Macaroni & Cheese Pizza

In my case this pizza is definitely a special treat kinda thing which just makes it that much more special.   Good reason to plan a Friday night date night with some macaroni and cheese pizza and a Netflix movie marathon.  It's going on the calendar now!  Check out the recipe over at The Gunny Sack.

Pumpkin Shake

What better way to get geared up for fall than with a pumpkin shake topped with granola.  Count me in!  Check out the recipe here.

Things I'm Lovin'

Gearing up for Oktoberfest with a little beer and cheese pairing at Astoria Bier and Cheese

Shining up my latest flea market find...it's hard to see but it has a cute little anchor on it and is Navy issued.

Great lunch at an outdoor table in Hastings on the Hudson at Juniper.  Look at that tasty burrata on top!

And finally planning a getaway to Portugal over Thanksgiving.  Look at this view.

Halloween Decor on the Cheap

Halloween is fast approaching.  Check out this cute DIY spooky vase from The Centsible Life.  It's a great reason to drink a Starbucks Frappuccino and then add a little silver spray paint.  If you are having difficulty finding some kind of scary bauble to hang, you could also print out some scary clip art on a 2" circle.  This could be an inexpensive way to decorate every corner of your home for your upcoming soiree.  Also, the spider mums look fantastic.

Link Love

Notions and Notations of a Novice Cook
Creme Brulee Donuts

Martha Stewart
Great storage solution if you think shoes are art...and who doesn't.

Seda Y Nacar
I like this fresh take on Chinese lanterns

Tasty Kitchen
Cinnamon Roll Pound Cake

Oven Baked Camembert with Honey Roasted Figs

Fall always makes you want to serve something warm just out of the oven to guests.  Here is a recipe that is easy, delicious and makes a stunning presentation.

Chicken Parmesan Meatballs

If you love spaghetti and meatballs and chicken parmesan then this is your lucky day.  It's the best of both worlds.  Chicken meatballs rolled in a panko crust then smothered in marinara.  This is definitely going on the fall lineup. Check out the recipe here.

DIY Monogrammed Cutting Board

Check out this DIY Monogrammed cutting board courtesy of Ruffled Blog.  Gift giving season is right around the corner and if you start now you can have all your gifts ready by Thanksgiving.  Plus the best gift to get is something that someone spent time and energy on to make you feel special.

Link Love

Apartment Therapy
Love the wallpaper!

Lil' Luna
Everyone should have a lil' cinnamon bread in the fall

Inspired by This
Sometimes simple things are the most awesome

Sweet Paul
Sweet Potato Soup

10 Most Emerging Cuisines in the U.S.

Zagat's just put out an article on the most emerging cuisines.  You know I eat this stuff up...I love food trends.  Check out what they had to say.

1. Northern Thai- Typical dishes included chopped meat salads called laab.
2. Macanese-Sounds complicated
3. Icelandic-Lots of lamb and seafood seasoned with Icelandic herbs.
4. Laotian-Ever so slightly different from Thai and Vietnamese
5. Yunnan-Southeast Asia Cooking
6. Hawaiian
7. Israeli
8. Filipino
9. New Zealand
10. Gonzo Fusion-Your guess is as good as mine

Confetti Balloons

I've been pretty vocal about not really loving balloons for parties except maybe kid's parties.  However, that was before I saw how cool they looked confetti dipped.  Check out the genius of Studio DIY for a complete tutorial on how you to can make the coolest balloons around.

Restaurant Visits

Anyone who has been reading hip hostess for any amount of time knows that I will take any little thing and build an event around it.  A new movie or tv show is all it takes for me to create a menu and cocktail that goes along with the destination, story or even mood.  That being said, I also like to pick points of interests in areas and then build a weekend trip or day trip to that area.  I love researching the area and looking into the museums, music venues and of course the local food markets and the must try's.

Lately, a few restaurants have been getting some accolades for their spectacular and stunning interiors. Many of these are pretty close to the NY area, so I'm going to start my fall planning now.  I thought I would share a few with you in case you wanted to join in the fun.

NYC UWS-Corvo Bianco

Philadelphia-Talula's Garden (said to feel like you are dining at a country mansion inside the city)

Boston-Oak LONG bar and kitchen (I would start here for a pre dinner cocktail at one of those cozy barstools)

Washington DC-Mini Bar (this is number one on my list right now.  I love the idea of being so close to the culinary magic)

Nashville-The CatBird (this one I would need to fly to get to but if airfare was the right price it would totally be worth it)

Banh Mi

The hubby and I stopped by Bunker in Brooklyn to get our Banh Mi fix on Saturday.  Now the strange thing is that I could easily eat my weight in pate if you set a cheese and charcuterie tray in front of me.  However, I do not care for the pate part of the Banh Mi which is why I always order the vegetarian version.  Some people would say that is then not a true Banh Mi. But the truth is that I am really just eating the sandwich because of the delicious crusty bread and those pickled vegetables.  I find myself thinking about the Banh Mi quite a bit which means I should give it a try at home.  Mainly because Bunker is a pretty small place and my stopping by daily might lead to a restraining order.  I think I'm going to give this recipe a go.  Let me know if anyone out there has anything tried and true.

p.s. Yes, that is a homemade keffir limeade in the background!

Link Love

Smells Like Home
Red Velvet Brownies

SM Inspiration
Love the new trend of framing cool fabric patterns

Feasting At Home
Kale, Chickpea and Chicken Soup with Rosemary Croutons.

Row House Nest
Amazing Yellow Fireplace.

Short Rib and Ricotta Gnocchi

It's time to put away the grill and start dusting off those hearty, warm in your tummy recipes.  The first up on my list is going to be Short Rib and Ricotta Gnocchi.  This is one of those dishes that needs to simmer all day and makes the house smell great and feel so inviting.  I'm a little sad to say good bye to summer, mainly because the time got a way from me a little.  I had some great vacations but the weather and work schedules didn't allow for us to do some of the local activities we usually do.  So, as to not let another season slip by and I am attempting to make this the best fall ever.  I think this dish is just what we need to get us in the mode for apple picking and fall flea markets.

Dollar Store Sorcery

hip hostess uses alot of trays and anything this cute that I can buy and make myself for a few dollars...I'm in. Check out the step by step using a pretty hideous buy from the dollar store.  Way to go tried and true.

Things I'm Lovin'

My newly acquired shells and rocks thanks to the beaches of Nova Scotia.  I'm still in vacation denial, or that it is over anyway.  Prepare to see the word Nova Scotia repeatedly :)

Also, from Nova Scotia my starfish necklace which reminds me of a great trip and fun times with my mother-in-law.  That's Ruby (our Yorkie) running on the NY beach in the photo.

This is Valentine who is my mother-in-law's adorable chihuahua and we spent the entire trip trying to make her love us as much as we loved her.  By the last day she maybe got to "meh".

Last lobster rolls of the summer for a client event at the C Wonder store.  Now time to bring on the apples and pumpkin goodies.

Can a cracker change your life?

Awhile back hip hostess hosted some summer events for a popular health publication.  I was asked specifically to bring an extra vessel for some crackers that their office was crazy about.  They wanted to share the healthy experience.  Those crackers are Lots of Everything! from van's natural foods and are completely awesome!  Not only are they healthy but they taste kind of like the chicken in a biscuit from the old days.  Only difference is that I don't believe you could call those healthy.

The Crackers are loaded with oats, brown rice, millet, quinoa and amaranth – 16g of delicious, crispy, crunchy whole grains.  I'm not usually one who gets excited about a cracker BUT this is an exception.

Link Love

Have a Yummy Day
These cinnamon rolls claim to be the best!

100 Layer Cake
Who wouldn't want an invite to this swanky soiree?

Anthro Blog
One of the best gallery walls I've seen...lovin' it.

Use Real Butter
Great presentation for figs with blue cheese and honey.