A Few of my Favorite Things

Now that Oprah is off the air, who is there to tell you what you need to put on your Christmas list this year? Fear not! I will tell you what you need to check out before Santa makes his rounds.

J Crew suede ballet flats. These shoes are so comfortable, not to mention adorable!! They come in all sorts of fun colors!

Ralph Lauren Candles- My favorite is the "Spa" Collection.

Really? How could I leave this one off the list?

A fabulous fur throw

Adorable adornments for your tree

Enjoy my favorite things!

Fall Back..... In Love with Clocks

I love clocks. They are sophisticated pieces of art and their elegance has not been altered by technology.

Yes, I love clocks... but in their place. In an office, a hallway, even a living room. Just make sure you place them correctly. Never place a clock in visual space of where you try to relax.  If placing a clock in a living room, place it over the sofa where you don't see it when you're sitting down, not over the fireplace. Also, test the clock and its noise before you place it. If it's too loud, the noise will be agitating to both you and your guests, creating the feeling of urgency in a place meant for relaxation. If it's too loud but you like the way it looks, taking the battery out and considering it a piece of art is completely acceptable.

Have your clocks and enjoy them too!! I like my bedside clocks minimal in size and old fashioned in style. Place a silver clock with an old fashioned silver hairbrush, a couple small vases with flowers, and some antique books for a truly luxurious antique vanity feel.

I love this worldly clock that I have in my office bookcase. All it needs is a fashion book under it from each city!

 All clocks and images in this post are available at Potterybarn.



Early Temptations

Like a child, my excitement for Christmas starts around July, and by the end of October, I am literally giddy with excitement for the holidays! My annual flowers have not even faded and I am already researching new Christmas decorations. This year I am going to go with a rustic theme- cut birch branches, natural moss, burlap ribbon and vintage sheet music.

 Does it get any better than this fabulous present wrapped in burlap?

Don't worry, I'll revert back to Halloween and Thanksgiving. I just couldn't help but one post as a tease :)

Wine Tasting Party

 

I had the pleasure of hosting a wine tasting party last night for a handful of my favorite ladies. I took a seemingly formal party and made it relaxed and very laid back--just my style :). A formal tablescape of hors d'oeuvres and cheeses(Oh the cheeses!) was balanced out by informal seating of comfy sofas, chairs and ottomans.

I made homemade tomato soup and served them with dried basil in shot glasses.

I finally put to use the fabulous cheese markers I received last Christmas!

 

Votives and candles created ambiance and a Heavenly Fall aroma.

I made cinnamon roll bites for a gooey dessert(recipe to come).

Fall fruit makes the perfect decor. Easy to find and delicious later!

The wine tasting party was a great success! Great food, great company and great wine! What else do you need for a successful party?



Pumpkin Pancakes

Some of my favorite memories growing up are when my dad would make pancakes on Saturday mornings. Last weekend I had my parents over for a twist on the old classic, and it was a hit! I'd venture to say they were the best pancakes I've ever had in my life!

1 1/2 milk or rice milk

1 cup canned pumpkin puree

1 egg or egg substitute
2 Tbs vegetable oil
2 Tbs apple cider vinegar

2 cups all purpose flour (I used Arrowhead gluten free baking mix)

3 Tbs brown sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground allspice

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp minced ginger

Mix all ingredients together and ladle them 1/4 cup at a time. Let cook on one side until the bubble on the edges, then flip. Do not flip more than once.

Serve with butter, real maple syrup and sprinkle with chopped pecans.

Fall Moss Wreath

My sister-in-law, Lindsay, came to me last weekend with a wreath she loved but didn't know where to find. My solution always: "We can make one better than that!" And we did :)

 Start with an inexpensive wreath form. I found this one at the dollar store. Lindsay also found one made out of scrap straw at the craft store.

Buy a moss table runner at a craft store and cut it wide enough to go around the wreath. Using a table runner is much easier than plain loose moss because it is tighter knit so the wreath form doesn't show through, and you can apply it in larger pieces for faster application.

Hot glue a six inch section of just the outside of the wreath, and wait for glue to dry. Then wrap moss around wreath and hot glue on the inside, keeping the seam toward the inner, back. Cut slits in the moss on the inside of the wreath so it lays flat against the round surface, the moss folding over each other as needed like wrapping a present.

 This is my niece, Charlie, helping me get the bow ready :)

 With a few bite marks, tie the bow and hot glue it to the front, top of the wreath. Also hot glue the hanging part of the bow so it drapes over naturally, and sways less in the wind.  

Stack 3 faux pumpkins and secure with hot glue. (Tip: I put 2 wooden chicken skewers in the back of the wreath sticking up behind the pumpkins and hot glued the pumpkins to them so they were more secure.)   



Current Obsession: Cabernet Vinegar

I have to admit, the first time I saw Cabernet vinegar, I thought it was a marketing scheme. My mom bought a bottle for my birthday, knowing I love Cabernet, and I'm still thanking her months later! It has a sweet tang that is like nothing else! It's fabulous on tomato salad, but I'll be honest: I started making full tomato salads and now I'm just putting this Cabernet vinegar on tomato slices! It's a delicious little snack!

 It also works great in my strawberry salad dressing recipe!

Or try this recipe for

Cabernet Vinaigrette

3 TBS Cabernet vinegar

1 TBS olive oil

1 tsp Dijon mustard

pinch sea salt

dash pepper
1/4 tsp sugar

Whisk all ingredients well and pour desired amount over salad. Enjoy!