Heavenly Ham

Food.

Tomorrow is a big day for pork-lovers. Easter is sort of the unofficial ham holiday. And I have a confession for all of you - I love pork loin. I love pork chops. I LOVE LOVE LOVE bacon. But I've always been only so-so about ham. Sure it's fine in a sandwich or in an omlet, but I don't usually crave a slice of cooked ham for a main course. But all of that was before I found the following recipe.

A couple of years ago, my Aunt Debbie whipped up quite the Easter feast. I was expecting the so-so ham (nothing to do with her cooking skills...which are fantastic) mixed with lots of delicious sides to mask the blah ham. Instead, this ham had me practically licking the platter clean. It was an epiphany for me...now I LOVE ham! This one is worth trying tomorrow...trust me.

The Head Butler's Ham recipe

16-18 pound ready to eat ham, pre-cooked, bone in.
1 box dark brown sugar
1/2 c. Gulden's Mustard
1/2 c. bourbon
1/2 c. fresh bread crumbs
1 c. honey
2 Tablespoons ground cloves

Mix ingredients. Pour over ham. Cook in pre-heated oven 350 degrees.

Baste constantly after first half hour for 2-3 hours.
Let ham cool for 15 min. before serving.

Tonic Living-Pillows

Home Decor.

Okay, so Spring has arrived, sort of. On the East Coast things are still a little overcast, windy and dreary but the forecast is looking up. One of the ways I like to bring the change of seasons into my life is with a little home décor mix up. It doesn’t have to be anything crazy or over-the-top expensive. Just by buying some candles with fresh spring scents and switching up the throw pillows you will be surprised at how your home will have a new life. It will also encourage you to get out there and smell the daisies.

I purchased a few of my favorite candle scents from Bath and Body Works, using coupons of course. Then I set out to find some great deals on throw pillows. I started with Tonic Living and did not have to go any further. The graphics on their new pillow line are so colorful, cheery and well priced at $19.95 that the hardest part was picking just a couple. Don’t forget Tonic Living gives Hip Hostess a 10% discount just by using the coupon code HIPHOSTESS.

With my new inspiration in place, I think I will plan a hike for this weekend.

Kids DIY Table

Kids and Weddings.

One thing that can cause wedding conflicts faster than anything else is the children question. To invite, or not to invite? This discussion usually brings out strong opinions, and unfortunately the results may not please all.

Personally, I believe either option is acceptable. If you are having the type of wedding where cocktails will be flowing freely and are usually followed by drunken dancing or rather flailing (you know who you are) then that might not be the proper environment for small children.

On the other hand, if you can’t imagine having your special day without children around, then this DIY is for you.

Here is a little project to get you going on the tiny tyke’s table. This is inexpensive, a great takeaway for the kids, and your table will look fabulous to boot. Also it can be done ahead of time so that you don’t feel the last minute crunch. If you know a lot of families, they always have tons of used broken crayons lying around just waiting to be tossed. Why not turn them into these unique, recycled crayon creations.



Instructions:
You will need silicone letter and number trays (each letter is 2” in size and still usable as a crayon)

Preheat oven to 250 degrees

Peel all remaining labels from crayons and break into pieces

Place pieces of the same color in each letter or number

Place trays into oven and check after 10 minutes (when the crayons have become liquid they are done)

Remove tray from oven and let cool for 3-4 hours.

(Tip: This works better with a name brand crayon. Cheap crayons don’t seem to set up as well)

Outstanding in a Field

Dining Experience.

Are you looking for something a little out of the ordinary for your rehearsal dinner, reception or even just a little romantic time with your sweetie?

Outstanding in the Field is a roving culinary adventure - literally a restaurant without walls. Since 1999 they have set the long table at farms or gardens, on mountain tops or in sea caves, on islands or at ranches. Occasionally the table is set indoors: a beautiful refurbished barn, a cool greenhouse or a stately museum. Wherever the location, the consistent theme of each dinner is to honor the people whose good work brings nourishment to the table.Ingredients for the meal are almost all local (sometimes sourced within inches of your seat at the table!) and generally prepared by a celebrated chef of the region. After a tour of the site, they settle in: farmers, producers, culinary artisans, and diners sharing the long table. If you are looking for a romantic night out with your significant other, check out the schedule.

Outstanding in the Field can travel anywhere in the world to perform an adventurous private dining event honoring farmers and food artisans. No site is too remote. If you would like more information on private events contact coordinator Katy Oursler at privateevents@outstandinginthefield.com.

Beautiful April Showers

Bridal Shower and Photography.

If there is something that I have definitely learned from experience, it is that great photography makes all of the difference in the world when you are trying to capture important moments or details.

So when Sandra Pan of Sandra P Photography reached out to tell us about a very special bridal shower that she had shot, I was very impressed to find out that it was the future groom that had requested her services. Mike wanted to make sure that his fiance, Erika, had a very special shower...and he wanted it captured on film in the best way possible. He's a keeper!

Check out these amazing photos by Sandra P.

The Bride and her friends enjoy a lovely afternoon.

The pink and green theme are carried through very well in the invites and lovely hanging arrangements.

I love the bling on the cupcakes!

Every girl loves champagne and Tiffany's.

And captured perfectly on film, a lovely card from the groom. He wrote some very thoughtful words about his first date with Erika. It brought the bride to tears and brought on many oohs and ahhs from her friends.

Best Wishes to Erika and Mike! And thanks to Sandra P for sharing her wonderful work!

A Night out with Hip Hostess

Contest.

Hip Hostess is a special guest sponsor for an "industry-only" event next week, but we want to bring one of you (and a guest) with us! Check out the details below. If you are in the NYC area and would like to attend, leave us a comment and we'll choose a reader at random on Thursday, April 9th.

BEAUTY’S INK Presents

Free Monthly Fashion Industry Mixer and Networking Event

Come mix and mingle with fellow models, designers, photographers, and stylists in a relaxed environment, complete with special guests and tons of fun surprises and giveaways.

Monday, April 13th from 8pm-10:30pm

at ZANZIBAR (645 9th Avenue, at 45th Street)

Special Guest of Honor: Alicia Marie Rivers, Editor in Chief of JOLIE MAGAZINE

Special Sponsor: Hip Hostess

Radishes.

Food.

When I was a little girl living in the small farm town of Clyde, Kansas, I use to visit my next door neighbor Mrs. Wagner. Mrs. Wagner was most likely in her seventies and usually was found in the kitchen, canning and baking , but she could always be counted on for a quick game of Pick Up Sticks and a fresh radish sandwich. Now back then people thought Mrs. Wagner was a bit off her rocker. Who eats radishes with butter on a slice of bread? What they didn’t know was that Mrs. Wagner was hip for the Midwest. The French have been eating and enjoying this delicacy for years.

With spring here and farmer’s markets reopening for the season, bringing with them fresh ingredients. I know my first purchase is going to be a big bunch of Cherry Bomb radishes in ode to Mrs. Wagner.

Not only is this great for a quick healthy snack or inexpensive lunch it is also great for serving guests. All you need is a loaf of French bread cut into diagonals and lightly toasted, a bunch of radishes sliced diagonally, some good sea salt and butter, or herb butter if you prefer. Don’t worry if people wrinkle their nose at first because they won’t be wrinkling anymore once they take their first bite.

Black Velvet, if you please.

Cocktail.

Well I guess you can tell what the Hip Hostess ladies were doing during our Spring Break. It's day 3 since being back and we still have libations on the brain.

One of my favorite things to do when having friends over is offer one signature cocktail for the evening...but it has to be simple. I do not have the room or patience to deal with a dozen kinds of obscure spirits. That's why I LOVE my new discovery - Black Velvet (aka Black Magic). All you need is 2 simple ingredients - Guinness and Champagne (Prosecco or Cava work as well). It might sound like a strange combo, but the result is a smooth beauty that will please both the ladies and the gents.

Directions:

If you want the Champagne and Guinness to separate to create a layered look, half fill a champagne glass with champagne and then gently pour the Guinness over the back of a spoon so the liquid runs down the sides.

If you want the drink to mix creating an overall smoky sparkling look, don't use the spoon when pouring the Guinness.

April Giveaway-It’s Becky OH!

Contest.

Another exciting month ahead with another fantastic giveaway! Spring has arrived and if you are anything like me you are taking a look at your wardrobe and thinking, “Is this all I have?” Time to spruce up your basics with fun, fabulous, inexpensive handbags and nobody does it better than Becky OH! Becky’s handbags are available in an assortment of hip patterns, cool shapes and are affordable enough that you don’t have to choose just one.




If you are in the market for unique bridesmaids gifts…you are in luck. Becky has just launched a new bridal line. Her designs run from elegant to classic and if you have that ever elusive special bag that you had in mind which would coordinate just perfectly with your chosen dresses, Becky OH! provides custom service. What bridesmaid wouldn’t be totally psyched to receive a one of a kind wristlet that she could carry all year round?

You too can walk around in style by entering to win your choice of either an Apropos or Pequenyo creation from Becky OH! To enter, check out her site and leave us a comment telling us what you love. The last day to enter is April 30th and we'll announce the winner by Friday, May 1st. Good luck!

It's no April Fools...

Contest.

No fooling from us today, folks. We have 2 lucky winners (randomly selected) for both of our fabulous March contests.


First...the winner of a $50 gift certificate from Outfit Additions is:

Laurel who said...
I love the Mini Onyx Drop Necklace. They have a lot of beautiful stuff!

Second...the winner of a set of tungsten rings from Superior Wedding Rings is:

Megan who said...
The Men's Dome 8mm Comfort Fit Tungsten Carbide Wedding Ring is perfect! Simple yet elegant and indestructible. What more could you ask for?Maybe this Comfort Fit 6mm Tungsten Women's Wedding Ring to compliment him! And, oh... a lifetime warranty you say!

Congrats to both Laurel and Megan! Please send us an email at amber@hiphostessny.com so we can send you your prizes! And stay tuned tomorrow for a new fantastic contest!

note: winners have 14 days to claim their prizes.