Normally we hate folding. Laundry, napkins, poker—you name it, we’d rather not.

But these folded ceramic platters from Vancouver company Butter & Fly caught our eye. Available in two sizes (medium, $89 and large, $109), they’re modern and so very delicate-looking. We’re envisioning them on our coffee table as we entertain our guests pre-dinner party or on our dinner table as we serve dessert. In other words, they’re beautiful and versatile.

So we have a reason to get bent out of shape. —Kelsey Dundon

www.butterandfly.weebly.com

Our recent trip to Whistler's Cornucopia was a perfect time to draw up our holiday shopping lists. While the wise women of House Wine counsel never to save bubbly for special occasions, we've paired some of their top picks with the perfect excuses to open them:

Date Night: We chose Blue Mountain Brut ($30) for our wedding, and seven years later still pop a bottle regularly. Made using the Methode Traditionelle of real Champagne and the classic mix of pinot noir and chardonnay, it tastes like the real thing.

Lunch with the Ladies: Mionetto Posecco ($20) was our favourite discovery of the seminar. Crisp, fresh, and frothy, the Procecco grape is known to stimulate your appetite. Bon Apetito.

Sushi Night: The perfectly pick Oyster Bay Cuvée Rosé ($23), made with sauvignon blanc, has a herbaceous finish that pairs well with raw fish.

Christmas Morning: Newly available in Canada, the Henriot Blanc Souverain French Champagne ($77.75) has a toasty brioche characteristic that would compliment your breakfast pastries.

Boxing Day Brunch: Fresita sparkling wine ($14.49) from Chile is finished with the wild strawberries from the Patagonia region and almost qualifies as a breakfast smoothie. Almost. 

—Sarah Bancroft

All recommendations courtesy House Wine consultants at Whistlercornucopia.com

We shed a few tears when El Bulli announced it was closing its impossible-to-get-through doors.

But now Ferran Adrià, its chef and a molecular gastronomy pioneer, gives us a glimpse into his domestic side with his new cookbook The Family Meal: Home Cooking With Ferran Adrià. Unlike El Bulli, the food here doesn’t resemble Frank Gehry’s buildings. It’s a rather simple affair, intricately illustrated and organized into 31 three-course meals, each with its own time and portion chart. Easy peasy!

As for our dreams of El Bulli? We’ll happily consider this our consolation prize.  —Anya Georgijevic

$23.10 at www.amazon.ca

If you're a huge El Bulli fan you won't want to miss El Bulli: Cooking in Progress at the Vancity Theatre playing from December 2 to December 8.

Much too lovely for laundry, we first spied industrial-style canvas storage baskets displaying French baguette at an East Vancouver bakery. Next we discovered one in a photography studio bathroom in Toronto holding artfully arranged toilet paper rolls.

Now, we’ve found a local source in new-to-Vancouver design outpost Style Garage which stocks the original 1921 version. Sturdy enough for firewood, handy for kids toys, all we know the only place they won’t be hiding is the laundry room. —Sarah Bancroft

From $95 at Style Garage, 125 W Hastings St., Vancouver, 604-558-4343 and 938 Queen St. W., Toronto, 416-534-4343, www.stylegarage.com

The title quote is probably one of Yves Saint Laurent’s most recognizable sayings, and now we can mount his words on our wall.

Fashionotes.com has just launched a series of posters called Fashionable Faces, featuring the illustrated face of some of the world’s most recognizable fashion designers, paired with one of their quotes. Some of them are very positive, like Diane Von Furstenberg’s saying about being happy with yourself, others a bit crazy, like Valentino’s rant against short evening gowns. And some sum up the designer very, very well, like this one from Karl Lagerfeld: “I’m very down to earth. I’m just not from this earth.” —Alexandra Suhner Isenberg

Fashionable Faces posters, $30 plus shipping, at Fashionotes, www.fashionotes.com

Finally! The day has come when we can blast the Ghostbusters theme song on repeat! But that’s not the only frightfully good tune we’ll be listening to as we scarf down hand out candy tonight…

"This is Halloween" from the Nightmare Before Christmas

"Monster Mash" by Bobby “Boris” Pickett

"Somebody’s Watching Me" by Rockwell

"A Nightmare on My Street" DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince

"Twilight Zone" by Manhattan Transfer

"I Want Candy" by Bow Wow Wow

"Addams Groove" by MC Hammer

"Thriller" by Michael Jackson

"X-Files Theme" by Mark Ayres

"I Put a Spell on You" by Screamin’ Jay Hawkins 

 

—Kelsey Dundon

Six-thousand-square-foot loft. Features brick walls, exposed beams and tons of natural light.

No, it’s not our place. It’s Montauk Sofa’s brand new Gastown digs. The Canadian company (each piece is made in Montreal) is much lauded for its aesthetic, which manages to be sleek and inviting at the same time. It’s that warm, modern look that makes the new space so open and airy. And it’s outfitted with impeccably designed furniture, to boot.

So, ahh… when can we move in? —Kelsey Dundon

Montauk Sofa, 228 Abbott St., Vancouver, 604-331-2363, www.montauksofa.com

Creamy, classic and made from materials you already have, ceramic dipped silk flowers are an easy art project with big impact.

The project is the brainchild of uber crafter Danny Seo whose book, Upcycling, digs into your junk drawers and storage closets for dozens of projects that take what you already have and turn it into something you want to put on display.

Supplies
Plaster of Paris, silk flowers, a basket and a chunk of Styrofoam, all of which can be purchased at Michael’s.

Method
1. First, mix plaster of Paris according to the instructions making sure there are no lumps.
2. Next, dip silk flowers one at a time into the plaster, shaking it off to remove excess plaster.
3. Place the plaster-covered flowers in a Styrofoam block to dry.
4. Dip the flowers in the plaster again until there is no colour peeking through and let them dry again.
5. Use the excess plaster to paint a basket or bowl.
6. Arrange the plaster-covered flowers in that plaster-covered basket.

Voila. Like magic, or old-fashioned craftiness, you have created a centrepiece your friends will covet.

 

—Jaelyn Molyneux

Somehow you’ve been finagled into throwing a baby shower for your university BFF. Oh did we say finagled? We mean joyously volunteered, of course.

But between work and life, finding the time to cut the crust off cucumber sandwiches and make baby shower bingo cards has been majorly stressful. Save your sanity with delicate macarons by Kitchening With Carly. The delicious 12-piece assorted boxes include flavours like pistachio, espresso and chai; set them out with some tea and sit back as everyone oohs and ahhhs over footie pajamas.

You might get away with serving the Merlot in red plastic cups after all. —Maria Tallarico

12 for $24 (free delivery for a limited time), www.kitcheningwithcarly.com

It's that time of year, a time to give thanks, surround yourself with loved ones and to enjoy good food. To spice up your traditional Thanksgiving dinner we've got a great recipe care of Chef David Hawksworth, the man-in-charge at Hawksworth, Vancouver's hottest reservation.

Sauteed Pea Tips and Brocollini with Garlic and Red Chili

Serves: 4 (side dish)

Ingredients:
4 large handfuls of pea tips
200g blanched brocollini
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 pinch of dried red chili
1 shallot minced
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp sherry vinegar
salt to season

Directions:
1. In a large sauté pan heat the olive oil, add the shallot and cook for 15 seconds.
2. Add the garlic, pea tips and brocollini.
3. Stir over high heat and cook for 2 minutes then add the chili and season with salt
4. Deglaze with sherry vinegar.
5. Enjoy with your Thanksgiving dinner!

 

Hawksworth, 801 W. Georgia St., Vancouver, 604-673-7000, www.hawksworthrestaurant.com