From the monthly archives:

January 2010

Laguiole Flatware

January 29, 2010

Laguiole flatware, $289 for 20 pieces at Williams-Sonoma. Beware, this is a light-weight version!

On the blessed day we upgrade from my husband’s bachelor-days flatware, we’re going with the lustrous curves of Laguiole Jean Dubost.

Laguiole (which I just found out is pronounced “LAYOL”) is the name of a small village near the south-central city of Thiers, France. The village’s name came to be associated with the knives made there, but it has never been trademarked and suffers from loosey-goosey usage by a whole host of manufacturers. Though major home and kitchen stores sell it, buyer beware: they often don’t provide information on weight and some of the reviews report dinky utensils.

French Only is a terrific source for learning about and buying authentic Laguiole.  They also sell via eBay.

Personally I’m hankering after the Laguiole Jean Dubost hefty 25/10 weight 40 piece set in either black or ivory. “Jean Dubost” is a high quality, well respected family brand.  It would look so satisfying against our dark, burled dining table. And yes, they’re dishwasher safe.

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How to Make Kale Chips

January 28, 2010 Food

Did you know you can transform kale into a salty, crunchy chip imposter?  It’s true, and the ensuing addiction is pretty darn healthy. Here’s how: Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Separate one head of kale into leaves and remove tough stems.  Wash and DRY thoroughly – extra moisture will inhibit crisping.  Break into small pieces, [...]

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MacBook Goes Under Cover as BookBook

January 27, 2010 Flotsam

There is absolutely nothing wrong with my sturdy laptop case.  It’s made of neoprene so it will probably last forever.  It’s black, and boring, and I bought because I needed one and didn’t have time to do the research. So I’m seriously, desperately coveting this incredible laptop case by TwelveSouth, discovered via MadeByGirl. The rigid [...]

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Wardrobe GAPs Filled

January 25, 2010 Fashion

I’ve ignored the Gap for years, overwhelmed by the stripes and underwhelmed by the fit.  While I’ve had my blinders on, head designer Patrick Robinson has been reworking the fit (especially the jeans) and issuing some truly useful and affordable basics.   So far I’m thrilled with the two I picked up over the weekend. The [...]

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For All My Pregnant Ladies

January 22, 2010 Food

And for all of us who live with daily sweet-salty cravings, pregnant or not, feast your eyes on Neuchatel’s Swiss Chips, courtesy of Happy Lady Eats.  I love her exuberance.  For instance, she suggests pairing these with scotch on the rocks.

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Wooden Button Coasters

January 21, 2010 Feathering the Nest

Oh come ON!  How can you not love an Alice-in-Wonderland scale button coaster? Since my marriage is one part slob (me) and one part neatnik (him), using a coaster is one of the small concessions, along with his studious denial of the chaos that is my closet, made to keep the peace. And if our [...]

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Anya Hindmarch for Barbour

January 20, 2010 Fashion

Very exciting. I’ve been hearing the siren call of Barbour’s carbon-finish international motorcycle jacket for quite some time now.  I just dig it’s whole traditional with a twist attitude.  I already wear riding-inspired gear to the complete befuddlement of my neighbors, who keep asking if I’m headed to the horse farm.  Why not throw a [...]

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Warm and Hearty Vegetarian Roasted Cauliflower Spread

January 14, 2010 Food

Food and Wine’s toasty, sesame-y, gingery spread is perfect for this time of year, when everyone’s detoxing from holiday cheese plates and sick of hummus. It’s good enough to eat with a fork for lunch, which is exactly what I’m doing right now.

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Ultimate Snow Boots

January 12, 2010 Fashion

I am so happy with these guys (also available in brown, cream and white).  Why? The styling is terrifically functional, without any frou-frou fur trim.  The stylistic restraint is perfect if, like me, one more piece of fake fur would land your cold weather look squarely in Nanook of the North territory.  And yet it’s [...]

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For Everyone Who Is Ridiculously Cold

January 12, 2010 Flotsam

A cashmere hot water bottle will change your winter. Afraid the turtleneck and pocket detailing are a bit twee? True, pulling off a turtleneck with panache is a rare ability among humans, let alone inanimate objects. But once you’re snuggling up with this on the couch or grazing a toe against it in after it’s [...]

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