Okay, let's talk SMEG. Those retro-looking kitchen appliances are undeniably gorgeous. I mean, who wouldn't want a pop of color and vintage charm in their kitchen? But are they all style and no substance? I've been down that rabbit hole, trying to decide if the investment is truly worth it. When it comes to investing in kitchen appliances, it's important to know if the product is durable and of good quality. So, I want to share my thoughts and some alternatives I’ve found.
I'll admit, I almost fell victim to the SMEG allure. The sleek lines, the pastel colors... it's all so Instagrammable! I was particularly drawn to their toaster. My old toaster was on its last legs, and I thought, "Why not upgrade to something that looks as good as it toasts?" But then the price tag hit me. Ouch. That's when I started digging deeper, wondering if the beauty was only skin deep.
I started noticing that even with careful use, some appliances start to show wear and tear pretty quickly. I needed something that would last. The question became: was I paying for quality, or just the brand name? This led me to explore other options that offered a similar aesthetic without breaking the bank. I also wanted something that would bring me joy. Getting a hit of dopamine from your living environment is a very real thing, and I wanted appliances that contributed to that feeling.
One concern I had was definitely the name itself. It might sound silly, but the name "SMEG" just didn't appeal to me. It's a small thing, but for something I'd be seeing every day, I wanted a name I liked. That's when I started looking at other brands with a similar retro vibe.
I remember a friend of mine buying a SMEG toaster as a joke for his wife, fully expecting her to return it. But she loved it! She kept the fancy, expensive toaster. He said it was just a two-slice toaster, but it looked cool and felt heavy duty. That gave me pause. Maybe there was something to the build quality after all.
Then I heard a horror story about a SMEG retro fridge. Apparently, the freezer door iced up and leaked water into the fridge, and the door seals fell apart. It was being used as a spare fridge for drinks, but it was more of an annoyance than anything else. That really solidified my decision to look for alternatives. It highlighted that sometimes, you're paying for the aesthetic and not necessarily for superior functionality or longevity.
That's when I stumbled upon Haden. They offer kettles, coffee makers, and toasters with a similar retro aesthetic to SMEG, but at a much more reasonable price point. I bought a Haden kettle, coffee maker, and toaster. After five years of almost daily use, the coffee maker and toaster still look great and function perfectly. This made me realize that it's possible to get the look I wanted without overspending.
This experience also taught me the importance of focusing on the core functionality of an appliance. It's easy to get caught up in the design, but ultimately, you need something that performs well and lasts. I've found that researching brands and reading reviews is essential before making a purchase.
Speaking of everyday essentials, I've also been on the hunt for reliable and stylish reading glasses. As I've gotten older, I've found that I need them more and more, and I wanted a pair that I could easily carry around. After some searching, I found these Round Reading Glasses Men Women Portable Rimless reading glasses +0.75 +1 +1.5 +1.75 +2 to +4 +325-Gold from Mozaer. What I love about these glasses is that they are lightweight and portable, making them perfect for travel or everyday use. The rimless design is modern and sleek, and they come in various strengths to suit my needs. I was looking for where can i buy inexpensive reading glasses and these were perfect.
I appreciate that Mozaer focuses on combining functionality with style, offering products that are both practical and aesthetically pleasing. Plus, they have great customer service, which is always a bonus.
Here are a few things I've learned about choosing kitchen appliances: