If you don't know Tim from his blog you may know him from Instagram. And if you don't know him from either, I think maybe you should. He's just one of those guys whose photos bring a smile to your face.   We've not met in person, but I've always sorta assumed we'll pull up a chair someday. Probably on an old veranda someplace with biscuits and sweet tea and the company of Tara O'Brady. xo, N             ‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹ FOR THE LOVE OF PIE — a series that celebrates the simple things. Today, Tim Robison and his French Silk Pie. Tim lives in Asheville, NC with his fiancé Amanda. He's an illustrator, photographer and a regular contributor to Kinfolk Magazine.              

I was surprised when I first arrived in Puglia. I'd taken the train there, a near full day whizzing past small towns, long fields and the Adriatic Sea. Eight or so hours of inspiration from my seat.       But still, I hadn't expected the south to look that way. I hadn't dreamt of the stark whites and beautiful creams. Nor, the light sandy beige. I hadn't considered that a short moss might grow beneath the olive trees.     I hadn't expected the flat, pale, beauty of it all. The lack of rolling hills and terracota soil.     I don't know what it was I'd expected. It's almost as though I hadn't dreamt big enough.     I'd heard how wonderful the food was. How different the tomatoes taste, and how fresh the cheese. But I wasn't prepared for backyards of oranges, roadsides of arugula or gardens tucked amidst olive groves. I hadn't thought of the seafood.   Somehow I'd kinda forgotten just how extraordinary travel can be. xo, N         PS: find a little more from our trip, here. Photos: Michael Graydon

  It's been a while. Hello, happy belated 2013. I hope its start has been good to you.     Things are great here. We're officially into our new studio and while it's still piled high with boxes it's pretty great.   The sink is on the floor and there is tape on the walls where the kitchen goes. I bought a dead stock faucet that makes my heart sing and I've been looking at ranges for quite some time now. I'm kinda almost (but not quite) speechless about how it all makes me feel. It's just a space, but it's exciting nonetheless.     Anyway, I've got lots more to tell you but first things first, our birthday winner is KATHLEEN B! Kathleen, please email us your contact details & we'll pop your package in the post!     And if you're wondering about the photos. I made sticky toffee pudding countless times in 2012. And one day, Michael and I decided to shoot our favourite, Jamie Oliver's. It's sweet but not overly so and perfect served with unsweetened whipped cream alongside. Also, I really love that it calls for Ovaltine.     For my version I add a little salt and vanilla to the mix. I also skip the toffee sauce and replace with a dark golden caramel. Plus, these photos show the dates a little chunky, but they're best puréed a little more.     [amd-zlrecipe-recipe:2]       xo, N. Photos: Michael Graydon Styling: Nikole Herriott

  Hello! Happy Holidays!   And  well, Happy Birthday to Herriott Grace. Back in November we turned FOUR! Can you believe it? FOUR!   Truth be told, it wasn't long ago that HG was a teeny little holiday shop I worked on during my spare time in university. And while we're still pretty wee, it means the world to us to be here.   So thank you. Thank you for supporting what we do and for making this whole thing possible.       And in honour of our special day, we're giving a few things away. The large (and beautiful) pedestal in this photo (!!) as well as a few other treats from the HG workshop. Leave a comment on this post and we'll choose a winner at random on December 18, 2012. (check back here December 21, 2012)     And if you're a new visitor here, welcome! If you haven't done so already, you can learn a little more about us here. Find our recent press here and well, catch up on what we've been up to, here.       Plus, they is a lot in store for the holidays! Stirring spoons (my fave!), rustic pedestals, porcelain dishes, evergreen gift wrap, egg coddlers, dessert plates, table laterns and detailed pins are all back in stock.   And our cloud cookie cutters will be back again soon. xo, n   Photos in this post: Michael Graydon Styling: Nikole Herriott (that's me!)

  We’re updating! Watch for new items Friday, November 30 at 6pm EST. xo, n