Quaintrelle Weekender
Four Ways to a Better Weekend
Welcome to Quaintrelle Weekender.
This is a short list of things I am currently loving to make eating, drinking, and hosting easier and a lot more interesting.
Mind the Gap
I just dropped $700 at The Gap. They’re having a terrific sale (then again, they always seem to be having a real blow out.)
I know what you’re thinking – holy smokes, Erin, you’re going to look like a poster child for Gap Inc., and holdings.
That would be true if I wasn’t planning on returning half the haul. I purchased doubles of a few things for sizing, and took a flyer on a couple of items that I only looked so-so on the website, but were priced well enough that I thought I’d give them a chance IRL.
I went to the website with precisely two things in mind – barrel-legged jeans (we shall see how this haberdashery experiment works out) and a very cute denim dress for spring. I left with 19 items in my cart.
Even though you might think me a weak-willed spendthrift (and who wouldn’t after this online shopping blitzkrieg?), I’d like to think I’ve become fairly stern in my spending. Working in hospitality the last few years has branded that discipline right into my soul – and bank account.
I had been eyeing the dress and the jeans for about a week, before deciding to visit the website and pull the trigger. To ward off rash spending, I always, always think on an item for at least 48 hours before buying, often placing something in my cart and leaving it there. I reason if it’s still on my mind, and in my cart, a few days later, it was meant to be. I’m rarely disappointed.
Head’s up: this is not a sponsored or affiliate post. I do sometimes take sponsorships, and seeing as I am a bit of business mogul, I’m always on the look out for good partnerships, but I also always, always disclose when something is a paid endorsement.
For larger purchases, like the area rug I just received a few weeks ago, and which I discuss below, I probably looked at it for close to a year. The final nudge came during an end-of-year sale, so I was justly rewarded for holding out.
This is my birthday month (my big day is on the 14th) so there will undoubtedly be a few more charges to my credit card in my immediate future, but I am trying to be mindful of accumulating just for accumulation’s sake. Of course, I’m no saint, as my Gap purchase proves, but I am aiming my spending dollars towards the goal of more meaningful purchases of character and interest. It’s a work in progress, as everything else in my life, but I think a worthy endeavour.
Hosting Q of the Week
“What are your house wines?” – a guest at Wine School this week
This question was volleyed to me after I implored a great group of wine lovers, who came to my weekly tasting in Toronto, to consider adapting a house wine strategy for their own entertaining needs. I have people over a lot, so I generally keep at least a case of mixed wines on hand at all times.
A house wine for your home should have the same ethos as a house wine at a restaurant: it works with your budget, appeals to most people, and works with your most favourite foods.
These are not the specially paired wines for a ritzy dinner party, or the bottles you dig out from your cellar, these are the turn-and-burn, easy-to-drink tipples for when the party runs over time, or a neighbour drops by to return the lawnmower and stays for a quick bevvie.
And don’t feel you need to be married to your house wines. I change mine up all the time, depending on season, what’s new to the market, or if there’s a particularly compelling sale.
It shouldn’t really matter what I stock as my house pours, because my needs are different from yours. But, I take your point. Feel free to steal my selection for your own.
Right now, I have a Côtes du Rhône for my red (low tannin, bright acidity, fruit forward, easy drinking); an unoaked, Italian Chardonnay for my white (juicy, bright and fresh, very food friendly with everything from cheese to seafood); and a surprisingly good brut Prosecco (most Prosecco available in Ontario is totally uninspired: sweet and one dimensional, which is a real shame as there are some good ones out there) which I serve as both solo sippers and in sparkling wine cocktails.
Questions about wine, food and entertaining? Phone lines are open.
Best in Class
I posted a picture of my new rug on Instagram (and on Substack’s notes, but I don’t know how to link a note, or even if you can. If you have insights to this, please educate me.) Right after I posted it, a friend of mine, who is a designer, DM’d me. I told him I legitimately love the company: great products, excellent service, good community values, and fair pricing. I’m happy to give Fable my business, and I really can’t say that about too many stores.
It’s true: I have Fable’s dish set, wine glasses, and even their scrubbies.
The company started getting into homewares I guess about a year ago, and I fell in love with this rug, which I got in ivory (the picture makes it look more beige with the glow of the evening sun). It’s hand woven in India, and is super soft and doesn’t shed like wool carpets can. Its clean lines make my small-ish living room look both streamlined and cozy. And bigger. I love it.
My Favourite Jeans
I am now on my third pair of these amazing jeans. I didn’t buy another pair in today’s plunder, though I was tempted – they’re on sale for $54 CDN!!! I might still go for it.
I know all the internet is freaking out because what’s-her-face decreed skinny jeans are back, but I’ve never been a slave to trends, so I don’t really care. These wide leg, 70’s flares are so flattering, I always get compliments. I love the front pocket detail, which is only available on the medium-indigo wash, though the dark indigo pockets are cute, too.
Anyway, these are Parisian chic with a simple black turtleneck, or relaxed bohemian when styled as a Canadian tuxedo with a denim short.
My goal this year is to not be lazy with my fashion, and these jeans are an easy way to upgrade with minimal fuss for big impact.
Quick Snack of the Week
PC Caramelized Onion and Balsamic Vinegar Chips
I feel a tad bit stupid recommending these chips for this week’s snack, I mean, it’s a bag of chips. However, I serve these all the time and people always ask about the flavour and brand. So, I thought it was worth telling you, as well.
Chips are so bloody expensive right now – seriously, two bags of the Kettle Chips brand are nearly $10, which is just bananas. I can’t, in good conscience, spend that knowing the mark up is somewhere around 1-million per cent.
The PC chips are only available at Loblaws/No Frills stores, but they’re worth seeking out. They’re almost always on sale (I think right now my local No Frills has them on for $1.80) but even when full price, they’re only $3 a bag.
Thank you for reading Quaintrelle.
This newsletter is written by me, Erin Henderson, journalist-turned-sommelier-turned-entrepreneur. I literally drink and throw parties for a living.
Every Saturday I share links to to a better weekend, and every Wednesday, I share a premium post with my best tips and tricks to easy, elegant entertaining.
If you enjoyed reading, please show a little love by clicking that heart ❤️, and consider sharing Quaintrelle with all the party hosts, wine lovers and cooks you know.
Thank you!
Hi Erin! For those of us in Ontario, it would be great to know the names of the wines that are on your house list.