Baking French Bread

I thought it was about time I learned how to make homemade French bread.  

Last week I ordered a specialty bread pan (found here) as I read great things about it.  

Then my good friend Tatiana shared her favorite recipe (which you can find here).

This morning I put it to the test.  

It is a very easy recipe to follow, but does take some time.

Was it worth it?

I used our heart bowls from the shop for the egg wash.  I love these little bowls for food prep!

I also use our tea towels to protect my countertops.

Best butter I have found is from Tillamook.  This is what I used for greasing the pan.

NOTE:  Remember to place bread pan onto a cookie sheet 

so that the butter doesn't drip through to the bottom of your oven.

Learned this the hard way.

Fresh out of the oven!

Served for lunch with a pesto pasta salad.

My boys loved it!

Then tonight I used leftovers to make a quick and delicious French Toast for dinner.  

Best French toast I have ever had!

Was it worth it to spend two hours in the kitchen for fresh French bread?

Oui  Oui!  (yes, yes)

While I won't make this every week, I do think it would be a nice treat to make monthly.

Happy baking!  Thank you for visiting!

My Recent Kitchen Favorites

In February nothing beats this candle from Hardeman Candle Co.  

It's Pink Bubble Gum and the scent is so nostalgic!  

It's at the shop with the wooden tray that I have it on.

Below:  I love adding little touches to the desserts I make this month.

Our baking kits come with cupcake cases and heart picks that are so fun to use 

and there are plenty so you can use them all throughout February.

I love that Valentine's Day is all about the little things.  

Bake your favorite muffins and deliver them to family and friends 

in a French basket with muffins wrapped up in a tea towel.  

I'm excited to be sharing more recipes and kitchen favorites as we are growing 

our French kitchen line at the shop.  Click here for my most recent kitchen order.  

I'll post a recipe and how I make my bread very soon.

More videos and content found on Instagram at madeleinelamour.

Happy baking!  Thank you for visiting!

Lollia's Imagine

We are happy to welcome Lollia's Imagine fragrance to our line of best-sellers from Lollia.  

Available now.

The beautiful packaging goes perfectly with our lovebirds theme for Valentine's Day!

For those requesting a link to affordable bike shorts I posted on Instagram click here.  $19.98.

I love them and will be ordering other colors.  I got the red in size small for reference.

A Nutcracker Inspired Christmas

I thought I would show you some of our favorite Nutcracker products in action for a little holiday inspiration.  

Rifle Paper always has the most charming prints!

Wrapper Paper Roll

Gift Labels

This is a gift tag made out of our Rifle Paper paper tape.

I also love using this paper tape to seal treat bags and holiday cards.

Rifle Paper has sold out of much of their holiday line, but we still have some available.  

Shop soon for best selection.  Shipping available.

Wishing you a wonderful day!

xoxo

Holiday Gift Sets

We have a variety of pre-packaged holiday gift sets for easy and affordable shopping.  

Many of our gift sets include our favorite holiday treats for Trader Joe's.

Below: Holiday Sweets Set $42

Includes: Trader Joe's Peppermint Bark in a festive tin, a green enamel candy dish, 

and a holiday tea towel all wrapped up in festive packaging.

See more holiday sets on Instagram at madeleinelamour.

Below:  Our Reindeer Holiday Box $68

Includes: Reindeer limited edition hobnail holiday candle, 

the matching room spray (which I love to spritz around my artificial Christmas trees) 

all wrapped up in a festive striped box.

This makes a lovely gift for parents and/or in-laws.

Below:  Candy Cane Holiday Box $64

Includes:  Hardeman's Candy Cane candle, Trader Joe's Candy Cane Cookies,

a tea towel and a felt candy cane ornament all wrapped in a striped box.

Below:  Holiday Go Green Gift Set $32

Includes: A green tree, Trader Joe's mint star cookies,

a green tea towel and a Christmas bell and tag.

LINKS BELOW

I have recently featured some gift ideas for boys and/or athletes on Instagram.

They are some of the gifts I have purchased this year for my two sons.  

I have provided links below for those who requested them.

For the funny mug for the avid cyclist click here.

I paired it with chamois cream for extra humor.  Click here for 5 star cream.

For the guitar lover click here and here and here.

I love that this t-shirt is not a boxy fit.  It's more slim-fitting.

For the athlete click here.

Currently just $12.65.  Great reviews.  14 left in stock.

For my Dad's gift click here.  

After decades of playing basketball his shoulders cause him pain, 

but not for long!

Check back as I am adding more.

Thank you for visiting!  

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

A Cozy and Festive Bedroom

I love having a bit of holiday all throughout my home and that includes my bedroom.  

Adding a few white lights, switching to flannel sheets and adding pops of red is all it takes.

I crave grabbing a cup of tea each night, a good book and enjoying

the holiday sparkle!

Oh, and don't forget the mistletoe!

My favorite lipgloss for nighttime is Beauty Bio's The Pout in Vanilla Mint.  

It's clear, hydrating and has a nice minty scent.

Wishing you a wonderful night!

Our Holiday Home

All this month I will be sharing home updates with holiday decorating ideas.  

This time of year I watch the weather closely and get my outdoor wreaths put up before the first snow.  

Customers have asked how I hang my wreaths and I have a post coming soon on that.

Wishing you a wonderful day!