Maison Cote Ouest

When in France, I love to buy and read this magazine.  I find it helps my (still very poor) French and the photographs of interiors of houses are so inspiring.  Additionally there is lots of lovely recipes and information about cultural events.

Last  month was the 100th edition of the magazine and it had lots of great articles.  It is available in London, I have bought it from Harrods and the French Bookshop in South Kensington.  If you are interested in Brittany or other regions in the west of France I do recommend it.

Summer Sunset

With a small child we don't often get down to the beach for sunset, but just once in a while we manage it.

I don't think I need to say much more....

Tidying the kitchen

I am a very messy cook, and every once in a while I have to get some order back into the kitchen.

Last week I tackled the kitchen surfaces and I was quite pleased, after a little work everything looked so much better.

I was very fortunate that blue was the colour of the moment when we bought our beach house, as a result I have some lovely bits and pieces, that though simple and cheap reflect the seaside character of our home.

A blue bowl of apples

The two butchers' blocks came from different shops, but
work well together, giving me much need extra working
space

The Ricard water decanter came from the local depot vente
and the glasses are duralex marine

I love the fact that the blues match so perfectly

A cup of tea and cake
(Though usually there are biscuits in the cake tin!)

All the brushes and bits and pieces for the dishwasher
 can be kept cleared out of the way

I love these french canisters, and have a matching set in
Richmond, the sea salt is essential for boiling
seafood

Essentials by the sink

And when I'm finished...

A cup of coffee