If you are not ready or if you already gave her the Tiffany blue box, here is another signature blue box that will please her this Valentine. I like the drawings on the artisanal chocolates. It is common these days to see design like the chocolates made by Christopher Elbow. The MarieBelle chocolates gain points for being more cheerful and adorable.

You can buy it online from MarieBelle Chocolates or find at a retailer near you that carry the collection. I spotted this gift idea on Parcel Post, the blog of Urbanic Paper, a boutique in Venice, California. I wish to leave a message to my dear husband. I saw on the store listing that it may be available at Indigo.

A must-go in SoHo

I noted on my agenda a visit to the Cacao Bar and Tea Salon that is inside their retail space in SoHo. Their line of hot chocolate seems awesome and many rave about it. Another idea is to sit down for a nice cacao at their Parisian style salon. It is on the pricey side but indulgences are in order on Valentine’s Day.

+ MarieBelle Chocolates

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I wish you a wonderful Easter Day! We bought our Easter eggs and animals all wrapped in cute baskets this year. I will try to take pictures but I cannot promise I could resist eating it right away.

In case I cannot resist the temptation, I gathered nice images from Chocolats Geneviève Grandbois. This artisan chocolate shop is well-known in Montreal for their fine chocolate. I want to try her hot chocolate mix. I did not know she made Easter animals. I checked it out Juliette the Baby Chicken and her Hen Mother. Besides the traditional animals and eggs, she makes a cute hedgehog, a turtle and a mouse. It is good to know that they deliver in Montréal, Québec, Ottawa, Toronto.

MORE:
+ Juliette la Poulette et sa maman Poule $14.50 CAD
+ Hot Chocolate Mix $11.50 CAD for 8 servings
+ get directions to Chocolats Geneviève Grandbois p 514.933.1331
138 Avenue Atwater, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H4C 2G3

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After a visit to the fantastic gallery style shop Rose and Radish in San Francisco, I spot one or two street corners later another retail delight for the senses. This time, it was the shop of the artisanal chocolate maker Christopher Elbow located on Hayes Street.

It was the fashionable design of the store that first caught my eyes from across the street. As I looked further, I realized that it was a fine chocolate shop.

I am passionate about fine chocolate so I could not passed by this opportunity. The red featured wall, dark brown wood and the white décor of his retail place pleased me. The packaging evokes modern luxury.

About the Chocolate

These decadent pieces are hand-crafted one at a time. The modern patterns are amazing. The chocolate decorations are created using sprays, templates or hand painting techniques. So each piece is unique.

My husband and I ate our box of 9 pieces for dessert two nights ago. They taste as good as they look. We tasted:

• Caramel with Fleur de Sel
• Madagascar
• Ecuador
• Persian
• Fresh Lime
• Rosemary Caramel
• Strawberry-Balsamic Caramel
• plus two identical rounds pieces that were delicious but that I cannot find the names

This is an artisanal chocolate with no preservatives made in small batches. It must be eaten within 2 to 3 weeks. They were enough customers while I visited the shop to not worry about the freshness of what you buy. Finally avoid storing any fine chocolate in the fridge to preserve their full flavor.

Christopher Elbow had a special packaging for Christmas but I did not see anything for this upcoming Easter. It is sad!

A Design Idea to Take Home

I want to point out a clever design element of the lounge area. Between each seat, a small table rest on the couch so you can put your drinks and plates. There is still small lighted coffee table but the place was packed and it seems that almost everybody prefer the raised tray on the cough.

Gift ideas

For a hostess gift, especially if you go to a house with kids, you can bring a tin box of hot cocoa. I suggest the Venezuelan Spiced Drinking Chocolate, a dark chocolate blended with chilies and spices to create a cup of rich.

The Chocolate Covered Nuts sounds pretty good to. You have the choice of almond, hazelnuts and spiced almonds.

Sourcing:
Where to buy: Christopher Elbow Artisanal Chocolate

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For my first Holidays gift ideas of the season, I got inspired by the pleasures of eating at home on cold winter nights near the fire.

These gender neutral gift ideas symbolize friendly atmosphere after skiing or skating. Price ranges go from stocking stuffer to indulgence.

Log Tote by Felt Studio

Made in Canada using industrial manufactured felt, Log Tote is a hip design to transport wood logs. Felt Studio was founded by artist Kathryn Walter.

Knitware Vases by Alyssa Ettinger Design

These vases are hand-cast porcelain. The patterns vary from large knit to large cable knit up to small cable knit. I feel good just looking at Alyssa’s designs. It is perfect for the season. She sells her Knitware ceramics through her etsy shop.

Fingerprint potholder by Menu

Design by Jacob Wagner for Menu, the Fingerprint potholder is made of heat-resistant silicone. It was inspired by the designer own fingerprint. For added practicality, a magnet is inserted at the center. And a little self-adhesive metal plate is supplied so you can hand them anywhere you like. Menu is Menu is a Danish design company that celebrates Scandinavian living.

Roast and Serve and Silicone Locking Tongs by Cuisipro

The Cuisipro Roast and Serve garnered the 2006 Housewares Design Award in the Best Kitchen Tool category. You use it to roast, lift and serve your birds and large roasts. It is available in two formats to best suit your cooking needs.

I own the Cuisipro Silicone Locking Tongs and I am very satisfied with them. I feel that the push and pull locking mechanism works better than the standard one. The non stick silicone ends grab well the food for serving and when cooking.

Bodum Chocolatière at Crate and Barrel

This chocolate maker works for hot and cold chocolate drinks. A manual propeller rod blends the chocolate powder and whips up a delicious froth. Since it is makes by Bodum, I feel it should work well. All parts are dishwasher safe.

Sourcing:
Buy online: Log Tote by Felt Studio – price: $80 CAD
Buy online: Knitware Vase by Alyssa Ettinger Design- price: $120 USD for the small, $150 for the large
Buy online: Fingerprint potholder by Menu at Panik Design – price: £25
Buy online: Cuisipro Roast & Serve Roasting Rack at Kitchen Kapers – price: $19.99 USD
Buy online: Cuisipro Silicone Locking Tongs 9.5 Inch in Red at Amazon.com – price: $11.95 for 9.5 inch long, $13.95 for 12 inch long
For Americans: Bodum Chocolatiere at Crate & Barrel – price: $29.95 USD
For Canadians: Bodum Chocolatiere at Muffet and Louisa – price: $38 CAD
Via: 30 Presents under $30 #8  Bodum Chocolatiere on Oh Happy Day and Cuteable Finds on Cuteable

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The brainchild of Parisian events entrepreneur Thierry Teyssier, Romaneira is out of ordinary. This is the third House of dreams establishment for Teyssier.

Every detail at Romaneira have been planned to make your stay at this hotel a unique experience. You can see that the owner used to organize events for living. Look at this story as the basis for two mood boards about casual entertaining.

A romantic and sophisticated picnic setting

Do you know a lot of hotels that set a picnic space like this one? Wow! You see that a lot of thoughts have been put to design the picnic space. All the comforts and charms you can dream of are concentrated in a simple, almost humble arrangement. Take notice because you can easily reproduce this look at the cottage.

The containers, the dishes, the linen fabrics display simple shapes. They are the proof that you do not need extravagant pieces to create a refined look. You need to be truthful to a feeling and to pursuit a harmonious look.

Maison des Comptoirs

Located on the Douro River, Romaneira takes advantage of the explorer heritage of Portugal. I went to Portugal for my Honeymoon and I recommend you visit it one day.

I am showing you the Maison des Comptoirs with its multiethnic design. The room decor is warm due to plenty of rich woods and the spicy colors of the walls.

The food presentation at the Chocolaterie (chocolate shop) is without pretension. You can taste a vast variety of cold and warm chocolate drinks and small homemade cakes.

These delightful recipes are by Philippe Conticini. My next post will be about the masterpiece creations of this notorious French Chef. You will not want to miss it.

The bottom picture is where you can taste Porto wines. The décor reminded me of an old school communal dining room. What a charming sight. Europeans excel at creating amazing environments with everyday pieces from the past. In all fairness, I must point out that their architecture plays a role in achieving the overall decor. But we can try to replicate the look here.

Casual entertaining

When you think about it, this post is a follow-up to last week-end 3 blogs and a mood board story. Why not try a party theme done around a warm, casual and familiar atmosphere next time you have friends over? Develop a menu with family secret recipes, keep it simple and enjoy the company of your guests.

Sourcing:
Learn more: Web site of Romaneira
Photo credits: Notes d’hotel Douro des rêves published on Côté Sud – number 107, September 2007 issue

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