Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Delicious Flavors Cookbook by Victoria Amory

Victoria Amory's collection of favorite recipes for easy, elegant and fun entertaining at home. Mediterranean in spirit, American in practicality, with simple, sophisticated style, these recipes will make time spent in the kitchen truly a pleasure both for the guests and for the cook!

Filled with great entertaining ideas and personal anecdotes, she hopes to inspire you to open your house for family and friends over and over again.



A recipe from Victoria Amory: Clams with Chorizo

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound chorizo sausage, sliced into thin rounds
4 cloves of garlic, peeled and chopped
1 cup white wine
3 pounds small Manila, littleneck or cherrystone clams
1/2 cup finely chopped parsley
Sea salt

Place the clams in a large bowl filled with salted water. Let sit for about 30 minutes, or until it is evident they have released their sand. Repeat a couple of times until there is no sand in the bowl.

In a large sauté pan with a tight-fitting lid, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chorizo and cook until softened and the sides begin to turn crispy. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the white wine and deglaze the pan by scraping the bottom to release all the bits. Raise the heat to medium-high, add the clams (do not overcrowd) cover and cook, shaking the pan once in a while until the clams open, 5 to 8 minutes. Transfer the clams and broth to a large, shallow serving dish. Just before serving toss the clams with the parsley. Serve with toasted baguettes to mop up juices.

Serves 6

Monday, June 28, 2010

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse Theme Party Embellishments

To all the Twihards hosting Eclipse movie parties, Hostess with the Mostess has free party printables that include hang tags, cupcake toppers, napkin rings and movie quotes.

Friday, June 25, 2010

Mimi & Harriet - Vintage Decor, Servingware and Accessories

One-of-a-kind pieces are a great way to make your event or home more special. We're loving the unique pieces at the new store Mimi & Harriet. The Brooklyn-based shop features small collections of tableware, gifts and accessories curated by owner Lee Piper, who collects pieces throughout the year from thrift stores, flea markets and estate sales around the country.

The shop's namesakes, Lee's grandmother and great-grandmother, both grew up in South Florida back when Coral Gables was just getting its start. Their stories, pictures and homes always had a combination of playfulness, elegance and practicality, and you can feel it in the shop's collections.

View M&H's current collection at mimiandharriet.com, and for updates and announcements, become an M&H fan on Facebook: Facebook.com/mimiandharriet.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Smock and Hello Lucky Letterpress Invites and Stationery We Love!

From 30th Birthdays and Birth Annoucements to Save the Dates and Stationery, Smock and Hello Lucky have fun and fresh designs to celebrate any occasion. These intricately-detailed designs make a bold, yet elegant statement. What a love and appreciation we have for the craftsmanship of letterpress printing. Fun fact: Smock is the first and only print shop in the U.S. to sustainably print on luxury bamboo paper.


Eva Letterpress Personalized Stationery Aubergine


Architecture Save the Date in Persimmon and Pool from Hello Lucky


Tallulah from Smock


Graham from Smock

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Fun 4th of July Table Decor from Pizzazzerie

Time to bring out the grill and get ready for a 4th of July celebration! This is a festive tablescape with pinwheels, flags and a nautical twist from pizzazzerie to dress up your party table this holiday. Pick up some quick and easy supplies from the usual spots...Michael's, Homegoods and Target.


Monday, June 21, 2010

Savory Summer Cooking Classes at In the Kitchen

Summer is the perfect time to try something new in the kitchen! During the month of June, In the Kitchen in Tequesta has two delicious cooking classes - Steakhouse Classics and Mangia Mama Italian Favorites. Call 561.747.7117 or click here to reserve your seat.

Steakhouse Classics $75 NOW $60
06/22/2010 at 06:30 PM to 06/22/2010 at 08:30 PM

Men love Steak! This class is a great Father's Day gift for the man in your life. Learn to make Tomato Flatbreads, The Classic Wedge Salad, Grilled Steak with Crispy Onions, the Ultimate Chocolate Brownie Sundae.

Mangia Mama Italian Favorites $75 NOW $60
06/29/2010 at 06:30 PM to 06/29/2010 at 08:30 PM

Lenore's favorite recipes from her family cookbook. Antipasto, Homemade Pasta with Fresh Pomodoro, Cornish Hen Scapariello, Tartufo and more! Mangia!

www.inthekitchennow.com



Friday, June 18, 2010

Tablescape Update: Rice Paper Votives from Luna Bazaar

I saw these rice paper votives on a Today Show segment and when I went to the website I couldn't believe how many colors and patterns there were! This is a great addition to any centerpiece or tablescape. Luna Bazaar also has great colors that match their paper lanterns, parasols and fans.




Thursday, June 17, 2010

World Cup Party Theme from Hostess with the Mostess

With the World Cup going on right now, what better way to celebrate than with a World Cup soccer-themed party! Love the soccer player and jersey-shaped cookies displayed in the grass. Go Team USA!

World Cup Party Theme from Hostess with the Mostess



Monday, June 14, 2010

Summer Decor Trend - Hanging Pom-Poms by Martha Stewart and PartyPoms

This is a great summery decor trend. Hanging pom-poms are a fun way to add to the party decor of any event. For Martha Stewart's DIY instructions click here or for readymade pom-poms click here for the PartyPom's Etsy shop.


Thursday, June 10, 2010

Lucite Trays from WH Hostess....perfect for entertaining and gifts!

We're always looking for new ideas for hostess gifts, thank yous, birthdays, anniversaries, etc. and these lucite trays are perfect from WH Hostess. They are also a great addition for entertaining in your own home too! These 16"x16" lucite trays have a customized, removable insert....so you can change the look of it with every party! They even have matching plates and coasters. $95 for tray. $30 for additional inserts.



Friday, June 4, 2010

Graduation Candy Cup Caps Inspired by Bakerella and Made by Southern Belle's Cakery






Directions from Bakerella:

I started with Airheads Extremes Rainbow Berry Sweetly Sour Belts. They make perfect tassles and give you color choices at the same time. Just cut apart each color strip with a knife.

Now, grab a bag of miniature Reese’s peanut butter cups. But, before you unwrap them, stick them in the freezer for a few minutes. It will make it easier to remove the wrapper and keep the sides looking pretty when you do.

After you unwrap them, place all the cups on a sheet of wax paper and let them get back to room temperature. When the chill is gone, dip the end of your lollipop stick in some melted candy coating and carefully insert into the candy cups. If they are too cold, the cups will split apart. Just insert the sticks about halfway and let dry.

Now, work on the tops. I used these small Godiva chocolate squares. They aren’t the cheapest little things, but the proportions were perfect and because they were individually wrapped, the edges were clean. Just draw a thin line of candy coating on top with a toothpick and glue on a short piece of the candy belt and a rainbow chip sprinkle in the same color to match.

When the tops are dry, glue them on the candy cups using some more of the candy coating and insert into a dry floral foam or styrofoam to finish drying.


Our twist:

We then placed dry floral foam into gold trays and sprinkled coffee beans on top to hide the foam.

Grad Cap Cups inspired by Bakerella and made by Southern Belle's Cakery

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Meri Meri Cupcake Kits, a sweet way to complement an event theme

From pirates and princesses to luaus and mermaids, Meri Meri Cupcake Kits are a sweet way to complement a birthday, baby shower or event theme. Each cupcake kit includes 24 cupcake liners in 2 designs, and 24 cupcake toppers in 4 designs. Cupcake liners are made with greaseproof paper and printed with soy ink.
http://www.shopmerimeri.com/cupcakekits.aspx