Someone once told me, "when you shop at the market, you aren't just buying a product, you're buying into a story." I've always felt this was the quintessential way to describe why some food writers and artisans wildly succeed where others fail: their ability to tell a story about their lifestyle, their passions, their values - through food. One blog (and debut cookbook!) I've recently discovered that so perfectly represents this "food as a story" model is La Tartine Gourmande.

http://vimeo.com/33755066

Béatrice's lush photographs of her international travels, and chou (sweet) stories of her daughter Lulu scampering about and discovering the magical world of food are nothing short of enchanting. What's more is her recipes are welcoming and accessible, relying on beautiful ingredients and simple preparations that will inspire even the most inexperienced of cooks.

I'm personally looking forward to mimicking her very thinly sliced apple and pistachio tarts. Not to mention her elegant apple and quince tartlet, and her gluten-free apple and chia seed galette! And that's only what she's whipped up with les pommes (apples)...