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 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.

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