Minty Makeovers

DIY.


You asked for it, and now you're going to get it. Hip Hostess has some Wedding DIY's coming your way over the next few weeks. Here is our first:

One of the things that I personally struggled over during my wedding was what to include in the restrooms for "convenience items." In the beginning, I had dreams of setting up trays of my favorite Molton Brown soaps and lotions, plush hand towels, etc. As time went by, I realized that it was more practical to invest my "soap money" elsewhere. But I still wanted to add a special aethetic touch while providing a convenient surprise for my guests. I decided on Decorative Dinner Mints - they are very inexpensive, very easy, and always welcomed.

Shopping List
Dinner Mints - A 2lb tub of Starlight Mints is less than $10 and contains about 180 pieces
Tissue Paper
Ribbon - I like grosgrain
Glass Container


1. Figure out how many layers of tissue it will take to cover your mints without the mint showing through - this will vary based on the color that your choose or the opaqueness of the paper. In my case, it was 4 layers.

2. Cut tissue paper into squares approximately 3 1/2 times the size of mint. For Startlight Mints, this is 3.5".



3. Fold the tissue over the mint and then lightly twist the ends to hold shape. This will not look perfect, it's ok.



4. Keeping the ribbon on the spool, tie a small bit of ribbon around one side (no need to knot). Cut off at desired length and then repeat on other side. Do not attempt to pre-cut ribbon into small lengths, it ends up being more difficult to handle, more frustrating, and inevitably more wasteful.


5. Fluff the ends a bit. And place in a glass container for your guests to enjoy and admire.



Important things to note:

When possible, buy ribbon in complete spools because you'll reap a considerable discount. Consider all of the projects that you might be able to use it for - from gift wrapping, to programs, to favors. I purchased mine from MJ Trimmings and by purchasing a complete spool, I got 50 yds for the same price that I would have paid for 30 yds at regular price.

For a glass container, ask your venue if they have an extra vase or bowl that you can use. If not, try dollar stores or the sales racks at discount retailers for options that you wouldn't mind leaving behind. I was able to find my vase for $5 at Target in between seasons.

Though this may seem like a small, inconsequential detail...it really does make a big impact for so little money. I had many guests make a special point to mention what a lovely touch it was. And even my husband, who made fun of me as I put these together during a Rock of Love Marathon, quickly came around when he saw the finished product.

Tablescape Guidelines

Decor.

Is there anything else that makes quite an impact as much as beautiful table setting when entertaining? Everybody dreams of having the perfect table settings, but just like anything else it takes a little practice, creativity and some basic principles. As most of us don’t have a plethora of different and interesting objects or dishes at our fingertips, we often have to compromise to achieve the look we want.

With a degree in Interior Design, Amber is Hip Hostess’ resident designer. This is lucky for me since I often go to her for advice on the design aspects of our events. Through the years, I have picked up a couple “tricks of the trade” from watching how she designs in numbers, heights and dimensions. It dawned on me that most people don’t have an Amber and it might be helpful to have some guidelines. I hope the below proves helpful when you are having guests over for dinner, planning your centerpieces for your wedding or even when designing your home entryway.


* Select items for your tablescape based on the size and scale of the table surface.

* Select an odd number for your composition; an old rule of thumb is that groupings of 3, 5, 7 or 9 is more pleasing to the eye than even number groupings.

* Layer items, similar to how an artist creates a scene, with a background, middle ground, and foreground .

* Use household objects like hardcover books or boxes as pedestals to elevate objects.

* Use both highs and lows to give dimension and depth

* Vary some of the textural elements in the tablescape - light/dark; shiny/matte; curves/straight lines.


* The most important guideline is to use your own personal treasures, things that inspire you, to create your own tablescape masterpiece.

Gift Giving.

Gift.

When I first saw these Nobuhiro Sato unorthodox concepts I was very impressed with the overall detail and the fact that this simple planter applies to so many people’s lives in different fashions. It’s perfect for someone who just moved into their first home or apartment. Or your gift receiver could be tied someway into architecture, gardening, design, real estate or maybe you just like cool, unique things. It is also not too feminine and not too masculine. I could go on and on here. What it boils down to is that the Mini Concrete Buildings available at Pull + Push are the perfect gift! Not only do I want to share this incredible find with you but I also want to be able to tell my husband that the new awesome planter sitting in the window sill was needed for research….wink wink.

Fashion Inspiration

Fashion.

I don't know about the rest of the world, but I find that chasing trends can be exhausting. And quite frankly, not all trends are created equal - you will never catch me in high-waisted jeans because my derriere would look like the size of Texas.

So while I thumb through the obligatory fashion mags at home or at the nail salon, I find more inspiration from some great blogs. I've swooned over the Sartorialist and This is Glamorous many a day. And I was thrilled to recently come across Garance Doré!

This delightful blog features not only fantastic photography of stylish people that cross her path, but it also highlights her amazing fashion illustrations...for which I have a particular penchant. So go ahead and take a few minutes to browse the Garance Doré blog. You'll feel more stylish right away. --a

I HEART Giveaways.

Contest.

With Valentines Day fast approaching, we were thrilled to receive an email from F.N.U.E. offering one of our lucky readers a chance to win their Sterling Silver "Crossed Heart" Pendant. For those of you that don't know if your honey will come through with exactly what you want, this is the perfect opportunity to get it for yourself!

All you have to do is go to the F.N.U.E. website and take a gander at what they have to offer. Leave us a comment telling us what you like best and why. All entries should be in by next Friday, February 13th at Midnight E.S.T. We'll announce the winner by 3PM Valentines Day.

THIS JUST IN!!

F.N.U.E. is also offering our readers a 14% discount until Valentines Day. So if you see something that you can't live without, go ahead and treat yourself! Just enter FEB14 as a discount discount code.

Get In My Belly!

Food.

This time of year, I start to long for those comfort foods that I know I should be avoiding. I watch TV commercials and say, "I remember when I used to be able to eat fried chicken, biscuits, and mashed potatoes with gravy. Those were the days." Then I go back to my salad, and cry a little tear.

But no more! I can still follow my New Year's Resolution to get svelte and have fun food at the same time. It just has to be tweaked a bit. This week I'm going to try healthy conversions of Mac& Cheese and Onion Rings...obviously not together. I figure that Roasted Chicken Breast will sound like a much more exciting dinner if I pair it up with one of these puppies! I'll let you know how it goes. --a


Real Simple's Mac & Cheese with Cauliflower

12 ounces multigrain elbow macaroni
1 head cauliflower, roughly chopped
4 slices multigrain bread, torn
1/2 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
3 tablespoons olive oil
Kosher salt and pepper
1 onion, finely chopped
1 1/2 cups grated extra-sharp Cheddar (6 ounces)
1 1/2 cups reduced-fat sour cream
1/2 cup 1 percent milk
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

Heat oven to 400° F. Cook the pasta according to the package directions, adding the cauliflower during the last 3 minutes of cooking time; drain.

Meanwhile, pulse the bread in a food processor until coarse crumbs form. Add the parsley, 2 tablespoons of the oil, and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper and pulse to combine; set aside.

Return the pasta pot to medium heat and add the remaining tablespoon of oil. Add the onion, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, just until soft, 5 to 7 minutes. Mix in the pasta, cauliflower, cheese, sour cream, milk, and mustard.

Transfer to a shallow 3-quart baking dish, sprinkle with the bread crumbs, and bake until golden brown, 12 to 15 minutes.


Hungry Girl's Lord of the Onion Rings

1 Spanish Onion
1/2 cup Fiber One original bran cereal
1/4 cup egg substitute (or egg whites)
dash of salt
Optional: pepper, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, etc.

Heat oven to 375°F. Cut the ends off of the onion and remove outer layer. Cut onion into 1/2 inch slices and separate into rings.

Using a blender or food processor, grind Fiber One cereal to breadcrumb-like consistency. Pour Fiber One crumbs into small dish and mix in salt and any optional spices you like.

Next, fill a small bowl (slightly larger than rings) with egg mixture. One by one, coat each ring first with egg, and then in Fiber One crumbs.

Evenly place rings on baking dish sprayed with non-stick spray or lined with parchment paper. Bake 20 - 25 minutes, flipping rings halfway through.

Rockin' Record Bowl

DIY.

I first saw the great idea above on Casasugar.com more than a year ago and tucked it in the memory bank. Last night while watching TV, I was reminded that the Grammys are fast approaching. I knew then it was the perfect time to break out the DIY Rockin’ Record Bowl. The bowl is super easy to make - all it takes is a couple old records, an oven, an oven safe bowl and cookie sheet. It’s an economical way to tie in your theme and a great conversation starter. I already have a couple of my husband’s awful records in mind for this project.

For an easy step by step tutorial, please check out http://www.casasugar.com/388078.

Brew-ha-ha.

Beer.

Once again, I recently found myself at a watering hole with an impressive beer selection and decided to "take one for the team" and perform my own impromptu beer tasting. Over the course of many hours, I came across 2 notables - Allagash White and Hitachino Nest Stout.

The Allagash White is a product hailing from Portland, Maine. It is their interpretation of a Belgian wheat beer (no wonder I like it!). It has a slightly spicy aroma and taste, but is so light and smooth that the spice isn't overwhelming. Because it is so drinkable, the Allagash could easily be an option to drink with a meal and on into a late night.

The Hitachino Nest Stout is a completely different kind of beer. Coffee flavors have become pretty common in Stout Beers as of late, but I have NEVER had a beer that had such a java punch. You might see this same beer called an Espresso Stout...and I think that is very appropriate. But now that I have scared you, I will say that the Hitachino has a bit of an addictive quality to it. With it's sweetness, rich texture and slight hint of chocolate, I thoroughly enjoyed every last sip. I don't think that I could drink more than 1 or 2, I think it could be the perfect way to end a meal. It's kind of like dessert, right?

Happy Groundhog's Day and Contest Winners.

Here's to hoping that Punxsutauney Phil doesn't see his shadow! I think it is high-time for Spring.

And now for business. We are so impressed with the comments that all of you wonderful readers left for our M. Flynn Contest. We wish that we had a pair of earrings to give all of you...but we do not have the powers of Oprah. So instead, our winner by random drawing is:

Dani K. Johnson, who wrote: nice blog! i love how clean and open it feels - too many blogs are so cluttered its hard to find your way around.

Thanks again to everyone who entered. We have put together yet another contest for February. See the details below! Good luck.

Kelly Christy Giveaway!

Contest.

A new month means a new contest. For February, we are thrilled to offer our readers the chance to win a custom millinery piece by Kelly Christy. Starting at $500, Ms. Christy's custom work is a great way to add some extra oomph to any special evening attire. Below are some examples of her work. Or if you are in NYC, stop by her Soho shop to see it in person.

To enter:

In the comment section, let us know what you'd like to see more of on the Hip Hostess Blog. Whether it's wedding ideas, food & wine, or anything in between, we want to bring our readers what most appeals to you...so here's your chance to tell us! The last day to enter this contest is February 28th and we'll announce the winner on March 2nd.