At Home with Kim Vallee

ENTERTAINING, EVERYDAY entertaining | November 3, 2009

Entertaining Essentials at IKEA

The easier road for stress-free entertaining is to equip yourself with versatile tableware. Casual chic tabletop is what most people are aiming for these days. After all, you celebrate amongst close friends and family. As I shopped at IKEA yesterday, I took pictures of tableware that delivers that spirit. I spotted affordable tableware that you will [...]

ENTERTAINING, HOLIDAY entertaining | October 28, 2009

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Everyday Housewares on your Thanksgiving Table

Here are two super affordable ideas to show creativity on your Thanksgiving tabletop without breaking the bank. At Bistro Chez Roger in Montreal, they use a 12-inch bread pan to serve bread. A clothespin becomes a casual napkin ring. So after the party, you are not stuck with 20 napkins rings that you will never [...]

ENTERTAINING, HOLIDAY entertaining | October 12, 2009

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Happy Thanksgiving!

Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving today. I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving! If you are looking for very last-minute ideas for spruce up your table, go in your backyard or hurry to the market and use what Mother Nature provides this season. You can check my glamorous tabletop suggestions on HGTV.ca or get inspired by a [...]

ENTERTAINING, HOLIDAY entertaining | October 9, 2009

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Thanksgiving Menu Ideas

I composed this menu for people who are tired of eating roasted turkey at Thanksgiving. Instead, I favor dishes that I associate with a family dinner. This is simple menu suitable for autumn without going to the obvious pumpkins and root vegetable recipes. + The meal starts with a Rustic Mushroom and Cream Cheese Tart that [...]

ENTERTAINING, TABLESCAPE | October 2, 2009

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Tableware fitted for Halloween and Thanksgiving

When it comes to tableware, I prefer to get items that I will be able to reuse more than once a year. Halloween and Thanksgiving have a lot in common since they are both in autumn. It is even closer to the truth in Canada since we celebrate Thanksgiving on the second Monday of October [...]

ENTERTAINING, HOLIDAY entertaining | November 27, 2008

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Happy Thanksgiving!

If you are the host, take a big breath, smile in the kitchen and more importantly, enjoy the company of your guests. These ready-to-print pdf templates by etsy seller Little Brown Pen provide you with a set of place cards and tags in three color combinations. You will find more ideas for Christmas and [...]

ENTERTAINING, HOLIDAY entertaining | November 19, 2008

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Simple Thanksgiving Food and Wine Menu

My daily quick links have everything you need to plan your Thanksgiving dinner party. + For appetizers, serve with light goat cheese on pepper wafers this tasty Sweet Butternut Squash and Coconut Jam. The Kitchn lists more appetizer recipes. + Real Simple suggests 13 recipes if you wish to host a potluck Thanksgiving. Check out Center’d on [...]

DINING, FOOD + drinks, HOLIDAY entertaining | November 15, 2008

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Back to Basics Thanksgiving Menu | Tastespotting Watch

I gathered classic recipes with a twist on the ingredients or the food presentation. Enjoy! + A Butternut Squash-Tangerine Soup with pistachio gremolata appealed to my senses. The tangerine juice adds a brightness of flavor to the butternut soup. The pistachio gremolata garnish looks and must taste amazing. Thanks to Cathy of Noble Pig for [...]