Shopping at Madame de Pompadour in Westmount

After my radio interview, I went for a shopping trip. Since I wanted to visit Zone, I headed to Westmount. Luckily, I discovered an adorable new store filled with an eclectic mix inspired by French style.

I talked to Danielle, one of the co-owners. The store is the labor of love of two girl friends. We even talked about our respective wedding photographers. It turns out that her wedding photographer trained with my photographer.

My wedding photographer Angela Campanelli opened the trail in Montreal for the updated style in wedding photography. Angela is so busy that she does not update her Web site very often.

What is in the Store?

Opened since May 2008, Madame de Pompadour proposes a small collection of tableware, home accessories, linens and kid clothing. Their catalog is updated frequently.

Categories: ALL occasions TABLEWARE DINING GIFT IDEAS

posted @ Saturday, August 02, 2008 10:04 AM | Feedback (0)

Elixia Hand-Crafted Lemonade

Ever since my friend Nathalie brought a bottle of this delicious lemonade at a party to make mojitos, I am craving for more. This French lemonade tastes amazing. Her mojito was memorable too.

I felt sad last weekend since I failed to find any at the European and specialty shops in my neighborhood.

I invited a few friends tonight for an apero, the French word for a simple before-dinner drink served with something small to eat (see recipe at the end). I am thrilled that Nathalie bought me a bottle of Elixia Lemonade as a hostess gift.

As I started mentioning on my post about the Apple Sainte-Catherine store opening, the most cherish gifts fit the desires of the recipient. The Elixia Hand-crafted Lemonade is the best hostess gift I ever received because it was on my most wanted list.

Categories: FOOD + drinks HOSTESS gifts DINING

posted @ Sunday, July 27, 2008 3:15 AM | Feedback (5)

Tea Towels and Serving Trays by Atelier LZC

The French designers master the art of creating fun yet stylish textile patterns. And Atelier LZC continues to prove it.

We all need a few extraordinary sets to supplement our everyday tea towels. When placed on the right display, tea towels add visual interest to a simple room design. Tea towels often replace placemats and cooking mitts in the kitchen.

Entertaining Accessories

Why not put a tea towel instead a hand towel in your powder room when you entertain? Their latest Japon (Japan) and Souvenirs (Memories) models would compliment nicely an Asian party theme.

Bunny Maxwell sells a few items from Atelier LZC in the United States. They do ship internationally but you must call them to get the rates and timeframe.

The Parisian Gold Tray and the Nocturne Tray will add a definite French flair to your party. The trays are made from melamine.

Categories: PARTY supplies ALL occasions LINENS HOSTESS gifts ENTERTAINING DINING GIFT IDEAS

posted @ Sunday, July 13, 2008 2:25 PM | Feedback (2)

Apéritif à la française around the World on June 5, 2008

Four years ago, the first edition of Apéritif à la française was held in 13 countries and 17 cities. Since then, more cities and countries participate in this culinary experience. Montreal and Toronto in Canada plus New York City are the three North American participating cities.

The event always happens on the first Thursday of June. This year, it is today. It promotes the French art de vivre through a tasting of French food and drinks.

Big Bash in Montreal

I am thrilled since I am going tonight. I am thrilled because past events were a huge success.

These pictures were taken at the 2007 edition. The event is taking place at the Centre des sciences de Montréal in the Old Port. I purchased my tickets a month ago. Usually, Apéritif à la française is a sold out event.

I will tell you about the range of French products: breads, dairy products, cheeses, deli products, meat products, cookies and cakes, cold meats, foie gras, seafood, fruits, vegetables, champagne, wines, spirits, other soft drinks that I tried.

Categories: FOOD + drinks DINING

posted @ Thursday, June 05, 2008 1:37 PM | Feedback (3)

January Sale at Arthur Quentin and Bleu Nuit | Shopping Alert

The sales start January 10th, 2008. Exceptionally both stores will be open on this Sunday, January 13.

Since 1975, Arthur Quentin sells European tableware, kitchenware and home decor items to those practicing the art of gracious living. They mostly carry high end French Country style and Italian pieces. Bleu Nuit shares the same philosophy but for bed and bathroom linens.

It is time for me to get that fabulous pure linen hemstitched table cloth and matching napkins that I saw last fall. Arthur Quentin has in store one of the largest selections of Gien's dinnerware.

You got until January 26 to save up to 50% of specified products, 30% of others and 20% on everything in the store.

BLEU NUIT
3913 Saint-Denis Street, Montreal, QC H2W 2M4
p 514.843.5702

ARTHUR QUENTIN
3960 Saint-Denis Street, Montreal, QC H2W 2M2
p 514.843.7513

Categories: HOME decor OFF topics HOME + GARDEN

posted @ Wednesday, January 09, 2008 10:48 AM | Feedback (1)

Starting the Year with Seasonal Delights

One of my New Year traditions is to hang the new calendars around the house.

For my kitchen, I went for a culinary calendar from Éditions du Désastre. The recipes and pictures should inspire me to try new recipes and food presentations all over the year. Amongst the French cooking recipes on my calendar, here are my suggestions for the next time you are having guests over:

Salmon tartare with herb sauce
Onion soup au gratin to keep you warm on a winter day
Cherry Clafoutis
Beef with shallots
Lyon-style Leg of Lamb
Roquefort and pepper Rostis as an appetizer
Tarte Tatin, a classic recipe that can be bake as individual crème brulée dishes
Provencal-style tart with tomatoes and anchovies, perfect for a casual outdoor dinner on Sunday
Carpaccio of scallops in oyster sauce

Categories: FOOD + drinks DINING

posted @ Tuesday, January 01, 2008 9:42 PM | Feedback (2)

Weddings a la Provencale

I am glad that Jenn, a reader and a blogger with an eye for fabulous home decors, introduced me to this inspiring article on Your Wedding Day Magazine (winter 2005). If you ever visit Provence, you know why people fall in love with this part of the World.

Doing a wedding à la Provencale have a lot of charms. Floral designer Camilla Svensson Burns said that

…eclectic collections of silverware, plates and napkins are used to convey a diversity of beauty; a creative palette where variety simply adds more elegance.

I am versed in French style. Moreover as a reader of Coté Sud and other magazines from France for over two decades now, I have seen tons of French tablescape executions. I have to agree with her but this statement requires some clarifications.

Categories: TABLESCAPE ENTERTAINING

posted @ Tuesday, November 27, 2007 11:09 AM | Feedback (3)

The birth of a French Style Baby Shower this Fall

A reader B. asked me for advice. She needs help decorating a baby shower that she is throwing for her friend who likes Toile fabric. Very French indeed!

I was giving a color palette to start with: brown, black, sage and a hint of pink. Not your typical baby shower color scheme. I like that! Different shades of greens, French vanilla and almost black are hot colors right now. Browns are still going strong. It is the Fall season, so I am making the best of it.

Where to start?

I selected items with a typical French style. My goal was that even if you have access to these specific products, you will be able to reproduce the look wherever you live.

You can mix epochs if you examine the pieces carefully. You do not need to be an expert to do it. For example, the Toile fabric dresses share similar thread styles with the Marie-Antoinette plate set although they refers to different social classes and periods.

Categories: TABLESCAPE BABY showers ALL occasions ENTERTAINING KIDS + BABY GIFT IDEAS

posted @ Tuesday, October 02, 2007 7:17 PM | Feedback (2)

Let the art of Paula Scaletta set the tone of your party

The eco-friendly girl in me relies most of the time on linen napkins at dinner party. But I still stock some paper napkins because their drawings add an instant impact to the table.

Develop your theme from the paper napkins

If you do not know what theme to use for an event, a simple trick is to get your inspiration from the illustrations on paper napkins. From there, develop your theme by accentuating key elements.

The best way to reduce the stress of impromptu entertaining is to be prepared. Opt for motifs that create an instant mood. The jewels of paper napkins are usually found at your local specialized boutiques or the Web.

When you see one motif that really grabs your attention, think how it can fit with your dinnerware. If you can imagine a look, buy right away a pack or two. This way, you can quickly design a stunning table all the time. Build also a reserve of cocktail napkins.

Categories: TABLESCAPE ENTERTAINING

posted @ Monday, September 24, 2007 12:50 PM | Feedback (0)

Introducing Corso fiorelli tabletop collection by Genevieve Lethu

This French company is sold around the world which makes Genevieve Lethu brand one of my favorites for my blog.

I spot this dinnerware through an advertisement on Le Journal de la Maison, a French magazine. I enjoy the mix of classic and modern design of the Corso fiorelli. The style is perfect for casual entertaining.

Featured on Genevieve Lethu's Autumn/Winter 2007 Magazine, the company talked about it in these terms: