Summer Decorating

So Saturday was the official start of summer.  In order to give every season it's due, I love switching up the routine a little.  Check out some of these EASY but fun touches for the home to remind you that it's summer and time to get going to the beach, pool, picnics, sporting events, you name it.  Little reminders will help you get the most out of the few months.

Lighten up the Linens (or if you have white...add a colorful light weight throw)

Inject a pop of color...even if you add some green plants or floral arrangements

Brighten up your workspace. Could be your desk, bedside table or kitchen.

Bring in special lighting.  Anytime you add a strand of lights you naturally want to hang out in that area, might turn a night in front of the t.v. to a night dining with wine and great conversation.

Mother's Day

Sunday is a very special day...mother's day!  As everyone knows my mother doesn't live close enough to to actually spend the day with.  But you know a true hip hostess, that doesn't stop me from thinking about what if?  I am a big fan of mother's day brunch, due to the fact that restaurants are crowded and noisy and hosting allows you to put together special touches to make the day even greater.  If I was hosting it would look something like this.

Creole coffee punch
I like the idea of making one drink that includes your coffee fix and your libation all in one.

Skakshuka (Moroccan baked eggs)
These are delicious and can be prepped ahead of time and all you have to do is add the egg and bake. Plus it presents beautifully.

Strawberry Lemonade Coffee Cake
Cause you always gotta have a little something sweet to balance the savory.

Flowers
I would use flowers as my centerpiece that doubled as a gift for mom to take home.  I think you can't go wrong with ranunculus they are chic and easy to style.

Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo is just a few days away.  With the weather being so unpredictable it's caused us to lose track of time...one day you're wearing shorts the next a parka...who knows.  But the fact is this Monday is May 5th and Cinco de Mayo is on.  Now I realize that Monday is not the best day to celebrate but if we were to make lemons into lemonade we could say that Sunday is the perfect prep day.  That's right, as long as you choose dishes that can be made ahead of time there are really no excuses to put off getting together with a few friends, surprising your significant other or just at the very least a reason to eat Mexican.  Here's a few ideas to get the creative juices flowing.

Strawberry Margaritas

Slow Cooked Ancho Pork Taco appetizers

The Perfect Mexican Playlist

Chorizo and Potato Enchiladas

Sombrero Cookies

Easter Eggs

Easter is my favorite holiday, but I don't usually make that known because people then tend to ask if it is due to the religious traditions.  Then I have to say, "No, I just like bunnies, Easter baskets and decorating eggs."  That comment is usually followed by awkward silence.  So, I'm not going to talk about it, but I am going to blog about it...take that.  One of my favorite things is looking at all the creative Easter eggs.  Check some of these out.

St. Paddy's day has arrived

And if you are anything like me you'll be avoiding the crowds and quietly celebrating at home.  Here are a few things to choose from to get your Irish going.

Corned Beef and Cabbage Grilled Cheese

Irish Potato Pancake

Chocolate Mint Sandwich Cookies

Irish Lamb Stew

St. Patrick's Day No Bake Cereal Bars

Do you want to want to throw out a nod to St. Paddy's day but are short on time and bloated from all the beer you just drank for Mardi Gras?  How about sinking your teeth into these easy peasy cereal bars made with lucky charms from Sugar and Cloth.  I think it'll leave you feelin' lucky.

Hurricane Anyone?

It's that time of year again where the Hurricane's should flow freely.  Celebrate Mardi Gras right in the comfort of your own home with this great recipe from The Sensuist.

Small Symbols

Some people feel that Valentine's Day is a commercial holiday that is intended to make people spend money.  Most likely that is the case.  However, I don't think it is such a bad thing to have a day dedicated to appreciating loved ones.  I mean really...it's one day people and you don't need to spend a fortune.  If you just want to acknowledge the day and maybe be a little cheeky in the sentiment, here are a few cute ways.

The Sweetest Occasion

Spoonful 
***Great message for his/her morning coffee.

Etsy

Creative Greed
***I would write this little note and attach to his cell phone.

Valentine's Date Night

Valentine's Day is on a Friday this year, so the pressure is on.  We talked about going out somewhere but the truth of the matter is that most tables in NYC are about 6 inches from another.  It's really hard to be romantic in this situation.  So, I think we'll make a nice dinner and maybe do a makeshift spa night and no t.v. allowed.  What do you have planned?  Here's whats up my sleeve.

Arugula Salad with beets, goat cheese and walnuts

Beef Wellington Tarts

Chocolate Pots de Creme for Two

Valentine's for your Sweetie!

Check out these adorable free downloadable valentines.  Love the colors.

Chinese New Year 2014

If you were looking for a reason to try some homemade Chinese food then this Friday is your chance.  Why not bring in the year of the horse in style.  Be sure to decorate with bowls of oranges as they are said to bring health and longevity. Here are a few ideas to get you inspired.

If you are not to into the traditional.  How about General Tso's slow cooked pork tacos with orange broccoli slaw.

If you do like traditional how about delicious sesame chicken.

Or you could try your hand at making your own fortune cookies.  Putting together your own fortunes could  be hilarious.

At the very least just add a side dish of cold sesame noodles as a small nod to CNY.

Happy Holidays!

hip hostess wishes everyone a happy and healthy holiday season.  I hope your days and nights are filled with family, friends and loads of egg nog. We'll catch up soon.

Holiday Granola

Before Thanksgiving I gave you a tip of serving pumpkin smoothies to your guests in the morning as to not add any additional work for the day.  So, I'm back with a tip for Christmas morning...get ready for it...Granola!  That's right, how about a great homemade holiday granola.  You can make it ahead of time and store it in an airtight container and then in the morning just put out some yogurt, berries and milk (if they want to eat it like cereal).  Plus if you haven't made homemade granola before it is super easy and makes the house smell delicious.  Check out these options:

Pumpkin Spice Granola

Gingerbread chocolate chunk

Banana Bread (it's vegan)

Make your own ice cream sandwich

I know ice cream sandwiches make you think of summer.  However, I've been thinking that an ice cream sandwich bar at a holiday party could be quite cute.  Especially if you switch up the ice cream flavors to be holiday-ish.  You could do any number of fun combos for the cookie part.  It's easy, requires no oven time and you can make it fit into any holiday theme depending on what bowls and such you use.  Personally, I love the idea of munching on a cinnamon graham cracker plus pumpkin bourbon ice cream combo which I think would taste unbelievable with champagne.  If you are having trouble coming up with a dessert, this might just be the fun touch you needed.

Caramel Dipped Pears

These caramel dipped pears are so beautiful and I love the handmade leaf.  The Kitchen McCabe has used them as gifts for friends, with is a lovely idea.  I think I would use them as place settings for the holiday table.  They could be made ahead of time and how chic would they look with a rustic table setting filled with wood, mini fir trees and pine cones. 

Plants as Gifts

I have a succulent plant in a .77  Ikea glass on my coffee table that happened quite by accident.  We had some pieces from a transplant left over and my husband stuck the extra in the glass just as some place to keep it for a short period of time.  However, when I saw it I wanted to keep it...just like that.

That got me thinking that little plants are a great gift for the holidays.  Instead of baking some bread or cookies, how about a petite houseplant.  Here are a few photos for inspiration.

Elissa Braun

Style Me Pretty

Color Me Pretty

Babble

Holiday Gift Idea

I downloaded a book before Portugal called Afterwards by Rosamund Lipton.  Now, I've read a lot of books this year and most of them good.  BUT none of them made me want to rearrange my day to catch an hour or two to read.  This book is really a can't put down scenario.

The main reason that I am bringing this up because the holidays bring lots of down time.  Whether it is flying or driving to your destination, cuddling up in front of the fire while snow falls outside or even the old "what are you reading" chat around the dinner table.  Also, if you have a book worm in your family and are in need of a good gift this would be fantastic, either in paperback or a photo attached to a gift card.

It's a good read and while it is a suspense novel it is also includes intrigue, romance, family and great characters.

Christmas Decor Ideas

The very day we got back from Portugal I started breaking out the Christmas decorations.  I love this time of year.  As a matter of fact, as I write this the room is completely dark with only the Christmas tree and a few candles lit.  I'm also loving the Apple TV Holiday Hits station which is playing low in the background.  Here are a few ideas to help your household get into the holiday cheer mindset.

Love the pillows

Sweet Something Designs-Elegant, simple and chic (with tutorial)

Restyled Home-Great statement piece.

Everyone has a chalk board around these days.