And we’re off for the holidays! I am taking a holiday break, away from blogging, to regroup, chill out and recharge my creative batteries, sort of a digital diet – emphasis on ‘digital’ because, let’s be honest, I plan on splurging on good food during the holidays.
We’re planning a staycation this year, and I dream of decluttering my home from all the photoshoot props and boxes, decorating for the sake of decorating, without a camera in hand, cook because I want to, read and garden. I also plan on resuming my running routine, which has suffered these last few weeks from my work schedule.
I hope you get a digital diet as well, if not, there is plenty to catch up on, on the blog. I wish you a happy holiday, surrounded with your loved ones and filled with positivity. See you all back soon! Love and light, always. Xo, Si-
I recently discovered Fab Goose, a Scandinavian company that designs 3D paper holiday decorations and home decor pieces. Have you heard about them? They kindly sent* me a few samples of their holiday pieces, and I’m in love.
Fab Goose collaborated with Danish illustrator Theresa Jessing, from Sort Lakrids, to offer 4 different DIY sets ready to assemble at home. Each kit includes :
Paper arks with ready-to-use elements made of 175 g sturdy paper with natural antique finish. FSC and ECF certified (no heavy metals or chlorine bleaching)
100% natural silk string with a special safe needle attached – 2 m
Plastic beads – (400+ pcs.)
Simple assembling instruction with illustrations
You’ll receive your decor piece ready to assemble [we did it with Maya and it was super easy to follow the instructions and get the pieces ready and assembled, like 5 minutes top].
and then, all assembled, you get this adorable nordic fir tree on foot.
I also adore the nordic fir hanging tree version:
Or the mistletoe one… Cute and clever design, isn’t it?
Fab Goose is committed to its environment, and produce all its products locally in the most sustainable way possible. Their products all comply with strict ecological standards.
I know, I know, I’m repeating myself here, but hey, Spring has arrived and it’s time to open your house to gatherings and feel-good moments with friends. But some of you may not have a backyard or patio to host an outdoor party. Welcome to my indoor enchanted garden!
We hosted a ‘saucisson’ party with some friends last weekend and I decorated my living room like an outdoor space.
Ah, LE ‘saucisson’. We, French people, have a thing for saucisson [transl: salame/salami], whether French made ones like Rosette de Lyon [my absolute favorite], or Italian salami [Finocchiona, Crespone, and Hot Sopressata]. Salami plates are an easy party dish because the prep time is close to zero! And in my book, you know what sounds really good for dinner? Anything I don’t have to cook!
I placed different sorts of Italian salami platters on our coffee table, with some fresh bread and rosé wine, and voilà! Limited prep time, maximum impact!
Columbus Craft Meats is my little corner of Italy here in San Francisco and my go-to craft meat brand when I miss French and Italian charcuterie [pronounced shar-KOO-ter-?].
Born in 1917 in San Francisco, Columbus Craft Meats was founded on a pursuit of perfect taste — from high-quality ingredients to authentic slow aging processes. The taste of their Italian salami is as close as what I’d get at my local traditional market back in France. Paired with simple ingredients [think fresh French pickles, or ‘cornichons’, parmesan cheese and of course French bread], my ‘saucisson’ platters were a huge hit and everyone devored their plates.
I also quickly prepared a fresh salad made of cantaloupe and mozzarella cheese, fresh basil and a balsamic glaze.
For the decor, I went for an easy going, outdoor vibe… except that my party was taking place indoors. I kept the table and sitting arrangement very low on the floor to keep the mood casual and laid back. I ran a string of lights from wall to wall above the table area, and attached some ivy to cover the cables; I also updated my chimney with a bunch of eucalyptus leaves and white candles, and placed some air plants on the table. Magic isn’t it?
Spring is by far my favorite season. With the isolation of winter over and the summer travels in the horizon, spring is the awakening of season’s gatherings, a time to refresh your home and space, uplift your spirit, and enjoy the slower pace of life.
Target invited me to create a spring gathering table using their new #TargetStyle collection, and I was beyond excited to discover the global beat of their new home decor and tableware collections: mediterranean inspired terra cotta dishes, handmade artisans ceramics from Vietnam or the Philippines, Polish recycled glassware and colorful yarn dyed or embroidered pillows.
Some random shots from our trip to Barcelona and the south of France last summer. These inspired me to create a spring gathering table with a mediterranean flair.
Being from France and Morocco, our family has strong ties to the mediterranean culture and way of life. In the south of France as well as in Morocco, we love to gather with friends, in a relaxed setting, enjoy good food and spend hours around a meal catching up, debating and exchanging. Meal time is not just about food, it’s about sharing and enjoying a slower pace together and socializing. When we visited Barcelona last summer, we were reminded of this way of life we left when we moved from Provence to the US and how important it is for us. Recreating such moments now that we live in San Francisco is important to us because it’s part of our roots and the values we want to pass on to our two daughters.
So here is my mediterranean table and a few tips for entertaining with a global beat:
Shown above: Some yarn dyed pillows are placed on a DIY floor mattress. On the table, an acacia wood white paddle board offers some Manchego cheese and charcuterie assortments.
Shown above: An Embroidered multicolor striped pillow on another version of my DIY daybed floor mattress They are so easy to make and you can even pile them up!.
Shown above: Stoneware appetizer plates in turquoise, dark blue and blue dots. Acacia wood white paddle board, and gold flatware set from Threshold™ collection at Target.
Shown above : Recycled glass tumblers to serve Sangria and water, terra cotta dip bowl. The clam shells are recycled as a seafood salad containers.
We set up a low rolling table in our San Francisco backyard with floor cushions, my thrifted Moroccan leather pouf and a few colorful pillows from Target. I chose some graphic appetizer plates and recycled glass tumblers for Sangria and water. I cooked some tapas so that I wouldn’t have to spend my entire time in the kitchen : chorizo infused in rosemary and red wine, patatas bravas, seafood salads served in recycled clam shells, some red peppers stuffed with goat cheese, some Manchego cheese and olives as well as “Pan con Tomate” [transl. grilled bread with tomato], a typical Catalan appetizer we really enjoyed while vacationing in Barcelona last summer.
Shown above : In a large round woven tray, white stripe terra cotta cereal bowls are used to present tapas dishes and a small terra cotta dip bowl for smaller sized bites. A garden herb marker with white pencil set is repurposed as a dish description tag for guests not familiar with tapas dishes.
I mixed and matched plates and bowls from the Target Threshold™ collection. The result is a table that is laid back, inviting without feeling too ‘sophisticated’ and over done. My theory is that if you want your guests to feel comfortable and ‘at home’, don’t overdo the table details and setting. If it feels natural and fuss-free, so will your guests sitting around your table.
To set the mediterranean mood and keep the travel/ escape vibe, I added some exotic plants around our patio area : a small potted palm tree, a banana leaf tree, some mediterranean plants in pots such as lavender or sage, and I also used a large glass vase with a cut out banana leaf. On the table, I potted some succulent plants in small and colorful dish bowls [who said you have to limit yourself with a dish purpose?]. I set up a big fabric triangle secured to surrounding trees that I sewed myself as a makeshift umbrella to create shade above the table area. Because our gathering was in the mid-afternoon, I added some heavy-duty drop string lights for the sunset time, so the tapas party could go on past day-light time.
Shown above : Stoneware blue dots and dark blue dip bowl used as succulent planters, in the background, Mia recycled glass carafe and Mia recycled glass tumblers from Target.
We listened to Spanish influence music – I highly recommend Manu Chao for a tapas party – and our guests stayed long after sunset, a sign that everyone had a good time. What a nice way to get outdoors and celebrate spring, in good company, with a pretty, but oh-so-simple and relaxed #Targetstyle table!
Are you planning a spring outdoor gathering with friends? What type of table do you usually set up? Any easy tip – or easy recipe – for entertaining you’d like to share? I’d love to hear your take!
Happy spring gatherings, and Salud, friends! Xo, Si-
Target invited me to create a spring gathering table using their new #TargetStyle collection, and I was beyond excited to discover the global beat of their new home decor and tableware collections: mediterranean inspired terra cotta dishes, handmade artisans ceramics from Vietnam or the Philippines, Polish recycled glassware and colorful yarn dyed or embroidered pillows.
Are you planning a spring outdoor gathering with friends? What type of table do you usually set up? Any easy tip – or easy recipe – for entertaining you’d like to share? I’d love to hear your take!