Since Thanksgiving and the winter holiday meals are so similar, (at least in my house they are), I thought this recipe I found on Closet Cooking, with a new take on the classic green bean casserole sounds delicious. I’m not the best of cooks but I am going to try this recipe for Christmas dinner this year. Here is the recipe, let me know if you try it and come back and comment! I’d love to hear how you like it.
As usual the owners of Creative Candles, Ken Weiner and Pam Fleischer are right on trend. As Pantone announced Emerald Green as 2013’s color of the year, Creative Candles was already selling and shipping their new color “Emerald” green in their new Metallics line, also consisting of Silver, Gold and Ruby. In the new year Copper, Pearl and Sapphire will be introduced in Metallics- giving you a glimpse of future color trends perhaps? Founded in 1961 by Duane and Nancy Benton, the Benton’s sold the company in 1998 to two business men, and then in 2005 husband and wife, … Read more
This ultrarefined palette of green and white is fresh. You’ll be amazed at how much we can do with a seemingly limited range of tones. There’s a wonderful boldness that happens when you allow green, which normally finds itself in a supporting role, to be paired with crisp whites. I’m rather obsessed with the green and white color palette. It can be challenging to work within an extremely tight palette like this, but in general it forces you to be more creative and to dig a little deeper that you would have otherwise. This palette can work just about anywhere, … Read more
A lot of people have been e-mailing me asking how to keep their place setting easy to do for the holidays. Instructions for napkin folds and difficult crafts aren’t so realistic during the busy holiday season, I know. In the evenings leading up to the holidays I try to do at least one task to prepare for the rush of Christmas and New Years. For instance, tonight I’ll iron the napkins and tablecloth so they are ready. A very simple, but elegant place setting is to fold the napkins into a rectangle, and put a beautiful ribbon around the napkin- … Read more
Pantone recently released the 2013 Color of the Year- Emerald Green. Green is supposed to symbolize renewal, balance and calm- something I think we are all hoping for this next year. What do you think of their color choice? I’d love to hear! Leave me a comment. For me personally we are planning a family trip to Ireland this year, so maybe this is a good omen. I kissed the Blarney stone (many) years ago- I think it’s time I renewed my luck. Below I’ve included the past years’ colors. I think it’s interesting to see how the colors ended … Read more
Eco expert Danny Seo loves this Pine Cone Diffuser in his home line! A perfect gift for anyone on your list and a unique hostess gift too for all those holiday parties we attend. It’s a metal pine cone with natural reeds and pine scented oil to make your home smell perfectly woodland! It’s only $9.99 at Home Goods. Another favorite of his are the Nesting Measuring Cups made from a sustainable and biodegradable bamboo resin in fun candy colors. These cups are only $7.99 at Home Goods and TJ Maxx stores. Pair them with a favorite recipe for … Read more
I love all things inspired by natural environments. During my last trip to Ireland I obsessed over the abundance of ferns growing everywhere. I also love the woodland environments of Northern California filled with lush greens and towering trees. All of those places and things inspired the color palette and the treatment of the following arrangements and vignettes. Keep in mind you can have a chic, elegant bouquet, centerpiece and party even if you want the decor to be inspired by all things wild and lush. I know many times this type of inspiration can lead to feeling like everything … Read more
To make your holiday table setting a bit more playful, try using woodland ornaments and bottle brush trees. Place an ornament at each place setting and your guests go home with a wonderful favor. These deer ornaments I found at a garden center but West Elm, Crate and Barrel, Amazon all have many woodland ornaments this year. Want a more classic holiday table setting? Use simple pine cones at each place setting with a place card. Take garland and dress with pinecones, ornaments and spray with faux snow to give it that ‘just snowed’ look. Place it … Read more
I’m so glad I’ve saved several of the Martha Stewart Kids issues that I used to work on because this Candy Tree (photographed by Anna Williams) is so pretty I wanted to share it with you. Art Director, Deb Bishop did such an amazing job on these specials. I love the candy sticks around the bottom and the jelly candy as ornaments. Now that I have toddlers running around I realize you can’t put those ornaments from Bergdorf anywhere near the bottom of the tree – if at all! Here are some online candy shops to help you recreate this look: … Read more
If you want to make your own wreath, wrapping boxes and affixing them to a wreath form is a beautiful idea to keep within a specific color palette or buy three of the same wreath and hang with ribbon vertically on your door. Below are our shopping pick’s for wreaths that would look beautiful with a blue, silver or white bow (or just the way they are!). Clockwise: Woodland Winter Wreath, $44.95 and Beachcomber’s Wreath, $59, both from L.L.Bean. Outdoor Ornament Pine Wreath Gold/Silver, $39 and Live Succulent Wreath, $99, both from Pottery Barn. Preserved Boxwood … Read more
