After a crazy week, it was a relief to have a normal non-eventful week around here! Phew! Nothing makes you appreciate “boring” like some real craziness. I am so looking forward to this weekend. No real plans other than going to our pond for “simming” (as Jack likes to say) and hanging in our backyard (the water table continues to be a HIT).
ONE // Toaster Oven/Air Fryer
After hemming and hawing for quite a bit about whether or not to get an air fryer… I think I’m very close to going for it. Here’s our big dilemma: we do not have a lot of storage in our kitchen. When I say that, I really mean it. Our kitchen is lovely but quite tight on space and we are nearly maxed out. Thankfully, there’s tons of storage in our dining room cabinets and even more in our basement, so for things we need/want but don’t use regularly. I think I’m leaning towards this Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer because it’ll also give us the option for more things than just air frying… like dehydrating, baking, roasting, and toasting. Right now our toaster is in the lazy Susan in the kitchen and a pain to pull out, which means we never use it– I also grew up in a “toaster oven” house and I love the convenience. We have the perfect spot for this oven on our counter top, so I think I’m going to give it a try! Just trying to decide if the Pro is worth the extra $$ or not… if you have one, let me know!
TWO // Travel Etiquette
I’ve been fairly lucky with travel lately and everyone has been on their very best behavior! I swear traveling is just already so stressful; everything goes so much smoother when everyone works together and is polite. I’ve seen this post, written by a flight attendant, debated across the internet. It brings up some simple things and also some tips you may not have known the proper answer too.
THREE // Block Heeled Bow Sandals
Someone hold me back from buying another pair of shoes. These are just so darling and look so comfortable! I love the dainty straps and, of course, the well placed bows. I think the gold would be great wedding guest shoes and the white would be darling for bridal events, even under a wedding gown!
FOUR // Tips for Avoiding Ticks
NOT an exciting article, but important! Ticks are seemingly everywhere right now and they’re tricky to avoid! I got a tick bite last fall, even after being super vigilant, and it was pretty scary. Stay safe!
FIVE // Graduation Song
Warning: do NOT watch this if you’re not able to ugly cry right now. I was sobbing throughout this video. Truly couldn’t hold it together. It starts off with a good bit of humor and then hits you right in the feels. (Don’t say I didn’t warn you!)
My husband tried to convince me the air fryer toaster oven would be the same as an air fryer so we got that instead. I was not impressed. I finally talked him into getting me a real air fryer for my birthday and there is a huge difference. It is so much better and a game changer in how you cook. I say just get the air fryer!
I have the Breville Pro and love it! For me it allows me to put cookies in the oven for a small group (it fits two quarter baking sheets), or to cook 2 levels of veg/meat for dinner. Totally worth it!
100% yes to getting a toaster oven/air fry combo. It’s our most used kitchen item. Great for everything from reheating fries or baking potatoes. It’s replaced my microwave and oven depending on the meal!
I had that smart oven and eventually gave it away. It does work well, but found it to take up a lot of space and the glass was not the easiest to clean. We upgraded our range instead to offer the same type of features.
My parents have that Breville toaster oven and it’s top notch! The bread is perfectly toasted and it’s easy to bake something small for just one or two people. I’m also tight on space so I feel you there!
Breville is worth it! It does it all and does it well.
Toaster oven vs air fryer is such a debatably issue! Would love to see what you decide on and your thoughts when you purchase!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
I use my Breville Toaster Oven every.single.day! I can’t recommend it enough, I don’t even remember the last time I turned on my big oven.
We got the Breville air fryer in navy blue last year and have never looked back! My husband was always anti toaster oven for some reason, until we underwent a kitchen renovation. We use it multiple times a day due to the many different functionalities, and love that it can stay on the countertop and look pretty!
Yes get one! I can’t comment on the Breville. But an air fryer combo that bakes, broils, etc is game changer. I rarely turn on my oven anymore.
We use our breville pro multiple times a day. Barely use our real oven anymore. I got a non-pro for our second home & regret not getting a pro there. That being said, I don’t think that the air fry setting is like a true air fryer (but I’ve never had an air fryer so can’t really compare)
Also get the cutting board top. It’s worth it to have a more finished looking top
YES! The cutting board top is a must. It makes it look so much more polished in the kitchen and allows you to put things on top while it isn’t in use without risking a fire hazard/the things getting heated up.
The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro is SO SO worth it. I have had Breville Smart Ovens for about 10 years and the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro for about 5 and it is fantastic. I use it literally every day from toasting bread in the morning to air frying fish for lunch to baking chicken for dinner. I truly cannot recommend it enough. The air fryer feature we didn’t think we’d use very much, but we literally air fry everything and anything (it just comes out so nice and crispy for things like breaded fish, chicken, french fries, etc.). Basically if you can bake it you can air fry it and it comes out deliciously crispy. Now that I’ve waffled on for a bit, the TLDR: get it you will not regret it.
Would love to hear continued thoughts on the air fryer/toaster! We are in the same space and dryer/toaster predicament!
Ugh that video, Carly. I’m on the brink of becoming a Mom (next week) and wow that had me in ALL the feels. Thank you for sharing.
We love the Phillips Air Fryer! We’re actually going to wear it out in a min. after 2 years of constant use at least 2x most days! We have the small version and it’s perfect for our needs. Family 5 – 2 grownups and 3 littles.
Go for the Breville Pro! 100% Not only does it do every day toasting tasks, but it can fit a 9×13, jelly roll pan, smaller casseroles, etc. so if you need extra oven space, you’ve got it! And it cooks so well. Each of my family members have one in their homes and we all rave about it and use it daily.
If you use the baskets that come with the toaster oven, it acts just like an air fryer. They allow the hot air to get around the food properly. We love ours for everything and they are great for cooking in the summer bc the whole kitchen doesn’t heat up. The Pro is worth it for the additional racks and cooking space! I do roast chickens in there all the time. Highly recommend!
Williams Sonoma also has an Open Kitchen Pizza stone that fits and it is a game changer!
A family member gave us a Ninja air fryer a few years ago, and we LOVE it! We use it multiple times a week. It’s easy and so much better than heating up the entire kitchen with our oven. When we’re ready to upgrade, we’re considering the Breville models! 🙂