As a young cook, cookbooks have been essential in my learning my way around the kitchen. My most helpful cookbook has been one that my mom compiled for me of favorite family recipes. If you don’t have my mom’s recipes to share these are great for those on your list.
I have either used all of these books or enjoyed these authors recipes online with great success. So they are kitchen tested and approved.
Posted in gifts, Her Home, Her Kitchen, Holidays
Tagged best cookbooks, best gifts, best kitchen gifts, cookbook gifts
This is the gift giving season, but it is also the whisking, mixing, baking and mess making season. If you’re all about the cute, and you probably are, these are the perfect helpers for your kitchen clean up and kitsch decor.
I have posted about Studiopatro before (for Fall 2011) but I had to share the new items for winter 2012.
These make a lovely and generous gift for a friend, a holiday hostess or for yourself.
Posted in gifts, Her Home, Her Kitchen, Holidays
Tagged hostess gift ideas, hostess gifts, kitchen gift ideas, studio patro gifts, studiopatro
Ever since I went to American University I have had a soft spot in my heart for this song by Tom Petty. It is perfect for today.
Happy America Day to all of you American girls!
P.S. If you need some last minute holiday treat and snack inspiration, check out my Pinterest!
Posted in DC, entertaining, Holidays
Tagged 4th of july, 4th of july desserts, 4th of july treats, american girl, american songs
Tomorrow is the 4th of July! Three cheers for fireworks, bbq’s, mini-weekends in the middle of the week and an all-American summer. What are you doing and what are you going to wear?
I spent this past weekend in Telluride, Colorado. A beautiful town, more on that on Thursday, with a really terrific sense of style. My trip got me thinking about what American style is, beyond Ralph and Tommy.
Which of these most closely match your all-American summer style?
P.S. I am a mix of all of these.
Posted in Fashion Inspiration, Her Closet, Holidays, Shopping
Tagged 4th of july, 4th of july style, all american style, american fashion
In the life of a woman I think there are a few must have ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day, and if you’re luck you’ve had a few really great Valentines.
First is a little girl’s dad, my dad is a great card giver.
Then come a series of puppy-loves, and their Whitman Samplers.
Then come the girlfriends, the rose wine, the shared meals at The Cheesecake Factory, and teary movies.
Then comes true love. My forever Valentine is always filled with surprises and his thoughtfulness comes through in small gestures and grand ones.
Mark and I have had so many great Valentine’s Days and dates. But, the truth is, we try to make each day special, and make every day Valentine’s Day if you will. This year (next week!) Valentine’s Day is a Tuesday – smack in the middle of the week and so it calls for a cozy night at home.
Cozy and Sweet for Valentine's Day 2012
This sweet little inspiration board is just perfect, something sexy, something soft, something cozy and a lot of somethings that are sweet.
What is your favorite Valentine’s Day memory? What makes your day – are you a homemade cards and cookies gal, or champagne and a little box kind of a gal? Or maybe somewhere in between?
Tell in the comments!
Did you wake up feeling like this yesterday?
Marie Antoinette, la Hangover
That’s okay. It was the first day of the year, and probably came well earned after a night of real revelry.
We went to dinner with dear friends, ate a ton, drank a little bit, and celebrated well.
New Year's Eve 2011
And then came home and went to sleep. We had a lovely time and woke up the next day for yoga.
What did you do for New Year’s Eve?
New Year’s Eve, for all of it’s pomp and circumstance, high expectation and higher disappointments is another (in a long line) of fabulous excuses to wear sequins and sparkle with the best of them.
The rule for New Year’s Eve and Day is simple: go out and come with the same level of fabulousness. Sparkle and shine, and dance the night away and then dance in your dreams and wake up in something light and lovely.
Weekend Wear: New Year's Eve
Why not start the year off a dash of panache, some style from silk and sequins? Even with a hangover it will have you feeling lovely.
P.S. It’s a long weekend you can always transition to sweat pants later…
What are you wearing to countdown to 2012?
It has been a few days since my last post, and I am happy to report that the gift wrapping hand cramps, eggnog hangover, and sugar high have worn away.
Now, it is time to get down to business, there is one party left this year – and I conferred with some ladies who know best to get their tips for ending the holiday and party season with style (and ease!).
Sean “Diddy” Combs, Pharrell Williams, Oprah Winfrey via Awesome People Hanging Out Together
From Dana, of The Art of Accessories, on Looking Your Holiday Best: I am mildly beauty obsessed. Okay I’m obsessed. I own tons of eye shadows, mascaras, blushes – if it’s beauty related I’ve got it. My biggest beauty obsession, the perfect lip and for the holidays I think there is nothing better than a gorgeous red lip. I should also preface this by saying whenever I think of a red lip, I think of this 1950’s Vogue cover. The lip and the cat eye are gorgeous and a go to of mine.
Vogue Cover, via Pinterest
I think that nothing takes your outfit up a notch than an bold rep hue and it can definitely dress up even a white tee and jeans. Seriously.
I love a red lip so much I even highlighted different red lips for your skin tone in my HolidayGuide this year. My all time favorite high low for red lips are:
High: MACCosmeticsRubyWoo, it’s a super matte rich true red that has been universally flattering on everyone I put it on. And when you swipe this shade of red on your lips it transforms you into a new woman. {Here’s a previous post I did about how it woo’d me}
Low: NYXCosmeticsMatteLipstickinPerfectRed. It’s not as drying as a lot of matte lipsticks are and has a creamier texture. It has awesome lasting power and it’s only $6 – you can’t beat it.
From Morgan Greenhouse, CEO of verdeHOUSE, on planning creatively: When planning your holiday party, think about fun ways to split costs. For an office holiday party, why not have a joint party with another business in your building or industry partner? Ask to share space, split catering costs and combine staff. Who knows…you might even meet someone new under the mistletoe!
verdeHOUSE party at City Center DC
Also considering using that vacant floor in your office building or vacant retail shell on the street. Make it very industrial chic this year! Using a vacant office floor or retail space is often much more economic and certainly much more novel.
From Meredith Fineman, of TheFFJD.com, on bringing someone new to the Holidays: Talk with your significant other if this is their first time meeting the parents. Make sure he or she is debriefed on crazy Aunt Mabel, but also be confident that every family has their own special blend of kook. Also bring booze.
Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Rashida Jones and Kelly Ripa via Awesome People Hanging Out
How do you survive the holidays? What is your favorite advice to give?
This year we will be sending out some cheer-ful cards to toast the New Year. Yes, I am very punny on Tuesdays…
Great cards can be found in stores, can be crafted, personalized, or designed like Vogue had some of our favorite designers do.
Imagine getting these from Mr. Postman!
Love, Rodarte
Love, Marchesa
Love, Manolo Blahnik
Love, Dolce & Gabbana
I designed our cards and rather liked them, but wouldn’t mind some fashionable greetings from these friends.
Will you be sending out your own Warmest Wishes and Seasons Greetings through the mail?
I learned the truth about our Coca-Cola drinking, night flying, chimney squeezing bringer of gifts and joy when I was five or six years old from my mom’s friend while waiting in the customer service department of a Macy’s.
We had latkes and dreidles and eight nights of presents so we never missed Santa. He did visit some of my friends and that was very exciting to see how “good or bad” they really were.
Now, as an aunt it is really exciting to wait for Santa with my niece and nephews. We put out cookies, which eventually someone had to go eat bits from. We do lists. We track his whereabouts courtesy of NORAD. We enjoy that extra little bit of magic that comes with Santa.
This year, I want to add some Google to out Christmas experience. Try this direct call from Santa it will delight even the biggest Grinch.
Try it! I promise it will delight you, and everyone on your list!
