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Sister Golden Boutique: Flower Prints & Boho-Chic Decor

“Pink Frida” Flower Face Print by Vicki Rawlins
 
Online boutique Sister Golden is one of my exciting recent finds. Their flower prints are cheerful and inspirational and their global home decor has a great, boho-chic vibe. I’ve interviewed the mother-daughter duo operating Sister Golden for today’s feature, Vicki and Brooke Rawlins. Vicki Rawlins is the creative artist behind these fun floral prints! Learn more about this duo below.
 

Jacquin: How did Sister Golden come about? What inspired your brand’s name?

Brooke: My goal has always been to own a small boutique of my own where I could decorate the bare walls with my mom’s (Vicki’s) art and represent other up and coming artists and makers. About 2 years ago we came to the conclusion that there’s really no time like the present, but because we lived in different states, whatever we did needed to start in cyberspace. So, I took the domain name from my old blog, “Sister Golden”, and we started working out the details Looking back, it’s hard to pinpoint the exact moment we said “let’s do it”. The inspiration was really just the urge that we needed to make it happen in whatever way we could. What SG has naturally evolved into is a great representation of what we both bring to the table in terms of interests and abilities.
 
The name Sister Golden was inspired by America’s Song “Sister Golden Hair”. My dad has called both myself and my mom that for years, so we just kind of naturally gravitated to it. 
 

(Left) Palm Boob Pot (Right) Cool Dots Senegal Basket

(Left) Azila Boucherouite Pillow (Right) Cusco Manta Pillow

Jacquin: You sell such beautiful artwork and home accessories! I love your vintage kilim throw pillows. Has sourcing these vintage items led to any exciting excursions or flea market visits?

Brooke: It’s crazy how much business can be handled online – from sourcing items to running an entire shop. We have relationships with families across the world who help us source things like our vintage pillows. Most of that is done by looking through hundreds of images and carefully choosing the pieces we’d like. We also try to get to as many handmade fairs, trade shows, and antique shops as we can. We would love to
eventually take a trip to Turkey or Morocco ourselves to source in person. That would be incredible and is definitely a goal of ours.

Jacquin: One of my favorite items you sell are your Flower Prints! I actually just decorated a space in a client’s home using your “Pink Frida” print. The client loved it! How did you begin creating your flower prints? What inspired you? What do you enjoy most about creating with flowers?
 
Vicki: I’ve been a professional artist for over 35 years, but just started working with foliage a year and a half ago! I had seen some foliage art floating around Instagram and told Brooke, I had to try it. I’m a “master gardener wanna be” as a hobby, so it wasn’t a real stretch to start working flowers into my art as a medium! We put my first piece up on our Instagram feed and it got a wonderful response! But truly it didn’t matter, I was addicted from my first piece!
 
I fell in love with foliage art for its sustainable and therapeutic qualities. Every piece is foraged from Mother Nature. No glue, tape or anything else is ever used to adhere the foliage to a surface, so the pieces of foliage and flowers are just delicately balancing on one another until I get the look I want. Once photographed it all goes back into Mother Nature or sometimes I’ll keep little bits for future pieces!

 
Jacquin: What would you like to learn to create next, Vicki?
 
Vicki: Painting and drawing have always been my first love. But I would love to learn more about ceramics and metal work! I love working with textiles and have always wanted to design my own tiles and make my own metal garden sculptures. Someday, there’s just not enough hours in a day!!

“She Wore White” Flower Print by Vicki Rawlins

Jacquin: What’s in store for  Sister Golden as your business grows? What are you most looking forward to as a creative company? 
 
Brooke: A brick and mortar has always been a goal, with a gallery type space to feature Vicki’s flower art prints in person. Each day, we can see that dream a little bit clearer. I know Vicki is constantly pushing herself with flowers and when I think her creations just can’t get any better, I’m always reminded to think again. All in all, we’re excited to keep challenging each other to see how our unique strengths ultimately manifest!
 

Owners of Sister Golden: Vicki Rawlins (left) and daughter Brooke Rawlins.

Designer Spotlight

At Home with ‘Sullivan + Phenix’ Chandelier Designer Elizabeth Martin

I absolutely love beaded chandeliers so I was pleased to come across brand Sullivan + Phenix, a chandelier company with a gorgeous array of beaded chandeliers designed by NYC designer Elizabeth Martin. Elizabeth creates chandeliers with both gold and silver bases in a range of beautiful, beaded shades. Today Elizabeth gives us a tour of her NYC residence showcasing her artistic design style and love of chic decor. 

Jacquin: How did your passion for lighting and lighting design begin?

Elizabeth: I was born and raised in the South, however, my lighting design idea slowly began to transform  into a reality when I decided to move to New York City a few years ago at the age of 29. Overall, I was indecisive about what direction I wanted to go career wise. The most exciting part of it all for me was that the world was my oyster. In New York, everything is about who you know when it comes to getting a job. Somehow, with the help of some friends, I landed interviews with a few of the top companies in New York City. As much as I tried to get excited about a position in the ritzy Upper East Side of Manhattan, at the end of the day it wasn’t my passion. Still searching for the niche that fit me best, I decided to take a job in Soho at a fabulous high-end home store there. I fell in love with all of the beautiful chandeliers that we had hanging in the store. I started to brainstorm and realized that handmade chandeliers were somewhat of an untapped market. I have always wanted to work for myself, so it was there that my idea was born and I became determined to make my dream a reality.

Jacquin: Tell us about how you launched your lighting brand, Sullivan + Phenix. How was your time living in NYC instrumental in developing your brand?
 
Elizabeth: I started making chandeliers in my Soho apartment in New York on Sullivan St, which is where the first part of the name comes from. “If you can make it in New York you can make it anywhere” is amotto you hear often about the busting, fast paced city. There is so much inspiration all around you in the city all the time, it’s hard not to be motivated to be creative and do your own thing. Most everyone with a brain that is creative would tell you that we think out of the box and operate differently than most people.
 
Moving back home to Georgia after my time there was mostly to continue to pursue and grow my business. When I first moved back, I was making my chandeliers out of an old mill that had been renovated called the Eagle & Phenix. So the name Sullivan + Phenix is a combination of the start of my company in New York, and then the continuation of it when I relocated. Being fortunate enough to work for myself and not for someone else was like a weight being lifted off of my shoulders. I am constantly coming up with ideas and dreaming of new designs for my chandeliers. I definitely have found my passion, and I think a creative outlet in life is one of the best things you can have in my opinion.
 
(Left) Riley Chandelier, (Right) Katherine Chandelier
 
Jacquin: What is inspiring you creatively at the moment?
 
Elizabeth: I am definitely inspired by all interior designers who aren’t afraid to take risks. My favorite thing is when I go into someone’s home are those “wow” pieces that almost make you gasp at how fabulous they are. This could be anything from a unique piece of art, to a pop of color in an unexpected place. I also love mixing different textures in a room. That said, I would have to say that Kelly Wearstler is definitely one of my greatest creative influences. Another would be my sister, Lulie Wallace! She is an artist based out of Charleston, SC. I cannot say enough about how much I admire her, and her work, and how far she has come in her career. She is definitely an inspiration to me, and I can only hope that one day I will flourish as much as she has over the years.
 

Jacquin: What steps did you take to educate yourself on chandeliers and lighting? What did you most enjoy about the learning phase of chandelier design?

Elizabeth: I learned a lot about lighting from my metal fabricator that I used to make some of my very first chandeliers. He was located outside of the NYC, so I used to rent a car, and drive out to Bridgehampton, NY where his metal shop was. He had years of experience as a welder, working on custom jobs for his high-end client homes in the Hamptons.

There are many intricate stages that each chandelier goes through before being complete. After the welding process, the chains are then attached to the preferred length of the client, and piece is painted by hand. Next, the beads are carefully counted and strung one by one. I would say that although the beading part is tedious, it is my favorite part because that is what makes the chandelier so pretty!

Chandelier designer Elizabeth Martin at work crafting a Sullivan + Phenix chandelier. 

Jacquin: What is your all time favorite chandelier design so far?

Elizabeth: My favorite chandelier design actually is the very first one that was made, the “Riley” chandelier (see below). This chandelier is so special to me because of the beads. They are imported from Ghana, Africa and are handmade by women of the Krobo Tribe using recycled glass. The powder color comes from finely ground glass most commonly made out broken bottles and other scrap glasses.

These beautiful glass beads are made in vertical molds. Each mold is filled with finely ground glass, which is layered to create different colorful designs. The beads are fired in clay kilns until the reycled glass fuses. They are even more beautiful in person, and the way that the light hits them when the chandelier is lit is absolutely amazing!

Chandelier shown- Elizabeth’s favorite design yet, the “Riley” Chandelier. 

Jacquin: You have a lot of great decorative features in your apartment! Tell us about your favorite space in your home.

Elizabeth: My favorite space in my home is right when you enter into my apartment through the foyer. There is a peacock chair that I love along with an abstract art piece by one of my favorite artists, Teil Duncan (see above). There is a fun story that goes along with the chair, which originated in East Asia and was reserved for royals because of it’s throne like frame. In the 19th century, the designs made their way to the United States, where they were popular garden-party perches. In the 60’s and 70’s the chairs were popular for boho-glam photo shoots from everyone to Stevie Nicks, to Cher, to Bridgette Bardot. It’s always interesting for me to have background information about pieces in my home!

 

(Left) Hensley Chandelier, (Right) Lulie Chandelier

Jacquin: What has been your most exciting moment as a lighting designer and entrepreneur so far? 
 
Elizabeth: All moments are exciting for me as a lighting designer! Every time I get a new order it’s like Christmas for me! I work hard to make sure every precise detail is fulfilled according to the custom dimension and bead request from my clients. It is fun to make them unique for each person, because everyone has different needs when designing their space. Most importantly, I look forward to the future of my business, and the fabulous opportunity that I have to continue to evolve to make new and different designs! A round sphere shaped piece is in the works at the moment, so please stay tuned!
 
Photo Credit: Cinthya Zuniga
 

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Contemporary Gold Brass Furniture from Jenifer Janniere

When Jenifer Janniere contacted me regarding her new furniture brand, I knew I had to feature her amazing designs. Jenifer’s background is interior design but she has found a new passion in furniture design. Jenifer’s bold, geometric designs blend the line between art deco and contemporary, adding a bit of edge and interest to any space. My favorite piece from her inaugural collection is the stunning geometric bookcase shown below.
 

Jenifer Janniere Etagere

Jenifer’s design process is quite impressive and intricate, and fully directed by Jenifer herself. In terms of production, each piece is crafted in powder-coated 16 gauge steel that is treated with a hand-applied gold finish for a luxury feel. Jenifer also offers black and antique brass finishes for those wanting a slightly different look. 

Jenifer Janniere C2 Console Table.

Want a peek at what Jenifer Janniere’s designs look like in a residential space? Take a look at this lovely staging from store As Of Now, which currently carries Jenifer Janniere’s line of contemporary furniture. 

Jenifer Janniere Arrow Side Table.

There are just so many great pieces to choose from. I really love her bed frame design and arrow side table as well. You can shop Jenifer Janniere‘s new collection through her website or the As Of Now store. 
 
Jenifer Janniere No.2 Bed frame
 
Which Jenifer Janniere design is your favorite?
 

***Vote for Interiors by Jacquin for the Amara Blog Awards here!***

 

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Artist Spotlight: NYC Photographer Wesley Stringer

“Cloth” Series. –  Copyright
© 2016 Wesley Stringer. All rights reserved.
 
You may remember that I was looking for two great interns not too long ago and I am so glad that I’ve found not only two, but three fantastic interns for Interiors by Jacquin. These interns are quite talented so I’ve invited them to guest post here on the blog. Today’s guest post comes from my intern Sunny Tsao, a New York based journalism student with a great eye for style and photography. Sunny recently interviewed photographer Wesley Stringer for this Artist Spotlight feature. 

After finishing my sophomore year of college and returning back home for summer vacation, I had the pleasure of meeting and working with New York City based photographer, Wesley Stringer. Originally from Oklahoma, Wesley moved to New York City in order to satisfy his aspirations in photography. Wesley’s photographs range from rusty and abandoned outdoor areas, to aquatic floral gardens, to subdued portraits of high-fashion models.

“Cloth” Series. – Copyright © 2016 Wesley Stringer. All rights reserved.
“Cloth” Series. – Copyright © 2016 Wesley Stringer. All rights reserved.
 
Wesley Stringer’s inspiration…

I’ve had a pretty wide range of influences. I was initially most interested in figurative work and was most drawn to images like those of Paolo Roversi and Sarah Moon. In recent years however I’ve become more focused on environment and have been influenced by people like Nadav Kander, Rinko Kawauchi, Alec Soth, and Michael Kenna.

How does your personal style reflect itself in your photographs?

I don’t think an artist can have a clear voice unless the work their making is a clear reflection of themselves. In that sense, I do hope that my work is a reflection of my values and tastes. I think much of my work exhibits an optimism and idealism that I value. I have little interest in shock or any kind of abruptness or grotesquerie. I want my work to be quiet, understated, and contemplative.

Copyright © 2016 Wesley Stringer. All rights reserved.
 

What is your ideal setting to shoot?

Cloudy rainy days.

If you were to travel to some place, what gear do you take with you? What’s your favorite lens?

Hassleblad 500c/m (2) w/ A12 back (2), 150mm f/4, 80mm f/2.8, a whole bunch of Portra 400 120mm. Usually some Ilford Delta as well. Also a Canon EOS 650 and a few rolls of Portra 400 35mm.

Where do you see your passion taking you five years from now?

Exhibitions and gallery work is the eventual goal. I’d like to begin publishing books by then as well.

Copyright © 2016 Wesley Stringer. All rights reserved.
 

How do you educate yourself to take better pictures?

Practice is the only real way to take better pictures. I think spending a lot of time searching for inspiration is a bit of a waste. The best new avenues come to you in the moment, and can’t really be manufactured otherwise. That being said I do think there is great value in spending time meeting with other artists and learning their processes and perspectives. Becoming too insular is a trap I find myself sometimes falling into.

I also think physicality is important. For me, a photograph is never finished until it’s printed. Multiple prints can give you a better idea of sequence and narrative, and show you what you may be lacking or might have otherwise missed.

Copyright © 2016 Wesley Stringer. All rights reserved.
 

What’s your ideal shoot like? Setting? Subjects? Gear? Describe how you picture it to look like.

I don’t really think this exists for me. Most of my favorite work has been discovered. I’m not much of a planner, and when I’ve tried to build out a narrative beforehand it has often been to my detriment. 

Global Inspirations

Exploring African Kuba Cloth with Paulski Art Store

 When decorating I love including global elements in a space for an especially curated and original look. These global decor finds can be sourced when you go on exotic vacations out of the country and serve as great souvenirs, but if you want to acheive the global look sooner rather than later there are some great retailers who sell authentic cultural decor. For a stylish African element at home, I recommend giving Kuba Cloth a try! Paulski Art Store is hands down the best supplier of top rated Kuba cloth’s across the world with one on one collaboartions with some of the most respected artisans across the Democratic Republic of Congo. Paulski Art has been in the textile industry providing true and authentic African made Kuba textiles since 2013.
 
Kubacloth usually references the Kuba tribe in Zaire (Democratic Republic of Congo) in equatorial Africa. Kuba clothing is created out of the natural fibers found in Raphia Vinifera tree, which in itself goes through a chain of process aided by the different sects of Kuba people from men, children and women to give it shape and form to make the final product as we know as the beloved Kuba textiles. Related to dying of cloth units, the Kubas use either tie dying or cane dying
processes which is essentially followed up by combining contrasting undyed and dyed cloth units to be give the finished product an alluring appearance.

The true art involved in crafting a single Kuba cloth comes from years of mastering the skill and a great deal of patience. The intricate detail and patterns seen on each Kuba cloth are 100% handmade and can take up to 12 days for a group of two artisans to complete a single 10 foot liner. This complex process makes for a truly unique and hard to replicate piece of art.

PaulskiArt is a family of friends, relatives and designers who share a supportive appreciation for the African community, arts and culture. Since its inception in 2013, Paulski Art has been a strong advocate, helping those in need by buying directly from local artisans and using 10% of each sale to provide and promote academic programs in the village of SAME (pronounced Tsa-meh). To add global African flair to your home shop Paulski Art’s beautiful Kuba cloths. Kuba cloths make excellent wall hangings, throw pillows, and rugs. 
 

How To

3 Great Ideas for Turning Fabric into Wall Art!

Looking for new ideas for adding wall art to your space? Why not try a unique, budget conscious solution like creating your own wall art with scraps of decorative fabric. Here’s some inspiration for you!

Image via Burke Decor

Idea #1 

Install a large fabric panel behind your bed as a unique, color splash headboard.

(Left) via Focal Point Styling (Right) via Beauty and Bedlam

Idea #2

You can also frame your fabric to create wall art with a fine art feel. If you frame several pieces of fabric separately in complimentary colors, then you can expand to create a gallery wall as a focal point that showcases your unique fabric designs.

Image via Color Love

Idea #3

Hanging fabric panels as room dividers is also a fun idea that has a fine art feel to it! Layering light-weight solid fabric in different colors and suspending the fabric from the ceiling almost feels like installation art and still allows natural light to shine through. (see above.) Using a similar technique to hang heavy-weight fabric panels in bold patterns is also a nice approach to a room divider that allows for a bit more privacy than the colorful translucent panels shown above. You can find a great example of using a heavier weight fabric as a wall panel below. I have to say that I really love the idea of using hanging fabric as a room divider. Such a unique idea!

Image via Home-Dzine

If you decide to create wall art or make a room divider out of your favorite fabric, remember to avoid displaying any frayed ends. Once your fabric is cut, finish the edges with a sewing machine or upholstery tape. To avoid concerning yourself with frayed edges, try framing your fabric instead. Let me know if you give these ideas a try!

Fashion meets Interiors

Fashion meets Interiors: featuring Sarah Duquette of Boho & Braids

Today’s Fashion meets Interiors feature brings us another fun look that captures the warmth of summer. Take a look Sarah Duquette’s fashion interpretation of this whimsical, pastel interior design. Sarah Duquette is a style blogger for Boho & Braids. 

Boho & Braids is a Canadian blog that features Sarah Duquette’s personal style, fashion choices and trends.  As a former teacher, doing what she loves every day is an absolute dream come true. Fashion has been a passion of hers since she was just a little girl, and she feels that every outfit is her very own work of art.

Mahalolena via Vtwonen

The room that my outfit is inspired after has a very fun feel, from the pastel colors, to the shapes, to the flowers, it just makes you want to smile. That’s why I knew I had to find a fun outfit to match this super cool aesthetic and what’s more fun than a tulle skirt and sneakers. I just love how the vibrance of the coral pink meshes with the pastel of the mint. It’s two colors that you would never think to put together, but when you do, it’s pure bliss. There’s something about summer that always has me reaching for pastels and bright happy colors.  I think it’s all that sunshine that makes me want to shine bright too and what better way to do that than white, pastel and coral.

Whether it’s interior design, outfit styling, makeup application or nail art, they’re all connected in many ways.  They all take extreme creativity and passion, and they all start with a blank canvas. It’s our job as artists, stylists and designers to make a creation that stands out while capturing individuality and mastering aesthetics.  I hope you enjoy my fashion interpretation of this beautifully decorated room.

Thanks to Belle by Joëlle for her fabulous make up skills and a thank you to Jessica Goguen from Pamper & Polish for my fun nails! Be sure to check out Boho & Braids blog the next time you’re surfing the web. Check out where my creative fashion mind will take me next.

Fashionably Yours,
Boho & Braids xoxo

Uncategorized

Exploring Ukiyo Home Japanese Kitchenwares

I’ve recently come across Ukiyo Home, an impressive company bringing thoughtful Japanese product design to the United States by way of Chicago. Their home accessories are not only handmade in Japan and of the highest quality, but their products also boast an attractive and unique contemporary design. Ukiyo Home recently opened a store front just outside of downtown Chicago located at 1260 N. Milwaukee, Chicago, IL.  
 

Ukiyo “Readymade Weekender” dutch oven, Available in a Round or Rectangular size.

One of Ukiyo’s more popular innovative designs is their stunning Japanese dutch oven named their “Readymade Weekender”. The Readymade Weekender comes in two great sizes and can be used indoors or directly over the fire. While this product maximizes function, it also has an intricate geometric design that stands out the more the dutch over is used, as shown in the images below.

Ukiyo also sells other speciality items for the home with a distinct Japanese essence. I love their 10¹² TERRA Hydro Copper Terrarium and attractive brass kitchenware. 
 

TERRA Hydro Copper Terrarium from Ukiyo. 

Kami wooden mug from UkiyoFutagami brass trivets from Ukiyo

Here are a few examples of Ukiyo’s stunning brass kitchenwares I mentioned. This Futagami Knife Stand is so eye catching! (shown below) With everything Ukiyo sells being handmade in Japan, it really builds a story into each home item you purchase from Ukiyo. This is one of my favorite things about globally inspired brands!

Futagami Knife Stand from Ukiyo 

I’m looking forward to seeing what Japanese home and kitchenwares Ukiyo introduces as this brand continues to grow. In the meantime I would love to try out Ukiyo’s Readymade Weekender dutch ovens. It truly appears to be a quality product and I really love the fun, geometric design. Which Ukiyo product are you most looking forward to trying?

 To see Ukiyo’s handmade Japanese homewares in person visit their new store in Chicago. To learn more visit the Ukiyo Home website or stop by their Instagram page. 
 

Entertaining with Style

Entertaining with Style: Cooking Sous Vide and with a Blow Torch!

Today’s Entertaining with Style post is all about cooking sous vide and we’re featuring the Sansaire cooking brand. Sansaire’s technology is changing the way people cook at home, making traditionally professional-grade cooking tools available to the home chef. Valerie Trask, Chief Operating Officer and co-founder of the company, shares one of her recent culinary adventures with Interiors by Jacquin blog. 

What is sous vide… 

Sansaire makes a sous vide precision cooking device
and a Searing Kit with a blow torch and searing tray. While fancy restaurants have been using this technology for years, we helped make it accessible to home chefs. This method takes the guesswork out of preparing perfectly cooked meals. By maintaining a constant and exact temperature, Sansaire sous vide device makes cooking time less important. Not to mention it’s ideal for hosting because with a sous vide device all of the preparation work can be performed well before guests arrive. Hosts can finally focus on their guests instead of meal preparation, which helps us all to be the relaxed hosts we truly want to be.

“Sous vide” is French for “under vacuum” and refers to the process of vacuum-sealing food and cooking it in a temperature controlled water bath. The intent is to cook the item evenly, ensuring that that the inside is properly cooked without overcooking the outside, all while retaining the food’s moisture.

 

 

A Tradition of Entertaining:

Every summer, myself and a group of 10-20 hyper-urban Seattleites flock to a cabin in a small town to play like the locals and eat like the kings. While cooking is not officially competitive, we divide and conquer meal preparation and people go big. To add to the challenge, our combined food allergies and preferences along with the sheer volume of people is a feat for us all as cooks. Typically my dinner parties are no larger than eight guests, but for a group of our size we alternate hosting the meals on fun trips like this one, which allows time for relaxation in between preparations. 

Like any proud co-founder, I wanted to show off the breadth of Sansaire’s cooking devices while preparing a meal that anyone could enjoy, which meant that I had to be sensitive to vegetarianism, lactose-intolerance, and gluten allergies. No problem! My menu and advanced cooking tools made this complicated task completely do-able.

On the menu: 

  • Sous vide vegetable hash with colorful fingerling potatoes, beets, carrots, and onion (meat-, gluten-, and dairy-free)
  • Sous vide egg with a velvety yolk (meat-, gluten-, and dairy-free)
  • Buttermilk biscuits with homemade blackberry jam (meat-free)
  • Brûlée peaches (meat-, gluten-, and dairy-free)
The Setting… plus making the most of limited resources:
 
This year for our group dinner we rented an adorable home on Orcas Island, in northern Washington State. They say that constraints breed creativity, which was certainly the case for this trip. The ferries to the island were overbooked, so our group maxed out our ability to carpool, therefore, forcing us each to pack modestly. For me, that meant I wasn’t able to bring tableware and table décor. Instead, I was forced to wing-it and rely solely on what I could find.
 
I was pleased to discover that the outdoor table was nestled into a small clearing in a gorgeous garden of lavender and roses, which was all surrounded by wildflowers and tall grass. Bingo! In addition to a colorful bouquet of fresh flowers from the garden, I was able to use lavender stems as napkin holders, a sheet as a tablecloth, and wildflowers as a decorative plating accessory. The white tablecloth, the colorful foods, and the bright flowers came together terrifically. Everyone was blown away by the presentation, especially knowing that it had been pulled together with limited resources. Quite the success!
 
Preparing the meal:
 
I prepared a sous vide veggie hash the night before. This way, the morning of I could enjoy a more relaxed pace. I worked with a wide array of brightly colored vegetable colors ––each of which I wanted to maintain its own integrity––so I prepared beets, carrots, onions, and two different potato varieties all separately. In an effort to maintain some textural diversity, I left the red peppers raw and crunchy, but used the Sansaire Searing Kit to blacken the skins.
 
Aiming for sweet-but-seasonal, I used the Searing Kit to brûlée the peaches. It was a simple way to incorporate fresh fruit, yet show creativity. As a 5’1 girl who wears dresses daily, I always love busting out a blow torch at dinner parties! Making the brûlée peaches was the easiest aspect of the meal, but it garnered me the most style points. Using a searing kit really adds wow factor to your meals, especially when you want to impress guests.
 
Cooking eggs for twelve people would normally be a stressful task, but I prepared 24 eggs by simply cooking them sous vide in their shells for 23 minutes at 72 degrees C/161.6 degrees F. The result was a medium firmness velvety texture, which is harder to achieve than expected without a sous vide device.
 
I don’t usually venture into mixology; but there’s a first time for everything so I expanded my horizons with a unique breakfast cocktail. I sous vide cooked and blended lychees, combined with sparkling wine to make a phenomenal mimosa. I made fresh buttermilk biscuits with my grandma’s fresh blackberry jam to round out the meal.
 

Here’s how to make my Brûlée Peaches!

Cut the peach in half, remove the pit, sprinkle with raw sugar, and torch the top until you reach the desired crispy amber color. Serve as is or top with vanilla yogurt or ice cream and a dash of cinnamon. It’s that simple!

If you’re looking to impress your family and friends with gourmet quality meals, Sansaire’s cooking devices will certainly assist you. Visit the Sansaire website to learn where you can purchase Sansaire’s Sous Vide cooking device and Searing Kit.