Homemade & Festive

Happy Tuesday! I can’t believe we are almost in August. Where has this summer gone?! While some may be saddened that their sun kissed days are nearing an end, I rejoice in the seasons that are upon us. This time of year starts the beginning of several celebrations over the next few months: both of my nieces’ birthdays, my husband’s birthday, our wedding anniversary (yay!), my mom’s birthday, my mom and dad’s wedding anniversary – and the HOLIDAYS! I am in the process of starting to plan quite a few little shindigs and I am having so much fun researching and compiling ideas for the occasions. I’ll post about the fun things that trigger my creative juices; it’s so much fun always hearing everyone else’s. A fellow blogger who has some great ideas is Meredith and she recently asked if anyone knew where to buy decorative pom poms. Now a days, pom poms are a must-have at every shower and party I have attended. They were even a huge hit at my own bridal shower! My sisters made them without a kit and I think they turned out just as fabulous as Martha’s creations. Below are the steps to make your own using your own materials. The directions and photos are taken directly from the domestic diva’s website herself, found on this page. I take no credit! Check out the site for a version on how to make matching napkin rings. So cute!

Materials

tissue paper

24-guage white cloth-covered floral wire

Directions

1.Stack eight 20 by 30 inch sheets of tissue. Make 1 1/2 inch wide accordion folds, creasing with each fold.

2. Fold an 18 inch piece of floral wire in half, and slip over center of folded tissue; twist. With scissors, trim ends of tissue into rounded or pointy shapes.

3. Separate layers, pulling away from the center one at a time.

4. Tie a length of monofilament (fishing line) to floral wire for hanging.

Voila! Enjoy! I’ll have to do a post soon on my bridal shower. It was gorgeous and all done by my talented mom and sisters. So impressive! September is our wedding month so I will hold out until then. Can’t wait to share everything!

Some of you may remember the post I did back in March when my family celebrated my dad’s 60th birthday. It was such a special time. This December is my mom’s turn!! I am so excited for us to plan her celebration. I’ll be sure to keep you posted as the planning evolves and any tips or tricks I learn along the way.

I hope you enjoy your day! Thank you for your sweet comments below on my precious little nieces and nephew. They are my world!

XOXO/Blessings

Dips and drinks for Superbowl!

First off, I have to mention that I went back to my old design - a few friends of mine said they liked it better. :o)

Super Bowl Sunday is this weekend! All this talk of hosting for the big event, but now we're going out of town to Baltimore! Ha. So one of our neighbors is hosting instead. I feel badly, but hey, things happen. I will still make these yummy things and bring them over, because any excuse to make and eat food I jump all over. I loveee dips. I think a "dip party" is one of the best ideas ever. Mmmm, yummy. Here's one to start off with!

I absolutely LOVE guacamole. I have tried several recipes and honestly, this one doesn't seem like anything super fancy, but I have found this recipe to be the best and people love it! I don't take ANY credit for it; it was given to me by a friend. If you can't read the ingredients above, they are:

7 avocados (soft), 1 small red onion (chopped), 1 small tomato (chopped), 1 fresh lime, fresh cilantro - I use a lot, but we love cilantro! Start small and then add more. 1 tsp ground cumin, garlic powder (to taste - or fresh garlic), salt (to taste)

Remove the avocado pits and mash (I use a potato masher) the avocado in a bowl. Add all of the ingredients above leaving the salt, garlic powder and paprika at the end - it depends on how much you like each flavor, but I like to have a LOT! I usually start with half of the lime (microwave it for a few seconds and it's easier to squeeze) and then add more after I taste it. I almost always end up using the whole lime. Play around with it! I hope this is a good base. If you live near Philly feel free to invite me over to sample it. Mmmm.

Okay, I've been on a hunt for fun drinks to have that are Superbowl themed and here's what I'm going with. I found these at the about website, great site. For the Pittsburgh Steelers' theme (my hubby has been a Steelers fan his whole life, so you can see how big of a deal this year is!) it's called a Black & Gold. It features Blavod vodka, which is appropriately black in color, and goldschlager, which tastes like cinnamon and has gold flakes floating around in it. So pretty!

Black & Gold
2 oz Blavod vodka
1 oz Goldschlager

Pour the Blavod into a glass/cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake it really well. Strain it into a cocktail glass and top it with the Goldschlager. Voila!

Next up is the Cardinal's theme drink - it's called the Cardinal Cocktail. Mmmm, this one looks delish and you make it with red wine. Sign me up! You add some creme de cassis to the wine which is a sweet liqueur made from French blackcurrants.

Cardinal Cocktail
1 oz creme de cassis
red wine

Pour the creme de cassis in a wine glass filled with ice and then fill the rest of the glass with wine. So easy! And pretty.

Next, more dips!

XOXO,

Newlywed with a bathroom basket.

I am a little long winded in this post. Just want you to know.

First of all, I would like to point out that this is my THIRD post today. I need to pause here for emphasis - BIG DEAL! Also a little obsessive. But, those who followed my previous personal blog (all three of you) know that three blog posts in one day is unheard of. That’s how motivated I am!! I’m fired up! I can also say this won't be happening again. Ha.

Now, before I get into my bathroom basket bit (which isn’t supposed to be talked about until tomorrow, but I just watched Grey’s Anatomy and am feeling inspired - by the way, the image above has nothing to do with this post except for this very comment about watching one of the greatest shows on earth, it's just that everyone knows no one reads a blog without pictures), I would like to throw something out there that has been prevalent on my mind lately. Just when, exactly, is “newly-wed” status over? My hubs knows about this little blog endeavor of mine and was asking me about it tonight at dinner. I said it was oh-so-fab and proceeded to say that part of me feels a little funny writing about the things that, yes I am passionate about, but at the same time am so NEW at. We then went into a discussion about whether or not we are still considered newlyweds. In case you are wondering what we came up with: WE ARE DEFINITELY NEWLYWEDS. But we have been married over a year! September 29, 2007 to be exact. And I know some people consider us past the newlywed stage. Here is my point: if Nick and Jessica went into a SECOND season of NEWLYWEDS, then I think up until year 2 it is quite okay to call yourself a “newlywed” - although, we all know how that ended! Not really a life or death topic, but I find it comforting to know that we are still, in fact, newlyweds. BUT, with that being said, I know the most important thing is how we feel. And, while trying desperately to not sound inappropriate, I still feel like a newlywed! I honestly believe that 25 years from now, I will look at my groom and still feel the same feelings I do now, in our “newlywed” state.

Okay, moving on...

Ladies (and gents - don’t mean to discriminate!), did you have a “bathroom basket” at your wedding? Even if you didn’t, I’m sure you considered it or know what I’m talking about. A basket full of the “necessities” one tends to need in the bathroom (there is even a whole company dedicated to bathroom baskets for weddings!). One of my fave hosting tips shared with me that I want to share with you, is to bring it to your home! If this is nothing new to you, then forgive me, but this is just one of those things I deem brilliant! The pic above is the one I have in our guest-bathroom. Even if people don’t admit to it being a life saver, I see just how many things are “missing” after each guests leaves. I like to think that the things I provide always are, indeed, “necessities” that save the day. Over the past year I have done a LOT of traveling. I have been extremely blessed to have traveled to some amazing hotels and exotic locations with my previous job. I would, without fail, at every single hotel, COURTEOUSLY bring home the shampoos/conditioners/lotions/mouthwashes that were provided for me at my sink every morning. I have a whole bag full under my guest-bathroom sink to re-stock with. It does sound a little funny now that I am admitting this, BUT, moving along - I always lay these things out in my basket and add new toothbrushes, men and women’s razors, q-tips, different hair products, emery boards, etc. It’s such a success! Now, I talk a LOT about my mother. When you have a mom like mine, she is talked about a lot because she is SO AMAZING. But this idea came from another amazing woman, my husband’s mom. My mother-in-law brought up three sons, God bless her. And when she had the opportunity to have an amazing (ahem) woman in the house, she would leave out a basket in the guest-bathroom full of the afore mentioned things. I’m not sure if it’s something she just always dreamt of doing, considering there wasn’t much expectation for cleanliness when she always hosted and raised boys, but in any event, it stuck with me and I have made it a point to do the same ever since I’ve had my own home. Okay, I've worn out the topic by now. The gyst: it's a nice thing to have and it doesn't cost much - just buy an extra of what you already buy for yourself in the bathroom! And if I am the only person who thinks this is something so exciting and worth writing about, then my goodness, invite me over so I can pamper myself in your bathroom! :o)

XOXO,

Mmmm. I'm obsessed.

I absolutely love hosting. I love having the opportunity to welcome people into our home. I always strive to make our home warm, inviting and fun. Hopefully the company we have over thinks I'm succesful! There are a few things I have picked up from my amazing mom, mother-in-law and friends that I always make sure to have on hand or do before my guests arrive. And because my husband and I tend to host on a whim, I try to make sure these things are always covered, just in case. I want to share these things with you! For today, it's all about the aroma.

If you aren't familiar with him yet, I would like to introduce you to Henri Bendel. One of my dearest friends, Christine, gave me one of his candles that she bought from his NYC boutique over a year ago. It smelled so good without even lighting it, that I was scared to burn it. And it sat on my nightstand for a good month. And when I finally gave in...OH. MY. GOODNESS. our home has never been the same. And truthfully, there is not ONE candle of Henri Bendel's that doesn't smell amazing. A few of my all time favorites are Amber, Fig, Vanilla Woods, Pomegranate and FIREWOOD! Yes, there is a scent called firewood and it is heavenly. It smells like the most amazing men's cologne you have ever smelled before. When my husband has his friends over to watch football or do anything manly, this one is always out and burning. Ladies, I am telling you, these candles are amazing. And here's the best part...they are now selling Bendel's candles at Bath and Body Works! And they go on sale, A LOT. And it's during these types of sales that I get myself into the most trouble. But really, you can never have too many candles. I always have a candle in each bathroom and bedroom, one in the family room, one in the kitchen and one in the foyer for when you walk into the door. I will even light ALL of them at the same time. Because these candles don't hurt your nostrils or give you a headache, my husband doesn't mind them at all. They have more scents than the ones shown above. Take a look at his website to see the collection - and don't be scared by the price there ($30.00), because at B&BW they are $26.00 and remember: they go on sale a lot! Tomorrow, it's all about the "bathroom basket" - a necessity in my opinion when hosting. :o)

XOXO,