Once upon a time–actually more like several occasions upon a time but that sounds kind of weird–I mentioned to David that I would like a flat whisk.
Here’s something you might not know about me: I have a hard time spending money on stuff I actually need. I’ll buy another t-shirt or picture frame or house plant without thinking twice about it, but things I don’t have and should and would use on the daily? Not so much. We went without functional salt and pepper shakers for I don’t know how long. Margot broke my phone charger so I just stole David’s, and when that broke I stole his work iPad charger rather than getting a new one. When the vacuum I bought for like $20 during my sophomore year of college finally bit the dust, I just used the shopvac instead…for like five years. And these are just recent examples. I don’t know what my problem is.
Anyway, after hearing me say it so many times, he stopped by Sur l’Table after work one day and bought me a flat whisk.
It wasn’t quite what I had in mind. I was thinking something more like this one which can be smooshed to scrape the flat bottom of a pan. No, this whisk was EVEN BETTER.
You guys, I am not exaggerating when I tell you this whisk has changed my life.
I talk big about not saving the good stuff for special occasions but in reality I tend to hoard stuff. What if I need it later and I don’t have it anymore?? My default is to use my second-best everything just in case. I’m sure I’m not alone in this.
But since David gave me this whisk I have gone out of my way to use it all the time. It scrapes bowls almost as well as a rubber spatula. It gets into corners to catch all the lumps. It’s sturdy and solid so I don’t worry that I might break it. When it’s dirty and I have to use a different whisk I am disappointed. And, I’ll admit it, I’m a little tempted to wait until the dishwasher has been run to make whatever it is I’m making.
Seriously, people. I love this whisk. It’s borderline inappropriate.
But it got me thinking, why the heck don’t I have other things I love to use? If having a great whisk makes me want to cook more often, what might having a great computer do for my work productivity? Would I go to bed earlier and sleep better if I adored my pillow? Why am I putting up with a dining table that is falling apart just because I could fix it and it would be good enough?
When I have tools that serve me well, I want to use them. Ergo, I need to replace the tools that aren’t working for me with tools that will.
No more cheap mascara that I complain about constantly. No more dull steak knives and ugly dish towels and mediocre cleaning products. I will henceforth invest in products that will improve my quality of life…because I will use them! And I will enjoy it! And maybe they’re a little more expensive up front, but if they last longer or do the job better or just make me smile when I pull them out, isn’t it worth it to save up a little more to buy them?
Just came across your blog and love it. USE THE GOOD STUFF is my new motto. Thanks.
I, too, “discovered” the flat whisk this past year. Also, I love your lipstick, which my friend told me about several months ago. It’s a go-to also.