At Home with Kim Vallee

CAKES and baked goods, ENTERTAINING | October 27, 2009

How to Make Spider Web Icing

To conclude today’s marathon on Halloween treats, I am leaving you a link to a tutorial I spot on Bake at 350. You can learn how to make this awesome two-color spider Web icing. The technique is demonstrated on cookies but it could be adapted for decorating cupcakes. Bridget of Bake at 350 is a source [...]

HOME + GARDEN, OUTDOOR space | August 20, 2009

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The Art of One-Pot Gardening Taught by Sunset Magazine

Sunset magazine is a West Coast lifestyle magazine that I enjoyed reading every time I went to California. I love it so much that I became a subscriber a few months ago. The Sunset gardens are open to the public. The gardens are located at their headquarters in Northern California. I marked it down for [...]

CAKES and baked goods, ENTERTAINING | August 11, 2009

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Edible Prints and Cake Decorations by Lucks

Lucks Food Decorating makes it easy for anyone to start decorating their cakes. Lucks manufacture edible print decorations, molded sugar decorations, royal icing roses and food colors. Beside taking courses, this would help you make a lasting impression when you are baking your own cake for a party. When placed on food, edible images absorb moisture [...]

HOME + GARDEN, HOME decor | August 7, 2009

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Lesson in Styling your Front Door from Beacon Hill

This afternoon I visited Beacon Hill, an old British style, upscale neighborhood in Boston. This is one of the are where the houses are the most expensive in Boston. One think I noticed as we walked around is how, even though the houses have no landing, many front doors felt inviting and elegant. I paid attention [...]

CAKES and baked goods, ENTERTAINING | August 4, 2009

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How to Make Your Own Cupcake Stand

I am writing this post in response to a reader’s question. Jessica B. wanted to know where to get this type of cupcake stand. I usually ask my cupcake baker to make it. This way, I am sure that the colors are coordinated with the cupcakes. But if you do it yourself, you could start from [...]

COOKBOOKS, DINING | July 14, 2009

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Create More Delicious Meals with the Flavor Bible | Book review

Beside mastering cooking techniques, the best way to improve your cooking is by learning how to balance flavor. First, you need to know which ingredients complement each other. You also need to know how flavor develops. This book is filled with tips, guidelines and basic principles that you can use in your own kitchen. For [...]

HOME + GARDEN, OUTDOOR space | June 19, 2009

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The Art of Mixing Colors, Matching Forms in your Outdoor Space

If there is a place in your house where you can infuse an array of colors is your backyard. You use mostly in sunny days and at night under candle lights. Most manufacturer of outdoor tableware and accessories produce their products in 3 to 5 colors. Take advantage of that fact and mix colors. The key [...]

DINING, FOOD + drinks | May 9, 2009

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How to do the Flaming Orange Zest and the Sapphire Cosmopolitan

I could not wait so I am publishing the first cocktail recipe. This is the most complicated cocktail recipe that was demonstrated at the Bombay Sapphire event. The difficulty comes from its garnish. It is easy to do once you know how. This bartender’s trick will put your guests in awe for sure. It infuses [...]