Frances Palmer Pottery

By Weekend Kitchen on September 13, 2009 9:22 AM 5 comments

Maybe you can tell from my posts that I become very passionate about some of my lines. While I can't quite pull my nose out of the Saint Parfum fragrances, I cannot take my eyes off of the Frances Palmer Pottery. I am often drawn to a product by their aesthetics but more often it is the combination of product and producer that molds my decision. This is the case with Frances Palmer's new Pearl line. Her hand made pieces are absolutely lovely, quirky and hand produced. They are also very expensive and often not within the reach of everyone. For this reason Frances teamed up with the century-old Buffalo NY to reproduce some of her pieces. The pieces are pressed from molds taken of her hand thrown prototypes and finished individually. No two are alike. Each retains the whimsical irregularities of Palmer's handmade pots, while offering the durability of premier-quality vitreous china. This means that each piece is not only pretty but also truly functional. The serving pieces are also bakers. You can take your meal from the oven/ microwave to the table without missing a beat.

Frances herself is a delight. You can see her personality come through in her work. Not only a potter but an avid gardener you can see her beautiful dahlia garden featured in many magazines. Read more about Frances on her web site at http://www.francespalmerpottery.com.

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Jill Butler

By Weekend Kitchen on June 18, 2009 9:31 AM 1 comments

I just rented a little apartment in Paris for 10 days in September with a friend. Although I have been to Paris twice before I have never spent an extended stay there. After spending the last 3 years in the shop and looking at my friend Jill's books I thought "it's time". Customers who have purchased Jill's little books have come in to to tell me that they are "spot on" in terms of use. Jill is no stranger to Paris, having lived there for 16 years, so I trust that they are as good as they say. I can't wait to go armed with my little books for a few walking tours around the "city of lights". Jill's artwork makes these books so much fun to read and admire. Her work can also be seen on her other offerings. These cute and totally practical tid bit dishes fly out of the shop. See all her great things at her web site http://www.jillbutler.com/

The pig series is wonderful and also has beer glasses, dish towels and pot holders.

Jill's latest work of creative genious is a book written about the remodel of her cottage. It isn't just a design book but an introspective into rebuilding your life through your surroundings. Perhaps I should re-read the chapter about clutter.

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Saint Parfum

By Weekend Kitchen on June 12, 2009 9:20 AM 0 comments

Saint Parfum (http://www.saintparfum.com/) is new to the luxury fragrance market. I feel like I'm getting in on something great just before it happens. Last week a lovely package arrived at the shop with a very beautiful candle and a diffuser. Along with these was a box of 20+ little vials of the most amazing fragrances my nose has ever dealt with. I opened one after another and drank in the heavenly scents. Not only were the scents beautiful but the packaging was also noteworthy. A hand made black box that no one could ever throw away. No a detail has been lost on this product.

The company is very unique, being founded by perfumers that have worked for years behind many of the most luxurious home fragrances. Just speaking with the main perfumer you could feel his passion for fragrance and creating a brand that will stand the test of time.

Each Saint Parfum candle is hand poured & scented individually. They are made to order. The candles for Weekend Kitchen are now being made exclusively for us and will have our name on each of the package inserts. It truly is an art form. The Saint Parfum 65 hour poured candles are made from the finest soy waxes & cotton wicks available and are highly-fragrant.

The reed diffusers are an artistic and decorative way to fill your home with your chosen fragrance. Each diffuser is also made to order. First the fragrance is blended and each bottle filled by hand. Unlike many less expensive diffusers the fragrance base is not alcohol that evaporates and leaves your diffuser lacking. These diffusers will also last longer than the lesser priced models.

With all this elegance however the candles and diffusers are quite expensive, $75 for the candle and $85 for the diffuser. But once you smell the different scents you will be as hooked as I am. Weekend Kitchen will be one of only 300 shops globally that will carry Saint Parfum. We feel privileged to be chosen to be part of this select grouping. We have chosen 6 scents (out of 100+) to carry in the shop with but you will have the ability to from choose any of the 100+ fragrances that we can easily order. There will be a sample vial for all 100+ scents in the shop for you to smell and ponder. These fragrances make the perfect gift to give for someone who has everything!

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Rag and Bone Bindery

By Weekend Kitchen on May 24, 2009 9:30 AM 0 comments

Book making was a family interest in my house growing up. There was always talk about taking classes in book binding. Nothing ever came of it but the interest is still there and perhaps some day there will be time to learn all the neat stuff that has been brewing all these years. One company that still binds books the old fashioned way is Rag & Bone Bindery located in Pawtucket, RI. They specialize in quality, archival, well constructed books. There are an array of books, albums and journals. There is also a sweet line of baby books that are just perfect for new parents. You can see all of Rag & Bone Bindery products on their web site (http://www.ragandbonebindery.com/). Weekend Kitchen has the growth carts and baby photo books. Anything else you might want is easily ordered.

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Maison Belle

By Weekend Kitchen on May 21, 2009 9:31 AM 0 comments

Relatively new in the US market of green cleaners is Maison Belle. This line of all natural cleaning products comes from Isabella Smith Apothecary (http://isabellasmith.net.dynamicweb.dk/), a Danish company devoted to creating and marketing biodegradable cleaning products and toiletries that are safe both for the environment and the people who use them. Not only are the scents delightful but the packaging is sure to please. This line is great for your own home as well as making a great hostess gift.

-Not tested on animals
-Bottled in recyclable PET bottles
-100% Biodegradable

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Thomas Paul's Melamine Plates - Sea Life

By Weekend Kitchen on May 12, 2009 9:16 AM 0 comments

Thomas Paul has added these wonderful plates and coasters called "Sea Life" to his collection of melamine. They were recently featured in the NY Times Style section. Great for using on the patio, the boat or a fabulous hostess gift!

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Paromi Teas

By Weekend Kitchen on April 24, 2009 9:14 AM 0 comments

Paromi Teas (http://www.paromitea.com/) are among the most exquisite teas I have found. They are packaged in beautiful amber bottles that filter out harmful UV light that can degrade teas. The tea itself is encased in a delicate sachet pyramid that is lovely to look at and biodegradable. The sachet leaves ample space for the tea to expand when brewed.

Paromi does not offer the usual tea flavors, instead they go to great lengths to choose the highest quality lose tea and have it prepared by herbalist and master tea blenders to pair the tea with premium spiced, herbs and essential oils. You can tell from the first sip that this is not your usual garden variety tea.

The sachet collection includes delicious Pineapple Papaya, Earl Grey Dolce, Cinnamon Chai, Coconut Almond, Mint Green Tea and Lemon Ginger.

After one cup of their tea, you'll be hooked!

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Swedish Cleaning Brushes

By Weekend Kitchen on April 8, 2009 9:29 AM 0 comments

I first discovered these functional works of art about 3 years ago and have been smitten ever since. The Swedish company Iris Hantverk employs visually impaired artisans to handcraft high-quality products using traditional methods. Each brush is constructed of hardwoods (beech or birch) with hand wired natural bristles (goat or horse hair, as well as tambico fibers). An eco-friendly alternative to throw-away plastic brushes that are as beautiful to use as they are to look at. We are expecting a new shipment of brushes soon!

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Dualit Mini Oven

By Weekend Kitchen on March 11, 2009 9:28 AM 0 comments

Wow, who knew there could be such a difference in the way a bagel toasts! The other day our old Cusinart toaster oven blew the bottom element. It had been ailing for some time since I can't remember having a decent toasted item from the oven- maybe ever. We decided to bring home the Dualit Mini Oven that we sell in the shop ($250.). Why not give it a try. Customers who have purchased one in the past have raved about them and to be able to effectively sell them it is always good to use the product (but I couldn't justify the purchase before the old one crumped). Well, I can't say that I have put it through all of it's paces but as a toaster oven it really does a great job! My bagels have been coming out golden brown and crunchy on the outside and warm and soft on the inside. Heaven. I'll be trying the convection part of the oven out soon but can't contain my enthusiasm for the oven at this point.

Dualit does sell a conventional toasters. The classic 2 and 4 slice toasters ($240 and $330 repectively) that are hand built in the UK and well as the less expensive lite edition ($80).

I also own the hand mixer which is a powerhouse. It is durable and has a retractable cord which is a great feature. It also has a bunch of cool attachments for whipping egg whites and cream and also dough hooks. It comes in chrome ($80) and a bright red.

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J. Schatz Bird Feeders and Houses

By Weekend Kitchen on January 24, 2009 9:26 AM 0 comments

Welcome spring! With the days getting longer and warmer it's time for the birds to do their thing. What better than to dine and nest in style!

These wonderful handcrafted ceramic bird houses and feeders by J Schatz (http://www.jschatz.com/) have been a staple at Weekend Kitchen since we opened almost 3 years ago now. Not only are they a great design statement but functional as well. The bird houses are the "in place to nest". The 1 1/8" diameter entry hole will attract chickadees, wrens, and smaller birds, keeping house sparrows out.

The bird feeders are a design marvel. They will attract many types of wild birds and the elegant design is a perfect addition to any outdoor environment. Easy to use, durable and gray squirrel proof.

Each sells for $125.

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Artisanal Cheeses Have Arrived!

By Weekend Kitchen on November 24, 2008 9:24 AM 0 comments

We are very excited about our new collaboration with Artisanal Cheeses in NYC. We will carry a rotating selection of the finest hand crafted cheeses representing at least one from each of the following categories: sheep, goat, cow and blue. We work closely with the experts at Artisanal to select cheeses that work well together and will create a well balanced cheese platter. The company allows us to purchase small quantities of pre-cut and wrapped cheeses. If you are having a party and need to order larger quantities than we usually carry or want an expert to help you plan your selection we can certainly help you. Just give us a few days to get the answers and have it shipped to us.

Why did we chose Artisanal Premium Cheeses? We wanted to carry small amounts of truly wonderful cheese that you can't find in the grocery store. Cheeses that are of the highest quality and not masses produced. Artisanal Premium Cheese fit this ideal. They began in the dining room of the two-star Michelin restaurant, Picholine in New York City. Everything about Artisanal is rooted in culinary excellence. Their mission is to curate the world's finest cheeses, selecting from thousands worldwide to offer 200 remarkable, unique, and handcrafted cheeses. They also specialize in the ancient craft of Affinage, a careful process that starts with farm-level selection, and follows with the nurturing and aging of each cheese. Each cheese sent to Weekend Kitchen will be at the perfect age for eating!

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