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Aaron Ruff, the jeweler behind the Brooklyn-based label Digby & Iona (named for a pair of quiet seaside towns in Nova Scotia), commissioned Baton Rouge-based photographer Amy Shutt to capture his newest designs—on a taxidermy menagerie. The photos are quirky (and quacky); I love ’em. And the Digby & Iona jewelry too.
I arrived in Truro on Friday afternoon.
I found one pinky-orange rose in the back garden.
[CB2 tray table – West Elm rattan coaster – Urban Outfitters glass]
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Shop jewelry & decor at Zhush.
I always take life with a grain of salt, …plus a slice of lemon, …and a shot of tequila.
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Serve up summer, shop Layla Grayce.
One of my favorite yearly traditions is gorging myself on the chocolate deliciousness that is the Chocolate Bar at Café Fleuri at The Langham Hotel in Boston. The outrageousness runs Saturdays, September through June, which means you have just three more weekends to indulge. (For Father’s Day, perhaps?) These images are from the most recent display, which I (over)sampled this past September. I also blogged about the experiences (the theme and menu change each year) in 2009 and 2010.
This is the 24th year of the all-you-can-eat extravaganza, with more than 120 chocolate combinations. The spread features stations with varying levels of chocolate intensity and flavors – from white to dark and plenty in between. There’s a never-ending supply of cupcakes, truffles, brulées, bread pudding, crepes, whoopee pies, all created by Executive Pastry Chef Jed Hackney. There are also rotating items withseasonal ingredients, such as September’s lemon madeline with ivoire cremeax and strawberries, and a caramelized white chocolate torte with banana and sesame. There are nut-free options, and even some vegan ones.
There’s even alcohol. A chocolate cocktail menu features cocoa-infused martinis like the “Chocolate Decadence” with raspberry vodka, dark chocolate Godiva liqueur, and Frangelico, and there’s the “White Coco” with vanilla vodka, dark chocolate Godiva and white crème de cacao with cream. My favorite station, year after year, are the made-to-order crepes. Sinful.
Fleur de sel caramel with dark chocolate cremeax
Orange marmalade varrine
Manjari mousse with creme fraiche and Espelette pepper
Bitter chocolate and cinnamon custard varrine
French almond macaron with dark chocolate buttercream
Izzy, my friend’s daughter, basically in heaven
Peanut brittle
Whoopie pies
Vegan blueberry cobbler
Ice cream sundae bar toppings
Sundae sauces
White chocolate peanut butter bombe
Mint and white chocolate mousse torte
Lemon crunch satine with white chocolate
Le creperie
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Are you a cooking family?
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Last year I was lucky enough to write about a San Francisco home decorated by Palmer Weiss for the TRADHome “New Traditionalists” digital edition. This year the call was for kitchens and dining rooms for Traditional Home’s “Great Kitchens” digital mag. I submitted the dining room of Newton, MA-based designer Liz Caan, and she won. The issue went live last month; I apologize for the delay. As you’ll see, it was worth the wait. Here are the images, photographed by the ever amazing Eric Roth, but be sure to click through to the digital mag too, for the full story, “An Appetite for Color;” starting on page 58. The menu and invitation is by IOMOI. I’ll add credits for the gorgeous furnishings and tabletop pieces later today. My son is graduating from elementary school in an hour! Enjoy the photos. Update: Credits and links for Liz’s fabulous wares are now in place.
Benjamin Moore “Temptation” paint – “Three Ball” lamp by Joe Cariati in Lavender Berry at Swank Lighting – Madeline Weinrib Greek key rug – Baker Furniture dining table – Hickory Chair “Chelsea” side chairs by Thomas O’Brien – Oly Studio “Sohpie” zebra chair – Dwell Studio yellow pillow – Robert Allen yellow silk buffalo check drapery fabric – Arteriors Home “Zanadoo” chandelier at Zinc Door
Vintage cobalt blue goblets – Marc Blackwell wine goblets with gold trim from Barney’s New York – Janus et Cie votive holder – Studio A “Bloom” candle holders
Haviland “Laque de Chine “ amethyst charger – Kate Spade “June Lane” salad plate – Matouk “Mirasol” placemats – Sferra hemstitch napkins – Succulent pots from Winston Flowers – Gold daffodi planter from Anthropologie
Worlds Away “Wearstler” chest – Juliska compotes – RabLabs “Espera” gold nut bowl – Lunares tray
Worlds Away lacquer faux bamboo bar cart – “Three Ball” lamp by Joe Cariati in Lavender Berry at Swank Lighting – West Elm yellow lacquer box – Martini shaker from Target – Blue & White Conatonware from Neiman Marcus – L’objet candle holders
Global views silver hurricane lamps – Juliska “Harlette” covered urn – Carver’s Guild “Tuxedo” mirror
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Deck out your dining room. Shop Zinc Door.
