The Ultimate Valentine’s Brunch

Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day. I could pretty much eat it for every meal with all the savory and sweet offerings. So celebrating Valentine’s with my loved ones with a celebratory brunch seems like the best way to show them how much I adore them! Here are my perfect details with my sample menu:

Ina Garten’s French toast bread pudding recipe is for the sweet lovers

Mario Batali’s Chorizo and Monchego strata recipe is for those that want to start with a savory treat

Valentine’s tablecloth, Sears, $62

Flower burst mug, Tenereze, just $8.40 through Valentine’s Day!

Foil dot napkins, Anthropologie, $24

A luscious red velvet cake, Williams-Sonoma, $70 *You could make one yourself too!

Personalized cylinder toasting flutes, set of 2, Tenereze, $25

A Yummy DIY for Valentine’s : Creamy Fudge Hearts

I love to cook and I love to craft. So this DIY is the perfect combination project for Valentine’s Day or a wedding favor. Creamy Fudge Hearts are easy to make and look so pretty in a variety of packaging with your colors and themes. See the full instructions via Martha Stewart Weddings.

And Happy Friday, everyone!

Image via Martha Stewart

Favor box kit includes 20 boxes with coordinating ribbon, $25 for 20

Sweet little dots for a unique favor box, $9 for

With a large sheet of paper, cut long strips the width of your favor box to size and fold over fudge hearts. Voila! Pretty white blossom paper to line the boxes, $8 per sheet

Must-have for the New Year : Monogram Glassware

How was your Christmas? I hope everyone got what they wanted. All I really wanted was snow and some time with the family – and that’s exactly what I got! Now we’re looking to New Year’s and a night in with our closest friends. I’ll be pulling out the monogram glassware to impress the guests 🙂 What are your New Year’s plans?

Custom pint glass set, $20 for 4

Red wine glass set, $34 for 4

A Few of My Favorite *Red* Things

I really love this time of year. It’s festive and fun and there’s too much eye candy to handle. While I’m shopping for others, I’m taking in all kinds of inspiration for the upcoming year too. Lately I’ve been curating a lot of red. Enjoy the rich colors and themes! Happy Friday, everyone. Graphic and modern cake via Project Wedding

Toms Vegan Wrap boots

Verona memory book with Austrian crystal brooch via Tenereze

Just like Julie Andrews sang, “brown paper packages tied up with string…” via Martha Stewart

 

Charles Shanghai slippers via Revolve Clothing

 

Anemones and roses. I’m in love! Via Fleurology

Bud vase favors, multiple colors via Tenereze

For the man in your life: Thomas Mason J. Crew slim shirt

#MuseMonday : 5 Minute Do-It-Yourself Projects

These DIY projects are so simple, I don’t know why I didn’t think of them myself!

Cone Christmas tree centerpieces via Real Simple.

Paper circle garland via Curbly

Putting ornaments in a fancy bowl? Done! Via Southern Living

Customizing Christmas Gifts on #CyberMonday with Free Shipping!

There’s an endless list of custom gifts at Tenereze and something for everyone. Happy Cyber Monday shopping!

Custom name photo frames

Mosaic Quilt with custom embroidery

Wine Bottles Pillow with initial

Monogram wine glass set

Script initial mug

Crystal initial necklace

Best #BlackFriday Deal of All! 50% off everything :)

Get all your shopping done today with custom, monogram gifts including photo frames, quilts, mugs and more! Simply use code: fri50 for half off everything. Happy shopping!

A Few of My Favorite Things…at 50% off

There’s no need to wait until Friday (because that’s when the sale ends). Everything’s half off before Thanksgivings! (but only through Friday, Nov. 23, 2012)

For your best friend : Custom batik quilt set and pillow sham. Originally $84 for the quilt and $24.50 for the sham – now just $56.25 for both. Now through Friday, Nov. 23rd, 2012. No code or coupon needed. Yay!!

Housewarming gift : A monogram pillow in various colors – now just $14.50!

Three DIYs for Holiday Decorating

With Thanksgiving and shopping season right around the corner, there’s nothing to get you into the holiday spirit like a little home decor – especially if it’s homemade. Here are three that I’m loving at the moment.

I just stumbled across this wreath and it looks too frilly and sweet to pass up. Thanks to Bon Temps Beignet for this very do-able DIY.

Do you love the expensive look of large, metal zinc letters? Achieve the same gifts with some paper macher letters and some metallic paint! See the full instructions at 346 Living. Pop them over the living mantle or hand out monograms to your friends as favors. So simple and inexpensive!

 

Are you having people over for dinner and feeling a little shy in the decor and objects department? Don’t fret! Here’s a fabulous recipe for luxurious looking enamel glass from Sugar and Charm. Groyup small vases together in varying sizes and pair with a contrasting color object like piles of fruit.

These also make wonderful housewarming or hostess gifts. You never have to show up empty handed! Happy Friday and crafting this weekend! xo

 

Thanksgiving Entertaining Like a Pro : Four No-Fail Tips

Place things out for your guests to explore. That makes them feel comfortable and more apt to mingle. Chips and dip or a self-serve bar are easy to do on a tray. West Elm, lacquer tray, $32 Beer flight, personalization available, $49

Make things in advance and wrap them in the bowls they’re going to reheat in. Ovenware products like Le Creuset go from fridge to oven and serve mismatch beautifully.

Easier than keeping flowers alive and pretty enough to eat, place pumpkins or other hearty fruits and vegetables that can double as centerpieces, and later be used for tasty dishes. Pumpkins via The Party Dress

If you’re having more than a handful of people over, doing a seating chart can really help the conversation flow of the evening. You’ll be able to relax more, knowing that your shy cousin isn’t getting bowled over by a boisterous coworker.