I like the style of the string shopping bags. At moment it feels European while at other time it feels bohemian. I wish to know if you find them more practical than the Envirosax or the RuME bags? I am thinking of trying them. Here are three models that caught my eyes.

+ Stretch Bag by Artecnica is made from recycled billboard. There is also a leather version vinyl $16 USD, leather $95

+ Black Organic Cotton String Bag starts at $6.95 USD
+ ECOBAGS EarthTone Cotton String Bag Set with Hemp StuffSack 5 bags $29.95 USD

Do not forget to tell me what type of reusable shopping bags you use.

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First of all, I wish to say that I hope that reusable produce bags become as popular as the reusable shopping bags. Each time I go to the grocery without them, I feel bad. They are great for shopping but I also feel that the vegetables stay fresh longer.

Many brands made them. I introduced the ECObags last year. I still like those, they kept their shapes and sizes after several machine washes.

Stewart Bags

At the start of the summer, I received a complimentary combination pack of reusable produce bags from Stewart Bags, a Canadian brand run by a couple. I recommend that you get one or two combination packs of reusable produce bags (five small bags, three large bags). I keep the vegetables in the reusable bags in the fridge. Since some bags may be in the laundry basket, I need more for shopping. You will see a small bag is enough for many items on your shopping list.

I made the error to dry machine them once. They shrunk a bit but they kind of extend like an old pair of jeans when you insert fruits or vegetables. Therefore, it does not really matter.

Stewart Bags was founded by the Baileys, who are both teachers in Ontario.

October 24th, 2009 Update: Stewart Bags will have a stand in the New Product Showcase area at the Grocery Innovations Canada 2009. The show, which will be at the Toronto Congress Centre next Monday and Tuesday. I wish that retailers will decide to sell that green alternative in their stores. Bringing our shopping bags was not natural at first. Now, the cashiers ask us if you need a plastic bag?

SOURCING:
+ Combination Bulk Special $25 CAD

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Arthur Quentin is a must-shop place in Montreal for anyone who likes to cook or to entertain. You shop there when you are looking for quality and European imported tableware. No need to say that I like this shop a lot.

Their new collection for autumn includes this warmer dish to make chèvre chaud (warm goat cheese). It is a good idea to stock a couple for Christmas or as an hostess gift since you will impress with this $20 gift. They also carry a version for brie or camembert cheese.

Table linens at Arthur Quentin are awesome. They carry 100% linen tablecloths and napkins. Made in Belgium, I like the yellow and white Clément collection (starts at $280 CAD). A cheaper option for casual entertaining or for your everyday usage is the French Country Tête à tête and its matching napkins ($44.50 and $17.50).

+ Arthur Quentin – site only in French

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Haus Maus

As you may know, Holly  of Decor8 writes a second blog where she talks about her new life in Hanover. In Haus Maus, she chronicles little differences like this communal bookcase. People donate the books. If you take one, you need to replace it by another book. I like this idea.

On another post, Holly talked about the fact that people often travel in bicycle instead of taking the car. Sure that the narrow streets of Europe make driving cumbersome, but it is more than that. I envy them.

Design*Sponge

In fact, the idea of this post starts when I saw the Arbour Wall picture in Brisbane earlier today. You will find 72 city guides on Design*Sponge. The pictures are from the:

• Brisbane guide
• Manhattan guide part 2: the meatpacking district

If you plan a visit to one of the covered cities, they are a must to read since each guide is written by a resident.

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+ Sale Letterpress & Offset Cards at Egg Press. The I Love You Mother is just in time for Mother’s Day.

+ For one week only, you can get a box of 10 letterpress cards for $10 at Night Owl Paper Goods. This offer is valid on a large array of cards.

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For us living in Canada and the United States, we can take pleasures looking at the nicely styled pictures. They offer a source of inspirations that we can integrate in our home.

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Impromptu Cocktail Party Menu

Morels’ cheese menu looks interesting. Reproduce their cheese ordering sheet would be easy. You need a board, a prong steel fastener and to design a cute menu.

For an impromptu cocktail party, create an antipasto platter. Serve your charcuterie with gherkins and small onions. Serve 2 or 3 varieties of olives, cheese and wine. You will be all set.

My new clothes and I

We explored several fashion shops. I bought a funky shirt and dress at the Spanish store Custo Barcelona. We do not have this brand in Canada. I also bought a feminine apron at Anthropologie.

Here the photos of my new clothes.

Tonight, we are craving for authentic Mexican cuisine. We will see what we can find.

+ Get directions to The Grove p 323.900.8080
189 The Grove Dr, Los Angeles, California, United States, 90036

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Save on luxury items like Gien faience tableware, Limoges dinnerware, Riedel glassware, Libeco tablecloth or Le Creuset pans and pots.

I may go later for small cooking tools like this collapsible silicone strainer by Lekue. I bought the large format in green last summer. This is the best strainer ever. Made of non-stick 100% platinum silicone, it is easy to clean since it goes on the dishwasher. Arthur Quentin’s 20% OFF sale ends January 24th, 2009.

GET DIRECTIONS:
+ Arthur Quentin p (514) 843-7513
3960 rue Saint-Denis, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H2W 2M2
+ Bleu Nuit p (514) 843-5702
3913 rue Saint-Denis, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H2W 2M4

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If you are still looking for holiday decorations and holiday entertaining ideas, I made a little white and silver mood board with products at West Elm.

+ You can dress up your holiday décor with accessories that you can keep on the wall all year long. The sunburst wire wall art bring a modern twist to a white and silver holiday décor. $49

+ The 47-inch tall white Christmas tree is great for a small space. On sale at $41.40

Holiday Entertaining

If your guest lists are different, a white and silver Christmas theme can be easily adapted for New Year. Devising one kit is a great way to save money.

At a few days before Christmas, it is hard to create a scheme with only in stock products; so excuse me if I featured some out of stock items for the tableware. You may call to see if they have some left at a store near you. Otherwise, view my montages as inspirations.

+ I would having under the Christmas trees any items from the New York-based sweater and knitwear label Lutz & Patmos. This throw and cover collection is available exclusively at west elm stores and at westelm.com. They are on sale too from $19 to $89.

+ The dishwasher-safe double banded platinum dinnerware look great. Unfortunately, only the small bowls are still available online at $25.60 for a set of 4.

+ The polished-nickel butler stand (out of stock) with a silver-finish wood tray looks festive. The silver tray is $69.

+ It fits well with the aluminum food safe serving ware. Trays and chargers are out of stock. On sale $6.99-$24.00

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+ PosterCartel, an advertiser on At Home with Kim Vallee, hosts a one-day 40% off on everything on their online store. This offer is valid until midnight today. Enter code SPECIAL40 at checkout.

+ You can save up to 30% on kitchen gifts and holiday items at Williams-Sonoma

+ Fans of Anthropologie, you still have 3 day left for free standard shipping on domestic orders over $200

+ At Lekker, the 9-inch glossy pink SOLO Pasta Bowls are half-price; each bowl is on sale at $22.50 USD. If you were looking for this exquisite but luxurious buy, here is the time. The bowls are made of bamboo by the French brand Ekobo. The company stands for ecology + design.

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All week long, I will help you with your last minute Holiday shopping. Because we are busy, each list will be from a single store.

+ Oblique Finger Bowls on sale at $20 for set of 3
+ Great White Mingling Plate $24 USD for set of 4
+ Leaf Bottle Coaster on sale at $34
+ Colby Leather Catch-All on sale at $20 – can be personalized with a name or initial.

For US consumers, Pottery Barn told me that the deadline to receive your gifts for Christmas is to order by:

• 12/19 @ 9am for personalized items
• 12/20 @ 9am for standard delivery
• 12/22 @ 5pm for rush delivery

Update: I forgot to mention for my Canadian readers that they are a few Pottery Barn stores in Canada. Find the Canadian store nearest you and place a phone order.

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At last, we bought a new dishwasher to replace our old one that broke two days after my husband’s big birthday bash. At least all the mess from his party was cleaned.

Although I dreamed of a Miele’s dishwasher for a long time, we looked at other brands to compare. I analyzed the features carefully and made a list of what I consider important. I then check which models have the features I need and the ones I wish for.

Miele Dishwasher Sale

I am glad we didn’t have the time to place the order earlier because Miele Canada has a sale right now. The first ever Miele dishwasher sale runs until December 31, 2008. You can save 15 to 25% on any dishwasher. We used the rebate to indulge and got a superior model.

Fit Your Lifestyle

Before you buy any new appliances, take a moment to explore your lifestyle and how you like to use an appliance. All my entertaining tableware (dinnerware, glassware and flatware) is dishwasher safe. Easy entertaining means that you simplify your life from start to finish. For me, putting everything on the dishwasher improves my quality of life.

My Must Have Dishwasher Features

1. A Delay Start
2. Cleans better than average
3. Run quietly
4. Some type of barrier to make sure the broken porcelain and glass pieces cannot enter the mechanical parts. This is how my old dishwasher broke down for the second time.
5. Excellent basket configuration tailored to my dinnerware. My everyday dining plates are big and square. I bring it with me to try it. The basket configuration is a matter of personal choice, so make sure to have a look at it. I put all my pans and pots in the dishwasher. It was also important that I can easily fit my big pots.
6. My wine glasses are taller and they never fit inside my old dishwasher. I made sure they fit inside the new one.
7. Be energy efficient and low-water consumption
8. Good and long warranty

My Nice To Have Dishwasher Features

1. The utensil drawer exposes all surfaces of the utensils. Moreover, I own a modern, organic stainless steel utensil set for entertaining that I rarely used because the handles are so thin that it does not stay inside regular utensil trays. I did not try but I hope this will solve the problem.
2. Easy to operate
3. Fits more place settings: useful when I entertain

The scheduled date of arrival is tomorrow. After more than a month without a dishwasher, I am very excited since I will be the proud owner of the dishwasher of my dreams.

By the way, the Canadian Web site of Miele looks like a 1998 Web site. The photos are not at pair with a high end brand. I went to the Australian Miele Web site to find inspiring pictures for my post.

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