Happy Holidays

Happy Holidays Everyone! Enjoy the time with family and friends, and when you've had enough quality time check out this video of things do when you're bored over the holidays.

Disclaimer: I do not actually recommend doing any of the ideas mentioned...so if you get in trouble, it wasn't me :) Enjoy!

gettin' crafty

Despite all my attempts over the last year to hone my homemaking skills, I often hear myself say "well, I'm no Martha." It's not a self-deprecating comment, more like the ability to laugh at myself and give credit for trying.

I recently stumbled upon a blog with the same sentiment. Not Martha is a crafty and creative blog focused on all things homey. While the writer actually does come up with the high quality results of Ms. Stewart, she also reserves the right to mess up, and laugh at herself in the process. And I like it.

This recent post is one I just had to share. I love the creativity of it and they just look so beautiful. I can just imagine serving these on Christmas Eve.

These mini-gingerbread houses perch on top of a mug - form and function at its best (save a plate, plus it gets straight to the point of dipping).

Click here for the full post and step-by-step instructions. Happy Holidays.

holiday gift guide {unique gifts for everyone}

If you're trying to think outside the {gift} box this year, here are a few clever ideas for those hard to shop for friends.

For the quirky foodie

plant tongs, $27 2.jane.com


For the architect
Lego Guggenheim Museum, $39.99 pop deluxe


For the pharmacist (or the somewhat dark but always funny friend)

pill dish, $8.95 fishs eddy


For the do-gooder

plates with purpose, $115 set of 4, riverside design group

For the co-worker


Office supply character stickers, $4.99 ThinkGeek.com


For the entertainer

bottle screw caps, $12.99 pop deluxe


For Anyone
Fabric Horseshoes, $18 each, hable construction

weekend project

Skip the Christmas clutter this year and go for some natural decor. Whether using it indoors or out, a fresh wreath is a great way to spruce up your home, and you don't have to store it later. Here is an easy project to get you going -after all, it's already mid-December...I'd call you a procrastinator, but I'm in the same boat :)



Here are the instructions, from Southern Living. Check out more project ideas and inspired living tips at southernliving.com

The Goods You'll Need

1. Frames: To re-create this look, purchase inexpensive frames from a crafts or hobby store. They go on sale quite frequently, so watch for flyers in your local paper, and then stock up. The style doesn't matter because the base won't show in the end.
2. Wire: Use green florist wire that comes on a paddle (see photo above, right). It's easier to handle when applying the greenery in a continuous fashion. Use green wire, which blends in nicely with the garland.
3. Greenery: Here's the secret: Use garland to completely cover the frames. Look for deals at home-improvement stores or large wholesale clubs. We found a 25-foot cedar garland for less than $20. Simply start at one corner of the frame, and continue to wire the garland completely around the piece. Cut the garland, and tuck in pieces of greenery to fill holes.
4. Clippers: You'll need a good pair of clippers or wire cutters to cut the garland into pieces that perfectly fit each frame.

It Helps To Know

1. Pick the freshest garland possible. Give it a good shake; if your feet are covered in pieces of greenery, put it back.
2. Wear gloves, especially if using cedar garland. The greenery has tiny little needles that can irritate your skin.
3. Store the frames for next year. While you may feel you're spending more on materials this season, next Christmas all you'll need is greenery.
4. If you place a wreath on a window, you may want to cover the back of the frame as well.

mastering the cocktail party...

or at least the cocktail portion of the party. Here are recipes for some seasonal libations that will get your guests talking (well, that may be partly due to the liquor)

Christmas Snow

1 oz. light Puerto Rican rum
1/2 oz. Galliano
1/4 oz. Rose’s unsweetened lime juice
1 oz. heavy cream

Shake well with ice cubes. Serve in claret or large cocktail glass. Sprinkle chopped pistachio nuts on top.

Irish Cheer

2 oz. Irish Whiskey
1/2 oz. sweet vermouth

Stir well with ice and serve in a cocktail glass. Garnish with lightly cooked cranberries.

Red Velvet

3/4 oz. crème de noyaux or crème de cassis
Iced Champagne

Pour the crème de noyaux into a tulip champagne glass and top with iced champagne. No garniture.

Wassail Bowl

Serves 12

1/2 pound sugar
1 teaspoon nutmeg or 1 whole nutmeg, grated
7 12-oz. bottles light beer
1/2 pint sherry

Heat one bottle of beer and sherry and pour over sugar and nutmeg, stirring until dissolved. Add remaining six bottles or beer and let stand covered for three hours at room temperature. Garnish with apples roasted with sugar and spices (no butter), and lemon slices or apple wedges dipped in red cinnamon. Serve in silver punch cups.

Christmas Rose

1 1/2 oz. applejack or bourbon
1/2 oz. cassis
1/2 oz. grenadine
1/2 oz. sweet vermouth

Shake well in cocktail shaker and serve on the rocks in an old fashioned glass. Garnish with a slice of lime.

These drink recipes were written by Allan Lewis and originally appeared in the December 1960 issue of House Beautiful.

for more holiday bar ideas check out drinkoftheweek.com

holiday gift guide {for the hostess}

'Tis the season for parties and fun, and to thank the gracious hosts of these events I've put together some gift ideas that are sure to get you an invite next year...

For good times and a little competition - High Cotton card game, $25 peachandlove.com
For holiday cheer - Christmas Tree kit, $8 shopgreenvillage.com
For cracking open a cold one - Menagerie of carved wooden bottle openers, $24.50 delight.com
For the eco-aficionado - Recycled windshield wine glasses, $22 set of 2, uncommon goods
For the collector - Fiesta ware sugar bowl, $18.99 fiesta factory (add your own specialty sugar)
For the Designer - Floor plan coaster set of 10, $3.95 fishseddy.com
For the elegant bartender- Candy cane swizzle sticks, $60 set of 4, 2jane.com
For a luncheon or formal occasion - Lace Pottery remembrance bowl, $40 Maggie Weldon pottery (the remembrance pattern is meant to express or recall friendship and affection)

in the library 11.23.09

Still gearing up for Thanksgiving, but now I'm on to planning the table. This week's book pick is all about that, with some beautiful inspiration and helpful tips on place settings and centerpieces.

You can find this book at Amazon, or your favorite local retailer

weekend project

Get an early(ish) start on holiday gifts this weekend by making some simple and unique items that can't be found in the stores. Here are a few of my favorites from Martha Stewart.

Coasters are a great hostess gift and I love that these are made from maps, especially ones from vacations and important places. Click here for instructions.


Not your everyday gift, but for a man who seems to have everything this is the perfect practical gift. Instructions here.

What girl doesn't like to receive jewelry? These fancy necklaces seem vintage and delicate but are super easy to make and perfect for Mom or your best friend (or both). Instructions.


'Tis the season for candles, and lots of them! I love these candles poured into vintage teacups. Mismatched cups are easy to find at flea markets and second hand stores. Grab yourself a block of soy or natural beeswax to make sure your gifts are non-toxic. Instructions


These soaps are great gifts, but also perfect to have in a guest bathroom this holiday. Instructions.

The Menu

This week I've been menu planning for our Thanksgiving feast. We will be serving turkey, but we mostly stick to vegetarian fare in our home so I'm on the lookout for interesting twists on traditional veggie dishes, and I've come across some awesome recipes that I just had to share.

For Starters
This sounds delicious, simple and it's pretty cute (the perfect combo). Recipe is from the October issue of Southern Living.

A new spin on the classics:
Carrot Soufle

recipe from House Beautiful

Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Mushrooms & Spinach

from Sunset Magazine. Click here for the recipe

Browned Butter and Hazelnut Mashed Potatoes, also from Sunset mag

And for the morning after...

French Toast Bread Pudding! This is a Barefoot Contessa recipe from a recent issue of House Beautiful. I'll be serving this with fresh squeezed orange juice mimosas. Yum.

If you want a recipe for anything that wasn't included or linked let me know and I'll send it to you. Happy cooking!

in the library 11.16.09

I'm still a-buzz with excitement over hosting Thanksgiving this year! This week I will be working on planning my menu, so The New Thanksgiving Table is a perfect book to add to the library. It has some beautiful food images, but the bread and butter (pardon the pun) are the amazing recipes inside.

Check it out.

Find it at Amazon, along with these other holiday books:

Thanksgiving 101: Celebrate America's Favorite Holiday with America's Thanksgiving Expert

Williams-Sonoma Entertaining: Thanksgiving Entertaining

Betty Crocker Complete Thanksgiving Cookbook

in the library 11.09.09

The countdown to Thanksgiving is on and I'm excited about this holiday particularly because we will be hosting it. I love being a host and since we just moved I can't wait to show off our new place. So the book I'm into this week is all about being a great host.

A Warm Welcome: How to Be a Gracious Host to Friends and Family promises some inspiring tips for impressing guests and enjoying it too. I ordered my copy from Amazon but since I haven't received it yet I thought you might enjoy this post from the Real Simple blog, written by Holly Becker of Decor8.

Happy Reading!

something different for Mother's Day

Instead of flowers this year, why not give Mom a beautiful floral sculpture that she can admire all year round?

These gorgeous arrangements don't need any attention (though I imagine they'll get quite a bit of attention sitting in an entryway or atop a dining table)

Find them at Designers Views in Los Angeles (they can do custom orders as well but I'm not sure what the turnaround is)

Happy Easter

I hope everyone has a wonderful, relaxing holiday. Whether you celebrate Easter or not, I like to think that today is a day of renewal-both literally and figuratively. I'm spending the day enjoying the sunshine and doing activities I love- like catching up on my magazines!

Here are some beautiful eggs from Martha Stewart, just as a little springtime inspiration.