Pure linen table linens are my favorite. Their simple elegance never go out of style. A set of napkins with a table linen makes a gift that will be appreciated for years to come. Think about it for a birthday, a housewarming party, a wedding or even as a Valentine’s Day gift.

For the napkins, you could opt for her Manner Napkins set which reminds everyone of 6 table manners. And there is a limited edition for Valentine with loving words. Those are made by Missy, a mother of five who sells on Etsy. She named her etsy shop after her the name of her fifth child, Betsy Grace. She also make matching tea towels.

SOURCING:
+ Linen Table Runner Personalized With Your Initial $24 USD
+ Manners Napkins Set of 6 in Linen Willow Color $36 for 6

You might also like these posts

It became a tradition. Every year, the weekend before my birthday, my husband invites me to a night of delight at Cirque du Soleil. We had fabulous tickets to OVO, seats 1 and 2 on the first row right in the center of the scene. Being that close enables us to see every details of the making and costumes which are a huge part of Cirque du Soleil’s magic. We are also able to see how hard the artists work to deliver their performance.

The nearest seat to the scene are part of a package that is called Tapis Rouge. The event starts one hour before the show. You are welcome with a glass of sparkling wine (red and white wine is also available). This is an almost one-hour cocktail with food served by a top-notch caterer.

The lamb mini-burgers, mini grilled cheese or mussels with the sauce served in shooter are simple ideas that you can incorporate in your repertoire. Think of designing vignette to add a theatrical vibe to your party. Here a mushroom garden vignette served as a service station.

The food presentation is always original. I always bring back ideas. The beautiful flower-shaped appetizers are hard to do.  They were delightful for the eyes and to the mouth. Several food were used to fashion delicate flower; delicate to see and to the taste. The center was a foie gras or another type of mousse; I cannot recall which one.

Food in a Tree

Trees were used to serve food. A green apple becomes the bowl of half-cooked duck confit mixed with vegetables. The carrot has a hint of ginger crossing in the middle with a nori ribbon. It is simple and really delicious.

For dessert, they hung on the tree pineapple pieces dipped on a praline at one side. This awesome dessert is easily to reproduce at home for your next BBQ. Cut the pineapple in a small rectangle (3 inches long and 1/4 to 3/8 inch wide), insert on a wooden stick and dipped with praline.

OVO is a superb show. I recommend it. I had a great night. Thank you my Love for this night of pleasures. On that note, I wish every mom the best for this Happy Mother’s Day!

+ OVO by Cirque du Soleil

You might also like these posts

Do you recall this fabulous discovery from the IDS 09 in Toronto? Magisso exhibited at the IDS in the hope to find a distributor. They did! Urban Butik opened a couple days ago their online store, which delivers in Canada and the Unites States.  I used my kitchen cloth holder since the IDS and I am very pleased with it.

There are three models to choose from: the curved stainless steel, the straight stainless steel and the curved plastic handle. The two models are identical except for the material used for the handle part of the holder. Until now, I used the plastic model. I will give it to my sister in law now that I received a complimentary stainless steel model. The stainless steel suits more my style.

The straight model is designed to satisfy the aesthetics of people that opt for a sink with square corners. By opting for the straight handle, they maintain the integrity of their straight line kitchen.

I am happy to report that the distributor are from Montreal, my home town. Urban Butik is the love child of Anne Foged and Jean-Luc Bouchard.

Update: Besides buying online, retailers in the United States currently sell this practical kitchen gadget. I guess that it will not take too long before Canadian retailers follow. They update their retailer lists regularly.

MORE:
+ Magisso Kitchen Cloth holder all stainless steel model $59.95, plastic handle model $24.95 at Urban Butik

You might also like these posts

These are stylish housewares essentials. They make a perfect gift for Mother’s Day or to bring to the hostess this summer. I particularly like the level of details on the green saperlipopette model.

A French woman created these half-aprons. She sells them on etsy. Her atelier celebrates on a modern way the charms of the French country style. Her design are cute and fun. She also make tea towels, notebooks with the same patterns.

You can read her blog (it’s written in English). Her blog is filled with beautiful pictures.

SOURCING:
+ saperlipopette gardening half apron $32 USD
+ macaron half apron $32 USD

You might also like these posts

Thanks to my resourceful mother, I will get my own DIY sandwich boards; I opted for an 8 x 12-inch board since I want enough space to put a small bowl of soup and a sandwich. A wooden board absorbs the condensation out of toasted bread, which is part of the appeal.

As I put my eyes on the 9 inches by 7 inches Sandwich boards by master woodworker and designer Edward Wohl, I have my doubts over my extra-long board. Mine are already done so we will see if I was right or not. The bird eye’s maple cutting boards produced by Edward Wohl are truly elegant; that is why you pay more. I bought 2 of his wooden spreaders/butter knives when I visited Heath.

It also works the other way around: you could give them to our mother for Mother’s Day. I will probably get my hands on my set on Mother’s Day since I do not think we will meet before that – we live 100 kms apart. I also asked if she finds someone to make me beech wood slice tray; I like the silver bark that is more stylish than the rustic maple bark. You will get a chance to admire them on my table this summer.

SOURCING:
+ Sandwich boards by Edward Wohl $29 USD at Linda Ferrol Studio – also available at Heath Ceramics
+ Wooden Knife by Edward Wohl $12.50 USD at Linda Ferrol Studio

You might also like these posts

Koziol did it again: I am in awe. I spot this adorable tea strainer while researching the best tea strainers. But really, Audrey Tea Strainer is too remarkable for me to wait. It is in a class by itself. I will tell you a little secret: I will give it to my mom for Mother’s Day – do not worry, she will be surprised since she rarely uses a computer.

I think that the Audrey tea strainer collection was launched last year. Every blown glass piece is unique. Plus like the Swatch watches, you can build a collection. Every year, they are updating the colors. The 2008 collection has a white vase with the bloom available in pink, orange, pink sun, red, turquoise blue and green. The 2009 collection is pink orange, pink white, red white with a green base. It is also available in all green and all white.

More Tea Accessories

Koziol is well known for their fun and colorful plastic kitchenware. Their plastic collection proposes several cool items for making your tea.

+ THEKLA, a measuring spoon with a bag clip
+ BEAU-TEA ,which is a modern tea ball that is supposed to leave enough space for the leaves to fully unfold
+ LEAF-IT, a fun tea bag tidy made of transparent heat-resistant plastic
+ The popular three-tiered BABELL tray is now available in a small size to fit petits fours, chocolates and mignardises

SOURCING:
+ Koziol for the Kitchen Catalogue
+ Audrey Murano Tea Strainer $22.95 CAD at Ochadô – they deliver internationally

You might also like these posts

Forget the typical floral arrangements this year and be original with your Mother’s Day gift. I spot three ideas that would make a lasting impression. The focal point of a courtyard garden designed by Floral Grubb is this succulent vertical garden. Sempervivum and a little horizontal bed with Myers asparagus and echeveria create an amazing vertical garden. What is more impressive with this view is that the courtyard has a concrete deep soaking bath.

Floral Grubb also did the succulents planted in china cups. If you wish to do-it-yourself visit a flea market to find an assortment of fine China cups and saucers. You can also use teapots or cream and sugar pots. Either bring your vessels to your florist or plant the succulents yourself. Tie a nice handmade tag to the handle. Write on the tag how to take care of the plant.

Growing your own vegetable garden is all the rage. Why not give your mother a potted garden filled with leafy greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, radishes, fresh herbs and edible flowers? As a premise to her gift, you can serve this salad made with arugula, feta, pine nuts and edible flowers. It is the salad recipe by The Lylah Blog.

CREDITS:
+ Vertical Garden: Flora’s blog
+ Succulents in a tea cup: Apartment Therapy San Francisco
+ Edible flowers salad and Flower Beds: The Lylah Blog

You might also like these posts

+ Since I have a thing for apple and bird feeder, it will come to no surprise that Apple Bird Feeder caught my eye. $25 USD at Modern Tribe

+ Desk Tidy designed by Daniel Black and Martin Blum will look great in the kitchen next to the phone. $34 USD at MoMA

+ The design of the Voila Trivets designed by Eric Janssen will please your mother and father. $50 USD each at MoMA

+ I adore the architectural reference of the Folding Bird House designed by Jesper Moller Hansen and Dorthe Weis. Sadly, I will not be able to use in my backyard visited by an army of squirrels. Make sure to find the right spot before hanging this birdhouse. It is a MoMA exclusive. $50 USD

You might also like these posts

I hosted a casual Mother’s Day event this year. My husband and I invited our mothers for an intimate breakfast.

My husband cooked wonderful omelets. I have to say this was his best ever. He prepared a Swiss cheese and mushroom omelet with freshly cut chives from our garden.

Tableware

We kept the tabletop really simple. The beauty emerged from the charming plates and cups. It was also the first time I ate in my new Chirp dinnerware set by Lenox. This 2007 pattern is so adorable.

I could have placed the plates over my Birds ‘n Trees placemats from Modern-Twist like I shown you here. But a checkered tablecloth caught my eyes that morning. I bought this cotton tablecloth at La Maison Simons last year.

I bought my Vertu flatware by Retroneu at William Ashley in Toronto the year it was launched, i.e., in 1991. I still love it today. This flatware model is discontinued since 2003.

>>> Sourcing:
Buy online: Chirp Dinnerware by Lenox – price:$99.95 USD per 5-piece setting
Buy online: Silicone placemats by Modern-Twist at Lekker – price: $22 USD

RELATED POST:
+ My recipe to successfully design a tabletop

You might also like these posts

My husband and I are having breakfast with my mother and my mother in law.

I wish all moms a great day surrounded with their loved ones. Happy Mother’s Day!

This is a picture of my mother and I that was taken a few years ago at Mother’s Day.

In fact, I delayed the delivery for about two weeks to be born on Mother’s Day. I was a double gift for my mother. This is my excuse when I am late for a casual social event.

You might also like these posts

My favorite Mother’s Day memory is the year my brother, sister and I (all in elementary school) pooled our money together and bought as much chocolate fudge as we could afford from our mother’s coveted chocolate emporium. As Mom is a chocoholic, she was thrilled. And so were we, since, for some reason, we bought way too much chocolate for just one person.

The memory inspired me to create a Mother’s Day menu designed with children in mind. Adult supervision is required, but the kids can do most of the work.

Breakfast in Bed for Mom

Breakfast is the easiest meal to prepare. And after all the tedious work that Moms do, they deserve a day to sleep in and enjoy a day off. Start the day off right with the most important meal of the day. And if there’s chocolate involved, prepared by loving hands, it’s sure to be an extra good day.

Breakfast Menu

• French Toast au Chocolat
• Sage seasoned sausage patties
• Fresh strawberries
• Coffee or tea
• Freshly squeezed orange juice

Recipes by Jennifer Mitchell

French Toast au Chocolat Recipe
This is easy for children to help prepare, as it bakes in the oven instead of cooking on the stove.

• 1 baguette – a day old
• 4 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1/4  cup sugar
• 1  teaspoon vanilla
• 1/4  teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup confectioner’s sugar
• Chocolate sauce

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
2. Lightly butter a 9 x 13-inch baking pan, slice the baguette into 1-inch slices, and place the slices into the pan.
3. In a bowl beat the eggs, then whisk in the milk, sugar, vanilla and salt. Pour over the bread, and let it soak for 15 minutes.
4. Bake the French toast for 30 to 40 minutes, until the egg mixture is set. Remove from the oven.
5. Place the French toast on plates, dust with confectioner’s sugar. Finish by drizzling the chocolate syrup over the top.

Sage Sausage Patties Recipe
You can always buy the ready-made variety. But if you’re in the mood for a special treat, why not make your own?

• 1 pound ground fresh pork, chilled
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 teaspoons minced fresh sage
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon canola oil

1. In a bowl combine the ingredients, except for the oil, in a bowl and chill for an hour.
2. Divide the mixture into 8 balls and flatten into patties.
3. In a skillet heat the oil over moderate heat until it is hot but not smoking. Fry the patties for 3 minutes on each side and drain them on paper towels.

Presentation
Moms love a nice place setting. Start with a breakfast tray lined with a personalized placemat. This can be made from any kind of paper you have around the house. Have the kids make a special drawing or decorate it with stickers, glitter or whatever art supplies you have in the house.

A flower, cut from the garden, adds a nice touch. For extra fun, garnish Mom’s plate with photo cutouts of the kids taped or glued onto toothpicks.

>>> Sourcing:
Buy online: Mother’s Day Card by scarycarriecreates [etsy.com] – price: $3.75 USD
Buy online: Cooking Owl – Limited Edition Print by barkingbirdart [etsy.com] – price: $9 USD
Buy online: Joy Bed in a Bag [Target] – price: $71.99 – $109.99 USD
Photo credit: French Toasts covered with oatmeal, picture by Kim Vallee – rights reserved
Guest Blogger: Jennifer Mitchell [Design Hole]

You might also like these posts

I have a thing for cute kitchen storage jars. You can say that I feel under the spells of Opus Storage Jars.

World-famous designer Ole Palsby put its signature style in designing the elegant clean-cut Opus Storage Jars. The stainless steel Opus Funnel comes handy for neatly filling the jars with dry food. How cool is that!

I continue my exploration of Rosendahl catalogue when I spot the Grand Cru Egg Cup, a new addition in Spring 2008.

All the items of the Grand Cru range feature distinctive grooves. The stylishly utilitarian tableware collection can be dress up and down. I paired it for a brunch with the Grand Cru Crystal Dessert Plate to eat fruits with yogurt. That plate with high edge looks at its place at a casual breakfast or a dinner party.

Winner of IF Design Award 2007, the Opus Carafe and Opus Tumblers are part of a complete clear glass and fine bone china tableware family. This is a style that anyone can live with for years to come.

Use these as inspiration to set your table for a casual family brunch on Mother’s Day. Better yet, give her one of these items on May 11th. 

>>> Sourcing:
Buy online: Opus Storage Jars at Zwello – price: $21.95 USD for a set of 5
Buy online: Opus Funnel at Zwello – price: $27.95 USD
Buy online: Opus Carafe with Lid at Zwello – price: $29.95 USD
Find: Store locator for Rosendahl products

You might also like these posts