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: 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.

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

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