Category Archives: Food And Wine

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Affordable Holiday Party Must Haves, all under $75!

 

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Tis the season for fabulous fashion, while the price on clothes and shoes continue to rise, the trends in fashion changes in the blink of an eye. There are easy ways to update the wardrobe, so you are a hit at all those holiday parties.  Accessories are the go too for a quick and easy update for any event, I’m going to show you some simple steps to incorporate this season’s must have hues, textures, patterns, and all little black dress approved.

Rose Quartz and Metallic

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La Regale Quilted Mesh Bow Clutch $42.99

A Clutch is essential for any wardrobe, it’s small enough to keep all the necessities and still make a huge fashion impact. Metallic tones  go hand in hand with the holiday season, but this year Rose Quartz tones have been showing up on everything from couture fashions, to coffee cups and even classy chic inspired trash cans. The structured silhouette and mesh textured exterior adds glam to any outfit.

where to purchase  http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/la-regale-quilted-mesh-bow-clutch?ID=2401314&PartnerID=LINKSHARE&cm_mmc=LINKSHARE-_-1-_-8-_-MP18&cm_mmc=Polyvore-_-n_-n-_-n

 

 

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ASOS Oversized Scarf In Dark Green Jewel Fur $72

An oversized fur scarf is often associated during the old Hollywood era, often around the shoulders of chic and sophisticated actresses and the trend remains till this day. This year is very special, because we are now seeing furs in beautiful jewel tone hues such as sapphire, garnet and emerald.  This would be the ideal statement piece on those chilly nights.

where to purchase  http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/shop?query=green+fur+scarf&.search_src=masthead_search

 

 

 

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PANDORA Sterling Silver & Cubic Zironia Majestic Feathers
Animal print is a trend that has been around for several years, but this year there is anew spin on things. Instead of the traditional leopard or zebra prints, there is a new emphasis on the silhouette of other animalistic attributes such horns and feathers. These gorgeous feather earrings are sure to add the glam to any holiday outfit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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December 11, 2015 · 8:23 pm
December 11, 2015 · 7:51 pm

Home made Holiday Gifts

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Continuing my affordable holiday ideas, Christmas gift shopping can be quite stressful and I’m here to offer you some great and budget friendly gift ideas to help you out this holiday gift season.  Gift shopping can cause a huge amount of anxiety and there are so much to consider when trying to find the right gift for the right person. For example, what do you get a co-worker, or the person you have been dating for just a few months, or for your neighbor, your kid’s teacher or your mailman? In the pass few years holiday food gifts have become more popular, not only can they be affordable, but the taught behind taking the time to put together something special for the special people in your life is a great thing as well. Here are a few ideas to help you out this holiday season.

Mason Jar Gifts

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Mason Jar Hot Cocoa Mix – Mason Jars are the perfect way to put an array of ingredients together in a fun, creative way, and the mason jar doubles as a cup, can be reused. To top it all off, who doesn’t love hot chocolate during the holidays!

Peppermint Hot Chocolate

yield – 1

ingredients

1  8oz Mason Jar
¼ cup powdered milk
½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
½ cup sugar
½ cup chocolate chips
½ cup candy cane, crushed

For More Great Mason Jae Hot Cocoa Recipes Check out The Domestic Geek’s Video below.

Once your jars are filled with all the delicious goodies, you can customize the jars with a tag, decorative letter stamps and festive string.

And for the more extravagant foodie in your life try this recipe

Rosemary, Ginger and Grapefruit simple syrup

yield – 5

Ingredients

5   8oz. Mason Jars

3   cups sugar

 2  cups water

 1   cup freshly squeezed grapefruit juice, strained

 5   2-inch-long slices peeled fresh ginger

 12  sprigs fresh rosemary

6    2-inch strips grapefruit zest

Directions

In a large saucepan, combine the sugar, water, and grapefruit juice and stir over medium-high heat until the sugar is completely dissolved, 5 minutes. Gently bruise the ginger and rosemary with the back of a spoon to release some of their oils. Add them to the pot along with the grapefruit zest.

Lower heat to medium and let cook for 5 minutes; do not boil. Remove from heat and let cool for 30 minutes. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Divide the ginger slices, rosemary sprigs, and grapefruit peel evenly among five 6-ounce Mason jars and fill with the syrup.Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

For more holiday fun add 3 ounces of dry gin and 3 ounces of the rosemary,ginger and grapefruit syrup and 1/2 the juice for a lime for a quick and easy holiday cocktail.  As a bonus, rim the glass with pink salt, garnish with a grape fruit wedge and a sprig of rosemary.

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Small Business Any Day

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After the chaos of slashed prices and door buster savings  that is “Black Friday,” and the cyber madness that is “cyber Monday” a friendlier, kinder, event takes place the day after known now as “Small Business Saturdays.”

What is Small Business Saturdays you ask?

Small Business Saturday encourages holiday shoppers to patronize brick and mortar businesses that are small and local. Small Business Saturday is a registered trademark of American Express corporation and was first recognized in 2010.

I am all for Small Business Saturdays, its a great cause to help support our local communities and the people who help enrich and provide those essential and unique items for consumers to purchase.

Supporting a small business such as a vineyard or supporting business at a local farmer’s market are great ways to get a jump start on all the exciting holiday festivities that are fast approaching. There is no better way than to ring in the holidays than with friends, family, food and drinks!

I recently visited the Bedell Cellar vineyard and winery, in the North Fork Region of Long Island. It is 80 arches of wonderful, fresh air, nature, beauty and allure. Bedell Cellar is a small family business, completely dedicated to the production of great tasting wine, made with preserving the  surrounding ecosystems within the region.

http://www.bedellcellars.com/

Farmers markets are a great way to buy fresh, tasty and seasonal produce and contrary  to popular belief, farmers markets aren’t expensive, in fact the prices are highly competitive and are either similar or lower than the prices you would find in a super market.

Farmers Market Meets Wine – Simple dishes to serve during holiday get-togethers.

Root Vegetable Gratin – A gratin is traditionally a  dish with a light browned crust of breadcrumbs or melted cheese. Since the winter season is prime time for delicious root vegetables, such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, yams, turnips, parsnips, celery root, carrots and the list goes on! This is a great recipe to try as a side dish for a holiday dinner or a holiday brunch.

For the recipe visit – http://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/root-vegetable-gratin

Try paring a rich dish such as a Root Vegetable Gratin with a wine that is high in fresh acidity and citrus food flavor.

  1. Sauvignon Blanc 2014 $40.00 – (100% Sauvignon Blanc) extra dry, Intense citrus taste, saline mineral taste, tart, moderate alcohol, white flowers, crisp, bursting with acid, refreshing.

To purchase visit – http://www.bedellcellars.com/white-wines/sauvignon-blanc-2013

 

 

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November 28, 2015 · 10:38 pm
September 3, 2015 · 3:13 pm

Passions!

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I often associate the word “passion” with a feeling and not necessarily a thing.  A feeling of absolute happiness, never ending joy and bliss.  A feeling that just fills you up on the inside and completely occupies the inner depths of your being and leaves you wanting, or needing nothing else.

There are four things in this life that makes me feel this way.  One being the love and admiration I have for my family. My willingness to help, motivate, and inspire all the people around me.  My love for everything arts and crafts related and last but not least, SHOPPING!

Now if I were some mad scientist, which I am not, and if I were to gather up all my passions, as if they were ingredients and toss them into a bubbly cauldron of “what to do with my life soup”, there would be a barrage of glitter, party confetti, the music of  loud trumpets, and big neon letters that spelt, “events management!” I will take two cups to go please!

Events management is a passion of mine and what I want to spend my life learning, perfecting and mastering.  I realized this passion of mine when I got my first apartment.  I was so excited to buy cans of paint, tiles, grout, wood finishes, plaster and door knobs, you name it, and I did it!  I have always been a very creative person, I believe it is a trait I got from my mother, who till this very day is an inspiration of mine. I love drawing, repurposing, arranging items, decorating, brain storming themed ideas and executing everything on a budget without sacrificing quality.

There is just something about having an idea, putting it to paper, and watching the allure and granger unfold right in front of your eyes like a manifestation of effort and determination.

 

 

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