Hip Hostess

Valentine's Day Treats

2012-01-27T08:00:00.006-05:00

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. Here is a couple of ideas to start your creative juices flowing and get your pantry filled with all the goods necessary to have a fantastic V-Day.

Jello Pudding Pops

Sweetheart Cupcakes

Chocolate Dipped Pretzels

Mini Donuts

Bakerella's Red Velvet Cupcakes

Organization!!

2012-01-26T08:00:00.000-05:00

Home.

After the holidays, my cabinets and closets look like a whirlwind came through...because it did. So I have mini fits of organization during the weekend when my OCD just can't take enough. And this little gem from Martha is my next project:

I've always known that organizing vertically is most effective, but I never even thought of doing this! Think about how much easier it would be to access your things and how much more you can fit in deep cabinets. Genius!

Pillow Talk

2012-01-25T08:00:00.000-05:00

I’m in the market for some new pillows, but because I don’t have a sewing machine it’s difficult to find something affordable. Let’s face it…pillows cost a bloody fortune and especially pillows with character.

That’s why I was so excited to see this tutorial by Wit and Whistle.

Link Love

2012-01-24T08:00:00.000-05:00

Tip Junkie
Check out this lovely spin on Smore's.

I que linda
String Art just in time for an awesome DIY gift.

Anthropologie
Adorable gift tags.

Alisa Burke
I love these handmade Valentines!

Portraits with a Pop

2012-01-23T08:00:00.001-05:00

DIY.

I love a classic with a twist. So I am really loving this silhouette project from Better Homes and Gardens.

By using colors that really punch, the classic silhouette looks fresh and new. And don't get me started on the adorable dog silhouette.

And if you plan on hanging these photos tight together (like above), I would highly recommend using the 3M command frame hanging strips. They are much more forgiving than measuring and putting 1000 hanging nails in the wall. Take it from someone that has tried both methods!!

Mushroom and Goat Cheese Queso

2012-01-20T08:00:00.000-05:00

In my stocking this year I received a few Le Creuset Coquettes …yeah me! I think the above recipe will be the perfect solution to breaking in the new pottery. I would feel super guilty eating a large portion of this but a few bites served in an adorable crock may be the perfect solution.

Fabulous Fingers..?!?!

2012-01-19T08:00:00.001-05:00

Fashion.

Maybe it's because I'm well into my 30's, but these new nail polish trends just scare me. I don't think I can pull off pistachio colored nail polish...so I just search for my tried and true Essie Vanity Fairest and go neutral.

But after reading this article from Refinery 29, I'm feeling a bit like a fuddy duddy. I probably should mix things up a bit. I have been known to mix in a You Don't Know Jacques or Cajun Shrimp. But Crackle finish? No.

Do any of you dear readers have a fun nail polish color that an old-ish gal like me could pull of without looking like I'm trying to re-live my Teen Beat days?

Bacon and Cashew Caramel Corn

2012-01-18T08:00:00.000-05:00

This is the perfect indulgence for all the big events coming up. What better way to celebrate the Super Bowl, Oscar’s or even Valentine’s day than with a little sweet and salty popcorn. It could also be a special treat for movie nights. Plus it has cashews which makes it healthier…right?

Link Love

2012-01-17T08:00:00.000-05:00

Tuesday Inspiration.

Remodelista
I love this pendant lamp, which is just a vintage fishing basket and raw bulb. Very cool.

Petite Kitchenesse
This ravioli gets a Valentine’s Day makeover thanks to a touch of beet juice and heart-shaped cutters.

Glorious Treats
Jello and cool whip never looked better than this.

Green Wedding Shoes
These absolutely adorable seating cards are just the tip of the iceberg for a truly charming real wedding.

Dessert for Breakfast

2012-01-16T08:00:00.000-05:00

Food.

So recently I was opining about the benefits of juice cleanses and diets, but sometimes a bad case of the Mondays calls for a little intervention. That is when I whip up a batch of Nutella Oatmeal.

photo courtesy of saving the world with one bite

Nutella is really my fix for any bad mood. Add it to just about anything and you can't help but be happier.

But my favorite is to add a tablespoon or so to my morning oatmeal. It tastes like a giant no-bake cookie. Then add some bananas and an ice cold glass of milk to drink (or even almond milk) and you have a mood elevator. And because it's oatmeal it must be healthy, right? ;)

Edamame Hummus

2012-01-13T08:00:00.001-05:00

The new year has everyone thinking about healthy snacking…including me. I think I’m going to give this edamame hummus a try. Anybody else have any healthy snacks they would like to share?

Hearts Galore

2012-01-12T08:00:00.000-05:00

Valentines Day.

Three days after Christmas, the Duane Reade on my block started taking down the end caps of Christmas treats and putting up Valentines Day candy. What?!? I protest.

Except...now all of the pretty Christmas trees and wreaths in our homes and local restaurants are down and I'm having holiday withdrawal. Twinkle lights and the excitement of upcoming holidays make the grey days of winter more tolerable.

So I was pretty happy to receive my most recent Fancy Flours baking supply catalogue, because it full of cute things for our Valentines Day. Here's a small sampling of what you will find on their site.

Vintage Valentine Wafer Papers that would make adorable edible sugar cookie valentines.

Paper straws with lots of love.

Speaking of Love...what a great cookie cutter.

And send your honey a message with his morning coffee...

Lovely Lunch Bag

2012-01-11T08:00:00.001-05:00

DIY.

Bringing your lunch to work is a great way to save some cash, control your calories, and an excuse to try this DIY.

Made out of oil cloth, these adorable lunch bags are super durable and easy on the eyes. Not to mention, pretty dang easy to make. PB&J has never had a better container.

Link Love

2012-01-10T08:00:00.000-05:00

Urbane Fruits
Who knew malted milk balls could look so chic?

Sweet Little Snippets
Replace one board with aluminum gutter and voila…cold beverages.

Blue Pueblo
Great place to start for planning your 2012 vacation.

Testado, Provado & Approvado
Apple Pie right in the apple!

Magazines: Online or Glossy?

2012-01-09T08:00:00.000-05:00

My coffee table looks like the above photo. One of my favorite past times is thumbing through the glossy pages of magazines and earmarking the articles that I love to file away in various categories. This being said I have rejected the online craze for longer than most. This was made abundantly clear when I recently waited for my flight and even the 10 year olds where toting around a Kindle, IPad and IPhone.

This year my husband gifted me with a Kindle Fire which originally made me give stocking stink face. But I have since learned that I kinda love the ease of having so many options at my fingertips and have vowed to really try to embrace the online thing this year.

That being said, CasaSugar has an article with a great source to the top 10 online magazines which I intend to put into my repertoire. But I need some tips fellow hip hostess’. Do you have a method for storing articles, photos, etc that you want to refer to later? How do you remember what magazine is online at what time? I know I am not able to get these online on my Kindle at this time, but I have to believe, that since 1 million sold in one day that everyone is fast at work to resolve this problem which will make it easier.

I’m all ears.

Packs a Punch

2012-01-06T08:00:00.002-05:00

Cocktail.

Just when we thought we could take it easy on the cocktails after the holidays, the NFL playoffs are in sight. I know what will be monopolizing our TV over the next month and change. And there will most likely be a large supply of beer in the fridge as well.

I love a brewski, but sometimes I want to mix it up. And I kind of like the sound of this Bourbon Punch from InStyle Magazine.

Containing some of my favorite winter flavors - tea, cranberry, and bourbon, I'm pretty sure this will create the balance that I'm looking for.

Bourbon Punch

12 chamomile tea bags
1 package of fresh raspberries, plus more for garnish
1 bottle of bourbon (750ml)
2 liters cranberry juice
12 Tbsp sugar
3/4 cup fresh lemon juice
Orange slices, for garnish

Steep tea bags in 3 cups of hot water. Mash berries. Combine all ingredients and serve over ice in a collins glass. Garnish with the oranges and extra raspberries.

Food Lover's Cleanse

2012-01-05T08:00:00.001-05:00

Food and Dieting.

I love the holidays so much...but I don't love the results of countless glasses of champagne and 1000 cheese platters. And my bathroom scale has actually hidden from me because it's afraid. Bad sign.

I've taken to doing juice cleanses to inject my life with a bit of nutrition. But what do you do after you're done? Go back to meat, potatoes, cheese? That kind of defeats the purpose.

Which is why I am psyched about Bon Appetit's Food Lover's Cleanse.

BA is featuring 2 weeks of recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacking and dessert. All of the choices look and sound delicious...and not at all like taste deprivation.

Maybe my scale will come out of hiding if I give this program a try...

Benton Bacon

2012-01-04T08:00:00.000-05:00

I’ve tried my fair share of bacon and why wouldn’t I…it’s delicious. I’ve eaten low sodium, artisanal, thick cut, maple, you name it I’ve enjoyed them all. But I had really kind of gotten to the point where I believed bacon is bacon. All good all the time.

However, over the holidays I enjoyed a wedge salad adorned with Benton’s Bacon and I had to literally eat my words. This bacon is different. It’s amazingly hickory smoked to the point that you would swear that John Wayne just rambled in off the prairie to personally bring you bacon straight off the campfire. There is no mistaking the strong smoky flavor. I read on one of the reviews where someone said, “This bacon was not good it had an incredible smoky flavor that is overpowering.” Yep, that’s the point.

Where I am going with this is it makes a simple and easy dish such as a wedge salad into something memorable. My wedge salad was covered with bacon, candied pecans, slivers of sundried tomato and a white balsamic vinaigrette. It was the bacon that layered in that extra flavor that pulled it all together and took it over the top.

It is a great tool to have stashed in your freezer for entertaining. It makes an easy wedge salad come to life and I can’t even begin to think what it would do to some homemade macaroni and cheese. Not often can one ingredient on its own make a dish memorable.

Link Love

2012-01-03T08:00:00.000-05:00

A Cozy Kitchen
Time to cut out the cookies and be healthy. This granola features the superfood, goji berries.

Apartment Therapy
What a fresh and lovely dining room design.

Desire to Inspire
If you need a pick-me-up now that you are back to the daily grind, check out D2I’s weekly “Pets on Furniture.” It always makes me smile :)

April and May
Cold weather chic for the home…this fabulous firewood storage!

Happy New Year

2012-01-02T08:00:00.001-05:00

Happy New Year everyone. Hip Hostess has many new and exciting things coming up in 2012 and can't wait to get started. Thank you for your continued support. We raise our glass in a toast to all of our wonderful readers and wish you a happy, healthy year full of excitement and joy.

Keeping Cashmere Clean

2011-12-30T08:00:00.001-05:00

Fashion.

The feel of cashmere is something quite special indeed. And I've long read that one of the essential 10 (or so) items that every woman should have in her closet is a black cashmere turtleneck. Always in style. A classic iconic piece.

Well I fully intend to check that item of my wardrobe to-do list this year, but I have a feeling that I'll be wearing this soft piece of luxury an awful lot (ie. my winter uniform). The thought of adding yet another regular item to my drycleaning bill is just nauseating.

Which bring me to The Laundress Wool and Cashmere Shampoo.

I have heard wonders about this product and just read in Lucky that you really can wash your cashmere and wool with it. But I'm a bit hesitant to take the plunge with my soon-to-be coveted clothing essential.

Has anyone tried it? Did you end up with a barbie sweater or were you just as happy as some people claim?? This inquiring mind desperately wants to know.

2012 Food Trend Report

2011-12-29T08:00:00.003-05:00

This is my favorite blog to write every year. I love getting the foodie predictions for the coming year. Without further adieu...here it is...drumroll please.

Wine in bulk-Think beer growlers but with wine.

Hamburger Helper-More restaurants are reinventing the blue collar money savers like meatloaf, sloppy joes and chili

Good Beer Tall Boys-Craft beer in 16 ouncers.

Scotch Eggs-Yes, hard boiled eggs wrapped in sausage, breaded and fried.

Scandinavian Comfort Food-Look out for something called the Lefse wrap?

Carbonated Cocktails-Think French Spritzers packaged in cute bottles.

New Ethnic Street Food

Filipino Food-I've never had this but I would definitely give it a try.

Upscale Mozzarella Sticks-Random

Juicing-Healthy dietary regimens. Word on the street is that even Starbucks is getting into the action.

Roost

2011-12-28T08:00:00.000-05:00

If one of your goals for the New Year is to hone your culinary skills to utter perfection then this food blog is for you. I recently came across Roost and have been checking it out daily for the inspiration and sheer beauty of photos. Trust me you’ll be whipping up Spiced Ginger Cakes with Rosemary Apple Butter in no time.

Link Love

2011-12-27T08:00:00.000-05:00

Cupcakes and Cashmere
Snowflake cookies are good all winter long.

Craftzine
This is so fun!

Koko Cooks
Great dinner on a cold, snowy evening.

Martha Stewart
Looking for a cool champagne cocktail for the New Year…here are 12.

Sweet Caviar

2011-12-26T08:00:00.001-05:00

Food.

I think this is one of the coolest fruits that I've ever seen, Finger Limes.

Originally grown only in Australia but now available out of California, Finger limes contain little caviar-like capsules of lemony-lime juice that would be absolutely fabulous as a garnish on desserts...or as some have recommended, raw oysters. Yum.

Talk about being fancy schmancy without much effort. I am definitely employing these little guys during my next cocktail party!!

Happy Holiday's

2011-12-23T08:00:00.001-05:00

hip hostess wishes everyone a healthy, happy holiday filled with fun, family, friends and plenty of eggnog!

Oh My Pie

2011-12-22T08:00:00.000-05:00

Recipe.

When I saw the teaser photo from Refinery 29 for this turtle pie, I couldn't get my fingers to click on the link fast enough.

Seriously...I'm pretty sure that this is worth ever minute of time that I'll spend on the treadmill burning it off. YUMMMMM!!!

Check out the recipe here.

Lemon and Lime Ice Cubes

2011-12-21T08:00:00.003-05:00

When preparing holiday dinners let’s face it the food always takes center stage and the beverages sometimes take a back seat. I always make sure that I have a couple nice bottles of wine to go with dinner but often in the cooking frenzy I forget about my non-alcoholic guests. Probably because there is only a very few!

But I always have a twinge of gilt when all I have to offer is water as an alternative. This year I’m going to kick it up a notch with a lovely pitcher of water with lemon and lime ice cubes. That way, even my water will have a special touch. Check out the easy tutorial here…all it takes is muffin pans and 3 minutes.

Link Love

2011-12-20T08:00:00.000-05:00

Tuesday Inspiration.

Cannelle et Vanille
Beautiful winter berries against a clear blue sky. Lovely.

Heart of Light
I am absolutely loving the rainbow of streamers for the backdrop of this dessert buffet.

Uppercase
What an adorable DIY Christmas Card.

Seven Spoons
Who says you can’t eat ice cream in the Winter? Honey and Toasted Nutmeg. Mmmm….

Holiday Flowers

2011-12-19T08:00:00.001-05:00

DIY.

Last weekend my husband and I threw a holiday party in our apartment lounge. The room was really large so I wanted to make a visual impact, so I decided that bold pops of red would be best. I fell in love with some absolutely stunning ranunculus from France at our flower market. But at a hefty price tag of $62 PER BUNCH...I had to say hello to my little friend, the carnation.

Yeah...I said it. The carnation. He gets no respect. This flower is dense and hearty and can look quite rich if you use it in monochromatic arrangements. To bump up the monochromatic factor, I also wrapped very simple vases with red satin ribbon. The result was quite bold. And did I mention CHEAP?!?!?!

SO if you are looking for a punchy arrangement for your holiday parties this week, give the carnation a look.

And don't worry if the blooms at your store aren't totally opened. Forcing them open is as easy as 1,2,3. Here's a video that shows you how.

Holiday Tablescape Tips

2011-12-16T08:00:00.006-05:00

The holiday's can make it feel like you are being pulled in a million different directions. Here are a few cute ideas for your holiday tablescape that you most likely have around the house. So pull one of these together in a few minutes, cross that off your list and spend some time sipping a glass of wine and enjoying the season.

Ornament Wreath

2011-12-15T08:00:00.001-05:00

DIY.

So...last year I talked about making an ornament wreath, but sadly it did not happen. I ran out of time, got scared, or perhaps was just a little lazy. But I'm happy to say that this year I tackled the project and I'm quite happy with the results...

I actually did this project a bit different than what I had originally read in Good Housekeeping. I bought all supplies from Jamali Garden in NYC, but you could probably shop your local craft store, floral supply, or hardware store.

I used a pre-formed wire wreath (intended for floral designs). I then hot glued the tops onto all of the ornaments so they wouldn't pop off. And then started wiring the ornaments to the wire form.

For me, it was easiest to create 3 "quadrants" with my largest ornaments (mine are the mercury glass balls with texture). And then I filled the space in between them in the most balanced way. To keep everything secure, I then hot glued some of the clusters together so they wouldn't roll around along the wire form. The whole project took about an hour...and that is for an OCD person like myself.

I hope to use this in our holiday decor for many years!

Peace, Love & Reindeer Hugs

2011-12-14T08:00:00.000-05:00

Why buy gift tags when Amy Moss of Eat, Drink, Chic has made these adorable and downloadable gift tags for free. Who wouldn’t want a reindeer hug?

Link Love

2011-12-13T08:00:00.000-05:00

How About Orange
Instead of a cookie exchange…how about an ornament making party?

Blisstree
Eggnog Truffles, not only yummy but great for gifts.

Jones Design Company
Adorable and I just happen to have a chalkboard with a vintage frame.

Sweet Paul
Check out this modern spin on the Advent Calendar.

Ona SLR Bags

2011-12-12T08:00:00.000-05:00

Photography and Fashion.

Recently my husband and I have jumped into the world of "fancy" cameras by upgrading to a Cannon DSLR. To protect this expensive investment, we ran out immediately and bought a camera bag. But I wish that I hadn't been so quick to do so, because I just ran across Ona Camera bags. *Sigh*

Isn't this just gorgeous? Love love love. And this bag isn't just about beauty, check out the inside of it and how organized your camera supplies could be:

Again...sigh. And the man in your life don't need to be left out either. They have really stylish options for him as well.

So now I have a new deal with the hubby. He and I will work very hard to become really good at using our "fancy pants" camera, and then we will reward our hard work with a "fancy pants" camera bag :)

Soup for Supper

2011-12-09T08:00:00.000-05:00

Recipe.

Have you ever had a craving for homemade soup for dinner, but realize that you don't have the time to let it simmer for a couple of hours...or you didn't plan it in advance enough to put in the crock pot before you leave for work? It happens to me all of the time in the Fall and Winter.

Luckily, I've started using this recipe for Chicken Tortilla Soup from on of my favorite cookbooks, The Bride and Groom Cookbook. You can whip this together in 10 minutes and it tastes like you've worked a whole lot harder and longer than you did. yay!

picture courtesy of the fabulous blog, Eat Live Run.

Chicken, Chipotle, and Tortilla Soup
Serves 2

14 oz can Chicken Broth
14.5 oz can Stewed Tomatoes
1 small can Chipotle Chilles in Adobo
1 Deli Roasted Chicken
Shredded Monterey Jack or Cheddar Cheese
1 Avocado, diced
Tortilla Chips
Cilantro, chopped
1 lime

Chop up one or two of the chiles and combine with the broth and tomatoes in a small saucepan. Simmer over medium heat for 5 minutes. Shred 1 cup of chicken and divide into 2 soup bowls. Top with a handful of the shredded cheese and diced avocado. Pour broth mixture into bowls. Squeeze the juice of 1/2 a lime in each bowl. Top with chopped cilantro and tortilla chips.

DIY Felt Garland

2011-12-08T08:00:00.002-05:00

I love the idea of a Christmas tree filled with decorations that have a special memory behind them. I went through a phase in grade school where I made pod ornaments by collecting seed pods from our yard and then glittering the inside and putting a hook through them. Now those are not even close to as cute as this felt garland. But when I see them I still remember the newspaper spread out on the table and the laughter and the pride I felt in placing them on the tree. You have to give props to my mother who was willing to have the ugliest tree in town by letting her grade schooler express her artistic creativity with seed pods!

To make your own special memories check out the tutorial for felt garland here.

The Turducken of Cheese Balls

2011-12-07T08:00:00.001-05:00

When I saw this article over at Chow it really cracked me up…the Turducken cheese ball. It took a group of people armed with cheeses, spices and determination many hours to figure out the perfect combo. The winning combo turned out to be the following:

Washed rind cheese
Spanish Chorizo
Manchego Cheese
Dried figs
Emmentaler cheese
Chopped Chives and Parsley
Cheddar Cheese
Asian Pear
Blue Cheese
Toasted Walnuts
Goat Cheese
Sliced Almonds, pecans and bacon

I saw on the reviews that someone commented that it was not the best way to eat cheese. Indeed they are probably right, but I love the novelty of the idea and the “wow” factor that goes along with it. Bringing a turducken cheese ball to a get together is a sure way to get people laughing and talking. Plus who wouldn’t want to try all those delicious layers? It’s a memorable holiday treat that everyone will appreciate!

Link Love

2011-12-06T08:00:00.000-05:00

Tuesday Inspiration.

Stone Studio Textile
These pillows, throws, and all other things textile are the perfect blend of cozy and classy.

What Katie Ate
Lamb, beer, and roasted garlic are all combined to make this delicious tapas dish. Wow!

This is Glamorous
Now this is my kind of water cooler!

Glorious Treats
Just because your little one has a birthday in December doesn't mean they have to have red and green for their birthday party. Take a look at this adorable pink, purple and penguin party!

Whitehurst Winner

2011-12-05T08:00:00.000-05:00

Giveaway.

We are so thrilled at the wonderful response for this fabulous giveaway from The Whitehurst Company. We loved your comments and wish that everyone could win (including us!).

But our one lucky reader is...

bbard, who said...

My husband, children, and I are so excited this year to have my parents visiting for Christmas! Both my family and my husband's family are on opposite ends of the country (Maine and Louisiana), and we usually aren't able to spend Christmas with them. This year will be different and wonderful! My younger sister is getting married in April of next year, and she is currently living with her fiance in Oklahoma away from family as well. This will be the first year she and her fiance will be putting up a tree in their home, and they would love having a beautiful start to their decorating (as I would send this giveaway as an early Christmas present). Thanks for the opportunity!!

Congrats!!

DIY Ruffled Tree Skirt

2011-12-02T08:00:00.000-05:00

If you can’t find the perfect tree skirt then this step-by-step tutorial on how to make this cute ruffled number is for you. Check out My Crazy Life for details.

Winter Aromatics

2011-12-01T08:00:00.001-05:00

I like to change my scent at home with the seasons and the winter scents are by far my favorite. Here are a few to make your home smell delicious .

Rosemary Tree

Linnia’s Lights Fir Tree Candles

Burning Leaf Home Spray

Fir Fragrance Log

Hot Honey Heaven

2011-11-30T08:00:00.001-05:00

Cocktail.

Cold weather means hot drinks in my book. And I have opined about my love of the Hot Toddy many, many times...and I still love them. What isn't to love about a drink that makes you feel warm and cozy on the chilliest of evenings?

This delicious recipe is from the new Bon Apetit (gosh...I really love that magazine). Consider this part of my winter rotation.

Honey Bourbon Toddy

Ingredients
2 tablespoons honey
1 cup hot water
6 tablespoons bourbon or Apple Bourbon (see below for recipe)
2 3x1/2" strips lemon peel
2 cinnamon sticks

Preparation
Stir honey and water in a 2-cup measuring cup until honey dissolves. Add bourbon (or better yet, Apple Bourbon, in which case you'll use 1 Tbsp. honey). Divide between 2 Toddy glasses. Twist a strip of lemon peel over each drink, then add to glass. Stir each with a cinnamon stick and serve.

To make Apple Bourbon, combine a 750-ml bottle of bourbon, 4 cored, sliced Fuji apples, and 4 cinnamon sticks in a pitcher. Cover; chill for 3 days. Strain and sip of use in recipe above.

Link Love

2011-11-29T08:00:00.000-05:00

Sweetapolita
Espresso bundt cake with dark chocolate cinnamon glaze!

Hammers & High Heels
A wreath made of silver platters…how clever.

Daydreamer Desserts
Would it be wrong to make this cinnamon bun eggnog martini nightly?

Martha Stewart
Cool DIY gift packaging from Martha.

Holiday Shopping

2011-11-28T08:00:00.000-05:00

Household Gifts.

Today I'm having a difficult time staying focused on on my holiday shopping goals because I keep finding fun things that I might like. How selfish. I'm going to stay focused on my recipients and refrain from purchasing; but in case anyone is curious, I think these three things from Japanese Modern Design are pretty dang cool.

1. Chopsticks that don't touch the table, so you don't need a chopstick rest.

2. Coffee cups with interchangeable silicone sleeves. You won't burn your hands or drink out of someone else's cup of coffee!

3. And my favorite...a rainbow of gorgeous shotglasses. This would make a tequila shot less college and more chic.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

2011-11-24T08:00:00.000-05:00

Have a wonderful holiday with your friends and family.

DIY Salt

2011-11-23T08:00:00.000-05:00

Flavored salts can be useful in so many ways. It is a personal touch that is inexpensive and creative and best of all you get to shop for cute containers. Make a few ahead of time to give out to neighbors, co-workers, hostess gifts and as teacher thank you’s.

It just so happens that Chow has 4 salt recipes on their website right now: Citrus salt, bloody mary salt, porcini parmesan and vanilla salt.

Link Love

2011-11-22T08:00:00.001-05:00

Tuesday Inspiration.

Black Eiffel
These gift tags are unbelievably cool.

Gluten Free Girl and The Chef
To all of my gluten free friends out there, this is a great compilation of recipes to make your Thanksgiving delicious and gluten free!

Boo
Because the posts and pics on this adorable dog’s facebook page always puts a smile on my face...even on the worst days.

Black White Yellow
Who needs color in your apartment when it’s this chic without?

Giveaway: Ornament Collection

2011-11-21T08:00:00.001-05:00

Enter to Win.

When you get married, you register for pots and pans, flatware, china, and a lot of gadgets. But when the holidays roll around and you are celebrating your first Christmas as a couple, you soon realize that a coherent set of ornaments might be something you could use. And when you have a gift shopping list as long as the Mississippi, you probably don't want to spend a lot of money on trimming your tree.

Which is why I am SO excited for our giveaway form The Whitehurst Company, aka fabulous purveyor of ornaments. They have created a Newlywed Starter Kit of ornaments in monochromatic selections of either gold or silver that is just what a new couple needs to get started. And quite frankly, as a non-newleywed I could use this too!

So if you are a Newlywed, know a Newlywed, or just need some beautiful ornaments, enter to win this package (which retails at $75) from The Whitehurst Company. All you need to do leave us a comment telling us how plan to celebrate the holidays. Don't forget to leave your info so we can contact you if you win. We'll accept entries until December 2nd and announce a winner on December 5th.

Let's Make Some Art

2011-11-18T08:00:00.001-05:00

If you are hosting the holiday’s this year and the budget hasn’t allowed for much new décor then this post is for you. There is a great tutorial at Two Girls being Crafty on how to save yourself $100 plus end up with a fantastic print full of color to round out any of your rooms.

Healthy Salads

2011-11-17T08:00:00.000-05:00

With Thanksgiving right around the corner I plan to make a lot of big batches of healthy salads. This salad is not only full of super foods but looks so good I won’t feel like I’m missing out at all. Who knew saving calories could be so delicious.

Easy Lunch for a Busy Week

2011-11-16T08:00:00.000-05:00

Recipe.

November and December are always a bit crazy. You have to juggle your normal tasks with planning for family holiday gatherings, office parties, and don't even get me started on the Christmas shopping.

So it's easy to fall back on basic PB&J for lunch when your mind is in 1000 places and you really can't think about what to make to eat. But why not just jazz up a classic? Like a slightly fancy BLT?

This beauty is a Pancetta, Burrata, and Tomato Sandwich. Your basic BLT with a shot of adreneline. Yum. Enjoy!

4 (3-ounce) packages thinly sliced pancetta (Italian bacon)
6 ripe red heirloom tomatoes
1/2 cup coarsely torn fresh basil leaves, packed
6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon fleur de sel or coarse kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
12 slices egg bread or brioche (about 1/2" thick), lightly toasted
18 ounces burrata cheese
4 cups baby arugula or mixed microgreens

Working in batches, cook pancetta in heavy large skillet over medium heat until brown and crisp, about 6 minutes per batch. Transfer to paper towels to drain. DO AHEAD Can be made 2 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.

Place tomato slices in shallow baking dish. Add basil, olive oil, oregano, and fleur de sel. Sprinkle with ground black pepper and turn to coat. Let stand at least 30 minutes and up to 1 hour.

Place 6 toasted bread slices on work surface. Divide burrata among bread slices and spread to edges. Top each with 1 tomato slice, then pancetta slices, dividing equally. Top with arugula. Cover with remaining 6 toasted bread slices, and press each slightly to adhere. Cut each sandwich in half and serve.

Link Love

2011-11-15T08:00:00.005-05:00

Maria's
Healthy Gingerbread donuts with brown butter sauce.

...love Maegan
Such an easy touch for such a big impact.

Taste of Home
Who wouldn't love a round of Grinch punch during the holidays?

Good Housekeeping
This is the perfect solution for saving a bundle on Christmas decor.

Holiday Hostess Gift

2011-11-14T08:00:00.001-05:00

Gift.

Hostess gifts are always a good idea, especially during the holidays when your host puts so much work into entertaining a group during such a hectic time of year. One of my favorite gifts to give is a beautifully packaged high-end candle, because I think most people don't treat themselves to a luxurious option...just what's on sale at the discount store.

A great spot to find some of the best candles on the market is Candle Delirium.

My current favorite candle was a gift from someone, a Carriere Freres candle. Let me tell you...after your host is finished cleaning up the dirty dishes and straightening up after all of their guests have left, they will be mighty happy to burn one of these luxurious scented candles and kick back in a hot bath. Well maybe I shouldn't speak for everyone. But I know that I sure do love my gorgeous hostess gift.

Replace the Pie?

2011-11-11T08:00:00.001-05:00

Recipe.

When it comes to the Thanksgiving, I often find myself a bit of a traditionalist when it comes to the menu selection. Even though that flies in the face of how I like to eat every other day of the year, I really just want my turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and pie.

But I saw this recipe for Bavarian Cranberry Apple Torte in InStyle this month and I can't stop thinking about it.

It just sounds like the perfect marriage of traditional Turkey Day ingredients in a non-traditional way. I think I may have to give this a try...

Game Time!

2011-11-10T08:00:00.000-05:00

Board Game.

With Turkey Day fast approaching, I'm sure many people are planning out their menu and divvying up the responsibilities for the day. But have you thought about the activities?

I love a good board game and the holidays are the perfect time to bust those out because you actually have a large group of people in one place. Many years in our family have been spent playing Scattergories, Cranium, and Monopoly. But this year I want to try something new...Morphology.

If you are looking for a comparison, I would say that Morphology is like mixture of Cranium and Pictionary...which in my book is a very good combo.

You are given a word and you have to get your team to guess this word by depicting it with a combination of crazy objects - like string, popsicle sticks, beads, and such. Resulting in something like this:

I have a feeling that you dear readers who are craft savvy will have a competitive advantage over your families with this game if you decide to try it. But I won't tell anyone :)

Thanksgiving Tip

2011-11-09T08:00:00.000-05:00

Are you at a loss for what dish to bring as your Thanksgiving contribution? It’s always a difficult choice because you want to serve something that will make people ooh and ahh, but at the same time you don’t want to be a nuisance in the kitchen taking up to much space and time. The last thing you want is to stress out the host.

My recommendation is Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Wild Mushrooms and Cream. The most important factor is that you can’t skimp on ingredients in this dish. You have to go for the real deal wild mushrooms that you find at a farmer’s market. The dish is easy peasy to make but what makes it shine is the ingredients. Even if you aren’t confident in your cooking skills this dish will make you seem like a culinary whiz.

The brussel sprouts and mushrooms can be cooked ahead and then the finishing touches before serving take 10 minutes at most. When I say I think about this dish all the time…it is not an exaggeration. All you have to do is read the reviews. Most people say it is the best brussel sprout dish they have ever had and I have to agree!

Link Love

2011-11-08T08:00:00.002-05:00

Tuesday Inspiration.

A Cozy Kitchen
Sloppy joe sliders. My new favorite Sunday Football snack. Yum!

Coco Pearl
A birds-eye view of a beautiful baby shower.

Tea and Crumpets
OMG. You would totally be the coolest kid on the block if you lived here.

From the Right Bank
Love the sheepskin seat covers and LOOOVe the stove in the background.

Holiday Gift Guides

2011-11-07T08:00:00.000-05:00

Check out the eye candy over at CasaSugar. I am adding at least half this loot to my X-mas list. Chevron drawer liners and those Marbella owl napkins…seriously I might have to order those now!

Portable Petit Dejeuner

2011-11-04T08:00:00.000-04:00

Recipe.

This year I have embarked into the world of juice cleanse...the BluePrint Cleanse to be most specific. I have to admit that I absolutely love it. Each juice is delicious and extremely nutritious and it's pretty nice to be able to "eat" on the go during the day.

So when I'm not on the cleanse, I like to at least make my breakfast fast and portable. This extremely simple smoothie recipe from Bon Appetit is perfect. And since it is chock full of protein from the almond milk, it holds you over for the morning. Smart and tasty.

Almond Banana Smoothie
Serves 4

2 large ripe bananas, peeled, sliced
2 cups almond milk or whole milk
2 cups ice cubes
2 tablespoons (packed) golden brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Ground nutmeg

Blend first 5 ingredients in blender until smooth. Divide smoothies among 4 small glasses. Sprinkle lightly with nutmeg.

Raisin Rosemary Crisps

2011-11-03T08:00:00.000-04:00

photo via TheKitchn

It’s almost holiday time and you know what that means…get-together’s galore. This season finds hip hostess busier than ever and the thing about being a hip hostess is you can’t very well show up to a party with average fare. So it’s always nice to have a couple of tricks up your sleeve.

One of those tricks is Raisin Rosemary Crisps. They are so delicious you wonder how they pack so many flavors into one itty bitty cracker. The cool things is they can be purchased at Trader Joe’s (this variety is smaller) or another popular brand is Raincoat Crisps that can be ordered online. If you find yourself with a little more time you could make your own via this recipe. My husband who is not really a big fan of cheese and crackers, cannot stop eating these when I put them out.

Any way you slice it with a couple of crispy, savory and sweet crackers all you need from there is a spreadable cheese and some dried fruit or berries for color. Voila a classy, delicious cheese course in no time and no worries about it spilling over in the car!

Classic Candy All Grown Up

2011-11-02T08:00:00.001-04:00

Recipe.

I find it hard to believe that one can improve on the Reese's Peanut Butter Cup. But when I received my regular Gilt Taste newsletter praising the glory of grown-up peanut butter cups...well...I should at least give them a try, right?

Grown-up Peanut Butter Cups
Makes 20

1 ½ ounces water (3 tablespoons)
3 ½ ounces sugar
2 ounces honey (scant ¼ cup)
2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste
3 ounces unsalted peanuts
6 ounces unsalted, natural peanut butter
½ teaspoon smoked salt
1 ounce peanut oil, or more as needed (2 tablespoons)
20 ounces milk or dark chocolate, chopped
20 plain paper cupcake liners

1. Lightly grease a sheet pan with a touch of peanut oil and set aside.

2. Combine the water, sugar, honey, and vanilla bean paste in a heavy bottomed, medium pot. Turn the heat to medium; stir gently with a heat resistant spatula to dissolve the sugar. Once the mixture starts to bubble, stop stirring and let it simmer undisturbed.

3. Cook until the syrup begins to take on a foxy brown color; no need for a candy thermometer, but around 340° for those keeping score.

4. Immediately shut off the heat, add the peanuts, and stir. Pour the mixture onto the prepared sheet pan. Use the spatula to spread it out as thinly as possible. Set aside to cool.

5. When the brittle has cooled completely, use your hands to break it into large chunks and transfer them to the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until the brittle has broken into bits, then run continuously until it begins to turn into a gritty paste.

6. Turn off the processor and add the peanut butter and salt (and pimentón, if using) all at once. Blitz until homogenous. Then, with the food processor running, drizzle in the peanut oil. If the mixture seems too thick to pipe, add more peanut oil a teaspoon at a time.

7. Transfer the peanut filling to a large pastry bag fitted with a plain round tip.

8. Next, melt or temper the chocolate. Portion ½ ounce of chocolate (1 tablespoon) into 20 plain paper cupcake liners, arranged on a cookie sheet. Pipe approximately ¾ ounce peanut butter filling directly into the center of the chocolate.

9. With a dampened finger, gently pat down the peanut butter peaks. Next, top each peanut butter mound with another ½ ounce of chocolate. Gently rap the sheet pan against the counter to level the chocolate and to dislodge any small air bubbles.

10. If using tempered chocolate, allow the chocolates to sit until they have solidified. If using untempered chocolate, refrigerate until hardened, about 20 minutes.

11. After the chocolate has set, transfer the peanut butter cups to an airtight container. Untempered chocolates must be refrigerated, while tempered ones may be stored at room temperature or in the fridge. Peel away cupcake papers before serving.

Link Love

2011-11-01T08:00:00.001-04:00

Betty Crocker
Spiked and toasted root beer.

Fredellicious
This construction birthday cake is awesome.

Kate Miller Events
Check out these botanical weddings sans flowers.

Valley & Co.
Who needs placecards when you can make stamped burlap place mats?

DIY Lampshade

2011-10-31T08:00:00.000-04:00

Check out this great way to take a lampshade from just okay to fabulous from a little glass box using nothing but a creative mind and a sharpie. It’s also a very sweet read .

Candy Corn Cocktails

2011-10-28T08:00:00.000-04:00

This cocktail could be a fun addition to your holiday bash. But if you are not planning on going out for Halloween this year it would also add a little excitement to your normal Monday line up.

Watch out!

2011-10-27T08:00:00.001-04:00

Are you asking yourself,”how are post it notes related to events?” Well say you are at your next party and a cute guy or girl asks for your number. You could pull out your post it note watch, sexily scroll down your number and put it around his/her wrist. I guarantee it would make an impression?

I know…good thing I’m married. But if you see this move being pulled at your next event, just remember who thought of it first.

Pretty Pumpkins

2011-10-26T08:00:00.000-04:00

DIY.

I realize that we just gave some love to Martha last week for a Halloween idea, but here's another one.

If you have a Halloween party this weekend and want to stray from the normal motif, these interesting carving designs are a great way to do so. I especially love the feather and skull designs. And to get that subtle glow, you don't cut all of the way through the pumpkin wall...you pare through just the outer shell.

Very cool, Martha. Again!

Link Love

2011-10-25T08:00:00.000-04:00

A Cozy Kitchen
Bourbon Butterscotch pudding with caramel sauce. Oh my this sounds so delicious for a Fall dessert!

Glorious Treats
I love this black and white sweets table for Halloween!

Grey Likes Weddings
I love the non-traditional choices in this bridal bouquet.

Apartment Therapy Chicago
Now this is a home that has zero fear of using color.

Chicken and Wine

2011-10-24T08:00:00.001-04:00

Recipe.

Now that there is a slight chill in the air, I always get in the mood for heartier food. So I've been perusing some of my favorite blogs to get some fresh ideas and ran across this Epicurious dish by way of Everybody Likes Sandwiches.

Chicken in Riesling: It's chicken with root veggies, wine, and cream. What's not to like? Consider this added to my list...

BTW: ELS made it with just chicken thighs, not the whole chicken. Might want to try that adaptation!

Hair-Raising Halloween Cookies

2011-10-21T08:00:00.000-04:00

Recipe.

Here's another oldie but goodie from Martha. I love the cat detail on these basic sugar cookies, because it's a welcome break the typical pumpkin motif.

Elegant Elixirs

2011-10-20T08:00:00.001-04:00

Cocktail addition.

If you want a quick way to dress up your regular cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks, these gorgeous elixirs from The Lounging Gourmet will certainly do the trick.

Just add a few drops to seltzer water, lemonade, iced tea, champagne, vodka...basically anything...and it will give your drink a major boost. And with flavors like Damascan Rose, English Lavender, Andean Fire Orchid, and Antillean Hibiscus I believe these would make a lovely hostess gift during the holidays too!

DIY Masks

2011-10-19T08:00:00.000-04:00

Check out these cute DIY masks from Rachel Domm. It could add a whole ‘nother element of fun to your Halloween bash!

Link Love

2011-10-18T08:00:00.005-04:00

Very Best Baking
100 calorie pumpkin pie tartlets.

Etsy
This is straight up adorable.

Between the Seams
This is a stunning wedding and best of all they have a wedding donkey.

Wilton
Candy corn cheesecake

Make your own Trixy Stix

2011-10-17T08:00:00.002-04:00

As a kid, every day in the summer, we would head to the local swimming pool where at noon we would all get a microwave burrito and some Pixy Stix for dessert. Winning combination I know! When I saw these adorable DIY Trixy Stix that Chow put together I was not only blown away by how cute they were but also a little nostalgic.

Best of all they are not the flavors one might expect when tearing into the sugary snack. They have kicked it up a notch with recipes such as Chile-Tamarind, Beet-Rose, Black Sesame and more. This is all of my favorites wrapped into one project…fun sugar flavors, adorable tagging and another reason to buy more cute straws!

Excellent Earbuds

2011-10-15T08:00:00.000-04:00

Gadget.

I love a little sense of humor in my daily routine. And these adorable earbuds from DCI would certainly add a little more fun to my workout. Don't you just love them?

Etsy Find-Chore Board

2011-10-14T08:00:00.000-04:00

Want to motivate your kids while teaching them responsibility plus get your chores done? If you answered yes to any of the above then check out this totally cute chore board from Etsy. Wonder if it will work on my husband?

Paper Plate Baskets

2011-10-13T08:00:00.000-04:00

This is a brilliant idea from Sarah Hearts. When invited to fall celebrations of any kind, I always like to bring a little candy or sweet treats for the kids. I can’t think of a better way to display, these are inexpensive, cute and unbreakable. You could easily put a couple together on a lazy Sunday afternoon and then they are ready to grab as you run out the door to your next event.

Apple and Brie Melts

2011-10-12T08:00:00.000-04:00

I am normally kind of a boring lunch gal. I usually just throw together a salad or a turkey sandwich. But today I decided that I wanted something different but was not inclined to run to the store. So, I needed to make do with what I had on hand. Turns out apples plus brie equals deliciousness and super quick and easy.