Supernatural Botanicals

Via Pinterest

Want your holiday table to look like you hired a celeb party planner?  Steal this idea… cranberry ice!  It’s super-simple to make, and looks gorgeous in an ice bucket, or under a heaping load of shrimp cocktail.

Simply fill a cake pan (silicone is the easiest) with a couple handfuls of cranberries.  Next, fill with water just enough to cover the cranberries.  Freeze.  When the ice is solid, crack the ice into large pieces (bang on countertop) and place the ice shards over a bottle of wine or champagne in a bucket, or on a large tray and load it down with cocktail shrimp and sauce.  Add a few sprigs of greenery (use some pieces from the back of your Christmas tree if you have a live tree) to set the look off.

Simple + gorgeous.  Love that!

Dallas: The Joule

This 2,500-square-foot poolside bar, designed by Adam Tihany, is considered by many to be the city’s top summer spot. For full Texas immersion, try a Southern Belle, made with Austin-distilled Tito’s Handmade Vodka, lime, peaches, and sparkling rosé; drinks for two $25. Also not to be missed:  Charlie Palmer’s lobster corn dogs.

So you may not have a bed on the beach, but you can recreate a mood that’s almost as good.  Go all out.  Be dramatic.  No matter what they say, people like when you have put together a production in their honor.  Here are some ideas to spice up your Sweetest Day!

• Do have a picnic in bed
• Do have sexy mood music on hand
• Do have a bottle of champagne chilled
• Do have fresh flowers in the room
• Do wear something edgier than the little black dress
• Do wear sexy high heels
• Do have strawberries dipped in chocolate (takes minutes to make)
• Do something outside the realm of  what you consider “normal”

The Ravel Hotel Rooftop Bar and Lounge, NYC.

Flavored waters are popular at high end spas, and they are so simple to make at home.  Jasmine flowers are perfect for making a fragrant and refreshing drink to enjoy as you pamper yourself. 

Jasmine water is especially popular in India, China and Southeast asia. 

Simply place jasmine flowers (or lavender or rose) into a glass pitcher and cover with filtered water.  Refrigerate for at least 24 hours to allow the flowers to perfume the water.  Strain the liquid, discarding the jasmine, lavender or rose.  Of note, make sure the flowers you are using are organic to be sure you are not drinking pesticides with your water.

Teresa Giudice (Real Housewives of New Jersey) has just written an incredible book on the art of Italian cooking.  More than just a cookbook, this is more like a great book with recipes, because there’s lots of dialogue and pictures to go along with the amazing recipes.  I especially love the pictures she shares of her house and family (four darling little girls and her juicy husband, Joe.) 

I was so impressed with Teresa’s book.  I mean, who doesn’t want to have access to a girlfriend whose parents are straight from the old country and taught her everything they know about old-school Italian cooking?

I adore that she believes so strongly in her heritage.  I adore people of any culture that maintain their roots and are deeply proud of being Italian, Swedish, German, etc.  I love tradition.  It’s something I wish I had in my own family.  Truth be told, I really have no idea where I came from.  I’m blonde, blue eyed, and not exactly what you’d call dark complected.  I know that originally my family came from France.  Beyond that,  it’s a bit unclear.  I’ve always found it to be so interesting to listen to people who have deep heritage.  I need to visit Ancestry.com. 

Teresa shares recipes in her new book, Skinny Italian, that have gone back many generations.  She shares all of her bag of tricks…all the while doing it with her Jersey-Girl attitude and sass! 

I have literally not been able to put this book down for two weeks.  Teresa has even inspired me to try my hand at canning this summer (there’s a whole section on this in her book along with step by step instructions.) 

Admittedly, the Real Housewives franchises have tried to market almost every one of their ladies into a brand…(think Vicki Gunvalson with her new book or LuAnn the Countess with her singing.)  With all the personal branding  promotion, I admit I looked at Teresa’s book with a side-eye, ala Tardy For the Party. 

But Skinny Italian is the real deal.  Real authentic recipes taught by real authentic Italians.  Teresa, I love, love love your new book.  Super-impressive work, Jersey-Girl!

Don’t rule out your outdoor living space just because the temperatures are dropping.  Some of my best parties were held outdoors in the Fall.  It seems to make parties cozier, in fact.  An essential for a Fall party is a fire pit or outdoor fireplace for warmth and light.  Keep the fire stoked all night…you’ll need it for s’mores after dinner.  Adding lanterns with small candles to tree branches around the entire perimeter makes it glow, and again, lends extra warmth.  Serve heartier eats, such as spicy chili, tacos, or a beef brisket.  Learn how to make some delicious after dinner hot drinks that warm you up, and get you in the mood for a party (see below.)  Add a great smooth jazz CD music mix to the background and decorate the the entire area with fall colors.  It’s a guaranteed magic night! 

Peppermint Patty Hot Drink:

1 Shot of Peppermint Schnapps

Hot Chocolate to fill glass

Top with Whipped Cream and an Andes Chocolate Mint.

If you’ve been to my house, you’ve probably eaten my hummus and fresh pita bread standing around my kitchen island.  It’s a staple around my house.  Super-delicious and good for you, too.  The basic recipe is below, but you can add anything you want to it.  My favorites include roasted garlic and roasted pine nuts, but add whatever flavors you love.   

Hummus is one of the more popular Middle Eastern dips, generally served with fresh or toasted pita bread.  Hummus makes for a great snack or appetizer. Tahini is an important part of the hummus recipe and cannot be substituted.   You can find Tahini in the grocery store.

I use a food processor to make mine.  Be sure to blend ingredients until they are smooth (not grainy and loose) for better texture.    

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 16 oz can of chickpeas or garbanzo beans
• 1/4 cup liquid from can of chickpeas
• 3-5 tablespoons lemon juice (depending on taste)
• 1 1/2 tablespoons tahini
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Preparation:

Drain chickpeas and set aside liquid from can. Combine remaining ingredients in blender or food processor. Add 1/4 cup of liquid from chickpeas. Blend for 3-5 minutes on low until thoroughly mixed and smooth.

Serve immediately with fresh, warm or toasted pita bread.  So delish!

There’s no doubt that that many of us are channeling our “inner designer” , and at HGTV.com, these designers are showcasing their skills, some of which are simply brilliant.  My favorite backyard makeover of the day is submitted by Sir Chandelier on Rate My Space.  He created this absolutely stunning backyard makeover.  I see French outdoor bistro when I look at this.  The colors are perfection.  The stripped black and white awnings are gorgeous!  The furniture is elegant.  The double-ended fireplace takes the cake.  It makes my head spin with new, creative ideas.  Gorgeous! 

When checking out design ideas, don’t forget to look into the Rate My Space files over at www.HGTV.com.  You’ll be amazed at how creative everyday people can really be with their interiors. 

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