Le Creuset Bleu Riviera Arrives and a Sea Squirt Has the Last Word

This week I’ve a Le Creuset new colour 'treat' for you.  No… don’t groan. Its not my fault that my chums at Le Creuset come up with more and more new lines every month, more than you could shake several sticks at in fact… I know it can sometimes feel unending. But this isn’t my fault! And you don’t have to read this. But maybe I’m getting too sensitive about this, feeling as I do, that I talk far too much about the charmed life of this French brand of cookware.  I shall take comfort from two customers, Liz, who the other day commented to me how much she liked my emails, and added that she agreed with me most of the time. My reply was not to worry if she didnt agree, but please tell me, I really enjoy the discussion either way. The other was Sarah, who stopped me last Saturday just as I came out of Gail's (having just bought the family's breakfast...perfect father that I am) and we stood chatting for a few minutes.  Amongst other things she liked, was the sense of community that she got from them.
 
So, if you are still with me, and haven't gone back to sleep, got up in disgust or unsubscribed in a moment of aesthetic fatigue, allow me to lure you down the new coloured path that leads to Le Creuset’s “Bleu Riviera”. And yes, I know, I thought I was dyslexic… 

If  you’re into hot rich colours, then Riviera, as I shall henceforth call it, might be right up your street. It’s a rich tealy blue with a hint of green to it.  Some may sensibly refer to it a turquoise, but others may argue that there's a little too much “vert” for that. It is warm rather than icy, confident rather than shouty.  

 A little digression

Now, to the railway enthusiast within me (and I accept that this is not universally shared), Riviera has but one meaning, and that of course is "The Cornish Riviera Express" of the "Great Western Railway (1935-1948",  not the modern imposter).  And whilst on this subject, Richard, a customer, reader of these emails, and fellow sufferer, requested an update on progress with my own model railway layout (Yeovil Pen Mill in Somerset set in the early summer of 1922) on which progress is at a rate that I’d say was ..... contemplative. There is a link here for those of similarly niche inclination. Be thankful I didn’t include it all here, barring the picture, which will mean very little to you, unless an enthusiast.

Back to product

Le Creuset‘s new colour, as you now know is Bleu Riviera. It is a pretty comprehensive range including, as it does, Casseroles for your Coq au Vin, in nine shapes and sizes, a couple of frying pans for your weekend fry up and a grill to put stripes on your steaks. Rectangular bakers for your lasagnas and Shepherds Pies, mugs in five sizes, for your morning tea and after dinner espresso, a complete, range of dinner ware, plates in two sizes, bowls in a plethora, a teapot, and a coffee press. Salt and pepper mills, a couple of kettles and if you’re really sad, and want everything matching, there’s even a planter. I suppose I must come clean here and declare that to some extent I maybe in the same sad category because I want three to put our supermarket herbs in, tarragon, thyme and parsley. But mine don't have to match, so not quite as sad .... 
 
My offer.
As my offer to you this week, if you really want to buy into Riviera big time, buy any three items and get 25% off. Use code IKB26 if buying online, or tell us who you are if shopping in Reigate or Cobham. For an additional flourish, email me what IKB stands for and I'll respond to ten lucky entrants with a £10 gift voucher as a reward. 

Here's a sample of some of the forty seven items in Riviera.

Shop ALL Le Creuset Bleu Riviera

A mild objection
As you may be aware Le Creuset, or their designers, have taken a number of risks with good design in recent years, namely their Halloween range.   In a similar vein, recently they thought (although this might be gracing the decision with more intention than it deserves) of adding petals to the lids of some of their casseroles!
 
Why? 

There is nothing wrong, and in fact everything right, with a Le Creuset lid with its three restrained rings, what possessed someone (obviously with a degree in “moronity”) to put petals on the lid, and then top it with an equally flashy gold knob. In point of fact, sadly they’ve put gold knobs on top of all their lids in Riviera, but at least we can sell you a nice stainless steel one with which to replace it, if you prefer understatement to ostentation. Unfortunately there’s nothing to be done about the vegetation.

The Last Word
As a last word, I thought you might find this interesting.  In her book “Move”, Caroline Williams says the connection between brain and movement is fundamental. She argues, rather convincingly, that we are designed to move and that physical movement is deeply linked to how our brains function, feel and thrive. Her core message is that regular, frequent movement throughout our daily life (and note, not just occasional workouts) opens a hot line twixt body and mind, helping us to think more clearly, feel better, and live more healthily.
 

She illustrates this with the example of the Sea Squirt.  A small organism that swims freely, looking for a rock (a sunny spot perhaps) on which to spend the rest of its life. Spot once chosen, it attaches itself permanently and proceeds to consume its brain, as it no longer has a use for it, there being no more decisions to be made. 

Food for thought?
 
I trust you have a pleasant  and movingly peaceful weekend

Warm regards,

Andrew