At Home with Kim Vallee

HOME + GARDEN, HOME decor | July 3, 2009

Welcoming Words Graffiti into Your Home Decor

The first of July is a special day all around Quebec. This is the date where most renters move in to their new apartment. Putting on the walls or on your furniture, inspirational stickers are an easy way to instantly add a personal touch to your home decor. The entrance is ideal as you can convey [...]

ENTERTAINING, PARTY supplies | July 2, 2009

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Fabric Banner Bunting Flags for my Etsy Finds

Banner flags are a great way to add a festive touch. As I browsing Etsy, I could not resist and I bought two banners. Both patterns will look great on my terrace. I cannot wait to hang them over and host a party. If you are curious, here is a view at my latest purchase. These [...]

ENTERTAINING, PARTY ideas | July 2, 2009

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Patriotic Bunting Banner Flags on etsy

This is a well-done Patriotic Bunting Banner Flags for the Fourth of July. springchick used the flag elements on a good taste manner. As you know, I am not a fan of displaying the flag at any party. This is a more subtle way to achieve the same result. By changing a pattern or two, it [...]

HOME + GARDEN, OUTDOOR space | July 2, 2009

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Gift Ideas for Gardeners from Jason Neufeld

I told you before about Fairmont Hotels initiatives to bring back bees in our cities to spread pollination. We can also do our part. And to do that in style, Jason Neufeld produced an outstanding collection of ceramic shelters to to attract bumblebees called Bombus Shelter. The nest of bumblebees are in ground. They often [...]

ENTERTAINING, PARTY ideas | July 2, 2009

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Awesome DIY Sparkler Cards, Matchbook Covers and Straw Tags for Fourth of July

The super talented Kathleen of Twig & Thistle has designed the cutest party celebration kit for the Fourth of July. Her design is modern, festive and elegant. Build your party around these elements. You could print a second batch of sparkler cards to glue on handmade paper cones. Use the cones to serve cashews, popcorn [...]

HOME + GARDEN, MODERN architecture | July 1, 2009

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Cory Buckner’s Triumph at Restoring Mid-20th American Architecture

Since we are celebrating this week Canada Day and the Fourth of July, I thought it was appropriate to preserve our cultural heritage. On element of our history is expressed through residential architecture. After all, how we imagined and designed our neighborhoods and the houses we are living it is linked to what is going [...]

ENTERTAINING, HOLIDAY entertaining

July 1, 2009

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Happy Canada Day!

By this sunny morning here in Montreal, I wish all my fellow Canadians a great Canada Day! I was in San Francisco last week which meant I did not have the time to create new mood boards to help you prepare your party. I noticed that many have look at my previous menu suggestions. Click [...]

DINING, EATING out

June 30, 2009

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Chez Papa in San Francisco | Restaurant Review

This is a delicious French restaurant in San Francisco with a beautiful quiet terrace, set on a plaza not far from Blue Bottle Coffee. I am showing you the lunch we ate on the terrace of Chez Papa on Mint Plaza last Monday. My Grilled Arctic Char with Fingerling Potatoes, Capers, Lemon and Brown Butter was [...]

DINING, EATING out

June 30, 2009

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Restaurants are Embracing Twitter to Reach their Customers

I told you on my other blog that Twitter can be an efficient marketing vehicle for businesses. One type of business that benefits well from the free marketing platform that Twitter provides are local restaurants. What I like is that I decide which local stores and restaurants I want to follow on Twitter. This way, I [...]

DINING, TABLEWARE

June 30, 2009

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Honeycomb Toast and Tea Set by Jason Neufeld

Finding unique, outstanding gifts mostly assure you that you will be invited over and over. Plus, you avoid the awkward situations where you bring the same gift than another guest to an anniversary or a housewarming party. This is why I am always on the lookout for cool and original gift ideas. Beware that the ceramic [...]

COOKING tools, DINING

June 29, 2009

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Better Cooking Start with Ingredients, Techniques and Cookware

The Warm Chicken with a lemon couscous salad recipe by Donna Hay is a dish I prepare twice a month at home. It is delicious and fast to make. For everyday entertaining, this dish nicely pairs with a Gentil Hugel or Les Jamelles Sauvignon blanc. My husband sometimes cooked the chicken breasts on the BBQ but [...]

DINING, FOOD + drinks

June 25, 2009

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Summer Cocktails Made with Campari

Let’s revisit my favorite cocktails for summer besides the mojitos. I love Campari on a summer day. I often served Campari to my first friends because it is unexpected and simple to make. I typically go for tall drink recipes. You save time this way and the alcohol level is typically lower. A simple way to greet [...]

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