rainy day milk + cookies.

It's raining and dark here in Chicago, and after several days of 90-100 degree weather it's a refreshing change. So while it's lightning and thundering this evening, curl up with a great read (I'm absorbing Michelle Obama's delightful 'American Grown' at the moment) bake up some oatmeal chocolate chip cookies and pour yourself a mug of hot milk with honey and cinnamon. As always, I've got just the right tabletop ingredients to make the moment more memorable.

'Navy Linen Napkin' £12.50

'Winkie Candle Holder' £26

'Tea and Alchemy Cups' $42

'Fish Platter in Milk' $119 

Good for fish and cookies too!

coffee with simon pearce.

I've been a fan of Simon Pearce's glassware and ceramics ever since my brother and sister-in-law registered for a selection of his pieces for their wedding. The sturdiness, simplicity and perfect luminescent colors hooked me from the beginning. This past weekend, my boyfriend and I had the opportunity to enjoy a hot air balloon ride while visiting the picturesque Quechee, VT (Be sure to check out The Quechee Inn at Marshland Farms while you're there-eat there and stay there) Our delightful pilot, Chris Ritland, of Green Mountain Ballooning mentioned that he was a former employee of Mr. Pearce's, which got me all excited. You see, we had just visited his studio and retail shop the day before, and I was even more jazzed up than usual about Simon Pearce's beautiful work.

Flash forward to our pilot looking for a spot to land (get this-they just land in folk's back yards!) and he lets us know that the field we're about to land in is home to Simon and his wife Pia. That gets a chuckle out of the boyfriend as he knows I'm mentally freaking out. We land safely and softly (thanks Chris!) and start to pack up the balloon. Just then, Simon comes around the corner of the house to say hello to us, and I'm just dying at this point. This hot air balloon ride just turned epic. He introduces himself, and we chat for a moment before he goes back inside. A couple of minutes later, he's back out again and asking us if we'd like to come in for a cup of coffee.

Yes, Simon. Yes, I would.

I managed to keep my cool for the next twenty minutes as we sipped fresh brewed coffee from Simon's hand crafted cups, but internally I was pinching myself as I gazed around at the exquisitely simple home they had created. The spontaneous hospitality and coffee in gorgeous mugs is really what sums up my intention with salt + cloth and what Simon and his wife built their company on. It's those simple moments of joining friends, family or strangers together over a table to share a bite or a cup or a meal that forces time to slow down just a bit. The emphasis on well designed tableware lends itself to an appreciation of all who grace the table. The importance placed on a handcrafted mug transfers to the importance you place on your guest.

Here are just a few of my favorite Simon Pearce pieces, that I hope will grace your table as well.

Happy hosting.




'Belmont Mug' $35




'Hampton Stemware' $60 per stem



'Nantucket Hurricane' $175