valentine's day
There are 9 entries for the tag
valentine's day
As I was assembling my photo board of my Valentine’s Day private event, it became clear that this board illustrates a fundamental design principle.
My regular readers probably know by now that I strive for mixing and matching. I prefer subtle themes.
One of the easiest tricks to achieve cohesion is to repeat the same elements applied on a different way. The repeating elements should be naturally integrated into your design to be successful. In short, it should not be obvious.
I will move back and forth between how I celebrated Valentine’s Day and my design lesson.
The Story behind My Bouquet
I have to thank my caring husband for giving me this modish bouquet. I am sure that the bouquet had my name written all over me because it is so much my style. My husband had several meetings yesterday so he stopped by my favorite florist at the end of the day.
Categories:
TABLESCAPE
PARTY ideas
posted @ Friday, February 15, 2008 2:30 PM | Feedback (0)
To conclude my series on Valentine’s Day this year, I thought of leaving you with inspirational shots. I will also share with my plans to celebrate Valentine's Day.
Food
The food is from the La Porte restaurant on Saint-Laurent Street in Montreal. I took these pictures last October. The oysters tasting plate was amazing.
Restaurant La Porte is a story of love. First of all this is a small French restaurant run by a couple. Thierry et Pascale Rouyé had a restaurant in France before they moved to Canada. These long-time restaurateurs have transmitted their love affairs to their son who is a sous-cook under his Chef father.
The restaurant is named La Porte because they imported a stunning wooden door that they saw while visiting Morocco. It is the focal point of their restaurant.
Finally the attention to details and simply hearing them talking about their dishes indicate that food is a true passion for them. I recommend you try La Porte the next time you fancy upscale French cooking.
Categories:
HOLIDAY
DINING out
posted @ Thursday, February 14, 2008 12:48 PM | Feedback (0)
If you are still looking for inspiration to compose your mini menu on Valentine’s Day, I spotted some pretty romantic recipes on Tastespotting.
Start or end the day with a Hot Chocolate
If you are in New York City this February, schedule a stop at for their famous Hot Chocolate Festival. I wrote it down on my itinerary. Daily flavors are offered on top of the regular blend.
Today, it’s Darkest Dark Hot Chocolate. On the 14th, it’s the Love Potion Hot Chocolate. While a Caramel Hot Chocolate and Chili Pepper Hot Chocolate will be served on February 16th and the 17th respectively. The City Bakery sells its hot chocolates in a shot size at $2 but you can savor a full-sized cup for $4.50. Add 50 cents for a marshmallow.
Otherwise, make your own hot chocolate by melting small pieces of fine chocolate (the darker the better for me) in warmed milk, then sugar and add a dash of vanilla and a cayenne pepper. You can try the Hot Hot Cocoa recipe by Michael Smith.
Categories:
FOOD + drinks
HOLIDAY
TRENDS
CAKES
posted @ Monday, February 11, 2008 9:38 PM | Feedback (0)
Even more than red for me, chocolate is the most associate word to Valentine’s Day. That is how I got the idea to set up a brown tablescape. And I forced myself to find beautiful brown dinnerware.
Traditional look
I want to find something that is stylish and will make a statement. The traditional hand-painted Ludovica dinnerware is an exclusivity of Horchow. The style testifies the Italian charms. The beauty of the set is enhanced by the Italian pewter chargers.
The Bavaria model from the Italian brand MEPRA is a classic flatware with just the right amount of decorative elements. If you prefer something a little bit more ornate, the Medici Flatware displayed on the Ludovica saucer looks amazing. The cylindrical, beautifully detailed pewter handles make a statement.
Contemporary look
Since I selected recipes by David Rocca, a more hip dinnerware set seems right. The Cocoa Blossom by Mikasa has all the qualities I was looking for. The color scheme appeals to men. The lush blooms feel young yet refined. And I like the variations in the patterns between the various plates, bowls and serve ware.
Categories:
TABLESCAPE
FOOD + drinks
HOLIDAY
posted @ Thursday, February 07, 2008 8:44 PM | Feedback (0)
If you wish to escape seasonal hearts and the red rose overloaded displays, I devised a solution to celebrate Valentine’s Day in style. You can celebrate Valentine’s Day without taking the predictive road.
What I did is to go back to the root of this festive day which is celebrating love. And I asked myself: How do you celebrate Valentine’s Day if you are in a long term relationship? I have been married for thirteen years. So my husband and I do not celebrate Valentine’s Day like we did in our first year of romance.
Be a part of your love story
I believe that sharing happy memories brings strength to a couple. Therefore, I composed a scheme around reminiscences. Looking back at old photos bring back wonderful memories. I suggest that you challenge your partner to find the top 20 photographs of happiness together.
At the beginning of the night, hang your selected photos up on the footfalls multi designed by Umbra. After eating a wonderful home cooked dinner, look at the photographs and relive these wonderful moments. I am sure it will spark things up.
Categories:
PARTY ideas
HOLIDAY
posted @ Thursday, February 07, 2008 12:24 AM | Feedback (1)
Something we need a little help for inspirations to prepare our menu. In February, the team at Dish Cooking Studio can help you solve your Valentine’s Day meal dilemma. These are activities you and your lover can enjoy together.
Get Ready for Valentine’s Day
On February 8, Brooke Neveu and her fiancé Jesse, who is an Executive Sous-Chef of the Four Seasons Hotel, Toronto will prepare a romantic meal that you can replicate at home for the big night. This is your chance to learn new cooking tricks and recipes.
There is a 2 for 1 promotion of Get Ready for Valentine’s Day, call to book your seats. Go with a girlfriend. This way, you can help each other if you encounter a problem duplicating the menu.
Couples in the Kitchen
Instead of going to a crowded restaurant this year, why not do something different? You will still enjoy great food and wine during the evening. It is just that it would be a more intimate atmosphere with no work required. This event will be on February 14, 2008 from 6:30 PM to 9 PM at Dish Cooking Studio. It leaves you plenty of time for romance thereafter.
Categories:
FOOD + drinks
HOLIDAY
posted @ Wednesday, January 30, 2008 12:19 PM | Feedback (0)
I received an email from Jennifer of Alphabet Photography to inform me of a new art product. I look at it because it intrigued me. What I discovered is a unique concept.
Starting from black and white photographs taken around the Niagara Region during the summer of 2007, you can custom your own word art. Their Web site has a pretty simple to use Create a word interface. You can adjust each photograph individually and see the result automatically. I did it for the name of my husband and my name.
Each photograph is a 4 x 6, so the art work does not take too much space. Depending on the number of letters, you can find an integrated photo frame or align several frames in a row. Look at Umbra; they are my favorite brand for cool and stylish photo frames.
An excellent gift idea
For the upcoming Valentine’s Day, Alphabet Photography proposes a personalized gift solution. Make sure to make a good lasting impression and select a series of upscale photo frames that match the decor.
Categories:
BABY showers
GIFT ideas
posted @ Monday, January 28, 2008 2:11 AM | Feedback (3)
I have to admit that I am not a fan of dining out on Valentine’s Day. The restaurants are too busy. I prefer a romantic, more intimate dinner at home sitting on the cushions near the fire place.
Since typically a home cooked meal requires minced garlic or onions, what do you do with the smell on your hands? Stainless steel bar soap is the solution.
Rub-A-Way Bar
I have to admit that I was skeptical. But I tried the Rub-A-Way Bar at my brother’s house last Christmas. It really works! Do not be afraid to make your own sushi or cook fish that night; just rub your hands on a stainless steel bar.
I have been told that Canadian shoppers can find from time to time the Rub-A-Way Bar at Winner or Home Sense (I am not sure which) for about $5.
How does it work?
These gadgets use oxido-reduction, a natural property of steel, to effectively remove strong odors. You can get rid of onion, garlic, fish, even nicotine scent in minutes.
Categories:
KITCHEN tools
GIFT ideas
posted @ Sunday, January 27, 2008 10:32 PM | Feedback (1)
The love in your life deserves something unique. So start with a crafted card from artists on Etsy. I compiled 4 cute Valentine stationery that fit the bill.
First, Love Birds Valentine’s Day Note Cards is a set of 6 note cards designed by Jennifer of Turtle Papers. Lovely! Comes with 6 chartreuse envelops and costs $9. Charming zoo animals, origami cranes and delicious cupcakes are typical topics.
Love is in the Air brought up memories of a popular disco song. I am singing it as I am writing this post. The picture refers to many years before. The orange caught my eye and I like the vintage feeling. Designed by Australian-born Helen of Pepperina Press, Live is in the Air displays eye-catching shades of strawberry silhouette and orange lettering.
Categories:
PAPER goods
HOLIDAY
posted @ Thursday, January 17, 2008 11:02 PM | Feedback (1)