Even before it's cut, Sugaree's strawberry cake impresses with a stately three layers; a bite, though, and I'm in sweet, rapturous, pink frosting heaven.
Sugaree's strawberry cake, $55 at sugarees.com

Knocking around on a weekend morning, I like a coffee mug that can take some abuse; Best Made's enamel steel cup fits the bill.
Best Made Seamless & Steadfast Enamel Steel Cups, $32 for set of 2 at bestmadeco.com

CHEEKY NAPKINS

The dachshund on this cocktail napkin reminds me of my dog Andy, the best dog in the world—but with four different prints, beagle, cockapoo, and chihuahua lovers can drink in style too.
Companion Cocktail Napkin, $8 at anthropologie.com

I'm not an especially confident griller, so I rely on this slide-in thermometer's flashing LED to tell me when a steak is cooked to the desired doneness.
SteakChamp Thermometer, $50 at surlatable.com

With a year's worth of recipes in one volume, Southern Living's hardcover annuals are handy (and beautiful to look at) resources for revisiting the incredible food I grew up on.
Southern Living Annual Recipes, price varies by year at amazon.com

I like that Three Twins ice cream company uses organic ingredients, but I love that they've created my new favorite flavor, Lemon Cookie.
Three Twins Lemon Cookie Ice Cream, $5 a pint at select Whole Foods and Fresh Markets

GREG ROBERTSON, copy chief

Favorite Saveur issue you've worked on: The Heartland issue (Aug./Sept. 2013). I wanted to eat every dish, and I loved the writing.
A dish that reminds you of home: I grew up on a farm in western Kentucky. Hands down, fried chicken. My mom can cut up a fryer with a paring knife like nothing you've ever seen. Where you're planning your next trip: Fort Lauderdale. I've been going there since college, so it's familiar, easy to navigate, and the weather (except in the hottest summer months) is wonderful.