Except for the William-Sonama printed signature (I would prefer something like Bon Appétit!), I really like the look of this white porcelain plates that are perfect to serve a sandwich, a single serving cheese plate or a small tray of antipasto.

The plates can also act as a message board. A customer commented on the W-S site that she writes notes or her menu on them with dry erase markers. A simple wash will clean up the remaining marks. It is a good alternative to the chalkboard.

And I would love to receive for Christmas a set for 8 of Laguiole Flatware in ivory ($79 for 5-piece place setting).

+ French Pantry Appetizer Plates $20 for 2

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Since the handle of a jug helps us when we pour liquid, the Spanish design studio GR Lab created a attachment that perfectly fits the universal coil of any plastic bottle. Plus it adds a touch of color to your table. I like the fact that it is a simple way to reuse the plastic bottles. When we think about it, we could reuse plastic bottles to serve fresh lemonade or ice tea.

I read on Inhabitat that the Aqua Jar for Balvi was launched at last month’s Valencia Design Week. It is not yet on the Web site of Balvi. The Web site of GR Lab is more than sparse on information. This is all the information I could find of this new product.

+ Via Inhabitat

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I bought these jars for my husband’s birthday party. I needed them for setting the dessert table. They were, and still are, on clearance at Pier 1 Imports. The chalkboard band is very practical. I really like them. They are a good size. I can fit 1 kg of nuts in the medium sizes (I have three of those). If you are looking for glass canisters, check out if they are some left at a store near you.

+ Chalkboard Canisters $10 & $14 USD

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This everyday tabletop is refreshing. It shows that you can be playful and look refined at the same time. The look is ideal for serving lunch or breakfast to your family.

They are more reasons why I am showing you this product. I associate multiple purposes with sustainability and space saving. With smaller city homes, more people are looking for double-duty objects. The Isak Breadboard can  become a placemat, a trivet to protect your table for the heat, a cheese board or a cutting board. And did I mention that they look great. Plus, the laminated compressed wood of the Isak Breadboard are harvested in sustainable Scandinavian forests.

The two patterns, Landsby and Leaf, work well together. Each breadboard comes packed in a reusable 100% cotton tote bag. It is practical for picnic or if you are really fancy when you bring your lunch.

SOURCING:
+ Isak Bread Board, Landsby or Leaf $40 USD
+ Isak Landsby Bread board £22
+ Iittala Kartio Small, Stained Glass £11 for a set of 2 glasses
+ Iittala Kartio Tumbler $17 USD for 2

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When Jean-Luc Bouchard of Urban-Butik, the North American distributor of Magisso products, offered me a sample of the new Magisso Cake Server I accepted immediately. I like the concept but I was curious to see if it really works. After all, the practicality of a single serving ware piece instead of the typical cake knife and server set is appealing.

I first discovered the Magisso Cake Server through a NYC Gift Fair report done by Maxwell of Apartment Therapy. But the video posted on AT did not convince me because Miika served a sponge cake at the fair. Too easy! I wanted to make sure it cuts through more demanding cakes before introducing the Magisso Cake Server on my blog.

To simplify my life, Jean-Luc offered to bring me a cake. He showed up at my door the next day with the co-owner Anne Foged. They brought me a soft interior cake with an icing top similar to what you get on a mille-feuilles minus the pastry. This is more what I was looking for. Plus, the cake was delicious.

How the Magisso Cake Serve Works

The curve side down, you start on an angle by pressing at the center of the cake and move the cake server flat to neatly cut a cake piece. You squeeze a little bit the handle while you transfer the cake on a plate. Release. Voilà! It is super easy and it works every time. Your kids will be able to do it.

Get one for yourself and stock a few for your Christmas gifts. Your friends and family should appreciate it.

SOURCING:
+ Magisso Cake Server – you can buy it online $69.95 CAD

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Almost 30 new whimsical products were added. Out of these 29 additions, five caught my attention. I deemed these 5 to be the more practical.

+ First, Stone Cold, the icy icons from Easter Island is fun. This is another fun silicone ice cube tray that would look great in any tropical drinks or a mystery party. In fact, this could be an original theme for an Halloween party if you mix it with astronomy and astrology.

+ While you at it, get a Loose Leaf to stay a door open. If would be fun to watch people facial expression as they try to casually remove the leave from  under the door.

+ If I had kids, I would buy a set of Cookeys to identify their house keys. This is yummy! It may even encourage them to drink more milk.

+ The Split shaker can save you time if like by pouring salt and pepper at the same time. For the less adventurous, you can divide the Split shaker in 2 and used each side separately. Hidden magnets keep the 2 halves together.

+ Finally, the Table Saw does double duty. It can be used to cut cakes at parties and the rest of time, you can slice and dice your lettuce without discoloration. And if you have young boys at home, I am sure they will be pleased to help you in the kitchen.

WHERE TO BUY:
+ Fred & Friends Stone Cold Ice Tray $7.95 USD
+ Fred Loose Leaf $10 USD
+ Cookeys $5.95 USD for 2 key caps
+ Fred Table Saw $7.99 USD

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This is one of the best Ikea hack I have seen. It was an idea of Andy from Show and Tell. His project involved laser cut performed on the acacia wood caps to write the words salty and sweet. I like that typographic style.

+ Celeber Spice Jars $7.99 USD for pack of 2
+ via Show and Tell

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Everyday items can look awesome in the right setting. I love how Toast’s stylist team repurposed old newspaper as wallpaper and transformed old wooden boxes as storage on the wall. Keeping in mind that these angles were selected for their photographic value, it still shows that creativity and good design ideas, more than money, are essentials for any project.

Toast carries carefully selected food, tableware and kitchenware. But the range is deep enough to make it a must shopping for easy entertaining.

The autumn edition of Toast catalog is filled with amazing shots like those. I am sure you will enjoy them. if you wander what they sell on those pictures, I listed the shown products.

For entertaining and organizing your kitchen:

+ toast jams and marmalades £4.95
+ linen herringbone napkin £7.50
+ coloured handblown glasses £25
+ duralex picardie glasses £9.50
+ handblown glasses £15.50
+ greek pot £39

To make you feel good when you are sick:

+ flannel hottie cover £22
+ sloppy joe hottie cover £35
+ silk velvet hottie cover £35
+ satin quilted hottie £25
+ velvet lined slipper £59

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UK potter Linda Bloomfield creates simple shapes with tactile satin mat glazes and subtly colored interiors. I like her style. Her tableware collection is sold through many art galleries and retailers across Britain. Lucky for us, the US-based retailer Hygge & West, which ships to Canada in top of the Unites States, carries her line.

+ Images via Linda Bloomfield

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Founded by Mark Bedford and Marianne Lumholdt, Mar Mar Co. proposes many items for the home and the kitchen that I adore. The two owners put emphasis on independent designers, without ignoring established design companies.

We all need elegant trivets to protect your dining table when you serve a buffet that you serve hot. For food storage and serving your meal when you have guests over, I recommend:

1. Weck Storage jars 4 assorted jars for £15 – Weck Carafe £7

2. Extensible Walnut Wood Trivets small £15.50 large £25.50

3. Adonde white Stoneware teapot £79

By the way, I first spotted the Weck jars and the water pitcher at Heath Ceramics last January when I was in Los Angeles. I wanted to bring them home but I did not feel like bringing them on the plane. Maybe this year, Santa Claus will put them on my stocking.

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I showcased several eco-friendly disposable dinnerware for parties before. I think that the VerTerra is the best sustainable dinnerware I featured so far. It is because they provide unique features. They can stand hot food and liquids.  You can use them to reheat food for up to 45 minutes at 350 degrees. If you plan an outdoor event, they can stand being under the sun without problems.

The curvy shape is stylish. They kind of look like light wood. They are made of fallen palm trees that were steamed. It is simply made out of leaves and water. They contain no adhesives or chemical products. They will biodegrade within 2 months after use.

The range is comprehensive. Plates come in 4 sizes from 4 inches to 10 inches. You can serve single-servings, tapas, sauces, chips, chili, soups, cereals and dips in the bowl collection. There is a small 7″ x 8.5″ tray/platter. By adding a few medium and large trays, you will be all set to serve an outstanding buffet for a large crowd.

Time Saver Party Planning Tool

If you are hosting a party, use the VerTerra party calculator to estimate your dinnerware need. You enter the number of hours and attendees for the type of event you’re hosting, and they do the rest! They include “Add to Cart” links to every item they suggested for your event.

You can reuse the plates, bowls and trays many times if you wash them by hand. Beware that they won’t keep their shape if you put them in the dishwasher.

There are time where you need disposable dinnerware for a party. No need to plan a complete eco-chic party to prefer reusable and biodegradable disposable dinnerware. Frankly, the eco-friendly dinnerware collections often look better than the mass-produced disposable dinnerware.

SOURCING:
+ VerTerra
+ Verterra Pressed Leaf Plates – Hors D’oeuvres or Dessert $5.50 USD for 8
+ Verterra Pressed Leaf Small Trays $4.50 for 4 trays
+ Verterra Pressed Leaf 6 x 8 Bowls $6.50 USD for 8
+ Verterra Pressed Leaf Dinner Plates $7.50 USD for 8
+ Verterra Setting for 8 – Pressed Leaf Plates, Bowls, & Trays starts at $21 USD
+ Via Design Milk

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I am French Canadian, not Italian. I used to make a bowl of latte every morning topped with cinnamon. Then, my old espresso machine broke. That was a few years ago and I never sent my espresso machine to the repair shop. The main reason was that it was white, which did not work well with my red and blonde wood kitchen decor.

When I want an espresso at home, I use the basic stovetop moka pot but it is not the same. Looking at the red Francis Francis X7 iperEspresso machine is tempting. It is so cute. The  X7 and X8 iperEspresso machines are part of a new generation of espresso capsules developed by Illy. The two-stage brewing process intensifies the flavor to create an aromatic, full-bodied espresso with rich, velvety crema that lasts and lasts.

The appeal of these automated espresso machines is that you do not train to become a good barista. I might had more control on the taste of the espresso with my old machine but it was also harder to operate. Let’s face it, if your 12 guests desire an espresso, an automated machine comes handy. Watch this video to see how it works.

Some Facts You Need to Know Before You Buy It

Notice that the X7 iperEspresso machine makes regular espresso, cappuccino and latte (2 shots of espresso). The X7 iperEspresso machine works exclusively with the Illy ipercapsules. It has an auto-stop feature to control cup volume. It is an important fact because you will not be able to control the taste through the coffee grind or the amount of water. If you wish more flexibility with the red retro-futurist look, go for an espresso machine that supports ground coffee and pods like the more powerful Francis Francis X1 Ground Coffee or the Francis Francis X7 for E.S.E and Ground Espresso Machine Kit.

Another determinant factor for taste is the coffee beans. For the moment, the iperEspresso capsules selection is limited to 100% Arabica dark roast, medium roast and decaffeinated. On that point, the Nespresso wins with a vast selection of coffee. Plus several models of Nespresso will let you make espresso and longo. I prefer the Francis Francis look to the Nespresso machines. Therefore, which machine to get depends of your needs.

Francis Francis X8

I do not like the design of the X8 machine but it is important that you are aware of this limited time offer.  You can purchase the Francis Francis X8 iperEspresso machine for $175 (a $445 value) if you purchase 3 cans of iperEspresso capsules with your machine and subscribe to Illy’s iperEspresso membership program. You can cancel your coffee deliveries any time after your first shipment.

SOURCING:
+ Francis Francis X7 iperEspresso Machine in red or black $399 USD
+ Illy USA

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