Olive and Branch Lettres

Our blog has moved!

2020-12-03T15:04:00.000-05:00

Please visit us at our new blog on our newly designed website - here!

We hope that the new interface is easier to read and enjoy. We love to hear your feedback - please feel free to leave a comment.

Simple Luxurious Lifestyle

2018-11-01T07:10:00.000-04:00

If you listen to any of Shannon Able's, Simply Luxurious Life podcasts or follow her blog you will know that she is a true Francophile at heart. Her annual French Week (a week of blog posts, podcasts and articles all related to French food, shopping and living) is testament to that. She also often writes, blogs, posts and cooks (check out her new vodcasts) to her French muse. Shannon has an inspirational way of speaking and she regularly reminds her listeners, readers and followers to enjoy the simple things in life.

I have had the pleasure over the past few days to read Shannon Ables newest book, Living the Simply Luxurious Life available November 13, 2018 (pre-order now for a signed copy). In her new book she digs deep into how to live well - how to live a life of contentment and really a life of quality over quantity.

Her book, almost 400 pages, explores what it takes to live that simple, yet fulfilled life. Her writing style is easy to digest with tips and inspiration throughout, such as:

Luxury is feeling you do not need anything to feel whole.

It all begins with getting back to simple.

Living a luxurious life does not require large amounts of money.

Each chapter delves deeper into an understanding of how you can simplify your life to appreciate the important things; from attaining effortless, elegant style; to building capsule menus to fit a healthy lifestyle; to being your authentic self and how to thrive in your career.

Her book encourages one to find their best selves by improving the quality of their lives through daily rituals, health habits and discovering one's unique skills. And her tone is truly that - encouraging. This is the book to keep handy by the bedside to remind yourself of how to live each day simply, elegantly, effortlessly and luxuriously. Thanks Shannon for a great tool.

Follow Shannon here:
Blog and Website: thesimplyluxuriouslife.com
Instagram - @thesimplyluxuriouslife
Facebook - /thesimplyluxuriouslifeblog
Twitter - @simplyluxurious
YouTube - channel - Shannon Ables

Happy Halloween

2018-10-31T04:37:00.000-04:00

Happy Halloween from a stroll through the Marché Aligre in the 12th arrondissement, Paris.

November Book Club - Read along with us...

2018-10-29T12:13:00.001-04:00

So after the success of our most recent book club trip to Paris the group was inspired to read The Only Street in Paris by Elaine Sciolino. As quoted by her publisher,
"Elaine Sciolino, the former Paris Bureau Chief of the New York Times, invites us on a tour of her favorite Parisian street, offering an homage to street life and the pleasures of Parisian living. "I can never be sad on the rue des Martyrs," Sciolino explains, as she celebrates the neighborhood’s rich history and vibrant lives. While many cities suffer from the leveling effects of globalization, the rue des Martyrs maintains its distinct allure. On this street, the patron saint of France was beheaded and the Jesuits took their first vows. It was here that Edgar Degas and Pierre-Auguste Renoir painted circus acrobats, Emile Zola situated a lesbian dinner club in his novel Nana, and François Truffaut filmed scenes from The 400 Blows. Sciolino reveals the charms and idiosyncrasies of this street and its longtime residents—the Tunisian greengrocer, the husband-and-wife cheesemongers, the showman who’s been running a transvestite cabaret for more than half a century, the owner of a 100-year-old bookstore, the woman who repairs eighteenth-century mercury barometers—bringing Paris alive in all of its unique majesty. The Only Street in Paris will make readers hungry for Paris, for cheese and wine, and for the kind of street life that is all too quickly disappearing."

We are back in London and will be meeting at:

Brasserie Zedel
20 Sherwood St, Soho
London W1F 7ED

Thursday,November 15th
6:30pm

We are a group of women from all around the world but all have roots here in London. Our discussions are in English and our books are always either a French author or about France. We've read novels, mysteries, non-fiction, memoirs - you name it we read it. If you have any great ideas for our book club to read please leave a message!
If you would like to join us for our next meeting please send me a message below. We would love to have you join us.
Á bientôt!

October Giveaway! Win a French Market Basket!

2018-10-24T07:18:00.001-04:00

We are so happy to share an extended collection of French market baskets. One of our most popular items now in a multitude of styles and handle options. The keystone baskets make great gift baskets for the holidays or hostess gift. Our extra large firewood basket is perfect for this time of year, makes building a cozy autumnal fire easy as you can keep this lovely basket close at hand.

And now the giveaway...In celebration of our newest collection we are giving away one of our double-handled French market baskets. Simply leave a comment here below, and follow either our Instagram or Facebook page. That's it - we will announcing the winner November 1st.

French Yogurt Cake - Made by mums (and dads) all over France!

2018-10-21T07:18:00.004-04:00

This is simply so very easy to make. The amazing thing about this very French cake is the fact that you only need to use the pot that the yoghurt comes in to make it. No measuring cups required! It reminds me slightly of the old-fashioned 1-2-3-4 cakes of the 50s in the US (not that I was making cakes in the 50s!!). In France, these cakes are baked easily and often to eat as a gouter after school or anytime. It is an easy cake to make with your children, too. Don’t worry if you don’t have the ceramic or glass pots that yoghurt is served in France – plastic pots work just as well. You can see why with this very easy recipe:

1 pot plain yoghurt
2 pots granulated sugar
2 pots plain flour
3 eggs
2 tsp baking powder
3/4 pot vegetable oil or melted butter
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 tablespoon honey

Preheat the oven to 350F. Butter a 8″ round cake pan or loaf pan.

Place the yoghurt in the mixing bowl, no need to rinse and dry the pot to use it to measure the remaining dry ingredients. Add the sugar, eggs and vanilla to the yoghurt and whisk thoroughly. Mix in the flour, and baking powder, followed by the vegetable oil or melted butter. Place mixture in prepared pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until the top springs bake when lightly touched or a toothpick poked into the cake comes out clean.

Drizzle with honey while warm. Allow to cool completely and serve in thin slices.

You can certainly add to the recipe - chocolate chips or raisins soaked in armagnac or rum perhaps? Blueberries, raspberries or nuts would be a nice additional too! I used some lemon peel, lemon juice and lemon yogurt for a subtle lemon cake.

Joelle Feldman's Beautiful Artwork is Back

2018-10-12T07:24:00.003-04:00

So happy to have French and Massachusetts artist Joelle Feldman's beautiful original pastels back in the shop today. Her work captures the spirit, the light and the essence of Provence and France.

Joelle was born and raised in Normandy, France and returns every year to visit family and friends and rediscovers the endless supply of inspiring scenes, each begging to be painted. Joelle began working in watercolor over 30 years ago, and over time added pastels and oils, which have become her two media of choice for plein air and studio painting. The landscapes and buildings of her native France home inspire her, as do individual natural elements, plants, fruits and simple daily life vignettes. Light, alignment, vibrant color and simplicity catch her eye. Available framed.

We are delighted to have six of her pieces in the shop today and you can review them here.

House Hunting in France

2018-09-15T04:58:00.000-04:00

Dreaming of a house in France? It can happen.

Are you ready to make your French house-owning dreams come true? It may be more affordable than you think. Join Doni Belau, founder of the fabulous Girls’ Guide to Paris and author of Paris Cocktails for an all-day long seminar in Paris, NYC or San Francisco this fall to learn how easy and possible it is to buy a primary or secondary residence in the retirement haven of France.

France has been ranked:

Best healthcare in the world according to the World Health Organization
Ranked one of the top 10 places to retire in the world by US News
Top 20 longest life expectancy at 81 years (Source: CIA)

When venturing into a foreign home buying experience, it is best to get as

much information from as many people as possible. Doni's group of professionals and her own personal French home buying experience can help guide you through the process during this one day seminar and are available to answer you questions from "just what is taxe fonciere?" to "can I get good wifi in rural France?"

You will learn from the experts: Notaires (French lawyer), Real Estate Professionals, Mortgage Brokers, Visa and Health Care Experts

Happening:

9:30am-7pm

October 27th - San Francisco, CA, USA

November 3rd - New York City, NY, USA

December 6th - Paris, France

Cost:

For a limited time only register for the reduced rate of:

$325 per person or $450 per couple

Hurry this offer is only good for a limited time only!

Just mention Olive & Branch to get this special deal when you register.

(Regularly $450 per person or $600 per couple)

Includes:

Breakfast, lunch with wine and evening cocktails.

Email info@girlsguidetoparis.com to learn more and sign up today!

girlsguidetoparis.com

October Book Club in Paris

2018-09-14T06:00:00.000-04:00

We decided to take our October London-based, women-only, Francophile book club on the road and meet in Paris! Now we just have to pick a book...here are a few Paris-themed choices - cast your vote by leaving a message please...

The Suitors by Cécile David-Weill
After two sisters, Laure and Marie, learn of their parents’ plan to sell the family’s summer retreat, L’Agapanthe, they devise a scheme for attracting a wealthy suitor who can afford to purchase the estate. Selling it would mean more than just losing a place to go during the summer—for the sisters, it’s become a necessary part of their character, their lifestyle, and their past.

My Part-time Paris Life by Lisa Anselmo
Lisa Anselmo wrapped her entire life around her mother, a strong woman who was a defining force in Lisa’s life—maybe too defining. When her mother dies from breast cancer, Lisa realizes she hadn’t built a life of her own and struggles to find her purpose. Who is she without her mother—and her mother’s expectations? Desperate for answers, she turns to her favorite city—Paris—and impulsively buys a small apartment, refusing to play it safe for the first time. What starts out as an act of survival sets Lisa on a course that reshapes her life in ways she never could have imagined.

Lunch in Paris by Elizabeth Bard
In Paris for a weekend visit, Elizabeth Bard sat down to lunch with a handsome Frenchman–and never went home again. Was it love at first sight? Or was it the way her knife slid effortlessly through her pavé au poivre, the steak’s pink juices puddling into the buttery pepper sauce? Lunch in Paris is a memoir about a young American woman caught up in two passionate love affairs–one with her new beau, Gwendal, the other with French cuisine.

Paris Letters by Janice MacLeod
How much money does it take to quit your job? Exhausted and on the verge of burnout, Janice poses this question to herself as she doodles on a notepad at her desk. Surprisingly, the answer isn't as daunting as she expected. With a little math and a lot of determination, Janice cuts back, saves up, and buys herself two years of freedom in Europe. A few days into her stop in Paris, Janice meets Christophe, the cute butcher down the street - who doesn't speak English. Through a combination of sign language and Franglais, they embark on a whirlwind Paris romance. She soon realizes that she can never return to the world of 12-hour workdays and greasy corporate lingo. But her dwindling savings force her to find a way to fund her dreams again.

I'll See You in Paris by Michelle Gable
Three women, born generations apart. One mysterious book that threads their lives together. A journey of love, discovery, and truth…I’ll See You in Paris is based on the real life of Gladys Spencer-Churchill, the Duchess of Marlborough, a woman whose life was so rich and storied it could fill several books. Nearly a century after Gladys’s heyday, a young woman’s quest to understand the legendary Duchess takes her from a charming hamlet in the English countryside, to a dilapidated manse kept behind barbed wire, and ultimately to Paris, where answers will be found at last. In the end, she not only solves the riddle of the Duchess, but uncovers the missing pieces in her own life.

The Painted Girls by Cathy Marie Buchanan
A novel about two sisters in Belle Époque Paris and the young woman forever immortalized as muse for Edgar Degas’ Little Dancer Aged Fourteen. 1878 Paris. Following their father’s sudden death, the van Goethem sisters find their lives upended. Without his wages, and with the small amount their laundress mother earns disappearing into the absinthe bottle, eviction from their lodgings seems imminent. With few options for work, Marie is dispatched to the Paris Opéra, where for a scant seventeen francs a week, she will be trained to enter the famous ballet. Her older sister, Antoinette, finds work as an extra in a stage adaptation of Émile Zola’s naturalist masterpiece L’Assommoir.

Which one sounds good to you? If you find yourself in Paris on October 27th please feel free to join this fabulous group of women. We have not chosen a location yet but will fill you in on all the details - just message me! Merci!

One Day Only

2018-08-19T03:03:00.001-04:00

20% Off All Pottery!

Visit and follow our Instagram @olivandbranch and we will direct message you our savings code.

If you already follow us, leave a note on a recent post

and we will DM you the code as well.

Shop at www.oliveandbranch.com, insert coupon code at checkout ... et voilà !

Limited time only. Offer expires Monday, August 20, 2018.

Sorry, not valid on previous purchases.

I needed some basil...

2017-08-20T12:00:00.000-04:00

I needed some basil to make my fresh cherry tomato sauce for dinner tonight and wanted to checkout a local farmer's market. Believe it or not, real farmer's markets are hard to find around these parts of London on a Sunday but there was one in Blackheath. On y va!

The DLR was not running today so the local bus was one option. We arrived to find a nice little market (that had basil) and lots of fresh tomatoes and veg. There were probably about 15 - 20 stands selling everything from vegetables to flowers, to cheese and beaver pie! (Not real beaver). It was a gorgeous day for a market and a beautiful day to explore the little village of Blackheath.

Blackheath has many little bakeries, pubs, fashion boutiques and cafes and a beautiful town green that abutted the All Saint's church.

Since it was such a beautiful day and we could see the hi rises of Canary Wharf in front of us, we decided to walk back home rather than take the bus back. Located just south of Greenwich, our walk through Blackheath Green led us to the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, past the Meridien Line to a beautiful view of the city in front of us.

We stopped to watch the cricketers

and headed home with our morning harvest from the market. What did you do this Sunday?
XO

Outdoor Summer Entertaining is Easier with our Garnier Thiebaut Coated Tablecloths

2016-06-20T07:07:00.001-04:00

Now on sale! 15% Off - One day only!

Garnier Thiebaut Coated Tablecloths

Garnier-Thiebaut Coated Tablecloths - 71" RoundSince 1883, Garnier-Thiebaut has been manufacturing only the highest quality French table linens. We are proud to offer the coated tablecloth collection here. Perfect for everyday use indoor and out. No need to worry about spills on these tablecloths - everything simply wipes up with a damp sponge. Garnier Thiebaut coated tablecloths are yarn-dyed woven cotton damask with an acrylic top coating that prevents spills and stains from setting into the cotton.

Made in France
71" Round Coated Damask Tablecloth

Made-to-measure coated tablecloths are also available.
Please email shop@oliveandbranch.com for more information.

Marché de Noël 2015

2015-12-01T07:18:00.000-05:00

This Saturday, December 5th, the French Cultural Center is bringing together the best that France has to offer under one roof! It's the 14th annual Marché de Noël and we are happy to be there too!

Throughout the day, 16 local, French-inspired boutiques will offer linens, ornaments, French gourmet products, books and more in the warm atmosphere of this authentic holiday market.

While browsing through these beautiful wares, sip on a glass of mulled wine or hot cider or perhaps enjoy a delicious pastry. Be sure to sign up for our free raffle for a chance to win a variety of prizes kindly donated by our vendors.

We look forward to seeing you on Saturday at the Center for this beautiful holiday market where you can find perfect gifts for everyone on your list, including yourself!

Le Marché de Noël

Saturday, December 5, 2015

10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Members: Free

Non-Members: $3

Free admission for children 10 & under

Members must present a valid membership card for free admission, and to take advantage of discounts offered by vendors.

Peace for Paris

2015-11-14T10:54:00.000-05:00

#prayforparis #jesuisparis

No words can express how sad we are for the people of Paris

and our adopted home, France. Thinking of you.

Market Day, Paris France

2015-03-15T12:50:00.000-04:00

Stroll through any French market this time of year and you'll see....

Merry Christmas

2014-12-25T10:53:00.002-05:00

Pardon moi?

2014-11-27T11:42:00.002-05:00

The few that got away....

Wishing you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving.

Thank you to all of our wonderful clients, friends and colleagues for your

continued support and friendship.

May the holiday season bring you much joy and happiness.

Marché de Noël

2014-11-18T07:44:00.001-05:00

Warm Welcome

2014-10-30T08:05:00.001-04:00

Thank you Better Homes and Gardens magazine for featuring our French Market Baskets in your November issue! What a great use for them. I have always done a nice gift basket for my guests when they come to visit - but have never used the French Market Basket as a vessel- it is perfect! Pick up your copy on news stands today - great pumpkin recipes inside too!

Summertime in Provence

2014-07-16T12:55:00.000-04:00

Couldn't be better...

I hope you are enjoying your summer - wherever it may be!

Happy Mother's Day!

2014-05-11T09:53:00.003-04:00

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms and moms-to-be out there! A little Parisian life...enjoy this stroll through Paris flower markets...

Sunday Stroll in the Marais

2014-02-09T09:44:00.000-05:00

Leads me to....

Café Living

2014-01-28T23:04:00.003-05:00

Breakfast in Paris

2014-01-13T09:29:00.000-05:00

A simple noisette and tartine avec beurre....

Weekend in Paris

2013-11-30T09:20:00.001-05:00

Stepping out of CDG on a chilly Saturday morning - it's here - one weekend in Paris! What to do? Shopping? Yes! Small museums? Yes! Cafes? Yes! Great food? Yes! After depositing my bags in my charming hotel in the 7th Arrondissment, a stroll through the neighborhood was in order. It is cold here in Paris and a little overcast - OK, downright foggy. I stopped to buy a pair of gloves - that chilly! I kept looking for the Tour Eiffel to appear around a street corner or over a low rooftop - but as I kept walking down rue Saint-Dominique, through the Champs de Mars I still could not see it. Until I rounded the corner of the park and had to laugh...

There it was -or half of it anyways!