FA L L /H O L IDAY 2 0 18
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THE MONTHS THAT LEAD INTO FALL BRING WITH THEM THE ANTICIPATION AND EXCITEMENT OF THE UPCOMING HOLIDAYS. BE SURE TO SLOW DOWN AND
enjoy the little moments in between.” Laura Johnson, Founding Artist & CEO
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Happy Everything!™ – a Coton Colors Collection, founded in 2003.
from Laura
It is astonishing how fast the summer months go by - do you agree? The very early stages of fall have arrived here in Florida. Pumpkins and gourds are everywhere, signaling to me that it is time to reset my home décor from bright colors and tropical accents to warm tones and touches of foliage. Changing the small things I see every day throughout my home to be more seasonally in sync helps me to slow down and acknowledge the change of seasons. Plus, it simply makes me happy. Fall and winter are the busiest times of year, but oh so fun. Up ahead for me is a bit of travel {for fun this time}, some exciting and festive events for Coton Colors, as well as lots and lots of big celebrations Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve. Also mixed in are some family birthdays, wedding anniversaries, and I’m sure more than a few impromptu gatherings here and there. Whew!
Laura Johnson, an entrepreneurial artisan inspired by the celebrations of her own life, founded Coton Colors in 1989. Influenced by a childhood immersed in the colorful culture of Old Miami and engrained with the Southern charm of her current home in Tallahassee, Laura has created a leading lifestyle brand in the giftware, dining and décor industries.
@COTONCOLORS | @HAPPYEVERYTHINGCC | @LAURAJOHNSONCC COTON-COLORS.COM | HAPPY-EVERYTHING.COM PRODUCED BY COTON COLORS, INC. PUBLISHED BY P2P PUBLISHING 2718 CENTERVILLE RD. | TALLAHASSEE, FL 32303 FOR MORE ON COTON COLORS AND THE JOHNSON FAMILY, VISIT TOAST, OUR BLOG BLOG.COTON-COLORS.COM EDITORIAL INQUIRIES: EMAIL INFO@COTON-COLORS.COM PRINTED IN THE USA THE NEXT ISSUE OF TOAST LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE WILL BE AVAILABLE SPRING 2019 SUBSCRIBE AT: COTON-COLORS.COM/LIFESTYLE-MAGAZINE
I am known to be most creative at the very last minute, but that becomes more stressful the more commitments I make. So I have learned {ahem…matured} to take a few prep steps ahead of time, some of which you’ll find scattered throughout these pages. This edition of Toast was designed to inspire preparation for the upcoming seasons from tips for simplified entertaining to some quick and easy insights into pulling together a thoughtful and personalized gift. I hope they help you enjoy the upcoming holidays more, and inspire you to slow down a bit and celebrate the little moments in addition to the big. Here’s to what we call around here “the MOST wonderful time of the year.” May these next few months be filled with fun, family, friends, and lots of carefree celebrations. Cheers!
COTON COLORS FLAGSHIP STORES @SHOPCOTONCOLORS TALLAHASSEE FLAGSHIP STORE 1355 MARKET ST TALLAHASSEE, FL 32312
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ATLANTA FLAGSHIP STORE 3872 ROSWELL RD NE SUITE A8 ATLANTA, GA 30342
We’re Coton Colors.
We are a lifestyle brand and designer of products created to inspire a celebration. Our Founding Artist and CEO, Laura Johnson’s motto “never miss an opportunity to celebrate every day” has inspired her to create pieces that elevate everyday moments with ease. Coton Colors consists of three collections for all of your celebrating needs: Kitchen + Home, Ornaments, and Happy Everything!™.
Never miss an opportunity to celebrate… HOME 04 Shout Out: Brands We Love
The Toast Crew FOUNDING ARTIST/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Laura Johnson CREATIVE DIRECTOR AND DESIGNER Kyle Johnson Smith PHOTOGRAPHER Sara Kate Johnson COPY EDITOR Maki Segovia Blair Davis Becca Keller Marcie Parks Molly Corder
10 Let’s Give Them Pumpkin to Talk About 20 Spruce Up Your Space
TR AVEL 12 Let Us Introduce You to Lucky Goat Coffee Co.
EN T ER TA ININ G 08 Back to Basics 15 Say Cheese {Board}
FA M I LY & F R I E N D S 14 Q&A with Laura Johnson
COLLECTIONS EDITOR Brittany Perkins Courtney Munroe DESIGN TEAM Whitney Borkowski Abbie Hutchins Emily Hudson
18 Art with Heart
DESIGN 06 The Science Behind Happiness 13 Color Crush: White 24 The History of the Nutcracker
VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS Ashley Trafton
26 Under Wraps 28 Chinese New Year
VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES AND MARKETING Cindy Sullivan
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SHOU T OU T: B R A N D S W E LOV E DID YOU KNOW WE CARRY OTHER BRANDS IN OUR FLAGSHIP STORES BESIDES COTON COLORS & HAPPY EVERYTHING! ? TM
HERE ARE A FEW OF OUR FAVORITES TO INSPIRE CREATIVE GIFT GIVING Gift giving can be very stressful in general, but especially during the holidays when your list gets longer and longer. Interests change from person to person, as do their preferences, lifestyle, and quirks. These are the most important things to consider in order to best choose a gift that is thoughtfully personal to them. Outside of our own designed collections, we seek out complementary brands to carry in our flagship stores to create a curated product mix that inspires creative gifting for everyone on your list, all year long. How do we find them? We start with brands that create things that we’d love to get, find useful in our own lives, or have in our own homes. Then, we consider items that would pair well with Coton Colors products and set out on a hunt to find them. Here are a few of our very favorites:
SCENTS & FEEL THE BRAND: COMBINING MEDITERRANEAN TRADITIONS WITH MODERN COMFORTS, SCENTS & FEEL IS AN AWARD-WINNING BRAND FROM ROBERT, JENNY, AND DAUGHTER SOPHIE HAIK. ORIGINALLY FROM FRANCE, THE HAIKS WANTED TO BRING SOMETHING FRESH TO THE HOME INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES: FOUTA TURKISH TOWELS. WE ALWAYS LOOK FORWARD TO MEETING WITH SOPHIE TO PLACE OUR NEXT ORDER BECAUSE SHE SERVES RED WINE WHILE WE SHOP! THE GIFT: FOUTAS ARE LARGE, ABSORBENT 100% NATURAL COTTON HAND WOVEN TEXTILES THAT CAN BE USED IN DOZENS OF DIFFERENT WAYS – AS BATH TOWELS, BEACH TOWELS, WRAPS, THROWS, PICNIC BLANKETS, OR TABLECLOTHS {JUST TO NAME A FEW}. BECAUSE OF THEIR MULTIFUNCTIONAL NATURE, THESE TOWELS MAKE GREAT BASE GIFTS TO BUILD UPON AND COMBINE WITH AN ASSORTMENT OF ITEMS FOR THE PERFECT ALL-IN-ONE GIFT.
BIRMINGHAM CANDLE COMPANY: THE BRAND: STILL OWNED AND MANAGED BY ITS FOUNDERS, BIRMINGHAM CANDLE COMPANY IS THE “BIG SISTER” OF THE BAY CANDLE – A FAMILY-OWNED-AND-OPERATED CANDLE STORE IN FAIRHOPE, ALABAMA. THE GIFT: HOPING TO CREATE A UNIQUE AND MEMORABLE COMPANION FOR OUR OWN BELOVED PRODUCTS, WE PARTNERED WITH BIRMINGHAM CANDLE COMPANY TO PRODUCE SIGNATURE SCENTED CANDLES THAT COME GIFT-READY IN YOUR FAVORITE COTON COLORS PRODUCTS. OUR CANDLES ARE AVAILABLE IN THREE CUSTOM SCENTS: “CELEBRATE”, “GET HAPPY”, AND OUR NEWEST HOLIDAY SCENT AVAILABLE THIS YEAR. THE BEST PART? WHEN THE CANDLE BURNS THROUGH, YOU’RE LEFT WITH A USEFUL BOWL FOR ENTERTAINING, DÉCOR, OR STORAGE!
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PHAIDON: THE BRAND: FOUNDED IN 1923, PHAIDON IS A PUBLISHER OF INNOVATIVE BOOKS IN THE ARTS, FOOD, AND CHILDREN’S CATEGORIES, WITH OVER 1,500 TITLES IN PRINT. THEY ARE WRITTEN {MOST IN MULTIPLE LANGUAGES}, BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED, AND DESIGNED WITH CARE. HEADQUARTERED IN LONDON WITH A GLOBAL NETWORK OF OFFICES, PHAIDON IS CURRENTLY OWNED BY LEON AND DEBRA BLACK, WHO WORK WITH THE WORLD’S MOST INFLUENTIAL ARTISTS, CHEFS, WRITERS, AND THINKERS TO METICULOUSLY CREATE PUBLICATIONS THAT INSPIRE CREATIVITY AND IMAGINATION. THE GIFT: THEIR ART BOOKS ARE ESPECIALLY FITTING FOR CREATIVES TO ADD TO THEIR COLLECTION, WHILE THEIR COOKBOOKS, PAIRED WITH A SET OF CASSEROLE DISHES OR OTHER KITCHEN TOOLS, MAKE A GREAT GIFT FOR NEWLYWEDS, NEW HOMEOWNERS, OR CULINARY-LOVING FRIENDS.
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BELLA CUCINA:
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LUCKY GOAT COFFEE: THE BRAND: FEELING LUCKY? FLIP TO PAGE 12 TO READ MORE ABOUT OUR FAVORITE TALLAHASSEE BASED COFFEE COMPANY. THE BRAND:
THE GIFT:
WITH HUMBLE BEGINNINGS STEMMING FROM A SMALL CAFÉ IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA, ALISA BARRY OPENED BELLA CUCINA IN THE EARLY NINETIES TO SHARE HER PASSION FOR COOKING AND LOVE OF ITALY WITH OTHERS. AFTER TREMENDOUS SUCCESS AND CONTINUOUS REQUESTS FROM CUSTOMERS ASKING TO TAKE HER DELICIOUS CUISINES HOME, AN AWARDWINNING FOOD BUSINESS WAS BORN.
PAIR A MUG WITH A BAG OF FLAVORFUL COFFEE FOR AN EASY GRAB N’ GO GIFT.
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THE GIFT: BELLA CUCINA JARRED SPREADS MAKE FOR AN EFFORTLESS GIFT. WHEN PAIRED WITH A STYLISH SERVING SET, THE GIFT LIVES LONG AFTER THE FOOD IS GONE.
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HAPPI NESS THE SCIENCE BEHIND
Adding something to someone’s life that triggers happy feelings is important – not only for the recipient, but for the giver. Whether it’s a kind gesture, a gift, or a few words of affirmation – these go a long way in inducing some feel good moments. We are passionate about spreading happy. In fact, we have a brand dedicated to just that (enter Happy Everything!™). We design and manufacture an entire collection to help people “find a little happy in everything.” But we wanted to dig a little deeper, and get to the science behind happy. Here’s what we found.
HAPPINESS: noun hap·pi·ness \ ‘ha-pē-nəs \ a : a state of well-being and contentment : joy b : a pleasurable or satisfying experience W H AT ’ S G O I N G O N I N T E R N A L LY T O I G N I T E H A P P Y M O J O ? Research shows there are four main chemicals, hormones, and neurotransmitters that are responsible for causing emotions we associate with happiness:
ENDORPHINS
SEROTONIN
DOPAMINE
OXY TOCIN
Produced by the central nervous system often through exercise. Endorphins are known to diminish the perception of pain and can induce a positive, optimistic outlook on life.
Produced by nerve cells and used in many antidepressant medications. Serotonin can also be stimulated through sunshine, exercise, and thinking happy thoughts.
Produced by the central nervous system and is the chemical messenger between brain cells. Dopamine is known as the “reward” neurotransmitter and is released into the brain when you reach a goal or accomplish a task.
Produced in the hypothalamus. Through both loving and close relationships, oxytocin can stimulate both dopamine and serotonin and help to reduce anxiety. It is also connected to maternal behavior.
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HERE ARE SOME HAPPY FAC TS: M AY B E
OVERALL H E A LT H Consistent feelings of happiness are said to boost the immune system.
YOU’RE BORN WITH IT? Some research shows that a portion of happiness can be traced back to genetics.
DRESS YO U R WAY TO HAPPY It’s been said that wearing bright colors can positively affect your mood. Especially yellow!
SOMETHING WORTH C ATC HIN G TA K E IT OUTSIDE
It’s true. Happiness is contagious. So spread it!
Spending a portion of each day outside has been proven to bring on happy vibes.
WHEN HELPING MAKES YOU HAPPY People who donate their time or money have been said to be happier people overall.
BE SO HAPPY IT HURTS! (OR NOT !) Research shows that those who exude happy emotions could be less susceptible to chronic pain.
E A S Y T IP S FO R G ENER AT IN G SOME HAPPY • Lace up the tennies and head out for a 10 minute early morning jog. • Take a break from the office and get some sunshine and fresh air by moving outside for lunch. • Schedule a Saturday morning coffee date with that friend you’ve been missing. • Donate an afternoon to assisting at your local soup kitchen. Sources Include: Thrive Global (Kaia Roman) ; Psychology Today (Carlin Flora); Bustle (Erica Florentine); and Berkeley Wellness
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Basics Back to
SE T THE PERFEC T TABLE FOR E VERY OCC A SION. The holiday season has many of us feeling like we need to put extra effort in setting a beautiful table for our family and friends. But we recognize that when it comes to creating a tablescape for any event, a long empty table can feel to a hostess as daunting as a bare white canvas can feel to an artist. Fret not! We have a fool-proof approach to creating a look for every occasion. Whether it is for a casual weekday dinner or entertaining for the holidays, follow this tried-andtrue method to make even the simplest of mealtimes a celebration. At Coton Colors, we love creating tablescapes that suit our personalities or the occasions we’re hosting so much that we created an entire line with the concept of mixing and matching. That’s how Swap Tabletop got started! You don’t have to have a separate set of each and every dish to create unique and interesting tablescapes. Just start with your basics, and then build your collection with time. A few curated BEGIN pieces will make a big WITH THE difference. Now, BASICS. go take charge of holiday hosting This is your “foundation” tabletop with the set. The dinner plates, salad plates, and knowledge that bowls you already have in your cabinets you can easily that you regularly use for weekday meals create a festive, and casual entertaining. Most commonly, welcoming the white and neutral sets you may have table your registered for or stocked up on the last family and time you moved. Or you may be a friends will love. bit more daring and have chosen colorful everyday dishes.
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LAYER IN THE DECORATIVE OPTIONS. This is where your creativity takes over; the possibilities are endless! Swap out pieces from your basic tabletop set and swap in pieces with pops of color, patterns, or shapes that complement your basics. Mix in your fine china or use that vintage piece tucked away in the cabinet. Set the mood of the event, whether it’s a birthday soirÊe or bridal luncheon, with your tablescape.
CELEBRATE THE SEASONS. When the holiday festivities roll around, dust off your loved seasonal chargers, bowls and dishes. Give Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner a fresh feel every year by mixing and matching with your basics and decorative options.
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THE WORD “PUMPKIN” FIRST APPEARED IN THE ERA OF CINDERELLA. Upon discovering them in 1584, A French explorer called them “gros melons,” which means large melon. The name was translated to English as “pompions.” It wasn’t until the 17th century that they were first referred to as pumpkins.
How Long Do ey L Th
The Celtic holiday of Samhain paved the way for how we celebrate Halloween today. According to folklore, the spirits of the dead walked the earth for a night during Samhain and people made lanterns out of turnips to scare the evil spirits away. When Irish immigrants came to the United States, they merged pumpkins as the symbol of small American farms with the spooky Halloween tradition.
ast?
IF THE PUMPKIN WAS HEALTHY WHEN PICKED AND DISEASES WERE CONTROLLED IN THE FIELD, THE PUMPKIN CAN LAST 8 TO 12 WEEKS.
THE ORIGINAL JACK-O’LANTERNS WERE MADE BY THE IRISH.
JACK-O’-LANTERNS DON’T FARE AS WELL: THEY LAST FIVE TO 10 DAYS.
GOURD SKIN CAN HARDEN INTO A WOOD-LIKE MATERIAL WHEN DRIED.
s. Gourds:
PU K MP
As the first hint of fall-weather flows, pumpkin spice lattes (and candles and lotions and more) rise in demand. Little do most people know that many of those items don’t contain actual pumpkin. To create the ever-popular flavor, a mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves is used.
ns v i k mp
IN S
AN D SQ
Sources include: LiveScience (Tia Goshe); NPR (Whitney Blair Wyckoff); Robinson Fresh (Eric Chamberlain); and Good Housekeeping (Amanda Hawkins)
O FO OKIN G RD EC OR A TING
DON’T LET THE PUMPKIN SPICE CRAZE FOOL YOU!
Pu
Throughout history, dried gourd skin has been found in the form of useful tools. People made them into utensils for eating and drinking, musical instruments, and other household devices.
RC FO R R UASH: BET TE TE BE T : S GOURD
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LET US INTRODUCE YOU TO
Lucky Goat Coffee Co. Is there anything better than having a warm mug of coffee on a chilly day? To share what goes into creating that perfect cup, let us introduce you to our friends at Lucky Goat Coffee Co. - a local roaster, distributor, retailer, and café in Tallahassee, Florida that specializes in Cold Brew and serving up the best cup of coffee ever. Lucky Goat Coffee is the brainchild of Ben Pautsch. After 15 years in the coffee distribution industry, Ben moved to back to Tallahassee to start his own distribution business. In 2010, the coffee was added and the brand was born – Lucky Goat. Lucky Goat focused on supplying specialty coffee and cafe supplies to other cafes. That plan quickly grew to include their first café and roasting facility NAME LUCKY GOAT Goat for their as more peopleTHE began going to Lucky FROM AN is more than home brewingCOFFEE needs. CAME For Ben, coffee ARABIAN LEGEND, WHERE a job; it’s his passion. He is continuously coming GOAT and HERDER up with freshAideas newNAMED ways to experience KALDI REALIZED HIS GOATS coffee, like serving cold brew from a kegerator or BEGAN TO DANCE AND converting a bus into a mobile café {pictured above}. FROLIC AFTER EATING
What makesRED Lucky Goat Coffee BERRIES FROM AN so special is UNKNOWN their meticulous sourcing.TREE. TheyTOonly carry specialty coffee, working INVESTIGATE, closely with distributers to HE findDECIDED the best quality beans. Lucky Goat TO TRY THE BERRIES Coffee works hard for their coffee,AND where they develop a coffee profile PROCEEDED TOtime. BEGIN by slowly applying heat over This can be a trial and error process DANCING and it can take a whileHIMSELF. to get a TODAY, profile perfected. That’s a lot more THE SEED OF THOSE labor than we ever thought went into coffee beans! The BERRIES ARE WHAT WE brewing process is just as important. Lucky Goat CALL COFFEE BEANS. Coffee is best known for their specialized cold brew technique, which leaves coffee smoother and less acidic than regular coffee. Whether it is through cold brew, espresso, or American-style drip, Lucky Goat Coffee staff is mindful of details, so the customer can get the best cup of coffee every time. Images courtesy of: Amanda Olivero and Cassidy Shaw 12
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THE STORY BEHIND THE NAME THE NAME LUCKY GOAT COFFEE CAME FROM AN ARABIAN LEGEND, WHERE A GOAT HERDER NAMED KALDI REALIZED HIS GOATS BEGAN TO DANCE AND FROLIC AFTER EATING RED BERRIES FROM AN UNKNOWN TREE. TO INVESTIGATE, HE DECIDED TO TRY THE BERRIES AND PROCEEDED TO BEGIN DANCING HIMSELF. TODAY, THE SEED OF THOSE BERRIES ARE WHAT WE CALL COFFEE BEANS.
Signature White COLOR CRUSH:
“New Neutral” is a term often thrown about when talking the latest shade of “greige.” In a sea of neutrals, white always stands out. It’s the one that leaves a lasting impression, and it’s clearly never going out of style. There are hundreds of different shades of white, just ask those who have painstakingly poured over the perfect white for your home’s exterior. No matter its use, this crisp hue allows you to create a unique color palette combining different variations of the same color, and is just the right shade to take you from a summer staple to a winter dream.
W H Y “SIGNAT URE” W HITE: Our appreciation for white is nothing new. Laura and her daughter Kyle have been dreaming of creating a white tabletop line unique to Coton Colors for a while. Well she’s here! {the new line that is} and it’s complete with Laura’s signature on the back of each piece.
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W H AT D O ES YO UR M O RNI NG LO O K LIKE A N D HOW D O YO U P R E PAR E FO R YO UR DAY ? Well, it’s supposed to look like a good cup of coffee, time shared with my husband, Milton, and a long walk. Usually the coffee gets accomplished but the walk is not as consistent as it needs to be. Then I check emails and jump into some sort of problem-solving scenario or head into a meeting my favorites are design reviews.
Q& A
HOW DOES SHE DO IT? forefront - understand that this may not always be so. Your needs and those that need you change throughout your life so don’t try to be all things to all people every day. The effort you’re putting towards aiming at a moving target can be better spent if you just stop to celebrate the little everyday moments, no matter when or who they’re with.
YO U T R AV EL A LOT, W H AT A RE S OME OF YO UR T IP S A ND T RICKS ? Expand your horizons and go to places that you’ve never been or perhaps will inspire you. Don’t come back exhausted - try to schedule some down time on your trip. Take a journal and capture all of the things you experience, see, or ideas that formed by W H AT I S YO UR being away. I keep a small A DVI C E FO R roll of tape with me to save B A L ANC I NG WO RK itemized receipts from A N D PER S O NAL LIFE ? restaurants in my journal to write comments on what Forget balance, it doesn’t we thought of each dish exist. Rather consider as well as business cards balance over a lifetime of people I meet or places - there are times when things are naturally at the we go. I love to look back 14
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over past trip journals - the memories come rushing right back. WH AT ADVIC E WOU LD YOU G IVE TO YOU N G EN TREP REN EU RS ? Go for it! Don’t let fear stop you. Gather a support team around you - believe me you are going to need it, be they advisors, mentors, or family! Join a business accountability group where you can talk to like-minded peers who have most likely been there and done that. Don’t be afraid to ask for help because so many people would love to give it to you. Put your customers and your employees first, always. Always be open to learning. Lastly, realize that the work doesn’t get easier and prepare for that. It’s a whole lot of really hard work but it is also a whole lot of fun! DID YO U A LWAYS S EE C OTON C OLORS A S A C OMPA N Y RO OT ED IN FA MILY ? A bsolutely! From the very beginning my family was very involved, from moral support to confirming that my ideas
were good (or bad), and as the company grew, their roles grew significantly as well. I realized how much they played a part in my business many years ago when we had a small crew that included my parents and they were off on a much-needed vacation. I remember working the day they left and realizing midway through that I missed them terribly. Like really missed them. While it’s trying at times for everyone, I simply love that my family has the interest and involvement in Coton Colors and I truly enjoy being with them every day. How lucky am I?
say cheese [BOARD]
For easy entertaining, you can’t go wrong with a cheese board. Even the most culinary-challenged host can put one together beautifully. If you find yourself overwhelmed by the cheese aisle, here is a Cheese Board 101 lesson. Simply gather your selection, pre-cut or pre-slice, and arrange organically - or better said – pile it up! {Tip: Vary the way you slice and cut the different elements to add visual interest.} There are many different salty and sweet combinations to build a cheese board based on your preference. Here are a few of our favorites from our beloved Trader Joe’s:
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• You need at least one soft cheese, and this is a good one • Goat’s milk • Sweet hint
HONE Y CHE VRE
ROQUEFOR T SOCIE TE
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• From France • Green pigment from aging in limestone caves • Aged for 90 days • Rich and intense flavor
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TRIPLE CRE AM BELLE TÖLLE BRIE
• From France • Soft-ripened • Extremely creamy
UNE XPEC TED CHEDDAR CHEE SE:
• A good hard cheese option {another must-have} • Sharp flavor • Crumbly texture
ADDITIONAL ACCOU TREMENT S P OR T SALU T
• From France • Mild, smooth, velvety
MIX IN A VARIE T Y OF: • Crackers to add interest to both the eye and the palate • Rosemary crackers • Raisin crackers are excellent paired with the Honey Chevre • Water crackers • Toast points are the perfect neutral vehicle to allow the cheese flavors to shine • Meats • Slice and style in several places on the board ADD SOME SWEET: • Honey - drizzle a bit over a soft cheese offering or on top of almonds • Seasonal fruit - for fall and winter, these are great options: Bosc Pears, Persimmons, Figs, Pomegranates, Grapes AND SOME SALTY: • Olives – there are so many varieties to choose from and they save forever in your fridge • Truffle Marcona Almonds {just trust us}
WHITE S TILTON WITH APRIC OT S
WILD BLUEBERRY VANILL A CHE VRE
• From England • Crumbly and mild • Fruity undertone
• Very sweet • Messy, but worth it
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ART WITH
HEART MY DELIGHT IN GIVING BACK BY LAURA JOHNSON For the past 18 years, Coton Colors has been commissioned by St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® to create custom products to sell in their gift store to help support their mission to end childhood cancer. The work we do for them is near and dear to my heart. Our partnership has grown over the years and evolved to be an integral part of our company, an effort that makes me very proud. My very favorite part about working with St. Jude is being able to work closely with the charming patient artwork that we are provided as the basis for our designs. I have a soft spot for children’s art. Most of the art that hangs in my home today was created when my girls were young. They have often been the inspiration behind Coton Colors designs. I love that children have a talent for capturing the true essence of a scene and display their emotions through illustration – their happiness or sadness, their hopefulness. The patients at St. Jude create works of art under the most incredibly stressful conditions for a child to endure. As an advocate for art therapy, my hope is that art gives them a healing creative outlet. It is truly a privilege to be able to weave their delightful imagery into our patterns and create products that, when sold, do so much good to benefit the work of St. Jude. Visit the giftshop.stjude.org or the hospital gift shop to see all of our exclusive designs and consider donating today.
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2002 LAURA’S FIRST VISIT AND HOSPITAL TOUR
After a motivating tour full of rich history, Laura met some of the families and children impacted by St. Jude. She met Marlo Thomas (founder Danny Thomas’s daughter) and heard her personal story about the hospital and its future plans.
THE FIRST EVER COBRANDED COTON COLORS DESIGNS FOR ST. JUDE LAUNCHED A series of pottery and ornaments combining patient art with Coton Colors designs were launched at the St. Jude gift shop and online, ultimately raising money for the hospital and spreading awareness.
2001
HOSTED THE FIRST COTON COLORS ART THERAPY WORKSHOP AT ST. JUDE CHILDREN’S RESEARCH HOSPITAL® Along with their siblings and parents, patients attended and were guided in creating small paintings of the things that made them happy.
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2015
RUNNING TO SAVE LIVES! The Coton Colors crew participated in the St. Jude Marathon – our legs were sore, but the memories were so worth it! This same year, we “ATTACHED TO A also published the first edition of a brand new CAUSE” WAS BORN. product type to launch in the gift shop – the St. Jude Life Planner. A 12-month planner that To give back, Coton features patient art on each month divider, quotes Colors created a from St. Jude founder, Danny Thomas, and program with a specific parents of patients as well as stories assortment of products OUR PARTNERSHIP about select children and their that when sold generates CONTINUES inspirational journey at donations. Attached to This year, our designs St. Jude. a Cause products are offer products for spring, available at coton-colors. summer and holiday, as well com or our stores to as the annual Life Planner, be donated directly to available at giftshop.stjude. St. Jude. So far, we’ve org . In addition, new donated $172,000, and Attached to a Cause products still counting! are carried year round on coton-colors.com, within our HOSTED FIRST flagship stores and in stores PERSONALIZATION EVENT all across the country with DURING THE ST. JUDE proceeds benefiting St. Jude. MARATHON EXPO. The Coton Colors crew travels annually to Memphis, TN to personalize custom-designed marathon ornaments on the spot for hundreds of runners during the St. Jude Marathon Expo event in December.
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SPRUCE YO UR UP SPACE THE HOLIDAYS ARE NE AR... NOW
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Christmas is all around you. In every corner. All season long.
China Cabinet Ok, maybe this isn’t quite an “unexpected corner” for holiday cheer, but it is the perfect place to put your Christmas dishes on display and keep them in close reach for use throughout the season. Pile ornaments in serving bowls, add some miniature trees or figurines, or display seasonal plates on plate stands to round out the look and go from simply functional to decorative as well.
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Powder Room Deck the hall‌way {bathroom, that is.} Swap out your soap pump for a seasonal one and layer holiday hand towels as a simple switch for the seasons.
Pantry Sure your guests might not spend a lot of time in your pantry, but your family probably does! Mix in cheerful touches like holiday treats and strung garland, and let Christmas cards and holiday invitations double as dĂŠcor.
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Corners {Literally.} Arrange coordinated series of ornaments on smallscale trees in otherwise unadorned parts of your home: in the kids’ rooms, on the sideboard in the dining room, at the top of the stairs, in the entryway, or on your coffee table. By displaying the set of ornaments separate from the rest of your collection, it tells its own special story.
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NUTCRACKER T H E
H I S T O R Y
O F
T H E
From medieval to modern times, this seasonal icon has been cherished for centuries.
ne of the most loved symbols of Christmas, the Nutcracker, has been in existence since the 15th century. The carving of nutcrackers emerged from the forested, rural towns of Germany. According to an old German folktale, a wealthy farmer was bored by the process of cracking nuts by hand and offered a reward to whoever could speed up his process. Out of all the entries from the villagers, a puppet maker won by building a wooden doll with a levered nutcracker for a mouth. Germans believed figurative nutcrackers to be keepsakes that brought good luck and drove evil spirits away. Though classic nutcrackers first appeared as wooden forms of knights, kings, and soldiers, the modern nutcracker holds an array of hobbies and occupations, and have become much more decorative and collectable rather than functional. Nutcrackers were not originally intended as Christmas fixtures, but that changed in the mid-20th century when America was introduced to The Nutcracker Ballet. Since then, nutcrackers have become a seasonal icon and have held a special place in homes for the holidays. One of the most famous and sought-after lines of nutcrackers comes from the Steinbach family of artisans from Erzgebirge, Germany. 24
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R The history of the Steinbach Nutcracker dates back to 1284 with the family of Erwin Steinbach, a popular architect and master builder. This was a turbulent time in Germany, so the Steinbach family was forced to move many times and turn to different skills to make a living. The family settled in the snow-capped mountains of Erzgebirge, where hand-painted, ornamental carving became their specialty. Today the Steinbach family still hand-carves and hand-paints beautiful nutcracker creations made out of wood picked from their own forest and sawed in their sawmill. Sources include: Slate (Noreen Malone); Steinbach-shop.com.
During a trip to Germany, Laura met the Steinbach artisans and was excited about the potential of customizing nutcrackers. It was perfect timing as we designed a delightful pattern of nutcrackers for our Christmas line to launch this year. Since every piece of a nutcracker is created by hand, our design team in Tallahassee worked closely with the Steinbach design team in Germany to choose all details of our charming nutcrackers. From the eye color to the shape of the hat to the Coton Colors logo applied at the bottom, we customized each nutcracker to be truly our own while remaining faithful to their distinctive origin. You can shop our entire Christmas line, including our Steinbach Nutcrackers, online at coton-colors.com.
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UNDER WRAPS
OUR GUIDE TO SHIFTING THE WAY YOU THINK ABOUT GIFTING
Quite Quirky For a unique {and newsworthy} look, wrap your gifts in some on-hand newspaper and tie with twine
IT’S ALL IN THE ART OF THE WRAP. While it may be tempting to haphazardly pop a present into a gift bag, stuff tissue paper in the top, and call it a day, tailoring your wrapping to the recipient or creating a cohesive look under your tree can add an extra special touch. Whether you’re a fan of the wrapping process, or, ahem, want to get it over with as quickly as possible, here are a few fun and festive styles to help inspire you during the biggest giftgiving season of the year.
Lazy Leftovers What waste? Put those awkward cuts of wrapping paper to good use this year by layering them around odd-shaped items
Cue the Color Charm up a smile with colorful confetti Available for purchase soon at happy-everything.com
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Playful & Personal For something more personal, use white butcher paper and a black marker to write out well wishes and holiday greetings right on the wrap
Classically Christmas
Simple Statement This holiday season, pair a solid wrapping paper with a contrasting ribbon to create a timeless look
You can’t go wrong with Santa at Christmas Available for purchase soon at coton-colors.com
Earthy & Evergreen Tie fresh fir sprigs atop kraft paper with a simple ribbon for a seasonal {and fragrant} gift
Perfectly Preppy
Festive & Fancy
Pinstripes + grosgrain = a well-dressed package
A package so pretty, you won’t want to unwrap it
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NEW YE AR A CELEBR ATION THAT TOP S THEM ALL
Asian culture is filled with colorful customs and traditions, many that can be traced back more than 5,000 years. Laura and her sister Marcie travel to China often, many times bringing along a few of the Coton Colors crew. As often as they go, they still return with new stories of their unique encounters, culinary exhibitions and rare finds. The Asian culture is quite celebratory, which being a company based on celebrations, we’re naturally drawn to. In fact, many of their long-standing traditions are centered around a celebration. One of the larger cultural traditions is Chinese New Year – documented with an over-the-top celebration lasting 15 days. Leading up to the Chinese New Year, it is customary for the Chinese to spend time cleaning their houses and decorating with all things red {thought to scare off monsters and bad luck} to prepare the new year festivities. The new year is welcomed by fireworks at midnight {also thought to scare off monsters and bad luck} and launched again in the morning. In fact, this holiday holds the record for most fireworks launched in one day! Looking for something to brighten up your winter doldrums? The 2019 Chinese New Year falls on February 5. Why not host your own celebration?
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2019 IS THE YEAR OF THE PIG. UNLIKE WESTERN HOROSCOPES WHICH INCLUDE 12 ZODIACS, ONE FOR EACH MONTH, THE 12 CHINESE ZODIACS ARE FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR.
RED LANTERNS SIGNIFY FORTUNE AND WEALTH AND ARE HUNG DURING CHINESE NEW YEAR TO ATTRACT GOOD LUCK IN THE COMING YEAR.
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THE FU IS THE CHINESE SYMBOL FOR GOOD FORTUNE OR GOOD LUCK. WHEN TURNED UPSIDE {SHOWN HERE}, IT HAS A SPECIAL MEANING THAT THE GOOD FORTUNE HAS ARRIVED. IT WAS AN ANCIENT CHINESE TRADITION OF HANGING THE SYMBOL ON THE FRONT DOOR DURING CHINESE NEW YEAR – A TRADITION STILL PRACTICED TODAY.
CERTAIN SIMILARITIES CAN BE FOUND BETWEEN GOOD FRIENDS. THAT IS WHY THEY COME TOGETHER. – CHINESE PROVERB
PREPARING A MEAL FOR FRIENDS AND FAMILY AND, THUS, WELCOMING PEOPLE TO YOUR HOME IS CONSIDERED THE ULTIMATE COMPLIMENT IN CHINESE CULTURE. 30
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1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008
1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019
Hard working home lovers. Chivalrous, optimistic and frank, pigs are kind and loyal friends. Sometimes they can be a little too trusting.
1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018
Honest, loyal and dislikes change. Faithful, courageous and clever, dogs make great leaders and are good at keeping secrets, but are quick to find fault and can be distant.
1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017
Proud, determined and sometimes aggressive. Punctual, honest, bright and warm-hearted, roosters are neat and like to keep busy. They can be critical, quicktempered.
Charming, creative, smart, successful and popular, rats are curious and thoughtful and like tidiness, but can also be stubborn and lack courage.
2019 IS THE YEAR OF PIG “I travel to China often, and I always return inspired by their designs and culture. The Chinese animal zodiac is a repeating cycle of 12 years with each year being represented by an animal and its related characteristics and alleged attributes. I keep a list of the Chinese animal zodiac signs in the top drawer of my dining room buffet. It makes for lively conversation whenever I’m entertaining to pull the chart out and discover where guests fall.
1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009
Reliable and sensible but can be poor at communicating. Good in business. Patient, cautious and industrious. Ox have strong staying power and don’t jump into making decisions.
1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010
Competitive, impetuous, and natural born leaders. Loyal, trustworthy and courageous, tigers are good at expressing themselves and like challenges, but can be hasty and over-confident.
1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011
Sociable, likes company. Good judge of character. A symbol of hope and peace, rabbits are compassionate and modest, with a good sense of humor. They’ll do anything to escape from a dull life.
“I was inspired to create a line that captures Chinese traditions and customs, and design pieces that can be fun talking points for others who love Asian influence in their home décor.” -Laura Johnson, Founding Artist & CEO 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016
Versatile, inventive and mischievous. Full of ideas. Self-assured and sociable, monkeys are versatile, flexible and creative, but can also be jealous and selfish.
1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015
Followers rather than leaders. Diplomatic and affectionate. Gentle, calm and kind, rams are one of the most loved of the signs. Sometimes shy, sensitive and pessimistic, they have an artistic streak.
1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012
Flamboyant, extravagant, imaginative, stylish. Ambitious, energetic and intellectual, dragons are romantic and strive for perfection, but can be arrogant and impatient.
1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014 Sporty, sociable, uncomfortable around opposite sex. Positive, easygoing and warmhearted, horses are dynamic generous and attract many friends. But they have a tendency to over-spend.
1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013
Charming and good mannered. A bit lazy, perhaps venomous. Wise, passionate, sympathetic and even-tempered, snakes are self-aware and good communicators.
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Sweet Chili Noodle Salad ING R ED IENT S 3.75 oz uncooked rice noodles 1 carrot, peeled & thinly sliced into sticks lengthwise 1 seedless cucumber, thinly sliced into sticks lengthwise 1 small red onion, thinly sliced 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped 1 cup fresh mint leaves, cut in half lengthwise if they are large leaves ½ cup dry roasted peanuts or cashews, coarsely chopped 2 limes, cut into wedges D R ESSING 2 tablespoons soy sauce 4 tablespoons sweet chili sauce 4 tablespoons fresh lime juice 2 teaspoons fresh ginger, peeled and minced
Cover rice noodles with boiling water in a medium bowl and let stand 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse noodles under cool water. Place noodles in a serving bowl; top with carrots, cucumbers, onions, cilantro, and mint. In a small bowl, mix all dressing ingredients together. When ready to serve, drizzle salad with half the dressing and toss gently. Use the remaining dressing as needed. Sprinkle salad with peanuts and garnish with lime wedges. N OT E : Not everyone likes spicy food, so place a small dish of sweet chili sauce on the table in case someone wants more heat.
AU T HEN T IC CHINE S E DINING Chinese dining is quite a multi-sensory experience in and of itself. As restaurants are always very busy, dirty dishes from the previous diners are whisked away and tables are set with a clean white tablecloth once new guests are seated. Each diner receives a small saucer into which soy sauce is poured, a small wooden plate holding a hot steaming towel to use as a napkin, a teacup with saucer, and chopsticks with a rest so as to not dirty the tablecloth. Also included is another set of black chopsticks used for serving and a small bowl and “spoon” into which many different side dishes are served. Last but not least, there is always a wrapped toothpick for use during or after your meal. It is well mannered and expected to sample everything that is presented to you during a meal. Once they’re placed, the full and aromatic serving dishes whir around a turntable in the center of the table, and everyone helps themselves until the dishes lay empty once again.
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WH AT I S DIM S UM ? Dim sum is a Cantonese term for a meal involving small, individual portions of food, typically served in steamer baskets or on lovely little plates, only in the early morning and midafternoon hours. Because of the small servings, diners can enjoy sampling a wide variety of foods in one meal. As with all Chinese meals, it is ordered family-style, served with a range of delicious dipping sauces. The dishes usually consist of a selection of dumplings, Fried Wontons, Beef Soup With Minced Garlic, Steamed Buns, And Creamy Congee.
Steamed Pork Dumplings IN GR ED IEN T S D U MPLIN GS 1 pound ground pork 1 (5 ounce) can water chestnuts, strained & finely chopped DUM PLI N G S : ¾ cup scallions, finely chopped Mix together all dumpling ingredients, except wonton wrappers. 4 garlic cloves, minced Fill the center of each wrapper with 1 heaping teaspoon of meat 1 tablespoon sesame oil filling. Dip a small brush (or your finger) in water and wet edges 1 egg, beaten of wonton wrapper. Fold over to create a triangle and pinch edges 2 tablespoons oyster sauce together so that the filling cannot escape. Place bamboo steamer in 1 (16 ounce) package wonton wrappers a large sauce pan. Fill the bottom with water, just below first layer GIN GE R D IPPIN G SAU C E of the steamer so the dumplings do not get wet. Place dumplings ½ cup soy sauce 1-inch apart and steam until filling is cooked, about 20 minutes. ½ cup balsamic vinegar Serve with Ginger Dipping Sauce. 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, peeled & grated ½ teaspoon sugar G IN G E R DIP P ING S AU C E : In a small bowl, mix all dipping sauce ingredients well. Drizzle sauce over each dumpling. NOT E : If you do not have a bamboo steamer, a metal steamer
basket can be used in its place. To prevent dumplings from sticking, spray metal steamer basket thoroughly with baking spray.
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NE V ER M I S S A N O PP O R T U NI T Y T O C EL EB R AT E E V ERY DAY.