Posts Tagged ‘books’

March 22nd, 2013 No Comments

citrus salad: susan spungen shares a recipe…and that she has a new book on the way!

Susan Spungen is unbelievably talented. Susan is a cook, food stylist, recipe developer, editor and author. I had the pleasure of working with Susan at Martha Stewart Living (Susan was the founding food editor for Martha Stewart Living). I even got a chance to collaborate and cover her brother’s wedding for the magazine at the iconic Rainbow Room- with a dream team of Susan, floral & event designer ,Michael George and cake baker Ron Ben-Israel. After MSLO, we kept in touch and I’d run into Susan here and there in the city and even on a set… like the … Read more

March 11th, 2013 No Comments

this week’s color palette: mint & basil greens

If you’ve been reading my blog you might know I love the Donna Hay cookbooks. Her book Flavors might be one of my favorites. It takes you through classic flavors and devotes an entire chapter for each one, like vanilla, salt & pepper, chocolate…and this week’s inspiration- mint & basil. She has so many creative recipes for these flavors, I highly recommend her books. The photography by Australian photographer Petrina Tinslay is gorgeous and the recipes are simple and clear. As I do weekly I select Benjamin Moore paint colors to coincide with our inspirational photo & color … Read more

March 6th, 2013 No Comments

weddings with peter callahan: bacon cocktails, bacon appetizers, bacon garnishes- they’re all having their day and they are packing a smokey punch of flavor!

As I’m seeing a trend of bacon becoming more popular at events I turned to our March Weddings Contributor, Peter Callahan (bestselling cookbook author & founder of the culinary design studio, Peter Callahan Catering),  to see what he’s been serving. As we talked about the increase in requests for bacon from his clientele, it turns out Peter has a sentimental spot for bacon. “I grew up with bacon. Bacon was put in my peanut butter sandwiches that we ate for lunch while skiing at Mad River. Slab bacon from the local butcher in Londonderry, Vermont was what we served at … Read more

March 1st, 2013 No Comments

peter callahan shares how he includes monograms at his celebrated events

Peter Callahan, Creative Director of Peter Callahan Catering, shared with us some unique ways to incorporate your monogram into your next celebration. Above, mini reuben sandwiches are topped off with monogrammed pendants. Below, Peter  puts monograms in the bottom of drink trays with a sheet of acrylic over the top to personalize cocktail serving. He also adds monograms on mini take out food boxes that he puts spicy chicken fortune cookies in. You can personalize most anything from mini pizza boxes to cones for frites! As you can see, there are several ways you can display your monogram- with a single … Read more

January 1st, 2013 No Comments

a new year & new engagements

Happy New Year to everyone! Over the holidays many people get engaged and start the planning process for their wedding or celebration. The above bouquet is one of my favorites from The Best of Martha Stewart Living Weddings book which I had the honor of contributing. This is a wonderful book to buy for yourself or as a gift for the bride to be. It touches on everything from flowers to tents to keeping memories. Which by the way, you might be planning a baptism, an anniversary party, a big birthday party etc. this year and wedding books can … Read more

December 31st, 2012 No Comments

color palette: pink, blush, stone, metallics

As we end 2012 and go forward with a brand new year, this palette of pink, blush, stones colors and metallics seems fresh and clean. I talked about emerald green as Pantone’s 2013 color of the year, but then Benjamin Moore has a soft yellow called Lemon Sorbet as color of the year that they are mixing with mint, coral, pink, blue and vanilla neutrals. I’m anxious to watch the award shows in January and February to see what colors will trend in the girls’ gowns. I think it sometimes predicts the mood of the year in both fashion and … Read more

December 24th, 2012 No Comments

color palette: shades of whites and creams

As most of us are on holiday, it allows a little extra time for baking and cooking for family and friends. One of my favorite books is Donna Hay’s Flavors. The chapters are broken up into vanilla, lemon + lime, ginger, chilli, garlic + onion, chocolate, salt + pepper, basil + mint, and cinnamon + spice. Each chapter gives you the ‘basics’, quick good ideas and simple recipes. Pictured above from the book are her vanilla meringues. Here is the recipe in case you’d like to try them. An all-white New Year’s Eve party can be very chic. These … Read more

December 6th, 2012 No Comments

books: carolyne roehm’s “flowers”

I’m a collector of Carolyne Roehm’s books and I hope that her latest book “Flowers” will show up under my Christmas tree! Here’s a gorgeous example of a floral arrangement using reds, but with the accent colors of corals, pinks and burgundy (deep red) that I suggested in this weeks’ color palette (featured on monday). What a great hostess gift or for the gardener on your list. This book includes glossaries of flowers, so it’s a resource book as well.

December 5th, 2012 No Comments

A Month of Weddings on Wednesdays with floral and event expert Matthew Robbins!

I have a very special contributor for weddings that I post every Wednesday. Matthew Robbins, owner of Matthew Robbins Design and author of “Inspired Weddings”: Designing Your Big Day with Favorite Objects & Family Treasures, will be sharing his expertise with us every Wednesday in December.  You may know Matthew from his contributions to Martha Stewart Weddings magazine, blog, radio and television show, The Huffington Post and the StyleList.com just to name a few.  If you aren’t familiar with Matthew’s work you are in for a treat! His book is beautiful and a perfect gift for every bride planning … Read more

October 24th, 2012 No Comments

books: the last course by claudia fleming

Claudia Fleming, pastry chef and co-owner of North Fork Table and Inn wrote a book back in 2001 with writer Melissa Clark called “The Last Course: The Desserts of Gramercy Tavern” when Claudia was the pastry chef there.  Claudia is a winner of the James Beard Outstanding Pastry Chef Award. There are a few copies on Amazon.com, and well worth the investment if you love making your own unique desserts for entertaining. I particularly love her Chocolate Caramel Tarts with sea salt (see photo below).  This book is a perfect gift for someone that loves to bake or just … Read more