Friday, December 27, 2013

New Years Eve Sparkling Pear and Cranberry Cocktail!






This cocktail is made with icy Moscato d'Asti, which is sweeter than champagne but much lighter than the rich dessert wine also made from Italian moscato grapes. Just the right medium for this fizzy drink, it adds flavor to the silky pear and tart cranberries. 

INGREDIENTS
  • 2 tablespoons dry cranberries
  • 1/2 cup organic pear nectar
  • 32 ounces Moscato d'Asti wine
  •  8 small sprigs fresh rosemary
DIRECTIONS 
  1. Put cranberries in a small bowl; add 2 tablespoons warm water. Soak until cool, about 15 minutes. Drain, pat dry, and refrigerate until serving.
  2. Divide pear nectar evenly among eight tall champagne glasses. Add cranberries, and then gently pour the Moscato d'Asti into the glasses. Garnish each with a rosemary sprig.

    Courtesy:   Martha Stewart



Monday, December 23, 2013

Side Table Turtorial

I found this beautiful side table on Craigslist in the Minneapolis area.  The cost of the table was $20 and I figured I couldn't pass it up for a little DIY project.  A little bit of shiny black paint and the table took on a whole new dimension.  The added black is sleek and it's now one of my favorite pieces in our home.  




Friday, December 20, 2013

Entertaining For The Holidays!?..... It's All In The Details

 At Home: Holiday Entertaining
1. Stock your bar with your favorite Holiday cocktails.
Pure Country Christmas Farmhouse | Holiday Details: Portable Bar | SouthernLiving.com 
2. DIY holiday napkins.  Add a little green and spice!

basil green pencil: Christmas Details: DIY Napkin Rings 

3. Add a tray filled with festive goodies for decor appeal.  Having a scent fill the room before guests arrive is key!  Bring in the outdoors with different greens.  Add holiday appetizer plates ( I bought these porcelain holiday plates at target last year after the holiday season when they were 70% off).  Mix your textiles by adding linen napkins for guests to use.  Last, open up your holiday cookbook to one of your favorite holiday meals you made for guests to enjoy.
 
 

4. Up the appeal of hot chocolate with candy cane spoons. Find them at Micheal's craft store.  You could make a chocolate bowl for your guests ice cream. Find the DIY here!
 Edible peppermint candy cane spoons! I want to have one to eat my Peppermint Edys ice cream with. Mm!

5.  Here's a great DIY project for Holiday decor.  Find large or small pinecones in your area and spray paint them gold.  With in minutes you have something to fill your centerpiece.
Find them on the ground...put them in the oven on 350 for about 40 mins to debug. Spray Gold....Free gold pinecones
Courtesy: Pinterest

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Christmas Tablescape Ideas


Five key tips to creating the perfect Christmas tablescape.......
  1. Theme
  2. Tableware
  3. Layering
  4. Fresh Flowers
  5. Candle Light











Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Tis The Season For Sparkle!

 'Tis the season for sparkly statements!  It's that time of year when wearing glitter and shine makes you stand out from the crowd.  The Holidays is the perfect time of year to bring your sequins out of your closet.  Here are a few rules to stick by to ensure you look Fabulous and not like another Christmas tree.
 Sans titre | Flickr - Partage de photos !

1. Be Ironic - Pair a sequin sweater or jacket with a pair of distressed denim.  The will make your outfit look effortless and like you're not trying too hard.  You can also pair a sequin sweatshirt with a casual skirt or vice versa..... pair a sequin skirt with a cable knit sweater.  This is a fun way to be casual and dressy all at the same time!
 gold and glitzy... (usually no, but im going through a glitter phase, so i love this)copper sequinssequins


2. Mix It Up - Use different textures and levels of casualness.  Pair a sequin pant with a silk top or jersey top.  You can also pair a sequin top with a baggy trouser.  Make sure and mix your fabrics and your prints to give yourself an elevated look.
 Flannel & Sequins
 Sequins
sequins.
3. Accessorize - Sequin heels/flats or a sequin clutch added to any outfit might just be the perfect amount of sparkle.  This is where you can add bright versions of gold, silver & bronze to really make them pop next to your casual attire.
 DIY glitter shoes!
 Sequins
REVEL: Gold Sequin Heels

4. Matted Sequins -   Shiny in spirit but low in luster! Afraid of sparkle? Wear your sequins in a matte finish and you won't go wrong!
 Matte Sequin Top - interesting mix of sequins.
 matte sequins





Courtesy: Pinterest