Nothing stirs up feelings of wanderlust like a gorgeous shop, with bonus points if it’s a patisserie. So when I came across Bobbette & Belle, a charming artisanal pastry shop, in the May issue of Canadian House & Home, I immediately envisioned a summer trip to Toronto. Doesn’t it look perfect? I’m particularly drawn to the chalkboard wall with the vintage cake plates.
photos by Love the Design, courtesy of Bobbette & Belle
Emily at Work Hard. Love Harder. was kind enough to interview me for her “Behind the Screens” feature. Please click over and have a look ….
thanks, Emily!
tasting spoons
Through serendipity (also known as closely reading the ads in Garden & Gun) I have re-discovered Charlottesville shop And George. Mother/daughter owners Jan Roden and Christy Ford have an easy yet refined interior design aesthetic. (Elegant but habitable: my favorite combination.) The And George online shop is full of appealing furniture and accessories for your home, including gorgeous paper goods from Erika Jack, and Bellocq teas. I think a road trip to Charlottesville is definitely in order. For a virtual visit, and plenty of pretty, keep up with all things And George at their blog.
placecards by Erika Jack
gift cards by Erika Jack
william yeoward country carafe
“mind your manners” book
belloq tea
henry tufted chair
“friday flowers” from the and george blog
mother, daughter, and george
photos courtesy of christy ford/and george
I wish I had the appropriate segue for today’s Flickr post, that would address the momentous news of the day in a respectful, measured way. I do not, so instead I’ll just share some of my favorite Flickr pictures and wish you well on this Monday.
See you Wednesday.
I admit it: I bought Gwyneth Paltrow’s new book, My Father’s Daughter, sight unseen because I adore her, and after watching On the Road Again, decided she knew a thing or two about cooking. I also knew it would be gorgeously designed, so if nothing else would make a lovely coffee table book. But My Father’s Daughter is an excellent cookbook, too: the recipes are simple (with readily available ingredients), and yes, beautifully photographed (which I need to get inspired). The first recipe I wanted to try was GP’s macaroni and cheese. With soccer and baseball practice always scheduled during the dinner hour, it was nice to be able to assemble it in the morning, refrigerate, and then bake off later. And for the ultimate test? My husband declared it the best mac and cheese he’s ever had, and the leftovers didn’t last very long. Next up? Blythe Danner’s blueberry muffins.
Update: since writing this post, I have made the chicken milanese (with tomatoes and arugula), and the berries with caramelized cream. The recipes were straightforward; the results were excellent. Still haven’t gotten around to the blueberry muffins. Soon!
contents page
the recipe (complete with enticing photo)
ready for the refrigerator
right out of the oven
dinner!
for an excerpt from my father’s daughter, click here
and to see jessica seinfeld’s interview with gwyneth, click here
and p.s. happy anniversary to my sweet husband! you’re an amazing father, husband, and part-time macaroni and cheese taster! i love you. here’s to 20 years (yes, i’m/we’re “old”) and many more ….
