Hip Find: Charming French Bow Stationary January 10, 2013

I am loving these charming notecards from Minted (design by Emily Ranneby).  They would make a great hostess gift, bridal shower shower gift, thank you gift for bridesmaids, or a little something for your valentine.  Personalize them with the recipient’s name; the French text – which translates to “just a little note” – comes standard on each card.  They are dubbed as “children’s stationary” but I think they’re sophisticated enough for adult notecards (if you aren’t French, it seems silly to have a French saying on a child’s stationary unless they listened to Rosetta Stone in utero).

Paris + Vintage Ribbon Stationary – $35 for 15 notecards.

Hip Find: Fire It Up with an Instant Fireplace DVD December 17, 2012

My husband made such fun of me when I came home a few winters ago with a fireplace DVD.  We live in NYC with no fireplace in our current apartment, and I thought it would add a cozy feel to a holiday dinner party.  While my friends also made fun of me when they first saw the faux fire, we all sat around the “fire” late into the night drinking, talking and watching the flames.  Two of my friends went out and bought the DVD the next day; now I can make fun of them as well.  It’s definitely kitschy, but who doesn’t love a little kitsch for the holidays?

I have the Fantastic Instant Fireplace DVD, and there are several other fireplace DVDs available on Amazon (including high definition, etc.).

Hip Finds: “Hip”ster Holiday Gifts December 13, 2012

I’m not cool enough to understand the mustache trend, but I am hip enough to know it’s cool.  Here are some fun gift ideas for the hipsters in your life, or even just the mustached men in the fam. 

I heart mustache sweater at GreenFlea Market in Manhattan (W. 76th & Columbus Ave., Sundays 10am-5:30pm); Mustache ornament from J. Bee Designs, $15; Mustache Pint Glass from Bread and Badger, $10 each; Mustache wrapping paper from Ruff House Art.

Hip Find: Dripless Honeycomb Beeswax Hanukkah Candles December 10, 2012

I am loving my dripless beeswax Hanukkah candles.  They remind me of the ones I used to make as a kid in Hebrew school, only sturdier. These candles are made of honeycomb beeswax sheets that are rolled tight around a wick, in an array of rainbow colors.  They come in a nice wooden box that protects them during storage, and are individually wrapped.  They didn’t last very long (about 30 minutes), but they burn beautifully.  Probably a little late for you to buy for this year, but they would make a nice hostess gift for a Hanukkah party for the hosts to save for next year.

Hip Find: Slate Serving Pieces {Brooklyn Slate Co.} October 16, 2012

 

As you can tell from my pictures, I’m big on solid serving pieces and plates. My everyday dishes are white and most of my serving pieces are too.  I find that white doesn’t distract and keeps the focus on my food.  To change things up, I add a few wooden and now some slate serving pieces, which have become my new favorites.  Slate platters, like the one I have from Brooklyn Slate Company, are perfect serving pieces because they are simple, provide high contrast to light foods (like cheese), and are easy to clean (getting dried soft cheese off of a cutting board hours after a party isn’t fun – that doesn’t happen with slate).  I love that you can write on slate with chalk, so no one needs to guess or ask what’s being served. Its’s also fun for a tasting, like the honey tasting I served (pictured above).

Brooklyn Slate Company’s slate platters ($25-32) are locally made (in NYS), super sturdy and they come perfect for gift giving. Each slate (choose black or red slate) comes with a burlap bag for storage and a little packet of chalk. I used the burlap bag to wrap the slate for gifting, and added a ribbon to complete the wrapping.  It’s a great gift either for your own serving arsenal or for you favorite hostess.

Last-Minute DIY Father’s Day Gifts {free printables} June 13, 2012

It’s probably too late to make a photo card or order another photo gift to give to dad on behalf of the kiddies, so here are a few DIY Father’s Day gift ideas that won’t take very long (i.e. can be done while the kids are napping) and will make you look like you’ve had it together all along.  Happy Father’s Day to all the daddys out there!

Super Hero Snacks (free printable labels available here from the Tip Junkie)
Turn dad’s favorite snacks into super hero supplies.  The DIY tutorial gives you step-by-step instructions.

 

Super Dad Cupcake Toppers (free printables here from Oopsey Daisey)
Customize store-bought or home-made cupcakes with these flattering “super dad” toppers.  Simply print them, tape them to toothpicks and stick into each cupcake.

World’s Greatest Dad Retro Gift Labels (free printables here from Martha)
These retro-inspired labels will make any gift seem thoughtful.  Simply print them and affix one to any package, box or gift bag for instant custom packaging.

Custom Beer Bottle Labels for Dad (free printables here from Hello Lucky)
With regular size beer bottle labels and larger format bottles (for the good stuff or a bottle of wine), these labels are a great way to toast with some daddy juice.

Recycled Wine Tags {gift ideas} November 28, 2011

Wine enthusiasts can be tricky to buy for, unless you know their specific taste preferences.  Wine accessories are a safe gift option for the vino lovers in your life.  These recycled wine tags from White Tulip Boutique would make a “charming” hostess gift or stocking stuffer.  The set includes two tags, made from recycled vintage silver-plated spoons that are cut, hammered flat and engraved with toast-inspired expressions (such as “cheers” or “salute”), and finished with metal bead chains for looped hanging.   You can purchase a set for $22 (shipping is an addition $5) here.

Vintage Cheese Spreaders November 10, 2011

Keep your cheese flavors separate with these vintage butter knives turned cheese markers from Beach House Living.  I love the simple markings stamped onto these spreaders.  They’ll add a touch of elegance and sophistication to any cheese board.   They’re a timeless addition to your party supply stash.

Give these as a hostess gift for the holidays or as a stocking stuffer for anyone who loves to entertain.

Vintage Cheese Marker Set – $45

Homemade Hostess Gift May 23, 2011

You could pick up a bottle of wine, but why not bring a homemade hostess gift instead?  Next time you’re baking, make a few extra to freeze and bring as hostess gifts.  I like to bake mini loaves of quick bread – like zucchini, cranberry-orange or pumpkin – and freeze them for future giving.  A good way to keep the breads nice and moist is to wrap them in plastic wrap while they are still hot (it seals in the moisture).  Put them in another layer, and then a freezer bag to keep them fresh.  Seal the treats with a label (“from the kitchen of ___”) and a pretty ribbon for a professional look.  It’s always nice to get a homemade gift, especially one that can be enjoyed by the tired hosts for breakfast the following morning.

Chinese Takeout Candle Holders January 5, 2011

Check out these adorable Chinese takeout container-inspired candle holders.  Use them to give your table a glow even if you’re just ordering in.  These would also make great favors for a Chinese New Year party.

Chinese Takeout Box Candle Holders from Beau Coup – $8 each