Bodum products are typically built to last, perform well and look good. Three good reasons to like them and to not be afraid to add them on your holiday shopping list. If you are looking for gift ideas for cooks or the hostess, you may consider:

+ BODUM Round Automatic Gravity Operated Salt and Pepper Grinder $29.95 USD
+ The TWIN salt and pepper grinder with a ceramic grinder $29.95 USD
+ The NERO Coffee coat really works. I bought one last week. I wish that I got my thermal neoprene french press coffee coat sooner. 8-cup $14.95 USD 12-cup $19.95 USD
+ The double wall tea press COLUMBIA in shiny stainless steel $69.95

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Every season, I check what is new at Habitat. I still hope for the first North American store. Fun everyday items caught my eye. They are coming later this fall. This post is about laundry, a good cup of coffee and cute serving trays.

It is not everyday that a laundry bin made it to At Home with Kim Vallee. Especially, I do not enjoy the laundry duties. I imagine this laundry bin in a kids bathroom. Spinit is a collapsible laundry bin with washing machine print on the front.

When I tell you that I do not like do the laundry it is not exactly true. What I do not like is the folding part. It is always easier with a good cup of coffee. Each of these 3 mug series is available in three complementing patterns.

Habitat is also home decor. They usually carry superb modern vases. Fall proved to be a good crop. I am inspired by the combination of the ORIGAMI collection with large yellow BALTA. POMPEII set of lacquered trays is available in two color schemes.

GET THE LOOK:
+ Small black ORIGAMI £31.20
+ Large white ORIGAMI £100
+ BALTA vase £49
+ Spinit £34
+ POMPEII Blue Trays £29.60
+ ADA Candle in a Cup £6
+ Red HERBERT Mug £6
+ Yellow floral YUTO Mug £6
+ DANI Mug Square pattern £6
+ DANI Mug Circle pattern £6

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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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I first introduced the work of a.j creation as a gift ideas for last Christmas. a.j is the crafted work of two Montreal-based artists: a ceramist and a glassblower. I am happy for them that more retailers have picked up their wonderful products.

Coffee Cups and Saucers

The first thing that caught my eyes this morning were their coffee cup and saucer sets. I drank plenty of wonderful espresso over the last week. We stayed at the new Fairmont Battery Wharf in Boston, which is located next to North End, the Little Italy neighborhood. In fact, I put sugar on my espresso for the first time this weekend. I usually take my coffee with two dashes of milk. I insisted on the milk since cream and half-half changes the taste of the coffee.

Anyway, going back to a.j ceramic work, I feel it have a nice twist. Three options are available for the saucer: white china, white china with colored lines or chocolate stoneware. The simple lines of the spoon are gorgeous.

Teapots and Tumblers

They also cater to tea lovers, like my husband. I prefer the high teapot to the wide one; I feel it is more elegant when it is tall. They both costs the same. Small and large tumblers are available. You could use the large tumblers to serve hot chocolate.

MORE:
+ a.j Espresso Set $33 CAD at Modern Karibou
+ a.j Cappuccino Set $33 CAD
+ a.j Coffee Set $33 CAD
+ a.j Teapot – High $96 CAD
+ a.j Teapot – Wide $96 CAD
+ a.j Set of 2 Large Tumblers $34 CAD
+ a.j Set of 2 Small Tumblers $26 CAD

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Many people, including couples who are getting married, opt for a rustic party theme. These are good reasons for that. It is style that is inviting, that feels warm and cozy.

You may have heard that Starbucks opened a new store concept, the 15th Ave. Coffee & Tea. Despite the design controversy, there are decor ideas that you can reclaim for your next rustic decor party. What caught my attention are in details. As you know, details are what transform an ordinary party into an extraordinary adventure.

The first item that I noticed is the old style teakettle. I think it is gorgeous. Setting an area outside for guest dogs to drink water is a nice touch when you are having a barbecue at the cottage or a long drive from home.

Another design idea that is worth recycling for a big party is the self-served counter. It has the charm of the general stores. Think how you could use that concept to serve food instead of setting a predictable buffet table. It is simple to reproduce the look. Visit flea markets to get your hands on vintage wood boxes. Secure them at an angle.

MORE:
+ Via PSFK – they took the photos with a phone
+ Press Release of 15th Ave. Coffee & Tea

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When it comes to kettles, you first have to decide if you are looking for a stove model or an electric model.

My preference goes to a classic teakettle that you put on the stove. I own a beautiful Italian design stainless steel whistling kettle. Many  friends told me over the years that my kettle looks great. Unfortunately, my husband does not like a stove kettle. Therefore, we stopped using it. I stored it just in case.

But the latest innovation in teakettle, water temperature gauge may change my mind. The bright color of the porcelain enameled teakettle made me wish for a red Cuisinart PerfecTemp Porcelain Enameled Teakettle.

The ultimate feature I have seen is the variable temperature electric kettle. Since we drink several types of teas at home, this will be heaven. It will ensure that I get the right temperature for his morning tea and my French-press coffee. The Breville Variable-Temperature Kettle beeps when water reaches the selected temperature and can maintain that temperature for up to 20 minutes.

SOURCING:
+ Cuisinart PerfecTemp Porcelain Enameled Teakettles $99.95 USD
+ Oxo Uplift Teakettle $49.95 USD
+ Dijon Whistling Teakettle $69.95 USD
+ Grenadine Round Teakettle by Staub $131.95 USD
+ Breville Variable-Temperature Kettle $149.95 USD

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I saw the Blue Bottle Coffee kiosk with its long line of customers while visiting the Farmer’s Market. At their kiosk, they prepare coffee with the beehouse ceramic drippers. You can tell that people love the coffee of this artisan micro-roasting company.

But I resisted the temptations because I wanted to try their famous individually made brewed coffee made with a $20,000 machine. So I went to the Blue Bottle Café located at 66 Mint Street, San Francisco (at Jessie Street).

What is the siphon bar?

Each coffee is brewed using two stacked glass globes resting on top of a heater. The technique involves creating a deep whirlpool with a wooden paddle in no more than four turns without touching the glass.

Basically, vapors and variations in temperatures force the coffee up and down. The principle behind the siphon bar share similarities with the stovetop espresso maker except that the siphon bar requires human assistance several times in the process as you can see by watching my video.

As our coffee maker Vien told us, you can learn the basics on how to operate the siphon bar quickly. But mastering the different settings is a long learning process. Only through the hands of a master that the siphon bar produces the most memorable coffee.

Tasting a siphon coffee

A cup of siphon coffee is very delicate, with no after taste, and you get none of the residues typical of French pot coffee. The taste is much smoother than regular coffee. You can taste the subtlety of the coffee beans.

For that reason, the siphon coffee is never made with blend. You want to be able to taste the specificities of single-origin beans. As I understand, you cannot taste that with an espresso because the espresso is brewed too quickly. To taste the different flavor levels, the coffee needs to be brewed slowly. And slowly it is since making one siphon coffee pot of 2 cups takes 5 minutes.

Blue Bottle Café serves only certified organic coffee beans that they roasted themselves. I tasted the Gololcha, a dry-processed Ethiopian coffee with two distinct flavor layers: fruity on top, with a beautiful thick rustic body. I enjoyed it! I sipped it without and with milk to see if we could still taste the subtlety of the coffee. I did.

I am telling you, I drank the best coffee of my life last Saturday. My husband wanted to go back 2 hours later.

Sourcing:
Learn more: Blue Bottle Coffee Co.

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Yesterday, I went to Chelsea because I wanted to taste a fresh-brewed cup at Grumpy Café on the 20th Street in Manhattan.

After reading the January 23, 2008 article on the New York Times, savoring a coffee made with the $11,000 Clover 1s machine was on the top of my list.

And after having a terrible cup of coffee at the airport restaurant plus an average coffee on the plane, going at my Grumpy Café was my treat.

Was it is my appraisal? At first, the coffee was too hot so I could not fully appreciate it. But as it cooled off, I enjoyed the flavors of my freshly brewed coffee more and more. My husband shares my opinion.

What else did I saw?

Our journey started on Gramercy neighborhood of Manhattan. A magnificent residential building in grabbed my attention with its impressive sculpted stone ornamentations.

That unit building is located in front of Gramercy Park, a small and beautiful fenced-in owned park. It is one of two parks in New York that has no public access. The park belongs to the buildings surrounding the park. The Asian inspired bird house (top right picture) sits on the Gramercy Park.

After our stop at Grumpy Café, we stop on Madison Park on our way back. With boundaries of Fifth Avenue and Madison Avenues and 23rd and 26th Streets, Madison Park still has standing still two 200-year old elm trees and one trunk.

Art pieces from Roxy Paine are displayed at the Madison Park until February 28, 2008. Conjoined is a 40 foot-tall sculpture of two intertwined trees. Defunct is a 42 foot-tall sculpture of a lone tree which appears to be under attack from the shelf-fungus growing on it’s trunk. Erratic is a boulder measuring 7 feet high by 15 feet wide that I did not see. The sculptures are part of a larger series. These pieces belonged to a private collator from Switzerland loaned to the city three beautiful stainless steel sculptures of elm trees. I enjoyed how the reflections of the other trees on the park transformed the sculptures.

Madison Park offers to the citizens of the neighborhood a better quality of life. I saw many people with their dogs on the dog playing area. At one corner, a beautiful playground for kids was occupied by three dads and their young children. As you can see on the picture, it was getting pretty dark when we got there so I assumed that during the day, the playground must be booming with activities.

We had a fun day running around Manhattan. After a delicious meal prepared by Jerome’s aunt, I slept like a log. Today, we will probably go to the museum.I also saw gorgeous wedding dresses in Chelsea. I will tell you about it later.

Sourcing:
Learn more: Grumpy Café
Learn more: At Last, a $20,000 Cup of Coffee published on The New York Times 
Learn more: Clover 1s machine
Learn more: Arts from Roxy Paine

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I learned today that I drink my coffee at home like a true Italian. I even got the Oslo Demi-tasse / espresso and Cappuccino cups by Bormioli Rocco. By the way, these clear glass cups are great for serving desserts. The handle can be removed if you want a different presentation.

I learned all that and more by reading the guide on how to order a coffee in Italy. The guide is made for North American traveling in Italy. I got this story from Ms. Adventures in Italy, an interesting blog published by an American women now living in Italy.

Learning the basics

When we will take a vacation in Italy, I will order a Caffè Macchiato, a Caffè Macchiato Freddo or a Latte Macchiato. The Caffè Macchiato is served in a demitasse cup. This is an espresso stained with a little bit of hot milk, probably frothed. It is not a demi-cappuccino.

The Caffè Macchiato Freddo is an espresso served in a demitasse cup with cold or lukewarm milk on the side. That is how I drink my espresso here, preferably with lukewarm milk.

The Latte Macchiato is hot milk with one shot of coffee, and served hot in a cappuccino clear glass cup or a tall glass, larger than a cappuccino. She does not specify if I can order a bowl of Latte Macchiato.

Italians does not seem to put chocolate on top of cappuccinos. I discovered that I probably served a Marocchino. Once you learned the name(s) of what you like, you will be alright because the recipes are quite standardized. The difference in taste from one shop to the next comes from the barista and the coffee beans.

The list goes on so I invite you to check out Ms. Adventures in Italy to read her complete coffee guide. If you got an espresso machine, you can use this knowledge for entertaining at home.

My espresso machine broke a few years ago. I did not send it to the repair shop and never replaced it because I found it take too much counter space. So I went back to the Moka Express on the stove. But from time to time, I do miss having an espresso machine.

MORE:
+ How to Order an Italian Coffee in Italy published on Ms. Adventures in Italy

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