The Chinoiserie Kitchen

Chinoiserie Dish Drying Mat

I love adding blue and white chinoiserie details to my kitchen. This dish drying mat is a perfect example. It would also make a lovely Mother's Day gift or hostess gift. It can also be used as a coffee bar mat, pet feeding bowl mat, or placemat.

Bauble Stockings - Mahjong & Chinoiserie

CCC

My favorite Bauble Stockings have two new needlepoint stockings I think you'll love. Above and below is Porcelain Petals happily living at CCC surrounded by blue and white and chinoiserie.

CCC

The Canvas Tote

Orange Fish Tote Bag

I am a big fan of canvas tote bags and this one is just darling. It is available in three designs but this fish one is my favorite. And it is under $10!

Chinoiserie Chic Diffuser

Orchid & Fern Porcelain Diffuser

Refresh any room with this stunning porcelain diffuser. Simply place the porous porcelain floral sprigs in the bottle of oil to disperse the light, delicate fragrance. Both the visual and the scent are very Chinoiserie Chic. I have never seen a prettier diffuser.

Martini Anyone?

Olive Candle

 

Is this too fun? It would be fabulous on your bar or as a hostess gift. There is an entire collection of these very chic candles -

Christmas Hostess Gifts Under $30

One Kings Lane

 

Here are some great ideas for Christmas gift giving, perfect for hostess gifts, stocking stuffers, gift exchanges, office gifts, and such. All are under $30 with many under $20.

Pineapple Candle Snuffer

Pineapple Candle Snuffer

 

I always use a candle snuffer to blow out a candle. Why use a candle snuffer? Candle snuffers help to prevent wax from spattering and can extend the life of a candle by preventing the wick from smoking. To use a candle snuffer, simply hold it over the candle flame until the flame is extinguished.

Heart Healthy for Valentine's Day

Muraglia Extra Virgin Olive Oil in Heart Bottle

 

With January being the month for New Year's resolutions like eating healthier, I just hosted a wine tasting featuring the wonderful Spanish Tempranillo wine - the only wine found in studies to reduce cholesterol and blood pressure. And in February in honor of Valentine's Day, I am featuring the wines and very healthy foods of the Mediterranean.

Valentine's Day Candle

Red Roses Candle

 

I got this candle last year around Valentine's Day and absolutely loved it. It smells like a bouquet of roses and has wonderful throw. Actually, most roses from the grocery store or florist today have little to no scent. Over the last twenty five years, appearance and durability have been prized over scent. So this candle smells like the exquisitely scented roses of your childhood.

 I am thrilled that it is back and I will stock up again. It reminds me so much of Diptyque's Roses candle that sells for $74 for a 6.7 ounce candle.

Luxe Candles

NEST Indian Jasmine

If you are looking for a candle for a very lovely gift for yourself or for someone special in your life for a hostess gift, birthday, Valentine's Day, or Mother's Day, I have two very elegant choices.

Immerse yourself in the lush jasmine fields of India with NEST''s new Home Fragrance Collection featuring an intense jasmine absolute surrounded by bright red berries, sparkling bergamot, and spicy pink pepper.
 

Great Chinoiserie Christmas Gift

Blue and White Canton Collection Wine Bucket

 

A favorite of mine at CCC is this chinoiserie Champagne or wine chiller. It is blue and white Chinese porcelain with a bamboo handle. This is a great piece for yourself for entertaining and would make a great Christmas gift.

Yummy Christmas Gift

Williams Sonoma Classic Hot Chocolate

A wonderful hostess gift/stocking stuffer/Christmas gift is gourmet hot chocolate. These are my favorites and make great gifts for people who are hard to buy for.

A Holiday Tradition

Frango Mint Chocolates

 

When I was growing up in the Chicago area, every Thanksgiving dinner and Christmas dinner would end with a box of Frango Mints from Marshall Field's. And there was always a box under the Christmas tree.

"Frango mints are a brand of chocolate truffles first created for the Frederick & Nelson department stores. Traditionally flavored with mint and widely popularized by the Marshall Field and Company department store, they were later produced and distributed by Macy's department stores.

Historically associated with the Midwestern and Pacific Northwest regions of the United States, the candy is sold in various outlets throughout the country. Frangos were created by Seattle, Washington's Frederick & Nelson department store in 1918; the company and Frango trademarks were both acquired by Chicago's Marshall Field's department store, which introduced its recipe in 1929. Frango mints were produced in large melting pots on the 13th floor of the flagship Marshall Field's store on State Street for 70 years.

In the beginning of 2017, Garrett Popcorn Shops acquired the rights to sell Frango from Macy's."

(Wikipedia)

Gifts for the Candle Lover

Leopard Candle Snuffer

 

I know that many of us are candle lovers. Do you burn candles every day? I do, and it's a daily ritual that I never tire of. 

Candle snuffers have been used for centuries to extinguish flames. They were first recorded in the 15th century. By using a candle snuffer, you can gently and elegantly extinguish the flame, minimizing smoke and wax splatter. This preserves the beauty and pristine appearance of your candles, enhancing their overall aesthetic appeal.

Fabulous Finds

Ginger Jar Charcuterie/Tapas/Cheese Board

August is here and many of us will be taking trips and seeing family and friends. If you are looking for a hostess gift to bring, here are some great finds.

Chic Wine Gifting

Frances Valentine Wine Bags

 

Wine is one of my great passions. I am very active in a couple of wine groups here and am taking over heading up a gourmet wine and food pairing group starting June 1st. I also love bringing a bottle of wine as a hostess gift and love chic wine bags - they make a gift of wine look so special and intentional.

Chinoiserie Chic Candles for Mom

Japanese Quince Pagoda Candle

I have been a huge fan of Seda France's Japanese Quince candle for years. This iconic scent makes a fabulous gift for the lover of chinoiserie with its gorgeous pagoda packaging. It is the quintessential hostess gift or Mother's Day gift.

Fabulous Last Minute Gifts for the Chinoiserie Lover

Louis Sherry Chiang Mai Dragon Chocolate Truffle Tin

 

The brand Louis Sherry dates back to 1891 and this is the same Sherry of the famed Sherry - Netherland Hotel in NYC. The famous tins were created in 1919 for steamship passengers and have been highly collectible for a hundred years. Use one when the truffles are gone for jewelry, sewing supplies, photos, or just for display. These new designer created chinoiserie tins are fantastic - it's so hard to pick a favorite - and the truffles are divine! These would make amazing hostess gifts. You choose your delivery date.