Chocolate of the Month
The flavors that Fritz Knipschildt combines in his hand-made chocolates sound plain weird: fillings infused with caramel and lavender, tangerine and red chili, raspberry and black pepper. Taste them, however, and you realize that these odd couples are matches made in heaven. The subtle herbs and spices only make our favorite food more profoundly and deliciously its bad chocolate self.

• Knipschildt Chocolatier; 203-849-3141
• Dean & DeLuca; 800-221-7714

Get the Goods
Think of it as a time machine: Williams-Sonoma's hand-cranked snow-cone maker will transport you back to the easy, freezy summer treats of childhood. For a sweet scoop in seconds, pop a circle of ice out of the mold, place it in the machine, grind, and flavor with a squirt of fruit syrup. Had a hard week? Try the adults-only version: Add a shot of vodka, or substitute margarita mix and tequila for the syrup. The snow-cone machine comes with 4 ice molds and 25 snow-cone cups and straws.

• $30
• Cherry, orange and grape syrup: $6.50/ea.
• Williams-Sonoma; 800-541-2233