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These fantastic lanterns will add a touch of flair to outdoor summer entertaining and, even better, they are on sale at Z Gallerie for $9.99 per lantern. Grab yours while they last.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Spotted: Alberino Lanterns
These fantastic lanterns will add a touch of flair to outdoor summer entertaining and, even better, they are on sale at Z Gallerie for $9.99 per lantern. Grab yours while they last.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Link Love.
Tuesday Inspiration.
Desire to Inspire
Talk about your urban oasis. This incredible pad is in the heart of NYC…sigh.
Sweet Nothings
Oh…how I can relate to this…
Amorology Wedding
The bride is an elementary science teacher. So reception tables named after elements on the periodic table is an adorable streak of genius!
Desire to Inspire
Talk about your urban oasis. This incredible pad is in the heart of NYC…sigh.
Sweet Nothings
Oh…how I can relate to this…
Amorology Wedding
The bride is an elementary science teacher. So reception tables named after elements on the periodic table is an adorable streak of genius!
Monday, May 10, 2010
New Sponsor: Freak Music
Band Hire Agency.
Anyone that has been to a wedding or party that has the stereotypical cheesy DJ, can attest to the fact that the right kind of music is essential to a successful event. For me, the second the Chicken Dance hits the air, I hit the door.
This is why Freak Music is so entirely cool...and important. Based in Edinburgh, Scotland, Freak Music is an agency that reps over 300 of the very best bands from all different genres. And their website is so amazing. You can listen to samples of the bands' music and quickly send in a pricing request. It goes directly to the band...ensuring a quicker response time and best price. How nice is that?
And quite possibly my favorite feature is that they have an "emergency band replacement policy". So if something goes awry, you don't have to scramble to find that cheesy DJ just to have some music. Freak Music will just tap into their list of 300+ bands and find you a stellar replacement.
So...if you are in the UK/Scotland or if you are a planning a destination wedding in that area, you really should check this company out. It will save you so many hours of searching and stress worrying about the Cha Cha Slide and Chicken Dance.
Anyone that has been to a wedding or party that has the stereotypical cheesy DJ, can attest to the fact that the right kind of music is essential to a successful event. For me, the second the Chicken Dance hits the air, I hit the door.
This is why Freak Music is so entirely cool...and important. Based in Edinburgh, Scotland, Freak Music is an agency that reps over 300 of the very best bands from all different genres. And their website is so amazing. You can listen to samples of the bands' music and quickly send in a pricing request. It goes directly to the band...ensuring a quicker response time and best price. How nice is that?
And quite possibly my favorite feature is that they have an "emergency band replacement policy". So if something goes awry, you don't have to scramble to find that cheesy DJ just to have some music. Freak Music will just tap into their list of 300+ bands and find you a stellar replacement.
So...if you are in the UK/Scotland or if you are a planning a destination wedding in that area, you really should check this company out. It will save you so many hours of searching and stress worrying about the Cha Cha Slide and Chicken Dance.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Etsy Crush
Etsy.
I believe that I've mentioned on a number of occasions my odd love of cakestands. When I had a studio apartment, I only allowed myself to indulge in 2 cakestands. Now that my square footage has increased, I've decided to collect them and keep them on display in my kitchen. And they are useful, so I don't feel like I'm being silly by taking up space for something frivolous.
So...I often find myself doing random searches to find interesting designs, and I happened to run across Whitney Smith's etsy page. Amazing!
Beyond cake and cupcake stands (how cute is that?), she also has a very cool selection of bowls, vases, cream & sugar sets, and much more. I can tell that I'll be stalking her work for awhile until I decide which of her pieces will find themselves on display with my new collection...
I believe that I've mentioned on a number of occasions my odd love of cakestands. When I had a studio apartment, I only allowed myself to indulge in 2 cakestands. Now that my square footage has increased, I've decided to collect them and keep them on display in my kitchen. And they are useful, so I don't feel like I'm being silly by taking up space for something frivolous.
So...I often find myself doing random searches to find interesting designs, and I happened to run across Whitney Smith's etsy page. Amazing!
Beyond cake and cupcake stands (how cute is that?), she also has a very cool selection of bowls, vases, cream & sugar sets, and much more. I can tell that I'll be stalking her work for awhile until I decide which of her pieces will find themselves on display with my new collection...
Friday, May 7, 2010
San Juan Microbrew
Beer.
A couple of weeks ago, Brandi and I were in Puerto Rico coordinating a wedding and were fortunate enough to steal a couple of hours away to explore the Old San Juan district. With the help of our incredibly informative cab driver Bully (real name), we were directed to the only microbrewery on the island of Puerto Rico - Old Harbor Brewery.
Now please don't judge us on the fact that we opened up the place at noon and proceeded to taste a complete flight of beers before another customer walked through their doors. It was all for the benefit of our Hip Hostess readers, I assure you. What did we think of the selection of beers? Delicious!!
A couple of weeks ago, Brandi and I were in Puerto Rico coordinating a wedding and were fortunate enough to steal a couple of hours away to explore the Old San Juan district. With the help of our incredibly informative cab driver Bully (real name), we were directed to the only microbrewery on the island of Puerto Rico - Old Harbor Brewery.
Now please don't judge us on the fact that we opened up the place at noon and proceeded to taste a complete flight of beers before another customer walked through their doors. It was all for the benefit of our Hip Hostess readers, I assure you. What did we think of the selection of beers? Delicious!!
Old Harbor has a well rounded assortment of beers that range from Ale to Lager to Wheat to Stout. There wasn't a single selection that Brandi and I disliked and their knowledgeable staff and was spot on in their descriptions and recommended pairings.
If you are lucky enough to visit beautiful Old San Juan, add Old Harbor Brewery to you list of stops. If you want to enjoy it at home, Old Harbor is distributed in the US. Check with your local liquor store to see if they offer any of these unique options.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Spotted: Chalkboard Bubble
If you have a party on your agenda with photo ops…what could be better than a chalkboard bubble? I for see many hours of fun. You can purchase this prop at Photojojo store.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Cinco Guacamole
Recipes.
I need few excuses to eat guacamole, but I will certainly take advantage of the fact that today is Cinco de Mayo so I can get my fill of avocado.
I need few excuses to eat guacamole, but I will certainly take advantage of the fact that today is Cinco de Mayo so I can get my fill of avocado.
Now I make a mean guacamole that I would consider to be the gold standard of traditional. But I always like to mix things up a bit, so here are 5 links to some very unique takes on guacamole. Perhaps I'll treat myself to a guacamole flight tonight along with a very cold cerveza...
Cuban-style Pineapple Guacamole
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Link Love
Mint Design
Healthy chocolate mousse by Sarah Britton.
Healthy chocolate mousse by Sarah Britton.
Check out this DIY for cute party favors.
I definitely want to be invited to this luncheon.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Bundt Cake Beauty
Mother's Day Idea.
Do you have a mother who is hard to buy for? Join the club. My mother lives in a different state but if she were nearby I would definitely put together a brunch with this cake as the focal point. This is Martha’s idea and albeit a good one she makes it seem like something you could throw together in an hour. I believe this cake would take some pre-planning but would be well worth the extra work.
Bake the cake ahead of time so that you have time to find the perfect vessel for the middle to hold the flowers. Freeze the cake and take it out the morning you are going to serve, I believe the freezing process actually adds to the moistness of the cake. After you have found the perfect fitting vessel it is a good idea to put in a call to your local florist a couple days ahead of time. The flowers should be non-toxic and may be special order. The flowers in the photo are muscari, brodiaea and bupleurum.
With your plan in place you will have a beautiful centerpiece and a stress free day to be able to kick back and spend the day with your mom.
Do you have a mother who is hard to buy for? Join the club. My mother lives in a different state but if she were nearby I would definitely put together a brunch with this cake as the focal point. This is Martha’s idea and albeit a good one she makes it seem like something you could throw together in an hour. I believe this cake would take some pre-planning but would be well worth the extra work.
Bake the cake ahead of time so that you have time to find the perfect vessel for the middle to hold the flowers. Freeze the cake and take it out the morning you are going to serve, I believe the freezing process actually adds to the moistness of the cake. After you have found the perfect fitting vessel it is a good idea to put in a call to your local florist a couple days ahead of time. The flowers should be non-toxic and may be special order. The flowers in the photo are muscari, brodiaea and bupleurum.
With your plan in place you will have a beautiful centerpiece and a stress free day to be able to kick back and spend the day with your mom.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
What's in Season?
Herb ideas.
One way to better your odds of culinary success is to work with produce that's in season. So what's in season now? Mint.
Yes...those Kentuckians knew what they were doing when they mixed mint with bourbon to create the delicious and deadly Mint Julep. It's the best time of year to have this herb, so why not put it in a beverage too?
But if your are like me and always buy way too much, you are probably wondering what you should do with the extra mint when you've had your fill of Makers Mark. Here's a lovely tea that will brighten your morning for the days following the Derby:
2 cups Water
1 bunch of coarsely chopped mint leaves
honey
lemon
Bring water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add the mint and remove from heat. Let it steep for 5 minutes and then strain through a fine mesh sieve into a teapot or container. Add honey and lemon to taste.
Note: You can also chill and serve cold.
One way to better your odds of culinary success is to work with produce that's in season. So what's in season now? Mint.
Yes...those Kentuckians knew what they were doing when they mixed mint with bourbon to create the delicious and deadly Mint Julep. It's the best time of year to have this herb, so why not put it in a beverage too?
But if your are like me and always buy way too much, you are probably wondering what you should do with the extra mint when you've had your fill of Makers Mark. Here's a lovely tea that will brighten your morning for the days following the Derby:2 cups Water
1 bunch of coarsely chopped mint leaves
honey
lemon
Bring water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add the mint and remove from heat. Let it steep for 5 minutes and then strain through a fine mesh sieve into a teapot or container. Add honey and lemon to taste.
Note: You can also chill and serve cold.
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