French Style Mini Quiche

When I lived in France, breakfast for me usually consisted of a pain au chocolat from Bechard, a fabulous local patisserie, OR a small quiche purchased from one of many local bakeries on my way to class.  This quiche wasn't your everyday eggs in a pastry shell with some cheese.  It was a small round egg wonder with bacon and tomato or ham and Gruyere all baked in a puff pastry crust. I always think about this tasty morning bit and when I found Dufour Puff Pastry at the market, I decided it was time to attempt a recreation.  And so...

French Style Mini Quiche(s)
For two 4 to 5 inch quiche, you will need:

3 eggs
1/2 cup of whole milk (or half & half or heavy cream for a richer taste)
salt and pepper
1 cup of shredded cheese (whatever you have on hand)
2 slices of tomato
Dufour Puff Pastry Dough



Thaw puff pastry overnight in the refrigerator (or for at least 8 hours).
When pastry is completely thawed, remove from fridge and unfold.  Lightly butter your pastry tins or baking dishes.  Unfold pastry and remove two of the prefolded dough rectangles from the plastic wrap (or however much you desire).  Press the dough into the tins or baking dishes.

Arrange shredded cheese on the bottom, place tomato slice on top of cheese.  Beat egg, milk, salt and pepper and pour over tomato and cheese.  Fold edges down and in.  Using a pastry brush, spread some of the egg and milk mixture onto the pastry crust.  Bake at 350F for 30 minutes. 

Bon Appetit!

Color Love: Pink, Gold & Black

It's a classic color combination and one of my all time favorites: black and white plus pink and gold.  The effect is simply magnificent.  Here are a few of my favorites...

Room by Mary McDonald via VERANDA

Unknown decorator via decorpad

Jonathan Adler via ELLE Decor

Mary McDonald via ELLE Decor

Unknown decorator via House Beautiful

via domino Magazine

via

Furbish Studio

via

PurePhoto Favs

Aside from a comfortable sofa, fabulous linens and great lighting, I think that compelling art is the most important part of a well decorated home.  One of my go-to places for art and inspiration is PurePhoto, a "social commerce network" whose chairman and co-founder is my [eh-hem] cousin (by marriage).  It's a fabulous site that connects art collectors with photographers from all over the world.  If you haven't checked it out, please get with it and do so now!

Anyway, I was just doing my weekly stroll through the virtual gallery that is PurePhoto and thought I would share my current favorites.

Artist Unknown, Gray Dress and Red Hat, Hamburg Kennedy Photographs

Robert Canis, Green-winged orchid meadow at sunrise

Matt Schwartz, girl with plane

Thomas Birke, Hong Kong #09

Louis Gaillard, 6

Alin Popescu, Have a Seat and Take a Look

Roberta Murray, Sunday Drive

Rafael Fuchs, Mom on Bicycle

Mina Georgescu, Carnivale

Walter Meregalli, Via Bramante

Miss Progress Gets Progressive

I am of course referring to my mama's kitchen, which I have unofficially named "Progress".  I am pleased as punch to report that Miss Progress has undergone some exciting transformations since last we saw her.  She isn't quite complete, but really, who is?  She'll probably be done just in time for a year to have passed since we embarked on this adventure.  Patience and progress.  
Here's the proof. But first, let's recall the before...

And now, I present Miss Progress....

Since my last update, [almost] all of the overhead lighting has been installed and the beautiful back splash tile has been completed.  The light over the sink is from Rejuvenations.com and the overhead lights I purchased at Lowe's.  The glass lamp on the counter is from Target and was formerly on the stainless steel work table/desk, but I shifted some things around before I took pictures and liked it better near the sink.  The improvised desk light was less than $10 at the hardware store.  I found it in another room and decided to give it a try, just for shits.  Turned out kind of cute- I don't know if it's permanent, but I rather like it.

Miss Progress has come a long way and my client is very happy with the results, but there is still some work to do.  Namely, the crown molding needs to be put up, the flooring installed (although I am not offended by the current floor), plug covers attached, window treatments finished and other stylistic details completed.  A bit daunting considering all we've already done, but progress keeps us wanting more and anxiously anticipating the finished product.

One Word: Furbish

The other day I was searching for an online swatch of a paint color we are considering for the den.  It's a minty, springy green blue and when I typed in the color name, this was one of the images that came up:

Now as you can clearly see, this picture is neither minty, nor green, so I believe it was only meant to be that I discover the origins of this wonderfully dreamy bedroom.  After a few mouse clicks, I came upon... Furbish Studio.  It's like a chic American Black + Spiro and it's right in my hood!  Well, North Carolina, but close enough.  Check out some other eye candy from the fabulous Furbish Studio...

Love: Paper and Swedes

I am hurrying and scurrying trying to to do everything I need to do, so I'm only stopping by for a minute, but I wanted to share two things that are inspiring me right now: paper and swedes!

First. Rifle Paper Co. I am just recently hip to this wonderfully artful and fabulously creative paperie...

... See what I mean.

Next, I stumbled upon Alvhem, a Swedish real estate agency slash interior design firm and their icy hot designs make me want to PURGE, paint all my floors white and change my name to Sven.

Ahhhh.  When I grow up, I want to be a minimalist.