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A Few Of Our Favorite Things | December 2020

Our special cozy holiday edition of all our favorite comfort-makers, things to sip, read, eat, watch and look forward to this December 2020. We hope you are staying comfy in your homes.

Art of Tea

A cozy cup of tea is our favorite winter ritual and we’ve been reaching for Art of Tea a lot lately. Organically grown and based out of LA, they utterly master their blends of flavors so that different notes awaken different taste buds. What’s more, they seem to have a blend for everything, from Endurance Tea to 1896 Tea, alongside classic favorites like Throat Therapy and Earl Grey Crème. As we said, a cup of tea is a favorite ritual and Art of Tea inspires us to treat it as such, taking time to let the essence in.


Travel Home: Design with a Global Spirit

This lovely publication by our friend Caitlin Flemming and co-author Julie Goebel is beautifully crafted and inspiring. As interior designers, reading about design is kind of our happy place and we always love to see how other people are putting together their spaces, especially from a global perspective. This essential book pairs rich imagery with interviews, essays and tips for integrating traveled pieces together. Pick up a copy at our Mill Valley store! We have our own copies at home and can’t put them down.


Chocolate Fleur de Sel Cookies

We all have those holiday foods or recipes that become dear to us over the years. Just thinking of them, we are left with a warm festive feeling as we're reminded of merriment, friends, and family. These Chocolate Fleur De Sel Cookies are that recipe for us! We have both been making these cookies every Holiday season since we discovered them and now it's officially a tradition. They are buttery and deep dark chocolatey with a deliciously salty sprinkle of fleur de sel. 


A crowd pleaser, they've been given as holiday party favors- sent home lovingly bundled in mason jars with ribbon. As we can't share them at our annual party as we'd like, we're especially excited to share them with you! We love these cookies. Our friends love these cookies. We think you will love them too! Enjoy!

Ingredients:

•2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
•2/3 cup unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa
•2 teaspoons baking soda
•2 sticks plus 6 tablespoons (11 ounces) unsalted butter, softened
•1 cup light brown sugar
•1/2 cup granulated sugar
•2 1/2 teaspoons fleur de sel
•1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
•10 ounces semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

Step 1:

In a medium bowl, sift the flour with the cocoa and baking soda. In a large bowl, cream the butter. Add the brown sugar, granulated sugar, fleur de sel and vanilla and beat until combined. Beat in the sifted dry ingredients just until blended; the dough will be fairly crumbly but will hold together. Knead in the chocolate until evenly distributed. Divide the dough in half and transfer to 2 large sheets of plastic wrap. Shape each piece of dough into a 1 1/2-inch-wide log and wrap in the plastic. Refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours.

Step 2:

Preheat the oven to 350°. Line 4 cookie sheets with parchment paper. Using a sharp, thin knife, cut the logs into 3/8-inch slices and arrange about 1 inch apart on the cookie sheets. If the slices crumble, re-form the cookies, pressing the dough together. Bake the cookies on the middle and lower racks of the oven for about 17 minutes, or until puffed and cracked on top; shift the pans from top to bottom and front to back halfway through. Let the cookies cool on the sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer them to wire racks to cool completely.

Recipe by Pierre Hermé for Food & Wine


Love Actually

A movie that is good all year long, but even more special during the holidays. We love watching this one while wrapping presents. Seriously, what’s not to love? A star-studded cast, stories of love, hope, sheer ridiculousness and arguably one of Emma Thompson’s best roles. No, listen. That moment with the Joni Mitchell album? Brilliant acting. This one’s a classic for a reason.


Matilda’s Bloombox

Last but not least, we are so excited to imminently announce a collaboration with Emily, wonderful cofounder of Matilda’s Bloombox which offers a refreshing take on floristry. Their mission is to bring you local farm fresh flowers inspired by the seasons and give great tips on how to arrange, leaving all the creativity up to you! Her own arrangement work is truly stunning as well. This woman really knows her flowers! We strongly encourage you to pick up some blooms from her.

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