When I think of my mother - her cooking is one of the first things that comes to mind. It's safe to say that my mother's Chinese dishes - the dumplings, stir fries, and soups are the backbone of my childhood! But then there a few rogue American recipes that made an appearance too (wink). Like the salmon potato salad she made one summer, which I loved it so much I kept asking for more!

Now when each summer hits, this salmon potato salad is a mainstay with my own family. It's super simple to make - we like eating it with corn tortilla chips or wrapped in warm spelt tortillas.

Smoked Salmon Potato Salad

8-12oz. Smoked Salmon

4-5 Yellow Potatoes, peeled and cubed

2 Apples, peeled and cubed, sprinkled with a little lemon juice

3-4 Celery stalks, chopped

1 cup Vegenaise

Spices: salt, pepper, garlic powder, and dill

1) Cover potatoes with cold water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, then simmer on low for about 10-12 minutes (just until tender). Drain and set aside until completely cooled. 

2) Mix the potatoes, apples, and celery with Vegenaise. Carefully crumble in the smoked salmon. For a stronger salmon flavor, add in the full amount.

3) If the salad doesn't seem creamy enough, add in a bit more Vegenaise. My measurements are always very approximate - so please do tweak to suit your own tastes! Once the salad is completely mixed, add in the spices. I've found that the salad's flavor will get stronger after a few hours of chilling, so I recommend going light on the spices, then adding a little more before serving.

Bon Appetit!

Over the years, Kari and I have received a whole variety of Mother's Day gifts. There's been books, perfume, clothing, fresh flowers...but certainly the most treasured gifts are the cards and drawings created by our children. I remember one particular year, I was visiting my sister in London and came back a few days after Mother's Day. Upon my arrival home, there was a whole display on the kitchen table of cards, drawings, and paper crafts that Fen and Di had made. Gosh, it's one of my favorite memories!

We put our heads together and compiled a list of unique gifts, all based on same/similar gifts we've received in the past. May you feel beautiful and well-loved this coming Mother's Day!

Ace & Jig Jumpsuit in Flare - Buttons down the front make it breastfeeding-friendly and the bright cheery textile means you'll feel pulled together without even trying! Available from Seedstore in mid-May.

B10 Bracelet by Sergio Gutierrez - Kari's husband gave her one a few years ago...and it's just exceptional! The bracelet's silky mesh-like pattern molds beautifully to the wrist and it's the perfect statement piece without being too showy.

The Count of Monte Cristo - If there's anything I wish I could do more of, it's to read! Even after a long day of caring for the children, it's always such as stress-reliever to lose oneself in a few chapters of a good book. This classic by Alexandre Dumas is one of Kari's all-time favorites!

Intelligentsia House Blend, Direct Trade, Whole Bean Coffee - Good coffee is never a bad gift - and Intelligentsia makes some of the best! Motherhood and caffeine - it's basically a given, right?

40 Blinks Sleep Mask - I use this eye mask when I travel and even at home if I'm taking a nap during the day...it's amazing! I know, it basically looks like a bra for your eyes, haha! The mask has a special contoured shape so there's no pressure on the eyes, allowing for higher quality rest.

Le Labo Rose Lotion - There's lotion - and then there's Le Labo. I've been using this lotion for five years and it's still a favorite. The scent is mildly floral, but also mysterious...and I just love that it lasts all day!

Framed Photo - For grandmothers, a framed photo of her grandkids is always a well-appreciated gift. I love the entire concept behind Framebridge - they make framing a piece of cake...and the prices are reasonable. Win-Win.

Holepunch Transport Tote - Kari and I both have totes like this one - it's the perfect everyday bag for all the mothering necessities...wallet, snacks, sunscreen, toys, books, baby wipes, diapers, etc. Stylish on the outside, answers to all life's little problems on the inside (wink). Every mother should have one!

Tatine Garden + Forest Infusion Candle - Ten years ago, I walked into Tatine Candles' now shuttered candle shop in Chicago and have been a loyal customer ever since! These candles make great gifts - they burn long and smell utterly amazing.

Ceramic Fish Gurgle Pitcher - Whimsically designed and yet quite functional, Kari and I think cheery red carafe is so fun. The pitcher makes a delightful gurgle when pouring - talk about a great conversation piece at the dinner table!

This past weekend, Kari and I were in Los Angeles for The Shop Up. This is the second time we've done a pop-up event sponsored by Babyccino Kids. Chatting with vendor friends + customers, enjoying good food, and spending time together are all part of what makes these pop-ups a great experience. But what is most meaningful for Kari and I is seeing the sheer JOY on children's faces when they walk (or sometimes run!) up to our Brimful booth.

Kari and I spend so much time thinking through and studying the toys we pick out for the shop - the colors, the wood quality, the way a toy might roll across the floor - it all has to be "just right"! So after all that energy spent choosing what we hope is the best of the best - it is THRILLING to see a child's pure delight over a stacking toy or a book or a set of blocks.

We opened Brimful with the vision to making life more beautiful with the products from our shop - and this spring's new toys/books/accessories still encapsulate that vision. This new wooden pounding bench is a little different than other wooden benches - instead of pounding all the pegs through several holes, the pegs get pounded through one special hole that slowly pushes the rest out the side - it's really quite clever! In our book collection, we've added Little Honeybee, illustrated by Jane Ormes. The reader counts up to ten by lifting beautiful floral flaps, but there's also bees and other animals to count along the way too. Again - a really unique and special take on the typical counting book for babies.

All new spring products can be found here. We hope you love what you see!