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Contents winter 2013
features
2 What’s up Sweet Paul? 6 Winter is the season to... 12 Recipe Monday 14 Crafty Friday 18 Lova’s world 22 Keep your eye on 28 Mormor’s kitchen 32 Gorg-wanna handmade 34 Gorg-wanna design 38 One for the season 42 My happy dish 47 Will’s picks 52 Gorg-wanna kids 56 Travel 62 Woof
Photography by VKSTOCKIMAGES
68
Nordic cookies
74
Wrap it up
80
Rabbits & foxes & wolves, oh my!
86
A country Christmas
98
Wax
104
All I want for Christmas is...
108
13 desserts
118
Blue light
126
Jewels
138
Frida’s Christmas
148
The tasty embrace of winter cooking
156
Natural Christmas
166
Pantry confessions
167
Next time!
What’s up Sweet Paul? Welcome to Santa’s workshop! Well, maybe more like my workshop, but it sure feels like Santa took over for the past few months. It’s no secret that the holiday issues are my favorite to work on, as it feels like Christmas takes over my whole life. There are fabrics to be dyed, ornaments to be glittered, cookies to be baked, and all of it to the tunes of my favorite holiday songs from Frank, Doris, and Bing. Who cares if it’s August and I’m singing holiday tunes! My neighbors know me by now and are used to the holiday cookie smells in the hallway. They do think something is up when I drag multiple Christmas trees through the hallways, but hey, it’s all in a day’s work. My dear friends, I wish you all the best of the holiday wherever you are and whatever your beliefs are. May you find peace and harmony and may all your dreams come true. Love you all,
It’s no secret that the holiday issues are my favorite to work on, as it feels like Christmas takes over my whole life Photography by Kristin Gladney
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sweetpaulmag.com | 3
Paul Lowe
Founder & editor-in-chief paul@sweetpaulmag.com
Will Taylor Market editor will@sweetpaulmag.com
Laura Kathleen Maize Copy editor laura@sweetpaulmag.com
Susanna Blavarg Editor-at-large susanna@sweetpaulmag.com
Advertising Inquiries advertising@sweetpaulmag.com
Paul Vitale Marketing & business development director paulvitale@sweetpaulmag.com Joline Rivera Art director joline@sweetpaulmag.com Nellie Williams Graphic designer nellie@sweetpaulmag.com
Lova Blavarg Craft editor lova@sweetpaulmag.com
General Inquiries info@sweetpaulmag.com
Contributors Colin Cooke
Photographer, New York Kristin Gladney
Photographer, New York Jil Galameau
Stylist. New York Marianne Gjengedal
Food stylist, Oslo Alexandra Grablewski
Photographer, New York Michaela Hayes
Stylist, Copenhagen Reetta Pasanen
Photographer, Helsinki Linda Pugliese
Photographer, New York Ellen Silverman
Photographer, New York China Squirrel
Stylist+Photographer, Sydney Aimee Swartz
Canner, New York
Writer, Atlanta
Klaudia Iga
Sarah Oster Shasha
Photographer, Oslo Frances Janisch
Photographer, New York Sanna Kekalainen
Food stylist, Helsinki Nicoline Olsen
Stylist+Photographer, Copenhagen
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Louise Dandanell Ă˜rsted
Writer, New York Dietlind Wolf
Stylist+Photographer, Hamburg Chelsea Zimmer
Food stylist, New York
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Winter is the season to ... Present sack, $24
Flocked Lapland pre-lit tree $365 hof.co.uk
IMAGE: House of Fraser
Wooden tree decoration, $80
1. Cozy up at home with woodland charm decor 2. Celebrate with a Very Merry Berry Christmas cocktail 5 oz orange-infused vodka 3 oz blackcurrant liqueur 3 oz stock syrup (equal parts caster sugar and water reduced to a syrupy consistency) 210 grams frozen berries juice of 2 lemons 3 teaspoons runny honey 12 mint leaves crushed ice
3. Cook with red cabbage, brussels sprouts, and leeks
1. Put all the ingredients into a blender then fill with crushed ice to above the liquid line. 2. Blend until the mixture is smooth but not too runny. 3. After blending pour into whiskey glasses and dust the top of each with icing sugar before serving.
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4. Bake a gingerbread house Gingerbread house kit, sainsburys.co.uk
Pine cone wreath, $40
4. Shop at idyllhome.co.uk for rustic and timeless holiday dĂŠcor
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winter
Our top three books to give this winter Pom-Poms! 25 Awesomely Fluffy Projects by Sarah Goldschadt and Lexi Walters Wright There’s nothing quite as charming as a handmade pom-pom, which is why we’re thrilled to discover this book all about the whimsical and fluffy balls! With easy-tofollow instructions you will be inspired to use yarn, tissue paper, coffee filters, and many more unexpected materials to make adorable and fluffy craft projects. Pie by Dean Brettschneider Awards winning Global Baker and pâtissier Dean Brettschneider’s new book shares the secrets to making truly melt-in-your-mouth pies. No matter whether you’re a fan of savoury or sweet, humble or refined, small or family-sized, Brettschneider’s new book contains inspiring and accessible recipes for all tastes. Pick up a copy and indulge in more than 80 of the most irresistible pastry classics from around the world. Nutella: The 30 Best Recipes by Nutella Like millions of others across the world, we at Sweet Paul are hooked on Nutella. Equally as ideal as a treat for yourself as it is to pop into a holiday stocking, this new book from Nutella shares 30 different ways to cook with Nutella. From irresistible macaroons to tasty cheesecakes you will discover new ways of using, cooking, and enjoying the famous spread. Plus, it will delight both children and adults alike with recipes such as Nutella and white chocolate rice cakes through to Nutella spring rolls and mini coconut and Nutella palmiers.
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Why not treat a loved one to the geometric brights of this throw pillow designed by Amsterdam-based artist, Mariska Meijers?
Look what Sweet Paul spotted! 1. Bold Cubism pillow in parisian pink Mariska Meijers Amsterdam , $175 pillowmariskameijers.com 2. Colored tumblers These jewel-like tumblers are a lovely hostess or holiday gift—and perfect for festooning the table at a celebration dinner, too. Toast, $56, toast.co.uk 3. Little big trivet Protect your kitchen worktops in colorful style with this adjustable multi-colored trivet.
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Area Ware, $20, areaware.com
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4. Colorful bulbs card We love the simple and charming handmade paper goods from Happy Cactus Designs! Happy Cactus Designs, $8 for set of eight, happycactusdesigns.com
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p e r s o nal.p re cio u s.t i mele s s wallinandbuerkle.com
Wallin & Buerkle
Two day creative retreat in a NYC penthouse loft! Instructors:
Elise Dee, Erin Considine, Colin Cooke, Lotta Jansdotter, Matthew Robbins, Mimi Kirchner, Patti Paige, Paul Lowe, Tamar Mogendorff
March 15 &16, 2014 E n r o l l To d a y S t u d i o 4 5 0 , N e w Yo r k C i t y
click for more info themakerie.com
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Recipe Monday Truffles
Divine little treats for the holidays
Food+styling by Paul Lowe | photography by Alexandra Grablewski
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Amaretto Truffles I love making truffles for the holidays. They are so easy to make and I really enjoy when my hands get so chocolatley. (It’s totally allowed to lick your fingers after making truffles.) You can easily make these without Amaretto, but I love the taste amazing with chocolate. Makes about 30
1 cup whipping cream 1 lb good quality dark chocolate, get the good stuff 1 tablespoon Amaretto cocoa powder peppermint candy, finely crushed pistachios, finely chopped 1. Put cream in a saucepan and slowly bring to a boil. 2. Place the chocolate and Amaretto in a bowl, and pour the cream over. 3. Stir gently to dissolve the chocolate. 4. Leave to cool. 5. When the mixture is set, use a spoon to scrape teaspoon-size balls. Use your hands to roll them into balls—messy but fun. 6. Roll the truffles in cocoa powder, peppermint, or pistachio. Store in a cool place. But who are we kidding, they will be gone before you can say the word storage.
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Crafty Friday Thread Spool Trees
I got a bunch of empty old thread spools in a store a while ago. They were sitting on my desk and one day it struck me that I could turn them into trees. And boy are they cute!
Craft+styling by Paul Lowe | photography by Alexandra Grablewski
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You will need: wooden thread spools card stock paper in greens and yellow small wooden rods (I used lollipop sticks) hot glue gun 1. Cut out triangular shapes from the green paper. Start with small on top and bigger on the bottom so that they have a tree shape. 2. Hot glue in place. 3. Hot glue the spoons to each other. 4. Cut out stars and glue to the rods. 5. Hot glue the rod to the spools.
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Buy Sweet Paul in print today!
Annual subscriptions and individual issues are available. sweetpaul.bigcartel.com 16 | SweetPaulmag.com winter 2013
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design Since children live in the entire home (not just their bedrooms), we design products that fit in your whole house, as well as your kids’ rooms.
FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
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Lova’s world Winter Music Box
Remember those music boxes with a dancing princess? I found these polar-themed animals and decided to get rid of the princess and make a wintery box
Craft+styling by Lova Blavarg | Photography by Susanna Blavarg
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You will need:
old music box matte paint dark blue paper sequins and beads sheet of plastic hot glue gun 1. Get a music box and paint the outside with matte paint. 2. Glue dark blue paper on the inside for the sky. 3. Add sequins, beads, and whatever else you can find to make a starry night. 4. Make ice for the outside by cutting out shapes in thick plastic. 5. Use a hot glue gun to attach all the animals. 6. Watch your animals dance happily celebrating the snowy season!
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PROP
WORKSHOP
Prop & Surface Rentals 164 West 25th St.10th floor tel. 212.219.8591 www.propworkshopnyc.com
design by Josh Simons, Simonsays Design!
pw ad 3 layout.indd 1
9/18/13 11:06 AM
Keep your eye on Title Copy
Text by Sarah Oster Shasha | Photography by Susanna Blavarg
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Tinsel Trading In a city where you can find almost anything, there’s really only one place where fashion designers, costume designers, and celebrity lifestyle experts all flock when they want to add a little bit of sparkle and shine to their designs: Tinsel Trading Company
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Marcia Ceppos, whose grandfather started the business in 1933, still sells thousands of trims and metallic thread— some of which are from her grandfather’s original collection and are more than 70 years old. For her and her family, it’s been a real labor of love. Tinsel Trading has been the go-to place for metallic threads and elaborate trims of all kinds and four generations later it’s still the spot to find something special. These days, the Zac Posens, Kate Spades, and Martha Stewarts of the world will have to head to the Upper East Side to find Marcia and her collection. This summer they moved uptown to 828 Lexington Avenue, a stones throw from the famous Decoration & Design building. A perfect new home. If you’re planning a visit soon, I’d recommend you block out a nice block of time—and pack a lunch—you’ll easily loose track of time. Not that you’ll mind, it’s the perfect place to spend an afternoon. 24 | SweetPaulmag.com winter 2013
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Create your custom holiday!
jar dyed bows
drip/dip dyed canvas tote
dip dyed stocking
dip dyed table runner
visit our new website January 2014!
theritstudio.com Rit is a registered trademark of Phoenix Brands. Phoenix Brands LLC 2013 26 | SweetPaulmag.com winter 2013
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From Mormor’s kitchen Roger Whittaker, cookies, & hockey My non-existent music career got off to rocky start
Food+styling by Paul Lowe | Photography by Kristin Gladney
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It was the year that I desperately wanted a guitar. I was obsessed with this English singer called Roger Whittaker, who played guitar, sung, and whistled. He whistled like no one you’ve ever heard whistle before. (The man was and still is amazing. Look him up.) I have no idea why, but I saw myself as Norway’s Roger Whittaker. I practiced whistling all day. In hindsight, I think I was mislead by Mormor and my great aunt, who were always telling me how good I was. I now realize the terror I must have put in those little old ladies. My whistling was never good… probably closer to awful. Anyway, I so wanted that guitar, and even went looking at them with my dad. But he was constantly taking about hockey gear and how I should start playing hockey. I was in a constant state of terror and angst that December. Hockey gear! What
would I do with that? I didn’t even know how to skate! I could not sleep, I could not eat, all I was thought about was that hockey gear. Even baking my all time favorite cookies, Fattigmann, with Mormor did not do the trick. I would constantly hint at how much I disliked hockey, but my whole family seemed set on it. Was this punishment for something I had done? Christmas Eve came and I could hardly eat any of the food my Mormor and great aunt had made. The whole family sat around the tree and started opening gifts. My father handed me a long hockey-stick-shaped gift and I though my life was over. But it was just a joke—it was just paper and my real gift was in the garage. There was my beautiful guitar. Pure joy. And I’m sure you figured out by now, but I never became an amazing guitarist. Or whistler. Oh well!
Fattigmann Makes 4 dozen
1 egg 3 egg yolks ¼ cup heavy cream 4 teaspoons sugar 1 tablespoon melted butter ¼ teaspoon cardamom ¼ teaspoon cinnamon 1½ cup all purpose flour 4 cups lard, for frying confectioners’ sugar 1. In a bowl mix eggs, cream, sugar, and butter together. 2. Add spices and flour and mix together quickly. (Too much mixing and the cookies will be tough.) 3. Roll out until thin on floured surface and cut into small strips. 4. Heat the lard in a pot and deep-fry the cookies until golden. 5. Drain on paper and dust with confectioners’ sugar.
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artist
PARTNERSHIPS We partner with our favorite artists from all over the world to help us create incredible, exclusive products.
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Gorg-wanna handmade
IMAGE: Tuck and Bonté
White pinecone garland Tuck and Bonté, $30 etsy.com/ shop/tuckandbonte
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1. PAUL’S FAVORITE
1. Cherry wood Christmas snowflake ornament DachshundDesignHouse, $15, etsy.com/shop/ DachshundDesignHouse 2. Set of 3 wooden folk horse decorations BotanikaStudio, $16, etsy.com/shop/BotanikaStudio 3. Birdie gift tags Skinny La Minx, $10, shop.skinnylaminx.com
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4. Rustic wood Christmas tree KukuHome, $19, etsy.com/shop/KukuHome 3.
5. Peace Comfort and Joy handmade wooden sign Three Little Birds, $30, etsy.com/shop/ threelittlebirds333 6. Modern wooden nativity scene Little Sapling Toys, $66, etsy.com/shop/littlesaplingtoys
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7. Handmade miniature rustic Christmas trees Shop Of Crafts By Myrna, $10, etsy.com/shop/ ShopOfCraftsByMyrna
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Gorg-wanna design
IMAGE: Rowen and Wren
Mini brass square candle house, Rowen and Wren, $45, rowenandwren.co.uk
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2. WILL’S FAVORITE
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1. Rustic stocking Idyll Home, $24, idyllhome.co.uk 2. Wooden reindeer wall decoration The Contemporary Home, $40, tch.net 3. Karlsson Mr. White wooden wall clock Red Candy, $225, tch.net
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4. Copper meditation bowl Maud Interiors, $72, maudinteriors.com
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5. Gisela Graham linen glasses cases The Contemporary Home, $10 each, tch.net 6. Hessian stag head cushion Stencil Haus Designs, $56, stencilhaus.co.uk
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7. Leather metallic gold satchel House Envy, $169, house-envy.co.uk 8. Scent candlegift set Tom Dixon, $121, tomdixon.net
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Keep track of in all of your favorite places!
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batteries NOT REQUIRED
While a handheld tablet will run out of power, kids’ imaginations won’t. So we design products that simply run on pure make-believe.
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One for the season Candied citrus Santas A burst of sweet citrus is the perfect filling for your happy Santa jars
Food+styling by Michaela Hayes, Crock & Jar, crockandjar.com | Photography by Frances Janisch
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Candied Citrus Peel Yields about 1 quart
2 grapefruits 4 blood oranges 4 tangerines 2 lemons 2 cups sugar 1 cup water pinch of salt 1 cup of sugar to toss peel 1. Peel citrus, being careful to remove as little of the white pith as possible. 2. Cut citrus peels in desired shapes (I chose ribbons). 3. In a heavy bottomed pot, cover the peel with 2� of cold water. 4. Bring the water to a boil and then drain the peel. 5. Repeat this process 2 more times to remove any bitterness from the citrus peel. 6. Bring 2 cups sugar and 1 cup water to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar. 7. Add the citrus peels to the pot and cook until translucent. Depending on the size of your peels, this will take about 15 minutes. 8. Remove the peels from the syrup and drain them on a rack for 2 hours. Reserve the syrup for another use (sodas, cocktails!). 9. Toss the slightly dried citrus peel in sugar to coat.
As a child, my favorite parts of the Christmas holiday were making gifts: baking cakes to take to school, painting sugar cookies with multiple colors of frosting, creating new ornaments for the tree, and assembling Santa jars to give to friends, teachers, and neighbors alike. My mom is a crafty lady—she was my Girl Scout troop leader for years, and she created these jars after getting one as a gift and pulling it apart to
create the pattern. These little jars filled with tiny treats are a great way to add instant holiday cheer to a room. To this day, a row of Santas watches over my mom’s holiday house from atop the kitchen cabinets. Perfect for a group of children with various skill levels, the different tasks can be divided with the littlest ones punching out felt circles while older ones cuts or glue and sew.
10. Dry the peels on trays for 1 to 2 hours more until they have firmed up slightly. Store in airtight containers. They will keep for months but usually get eaten much sooner!
For how-tos and templates go to crockandjar.com/ sweet-paul-candied-citrussanta-pattern
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Enjoy THE SIMPLE THInGS At Smitten, we keep things simple, full of color and filled with the quirky brilliance of childhood. We’re purveyors of fun, and offer a toy collection that blends the richness of tradition with modern design. We’re an outpost of unexpected, unique and high quality gifts from emerging designers around the world who celebrate childhood at its simplest. Visit us online and see the difference.
www.perfectlysmitten.com
anne-claire petit • corby tindersticks • hop & peck • janod • miller goodman • omy design & play • moulin roty • vilac • twoolies • uncle goose 40 | SweetPaulmag.com winter 2013
Two day creative retreat in a NYC penthouse loft! Instructors: Elise Dee, Erin Considine, Colin Cooke, Lotta Jansdotter, Matthew Robbins, Mimi Kirchner, Patti Paige, Paul Lowe, Tamar Mogendorff March 15 &16, 2014 E n r o l l To d a y S t u d i o 4 5 0 , N e w Yo r k C i t y
click for more info themakerie.com
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My happy dish Pumpkin chocolatey goodness
RECIPE by Adam Woods | styling by Paul Lowe | photography by Ellen Silverman
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“This dish makes me happy because it reminds me of weekend trips I used to take to a cabin in the mountains of California. My group wasn’t the most outdoorsy or adventurous, but what we lacked in nature skills, we made up for with cooking and porch-sitting. After building a fire in the fireplace, we would sink into the couch with mugs of rich bread pudding”
Pumpkin Croissant Bread Pudding with Milk Chocolate Chunks
3 large eggs 6 large egg yolks 7 croissants 3 cups half and half cream 15 oz canned pumpkin 8 oz milk chocolate, cut into small chunks 1 teaspoon vanilla extract ¾ cup granulated sugar ½ cup brown sugar 1 teaspoon cinnamon ½ teaspoon ground ginger ½ teaspoon nutmeg ½ teaspoon salt 1. Preheat oven to 375°F. 2. Butter a baking dish. 3. In a large bowl, mix eggs, yolks, half and half, pumpkin, sugars, vanilla, salt, cinnamon, and ginger. 4. Toss and coat croissant pieces and chocolate chunks in the custard mixture. 5. Pour bowl contents into baking dish and spread evenly. 6. Bake for 45 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Want to be a “My Happy Dish” Winner?
“My Happy Dish” recipe winner
Submit your ORIGINAL recipe to the My Happy Dish Recipe Contest. If we select your recipe, Sweet Paul will prepare the dish and photograph it for an issue of Sweet Paul Magazine! To submit your original recipe visit sweetpaulmag.com
Adam Woods
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BLACK WHITE ON ON BLACK WHITE
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ÂŽ
noritakechina.com sweetpaulmag.com | 45
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Will’s picks
IMAGE: The Contemporary Home
The Contemporary Home Christmas table Christmas tabletop decorations from $5, tch.com
Three ways to style a holiday table As the holiday season arrives, join
Sweet Paul’s market editor, Will Taylor, as he shares three unique ways to style your holiday table. From Magically eclectic to Romantic organic and Stylishly simplistic, there’s a look to suit all tastes. Happy celebrating!
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Look one: Magically eclectic The holidays are all about celebration and this first look couldn’t be better suited to that very notion. With a sense of whimsical charm, this scheme embraces a riot of colors and textures to create a feeling of magical festivity. A found branch hanging the length of the table provides a stage from which to display an array of jewel-colored baubles and trim. Sparkling confetti spheres, heart-shaped felt decorations, delicate butterflies adorned with glitter, and lengths of vibrant ribbons are all used to festoon the branch and make it a true statement piece. On the table below, a series of mix-and-match table linens, glassware, and tableware help to emphasize the eclectic and relaxed tablescape. A playful menagerie of animal ornaments serve as place name markers, while also bringing an extra dash of wit and charm to the proceedings. Finally, a candelabra duo create a cozy and magical vibe.
Homesense Christmas table, Christmas tabletop decorations from $4; homesense.com
Look two: Romantic organic This second look is packed full of tactile textures and shimmering silver accents. The palette is much more pared back than the first, but isn’t void of hue altogether. Rather, this scheme calls on vintage glassware in shades of blue and green to serve as vases for small posies of baby’s breath and evergreens. These green accents not only invite color to the table but also provide a delicate touch that brings softness to the tablescape. For best effect, group multiple vases and bottles together all the way down the center of the table. In the gaps that remain, pepper tea lights and small glimmering votives so that the shimmering candlelight reflects in all the glassware. The candles will also bring added warmth to the cool palette of this look. Focus on cool, creamy whites for each place setting, adding in detail with doily-embossed plates and sprigs of greenery with each napkin.
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House of Fraser Christmas table, Christmas tableware from $9, hof.co.uk
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w i l l’ s p i c k s
Look three: Stylishly simplistic The third and final look strips everything back for a puritan-like scheme that carries an air of effortless style. The stylishly simplistic theme uses a wire hanging above the center of the table to create a delicate yet eyecatching display. Hanging from the wire are small baubles and simple felt ornaments in a series of holiday-inspired shapes. Beneath the centerpiece hanging there is a collection of mix-and-match candlesticks that offer a welcoming and festive glow. The tableware continues the simple grey palette with carefully crafted ceramics and pared-back flatware. The tablescape itself is purposely sparse—the focus here is on the simple elements: flickering candlelight, an edited selection of stylish decorations, and beautifully made tableware.
1. Colored glass candlestick Very Nice Things, $24, verynicethings.co.uk 2. Christmas with you platter Emma Bridgewater, $79, emmabridgewater.co.uk 3. Natural wooden star Gisela Graham, $4, giselagraham.co.uk 4. Cream tin house tea light holder Gisela Graham, $12, giselagraham.co.uk 5. Star tree mobile Stuff of Dreams, $11, stuffofdreams.com 6. Ice blue snowflake bauble LuxDeco, $49, luxdeco.com
Toast Christmas table, Christmas decorations from $13, toast.co.uk
7. Rimmed dinner plate Homesense, $5, homesense.com
Will’s tip! If you have no time to create a hanging mobile of your own, why not buy a stylish pre-made design like this star tree mobile?
8. Wooden star and pine cone garland Tesco, $8, tesco.com
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Sweet Paul’s 2013 Holiday Kids Issue presented by
126 pages of kidcentric holiday food and craft ideas that are sure to delight you and your entire family! Buy today as an iPad App or a downloadable PDF
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Gorg-wanna kids
IMAGE: Scandivis
Nord Wally alphabet unit, Scandivis, $185, skandivis.co.uk
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1. 2.
WILL’S FAVORITE
1. Nuit Sauvage by Barraud Marion print L’affiche Moderne, from $53, en.laffichemoderne.com 2. Maileg circus tent My Sweet Muffin, $145, mysweetmuffin.com 3. Upcycled London Zoo cushion Little Mill House, from $72, littlemillhouse.co.uk
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4. Winter forest red hoodie Winter Water Factory, from $72, winterwaterfactory.com 5. Baxter hi tops Milk n Soda, from $40, milknsoda.com.au
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6. My first Fred Perry shirt Gios Concept, $40, giosconcept.co.uk 7. Marius pullover Ugly Childrens Clothing, $115, uglycc.com
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Travel
Sojourn to Scotland The holiday season offers the perfect time to take a
trip to Edinburgh, brimming with atmospheric markets, cozy coffee shops, and inspiring winter walks Text+photography by Will Taylor
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It was hard to imagine how the scene could be any more festive, and I was inspired to shop the unusual gift ideas, handmade decorations, and unique craft items on offer in each stall I’d spent the previous six hours on a blissful train journey rolling through breathtaking countryside, travelling north to Edinburgh. As I stepped out of Waverley station, I was hit with brisk wind and tightened my scarf around my neck—it felt noticeably cooler than it was when I had boarded the train in London earlier in the day. The sudden sharpness of the cold soon dissipated, much like the crowd that hurried off the train, each passenger continuing their individual journeys. Unlike my fellow passengers I was in no rush, so I stood and took in the scene around me. The light was beautiful; the sun was low in the sky, its rays casting a majestic light across the city. The sky was clear blue and almost glasslike, which you only seem to get on crisp, cold winter days. Behind me I could see the resplendent Edinburgh Castle upon the top of the Royal Mile in the Old Town and tumbling down the hill below were stunning Gothic and Georgian buildings. I reached for my camera and after the first click of the shutter I started to walk and explore the festivities of the city. And so my day walking through Edinburgh began. I headed up the hill behind the train station and into the Old Town. The climb was steep but full of charm—to reach the top I had to navigate a series of cobbled streets and narrow, sweeping
steps flanked on either side by buildings reminiscent of fairytale dwellings. Occasionally I turned to look back at the city falling away behind me, and the view was nothing short of impressive. Turning back around I continued my climb up the Royal Mile from Holyrood Palace and towards the Castle. More narrow alleyways followed—often they were no more than a few feet wide—and I passed some of the city’s architectural highlights, including St. Giles’ Cathedral, the National Museum of Scotland, and the Scottish Parliament Building. Aside from striking architecture, this area of the city is also known for having numerous underground vaults that are remains of previous phases of construction. Some visitors choose to take ghost tours of the underground streets after
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dark, but I opted to keep my adventures in daylight and above ground! I reached the top of the Royal Mile and stood in front of the Castle. The surrounding street layout is characteristic of the old quarters of northern European cities and the scene was picturesque in nature. The castle sits at the center on top of a rocky crag, which I learned is actually the remnants of an extinct volcano. This was the first part of Edinburgh city known to man, and it developed over time into the Castle, with the city growing down the side of hill away from it. The sun’s rays were still as beautiful as when I first stepped off the train, and the Castle was bathed in golden light.
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With the Castle ticked off my list, I decided to descend the hill towards the famous German Christmas market that sits at its base. As I drew closer to the market the haze of glittering lights and blur of old fashioned fairground rides became more clear. There was an abundance of strung bulbs that created an immediate festive atmosphere, and helped give a cozy vibe despite the bitingly cold winds. Stall owners were rubbing their hands together furiously between serving customers and I could hear the dulcet tones of carol singers a few lines of stalls away. It was hard to imagine how the scene could be any more festive, and I was inspired to shop the unusual
gift ideas, handmade decorations, and unique craft items on offer in each stall. Half way around the collection of stalls I stopped to warm up with a mug of Glühwein and enjoyed its festive scent of cinnamon and vanilla. I peered over the edge of an icy wall and saw an expansive ice rink stretched out below. As I was still fairly high up, each skater looked like a miniature toy figurine and the blur of colored bobble hats, coats, and scarves made it look like an illustration from a children’s book. I was still in the mood to shop and heard that the city’s famous department store, Jenners, has one of the biggest and most impressive Christmas trees in town.
Edinburgh home design stores directory Life Story 53 London Street, EH3 6LX Moleta Munro 43 London Street, EH3 6LX Anthropologie 39 - 41 George St, EH2 2HN Clementine Home and Gifts 141 Bruntsfield Place, EH10 4HN Old Town Context 42-44 Cockburn Street, EH1 1PB Context Interiors 79 Morningside Road, EH10 4AY
It was only a short walk from the German Christmas market. It turned out to be situated on Princes St—the one-sided main shopping street that is flanked by an impressive range of stores on one side and the Princes St. Gardens at the base of the Old Town on the other side. And so I made my way to New Town, the central area of Edinburgh. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site because much of the original neo-classical and Georgian period architecture was built in stages between 1765 and 1850. Much of it still stands today. I ducked out of the bustling street and into the warmth of Jenners. Weaving my way through displays overflowing with gift ideas, I soon reached the center of the store and see the 45-foot Christmas tree decked in nothing but soft white lights. With some last minute Christmas shopping completed, I decided to head back outside. Darkness had now fallen and the city was alive with twinkling fairy lights. I decided to finish the day with a ride on the ferris wheel. As my carriage climbed higher I was soon 100 feet above the city and looking out over the magical scene below. Once again, this pictureperfect city looked just like an illustration in a book.
Three stylish eateries 1. Leo’s Beanery (coffee and pastries) 23/4 Howe St., EH3 6TF
Stylish Sleep The Glasshouse 2 Greenside Row, EH1 3AA
Located in the middle of New Town, this is a cozy place to start the day with great coffee and tasty pastries. The vibe inside is at once friendly and elegant with a good range of coffees available to order—there’s always a special roast on the menu to try, too. Don’t be afraid to ask the baristas for advice, as they really know their coffee! Plus, the food served is made with locally sourced and fresh options.
The Glasshouse is a luxury boutique hotel that blends calm and modernity together in the heart of Edinburgh. The hotel is an impressive architectural creation that marries the modern and the medieval in the most creative way imaginable. The facade of the hotel is that of the former Lady Glenory Church – a 150-year-old slice of history that welcomes the visitor in. However, inside, the hotel offers chic modern interior design that provides a stylish juxtaposition to the exterior. Voted by Condé Nast Traveller as one of the top 50 places to stay in the world, it deserves it’s title as one of Scotland’s best hotels. Your stay here is ideal for the winter months, with roaring fires at every turn and an honesty bar situated around a fire pit at the center of the hotel. Rates from $468 per night
2. The West Room (lunch and cocktails) 3 Melville Place, EH3 7PR Every time I visit Edinburgh I always make a point of stopping for a cocktail at The West Room. Inside is a well-appointed café and bar that many of the locals consider to be one of their best-kept secrets. It’s located in the heart of the West End and has a welcoming and cozy feel thanks to friendly staff and a laid back ambiance. You will find The West Room perfect for a light lunch or a boozy dinner. Their menu centers on a “best of British” theme with locally sourced, high quality ingredients that are all cooked fresh to order. You will find the chef’s seasonal fare complemented by an extensive range of wine and beers—not to mention one of the best cocktail lists in the city. 3. Centotre (dinner) 103 George St, EH2 3ES This is one of my favorite restaurants in the city for an Italian dinner. It’s an award winning independently family-run restaurant that sources the very best produce direct from Italy and around Scotland for their dishes. You can sit at the bar and enjoy a cocktail while you wait for a table and once sat you will be able to enjoy the dramatic, lofty proportions of the space, impeccable service and cosmopolitan atmosphere. Just be sure to book as the restaurant gets booked up very quickly.
How to get to Edinburgh You can fly to Edinburgh airport from many European destinations; international travelers can connect through most major airports in London. The airport is located 8 miles from the city center. There is an Airlink 100 express bus service that operates a 24-hour shuttle service between Edinburgh Airport and Waverley Bridge (near Princes Street and the main rail and bus stations), with designated stops en route. The service is frequent - every 10 minutes at peak times— with a journey time of about 25 minutes. Adult tickets cost $5.50 single and $9.50 return. There are also cars available to hire and taxis to catch for around $32 each way.
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WWW.FLOWERMUSE.COM
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p e r s o nal.p re cio u s.t i mele s s wallinandbuerkle.com
Wallin & Buerkle
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Woof Frozen holiday treats
I made this for the first time the other day and Lestat went bananas. He loved them. So now I have them on hand in the freezer for him as a special treat
Peanut Butter & Yogurt Treats Makes 12
2½ cup low fat vanilla yogurt 1 cup peanut butter 12 cupcake liners 12 small treats 1. In a bowl stir together yogurt and peanut butter. 2. Place the liners in a cupcake tin and fill them with the mixture. 3. Smooth the tops with a spoon. 4. Add a treat to each cup. 5. Store in the freezer.
Food+styling by Paul Lowe | Photography by Kristin Gladney
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1.
PAUL’S FAVORITE
2. 1. Bow Wow dog bowl Fenella Smith, $56, fenellasmith.com 2. Travel bed Cloud 7, $258, cloud7.de 3. Bertie print cushion Plum and Ashby, $55, plumandashby.co.uk 3.
4. Lion dog toy Mungo and Maud, $17, mungoandmaud.com 5. Custom pet portrait (Lestat) Studio Legohead, 8” x 11” portrait $140, studio-legohead.com 6. Poo Poo bag Love My Dog, $16, lovemydog.co.uk
4.
7. Samuel Bandana Zee Dog, $14, zee-dog.com
5. 7. 6.
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Come play with us! First ever Sweet Paul Makerie creative weekend. We are so excited to invite you all to the very fist Sweet Paul Makerie creative weekend in New York.
March 15th & 16th, 2014 We are bringing this extraordinary, inspiration-packed magazine to life in a two-day very special event filled with fabulous workshops, fantastic meals, inspiring speakers and special surprises. Held in a penthouse loft with wrap around windows, stunning views of the city can be seen from every angle. The extraordinary creatives found throughout Sweet Paul Magazine will lead contemporary crafting classes and share fabulous meals incorporating the delectable recipes plucked from the pages of Sweet Paul Magazine.Â
Our teacher list: Lotta Johanesdottir, block printing and embroidery Tamar Mordendorff, soft sculpture Mimi Kirchner, doll making Pattie Page, cookie decorating Erin Considine, jewelry Matthew Robbins, flowers Elise Dee, paper flowers Paul Lowe & Colin Cooke, food styling and food photography We believe with all our hearts that each and every person is creative and this modern crafting retreat truly offers something for everyone. Taking the time to play is very good for all of our souls and the Sweet Paul Makerie is designed for anyone who shares a love for creativity, no matter where your skill level lies. Whether you’re a seasoned crafter or have yet to thread a needle, the loveliest living version of the coveted Sweet Paul Magazine is waiting for you! For more info go to themakerie.com
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winter 2013 | issue no. 15
Photography by Klaudia Iga/Aina C. Hole Studio
features
nordic cookies | wrap it up | rabbits & foxes & wolves, oh my! | a country christmas wax | all I want for christmas is... | 13 desserts | blue light | jewels | frida’s christmas the tasty embrace of winter cooking | natural christmas
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Nordic Cookies The Nordic countries have some amazing Christmas cookie traditions. We picked one from each country
Norway
Kromkaker (Krumcake)
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Denmark
Pebber nodder (Peppernuts)
Food+styling by Paul Lowe | Photography by Susanna Blavarg+Ellen Silverman
Thanks to Joshua Fennell who gave up many a night to puzzle
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it
Wrap up Wrapping season is here! Here are some easy and fun ideas for making the pile of gifts extra beautiful this year
Many thanks to our super cute handmade models from Manomine that helped us with the shoot. Good job guys! Crafts by Lova Blavarg Photography by Susanna Blavarg
1.
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2.
Imagine a whole village of gifts
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Rabbits
&
Foxes Wolves, &
Oh My!
A peek inside Mr. Finch’s exquisite fairytale Text by Aimee Swartz Photography by Susanna Blavarg
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A
Food+styling by Nicoline Olsen & Louise Ørsted | Photography by VKSTOCKIMAGES
Country
Christmas
Go for a walk in the snow and come home to Parsnip Soup, Cardamom Cakes, and Ale Braised Pork Shoulder with Red Cabbage Salad
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Parsnip Soup
with Dukkah
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Bees are a fantastic species. They’re the perfect inspiration for the dark wintertime, when their wax’s rich yellow color fills the house with warm sunlight. It’s in the winter that the smell of beeswax candles feels especially like home. Because I am smitten by bees I felt I needed to honor their astonishing ability of producing wax. Beeswax is very easy to work with. To ensure an easy removal from the molds, brush your molds with dish soap just before pouring in your hot wax. Crafts+styling+photography by Dietlind Wolf
Amphore Candles
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Dipped Candles
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All I Want For Christmas Is‌ We asked the Sweet Paul family what they want for the holidays. Their wishes are as different as they are
Paul Lowe editor-in-chief
I really set my sights on this crate cabinet designed by Mark van deer Gronden for Droog. Takes recycling to a whole new level. And Santa, I have been a very good boy this year, just saying!
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Paul Vitale marketing & business development director
I’ve been a fan of Alexander Girard’s design work for as long as I can remember. I just adore Vitra’s line of hand painted wooden toys based on Girard’s whimsical graphic work. At $180 each they are quite pricy, but I just don’t think I could choose one... I need the whole set!
Joline Rivera art director
Laura Kathleen Maize copy editor
In 1997 when I was working my first job out of college as a Senior Designer at Country Home Magazine, my art director Paul Zimmerman went to Cuba with a friend and amazing photographer, Jim Krantz. They planned to photograph and design a book all about Cuba. I remember seeing Paul work on layouts and he shared images with us, as he got them. The way he spoke of Cuba was really amazing. His excitement about it was infectious. Since then I’ve always wanted to go to Cuba. It’s on my wish list this year.
All I want for the holidays are these perfectly minimalist staple earrings by Kathleen Whitaker. I’ve almost bought them for myself several times, but it would be nice to have a sentimental holiday memory attached to them. But the big question is do I prefer the yellow gold or rose gold? Please, someone, surprise me!
IMAGE by Ellen Silverman
A Provençal Christmas tradition, Les Treize Desserts de Noël are served at the end of the holiday feast each year (that lucky number 13 symbolizing Jesus and the 12 apostles at the Last Supper). There many takes on this tradition, depending on family favorites, but you’re likely to find an assortment of fresh fruit, cheeses with quince paste, nuts, dried fruit, and any other treats that count towards the magic 13. Tradition says that you must have at least one small bite of each sweet treat. And you wouldn’t want to mess with tradition, would you?
History:
Food Styling+Recipes by Chelsea Zimmer | Prop Styling by Jill Galarneau | Photography by Linda Pugliese
(Les treize desserts de Noël)
e u l B
Ornaments Craft+Styling by Paul Lowe | Photography by Kristin Gladney
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t h g Li
During the winters in Norway the sky turns this amazing blue light. This light was the inspiration for this story. Now, wherever you are, you can get some of that light too
Paper chain
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Jewels
this food is inspired by all the rich jewel tones that are so in style now. this food is good enough for any jewelry box
Saffron & Red Wine Poached Pears
Food+Styling by Paul Lowe | Photography by Frances Janisch
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Passionfruit & Grapefruit Tarts
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Food+styling by Marianne P Gjengedal | Photography by Klaudia Iga/Aina C. Hole Studio
s a m t s i r h Frida’s C
stmas, i r h C t a te a t Frida Kahlo journey a h w w o n k y l We don’t real us to this e r i p s n t her i but we le iday treats l o h n a c i x e in M
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Macarrones Such great treats
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The tasty embrace of
winter cooking When it seems the world is overshadowed by dark clouds, and the chill of winter doldrums creeps into your bones, you definitely need some comfort food
S age G n o c c h i Could producing a lovely steaming bowl of sage gnocchi get any easier than this?
This stunningly butter-garlic148 | simple SweetPaulmag.com winter 2013 cheese sauce is packed with flavor!
B ag u e t t e s This humble baguette holds a delectable surprise in its pockets: a slathering of cheesy butter. A wonderful snack on its own, but even better paired with a glass of red wine!
Food+styling by Sanna Kekalainen | Photography by Reetta Pasanen
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Food+crafts+styling+photography by china squirrel
natural christmas
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vintage noel doily Stamped vintage JOY silver teaspoon from monkeysalwayslookshop.com Hand made caramel edge ceramic cupcake and paper plate from thefortynine.com.au
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Pantry confessions... I’ve always appreciated the food that comes out of my family’s kitchen in Virginia, but it wasn’t until I met my wife (who is a chef and cookbook writer) that I discovered what it meant to truly show someone how much you care through food go wrong with that combination. Between the butter and ice cream I’ve got a lot of space that I try (but don’t always succeed) to fill with green vegetables.
What’s your go-to dish to make at home? Ina Garten’s Roasted Chicken with Goat Cheese & Basil. Perfect every time. She does not write a recipe that will set you up for failure—it’s been a hit since day one with everyone from kids to my parents.
We asked Design*Sponge’s Grace Bonney about her ups and down in her brand new kitchen Do you have any secret tools in the kitchen, any thing that you could never live with out? Forks—plain and simple. I use them to mash potatoes (a personal favorite), lift bread off of the broiler tray, and to serve both of my pets their food. Until recently I didn’t spend a lot of time in the kitchen, so I’ve always relied on a pretty minimal kitchen tool setup. Although a nice pair of kitchen scissors can work wonders, too.
If you could change anything about your kitchen, what would it be? Well, we just changed the kitchen so right now it’s pretty close to perfect. My landlord was pretty flexible about changes, so we ripped out the existing cabinets, sink, and tile, and replaced them with simple and affordable pieces from Ikea and Lowes. I love how clean and fresh it feels now. Also, everything looks pretty against white subway tile.
What do you always have stocked in your kitchen? Any specific products you always want to have on hand? I’m from the south so I’d be lost without butter, preferably from Vermont Creamery. There’s also never a shortage of ice cream. Currently I have over 10 pints ranging from Phin & Phebes to Il Laboratorio Del Gelato. Always chocolate. Always mint. You can’t
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What was your most nightmarish kitchen situation? Any major catastrophes? During the swine flu scare a few years ago I cut my finger really badly on a brand new serrated bread knife. I was home alone and nearly passed out from the sight of blood. I walked myself to the ER and clearly realized no one cared about a cut finger. I waited 4 hours surrounded by potential swine flu victims to have a nurse tell me to go home and put a Band-aid on it.
If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be? Yellow cake with chocolate icing. Old school sheet cake style. I want to go out with a piece of that in my hand.
Are there any foods you can’t stand? I’m a pretty equal opportunity eater, but there are some textures I have a hard time with. Namely anything similar to oysters, uni, or caviar. I have a hard time with anything that is soft, slimy, or burst-y like that.
What does home-cooking mean to you? I’ve always appreciated the food that comes out of my family’s kitchen in Virginia, but it wasn’t until I met my wife (who is a chef and cookbook writer) that I discovered what it meant to truly show someone how much you care through food. Everything she cooks for me at home feels like it’s made with such love and care—so I’ve tried to treat everything I make the same way. Even simple scrambled eggs are a chance to show someone how much they mean to you.
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