Valentine’s day, Galentine’s Day and every holiday are best enjoyed with those we admire and want to get to know better. Nothing says, “You mean a lot to me,” like a personalized gift. This holiday, Le Caramel and Pleasant Surprises are teaming up to offer you a curated collection of gift boxes meant to inspire and enjoy. Shop one or shop them all. For an extra special touch, contact us about ways we can help you personalize your gift.
]]>]]>It’s that time of year when we all get excited about food, football and commercials! Super Bowl LVII is right around the corner and both Le Caramel Pleasant Surprises have some great ideas to get your party started!
For more ideas, check out our recipes page!
]]>Did you know that Le Caramel is a sister company with Pleasant Surprises? It's a local gifting company that includes our artisan candies and creams in many of their gift boxes.
Pleasant Surprises provides customers with an enjoyable and easy gifting experience—impressing recipients with unique, personalized and memorable gifts. Whether you’re sending birthday wishes to your favorite uncle, thanking a valued customer or celebrating a corporate occasion, we have a gift for that!
Pleasant Surprises says no to outdated-looking gift baskets with plastic ivy and funky foods that nobody really wants to eat. We have reinvented the traditional gift basket with reusable containers, trending styles and great-tasting gourmet foods—like our very own French caramels! Your gifts stand out with your own branding, colors and a signature style. Your gifts aren’t just sitting on a shelf waiting to be shipped. They are made-to-order, can include branded merch and are handcrafted with an individual, personal touch.
Pleasant Surprises has been at this for over 25 years, won awards, taught classes and is recognized as a leader in our industry. Our most valuable achievements come from our customers—businesses and individuals that trust us to create gifts for hundreds of their best clients or one special little bundle of joy!
Join us in welcoming Pleasant Surprises to our team!
Learn more about Pleasant Surprises by visiting https://pleasantsurprises.com/.
]]>Below is a well-known French poem, composed by the famous Victor Hugo, about ladybug luck and the follies of mankind.
La Coccinelle (1830)
Elle me dit : Quelque chose
Me tourmente. Et j’aperçus
Son cou de neige, et, dessus,
Un petit insecte rose.
J’aurais dû – mais, sage ou fou,
A seize ans on est farouche,
Voir le baiser sur sa bouche
Plus que l’insecte à son cou.
On eût dit un coquillage;
Dos rose et taché de noir.
Les fauvettes pour nous voir
Se penchaient dans le feuillage.
Sa bouche franche était là:
Je me courbai sur la belle,
Et je pris la coccinelle ;
Mais le baiser s’envola.
– Fils, apprends comme on me nomme,
Dit l’insecte du ciel bleu,
Les bêtes sont au bon Dieu,
Mais la bêtise est à l’homme.
Translation: The Ladybug
She told me: Something is
bothering me. And I noticed
her white neck and, on it,
a little pink bug.
I should have—but, wise or mad,
at sixteen one is timid,
seen the kiss on her mouth
more than the insect on her neck.
One would have thought it a shell:
a pink back with black marks.
Warblers leaned out from the branches
to better see us.
Her honest mouth was there:
I bent toward the beauty,
and I took the ladybug;
but the kiss flew away.
Son, learn what they call me,
said the insect from the blue sky.
Insects belong to Good God
but stupidity belongs to humans.
Borrowed from: https://blogs.transparent.com/french/french-poetry-la-coccinelle-de-victor-hugo/
]]>\ ˈləv \
Definition of love
1a(1): strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties maternal love for a child
(2): attraction based on sexual desire : affection and tenderness felt by lovers After all these years, they are still very much in love.
(3): affection based on admiration, benevolence, or common interests love for his old schoolmates
b: an assurance of affection give her my love
2: warm attachment, enthusiasm, or devotion love of the sea
3a: the object of attachment, devotion, or admiration baseball was his first love
b(1): a beloved person : DARLING —often used as a term of endearment
(2)British —used as an informal term of address
4a: unselfish loyal and benevolent (see BENEVOLENTsense 1a) concern for the good of another: such as
(1): the fatherly concern of God for humankind
(2): brotherly concern for others
b: a person's adoration of God
5: a god (such as Cupid or Eros) or personification of love
6: an amorous episode : LOVE AFFAIR
7: the sexual embrace : COPULATION
8: a score of zero (as in tennis)
9capitalized, Christian Science : GOD
at love
: holding one's opponent scoreless in tennis
in love
: inspired by affection
love
\ ˈləv \
loved; loving
Definition of love
1: to hold dear : CHERISH
2a: to feel a lover's passion, devotion, or tenderness for
b(1): CARESS
(2): to fondle amorously
(3): to copulate with
3: to like or desire actively : take pleasure in loved to play the violin
4: to thrive in the rose loves sunlight
: to feel affection or experience desire
(https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/love)
]]>It’s the time of year for family, friends and fun and Le Caramel and The Basket Corner want to help you celebrate.
On Monday, November 11, 2019 from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Le Caramel and The Basket Corner will be hosting their annual Holiday Open House at their factory boutique, located at 1181 Pioneer Way, El Cajon, CA 92020.
The day will be filled with free “behind-the-scenes” factory tours, including free samples of award-winning French caramels. There will be periodic raffles throughout the day, giveaways, warm Belgium waffles drizzled in caramel sauce, holiday gift shopping and opportunities to sign-up for design consultations for corporate events and weddings. Both companies will be featuring products for holiday gift-giving, corporate events, weddings, employee recognition, friendship, celebrations and more.
The Holiday Open House at Le Caramel and The Basket Corner is a free event for everyone to enjoy.
Contact us today for more information!
]]>Place your gift basket order, today!
Looking for a delicious French recipe that compliments Le Caramel products? Check out our recipes at: https://le-caramel.com/pages/recipes
Also, don’t forget to mark your calendars for our Holiday Open House!
When: Monday, November 11, 2019
Where: 1181 Pioneer Way, El Cajon, CA 92020
Time: 9:00a.m. – 4:00p.m.
Why: We adore a good party!
What: Free factory tours, raffles, samples, holiday shopping, waffles, giveaways and more!
Who: Bring your friends and family! All are welcome to attend!
#sandiego, #shoplocal, #shopsmall, #shopsmallbusiness, #gourmetfood, #artisanfood, #lecaramel
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A: A neck-tarine!
2. How do French skeletons say hello?
A: Bone-jour!
3. What is a ghost-monkey’s favorite food?
A: Boo-nanas!
4. What is a Bostonian’s favorite sweet?
A: A candy-baaah
5. Where do ghosts go to buy their favorite candies?
A: Le Caramel, of course!
Shop your favorite French caramels at www.le-caramel.com for ‘trick-or-treat’ delights or purchase the Halloween Gift Basket from The Basket Corner, today!
#sandiego, #shoplocal, #shopsmall, #shopsmallbusiness, #gourmetfood, #artisanfood, #lecaramel
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The factory tour is hosted by Le Caramel’s upbeat and amazing co-owner Christen Kugener. (If you have not had the pleasure of meeting her, you should stop by the shop—located at 1181 Pioneer Way, El Cajon, CA 92020—and introduce yourself.)
Christen, and her husband Vincent, founded the business over 10 years ago with just one product—sea salt caramel cream. Today these small, local business owners support other small, local business owners with many of their products and services. They locally source the majority of their caramel ingredients, and take pride in being FDA and GMP compliant, kosher certified and gluten-free friendly (upon request).
Want to learn more about this amazing duo, the second business they bought two years ago (hint: check out www.thebasketcorner.com), and the secret behind their incredibly artistic San Diego labels? Then take the tour!
The sweet adventure ends with a pit-stop in their boutique and lots of smiles. Don’t delay, book your tour today!
For more info:
Email: info@le-caramel.com
#sandiego, #shoplocal, #shopsmall, #shopsmallbusiness, #gourmetfood, #artisanfood, #lecaramel
Phone: 619.562.0713
Address: 1181 Pioneer Way, El Cajon, CA 92020
]]>Check customer appreciation off your list early this year! Shop the 2019 Holiday Catalog from The Basket Corner and Le Caramel.
#sandiego, #shoplocal, #shopsmall, #shopsmallbusiness, #gourmetfood, #artisanfood, #lecaramel, #thebasketcorner, #bridalbazaarSD
]]>For free tickets to the event:
Enter the promo code BBBasket when prompted.
#sandiego, #shoplocal, #shopsmall, #shopsmallbusiness, #gourmetfood, #artisanfood, #lecaramel, #thebasketcorner, #bridalbazaarSD
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-Brian F Kirkham
source: allpoetry.com
Directions: Match a numbered word in the French column with a lettered word in the English column (Don’t peek! The answers are below.)
FRENCH | ENGLISH | ||
1 | bonbon | a | pastry |
2 | caramel | b | sugar |
3 | sucre | c | candied |
4 | pâtisserie | d | helpful |
5 | boulangerie | e | candy |
6 | confit | f | friendly |
7 | sirop | g | French |
8 | agréable | h | caramel |
9 | serviable | i | syrup |
10 | Francais | j | bakery |
Answer Key:
1. e
2. h
3. b
4. a
5. j
6. c
7. i
8. f
9. d
10. g
How did you do? Reply in the comments to let us know if you are ready to begin the new school year!
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Everyone has a moment, an hour or a week where a pick-me-up would be appreciated. It is so easy to send a smile to someone with a little help from Le Caramel. Our boxed caramels (in sea salt and chocolate flavors) can be conveniently shipped around the U.S.
Add some extra flair with a gift box from The Basket Corner. Each unique box is stuffed with artisan goodies and gourmet gifts that always include some of Le Caramel’s award-winning French caramel treats. Some of our most popular gift boxes include: the San Diego Welcome Gift Box, the San Diego Grab ‘n Go Gift Box and the California Gift Box.
Support your troops by sending a Care-amel package. You can custom order any gift for your favorite military member by placing a call with us today—619.562.0713
National Ice-Cream Sundae Day is technically July 20th, but we choose to celebrate all summer!
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National Ice-Cream Sundae Day is technically July 20th, but we choose to celebrate all summer!
Foodimentary provides monthly lists of national food holidays. It is easy to see why Le Caramel is celebrating this month!
Share an ice-cream sundae drizzled with your favorite Le Caramel cream sauce. If you cannot decide which flavor you like best, may we suggest the Three’s Company Caramel Creams Gift Bag from The Basket Corner (link to: https://www.thebasketcorner.com/product-page/three-s-company-caramel-creams) for only $14.95? It contains three jars of our popular creams—sea salt caramel is always included—artfully wrapped in a beautiful gift bag. Heat up and pour them over your favorite bowl of ice-cream for the most delicious summer sundae experience, yet!
Stuck on one flavor? We can customize the gift-bag creams for you. Give us a call, 619.562.0713, or send us a message at check out.
Happy, happy Sundae!!!!!
Beach BBQ? Winter wonderland? Star Wars? You should always pick a theme as a first step. It helps narrow down your decision-making options later.
(Did you know that The Basket Corner can create gift options and centerpieces to match any theme?)
Once you have a solid theme, find a venue and a date that works with your schedule and budget. Venues book fast, especially around the holidays. Give yourself at least six months to find the perfect spot.
Once you have it, you may as well finalize the rest of the event details…
Food is important, so budget accordingly. While catering typically takes up the majority of your event expense, it does not mean you need to go overboard.
Decide whether you would prefer a formal meal, a buffet banquet or a casual evening of appetizers. Pick a time that works best for your food selection.
If you are worried that some of your guests may leave a little hangry, offer a bag of creamy caramels or an artisan gift basket from The Basket Corner as a parting gift.
Book your free consultation with The Basket Corner to learn about many of our affordable options. 619.562.0713
Centerpieces are important additions to the ambiance of a location. Not only are they beautiful decorations on any tabletop, they also centralize the theme of the event.
Gift basket centerpieces are trending. The Basket Corner provides gorgeous centerpiece ideas that can be brought home and enjoyed as delectable treats—long after the party is over. (Of course, our favorite centerpieces always include our award-winning French caramels.)
Book your free consultation this summer and get ahead of your event planning. We can customize any order to preferences of taste, budget, size, color and theme. Call us today! 619.562.0713
Giving thanks during the holidays is important, but so is giving back to the community.
Le Caramel and The Basket Corner support several local organizations, including the Autism Tree Project Foundation. They provide free autism screening to many children in the greater San Diego area.
We suggest finding a community partner that speaks to your organization, as much as the ATPF speaks to us.
With a bit of entertainment, your party will be the most talked about corporate event of the year!
Please note: Le Caramel will be closed in observance of the July 4th holiday. All orders placed online will be addressed on July 5th.
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Please note: Le Caramel will be closed in observance of the July 4th holiday. All orders placed online will be addressed on July 5th.
#sandiego #shoplocal #shopsmall #shopsmallbusiness #gourmetfood #artisanfood #lecaramel
]]>It protected American and overseas allies longer than any other air craft carrier in the 20th century. Named after the 1942 Battle of the Midway during WWII, it was built and commissioned in under a year and a half and supported an armored flight deck with an air group capacity of 120 planes.
Though the Midway was built during WWII, its active service began in 1946 during the Cold War. Its first combat deployment occurred in 1965 during the Vietnam War. While its mission against North Vietnam included the first air kill, it also lost 17 of its own aircrafts that year.
The U.S.S. Midway was present during the fall of Saigon in April 1975 and deployed to the Persian Golf in 1990 for Operation Desert Storm. In 1992 it was decommissioned in San Diego, underwent extensive work and opened as a museum in 2004.
(source: https://www.midway.org/about-us/midway-history/)
Every year the U.S.S. Midway hosts a Fourth of July celebration event. If you have not yet experienced the city of San Diego’s firework display aboard the flight deck of an aircraft carrier, add it to your bucket list. Unfortunately, this year’s event is already sold out.
(source: https://www.midway.org/exhibits-activities/special-days/4th-of-july-celebration/)
So, before the Fourth of July, head to Le Caramel and order your U.S.S. Midway bags of sea salt caramels. Then grab a blanket, head to the local park with family and friends, and enjoy some treats during your Fourth of July festivities.
#sandiego #shoplocal #shopsmall #shopsmallbusiness #gourmetfood #artisanfood #lecaramel
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Le Caramel can custom label any order to match your color preferences, logo and event. Call today for a free consultation on how you can personalize and customize favors for your next event (619.562.0713).
With favors beginning at only $5.00, we can all agree this is one pretty sweet deal.
#sandiego #shoplocal #shopsmall #shopsmallbusiness #gourmetfood #artisanfood #lecaramel #frenchcaramels #customlabels #customribbons
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Are you local? Stop by Le Caramel’s factory boutique to pick up a bunch of waffles and some delicious award-winning caramel syrup. These mouth-watering waffles can easily be placed in the freezer and thawed for Father’s Day. Pop them in the toaster and let the kids drizzle them with Le Caramel syrup for a Father’s Day breakfast in bed that can’t be beat! Plus, the clean-up is a snap!
We make waffles every Wednesday!
#sandiego #shoplocal #shopsmall #shopsmallbusiness #gourmetfood #artisanfood #lecaramel
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Stop by our store during the week to prep for your Saturday of pure indulgence. We are open M-F from 9:00a.m. – 4:00p.m. Our factory boutique is located at 1181 Pioneer Way, El Cajon, CA 92020.
Don’t forget to pick up a Le Caramel Club card. For every 10 purchases of $5 or more, you can enjoy a FREE bag of caramels.
#sandiego #shoplocal #shopsmall #shopsmallbusiness #gourmetfood #artisanfood #lecaramel
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#sandiego #shoplocal #shopsmall #shopsmallbusiness #gourmetfood #artisanfood #lecaramel
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Our French caramels are made very different from the caramels you grew up with in the U.S. And if you haven’t tried real caramel, don’t despair. You are probably not alone.
While the British invented toffee, the “soft toffee,” or caramel, invented by Americans crossed the pond in the 1880s, soon enough creating a universal demand in England. Unfortunately, mass-producers cut corners, substituting (products) … until, as one writer of the time reported, “competition stepped in with the usual result—the prices lowered, the quality suffered, until anything cut into the shape were called caramels.... The very name has almost become a synonym for rubbish.”‡
More than one hundred and twenty-five years later, one might say that most Americans have never tasted a real caramel—only “rubbish…”
‡Skuse’s Complete Confectioner, [W.J.Bush & Co.:London] 189? (p. 60-61).
Read more at: http://www.thenibble.com/REVIEWS/MAIN/candy/old/caramels.asp
Le Caramel’s award-winning caramel candies taste nothing like your typical supermarket brands. (They are delicious, creamy and … did we already mention, delicious?)
The recipe was handed-down from the renowned Daniel Palix—France's famous caramel-maker—a year after owners Christen and Vincent Kugener studied his expert savoir-faire. Le Caramel sources most of their ingredients locally, uses GMO-free ingredients, are Kosher certified, FDA registered and third party audit compliant.
One taste and you will understand why indulging in Le Caramel’s caramel candies, is the best way to celebrate National Caramel Day.
#sandiego #shoplocal #shopsmall #shopsmallbusiness #gourmetfood #artisanfood #lecaramel
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Le Caramel is a proud supporter of the Autism Tree Project Foundation. They provide a free screening to every child in San Diego. Early intervention in an autistic child’s life can dramatically change that child’s life for the better. With each purchase of Le Caramel’s Autism Sea Salt Caramel candies—adorned with a label of two children standing in front of the Eiffel Tower and a puzzle-designed ribbon—a portion will be donated to support ATPF. Stop by to treat yourself to delicious French caramels and feel good about supporting a great cause. To learn more about ATPF, visit their website.
There is another way you can celebrate the cause. Pick up your Le Caramel Club punch card when you are in our boutique. Every purchase of 10 caramels (valued at $5.00 or more) will earn you a free bag of caramels.
Le Caramel is located at 1181 Pioneer Way, El Cajon, CA 92020 and is open M-F, 9a.m.-4p.m.
#sandiego #shoplocal #shopsmall #shopsmallbusiness #gourmetfood #artisanfood #lecaramel
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The first recorded version of waffles came from Ancient Greece where flat breads were heated between two iron plates. However, during the Middle Ages, the name wafla (which translates to, “a section of bee hive,”) was derived and its popularity carried through all of Europe. The pilgrims brought the waffle over to America on the Mayflower and the rest is history. Adored by peasants, royalty and Presidents alike, the waffle is an American breakfast staple.
Come celebrate National International Waffle Day today at Le Caramel. We are located at 1181 Pioneer Way, El Cajon, CA 92020 between 9:00a.m. – 4:00p.m. M-F. We make our delicious, warm waffles in-house and drizzle them with a caramel cream flavor of your choice. They are so good they may go down in history!
Learn more by watching this YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nL94Mc2_MIc
#sandiego #shoplocal #shopsmall #shopsmallbusiness #gourmetfood #artisanfood #lecaramel
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Join us in our boutique:
When: Friday, May 17, 2019 (12:00p.m. - 7:00p.m)
Where: 1181 Pioneer Way, El Cajon, CA 92020.
There will be laughter, fun, factory tours, goodies for sale, cake (cutting at 6p.m.) and a raffle giveaway for a gift basket and caramels.
Mark your calendars. This is an event you won’t want to miss!
#lecaramel #sandiego #shoplocal #shopsmall #shopsmallbusiness #gourmetfood #artisanfood
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Stop by Le Caramel to pick up a squeeze bottle or two of our delicious creams. We are located at 1181 Pioneer Way, El Cajon, CA 92020 and are open from 9:00a.m. – 4:00p.m. M-F.
Don’t forget to pick up your Le Caramel Club punch card to enjoy free rewards with every 10 purchases.
#sandiego #shoplocal #shopsmall #shopsmallbusiness #gourmetfood #artisanfood #lecaramel
]]>We all know that shopping local is good for your health, but shopping at the only place in town that produces and sells gourmet French caramels on-site is just hands-down, Fantastique!
So, today we would like to share with you 5 reasons why you should support #shopsmallbusiness and #lecaramel!
… to be continued. We obviously have more than 5 reasons why our caramels and gift baskets are incroyable!
#sandiego #shoplocal #shopsmall #shopsmallbusiness #gourmetfood #artisanfood #lecaramel
www.le-caramel.com
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