12 Items Every Guest Room Needs

The holidays are here and that means your guest rooms should get ready!  Most people just throw the sheets in the washer and air out the room.  I think it is really important to spend a few minutes thinking about how your guests will utilize the space.  That is why this article is awesome because it gives you 12 things to think about that are quick and easy steps to follow.  It's not about purchasing things or buying fresh flowers it's thinking about clearing out outlets for cell phone charging and cleaning out closets so guests can hang their clothes.  I say anything that makes the holiday's go smoother and helps make your guests more comfortable is definitely worth a perusal.

Advent Calendars

This year I am loving the advent calendar.  I like the idea of a tradition that gets you excited for the season.
Also let's face it a little something special at the end of each day (besides wine) who wouldn't want that?

Design Sponge's Falling Star

Life as a Thrifter

Finley and Oliver

Milch and Honig

Etsy

Gift Guide for the Little People in your life

Restoration Hardware
Personalized wool crown for $16...oh yeah!

Frecklebox Princess Lunchbox
Personalized awesome lunch box.

Etsy
 Perfect Stocking Stuffer

Discovery Kids Color Me Castle
HOURS of fun!

Link Love

Adorable Decor
Looking for a non-alcoholic holiday beverage?

The Rooster and the Hen
Cute way to display your holiday cards.

Bower Power
More adorable DIY ornaments

An Edible Mosiac
Who wouldn't like to get pumpkin cheesecake bread as a gift?

Pecan and Sweet Potato Bread

Thanksgiving leftovers are great but usually the one thing that is left stuck in the back corner of the fridge is the sweet potatoes.  It's hard to put them into a sandwich or soup but how about making some pecan and sweet potato bread?  Then  you can kick back with a piece of delicious buttered bread and some morning coffee and admire your empty fridge shelves.

Bring on the Dip

The holiday's to me definitely mean bring on the dip.  I love all types of dip...I'm really not picky.  Caramel dip, spicy dip, dip as a main meal, cheese and cream cheese concoctions.  I like to eat them all.  If you're like me and guilt free dip eating is one of your cherished holiday traditions then check out this inspiration.

Kitchen Simplicity
Nacho Cheese Dip

Closet Cooking
Bacon Double Cheeseburger Dip

Simply Gourmet
Jalapeno Popper Dip

Add A Pinch
Southern Pimento Dip

Haystacks and Champagne
Hot Artichoke and Salsa Dip

Link Love

Fellow Fellow
Lovely DIY ornaments

My Baking Addiction
Great tradition to start...Xmas eve cherry mojitos

Pose
Awesome holiday nails

Kitschy Living
Suitcase shelves

Holiday Giveaway

Do you have trouble getting in gear for the holidays.  Sometimes around this time of year it seems like we just put away the skeletons and then out comes the gravy boat.  Then of course all of the decor that goes with holiday cheer and yuletide.

I have an idea.  I was given a couple of Christmas reads by McMeel Publishing.  One of the titles is A Shtinky Little Christmas and the other celebrating Christmas share, remember, cherish.  They are both small books that won't take any longer than 5 minutes to read but will give you the Christmas warm and fuzzy's.  Sometimes that's all the inspiration you need to start pulling out the candy canes.

If you need a little "kick me into gear" Christmas reading then please comment below with your email address and I will send one lucky reader two inspirational reads.  Then all you have to do is sit back with a hot cup of tea and let the visions of sugar plums start dancing.

Kid Friendly Sushi

If you have a bunch of kids coming over to your place for Thanksgiving and want to arrange a little project to keep the little guys busy.  How about a make your own appetizer party for the kids.  With just a few kid friendly ingredients they can make their very own sushi rolls and practice eating them with chopsticks.  Sounds like it is worth a least an hour to me.

Whiskey Advent Calendar

Now this is my kind of Advent Calendar.  If you want to bring in the holiday's the right way with a nip of whiskey before bed each night then this is the perfect calendar for you.  It's a little pricey...but whiskey makes me sleep like a baby and December is a stressful month.  Might just be a match made in heaven.

Cranberry Sparklers 5 Ways

Looking for a lovely drink for you Thanksgiving feast.  Check out these beautiful Cranberry Sparklers and the best part is that Tokyo Terrace has 5 different options.  One of these is sure to be the right combo for you!

1. Cranberry Yuzu Sparkler
2. Cranberry Rosemary Sparkler
3. Cranberry Thyme Sparkler
4. Cranberry Lemon Sparkler
5. Cranberry Ginger and Cinnamon Sparkler

Link Love

How To: Simplify
Yummy pumpkin pancakes

Better Homes and Gardens
Perfect for the holidays if you bathroom doesn't have a lot of storage

BHG
Lovely little gourd bowls

Atelier Joya
Great washtub light fixtures

Brie and Bourbon Caramel

This post goes out to all of my "can't cook worth a damn" friends.  I actually know quite a few and lately I've been getting some panicked calls about what dish they should bring to their Thanksgiving feasts.  I'm going to share my advice with the readers as well because it involves brie, toasted almonds, bourbon caramel sauce and crackers.  This combo will take about 3 minutes to put together and it is so DELICIOUS...I would be surprised if you didn't overshadow the turkey.  No cooking involved just some ingredient gathering but don't wait till the last minute because you have to either find or buy online Fat Toad Farm Salted Bourbon Caramel Sauce ($11).   If you are going to a large party and need a good amount of brie, the best bang for your buck is either Costco or Trader Joe's.  If you don't have either one of those close to you then Presidente sells a brie log that arranged nicely on a platter could look pretty awesome.  Give it a go, you won't be sorry!

OMG

You know how I love to have small "just in case" gifts on hand.  I love this tray it is practical, funny and  totally inexpensive at $10.50 with free shipping.  With some cute wrapping and a funny card...perfect for my stockpile.  You'll have the recipient saying "OMG...What great taste you have!"

ZinZig Board Game

I was lucky enough to receive an email asking if I would like to try out a game called ZinZig...a board game focused on wine...to good to be true.  The game promptly arrived and was just in time for Hurricane Sandy to hit and leave us indoors for about a week.  If you are a follower of hip hostess then you know that my wine is always stocked, so we had everything we needed to play and welcomed the distraction of a board game and a chance to drink some great wine.

ZinZig is not only fun and competitive but it is also super informative.  We played several times, sometimes just the hubby and I and a couple times with different couples from the building.  Everyone at all levels of wine drinking had a great time and commented on how much they felt they learned while having fun.

If you looking for great gift or need to add some new games into your collection then I highly recommend ZinZig.  It is entertaining, fun AND you get to drink wine. 

I'm on my way to Napa in a couple of weeks and can't wait to use some of my freshly learned terms!

Droga Chocolates

Time to start stockpiling those gifts for the holidays.  I always start with the people in my life who help make my daily life a little easier.  For instance, the lovely crew at the fluff and fold and the super who signs for my 50 parcels a week and never complains.  Then there is my trusty mechanic and my dry cleaner who has a special way with wine spills.  It may cost me a little extra but it also makes me feel good to be able to say "thank you" with something special and isn't that what the holidays are all about.

This year I'm going with Droga chocolates.  Because the packaging is adorable and who doesn't love caramels.

Helpful Tip: Breaking in Shoes

Okay...I know this has nothing to do with entertaining.  BUT it made such a difference to my feet that I had to share.  I have a love/hate relationship with fall boots.  I look forward to my new pair each year but I always get out  the bandages because the blisters are a given while breaking in those suckers.  I also have a pair of flats that have I love but don't wear very often because they just never really broke in correctly. 

Then I saw this little tip on coffee, light and sweet and decided to give it a go.  When I think of all the business that I have given Johnson and Johnson over the years that could have been prevented in two minutes with a blow dryer.  Well now you know why I had to share.