From French Country to Paris Chic

French Recipes in February Magazines

bcarlouet — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 01:00:41 +0000

I spent some time this weekend catching up on magazines and noticed that two featured French twists on classic dishes in their February issues.

Provence Herbs in Linen Bags from I Dream of France

First, InStyle showed baking halibut wrapped in parchment paper with herbes de Provence. This is our favorite way to prepare fish at home, including sole and salmon. (Aluminum foil instead of parchment works fine.) We also like to wrap lighter-flavored fish with lemon and onion slices, with a little bit of salt and thyme. Just bake at 350 degrees and check every few minutes until the fish flakes with a fork. Wrapping the fish keeps it from drying out while it cooks, and doesn’t make a mess in your baking dish. Easy and healthful — who says French cooking has to be complicated?

Daniel Boulud's Lasagne Photographed by Kana Okada for Elle Decor

In Elle Decor, Daniel Boulud’s column shares a recipe for chicken lasagne with spinach and mushrooms. This is on my to-do list for sure! This recipe is very old-world European because it has you make bechamel (white sauce) instead of the ricotta cheese mixture that is more typical in the States.

This month’s Elle Decor is also the International Issue, which I love because all the articles are republished from other editions of Elle Decor. The pieces are shorter than what usually appears in the American edition and have a different style of writing. Naturally, they feature a Paris apartment filled with art, checkerboard marble floors, klismos chairs, and a copper bathtub. However, my favorite was from Elle Decoration Russia, which showed a traditional Russian country cabin (called an isba) reproduced inside a Moscow apartment. The owner actually took a wall from an old cabin and had it re-installed inside the apartment to be as authentic as possible. My favorite detail was the kitchen’s painted cupboards, beautiful and special.

–Brett

Bake a Galettes des Rois for Epiphany

bcarlouet — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 00:34:21 +0000

Today is Epiphany, the last of the Christmas holidays. In France, the tradition is to bake a Galletes des Rois, or Kings’ Cake. Inside you hide a little doll, a coin, or a bean as a good luck token. The French Kings’ Cake is a puff pastry with frangipani filling, different from the American King Cake served in New Orleans for Mardi Gras. There are recipes all over the web, so take your pick and give it a try!

Galette Du Rois from La Renaissance Bakery

The Kings’ Cake is served with a gold paper crown, and whoever gets the good luck charm wears the crown. The winner also has to buy the next cake.

–Brett

P.S. If you have any tips for baking with a bean hidden inside, let me know. When I’ve tried it, the bean sort of dissolved into the cake. We couldn’t find it!

Download a Free French 2012 Calendar

bcarlouet — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 23:31:06 +0000

Paris Fireworks

Bonne Année! Happy New Year!

I just came across a terrific calendar you can download from Etsy.com that has many photos of Paris and happens to be free. The calendar was made by the owner of the Magalerie Etsy shop. (We are not connected in any way. I just think her calendar is cool.)

Free Calendar PDF Download from Magalerie

–Brett

Baccarat Crystal Snowflake for UNICEF

bcarlouet — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 20:22:47 +0000

Baccarat Crystal Snowflake for UNICEF - Photo from CBS New York

Did you know that every year in December, UNICEF hangs an enormous crystal snowflake made by French crystal maker Baccarat above the intersection of 57th Street and Fifth Avenue in New York City? They hang it in conjunction with an annual ball as a reminder of their commitment to reach a day when zero children die from preventable causes.

Baccarat Crystal Snowflake -- Photo from UNICEF Site

The original snowflake was displayed in New York starting in 1984. In 2005, UNICEF commissioned a new snowflake from Baccarat. (The original model moved to Beverly Hills and hangs over the Beverly Wilshire hotel.) The New York snowflake contains 16,000 crystal prisms, is 23 feet wide and over 28 feet tall, and weighs more than 3,300 pounds. Both snowflakes are beautiful, handcrafted crystal ornaments consisting of 12 double-sided branches.

Baccarat Snowflake -- Photo from NYC♥NYC on Flickr

So beautiful, and such an inspiring cause. We wish all our customers and friends peace and beauty this holiday season.

–Brett

2012 Color of the Year: Tangerine

bcarlouet — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 19:06:05 +0000

PANTONE 2012 Color of the Year Mug - Tangerine Tango

Pantone has announced that the color of the year for 2012 is Tangerine Tango, “a spirited reddish orange.” I find this color exciting! Very alert and ready to be productive.

Below are some of our products that incorporate this color.

Ceramic Mill with Sea Salt or Pepper - Olives Red

Provencal Oil & Vinegar Ceramic Bottle Set - Olives Red

Beauville Ocean Red-Orange Tea Towel

Alphabet Baby & Boys Stripes Route 66 T-Shirt

Alphabet Baby & Boys Route 66 T-Shirt (Detail)

Le Cluny Jacquard Tablecloths - Claire Yellow & Red

Vive l’orange!

–Brett

French Gifts, $5 Priority Shipping!

bcarlouet — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 02:28:09 +0000

Yes, you still have time to order gifts and decor! Now through December 31, pay just $5 for USPS Priority Mail shipping. As always, orders of $75 or more ship free! No coupon code required.

Exceptions: Glassware from La Rochere, dinner plates and bowls (Antheor, Le Cadeaux, and 222 Fifth), and other bulky or oversized items. Sometimes orders containing these items are too heavy for Priority Mail. If you are unsure whether your order qualifies for Priority shipping, please call us at (888) 96-FRANCE. Our intention is to help you get your items as quickly as possible. If we can do it, we will!

Holiday Hours ’til Christmas

Tuesdays through Fridays: 9AM – 5PM
Saturday 12/17: 10AM – 5PM
Monday 12/19: 11AM – 3PM
Saturday 12/24: 10AM – 3PM
Online: Anytime

Click any of the photos below to view more information about these gift ideas on IDreamofFrance.com!

Quimper Faience Jewelry Marie Sevres Blue Necklace

This three-piece pendant is painted in rich cobalt blue and ivory pearl. The color is called “Sevres Blue” after the Sevres River that runs through the city of Quimper. The design is called “Marie” for the artist who designs the jewelry for HB Henriot. The pendant measures 4.5 inches long and hangs from a black silken cord. The cord has a 20-inch drop; depending on how you tie it around your neck it can be worn dramatically low or close to your neck. It arrives to you in a cushioned collector’s gift box with a certificate of authenticity.

Quimper Faience Jewelry Marie Sevres Blue Necklace

Le Cluny Jacquard Tablecloths – Lemon Rust

Le Cluny table linens capture the color and spirit of Provençal living. This tablecloth is yarn-dyed and damask-woven for beauty and durability. Versatile 61″ square size fits a square or round table seating four people, or 61×98″ rectangular fits a table seating 6 to 8 people.

Le Cluny Jacquard Tablecloths - Lemon Rust

Roger & Gallet Lavande Royale Fresh Fragrant Water

Lavande Royale (Royal Lavender) fresh fragrant water fragrance spray from Roger & Gallet Paris transports you to the undulating lavender fields of Provence. Rediscover the emotion of a fresh aromatic scent rich in memories. Contains notes of mandarin, lavender, geranium, cedar wood, and vanilla. A happy and feminine scent.

Roger & Gallet Lavande Royale Fresh Fragrant Water 3.3 oz Spray

Provencal Scenery Art Tile Trivet

This breathtaking trivet depicts the Mediterranean sea from the vantage point of a flagstone terrace on the Riviera. Potted red geraniums, turquoise water, and palm, eucalyptus, and cypress trees fill the landscape. The trivet is made of a ceramic art tile mounted on a sturdy yet elegant wrought iron base with scrollwork on the sides. The painting on the tile has raised edges and uses vivid, saturated colors and a shiny glaze. This piece will undoubtedly be the centerpiece of your table, or a treasured gift for someone special. Be prepared for oohs and aahs!

Provencal Scenery Art Tile Trivet - Terrace View

A bientôt!

Gift Ideas from France

bcarlouet — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 22:00:08 +0000

French Gifts, $5 Shipping!

Now through December 31, take advantage of our shipping special to order charming gifts for others, or fresh decor for your own home. Pay just $5 for standard shipping. As always, orders of $75 or more ship free! No coupon code required.

Holiday Boutique Hours

Mondays 12/12, 12/19: 11AM – 3PM
Tuesdays through Fridays: 9AM – 5PM
Saturdays: 10AM – 5PM
Online: Anytime

Click any of the photos below to view more information about these gift ideas on IDreamofFrance.com!

Gifts for Foodies

Check out our selection of French-designed melamine spoon rests, cheese boards, and other pieces from Le Cadeaux!

Made in Provence, this old-fashioned French honey from L’Abeille Occitane is pure and natural.

Nutmeg and Cinnamon Grater Gift Package: This superfine stainless steel grater comes packaged with nutmeg and a stick of cinnamon. Perfect for eggnog, bechamel sauce, mashed potatoes, stew, spinach, cheese, soufflé, fondue, and so on.

Gifts for Hostesses

Cooked in copper cauldrons “just like our grandmothers did,” the Old-Fashioned Christmas Jam from Les Confitures a l’Ancienneis a traditional French treat made with cane sugar. This holiday treat contains chestnuts and clementines.

Invented in 1900, the Bougies la Francaise perforated candles or “bougies trouées” were the first candles with internal perforations. As the candle burns, the wax fills the perforations to burn later instead of running down the outside. The result is a candle that burns longer with less wax.

From Tissages Claude, the Parisiennes tea towel is a plum-colored, whirlwind trip through Paris with cupcakes, flowers, a chandelier, a bicycle, and mais oui, the Eiffel Tower!

Gifts for Babies (and Their Parents)

French babies have been teething on Sophie the Giraffe by Vulli since 1961. Now the babies of America can too!

Adorable, durable Baby Cie dinnerware is a sure winner.

Gifts for Nesters

Made of Limoges porcelain from Philippe Deshoulieres, this set of six plates depict an old-fashioned French circus or cirque. Jugglers, trained horses, wild animals are all represented in beautiful colors.

From Pre de Provence, this 1.0 fl.oz. tube and 150g bar of soap are paired as a packaged gift set. They are available in Natural, Lavender or Verbena.

A bientôt!

Merci Beaucoup: Thanksgiving with a French Flair

bcarlouet — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 15:43:15 +0000

Thanksgiving is the time when everyone comes together to break bread, give thanks for life’s blessings, and kick off the holiday season. It’s the top travel holiday in America. How many will be coming to your home this year? Be prepared to set a beautiful table with a French tablecloth from I Dream of France. Whether you need a longer cloth to cover your table with its leaves in place, or a square or round cloth to fit a secondary table, we’ve got you (and your table) covered.

Le Cluny French Country Damask Tablecloth -- Claire Red and Yellow

Make Cleanup Easier with Acrylic and Teflon

An acrylic-coated tablecloth wipes clean to welcome children at the table, yet is beautiful to please the adult eye. A teflon-coated cloth helps spills bead up before sinking into the cloth. Choose either to ease your workload on the big day. (Save your energy for shopping and football.)

Le Cluny Cotton Acrylic Coated Provence Tablecloth -- Lisa Red

Le Cluny French Country Jacquard Tablecloths with Teflon Coating - Lemon Rust

Not so Formal?

If you’re keeping things small and/or informal this year, we have plenty of runners and placemats for low-key entertaining with a French flair.

Couleur Nature Table Runner -- Ladybird Green and Orange

Le Cluny Coated Reversible Placemat -- Fayence Yellow

For tips on how to set the table the way the French do, see our blog entry Setting the Table a la Francaise.

–Brett

Halloween Trick or Treating in Old Town Tustin, California

bcarlouet — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 00:54:31 +0000

Every year on Halloween, the merchants of Old Town Tustin pass out candy to trick-or-treaters after school hours, before it gets dark. This year there were about 400 kids and parents walking around. Top costumes included multiple Marios and a Luigi (who knew they were popular again?), a family of nerds, Pebbles & Bam-Bam, princesses, and lions. In between clusters of kids, we snapped some photos. Scroll down to see all of them.

Trick or Treaters Passing by Prospect Village

Trick or Treaters Stopping at Old Town Flooring

Trick or Treaters Passing by I. Initial

As festivities wound down, we posed for photos with our neighbors.

Miss Bobbie and Jean-Michel

Here is Jean-Michel (a Frenchman dressed as a Frenchman, get it?) and Miss Bobbie as a witch in front of Miss Bobbie’s Low Carb Shoppe & Cafe.

Marge Redmond Flamme of Old Town Flooring

Here is Marge Redmond Flamme in front of Old Town Flooring. Does the broom give her costume away?

Brett at I Dream of France

Here I am, in front of I Dream of France, dressed as…the American wife of a Frenchman!

–Brett

Stéphane Dufour – Artiste Automobile

jmcarlouet — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 18:23:48 +0000

One of my deepest passions in life is the automobile. Classic cars, trucks and motorcycles in particular have been an obsession as long as I can remember, growing up in France. This was actually what motivated me to come visit America, especially California. Growing up in the French countryside, it was extremely rare to spot a sports car, a custom car, or even a nicely restored antique. Magazines on the newsstands abounded with articles from sunny Southern California, and fast forward a few years, here I am, living in the heart of Orange County, California, driving a classic Chevy truck! I am mentioning this because yesterday I met another French man who not only shares my passion, but is able to turn it into amazing pieces of art. His name is Stéphane Dufour and his paintings and sculptures are just breathtaking! He creates his realistic works with pencil, acrylic, and airbrush techniques. If you share my interest in car culture, you should visit his website http://sdufour.com/ We also have a few of his paintings displayed and available for sale in our Tustin store.

Stéphane Dufour - Hommage Citroën

Stéphane Dufour - Ferrari 250 GTO

– Jean-Michel