National Banana Split Day!

Did you know today is National Banana Split day?  Almost everyone has fond childhood memories of noshing on a yummy, melty, ice cream treat full of sugar and toppings.  So celebrate the end of summer and bring that feeling back for one day.  Just make sure to give your banana split an adult twist by serving it in a pretty bowl! 

Pictured Above, Clockwise from left: Bondi Beach Small Dish $11, L'Amour Rimmed Soup Plate $25, Pasyphae Green Individual Salad Bowl $23, Gran de Riz Bowl in String $13, Bondi Beach Small Dish $11.

What's your favorite way to make a banana split?

End of Summer Essentials: Tomato Tote Bag!

Summer soon may be winding down, but the farmers' markets will continue into the fall!  Make sure you're looking smashing and smartly "green" with a reusable tote bag to carry all your goodies.  This cute Tomatoes Tote, $42, goes easily from grocery store to farmers' markets to Target.  It features a durable, wipe clean interior and exterior as well as interior pockets for stashing coupons or small items.  Look for in season fruits and veggies to be even more environmentally friendly....in the Midwest search for Broccoli, Cucumbers, Garlic, Cantaloupe, Beets and Basil, among others.  What's your end of summer favorite?

Recipe: Sardine Carpaccio

Try this easy appetizer to impress your guests.  Created by Genevieve Lethu in conjunction with their Sardine table top collection.  Serve your fabulous dish alongside these fabulous Sardines Napkins, $11 each, in bold reds, yellows, and greys (shown above).

Sardine Carpaccio

Yields: 4 servings

Preparation: 30 minutes, Marinates 1-2 hours

12 Sardines

1 Shallot

1 Lemon

Fresh Chives

Olive Oil

Freshly ground Salt and Pepper

*Fillet the sardines and remove the skin.

*Place the fillets on a plate and pour over the juice of 1/2 the lemon.  Leave to marinate 1-2 hours.

*Finely chop the peeled shallot and chives.  Put to one side.

*Remove the Sardines from the refrigerator and transfer to a flat dish.  Discard the remaining marinade.

*Lightly sprinkle the sardines with the other 1/2 of the lemon juice, add a good dash of Olive oil.  Season with salt and pepper.  Sprinkle the chives and chopped shallots on top.

*Serve chilled.  Accompany with salad leaves dressed in balsamic vinegar and olive oil if desired.

Bon Appetite!

Color Blocking: Pink

We all know pink is a color associated with love and romance, but did you know poppy pink is a perfect color to accessorize your table?  Pink is fun, youthful, and exciting and like the color red can stimulate your energy by increasing things like blood pressure, heartbeats, and your pulse rate*!  We love the extra punch these bright pinks bring to everything from kitchen measuring, cocktails, or a simple plated cake.  

Here our some of our favorite pink pieces...

Row One (left to right)

1. Bondi Beach Dessert Plates, $70 set of six

2. Un Tresor Poudre Dessert Plate, $20

3. Foison 19x19 Napkins in Hortensia, $11 each.

Row Two (left to right)

1. Un Duecouer Pie Plate, $70  $35 on sale (limited quantity available)

2. Gloss Coffee Spoons in fuchsia, $9 each

3. Elisa Pink Champagne Flutes, $82 set of 6 assorted pink/purple colors

Row Three (left to right)

1. Joseph & Joseph Magnetic Measuring Spoon, $4 each

2. Faux Lotus Flower, $8 each

3. Petale Porcelain Bowl, $14, Petale Porcelain Dessert Plate, $12

Are you bold enough to add pink into your everyday dining?  Check out our other "color block" in Green!

*Online Source: SensationalColor.com

Presentation Plates for Dishes & Desserts

We all know presentation counts!  Dress up for your big speech at work and chances are if you look good, you'll sound good.  The same is true for your table.  That amazing meal you spent all evening cooking deserves to be shown off on beautiful presentation dishes!  Why not give your family or guests a visual treat as well as something their taste buds will enjoy? 

Here are some of my favorite presentation plates and dishes that give your food a little extra oomph.

Clockwise from top left:
Un Patio Cordoue Dinner Plate, $32
Nature Enchante Large Oval Dish, $72
Mathilde Cake Plate, $52, available in Beige (shown), Blue, or Purple
Bondi Beach Salad Serving Bowl, $84

A great statement dish in complimentary colors makes a nice hostess gift too!  What's your favorite way to make a statement on your table?