paris et cie

Dîner en Blanc 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 12:54:00 +0000

Isabel Marant: H&M 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 17:36:00 +0000

I have my sleeping bag all set and ready to camp out in November when Isabel Marant's collaborative collection with H&M hits the stores. I can only imagine the mad scramble in Paris that will ensue to get a hold of these pieces.

Her designs reflect the look of the quintessential French woman. Young girls, to women who could be and probably are their grandmothers, wear her cloths. Her collections, much like the women who wear them, are timeless and effortless.

Isabel Marant

Art For The Home: Super-Size Mine Please

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 12:52:00 +0000

I am a Pinner.

As I typed that I had this vision in my head of me looking down at the floor, unable to make eye contact with the world as my vice of time-wasting on all things DIY-ish, yoga-ish, recipe-ish, shoe-fetish-ish and eye-candy-ish (just to name of few of my boards) was a weight too heavy to bear. And yet, Pinterest is the second most popular social media site right now so there should be no shame because we're all doin' it. All of us abusing our drug of choice; spending too much time making a pretty, virtual world.

In my real world (which doesn't yet match up to my virtual one) I would buy ginormous art for my home. Can't seem to pin enough of these images and want them all. Big art. Entire walls covered in one huge masterpiece. Larger than life-size. Like this one.

Or any of these

Source

These are leaning slightly towards wallpaper but it's my virtual world so I get to decide that no they don't

Source

And then, I would need a super-size GIF of a waterfall with super-size speakers re-creating the super-size sounds of rushing water. Love this.

Source

SO, now you know a little bit more about me...one of my vices, at least. Pinning. There's certainly a few more.

Like this.

Life would be so dull without them, vices, don't you think?

Just checking to see if you were paying attention. This would be on my eye-candy-ish board.

Stop by and say hi in my virtual happy land

Amedeo NYC: Cameos For The Future

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 12:49:00 +0000

I happen to like cameos. The craftsmanship that goes into making one amazes me. All that intricate carving on a tiny piece of shell. In the hands of a tremendously gifted artist, the results can be spectacular.

This is a ring I bought myself about eight years ago. Not the best quality photo but hopefully it shows up as a women dressed as a Roman warrior. A simple profile in an even simpler bezel type setting. I was feeling the need for empowerment at the time and the minute I saw this in an antique market, I knew it had to be mine.

Amedeo NYC

Today I came across a website that has taken cameos into the future. Amedeo NYC is a company revolutionizing what, where, who and how this ancient form of jewelry design can be used.

Everyone needs an elephant with a crown of diamonds

Bespoke Monogram rings

Classic silhouette with a twist

Must-haves in Vogue (#23)

The pieces on their website start at about $1700 so all this beauty comes with a price. However, and don't laugh, they have a whole line on HSN.com!! While many of the pieces on that site come across as a bit more traditional and stuffy, these earrings (I adore them) are clearly in a "not stuffy" category but do have a hefty price tag of $5,700.

This resin bracelet which I think is fun was on HSN (sold out) and retailed for about $140. That works.

I can't believe I am linking you to HSN.com. This is a frightening thought (I spent a few minutes watching it after I wrote this .... scary) but in all fairness, this line and some others they have would end up in my shopping cart.

Happy shopping.

Fabio Viviani: Crush Material

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 13:05:00 +0000

My new crush.

He is probs a royal pain in the ass.

But he's cute, funny, knows how to cook, speaks with a great accent ... all good in my books. I think I'd overlook whatever flaws (or at least the minor ones) he might have. Who among us is perfect, right?

Lots of videos to watch at his site. This one happens to be a recipe I actually made and they were delicious.

Let me know what you think ... about him and the cookies.
I leave you to enjoy a wonderful weekend, perhaps filled with delish things to eat!

Chow Ciao

Times They Are A Changin'

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 12:46:00 +0000

So, I was cleaning up my bookmarks and came across a site I hadn't been to in awhile Sköna hem or Swedish House. These days it seems that the Scandinavian aesthetic is a major influence on product and interior design. What I see mostly is clean, streamlined all white interiors that are balanced with organic elements and small details to soften the linear elements.

Having lived in Sweden for a year, I understand the need for all the whiteness. Their winter months are brutal. In the southern most tip of the country where I was, winter daylight was about 2 hours long. Making the best of that situation, the Swedes fill their home with light, whether it be in color, as in all white, or millions of candles lit when the first sign of darkness appears. I can only assume that in the northern parts, it's candles and coffee when one hops out of bed. And lots of both.

These two photos came up on Skona Hem and my new self was completely drawn to the paired down, contemporary feeling of the top photo. My new self also cringed at the second photo which felt cluttered and utterly claustrophobic. The funny thing, the second photo is what my old self would have been completely drawn to. As a matter of fact, I own many pieces similar to ones in the "Rococo" dining room. A few that I purchased in Sweden. Huh!

Think it's time for a yard sale!

Which do you prefer?

Photo credit: Sköna Hem

Words To Live By

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 12:49:00 +0000

Profound advice from an installation at the MFA Boston.

Perfect Time For a Rosé

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 13:10:00 +0000

As much as I refuse to grow up, certain parts of me have had to mature and come to terms with ... life. Dancing on tables (appropriately), taking a dare and occasionally crossing the line towards awkward in my conversations are a few things I will do forever and one just has to love me that way.

One area where I have gratefully gained profound wisdom is the quality of wine I will pour into my glass at the end ... or middle ... of my day. Move over cloying white Zinfandel. SO over that. Do they even still make it?? My evolved self has learned a thing or two about the wonders of wine and while I'm not over drinking a refreshing "pink" something on these warmer summer days, it is indeed a bit more sophisticated.

Lately, rosé, more often than not, is the wine I've been putting in my shopping cart. Easy to drink, pair with foods and refreshing, it is the perfect choice for this time of year.

I stumbled on two articles today that made me think of this post so I'm going to link you to them and allow you to discover a few good ones to buy if you can find them and meals to pair them with.

You're in for a treat.

Bon Appetit
Gayot

Photo credit: Bon Appetit

Black & White

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 13:07:00 +0000

Yes, I know that the world goes far beyond black and white. It felt symbolic somehow to come back to this place at either end of the spectrum and work to fill things in. Life has been feeling a bit black and white as of late. Now it's time to see the possibilites. To see color again. This is a going back to move forward exercise. I plan to make it spectacular. The blog ... and the moving forward.

Stay tuned!

Photo credits: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Kid's Space at Chanel. Really?

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 11:23:00 +0000

Ok, so there are a few things wrong with this.

First of all, a designated kid's space on the Chanel website? Is that necessary?

Second, it's troubling that I actually played around with it. I made a lovely gem encrusted brooch for myself.

Paris Tableau: Old Master's Paintings

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 12:04:00 +0000

Very excited....

Got myself an invitation to the Inaugural opening of Paris Tableau, an international fair for old master's paintings. It is dedicated to presenting Old Master's works from the Middle Ages to the 19th century. The fun part of all this is that if one is lucky enough to afford it, one can actually go home with a little something as the works are being presented by art dealers from around the world.

Today is the opening day, invite only. The event will be all weekend long at the Palais de la Bourse, the former Paris stock exchange, or as it is described on the website, temple of finance. Hmmm, these days, not so much.

Anyway, must get moving. I'll let you know how it goes. In the meantime, if you can't attend you can get the idea here.

Rue Mouffetard & Saturday's Lunch

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 10:12:00 +0000

A simple composed salad of tiny pears, bleu cheese, walnuts, honey, olive oil and fleur de sel from the Camargue all procurred at Saturday's rue Mouffetard market. People from all over the world make their way to this colorful, food-vending street. Poissonneries, boulangeries, chocolateries, tea and wine merchants abound. Lucky me....I live on this foodie heaven street. I stumble out of my apartment (I live behind the brown door in the photo below) and that friendly wine seller knows exactly which bottle of Côtes du Rhône to have waiting for me. The fish sellers on the other side of the door put on their daily "show" of exotic seafood displayed so beautifully. Today there were street musicians adding to the ambiance.

An absolute must for all you foodies visiting Paris.

Métro Censier-Daubenton (Line 7).

Lingerie as Art

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 10:48:00 +0000

Le Bon Marche's windows celebrating the opening of their new and improved lingerie department. Both Parisians and tourists were totally taken with these fabulously creative scenes. Only in Paris.

Shh....it's a Ladurée Secret

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Sat, 19 Mar 2011 17:32:00 +0000

Hermés: Vintage and Today

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 12:58:00 +0000

These are just a few of the beautiful vintage Hermés scarves auctioned off here this past week. All of them, designs past and present, are complete works of art. A close friend has a closet filled with bright orange boxes, each one containing a gift either from someone or to herself and she uses them all. Clearly, I have scarf envy.

To take care of scarf envy, one need only head to the new Hermés store on rue de Sèvres in the 6th. A former indoor pool for Hôtel Lutetia right around the corner, this space has been magically transformed to hold not only beautiful silk scarves but home decor, clothing, a well curated book department, floral shop and tea salon. The children's department, yes, there is one, was the only place I could perhaps afford something....a coloring book for a mere 100 euros. What I did actually walk away with was a beautifully forced hyacinth in a green glass container for about 20 euro. My tiny purchase makes me happy every time I come in contact with its heady fragrance.

Frivolously wonderful and worth a visit.

Additional Information:

Hermés

17, rue de Sèvres, 75006, Paris

Métro: Sevres-Babylon (line 10)

Lunch Hour

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 12:23:00 +0000

I used this photo as my facebook status yesterday to let my people know that lunch in Paris can be pretty darn sweet. I stopped by a boulangerie on rue Saint Dominique that offers a lunch "emporter" or take away lunch. In this case it was a sesame baguette with camembert and walnuts, a tarte abricot and a bottled water all for 6 euro. A short walk across avenue Bosquet and voilà, a mid-day meal at the foot of the Eiffel Tower.

For my money, it was the best table in Paris!

A Sunday in Paris

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 10:05:00 +0000

A Sunday in Paris...a day of complete and utter pleasure. No pressure here to do anything more complicated than to just enjoy the unfolding of the day. Hopefully that unfolding takes place with the special people in one's life. Yesterday included brunch with my daughter at Le Pain Quotidien, a stroll through Luxembourg Gardens and dinner with good friends.

With the weather turning balmy and working hard to be springlike, it was a perfect in every way.

The Reading Room: Bel-Ami

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 13:44:00 +0000

The good news about coming home from a book store in my world is that generally, whatever I purchase will get read numerous times. The people in my immediate circle (read loving family) have similar tastes in our reading selections so our library has a number of dog-eared volumes that have been loved over and over. It does my heart good to see coffee stains, underlining or folded over corners in some of my favorite titles as I know they have been a source of inspiration and entertainment for others. And should I lend a book to someone, I let it go, not really expecting to get it back but hoping its journey is a good one wherever it ends up. Both my daughter and I just finished reading this latest classic discovery and have had numerous conversations about its message over glasses of wine these last few evenings while I fix dinner.

Bel-Ami by Guy de Maupassant, is the author's second novel written in 1885. Obviously a social commentary on fin-de-siecle Paris, it follows the cavortings of Georges Duroy, an absolute cad with an insatiable thirst for upward mobility. Owning no sense of decency, the reader holds one's breath throughout thinking Monsieur Duroy could not possibly sink lower....yet he never disappoints. Or should I say, he is a complete disappointment.

Contemporary politics and journalism are woven throughout only adding to the amount of deception that a society is capable of. Nothing that we don't see on a daily basis in this day and age in cheesy tabloids or "news" sites splashed throughout the internet. Clearly, this stinging, but oh, so entertaining tale illustrates all that de Maupassant wrestled with and condemned in his current moment.

I have saved the best for last on this one. Being released this year is Bel-Ami, the movie with the lead being played by Robert Pattinson. He is perfectly cast as the lead in my mind with Christina Ricci and Uma Thurman helping things out. All good choices. Depending on how you feel about books being made into movies, you might want to enjoy all that this one holds before heading to the movie theater. For me, movies are always watered down versions after having read such rich text. Pick your poison on this one.

Waste No Time Becoming a Parisian

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 17:17:00 +0000

When one arrives in Paris, the need to blend in is strong yet difficult. The chic, hastily thrown together nonchalance that embodies a Parisian's every movement, thought, conversation, fashion statement is not easy to duplicate. While we, meaning non-Parisians feel all out of sorts here....too uptight, too frumpy, too loud, too bright and want to fit in, the chances of becoming "French" overnight is impossible. Our fanny packs, white sneakers, shorts in the summer and vente "emporter" or to go cups from Starbucks are all dead giveaways that we are here for a weeklong immersion on foreign soil bringing all our wonderful habits from the states with us.

Enter Olivier Giraud. A handsome, talented comedian, and Parisian resident, Monsieur Giraud has very cleverly brought all the idiosyncrasies of his fellow countrymen together for a one hour session on how to master the ways of the Parisian. He pokes fun at their crazy ways and in so doing, empowers out-of-towners to feel confident in the ways of behaving properly in a cab, grabbing the attention of a haughty café waiter (good luck with that) and helping the elderly or pregnant women in the métro (they get to sit). All of this is done in English with a comic force that will leave you laughing at our faux pas and feeling much better about our crazy ways!

Make one of his shows first on your list of things to do once you arrive in Paris and your stay will become that much easier. Or at the very least, the frustrating ways of the Parisians will become....enjoyable

Additional information:

Théatre de la main d'or

15 Passage de la main d'or, 75011, Paris

Métro: Ledru Rollin

06 98 57 45 98

Website:

Olivier Giraud

Le Cigale Récamier

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 07:15:00 +0000

My first group of friends coming from the states for a visit arrived yesterday which was actually a reunion of sorts. Sisters who babysat for my newborn twins (who are now 24) way back when are here for a few days with their mom. We hadn't seen each other for at least 15 years. I met them in the lobby of their hotel, Le Lutetia, and for the next few hours became total boss of them.

The first day of a trip overseas (at least for me) is so disorienting. You have sort of been up for 24 hours and land at 8:00am which is the middle of the night as far as your body is concerned. I always feel slightly hung-over when I arrive (which occasionally happens in my world) but usually not on a transatlantic flight. All the travel leaves me shaky and dehydrated and head-achey like too many cocktails can do....just not as much fun. I check into my apartment, sleep for no more than two hours, shower, head out the door and promise myself I will not fall asleep before 10pm.

Those were the orders I gave my friends and they were most obedient. We met in the lobby at 2:00 and I took them for their first meal in Paris which I hope was memorable as it was quintessentially French.

Le Cigale Récamier, located just around the corner from where they were staying in the 6th is a restaurant that has been around for about 30 years and is not anywhere a tourist would necessarily rush to go which makes it perfect. It is filled with locals who "do" lunch in this fashionable part of town. The menu is simple....small salad and a few selections for starters and then the most delicious souffles for lunch. Savory things filled with seafood, cavier d'aubergines or spinach. A bottle of house wine that was delicious and while we passed on dessert, all the ones that went by.....the French don't pass on dessert too often, were little works of art on a plate.

Be sure to bookmark Le Récamier to experience authentic Parisian dining.

The Eres Phenomenon and P.S.

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 07:15:00 +0000

Last Friday, a friend of mine and I found ourselves in Eres, a lingerie and swimwear company that has few equals. Or, as I quickly discovered, few here in Paris. They had just marked down their 2010 swimwear collection and the line to get into the shop wound itself around the block. Two guards let 4 or 5 women in at a time and there were no complaints as to how long the process was taking. I now understand why.

These bathing suits are beautiful, simple and well made. Each season, they bring out similar styles in new colors or new styles in similar colors so that you can mix and match tops and bottoms. The price tags for these teeny weeny pieces of fabric are about 180 euro/each. That's 180 for the top and 180 for the bottom. Rules are, you have to buy one of each. So on a non-soldes day, you're dropping a big chunk of change for a little something. Friday, everything was 40% off which still....I was not in the market for a swimsuit but my friend was. With the crowds and grabbing and clutching of sizes and styles I opted to wait downstairs by the cash register which was quite the education in the psyche of the French woman.

Every single size, shape, age, and socioeconomic group was represented. Women carrying Hermés handbags at $10,000 a shot and women with boho fabric bags walked in. Large sized, small sized, women in their 70's and 14 year old girls with their mom's walked through the doors and headed upstairs. And guess what? Not one of them left without a swimsuit. NOT A ONE. And they were dropping no less than $200 each. One young girl looked as though she might work an administrative job in the states, her outfit simple...maybe a few things from H&M took home a bright turquoise two piece. The woman checking out after her spent 1800 euros....four suits and a sarong. She was treating herself and her daughters to new suits. The 14 year old girl was getting an explanation from mom about why you spend 60 euro for a pair of lavender colored panties. Crazy.

There was this part of me that in the moment felt very tiny, as though this was something I needed to see. I'm not one that needs to spend that kind of money on myself and I don't think it really is about the money. It felt as though it was about valuing quality over quantity and passing that idea down from generation to generation. Nurturing the value of self. The value of womanhood. You don't need a $200 bathing suit to feel good about yourself, I get that. There are some days though when it helps. It can make one sort of go....ahhh, this is nice and I deserve this!! No matter what the item is. Making those kinds of decisions where small luxuries are a part of one's daily life is what goes on here. If that is superficial then, I guess, sign me up.

Occasionally, it's all about the....ahhh.

P.S. The hair vitamins = amazing.

photo credit: vi.sualize.us

bon we

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 07:15:00 +0000

They think and says things like this in these parts....you gotta love it!

bon we.

photo credit: eutoday.ru , ms collection, thefashionspot, livejournal, ladouleurexquise

Crazy Hair, Bad Chi and Comprimés

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 06:30:00 +0000

Ok, so my hair has been falling out at an alarming rate. I can't really pinpoint the culprit....could be stress, the bad color job I got about a month ago that fried what little hair I do have on my head, the incredibly crappy water that comes out of the faucets here in Paris leaving a residue on hair and skin that requires tons of products to make you feel like you actually belong in your skin, hot weather....who knows. All I know is that yesterday was my day of figuring out what to do about it.

Do you ever have moments when you are searching for an answer to a dilemma and all of a sudden a possible solution makes itself known to you? A little gift from the universe? That's what got me started on my quest. After no sleep worrying about my hair or lack of, I picked up my copy of Madame Figaro to read while having breakfast and there in front of me was a suggestion of a solution. I stumbled on an article written about a guy who has set up a salon here in Paris that works to fight "chute de cheveux" .....that would be hair falling out as opposed to what I went with to describe my predicament....mes cheveux sont tombés. No wonder the girl at the salon didn't get me! Thank God I enjoy a good laugh even at my own expense as much as the next person.

Anyway, for 155 euros, you get a private one on one consultation with this man as to what exactly is wrong with your inner vibrations that are causing your hair to fall out, he'll adjust said vibrations and then cut your hair according to what those vibrations are telling him to do with it. No more bringing in a picture of some cute haircut you found and saying I'd like to look like this. Oh, no you don't. Not if your vibrations don't want you to!

Once I had the information both explained to me and in a brochure, I observed what was happening in the salon. You'd think something like this would be at the end of some long alley with beaded curtains, plastic plants and less than health department cleanliness. But no. It's right next to Le Meurice in the incredible high rent district of the 1st and a rather pleasant space. One of the things, among many, that suggested this might not be for me was that none of the stylists looked as though their vibrations were any better than mine. It didn't appear to me that they had undergone the private hour and a half vibration adjustment with their boss. In my world, if you're gonna cut my hair, you should have well done hair. If you're gonna straighten my teeth, you better have straight teeth yourself. It's the rules.

Slightly disappointed, I headed home. At my métro stop, I decided to go into my neighborhood pharmacy to see if maybe they had some vitamins I could try. Perhaps I'm missing some vital mineral and need to replenish. Talk about pill overload. I discovered a couple of things. There are pills here that deal exactly with "anti-chute", little green things that you take for three months to stimulate one's "micro-circulation". Is that anything like vibration? Hmm? Then they have regular vitamins that you dissolve in water creating an orange fizzy drink that will "enhance one's physical and intellectual capacities". I liked the sound of that.

Guess what? As I write this I am watching my glass of water become fizzy and orange and am going to throw it and a little green anti-chute de cheveux pill back together hopeful my good vibrations get it going on today. I'll keep your posted.

photo credit: whodesignedit

Visions of Chaumet, Boucheron, Van Cleef and Arpels Dancing in Her Head

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 06:30:00 +0000

What girl at least once in her life dreams about being lavished in beautiful jewelry fit for a princess. Most of us are stuck with the dream....a tiny handful actually get to own "out-of-this- world" designs fit for royalty or those with fat wallets.

Next time you find yourself in Paris, dream your own little dream and head to Place Vendome, a circular "square" if you will home to the column Vendôme erected by Napoleon, world class hotels like the Ritz, Park Hyatt Vendôme and Bristol in addition to a line-up of jewelry stores whose vitrines and vaults need security 24/7. A heady "defile" with the likes of Boucheron, Chaumet, Tiffany and Cartier to name a few, can keep one entertained for hours. Entertained?

You know, the window game. Pick only one thing out of each display window that you would take home with you and why. My daughters and I played this game years ago when catalogs from American Girl or the Disney store would arrive in the mailbox. It was something to do during those bewitching hours between getting home from school and me getting dinner on the table. Now that they are all grown up, our game has gotten a tiny bit more expensive and we've become fairly philosophical regarding our selections.

Funny thing. I was walking through Place Vendôme a few weeks ago with a friend from here and the first thing she said was, "Let's play the window game." I was shocked thinking my daughters and I pretty much had that game locked up to ourselves but not so much. About 40 minutes later we headed into the Ritz which was our actual destination and....we'll that's another story. Talk about the window game. A hallway the length of the hotel lined with glass cases filled with jewelry, shoes, handbags and everything in between. Gratefully, it dumps you off at Hemingway's Bar (Ernest's place) where you can set down all your bags and relax with a glass of champagne that is served with a white rose. Talk about princess!!

Follow the link and read an article from IHT about the latest designs that were unveiled here in Paris during Fashion Week in early July.....you'll get the idea.

Jewelry With Stories to Tell

photo credit: betterphoto

Maille oh Maille

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 07:15:00 +0000

I would consider myself an above average cook. Many are the times I have thrown together dinner parties similar to this photo and was able to pull it off well enough so that my friends always took me up on subsequent invitations. The food, wine selections/beers in the cooler and assembled guests made for some wonderful evenings. Generally, I would decide to do something like this at about ten in the morning on a Saturday and people would start arriving at my door by dinner time. Simple recipes with great ingredients were the key to pulling things together that quickly. Today, I discovered some new "key ingredients" that would have made my recipes so much better.

I am an absolute fan of Maille mustard. Maille has been around since 1757 here in Paris which would take it all the way back to pre-revolutionary times. Their shop at Madeleine is a resident and tourist hot spot with all sorts of goodies to take home whether it be in a shopping cart or suitcase. Their mustard is like nothing else....I have been known to take a spoon and eat it right out of the jar. It took me a few tries to get the right amount as it has a kick to it that probably damaged some brain cells but there was that whole pleasure/pain thing going on that made it worth it. Plus, the creaminess.

Yesterday, I came home with their new flavors for summer. Six little sample size jars of ways to enjoy Maille in dips, dressings and recipes that need to be in everyone's cupboard. Parmesan and Basil, Dried Apricot and Curry, Sun-dried Tomato and Pimento, Pesto and Arugula and my personal favorite, Fig and Coriander. I ask you, what is not to love about these flavors? There was even a Lavender and Fennel combo not included in the sampler that I have to go back and get once these get used up. The possibilities are endless.

Here's a start:

Simple French Vinaigrette

2 Tbsp red wine vineger

6 Tbsp olive oil

1/2 tsp Maille mustard

salt

pepper

dissolve salt to taste in red wine vinegar.

add mustard

add olive oil

whisk

add pepper to taste

It comes out perfect every time!

photo credit: youaremyfav