no banging or swearing required. Plus, it stacks cleanly, so even your freezer can have an aesthetic. A glass rinser for when your reusable tumbler smells like last week's coffee and you're too tired to deep clean anything. Not only is it easy to install, but it's a game-changer for people who don't have dishwashers. It fits right by your sink and blasts gunk out of glasses, baby bottles, and water bottles in literal seconds — no soaking or scrubbing required. It's like the ultimate car wash for your drinkware. A pack of silicone baking mats that will cut cooking spray and parchment paper off your shopping list. They're non-stick, which means picking up those ooey-gooey chocolate chip cookies or that yummy fillet of salmon will be a breeze (as long as the oven is 480 degrees F or less). Reviewers also say these are just as good (if not better) than the more splurge-worthy Silpat liners. A rapid egg cooker to help whip up any type you desire with minimal effort. We're talking hard boiled, soft boiled, poached, omelets — all with just the press of a button. Hosting brunch with the girls will truly be 🎶 eaaaaaaaaaaasy like Sunday morning. 🎶
Buzz Feed
18-07-2025
- General
- Buzz Feed
21 Target Home Products That Somehow Feel Indulgent *And* Practical
A recycled glass beverage pitcher you'll reach for all day long because you can fill it with flavored water, teas, or your fave at-home lemonade concoction. Promising review: "Love it! I think it's a great size and feels very study. Great to use to hold flowers or use for drinks!" —KatyPrice: $15.99 A Kitchenaid hand mixer so you can give all those recipes you've saved on TikTok a go without having to haul out the big stand mixer. (Plus, look at its perfectly indulgent GREEN color!) Price: $84.99 (originally $109.99) A mug tree that'll make you smile every time you see your fave mugs on proud display and will help keep your cupboards from making an avalanche of your mug collection. Promising review: "Saw this online first and had it in my cart, but then ran to the store and luckily I found it to hang my adorable mugs on. It's perfect looks more rustic in person which I was happy about." —IslandgirlPrice: $22 A Simplehuman touch-free soap dispenser to give your bathroom a futuristic ~touch~ while keeping you (and your fam) as sanitary as possible. This one runs off a rechargeable battery, too, so no bulky cord out on your counter at all hours! Promising reviews: "I like that you can rinse it off in the sink. I bought a cheap one on amazon and it stopped working once it got wet from falling in the sink. So definitely recommend this brand." —Spoilmybaby"Love it. We're using it in the kitchen. It's easy to use hands free and just the right size. Plan to get another for the bathroom." —BarbcsPrice: $69.99+ (available in three styles) An Our Place ceramic nonstick Always pan if you're short on cabinet space. I can PERSONALLY attest this pan can do it all because I'm ~obsessed~ with mine and am slowly building an Our Place empire. Easy to clean, cute, cute, cute, and the kind of item that makes you EXCITED to cook because of how easy it is on the eyes and the cleanup. Set includes an Always Pan 2.0 in original nonstick, a modular, steam-release lid, a nesting beechwood spatula that slots right onto the handle for easy holding, and a steamer basket and colander.I truly can't say enough nice things about the Always pan. I have a Very Fancy pan that has been living in the cabinet since I got this one because the Always is a joy to use and such a breeze to clean up when finished. Just be sure to let the pan TOTALLY cool before washing to extend the non-stick life, and you'll be just as obsessed as I am!Promising reviews: "Evenly cooks and easy clean up. Purchased on sale so I feel pricing was good." —JPrice: $129 (available in five colors) A brass-footed and handled tray perfect for catching your mail, holding your fave succulent plant, or anything else you can imagine! That antiqued brass color looks amazing no matter what you stack on it, so rest assured it'll find a cozy spot in your current home decor! Promising reviews: "It's so beautiful in person! Especially for a bar." —momof3j"Heavy and durable, doesn't look or feel cheap. Really beautiful and subtle antique brass color." —JMartinPrice: $25 A wood-top kitchen island your friends and fam will love to sit, lean, and gather around while they watch you whip up the perfect charcuterie board. (Plus, it's on wheels. So if you ever need it to be, say, a craft board in another room, that's an option!) Promising reviews: "We purchased this to use as a coffee cart, and it's such a great addition to our kitchen/dining area. It helps expand our space without being bulky. We use the top surface to place our espresso machine, hot water kettle, coffee grinder, and espresso tools. The drawer fits tea bags, additional tools, and coffee filters, with plenty of room to spare. And the lower storage/cabinet space fits plenty of additional items like mugs, containers, and a french press. We love this cart!" —joshb"I love this island! It's so pretty and really helped add storage and counter space to my kitchen." —KatherinePrice: $435 Matter compostable lidded hot cups which are a win for you and the planet. (AND your plants if you use your compost to nourish those!) Don't you want to bother fishing your thermos from the dishwasher on a Monday morning? Snag a 10-pack of these, so you always have an ecologically friendly grab-n-go-n-toss option! Matter is a company all about making compostable products from plants which is obviously so much better for the environment without sacrificing the convenience we love to have in our homes. I ~personally~ also love their earth-friendly sandwich baggies for lunches and snacks if you're looking to green-ify another daily habit! Promising review: "They were great and they didn't leak!" —KayPrice: $5.99 for 10 A microgel down alternative pillow if your old pillow is looking (and feeling!) a little worse for wear. This one is medium firm and the microgel will hold its shape over time so that you can come back again and again to your new perfect neck setup. Hell-o excellent sleep! Promising review: "Some of the best pillows I've owned so far. I love how the packaging has a meter on it as well. These pillows bounce back unlike any other pillow. I've slept on. For $15 each this is definitely a bargain." —oreofox22Price: $20+ (available in standard and king sizes) A beautiful floral quilt to help welcome sunny days with open arms and keep you at a perfectly pleasant temperature all year long. Promising reviews: "Love the colors! Love how lightweight it is!" —Sarah T"It's been a while now since purchasing and it's still holding up well. No piling and it does provide great coverage with it not making us super hot or cold." —AlexaPrice: $69+ (available in sizes full/queen and king and in three styles) A Nex Playground Active Play System that's ~supposedly~ designed for the small human crowd, but adults also LOVE this thing. If you remember the Xbox Kinect times, THIS IS THE SUPERIOR, CHEAPER, MORE COMPACT VERSION. With games like Fruit Ninja, Whac-A-Mole, and dancing galore, this handy size-of-your-hand device plugs directly into your TV or projector with an HDMI cable and is ready to go. Check out this TikTok of parents enjoying it just as much as the kids! We've had this in our home for about two months, now, and it is an INDISPENSABLE HOME GOOD. Need to tidy the house but don't want your kiddo staring at their 1000th hour of Bluey for the day? The Nex has GOT YOU. This genuinely requires kids to move in order to play the games, and it keeps them entertained while you get some stuff done. It is now a feature of our living room and everyone asks "What's that little colorful box?" when they visit. (We're very happy to convert them.)Promising reviews: "I bought this as a Christmas gift for my kids and wanted to try it out first, so my coworkers and I tried it and it was so much fun! It's a quick and easy setup and gets you moving! I can't wait to play with my kids. I'm highly satisfied with my purchase." —Ashley H"I have four kids (8 and under), and Nex Playground is saving my life in these indoor months. My 4- and 7-year-olds love to play these games, and my 7-year-old has no problem navigating through the games and playing. There is a great selection of games, and it can be played solo or multiplayer — which I love, and they are adding games to the library, which is so fun!" —MJPrice: $249.99 A Keurig K-Cafe smart single-serve coffee, latte, and cappuccino maker, I can testify, is the bougiest (and most affordable!) caffeine deliverer around. IT COMES WITH A MILK FROTHER. I can't emphasize what a game-changer this is. Plus, it's *actually* smart. It can read the barcode on the K-Cups and give you recipe options to fully personalize your morning brew. Promising review: "Great coffee maker with WiFi ability to start my cup of coffee while I get up." —VIPrice: $199.99 A framed vintage lemon print because when life gives you lemons, frame them and hang them on your wall. Got a couple spots on your walls where nails used to hang? COVER THEM UP WITH ON-TREND LEMON CUTENESS. Seriously, lemons are everywhere this year, and I'm not mad about it!Promising reviews: "Super cute picture. Picture and frame are well made. Overall the quality is great and the price is reasonable." —Meg"Love the bright yellow color on this art piece. Looks great in my living room." —VinksPrice: $32 Some solar LED outdoor string lights to bring a touch of whimsy to your outdoor nights. Just look at those little rattan light hats. And if you've been wondering how you're going to enjoy your dark outdoor space after the sun goes down, these will give you just enough light to vibe outside. Promising review: "Great addition to my balcony seating area. Gives off a nice soft light in the evening. The solar charge does wear off overnight, but recharges daily. I've had these up throughout the spring, summer, and fall with no problems." —Always ShoppingPrice: $20 A queen size pillow top air mattress with a headboard because your floor never looked so good as a guest spot. If you've got a full house (or just want the most EPIC of movie nights in front of the living room flatscreen), this luxurious air mattress wants to be a part of all your sleepovers. Promising reviews: "I like the fact that I can actually use the pillow headboard as a back support while doing my work and homework in bed." —QueenChi"I have had several different ones over the past several years. The headboard was such a bonus. It was easy to get in and out, too." —LoriPrice: $79.99 A 6-inch Kindle that's a new TikTok fave and Amazon's lightest, most compact e-reader yet. Have your link ready to share because there's LOTS of buzz in the cozy book world about how this is the perfect additional companion to your Paperwhite, so you (and those you influence!) will get a lot of use out of both! (I would say ask me how I know, Just trust me.) Here is one of my most FAVORITE cozy creators on TikTok talking about why she loves her new lil' Kindle!Plus, this little guy is EXTRA practical if you've been thinking about cleaning out some of the stacks of physical books you've got in every corner of your house. Promising review: "I love physical books, but as a working mom of four ( one being a baby), I wanted something I could throw into my bag and go. That was compact and charged well. I absolutely love my new Kindle. I'm on my fifth book this week!!!" —MamaoffourPrice: $109.99 (available in two colors) A Costway electric fireplace stand you'll love on those cooler nights and for the loads of extra storage it brings to your space. Promising reviews: "We are certainly enjoying our new fireplace. It looks really good in our living room and looks warm and cozy. It is just exactly what we wanted for our room." —Wade"It's is so beautiful and I've gotten compliments on the unit. It help heat our living room, as our house is poorly insulated. I love it! Nothing bad to say about it at all." —JamiePrice: $349.99+ (originally $699.99+, available in four styles) A curved wooden bookcase not only perfect for holding all those books you still want to read this year, but ALSO, it's laddered design is PERFECT for holding flower stems to give you the Bookstagram setup of your dreams. Promising review: "My daughter purchased one first, and I fell in love with hers. Such a great eclectic design — it blends seamlessly with any style from boho to mid-century. Absolutely love how it looks in my home. Despite what some have said in the reviews, I found it quite easy to assemble all by myself in about two hours. Very nice quality for the price." —BohomamaPrice: $375 A tufted shower curtain if your bathroom could use the quickest (and most effective!) of rebrands. I'm going to hold your hand gently when I say this, but if you still have a holiday-themed curtain up in July... it's time for a seasonal change. Promising reviews: "I love this shower curtain. It's so pretty. Much nicer in person. Brings out my guest bathroom." —F Schultz"This is a beautiful and classic fabric shower curtain. The neutral creamy texture adds character to our Guest bathroom. I highly recommend to anyone contemplating whether or not they should purchase." —SaavyOCShopperPrice: $29.99 A tiered Bentgo snack cup perfect for bringing your yogurt parfait on the go or simply giving yourself the freedom to add multiple different snacks in one cup without them cross-pollinating. (Nobody wants their pretzels all up in their cheese cubes' business, thank you very much.) Price: $19.99 (available in five colors) An Our Place knife trio as useful as it is eye catching. (And with colors like that, you know people will be 👀) Price: $145
Daily Mail
15-07-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
The air fryers to invest in right now, tested by an experienced product reviewer - as urgent recall issued for popular brand over safety fears
Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more A urgent recall order is affecting almost 60,000 air fryers from popular brand Tower. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has also issued a 'do not use' order, after reports of models catching on fire in the UK. The air fryers were sold at various retailers including Amazon, Argos, Tesco Ireland, DID (Ireland), Dealz, Lidl and the Tower website. Models affected by the recall: T17023 Tower 2.2L Manual air fryer T17061BLK Tower 4L Manual air fryer T17067 Tower 4L Digital air fryer T17087 Tower 2L Compact Manual air fryer T17129L Vortx 8L Dual Basket air fryer If you do think your model is affected, you should stop using your appliance immediately and visit the Tower Safety website, following instructions from there. I've been reviewing and using air fryers in my own home for years and have some favourites I have used almost every day for the past three years with no issues. If you've been considering a Tower air fryer before this urgent recall or have been left without one because of it, I've listed some suggested alternatives below. Our Place Wonder Oven 12L As someone who reviews air fryers for a living, a lot of models come and go from my home. One that's stuck around though, is the gorgeous Our Place Wonder Oven. While not technically an air fryer, it does have an air fryer setting, as well as tonnes of other great baking features. It makes great pastry and pizza It has a permanent place on my countertop due to its stylish design and excellent performance. Quicker and cheaper than turning the oven on, too. £155 Shop Instant Vortex ClearCook 5.7L For solo and couple households who need a small air fryer, this is the best you can buy. While Instant isn't up there with the most well known brands, it's always been a solid performer in my tests. It's also surprisingly roomy and can fit a small chicken or around 800g of chips. There are just enough settings without it being overwhelming and you can cook for up to an hour at 205C. This particular model is the perfect balance between price and performance and best of all, its compact size means it is easy to clean. £94 Are air fryers safe? Air fryers are generally considered very safe, especially when bought from a reputable retailer and brand. Of course, occasionally things can go wrong with manufacturing but these events tend to be rare and are dealt with swiftly by manufacturers if things do go wrong. There are also some things you can do to ensure your air fryer is as safe as possible. This includes regularly cleaning both the drawers and inside of your fryer, where oil, fat and debris can build up. Residual fats and food can pose a fire risk, so this is important. What foods can't I put in an air fryer? You should also avoid putting certain things in an air fryer such as liquids, including water, soup broth and curry. Leafy greens, including fresh spinach, can also pose a risk, as the powerful convection fan can suck them up, causing debris to get lodged in the heating element. You should also avoid using cooking spray, as this can get into places it shouldn't and cause a build up of grease. Lightweight air fryer liners and baking paper should also be weighed down with food, to ensure the hot air doesn't push them up towards the element, causing them to burn. What brand of air fryer is best? There are plenty of great, reputable air fryer brands out there such as Ninja, Tefal, Russell Hobbs and Tower - despite the recent news. A big brand name doesn't necessarily mean a product will offer the best performance. User reviews and recommendations from people that regularly test air fryers or have a had a product for a long time are a good indicator of quality.
