When faced with what hostess gift to take to a party, I love the wine route. It’s guaranteed to be used and everyone can always use an extra bottle. It also leaves lots of room to get creative with the presentation. I’m digging these Around the World Wine Totes, they’re eco-friendly and reusable.
I’m participating in a cookie swap next month and have been searching high and low for the perfect recipe. Fifteen people are signed up which equals a maddening 180 cookies to be baked. These unexpected Sweet Potato Cookies are at the top my list of possibilities at the moment.
Posted In recipes
Only in the past week have I freed my mittens and gloves from their dark existence on the top shelf of my coat closet. And I’ve realized that most are either A. unraveling or B. really old. All the more reason for me to pick up a pair of Sara LaGrace’s mini paws. Well, that and the fact that they’re freakin’ adorable, which holds a lot of merit.
Among many other obsessions lies a big one for planners. Here are just a few I came across that struck my fancy. Have you picked one up yet for 2010?
This charming French date book is perpetual – you can start it any time of the year! With beautiful watercolor illustrations on each of the 192 acid-free pages, this paperback, thread-bound date book is perfect for keeping track of a busy schedule, with the freedom to pick up on any day you fancy. Includes sections for scheduling the year, by month, by week and places for free notes and lists. Also comes with a small companion note book with lined pages.
Greet 2010 with this cheery pocket-sized calendar. Featuring Jen’s silkscreened galoshes illustration, this calendar has hand-lettered pages for each month, plus additional (lined and unlined) pages for notes.
When closed, the calendar measures 4.25×5.5″. The cover is a heavy, acid-free card stock; the sixteen interior pages are on a bright white, textured archival paper. It has been hand-bound with linen string for extra durability.
Full color cover, lush green interior pages with 8 repeating original illustrations of all the little details found in the forest and in the tidepools. The months and dates are blank so that you may begin, interrupt or end the book as you wish. Printed with vegetable-based inks on reincarnation paper [100% recycled, 50% post-consumer waste, and processed chlorine free] and wire-o bound. Measures 5.5″ x 7″ closed.
The 2010 Kate Spade desktop calendar turns a playful eye toward some of the most mischievous, puzzling words in the english language accompanied by whimsical illustrations by Bella Foster. The 12 month desktop calendar features 3 pages per month, notes, address, and restaurant pages. Measures 5.75″w x 8.75″h.
Elegant and eminently useable, this desktop planner turns organization into a breeze. A marvel of design, the multi-page format allows the user to survey their week-at-a-glance and month-at-a-glance at the same time, as well as all of their daily and monthly to-do lists.
An individual Volant daily planner for each month of the year. The 12 months are packed in a gift box that protects, organizes, and preserves. Month numbers are printed on the outside of each planner. Measures 3.5 x 5.5 inches; 64 pages (32 sheets) in each. Thread bound with a cardboard bound cover and rounded corners, acid free paper, a bookmark, an elastic closure and an expandable inner pocket.
Posted In calendars, paper goods, round up
Love these pieces of wooden fruit. When you wind them up the apple plays Bacharach’s What the World Needs Now Is Love and the pear croons Chopin’s Nocturne. The apple would make the perfect teacher’s gift, dontcha think?
(Did anyone else start singing “Beans, beans, the musical fruit…”? No, just me? Okay, then.)
Posted In accessories, gifts, house and homeI have a strong suspicion that the Pomegranate Cooler is precisely the kind of cocktail that you could drink ten of before you even knew it and be in some serious trouble! Delicious, delicious trouble.
Pomegranate Cooler
– 1 1/2 C pomegranate juice, chilled
– fistful of mint leaves
– 1/2 tsp fresh ginger juice
– Sprite or any lime soda, chilled
– ice
– sugar or honey to taste
– 1/2 tsp orange blossom water (optional)
– 1 oz vodka
– 1/2 oz orange liqueur
Muddle the mint leaves (with sugar or honey if you are using it). Combine the pomegranate, cranberry juice, orange blossom water (if you are using it), vodka, liqueur & ginger juice with the mint leaves. Add ice & give it a good shake. Pour into individual glasses, half glass each. Top off with Sprite or lime soda. Garnish with mint leaves.
Posted In cocktailsStarting this year my family is beginning a new tradition, having homemade soup for dinner the evening before Thanksgiving. We haven’t settled on a recipe for next Wednesday just yet, but I’m throwing this Sweet Potato and Peanut Soup out there as a valid contender!
Do you have any food traditions on the days surround Turkey Day?
Posted In recipes
I plan on making a heap of these S’mores kits to give to the mailman, my hairdresser and some other lucky souls as gifts. It’s amazing how deconstructing something and putting it in cute little boxes can look so professional! {via Twig & Thistle}
The Amanda Archer Collection has a great modern-meets-vintage look to it. The entire thing. Which makes me lust after every single piece. And every garment is made to order, which makes it feel decidedly more special. I’d love to wear the third dress with a little cardigan to holiday cocktail parties! (Anyone want to invite me to one??)
