Trends 2010

Food.

I love to look at all the lists of trends, predictions and ins & outs for the coming year. What I found this year is that Hip Hostess and their readers are way too hip for their own good! Take for instance, the chef survey from 2010…many of the hot list items were covered by Hip Hostess in 2009.

In addition to these lists, I think we should be able to classify one food from the past year as “a classic that never goes out of style or becomes blase.” Then you would have your trendy list and your classic list which would be perfectly acceptable to mix for events. I would revive the molten lava cake from a few years back. Even though chain restaurants carry it now, there is something about a bunch of hot, gooey chocolate flowing out of a mini cake that gets me every time.

I found this list from Epicurious to be interesting because they showed the coming trends as well as the old trend that is on its way out. Some I agree with and some I don’t…in my book a good burger never goes out of style and don’t get me started about pork.

Take a look and I would love to know what you would add to your classic list?



Dish:
Front Burner: Fried Chicken
Back Burner: Burgers

Dessert:
Front Burner: Mini Whoopie pies
Back Burner: Mini cupcakes

Ingredient:
Front Burner: Lamb
Back Burner: Pork

Health Trend:
Front Burner: Eating an immunity-building diet
Back Burner: Dining on Omega 3’s

Profession:
Front Burner: Butcher
Back Burner: Mixologist

Drink:
Front Burner: Homemade Beer
Back Burner: Mad-science cocktails

Entertaining Trend:
Front Burner: Potlucks
Back Burner: Formal dinners at home

Happy New Year!!!

New Year's Tradition

Cocktail Accoutrement.

I am always looking for a way to bring on the good luck! It doesn’t hurt when the good luck tradition looks beautiful and is easy to pull off.

In Spain, revelers mark the New Year by quickly eating a dozen grapes at midnight. The fruit is said to be a predictor of the year ahead: Each sweet grape represents a good month, each sour grape a less-than-lucky one.

Adopt the tradition by threading grapes onto skewers, and serve each in a glass of Champagne just before the countdown.

If you see me at the grocery store taste testing all the grapes for the sweetest…you’ll know why.

Link Love.

New Year's Eve traditions from around the globe.

Denmark
Marzipan Ring Cake called kransekage…yummy!


Ecuador
Ecuadorians walk around the block with their suitcases to bring the journey of their dreams.

Mexico

In Mexico, those who want to find love in the new year wear red underwear and yellow if they want money.

Italy
Green lentils are lucky new year's eve food usually served with sausage.

Worldwide
Toasting with champagne is a worldwide tradition.

Special Touches for a Touchdown Party

DIY Bloody Mary Bar.

Truth be told, I know as little about football as I know about astrophysics. I have never been to a game and have watched the Superbowl a few times from afar. Usually from a seat in the kitchen surrounded by plenty of beer and goodies…this is more my style.

Recently, Hip Hostess was asked to host a tailgating event, and although it was exciting, I knew it wouldn’t be without its challenges. Hip Hostess prides itself on visually appealing set ups. We knew we needed to find a way to incorporate some style and fun into the event without jeopardizing any of the machismo atmosphere.

We decided to kick off the party with a build-your-own bloody mary bar stocked with many delicious and a few surprising additives. Needless to say the bar was a big hit and we managed to pull it off visually without anybody feeling like they were losing any testosterone.




This set up was easy and inexpensive. All it takes is a few galvanized pails and some wooden flags which I bought at A.C. Moore for .50 cents a piece. I couldn’t find a link to the flags online but you could always use a dowel and a piece of paper just as easily. We printed the graphics on 3 1/3 x 4 easy peel shipping labels. If you are interested in the above graphics, please send us an email and we will get them to you ASAP. We used the following garnishes:

Cocktail Onions
Olives
Garlic stuffed olives
Pickled green beans
Pickled asparagus
Lemon
Roasted shrimp
Celery
Pickles

If your holidays are filled with watching football, this is a great way to make an impression that will have everyone talking about your fantastic and creative hostess skills.

Were you naughty or nice???

Hangover Help

Favor Idea.

Though we may love the holidays, we don't always love the morning after. All it takes is one or three too many glasses of champagne to put a cramp in your plans.

So if you are hosting a New Year's Party at your pad this year, consider giving out little Hangover Kits for your guests to take home with them. We created the one below using a little Altoid-like tin, patterned paper that coordinated with our party as a belly band, and a funny little label to add some charm. Fill it up with individual packets of advil, tums, alka seltzer, chasers...whatever you think best cures the ails of ale.

Make sure your guests each grab one on their way home (in a taxi of course). Believe me, your guests will be ever so grateful the next morning when they don't have to make a run to the store for supplies. Now all they need to do is order take-out, stake claim on the couch, and prepare for a trash tv marathon. It works every time...

Link Love.

Tuesday Inspiration.

Twig & Thistle
This printable ornament wrap makes such a beautiful holiday party favor.


Design Dress Décor
I would be very happy to have this table setting greet me on Christmas Day!

Daily Drop Cap

Today is brought you by the letter H…thanks to this ingenious Font Type Blog.

Brabourne Farm

Delicious and de-gorgeous!!

Haute Design
A tight color palate and simple basic forms make this wreath extraordinary.

Bourbon Balls

Holiday Confection Recipe.

Every family has their own traditional foods for the holidays. When I was growing up I used to help my grandma make all kinds of sweet treats, but my absolute favorite to make and eat was bourbon balls. Being a Kentucky-raised woman, "Mam" would not let a Christmas pass without these intoxicating treats on the table.

Now that I have my own kitchen ,you will always find a bottle of Jim Beam in my pantry that is forbidden for imbibing. It's sole purpose is for a little holiday splurge. Add this to your repetoire for the holidays. You'll love it!

Image from Shutterboo502

Chocolate Bourbon Balls

1/2 cup butter
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted (more as needed)
4 tablespoons bourbon
pecan halves
1 package semi sweet chocolate chips

Cream butter. Add sugar gradually. Beat well. Slowly add the bourbon, blending well. Chill 1 hour or more. Roll into 1" balls. Chill again for 1 hour or more.

Melt chocolate in the top of a double boiler. Gently dip each ball in the chocolate and place on waxed paper. At this time before the chocolate sets place the pecan half on the top with a gentle push. Chill. Store in a covered container

The Smells of Christmas

Potpourri Recipe.

I love the holidays and since it always seems to have come and gone before you can blink an eye, I like to make the most of the few weeks leading up to the big event. One of my favorite things is to have a simmering pot of great smelling citrus fruit and cinnamon sticks on the stove, it gives the apartment a holiday feel.

It is super easy to throw together and I usually make 1 big batch and then use a little at a time throughout the holidays. Although I love the holiday’s, I do not love wrapping presents and always need a little boost to get this process going. Making the whole place smell like the holidays and throwing on some holiday tunes is usually all it takes.

Dried Orange and Lemon slices
Thinly slice citrus fruit and sandwich between paper towels and microwave on high for 2 minutes. Remove from microwave and place in a single layer on foil lined baking sheet. Bake at 300 degrees for about an hour.

Holiday simmering potpourri
3 cinnamon sticks
3 bay leaves
1/4 cup whole cloves
1 teaspoon ground cloves
Handful of dried lemon slices with peel
Handful of dried orange slices with peel
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

Mix all ingredients and store in Ziploc or airtight container. I’d use 1/3 mixture at a time (making sure I get one cinnamon stick and one bay leaf). Place your potpourri–along with about a quart of water–in a medium saucepan or slow cooker. Simmer on low heat, adding water as needed.