THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES - HOST / HOSTESS GIFT IDEAS

A RELAXING VISTA MAKES FOR A DREAMY WEEKEND RETREAT - SHARON,CT - CLICK IMAGE TO SEE MOREWith scorching temps all over the country, working 9 to 5 is about as grueling as it gets.  If you are lucky enough to get that oh-so-sought-after weekend invite to a friends house - TAKE IT!  Regardless if your friend has a compound, a condo, or a shack with a compost pile - take your chance to escape the heat of the city and go.   Pack light, have a great time, and be a good houseguest.   After all, you want to be invited back again..right?  

Here are a few Host / Hostess gift ideas that you can bring with you, or even better have them sent to your hostess with the mostess once the weekend is over.

La Maison Du Chocolat -Summer Hat Box - $120.00For the Chocolate Lover:   La Maison Du Chocolat:   This Parisian purveyor of fine chocolates has a global following for their famous truffles.   With several outposts in the U.S., La Maison will fedex these fine confections overnight - complementary with a purchase of $120.00.   The Summer Hatbox will put a smile on your hosts face, and confirm you were a good weekend invite!

Designer Ari Shapiro models her exclusive Ari Dean Pajamas at the W South Beach - $165.00For the Lounger:  Ari Dein Pajamas  - What's more luxurious than comfy pajamas?  Designer Ari Shapino has created an exclusive pajama set for the W South Beach as it celebrates 4 years of fabulous accommodating.  Ari Dean was featured prominently on Gossip Girl, the choice of Blair Waldorf - of course!   100% Cotton and made in New York, these are sure to delight any hostess or guest.  (Buy a set for yourself - shhh).  Ari Dein Pajamas - $165.00

Christophe Pourny Furniture Care Kit - $98.00For the Interior Design Lover: Christophe Pourny Furniture Care:  All natural and effective.  This French artisan is a favorite of Martha Stewart.  His Tonics have essential oils of Lavender, Rosemary, or Sandalwood in each bottle.  His Furniture Care Kit has the full assortment of Wood & Leather Care.  Made in NYC.  Free priority shipping- $98.00

For the Style-ista: C.Z. Guest - American Style Icon by Susanna Salk: C.Z. GUEST - AMERICAN STYLE ICON - THE LATEST FROM SUSANNA SALK Read all about one of America's chicest socialites.  Guest was THE image of glamour, Hollywood style, and the well heeled lifestyle.  Published by Rizzoli, this is the first book ever written about this glamour icon.  Brought to life by style maven Susanna Salk - a taste-maker and pretty glam WASP in her own right - having a stable of great coffee table books to choose from.  $75.00 - with free shipping ($46.00 on Amazon at the moment!!)    Click images to shop now.

Remember, it's the thought that counts.   Try to make it original and not something your host already has.   If your budget is tight, a heartfelt Thank-You note is also always welcomed - and can make just as big an impression for any true friend. 

Happy Summer!

SERIOUS CHOCOLATE -a La MAISON

SYLVIA MACARON AT MAISON DU CHOCOLATMention chocolate to just about anyone - mouths water.   It seems our hunger for the dark, bitter, or milky sweetness of chocolate has never been greater.   U.S. supermarkets, gourmet food shops, and even department stores are bursting with a dizzying array of options, be it percentages of cocoa content or additives like mint, sea salt, pepper, or even good old fashioned raisins.   Of course Americans have a long way to go to catch up with our cousins across the pond, as the British, Spanish, and especially French have passion supreme for all things chocolate.  (20 years ago you could already buy Cadbury chocolate bars while waiting on the British Underground platforms for the next train or "tube" as they say in the U.K).MADISON AVENUE BOUTIQUE

With all the boutique chocolate brands that have popped up in the last 5 years or so, I thought I would pay homage to one of the founding houses of all things Cocoa.   In this case - the Maison -  La Maison Du Chocolat.   In 1977 the house was founded on Avenue Faubourg St. Honore in Paris, in a former wine cellar.  This big address would foreshadow things to come for the fledgling house of chocolate.  From the beginning, only the finest ingredients were incorporated in the makingTHE ORIGINAL SALVADOR RASBERRRY MOUSE CAKE of what would soon be the premiere chocolate of France.  The company built a prestigious reputation by using the highest quality cocoa and by following impeccable attention to details.   Travelers from all over the world quickly fell under the spell of this Parisian chocolate master.

In 2011, you don't have to travel to Paris (but if you can -DO) to indulge in these amazing chocolate creations.   La Maison Du Chocolat now has a global presence with boutiques in major cities around the world.  New York City is lucky to have three locations, and a fourth is just beyond the city streets in the luxury suburb of Short Hills, NJ.   What's even better is that the rest of you chocolate lovers not living in driving distance can just point and click.   The Maison has an excellent online boutique that can overnight an impressive assortment of chocolate treats right to your door. 

 To celebrate Summer 2011, LMDC has created a special collection - Chiberta.   These exciting little morsels are named for a town in the Basque region that is in fact the home of the founder of Maison Du Chocolat - Robert Linxe.  The Basque region is also the first area in France that began importing Cocoa  over four hundred years ago.  Of course, the Basque region is a major influence for the chefs of some of the hottest restaurants from New York to L.A.  In New York,  Bar Basque opened this Spring from famed restaurateur  Jeffrey Chodorow..  who previously brought us favorites-  China Grill and Asia de Cuba.   CLICK IMAGE TO VISIT LA MAISION

If you live close to a Maison Du Chocolat Boutique - stop by this Summer to experience a little bit of Basque Country.   In addition, add the web-store address to your bookmark pageMACARONS AND CHOCOLATE GANACHE - you can never have enough gift resources at your fingertips!   While they do cost a little more than your average chocolates, these are far from average by any means!   To visit the online boutique of La Maison Du Chocolat  now - click - CHOCOLATE MAISON