Link Love

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

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!!

Have a wonderful holiday with your friends and family.

DIY Salt

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.