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.

Poppy Vase Giveaway February 27, 2010

One lucky Hip Hostess Blog reader will receive this charming vase by Dahlhaus Art.  This vase features one of Dahlhaus’ original designs, with 3 poppies on each side.  The vase will add a pretty touch to a coffee station set up for brunch, a small breakfast table or nightstand.  If you can part with it, give it as a hostess gift.  Vase is 7″ tall and 4.5″ wide at it’s widest section, and can hold 2-3 stems.
For more of dahlhaus’s charming pottery pieces visit their Etsy store: http://www.etsy.com/shop/dahlhaus or their website www.dahlhausart.com

Enter this giveaway by clicking on the link below.  The winner will be randomly selected on February 28th at 9pm EST.  One entry per person.  Good luck!

https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dFNtTVY5cmRFdmloQ0RCRFhHcWZUeUE6MA

Haute Chocolate Giveaway February 7, 2010

This giveaway features exquisite handcrafted truffles from Haute Chocolate NC, located in North Carolina.  Haute Chocolates uses quality chocolate and infuses it with really delicious and interesting flavors.  HC’s truffle are free of added sugar and butter – just delicious chocolate and natural flavors in these decadent treats.

There will be two winners for this giveaway:  One winner will receive a 6-piece Love is in the Air Collection; the other will receive a 6-piece box of Wine Infused Truffles (flavors in each collection listed below).  You can choose to have the cookies shipped to you or to your Valentine – just be sure to provide the shipping address of where you want them shipped on the giveaway entry form.

Enter this giveaway by completing the form at the link below.  The winner will be randomly selected at 10pm EST on February 9, 2010, and will be notified via e-mail.  One entry per person and shipment must be made to a US address.  Good luck!

https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dFlBaE9ERFhmWE5TVHdnTVhvZFh3Smc6MA

Love is in the Air Collection features the following flavors:

* Champagne and Strawberries (Dark chocolate over white chocolate infused with REAL champagne (no flavoring here!) and strawberries)
* Bellini (Dark chocolate over white infused with REAL peaches and champagne)
* Mimosa (Dark Chocolate infused with orange zest and champagne)
* Mojito (Dark chocolate over white infused with lime zest, rum and fresh spearmint leaves)
* Creme Brulee (White chocolate with the signature creme brulee flavor profile and topped with caramelized sugar)
* Hazelnut (Dark chocolate with freshly ground hazelnuts)

Wine Infused Truffles features the following flavors:

* Rooster Red – A Chianti style wine with a hint of cranberries (dark chocolate)
* Sweet Mountain Bliss – A sweet Blush with a hint of Raspberries (white chocolate)
* Grand Vieux Chateau du Roi – Made in the style of Chateauneuf-du-Pape, a deep red with hints of cherry and berry (dark chocolate)
* Blue Norther – Blueberry (dark chocolate over white chocolate)

For a complete list of flavors offered, check out Haute Chocolate’s website at www.hautechocolatenc.com.

HC’s individually wrapped truffles are perfect party favors for any time of year.

Tea Towel Giveaway February 6, 2010

This giveaway includes a fun linen tea towel handmade by Sima.  This tea towel is a lovely addition to any kitchen.  This contemporary vintage-inspired pattern is an original illustration by Sima, printed and sewn onto the towel.  The color makes it perfect for Valentine’s Day!  Made from 100% linen, this towel is machine washable (warm/cold wash; tumble dry low), and measures  24″ x 13″.

Check out Sima’s Etsy Shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/handmadebysima for other charming hand made contemporary designs and high-quality linen products, such as tablecloths, table runners and cloth buckets.

Enter this giveaway by completing the form at the link below.  The winner will be randomly selected at 10pm EST on February 8, 2010, and will be notified via e-mail.  One entry per person.  Shipment to US address only.  Good luck!

https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dDZjUDl5YXIySWNwUlRvc2lYaDkyZXc6MA

Hip Tip – Make Your Own Chocolate Covered Strawberries February 11, 2009

Why pay for expensive chocolate covered strawberries when you can make your own batch in about 15 minutes?  These are perfect with a glass of champagne for dessert on Valentines Day.  Or place them in individual candy wrappers (as shown), and place them in a small box or bag as a party favor or gift for your Valentine.

 

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

 

8oz high quality dark (70% cacao) or semi-sweet chocolate

1 lb. strawberries with stems attached, preferably organic

 

1.       Wash strawberries carefully to keep stems intact.  Dry them completely – you don’t want any water left on the berries.  Line a sheet pan with parchment or waxed paper and set aside.

 

2.       Chop chocolate with a serrated knife and place in a microwave-safe bowl.  Heat in the microwave at 30 second intervals until half of the chocolate is melted, stirring each time you take it out.  Once half is melted, stir until the chocolate is smooth and shiny (the heat from the melted chocolate will melt the remaining chocolate and this method ensures that the chocolate won’t seize or burn).

 

3.       Hold the stems of the strawberries away from the berry and dip the berries into the melted chocolate.  Twist the berries as you lift them out of the chocolate to let the extra chocolate drip back into the bowl.  Place dipped strawberry on prepared parchment lined pan.  Repeat with remaining strawberries.  Allow the chocolate to harden at room temperature (about 30 minutes).  If you make these in advance or on a warm day you can put them in the refrigerator after they have set but cover them with plastic to prevent the chocolate from absorbing other flavors in your refrigerator.