BODIE and FOU Gift Guide | Gifts for foodies & bon vivant

Today, I've put together a little selection of great gifts for foodies and bon vivant. I don't know about you but I have quite a lot of those around me :-)
Our best-selling Cognac glasses are the perfect gift for Dads, father-in-law, brothers and friends. 
They always go down a treat and their shape is not just gimmicky, they've actually been designed to enhance the bouquet, temperature and volume of a fine spirit. They also exist in a smaller version here for women.
My favourite gift this year is this beautiful stonewashed linen apron which comes in blue grey, soft grey and dark grey. It's a very nice, unusual and stylish gift which I will offer with a jar of this Dijon Basil mustard Steve always uses for his kiwi roast. Last time, we were invited to diner to our friends', they required we brought the jar we had in the fridge with us to go with their roast - crazyfoodies!

Cognac glasses | Whisky glasses | Butterfly tin opener | EAT metal red letters | stonewashed linen apron | Eva Solo Cheese slicer | Normann Copenhagen wine pourer | Rubber washing-up bowl (available in 5 colours) | Set of 4 rocking glasses (great for friends!)

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Inspiring diner curated by KINFOLK | Food styling

As mentioned here, KINFOLK is a community of artists with a shared interest in small gatherings. My favourite shot ever from these diners is still this one taken by Leo Patrone in the Green Building in NYC.
Last September, they met on British Columbia’s Vancouver Island to share a dinner. The night was hosted at the historic China Town loft of local florist Erica Smolders of Rook & Rose and curated by herself and designers Ellie Chapple and Tara Hurst. 
I''m always in awe with the photography of their gatherings. I wish we could do the same in London. Well, as usual...when I have something in mind, I just act upon it so I have contacted them to see how we could make one happen in London....
You can order KINFOLK Vol.5 here, it's the perfect read to embrace the beauty of Autumn...

Photography: Ameris

Comme je l'ai mentionné ici, KINFOLK est une communauté d'artistes qui aime se retrouver régulierement autour d'une table et d'un bon repas. 
Ma photo préférée de ces soirées est toujours celle de My favourite shot from these diners were celle-ci prise par Leo Patrone dans the Green Building a NYC.
En Septembre dernier, ils se sont retrouvés sur l'ile de Vancouver. La soirée s'est déroulée dans le loft de la fleuriste Erica Smolders dans le quartier de China Town, qui s'est occupé de l'organisation et décoration de cette belle réunion avec les désigners Ellie Chapple etTara Hurst. 
Comme d'habitude, je suis admirative de leurs soirées qui respirent la simplicité et la joie de se re retrouver. J'aimerais bien des petits repas comme cela a Londres. Rectification, comme toujours quand j'ai quelque chose dans la tete, j'agis donc je les ai contacté pour voir si nous pourrions en organiser un a Londres....
Vous pouvez commander le KINFOLK Vol.5 ici, c'est un beau magazine pour apprécier le début de l'Autumne....

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KINFOLK Vol. 5 | A guide for small gatherings

The new KINFOLK Volume 5 is out.

For those who do not know about KINFOLK, KINFOLK is a growing community of artists with a shared interest in small gatherings. They recognize that there is something about a table shared by friends, not juts a wedding or once-a-year holiday extravaganza, that anchors our relationships and energizes us. So KINFOLK is a collaborative way of advocating the natural approach to entertaining that we love.

Every element of KINFOLK - the features, photography and general aesthetics - are consistent the way we feel entertaining should be: simple, uncomplicated and less contrived. KINFOLK is the the marriage of our appreciation for art and design and our love to spending time with family and friend.

The perfect read to embrace the beauty of Autumn! Get yours from here

Kinfolk Volume 5 Fall 2012 from We Are The Rhoads on Vimeo.

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French toasts | recipe

challah french toast

Baked entirely in the oven, this is a cinch to prepare for a crowd—and no slaving over a hot stove cooking two pieces at a time.

SERVES 10

2 tbsp. butter, at room temperature
1 dozen large eggs
3/4 cup milk
1 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp. salt
2 tbsp. dark-brown sugar
2 loaves challah bread, each cut into ten 1"-thick slices

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Generously butter two nonstick sheet pans. In a bowl, beat eggs, milk, cinnamon, salt and sugar. One by one, dip 10 bread slices in egg mixture, turn to coat well on both sides and place on a sheet pan in a single layer. Bake for 9 minutes, then turn slices and bake for 8 more minutes, or until both sides are golden brown. Repeat with remaining 10 slices in the other pan. Serve with maple syrup.

Tote the French toast to the table on the sheet pan to minimize dirty dishes.

Via here

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Things I'm loving at the Moment

Now for some total randomness.  I've been juggling design work and kiddos at home over the last couple of weeks.  I have to confess it's been a bit crazy - but fun crazy.  Summer seems to fly by, and I really want to take it all in and enjoy every minute of it.  I thought I would share a few things I've stumbled upon - a little summer randomness.

White Walls
I adore this space.  It looks like something you would find in a beach house.  Notice the white walls, ceiling, wall sconce and simple roman shades.  All this white accomplishes a couple things.  It makes the space feel bigger and it creates a backdrop for the pops of color on the beds.  Also, notice the headboards are actually upholstered cushions tacked to the wall.  So simple, but so much impact.    

Contemporary Bedroom design by Other Metros Interior Designer Joel Snayd

Sheep Artwork Tutorial
This simple tutorial for affordable artwork really packs a WOW.  Wouldn't it be precious in a nursery?!  Great Job, Em and Elle!

via

Gourmet Popsicles

Everybody in Birmingham is talking about Steel City Pops.  These gourmet popsicles are all the rage.  I was having dinner with some girlfriends a couple of weeks ago and one of my friends could not say enough about them.  Then, my husband's firm hosted a dinner last week at the baseball field and Steel City brought a popsicle truck!  The flavors are so unique like avocado and blood orange, and they are all made fresh daily.  And to sweeten the pot (as they say), the owners are giving back by donating 100% of the profits made on their bottled water to developing water sources in third world countries.  So, a true community leader!

Do you remember my post recently of this picture?! . . . Wouldn't these gourmet pops make the most amazing dessert for a summer time dinner party?  Oh yea, I'm on it.  

via

Crawfish Boils

Talk about a laid back party.  This past weekend we celebrated the birthday of a close friend.  She and her husband spent several years in New Orleans and all that culture, food and NOLA lifestyle is now in their blood.  So, of course, celebrating big for this cute couple translates into a crawfish boil!  I ate so many I finally had to stop when my fingers were numb from peeling them.  You just can't beat good food, good friends, good music and yummy drinks in the summer!

Hammock Chairs

At the beginning of the summer, I ordered a pair of hammock chairs for my kids.  They are getting too big to use the swing set in our backyard (which makes me a little sad).  But, I'm not ready to tear the whole thing down. 

 Instead, I converted the swing portion of our set using the hammock chairs.  Both my kids love to read, so they've been hanging out up there in late afternoon/early evening with a book.   

I'm thinking I extended the life of that swing set at least more summer!

Wall Container/Window Boxes

My husband and I took a recent trip to one of our favorite nurseries here in Birmingham.  It is a bit farther out, but their plants are always so healthy and really put on a show during the summer season.  If you live in Birmingham, it's truly worth your time to check out Collier's nursery.  

During our most recent trip, the cutest girl helped us (which is another reason to go there, the customer service is spot on).  She taught me something about planting window boxes.  Now, mind you, we've had this box for at least five years; and I've never thought about what she told us.  

The trick is to plant two different trailing plants on each end (so a total of four plants, rather than just two) - one in the back and one in the front.  I've always done just one plant on each end since the container is so narrow, thinking it would fill out nicely. 

 Well, the box has never looked this great, even at it's peak.   I think it's the contrast in color that really gives the container the depth you can't get from a single plant.  Simple idea, but huge impact.  Love it. 

San Tan-tonio Nail Polish

(I told you this post was random!)

I treated myself to a pedicure (which is rare for me, I usually do my own pedicures at home), and I'm loving this color!  I think it helps when you've had a little sun on your feet for color, but every time I look down at the polish it makes me smile (the name just kills me!)

(Bet you didn't expect to see my feet on a Monday!  I kept the picture small in case you tend to get queasy in the morning! Ha!)

Did everybody have a wonderful Father's Day?  We made steaks on the grill last night for our man of the hour; and I called my sweet Dad and wished him a wonderful day too!  

What's everybody been up to lately?! M.

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Study Club

Over the past couple of years, I've been getting together with a few girlfriends on random Friday afternoons here and there.  We don't have a set schedule, just when we can all fit it into our week.  What do we study, you ask?
Well, life, I guess.

We chat about our families, share thoughts and ideas on our children and their activities, have a cocktail or two, and eat some yummy food.  It is such a highlight for me.  I know it sounds crazy, but these study club friends have changed the way I think about life.  

  

So, we had our year end finale a couple of weeks ago at my house.  These girls are so easy to please and will try anything you throw at them!  I decided to do "one bite" appetizers this go around.   

The Menu

These are so simple to make.  The trick is to cook your bacon on a cookie sheet in the oven (350 for 20 minutes) so that it's crisp and super flat.

I also used a homemade dressing on the french baguette - just to make them more interesting.  If you are inclined, you could also add avocado.

 

I grabbed a recipe off the Internet for the soup and made it a day ahead so the favors would marry and be super chilly.  Also, to make assembly even faster, I had my fish monger steam the pre-peeled shrimp for me in Ole Bay Seasonings.  They were a bit more expensive, but I only needed 16 of them so it was worth it.

 

This was the easiest "one bite" I made - grape tomatoes sliced in half, fresh mozzarella cheese, and a fresh basil leaf.

I then topped the whole thing off with a balsamic glaze (you can find it at almost any grocery store these days).  The glaze is thicker and richer than a balsamic vinegar and does not make the the tomatoes release their juices so your plate stays pretty.

These were my favorite, hands down.

The trick here is to use pre-made shredded pork and the bagged cole slaw with your favorite blue cheese dressing.  I also splurged on pre-made gourmet angel biscuits that I popped in the oven to reheat. 

There was only one of these left at the end of the party and my cute hubby came in and whisked it away!

(after all, I am in the South)

OK, I know this picture makes the desserts look green (bad choice of platter color on my part).  They are not green (I promise), rather a creamy wonderful vanilla color!

Sshhh, don't tell anyone, I made these desserts in votive candle holders.  Smaller servings are great way to make a heavy, decadent dessert, more appropriate for the summer.

 

I think this is a wonderful alternative to soda and you can make a ton of lemonade with just one bag of lemons - crazy how much it will make!

I added a splash of lavender infused vodka, for those in mood for a libation!

I saw this mason jar idea on Pinterest and just had to try it.

Now, I challenge you to come up with a fun group of girls and host a "study club."
You'll be surprised how much fun it can be!  Hope your week is going great so far. M.

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In my dreams...

Busy weekend ahead....between the usual Saturday morning errands for Mila, we are off to Steve's God-daughter's communion and are likely to come home late and merry tonight...

And of course, tomorrow Mila's Birthday party is on... and I'm half-ready for it.

I was planning to attempt making gorgeous, homemade marshmallows for my pink theme but this is SOOOO not going to happen this weekend, instead I got some fat-free ones from the supermarket.

Anyway, if you have a more relaxed weekend, you may want to try this....although given the hot weather, I think sipping mojitos outside in the garden would be a lot more appropriate!

Have a great weekend!

Image 1 from here | image 2 & recipe from here

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