One a day keeps the doc away. Alas, in this world of sloppy supermarket seconds, a decent apple is hard to find. The Fruit Company makes a Royal Ruby Red beauty that adds unusually sweet appeal to sauces, salads and pies. On the exterior, they’re flashy and bright; the succulent white inside is crisp, bold and far superior to anything you’ll find at the neighborhood grocery store. This is juicy fruit at its finest.

Technorati Tags: Charles & Marie, Epicurean delight, food, gourmet

You know that we have a knack for all things fine and precious. But right now, after seeing what has happened in Java, we need to take a break from consumerism and shopping therapy for a moment and think about how we can help. We like smaller organizations vs the big slow corporations because they tend to be much more effective. Our favorite one is Fortunate Blessings - they have most recently been included in American Express’ list of preferred charitable groups - and they are putting together a trauma team as we speak and if you feel that they are the right group, you can donate whatever you think is appropriate via PayPal right here. Just enter their email address: java at fortunateblessings dot org.

Thank you!

Appearances can be deceiving (that is, of course, one of the most exciting things about design, as you’ll find in our marvelous Modern Living section). On the surface, this colorful bowl of gems may look like a collection of water-smoothed pebbles taken from a Tahoe river bed. Low and behold, they’re Petrossian candies concealed within a gleaming rainbow-colored coating. We encourage you to take a bite out of each variety which includes chocolate and marzipan, apricots and almonds. Each order of River Stones is packaged in a signature tin that looks pretty when perched upon your kitchen countertop.

Technorati Tags: Charles & Marie, Epicurean delight, candies, Sweets

This spectacular bowl is a special piece exuding a Danish sensibility with poetic form and color. Hand made of white porcelain, the generous size makes a beautiful centerpiece. The sloping sides curve in slightly while going upward. The pattern is classic Anne Black from the ‘Seam’ collection – delicate perforations with a graphic red line and dot pattern.

Technorati Tags: accessories, Charles & Marie, contraptions, Epicurean delight, tableware

This is one cool carafe, slightly retro, slightly clinical - use for water, juice, wine. Part of the Meantime series designed by Torben Jorgensen for Holmegaard, Danish glassmakers since 1825. Matching glasses and wine decanter also available.

Technorati Tags: accessories, Charles & Marie, Epicurean delight, glassware, tableware

Divine is the quintessence of taste. A design meant for your eyes as much as for your food. Indispensable for a table with delicious Spanish tapas, crisp French salads, tasty Italian antipasti, or other specialties from the rich Mediterranean cuisine. The smallest member of the Stelton’s Divine set has a double function, with salt at top and pepper at the bottom as well as a magnet to keep them together. The large oil and vinegar set has the same “body”. All you have to do is change the rubber spout: the large hole for oil, the smaller one for vinegar. You even get an extra spout with the set. The concave window adds a futuristic touch and at the same time shows you how much is left in the flacons.

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Many women adore pumpkin so much they simply can’t wait until Thanksgiving. Why deprive yourself when you can keep the love alive year-round? Some gals call their husbands “pumpkin,” while others consume the appropriately flavored treats. Pumpkin Spice Pancake & Waffle Mix is a comforting blend of sweet pumpkin, buttermilk and spices. Just add milk, eggs and sugar. For a special treat, you can top it off with toasted pecans and candied orange peel or a splash of brandy. The mix is shipped dry and you can store it in a cool, dark place for up to three months before use. FYI: the scent of pumpkin pie is said to arouse the male species. Is it any wonder we love the stuff?

Technorati Tags: Charles & Marie, Epicurean delight, food, gourmet

We love jet setting to Italy. The cuisine is heavenly but, alas, most meals finish with a bowl of gelati. Puddings like Tiramisu, Cannoli, Cassata and Baba are made of sugar and honey, which are considered very precious so such delicacies are saved for special occasions. We have, however, discovered that Italians have a way with fruit. Carluccio’s peaches in dolcetto wine capture the native spirit with ease.

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Bill Couig’s Hoboken, New Jersey glassblowing atelier is known for its production of pragmatic yet vibrant curiosities, such as his pharmaceutical series of decanters, a kitschy collection resembling Bunsen burners and beakers. But no stodgy glassware this—simple eggshell-colored glazes boast interiors in splashes of blue, green, and ruby, making them receptacles for substances more festive than, say, liquid nitrogen.

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Vertica is the latest wine and bar range with all the essentials for a modern bar. The range is an interpretation of the classic bar series produced in the 1950s and 60s. The series includes wine stopper, bottle opener, cork screw with foil cutter and holder in stainless steel from Georg Jensen, designed by Designit. The wine series is also available as a gift set with four pieces.

Technorati Tags: barware, Charles & Marie, contraptions, Epicurean delight