I have a fantasy life where I'm different really cool people.  Lulu Powers is someone I work into heavy fantasy rotation.  

Tastemaker, chef, style monger, author, and all around maker of a waaayyy more beautiful life, the lovely Lulu shares with us her fave kitchen essentials, easily accessible to us all (yes, even us) and yay, a couple of elegant recipes.

At night I troll her blog on my ipad in hopes that some of her magic sparkle beautiful life dust will rub off on me.

Until then, some of this stuff below it totally do-able!

1. Mrs. Meyers countertop geranium spray – I like to clean my counters with this and it smells good to boot.

http://www.thisnext.com/item/EBD8A987/FD809FDA/Mrs-Meyers-Counter-Top

2. Le Crueset pot – I love it, use it for soups, braising, slow cooking and it goes in the oven.

http://www.thisnext.com/item/490B9BFD/D76D3D5B/Le-Creuset-Cooking-Pot

3.     8 inch pink kitchen aid knife – the knife benefits breast cancer and it's the perfect size! 

                             
http://www.thisnext.com/item/9275622D/5D387344/KitchenAid-Cook-For-The-Cure

4.  Kerr mason jars in all sizes – I use them to store everything. You can even use them as candle holders or a cocktail shaker.

http://www.thisnext.com/item/0D86A8C9/E1BDBD5B/Kerr-Mason-Jars

5. Cucina fragrant kitchen spray in ginger & sicilia lemon – I love the smell of this and like to spray it in my kitchen after I cook or spray it around the house before guests are coming

http://www.thisnext.com/item/CF51B2C7/4BA53A8C/Cucina-Fragrant-Kitchen-Spray

And here are two easy-to-prepare appetizer recipes that Lulu wanted to share:
 
Parmesan Pea Dip
Ingredients
2 cups frozen petite peas, thawed, divided
1 cup (4 oz.) Sargento® Artisan Blends® Shredded Parmesan Cheese, divided
1 cup frozen shelled edamame beans, thawed
1 cup fresh mint leaves
1/2 cup parsley
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional: 1 teaspoon maple syrup or dash of hot sauce
1/2 cup olive oil
32 rice crackers
Directions
1.            Put 1-1/2 cups peas and all other ingredients except 1/2 cup cheese in food processor and process until consistency is mostly smooth.
2.            Add remaining peas. Pulse briefly to desired consistency.
3.            Spread on rice crackers and sprinkle with remaining cheese.
 
Apple Cheddar Rye Puffs
Ingredients
1 Granny Smith apple, cored, peeled and finely chopped
1 cup (4 oz.) Sargento® Artisan Blends® Shredded Double Cheddar Cheese
3 Tbsp. mayonnaise
1 Tbsp. honey
1 tsp. Dijon mustard
1/4 tsp. caraway seeds
1 loaf mini rye bread
Freshly ground pepper
Directions
1.            Preheat oven to 375° F.
2.            Cut rounds out of rye bread using a 2-inch cookie cutter. Bake 5 minutes or until lightly toasted. Turn toasts over.
3.            Combine remaining ingredients. Spread 1 scant tablespoon on each toast and bake for 10 minutes more. Serve warm.