We Are Family

DIY Family Tree.

One of my favorite things to do growing up was go through old family photographs with my mother and grandmother. I loved to hear them reminisce about times and people that I know little about, but shaped who they became.

I went my husband's family photos with my Mother-in-law recently and realized how important it is for us to document our family trees. My family is relatively small, but I know that the names will fade from my memory over time. I can't even imagine how low I can hold my husband's massive Irish background in my brain...but it isn't long.

So when I saw some great family tree ideas from Martha Stewart, I thought they might be a fun and beautiful way to document our family histories. These are some of my favorites:

Diamond Tree
This graphic representation would look fabulous in a modern home. It makes the black and white photos look both fresh and nostalgic at the same time.



Fan Tree
This elegant organizational chart can tackle even the largest of families...and look good at the same time.



Birds of a Feather Tree
If you have kids, this is a great way to teach them about their extended family. It's pretty lovely too.



Research
And if you need a little help finding our about your family, this page has some great resources where you can turn.

Fruit Fancy

Garnish Idea.

We just went through a month and and half of holiday madness, so it's understandable if you have a difficult time "spicing" up your dinner party with special touches. That's why I love this genius and super easy idea from Donna Hay.



To add a little pizazz to your dessert, crush up fresh or frozen raspberries and then strain. Place the liquid in a shaped silicone ice cube tray and freeze. Once frozen, just pop them out of the mold and add to you basic dessert.

Wouldn't some Vanilla Haagen Daz look so cute with little raspberry hearts???

Drunken Dairy

Drinks.

This is what happens when a tired mom puts the kids to bed and decides she needs a drink…only to realize she has vodka and little else except chocolate milk. That is the true story of how Adult Beverage Company came to fruition.



Frankly, I don’t know how I feel about Adult Chocolate Milk. I dislike the idea of a bunch of adults running around with milk mustaches at a party. However, if you can brave the ‘stache then I must admit that an adult version of a milk and cookies bar could be pretty hip. ACM is best served in an old fashioned glass on the rocks or straight out of the bottle, standing in front of the fridge like the old days. As a matter of fact the tagline is “Re-taste your youth. At 40 proof.”

When I drink my chocolate milk, I am comforted by the sight of the cute Quik bunny rabbit. ACM has gone a different direction. Their product is endorsed by the rapper Ginuwine who is clad in a milkman uniform and what I think is a come hither expression…hmmmm.

Etsy: Green Zebre Home

Etsy Home Decor.

One of my favorite things to do is search Etsy for cool vintage furniture. I stumbled upon Green Zebre Home this week and found many, many drool-worthy items to covet. Here are some of my favorite vignettes of vintage fabulousness...

Teak and golds...



Ebony and mirror...



More ebony with cream & orange...

Crayons that Rock

For Kids.

I haven’t colored in years and yet I was still excited when I saw these cool new crayons. Crayon rocks will definitely be a hit at your next kid’s party. The set includes 16 crayons and a velvet pouch for $7.50.



The “rock-like” shape of the crayon is designed to help develop fine motor skills. Using them strengthens the tripod grip muscles preparing tiny fingers and hands for handwriting. They are made from all natural soy wax and colored with natural mineral powders. Get yours here before it’s too late.

Link Love

Tuesday Inspiration.

Pinch My Salt
Black Eyed Peas are more than a music group. And I’m dying to try this smoky, bacon filled version.



Coconut & Lime
This may be her favorite from January of last year…it may be my favorite for this year.



Kiss The Groom
Loving these bridesmaid dresses in shades of purple.



Broke-Ass Bride
This boutonnière is adorable!

Belgian Endives

Recipes.

I had so much fun with the persimmons that I decided to try another veggie that doesn’t make it into the cooking routine too often, Belgian Endives. Endives have just come into season and just in time for the New Year’s resolutions to kick in with the healthy eating habits. The below recipe has a few caloric ingredients, but at just 50 calories per spear. I prepared it with a low calorie roasted chicken as my salad course.

I was pleasantly surprised by the combination of flavors and textures. It has made me decide to pick up Endives more often to work into our dinner regimen. I would love to hear if you have any fabulous recipes to try.



Endive Spears with Sweet Potato, Bacon and Chives
3 slices bacon, thinly sliced crosswise
1 small sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch dice (about 1-1/2 cups)
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 Tbs. thinly sliced fresh chives
2 medium heads Belgian endive
1/4 cup creme fraiche or sour cream

Cook the bacon in a 10-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat until it has rendered some of its fat, about 3 minutes. Add the sweet potato and 1/4 tsp. each salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, until the sweet potato is tender and the bacon starts to crisp, 6 to 8 minutes. Stir in 2 Tbs. of the chives and season with more salt and pepper to taste. Let cool for a couple of minutes.

Slice the bottom 1/2 inch off the endives so some of the outer leaves break free. Cut another 1/2 inch off and break some more leaves free. Keep going until all the larger leaves are free. (You should have about 20.) If you like, trim the leaves so they're all the same length. Save the remaining endive for a salad.

Set the endive leaves on a large platter. Spoon the sweet potato mixture near the base of the leaves. Top each with a dollop of the creme fraiche and then sprinkle with the remaining chives. Serve immediately or let sit for up to 20 minutes before serving.

nutrition information (per serving):
Calories (kcal): 50; Fat (g): 4; Fat Calories (kcal): 35; Saturated Fat (g): 2; Protein (g): 1; Monounsaturated Fat (g): 1.5; Carbohydrates (g): 3; Polyunsaturated Fat (g): 0; Sodium (mg): 100; Cholesterol (mg): 10; Fiber (g): 1;

Let me count the ways...

Home Decor.

As long as the thermometer shows outside temps in the 30 degree and below range, I will be spending a bit more time inside. But the more I sit inside, the more I start dreaming up home projects...preferrably inexpensive ones.

In the next week or so, I'm going to give my entry and hallways a little facelift with a new wall color. But I'm wondering if I should tackle my stair risers too for a little pop.

I'm kind of loving this french numbering stencilwork...



And then there are the traditional versions as well...





What do you all think about jazzing up stair risers?

Resolution Motivation

Workout Music.

A month of total food and beverage indulgence almost guarantees a New Year's Resolution of getting back into shape. But if you are anything like me, your playlists could use a little makeover too. I mean "Bootylicious" can only motivate me to do squats for so long...

photo courtesy of Toni Rantanen

Fitness Magazine created a list of their favorite 100 workout songs from 2010 and I definitely plan to pull from it. Do you have any go-to songs that get you through your workout?

Food Predictions for 2011

Trends.

It is true that making predictions can be a fool’s errand, however the biggest trend for this year is…PIE. How can you go wrong with pie? Chefs everywhere are going to be making anything and everything into pie this year, not only sweet but also savory. Pie makes me happy, so I am definitely behind this trend.

Photo courtesy of Cannelle et Vanille

Here are a few more.

Korean Cuisine - Think short rib sliders and kimchi quesadillas.

Macarons - Cupcakes and whoopie pies are a thing of the past.

Meatless Mondays and Tofu Thursdays - Not only is this trend beneficial to your health but also your check book.

Foraging - Chefs will begin using more wild greens, berries, nuts and even bark….hmmm.

Tiki Bar Cocktails - Using fresh ingredients and original recipes and a few umbrellas.

Sweet Potatoes - This root vegetable has been crowned the vegetable of the year for 2011. Most say it is because of the bumper crop this year of an estimated 2 billion pounds.

Pimenton de la Vera - You may never have heard of this ingredient, but chances are you've used its less smoky cousin many times. A specialty of Spain's La Vera region, this smoked paprika is a building block of Spanish cuisine. It lends a sweet heat to roasted and grilled meats.

So there you have it…how to be Hip in 2011.

Torta Ahogada

Recipe.

Last week, on a ridiculously frigid day in Chicago, I actually waited 45 minutes outside in line to get into a restaurant. And it was all for a particular sandwich...XOCO's Torta Ahogada. And it was worth the chilly wait.

The torta ahogada ("drowned sandwich")is Mexican comfort food to the max. A crusty roll filled with slow roasted carnitas, black beans, and pickled onions soaking in a smokey and spicy tomato chile broth. I went through no less than 3 napkins and was sweating from the spiciness...and I loved every second of it.

So I started searching for recipes to make this at home for myself...here's the winner. I can't wait to try my hand at Bayless' masterpiece.

Torta Ahogada

Sauce:
12 oz can stewed tomatoes
8 chile de arbol peppers, stems removed (add less if you don't want it spicy or more if you like it HOT!)
2 garlic cloves
1 lime, juice set aside
1 cup chicken broth

Combine all the ingredients in a sauce pan over medium heat. Once boiling, reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes.

Carnitas:
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon crumbled dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 (4 pound) boneless pork shoulder roast
2 bay leaves
2 cups chicken broth

Mix together salt, garlic powder, cumin, oregano, coriander, and cinnamon in a bowl. Coat pork with the spice mixture. Place the bay leaves in the bottom of a slow cooker and place the pork on top. Pour the chicken broth around the sides of the pork, being careful not to rinse off the spice mixture.

Cover and cook on Low until the pork shreds easily with a fork, about 10 hours. Turn the meat after it has cooked for 5 hours. When the pork is tender, remove from slow cooker, and shred with two forks. Use cooking liquid as needed to moisten the meat. Freeze half and reserve the rest for sandwiches.

Sandwiches:
2 lbs Carnitas
canned black beans (drained, rinsed, and heated)
Pickled Onions
6 bolillo rolls or any hard crusty roll
Sauce

Place a ladle of the sauce in a shallow bowl. Fill each roll with a healthy serving of carnitas. Top with black beans and pickled onions to your taste. Cut sandwich in half and place in bowl. Enjoy!!

Link Love.

Tuesday Inspiration.

Cupcakes and Cashmere
Resolution: Add a little flair to your wardrobe.



Pinch my Salt
Resolution: Healthy eating habits.



Remodelista
Resolution: Spruce up your home.



The Great Fitness Experiment
Resolution: Fitness (advice with a bit of satire)

Holiday Card Recycling Program

If you are anything like me you go through the same holiday card ritual every year. I always read the cards one last time and then take them down and move them to a pile on the table. There they sit for another week until I move them to a second location. It always seems kind of wrong to throw them away. Then after I can’t stand it anymore they go into the trash bin.

Well this year I found a fabulous way to put those cards to good use. St. Jude’s Ranch for Children, a safe home that rescues abused, abandoned, and neglected children operates a recycling card program to benefit the children. The children participate in the program by turning the old cards into new ones for the next season which will be sold with the profits being used towards the program.

Cards may be donated by sending them to:

St. Jude’s Ranch for Children
Card Recycling Program
100 St. Jude’s Street
Boulder City, NV 89005

Christmas Break

Hip Hostess is going to take a week off to eat far too many cookies and be with our families during the holidays. We hope that you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Last Minute Appetizer

Recipe.

It's Christmas Eve and you've still got remnants of scotch tape all over you from wrapping your last minute gifts for tonight's family party. And to make matters worse, you were supposed to bring an appetizer and just didn't have the time to prepare something in advance.

Don't resign yourself to the slightly dodgy-looking crudite tray leftover in the produce section. The following recipe is extremely simple, should be assembled on-site (so you were supposed to wait until the last minute), and will have a sophisticated enough taste that people will think you planned it in advance. Enjoy and have fun!

Picture and recipe via Kitchen Connaisseur

Chutney Baked Brie
1 tsp Moroccan Spice Blend or Mild Curry Powder
1 Tbsp Olive Oil
1 16oz Wheel of brie or camembert cheese (a 4-5" wheel)
1 cup (1 jar) Mango Chutney
1 French Baguette cut into 1/2 inch slices, or water crackers (I like Carr's)

1. Preheat the oven to 350˚F.

2. In a small bowl, stir the Moroccan Spice blend and Roasted Garlic Olive Oil together. Using a pastry brush spread the mixture on all sides of the brie wheel.

3. Place the painted brie wheel in an oven proof dish. Spread the Mango Chutney over the top. Place the dish is the middle of the oven. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until the wheel puffs out and the cheese is soft. Remove from the oven and serve immediately with slices of baguette or water crackers.

How to Build the Perfect Fire

DIY.

Nothing is quite as nice as sitting by a wood-burning fireplace when the weather outside is quite frightful.

The only problem is that the perfect fire isn't so easy to build and maintain. Using the exact same method (the boy scout "tipi" method), has yielded me mixed results for years. I blame the wood (it's too wet). I blame an over zealous amount of newspaper (it makes too much smoke). And then I just throw my hands up and say oh well...this will do.



Then I started reading about the "Upside Down Fire" method. Those who have tried it say it's foolproof. It burns for hours without any attention needed and the fire is nearly smokeless. I definitely think this is worth a try. Check out these detailed instructions.

Gingerbread Hot Chocolate

Recipe.

I know we have been talking an aweful lot about beverages lately, but tis the season to drink lots of fun drinks if you ask me.

Last week, Brandi highlighted a very cool hot chocolate variation. This week, I've got another one...Gingerbread Hot Chocolate.



When I was in London, I picked up the above product from Hotel Chocolat and practically happy-danced my way through the streets just thinking about it.

We gave it a try when back home and I absolutely LOVED it...but my husband thought it had a bit too much of a ginger bit for his taste. He liked the idea, but it didn't work for him.

So if you might be a bit shy of ginger or don't plan to be in London anytime soon to buy the above product, here's a homemade variation that I came up with that should suit you just fine.

Gingerbread Hot Chocolate
Serves 1

1 cup milk (any fat content)
8 tsp chopped semi-sweet hot chocolate
dash of ground ginger
dash of all spice
dash of cinnamon
1 - 2 tsp honey

Heat the milk in a saucepan over medium-high heat until scalding, but not boiling. In the meantime, melt the chocolate in the microwave for 30 second intervals until just melted. Stir the spices into the chocolate.

Slowly whisk the chocolate into the hot milk, giving it a good froth. Add enough honey to sweeten to your liking. Pour in a mug and enjoy!!

Link Love.

Tuesday Inspiration.

Outpost
A plywood subfloor meets a DIYer with a Krink pen and patience. This result is so flippin cool!



Poppytalk
A faux bois Yule log gift box? Love it.



Paris versus New York
Simple graphics that say it all…



Twig and Thistle
Felt pinecones are pretty cool.



Cannelle et Vanille
Check out these gorgeous little holiday tarts.

Homemade Cocktail Onions

Gift idea and recipe.

So here it is almost Christmas time and the list of to-do’s seems never ending. When I saw this fantastic homemade cocktail onion recipe, I thought what a wonderful and unique gift idea to share. It is a great gift that is inexpensive, different, and can be done in steps between all of your other running around.



They are a great addition to holiday drinks or even just as snacks. If you want to kick it up a bit, put them in a basket or bag with a copy of Mad Men and a couple of martini glasses. I know the group at Sterling-Cooper could make quick work of these at one of their afternoon meetings.

Eggnog Flavored Booze

Holiday-Friendly Liquor.

If you recently saw a dark haired girl, doing a happy dance, in the middle of a NYC liquor store…that was me. You see, I love Egg Nog, but am not a particular fan of making it from scratch and the pre-made drinks at the store contain my daily intake of calories in one glass. When I saw RumChata on the shelf, my first thought was how many of these can I carry. Then I thought, I should pick up some more Advil for the next morning.



RumChata didn’t disappoint. It is smooth, rich and clean-tasting, flavored with cinnamon, vanilla and rice. It kind of tastes a little like cinnamon rice pudding. It is actually made to taste like the Mexican beverage Horchata. You can use it as an after-dinner cordial or mix it with espresso vodka. Some other thoughts are hot chocolate, coffee and maybe even ice cream.

Any way you slice it, this rum based drink has made me very merry.

10 Best Beauty Products

Beauty.

In the December issue, Lucky magazine named their Top 10 Best Beauty Products of the past decade. There are a few that I've been meaning to try (YSL Frozen Cherry Lip gloss and Pssst Dry Shampoo) and a few that I didn't know I needed to try (Covergirl LashBlast and Givenchy Mister Light).

Of the rest, I have used and continue to use these two:

Tarte Cheek Stain



OPI Nail Lacquer in You Don't Know Jacques



What I'd like to know is what our readers love. What products can't you live without?

Haute Chocolate

Recipe.

It is no surprise that I like dessert, family holiday projects and things on a stick. How lucky am I that the giverslog has a tutorial that incorporates everything?



She calls it hot chocolate on a stick but I think it should be coined Haute Chocolate instead. It is tres chic and what a way to add a wow factor to a party, gift or holiday dessert buffet.

New Nostalgia

Gadget.

I'm not much for gadgets, but I am just loving that Polaroid has a new instant camera. It's smaller and cuter than the old-fashioned kind. The film doesn't cost a mint. But it still gives you that instant gratification that was so much fun before. Wouldn't this be fun to use over Christmas?

Link Love.

Tuesday Inspiration.

Country Living
This photo makes me warm and fuzzy.



How About Orange
Great tutorial on how to make these cute paper snowflakes.



Good Housekeeping
Check out all the fun ways to decorate using peppermints.



The Sprouted Kitchen
Delicious, healthy and perfect for gift-giving.

Think Pink

Hot Color.

Panetone has spoken and the color of the year is (drum roll please) ... Honeysuckle 18-2120.

Say goodbye to last year’s turquoise. This is what Panetone had to say about the color choice, “Let the bold spirit of Honeysuckle infuse you, lift you, and carry you. Honeysuckle emboldens us to face everyday troubles with verve and vigor. It elevates our psyche beyond escape, instilling the confidence, courage, and spirit to meet the exhaustive challenges that have become part of everyday life.”

photo courtesy of Casa Sugar

Geez, I was just thinking of adding a few Honeysuckle throw pillows to my sofa and maybe some cool new shoes but I had no idea it was going to be a life altering. Bring on the honeysuckle people!