At Home with Kim Vallee

OFF topics | October 23, 2009

Submit Your Recipe to the Pillsbury Baking Challenge

I want to invite all my Canadian readers (except Quebec) to participate in the Pillsbury Baking Challenge. What you need to do to participate is to submit your original recipe made with at least one Pillsbury product. Your recipe can be an appetizer, an entree or a dessert. The Grand Prize is worth $10,000 CAD. The [...]

HOME + GARDEN, MODERN architecture | October 22, 2009

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40 Fabulous Things in Canada seen in Wallpaper

In case you missed it, the November 2009 issue of Wallpaper showcased forty of the best things from ten of their favorite global destinations. You will find the best from USA, Canada, UK, Scandinavia, Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Brazil and Japan. From Canada, I discover a few names that I did not know. On the architecture [...]

ENTERTAINING, HOLIDAY entertaining | October 9, 2009

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Thanksgiving Menu Ideas

I composed this menu for people who are tired of eating roasted turkey at Thanksgiving. Instead, I favor dishes that I associate with a family dinner. This is simple menu suitable for autumn without going to the obvious pumpkins and root vegetable recipes. + The meal starts with a Rustic Mushroom and Cream Cheese Tart that [...]

GIFT IDEAS, HOUSEWARMING gifts | September 23, 2009

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Inexpensive Housewarming Gift Ideas from Umbra

Whenever a colleague or a acquaintance gets a new home, we may be tempted to give a small housewarming gift. If you know where to look, it is possible to give something that look great on a tight budget. One brand that delivers years after years fun, modern and well-designed products is Umbra. I selected things [...]

HOME + GARDEN, HOME office | August 19, 2009

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Found Travel Memories and School Themes at Poppytalk Handmade

Poppytalk handmade is a great online market place where you can to fall upon unique finds. You can find original pieces like these illustrations by Matte Stevens. It happens to depict two places I have been to. + Gramercy Park NYC illustrates a stunning area. It is unbelievable that a fenced-in private park still exists in [...]

GAMES and Toys, KIDS + BABY | August 15, 2009

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Crayon Rolls and Wall Wear by Canadian Talents | etsy watch

While I was on etsy, I came across this crayon roll by Little Bird Designs of Vancouver, BC. This is one thing that parents should always carry with them. This ready-to-go crayon roll holds 10 crayons (or colored markers). Just roll, fold over – front to back – and tie! The crayons are included with [...]

CAKES and baked goods, ENTERTAINING | July 31, 2009

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Fabulous Cakes by The Caketress

Everyone loves the sight of a gorgeous cakes. There are so much a part of any celebration. Thanks to #followfriday on Twitter, I discovered one more talented cake designer today. Lori Hutchinson is a Canadian who bakes from Collingwood, Ontario. Besides her cake design, it is the styling of her cake photos that caught my attention. [...]

DINING, FOOD + drinks | June 22, 2009

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Do You Make Your Own Ice Cream?

I dream of making my own ice cream. My brother even bought me a machine a few years ago. I am ashamed to admit that I never made my own. But it is about to change. I read on a plane an article about unique flavor combinations that inspire me. Ice cream made with chocolate and [...]