Can't you tell? I'm totally feeling the springtime greens right now. I know I should be talking about cute dresses, shoes, or jewelry, but it's easy to forget that we are what we eat, and we wear those choices long after the heels pinch our feet and we slip into flats. Why not be as excited about eating our greens as we are wearing something green?

You always have one of those friends or family members who's a total nut for food and trying new flavors, right? Or maybe it's someone who's hard to buy for, but has an adventurous palate. Consider giving Foodzie a try. I got a bunch of tasty things from them last Christmas, tracking down unique, small food crafters, both local and abroad, buying items that would ship well and be a memorable gift for the recipient. A sweet and spicy quince jam, specialty breads and cheeses, jam made with bacon and caramelized onion! They specialize in conversation-worthy treats like this, perfect for a person who truly savors every bite of something special.

Originally Foodzie was sort of like an edible Etsy, with small businesses being able to create a mini storefront presence on their network, but they've since changed their setup -- much less products, but still an eye for interesting things. They've definitely curated their offerings, fewer items, very seasonal, so usually within 30 days, it's all new, and there's also a subscription service, for small Tasting Boxes with samples of diffferent items are shipped to your home every month. That's a nice gift idea, since it's like getting a different care package.

I genuinely like what Foodzie does, specializing in showcasing discover-worthy items, and when it comes to gift-giving, food is a nice choice. It's a way to find out more about a small, independent business who really puts their heart and soul into something handmade. These are small-batch products and they have a charm all their own, something to consider when you're doing holiday shopping and want to support smaller companies.

Jaunty Fine Print:  imnages from Foodzie website

I'm sure this Bird has mentioned it before, that I'm a Magpie with many feathers in her cap, including being a freelance photographer who specializes in food. Don't ask how one gets started in this field, it's true what they say, you just kind of fall into it, but not by chance, and it's a lot of hard work. You have to appreciate food, not just for the eating (which of course is one of the best parts), you love it for the textures, color, a play of light and shapes; it's about appreciating the balance of elements. A layering of hot and cold items -- fresh greens sitting atop a just-baked crispy flatbread of roasted tomatoes and melted cheese. Or the striking silhouette of a dramatic plating of items, charred stacks of meat and vegetables on skewers, decorated with a drizzle of spicy sauce. Sure, we need food to live. It's nourishment for the body, but the artful plating of beautifully-made food can be just as nourishing for the senses as a whole. It makes one truly savor every aspect of the dish, and as you photograph it, you're enjoying it as much as any diner slicing into the first bite.

These photos were taken at a recent photoshoot at local restaurant Black Bottle Postern. It was a pleasure to shoot at their space, as the restaurant is bright and full of natural light, my favorite way to take photos. It was nice to have such an open space to wander and explore with the camera, literally savoring each moment with all the senses. It's been extra neat to see them use the photos, which you can see on their website - check it out!


Jaunty Fine Print:  photographs by Denise Sakaki

Whew... another Christmas come and gone. And of course nothing says post-holiday like... sushi?? Call it a strange craving after so much rich holiday food, plus this Bird having a family of the Asian persuasion, it's customary to celebrate the new year with dishes from the sea. This is probably due to the fact that Japan is an island nation and most of their food came from the ocean's bounty. Maybe if they had lots of grazing land, they would be celebrating the new year with hamburgers.

This Bird clearly has sushi on the brain, so consider this a Mood in the raw, admiring all these fun and funky items that both celebrate the cuisine of Japan. The red dot dish is particularly useful, with the dipping area in the center and the wide lip to artfully display your food, and really, who doesn't want to keep their feet warm with a pair of sushi slippers? You know you want 'em: {1} Red Dot Dish from Crate and Barrel, {2} Sushi Slippers from Uncommon Goods, {3} Sushi Stapler from Paper Source, {4} Sushi Pillows from ThinkGeek, {5} Cold Sake Set by Khafu Japan


Jaunty Fine Print:  photos from shops listed above

 

Guess what this little Birdie has on her brain? Food, of course! And no, it's not just because when I'm not being distracted by shiny-shiny, pretty-pretty objects, I'm penning my food blog, Wasabi Prime (shameless plug), the simple fact is, food and cooking-related gifts are always appreciated!

The Jaunty Cook felt a Food Mood come on when browsing for gift ideas. For true food nerds, the latest gadget or gizmo would be peachy keen for the holidays, but what about those looking to spice up a drab kitchen or make cooking into less of a chore? Maybe a flirty apron that makes preparing a meal more dressy and less drudgery. Or a vintage-style red kitchen phone to add a bright pop to the one room that rarely gets much decor. Even having a supply of sweet treats for an impromptu party or an easy hostess gift is a handy thing to keep around. 

When you're looking for special gifts, think of items that a whole household can enjoy and benefit from! Items that brought on this edible Mood include: {1} Pig Cooking Lid from the MoMa Store, {2} Seat-of-Honor Bottle Openers from Anthropologie, {3} Crosley Classic Kitchen Phone from Urban Outfitters, {4} Tea-and-Crumpets Apron from Anthropologie, {5} Object Tea Towels from the MoMa Store, {6} Petite Bouchee Salted Caramel Gift Tins from Foodzie


Jaunty Fine Print:  images from shops listed above