Lottie and Doof December 15, 2009

There is a great new food blog that I found called Lottie and Doof.  (The blog is not new, it is just new to me- i want to clarify that). 

The logo spoke to me when I landed on the site and kept me browsing through the amazing food photography and recipes on this blog.  FYI: There are some good ideas for holiday cookies if anyone is still looking and I have included some pictures to show you how fabulous food can look.  I will be testing out the Chocolate Caramel Tart this week for a holiday party I am attending.

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via lottie and doof

via the kitchn

via color me in

via lottie and doof (a holiday cookie)

baked December 14, 2009

I am obsessed with Baked.

I paid the bakery a visit this past weekend en route to the Butter by Nadia sample sale all the way out in Red Hook, Brooklyn.  While I walked away dressless from the sample sale, boy was it worth the Ikea water taxi across the river for a cookie and a look around the charming industrial/residential area that is Red Hook.  I had the most scrumptuous ginger molasses chocolate chip cookie that I have ever tasted in my life.  This was a serious cookie.  Moist, flavourful, a balance between soft and chewy in the middle and crispy on the edges.  I liked the cookie so much, I even spent $30 on the Baked bakery cookbook, thereby making it one expensive cookie!  Well worth it. I’m just kidding.

If you are in New York and you are feeling a bit adventurous, get yourself down to Pier 11 by Wall Street, take the Ikea water taxi (a lovely 10 minute ride on the water where you get to listen to top 40 music and read Where magazine!) and then walk over to Baked.  You won’t regret this trek I promise!  From what I understand from digging around a bit (here) about the bakery, the owners also opened a baked in Charleston and there are some great pictures here.

via coolhunting.com

via austin chronicle

via lottie and doof

blue pool road goodie bag December 9, 2009

For the people who love paper products in your life (ah-hem, me included), I found this adorable holiday goodie bag from minimalist stationery designer, Blue Pool Road in Los Angeles.  It comes with a mini calendar, a folded card, a post card, a thank you card (useful to thank your gift giver) and other funky items that I’ve posted below.  I love this idea. 

nice package December 8, 2009

If you are looking for ideas about how to package your holiday gifts, maybe something with a more personal touch, check out this awesome blog/etsy shop/site, Nice Package.  So cute!

via nice package

Polka Dot Boxed Truffles from Three Tarts December 8, 2009

via three tarts

Ho Hum.  With the holiday party season underway, what is a party-goer in demand supposed to gift the hostess?  I found a cute company in New York that I look forward to checking out this weekend called Three Tarts that is cooking up some cute gift ideas for the holidays.  Started by three culinary classmates nick named “three tarts” while in school, Sandra, Marla and Kiyomi seem to have a good thing going with their company.  Check out their stacked bios on the company website, you’ll soon understand why their gift ideas are so innovative and quirky.

I think the Polka Dot Boxed Truffles (above) from Three Tarts, would make a great hostess gift for the holidays.  The box is leather and lined with felt and is filled with 18 chocolate treasures!  Or the whimsical popcorn tub and its cute play on words would surely delight your business minded hostess/host. 

via three tarts

 Finally, if you are asked to bring dessert, why not offer a trio of mini parfaits in flavours chocolate banana, black and white rice pudding and pumpkin!  I want these at my next event.

via three tarts

Tully’s Gluten Free Bakery December 8, 2009

I have a couple friends who love dessert but can’t process gluten. 

So when I read about Tully’s Gluten Free Bakery, I thought I would spread the love and share with the world about this growing company and female entrepreneur/success story who solved a simple problem: lack of tasty gluten free bakery treats.  When the owner, Tully, was diagnosed with a gluten intolerance (celiac disease), she put her degree from Le Cordon Bleu in Austin, Texas to the test and invented a satisfying line of gluten free products. 

Tully’s Gluten Free Bakery makes cookies, brownies and cupcakes- they all look great and while I”m in NYC (where the products are sold) this weekend, I plan to track a brownie down and give it a try.  I belive you can also order her products direct from the website but I am not sure if she will ship to the friendly neighbours in the north.

via gluten free atlanta

via gluten free atlanta

Lit Espresso Bar December 2, 2009

via blogto

I checked out this cute little espresso bar called Lit Espresso Bar, in Roncesvalles this past week.  What drew me inside was their interior decor.  I love their counter.  It is made of (my guess) reclaimed rail road tracks refurbished barn wood (I got the answer from Lit!@)and it is a fabulous statement piece for the shop.

Since I am not a coffee drinker, I can’t comment on the java but I can tell you the decor was done right.  Great vibe.  I would enjoy a tea and a newspaper there.

via blogto

via lit espresso bar

Sweet Flour Bake Shop November 30, 2009

My friend and I ventured out to explore the Bloor West Village area in Toronto yesterday morning.  For someone living on the opposite side of the city, Bloor West Village is a bit of a hike but well worth the drive.  What prompted our sporadic trip, was a visit to Sweet Flour Bake Shop, a store in Toronto that “pays tribute to the cookie.”  The concept is simple.  People like the taste of fresh baked cookies.  People like to customize things.  So  Kim Gans, entrepreneur/MBA/ex-General Mills, put some innovation, imagination and fresh all natural ingredients together, the end result is a fun hot-out-of-the-oven fresh baked cookie concept. 

 

The option to customize both delights and entertains adults adn children alike.  On our expedition,we choose an oatmeal cookie base (three bases to choose from) with dark chocolate bits and walnuts.  After choosing our personalized combination, we watched in awe as the mixing and molding of our cookie began to bring our snack into shape.  2 minutes in a hot oven, we devoured a the cookie in our take away bag.   Upon paying I got a kick out of being asked “would you like a glass of milk with that?”  Of course they would ask that (the milk is organic) they are serving cookies afterall.  They also offer muffin tops (think Seinfeld) and granola that can be customized to your wildest imagination.  It is definitely worth the trip for a fresh baked cookie.  Sweet Flour Bake Shop also does gifts and catering options if you are thinking of edible gifts for this holiday season or an upcoming event.

 

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Sash and Bustle November 30, 2009

There is a new bridal boutique in Toronto called Sash and Bustle and I had the priviledge of attending the opening party for the store this past week.   Cynthia Martin, veteran Toronto event planner of Cynthia Martin Events, is behind this sweet little spot in the city and in my opinion, a bridal boutique of this caliber is much-needed. 

Her years of experience and her own great taste, has resulted in a store filled with bridal gowns, bridesmaid dresses, and all the accessories - read- purses, head pieces, jewelry…. a girl would ever need to adorn her and her girls.  Sash and Bustle is located in Leslieville in on Carlaw just north of Queen and really adds some light to the rather industrial looking strip. 

I took some pictures while I was at the event to give you a peak at what you can expect when you go down to visit Cynthia’s store.  I will add a couple more pictures this week.

Fauchon Eclairs November 27, 2009

When you think of an eclair, you probably think log shaped dessert, filled with cream and covered in chocolate.  I always picture a Tim Horton’s eclair for some reason as my point of reference to this sweet treat.  I have a vivid memory of looking at eclairs in the glass case in front of the cashier at Tim Horton’s when I was a child. 

I don’t even know if Timmy Ho’s makes these things any more because the last time I set foot into one of these caffeine fueling stations must have been at least 15 years ago!  Sorry the picture below is so small but it was the only one I could find that matches my memory.

 

Fast forward to this new idea- designer eclairs by noneother than Fauchon.  I would have never expected eclairs to receive a fashion makeover like the one’s over at Fauchon in Pairs, but I guess anything is possible.  These techonocolour pastries are stunning and I am not sure how anyone could possibly take a bite and ruin the works of cream filled puffs.  Imagine a platter of these designer eclairs at an event or individual customized works of art brought out for guests or tailored to the aesthetics of a table>  I’m sure Amy Atlas would love these!

Check these out:

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