Tartine Bread

My love affair with food began as a child (I was deemed "starving stephanie" by my aunties and cousins because of my seemingly endless appetite), but the relationship really blew up when I lived in San Francisco.  With a thrice-weekly farmer's market, a generally high standard for anything involving edible consumption, and a food-related work environment (I worked at Williams Sonoma's corporate office and my desk was right across from the test chef!), it was simply unavoidable.

One particular block in the Mission is particularly delicious as it's home to Bi-Rite Creamery + Grocery and Tartine.  There is an ever-present line at Tartine, but with good reason...everything there is scrumptious (please know it is worth the wait!).  The food is amazing and the bread is better than most boulangeries in France (just read the inspiring introduction and you will understand why). When I recently thumbed through their cookbook, Tartine Bread, I just knew I needed to add it to my repertoire.  If anyone is going to make a breadmaker out of me, it's going to be Chad Robertson!

If you're looking for a beautiful cookbook for yourself or for someone else, this is a great find.

Links to Love + Happy Weekend!

A few links to take you into the weekend...
 
These dipped wooden spoons are crazy beautiful.  I don't consider myself super crafty, but I'm ready to get my diy game on now (via two ellie).

For Downton Abbey fans (I've only seen one episode but I can see why y'all are crazy about it!). Thanks Catherine!

Oh my goodness, is Easter really just a couple weeks away?  Time for a little reminder about my favorite children's book for Easter--a great read, even if it isn't April.

Did you hear?  Australia-based child photographer extraordinaire Barb of Jinky Art is paying it forward and offering a free session and prints (a $2000 value) to a handful of folks this year in select cities.  Such a cool idea...you can read more about it here. 

See you Monday!  Wish me lucky making that darn cake again :)

image by Jinky Art - used with permission

Edits Quarterly + an Escape to Florence

If you dream of Italy, like many of us do, peek at this petite teaser.  It's only one minute long and yet evokes sigh after sigh after sigh, thanks to beautiful imagery of one of the most romantic cities in the world.  The wanderlust rising within you is compliments of Ian Coyle, founder of the recently released Edits Quarterly, a well-designed online magazine dedicated to small narratives of film and photography.  It's an inspiring stop for a short burst of creative inspiration and of course, beautiful images and story lines. If you're a nutella et banane crepe fan, you'll also appreciate the short ditty on a Portland creperie too.

p.s. my favorite, authentic crepe recipe can be found here.

A Darling Children's Book about Paris

My preschool-aged daughter chose this book for her bedtime read last week and I was reminded how much I love this little book for its gorgeous illustrations of Paris and for the sweet storyline.  Set in the City of Lights about a hundred years ago, we follow a girl named Adèle and her little brother Simon as they try to make their way home after school.  The siblings stop at many famous Parisian landmarks along the way, weaving a beautiful path through the city.  While not a vintage book, it certainly has that feel, and is a darling read for little boys and girls--especially one who dreams of Paris like my kids do.

Also, happy to report that Adèle and Simon is on sale now too...ten bucks for an award-winning hardcover is not too shabby!  I should probably stock up on a few for birthday gifts myself...

Have a great weekend!




images by Stephanie Brubaker for stephmodo

Doolittle Magazine

I need a shot of pretty today...and you?  No Black Friday speak here :)

"Smitten" is the word that describes how I feel about the simple, creative, minimal styling in French magazine, Doolittle.  If I had to choose my favorite element, I think the hydrangeas taped to the wall with washi tape would take first place.  However, there are so many tiny details to appreciate, it is difficult to choose (that polkadot dress...swoon!).  In my dreams my girls closet, bedroom and playroom would look like the pages of Doolittle.  Le sigh...

images via Doolittle Magazine

Laurie Rollitt Watercolor Book Covers

A little shot o' pretty for your Monday morning...gorgeous, watercolor book covers by UK-based illustrator Laurie Rollitt.  Here in our home we have a soft spot for James and the Giant Peach--isn't that cover fantastic?

images via Laurie Rollitt via Hannah Dollery

Design Ideas

With my kids heading back-to-school this week, I feel a hankering to spruce up my pad a bit (you know, tackle those little projects that stay undone during the summer), and also freshen things up to mark a new stage in life.  My go-to resource for ideas that always inspire is the Domino Book of Decorating put out by former editors of often-missed Domino magazine. This fantastic mecca of design ideas came out a couple of years ago, but it's not dated or trendy at all and is too good not to mention again.  It feels very current and is the perfect consultant for the amateur designer, i.e. anyone without a professional degree, but who loves to dabble in enhancing interiors (the theme of my "Real Life Home Series" and a topic I'm very interested in exploring).  

Domino's Book of Decorating tackles intimidating, yet practical subjects like how to mix and match styles and how to choose a kitchen table.  And, it is of course chock full of crisp, gorgeous images from the Domino archives, as well as previously unpublished photographs.  I truly enjoy flipping through its pages and treat it as a one-stop-shop when I'm in the need of an inspiration fix.  One of my friends picks it up every time she drops by...it's addicting!

You can pick up the book from your local big box book store (r.i.p. Borders), and likely your locally-owned bookstore as well.  If not, those folks are almost always willing to special order a title for you.  I'd love to give you a secondhand source too (Thriftbooks is always the first place I look for used titles), but Domino's Book of Decorating isn't being given up at the moment :) 

What other decorating books do you love? 

images by Stephanie Brubaker for stephmodo

Favorite Children's Book for Easter

Several years ago my mother-in-law gifted her grandchildren this beautiful, vintage book and it's been top on my list of children's books ever since (hence, its well-loved/worn appearance). Yes, it's technically an Easter story, but I love reading The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes to the kids whether it's Easter or not--it's just that wonderful from both a literary and artistic standpoint. It's hard to believe the book was written decades ago, as some of the underlying themes are quite modern. Any woman who admires motherhood will appreciate this book immensely.

You can find it online at Amazon or at your local bookstore. If you do purchase one online, keep in mind there are just 20 copies left so snatch yours up quickly! Happy Easter...4 days early :)

Here is a little peek inside:


































































images by Stephanie Brubaker

Heirloom Books

In my dreams (the big and wild kind), I mail off my "special box" to the talented folks at Good Stock and hire them to create an amazing book with all those little treasures. I'm so enamored with this idea; in fact I've dreamed of doing just this many, many times. It's outsourcing at its best! And maybe (just maybe), I'd even let them include a few images (or maybe just one actually), of my awkward early teenage stage--the one where I have large, blue glasses and bangs as big as my head. The only downside to this experience is the cost--it's definitely one of those once-in-a-lifetime-type-gifts. But there is something to be said for actually being able to view your life in a lovely, accessible and tidy book.

p.s. my "special box" is a large box of mementos from my childhood through adulthood)

image via Good Stock

Classic Children's Magazines

Back issues of Martha Stewart's Kids and Baby magazines are like gold to me. Within their pages are copious amounts of inspiration...some of which could be easily applied to non-baby events too. You can find them on ebay every now and again (right now it appears there are a handful of issues available!).

Also, Donna Hay just this year's kid's issue and I'm dying to get my hands on it. You can order it from Australia here, as well as other back issues. If you can swallow the shipping costs, this is your best bet. I'm hoping that my local B&N picks it up at some point, although I wonder if that's even a possibility. Has anyone seen it yet? Any tips?

p.s. the winner of the $100 gift certificate to Shabby Apple was announced today. Did you win? Scroll down to see...

Vintage Books

One of the gems I picked up at a flea market outside Paris a few weeks ago. Five minutes after we arrived I spotted it. I tried to negotiate with the vendor a little (he gave in a little, but not too much), then walked away only to find myself picking it up a couple minutes later. I just knew I'd be sad if I didn't leave with it. The cover is stunning in both color and design and the inside is actually in excellent shape too. What a find! This is how I get my thrills people :)

What are some of your favorite sources for vintage books? Have you ever seen the blog, "Vintage Kids' Books My Kid Loves"? It's a fun resource...you should take a peek. Also, Etsy offers a plethora of vintage books. Go ahead, I dare you to go through all 24,637 options and not add a couple to your cart!

Walnut Wine and Truffle Groves + Lunch with Danièle

Just a couple of weeks ago this book was released much to our delight! It not only features one of our favorite Frenchies, but it showcases the best elements of the Dordogne region--the day markets, the night markets, the sights, the best restaurants, and of course...recipes! It's a delightful book for anyone who is interested in simple Southwestern French cooking or who has stayed, or is going to stay, at La Maisonnette in the future (note: we left a copy at the cottage for guests to peruse).

A week and a half ago, Danièle (the aforementioned favorite "Frenchie") invited us to lunch at her rustic home in the country. I've been there several times in the past, but always just to say "hello" or to attend one of her fantastic cooking classes (mentioned here and here). It's not every day that a former palace chef invites you to a meal! We were instantly excited with the invitation and I forecasted it to be one of the highlights of our trip. Danièle is one of the most amazing people I've ever met and her energy and drive is most inspiring. Not being a fluent French speaker, I always appreciate that she speaks fluent English. In fact, this is what's made her cooking classes possible in the past!

p.s. I recently discovered a great article about Danièle and the Dordogne over at Travel & Leisure's site. Although I don't agree with all of their recommendations, their description of Danièle is spot-on and the article really gives you a taste of what country life in France is all about.






















1- A simple, country French place setting.

2-If Danièle isn't cooking on an open fire, she is using it to warm the cottage. She is one industrious lady!

3-White asparagus, fava beans and a poached egg smothered in black truffle sauce made from truffles found on her own property. One of the best dishes I've ever consumed in my life.

4- Fussing over us like a mother hen while she told us tales of truffle farming. Of course she first made sure we were warm with herbal tea, blankets and chairs near the fire. An amazing hostess indeed.

My New Favorite Coffee Table Book

I picked this beauty up on the Anthropologie sale rack this week--happy to have found the very last copy. It was love at first sight! It's not only pretty on the outside, but it's quite captivating on the inside too. Gorgeous details, interesting text and all around a fantastic kind of thing for one's coffee table :)

Anthro is sold out of Coco on it's website, but Phaidon carries it here and Amazon here...on sale!

















I also noticed Anthro is now carrying Coralie Bickford-Smith's gorgeous collection of Penguin classics. Swoon!!

p.s. D*S featured an interesting interview with Coralie--if you're interested in reading it, click here.

image 1-4 - me / image 5 - Anthropologie

Blog it Forward Baby

Have you been keeping track of Victoria's "Blog it Forward" series? I hope so! It's been a lot of fun and I'm shocked how quickly time has flown. There was a time when it seemed like forever until my turn :) And now I have the chance to share with you a summary of "what inspires me most"--the theme of the series. Albeit time consuming, it was a lot of fun to capture that in one post, I must admit.

So let's get started! Keep in mind these are in no particular order :)

























1. Color...be it bright ribbon, a simple hemstitched cloth napkin, or a cold, fruit soup, I am inspired by it all!

















2. My children. They inspire me to be a better person in too many ways to mention here.

3. Green mixed with natural light. This grove inspired me in a small and simple way last year.



























4. Simple kitchen tools that are well-crafted, of high quality, and don't cost a fortune. Now that's my kind of gadget! The fact they are made in Europe and not China usually helps too :)






















5. Who can resist a gorgeous kitchen complete with Tolix stools and lights from OTC? So far, not me....both my simple kitchen and La Maisonnette have one or both. I'm all about buying a kitchen table from Target just so I can have a couple nice pieces.
























6. Brown paper packages tied up with string. No really though, anything simply but thoughtfully packaged goes a long way in my book.






















7. Anything from Japan. Anything. The Vapors' one hit wonder, "Turning Japanese, I think I'm turning Japanese, I really think so..." comes to mind :)






















8. A stack of good magazines. A few others I'd like to add to this list are Marie Claire Maison, Marie Claire Idées, and House Beautiful.














































9. A good French flea market makes me giddy for days. If only I had one of those large containers to fill with lots of vintage goodies.

Tomorrow the following blog picks up the baton in my group: storyboard c. Enjoy!

All images are mine except 2, 6, 7 (oh drat...source unknown)

2 Must Sees + 1 Must Read

Must See no.1:

A friend and I have been plowing through the Masterpiece Theatre version of Emma this past week and I can't help but share how much I love this series. It's incredibly well done on many levels--cinematography, costumes, choice of actors/actresses, etc. It's much better than the condensed Gwyneth Paltrow version, and I am a huge Gwyneth fan so that's saying something. We finish up the last hour on Monday night and I can hardly wait. Just wait until you catch a glimpse of Mr. Knightly :) Grab some friends, host an impromptu tea party, and get ready for a an evening of worthwhile entertainment.

You can rent it on Netflix here or buy the 2 DVD set in the PBS shop here.


























Must See no.2:

Ever since I viewed Food, Inc., I find myself constantly thinking about the issues presented in the film and how important they are to each of our lives...and not just in a food-sense. I have a greater desire to be in control of my life, what I feed my family, and who I am supporting monetarily. Awhile back, just shortly after watching the film with my husband, we made some changes in our household and I wrote about them in this post. Basically it sums up how to eat responsibly on a budget. Anyway, regardless of whether or not you make changes, or what changes you make, I believe very person who eats food made here in the US should watch this film.

If you subscribe to Netflix, you can add it to your queue or watch it instantly here.

and a Must Read:

Oh my goodness I finally finished In Defense of Food this week! I've tried to finish the last chapter for months now. Things have been so incredibly hectic upon concluding the renovation of La Maisonnette that I've hardly had any downtime. However, there's nothing like feeling under the weather to create a little downtime :) It's a great excuse to catch up on the books piling up on your nightstand! I enjoyed Michael Pollan's straightforward approach to getting back to basics when it comes to food. While it makes you realize how far we've strayed from simple rules of nutrition, it encourages and motivates you with simple techniques to quickly get back on track. I appreciated ending the book with added knowledge that did not make me feel overwhelmed.

You can find a copy of the book here or likely at your local public library.

What are some of your "Must-Reads" or "Must-Sees"? I've love to know...

Downtown Chic

I recently previewed the inspiring book, Downtown Chic, and I can't tell you how thrilling it was to pour through its pages. When we returned from renovating La Maisonnette, I felt emotionally and physically spent; but, after reading about how a family in NY (with six kids! or is it seven now?) renovated a home abroad, as well as a handful in New York City, I feel instantly energized. Who knows...maybe in several years we'll do it again! I also appreciate that Downtown Chic is not only a pretty book, but informative as well. Home Depot should totally pick this up...its book racks could use a little sprucing up :)

Added bonus...it's on sale.

The Art of Simple Food

While visiting my sister this week, I picked up her copy of Alice Waters', The Art of Simple Food and started reading. My oh my...every page was like a revelation! This is the perfect book for any person wanting to be a better cook or even a cook at all. Her style isn't patronizing in the least bit and she outlines the basics in such a way that you feel instantly confident you could recreate the dish without a problem. I've never seen such a practical, informative cookbook by a world-renown chef...it's not pretentious in the slightest.

Even though I just barely started reading The Art of Simple Food, I feel compelled to add this book to my collection. I knew it was a must-have when she said: "If I could have only one pan, it would be a cast-iron skillet." All of a sudden it didn't matter the book lacked pretty photographs...the fact that Alice uses her cast-iron skillet more than any other pan instantly endears her to me as I use mine just about every day. For those of you who have this cookbook, what are your favorites? Where do I start?

Laurie Smith

...she was always the best designer on TLC's Trading Spaces, hands down.

Yesterday I placed her book--Discovering Home with Laurie Smith--on hold at my local library. It should arrive in a few days and I cannot wait for a little eye candy. I admire many elements about her personal style and from the small glimpses I've seen so far, her home looks simply amazing. It's always fun to dream...

Julia's Life in France

If you love food and you love France, you must read this book. I realize now that I need to get my hands on a copy of Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking. While I don’t intend on ever making my own terrine or anything else really complicated, I do see value in learning how to make a few basic French dishes.