Garrett's Popcorn

Last week, my husband and I had the pleasure of hosting our good friend DJ from Chicago for the night.  As a thank you, his beautiful (and always thoughtful) wife Emily sent us the greatest and most unnecessary gift imaginable-a tin of Garrett's famous Chicago-style popcorn.  If you've never tried this Chicago delicacy, you're truly missing out.  As I like to say, it's disgustingly good and the Chicago mix (half caramel corn/half cheesecorn) didn't land on Oprah's 'favorites' list by accident.  

So thank you Emily for not only making my pregnancy so delightful but also for reminding me that it's the simple and delicious things in life that people appreciate the most. 

Friends, remember this idea when you want to send someone a little something to show how much you care or to say thank you. It's the perfect gift.

PC: Garrett's Popcorn

This little piggy went to get a pedicure...

City living has its drawbacks... like walking to and from a pedicure in 20 degree weather.  Luckily, with my latest drug store find, Kushyfoot Yoga socks, my walk (to hail a cab) just got warmer.  These socks only expose your piggies, so that the rest of your foot can run all-the-way-home (without frost bite). Unfortunately flip flops are still needed.

Pair these socks with a pedicure gift certificate and a good book and call it Christmas.

La Cage Aux Folles

Everyone always asks me what Broadway show they should see when they come to New York and now I have the perfect answer: La Cage Aux Folles!

This Tony award-winning musical has garnered rave reviews with the touching tale of one family's struggle to stay together... stay fabulous... and above all else, stay true to themselves.

It definitely doesn't hurt that one of the leads is former TV star Kelsey Grammer ('Frasier').  Who knew Grammer could sing (and swing to the other side)? He's amazing as is the rest of the cast of this colorful and entertaining show.  It's definitely worth your while!

P.S. Kelsey Grammer and Douglas Hodge (the two leads) are only on through February 13th.

PC: Fox News, La Cage Aux Folles

West Elm Hostess Gifts

The next time you walk by West Elm, go in! They have amazing holiday sales on entertaining goods that are hard to resist.  From beautiful horn and cheese trays/knives, to cocktail stirrers, and decorations, they really have host/hostess gifts down flat.  I might stock up for future dinner invitations-it never hurts.  Happy bargain hunting.

Twig Bar Tools Set (Very Michael Aram-esque)

Bone Wine Stoppers ($9.00) (Bring with a nice bottle of wine)

Horn Cheese Knives ($23.00)

 (Bring along a good hunk of manchego, some fig jam, and crackers)

Bone Cheese Knife Set ($23.00)

(Again, bring cheese)

Mercury Birds ($12-16.00)

For a modern household

Cocktail Picks ($9.00 for a set of four)

"Udderly in Love"

An 'udderly' unique and rustic bridal shower for a couple who go together like 'Milk and Cookies.'  Set on the beautiful countryside, the centerpieces are made from items from Pottery Barn, Anthropologie, thrift stores, antique shops, and items the bride/groom already owned.  For seating, they used hay bales to go with their country theme.  I love theme parties!

Kara's party ideas by Love and Lavender

Photos taken by Jonda Spurbeck Photography

Menorahs 2010

"8 days of light, 365 days of gorgeousness" by Jonathan Adler

Jonathan Adler Skyline Menorah

Ventana Menorah: this double agent transforms into a candelabra.

Jonathan Adler Blue & Green Mod Dot Dreidel: great for playing or else a hostess gift

PC: Jonathan Adler

Hanukkah 2010

I absolutely love celebrating the holiday season.  So in honor of Hanukkah, I decided to prepare a beautiful meal inspired by the season for my husband, sister, and good friend Laura, who's one of my oldest friends from Ohio. Since I grew up in a town with a very small Jewish population, my friends and I would always include each other in our different holiday traditions... Ie. I would join them for Easter brunch while they would join my family for Passover seder.  It was an experience that I loved that not only made me appreciate their traditions more, but also serve as an eye opener to show how similar we all are despite our religious labels.

Like all of those years growing up, some things never change... (thank goodness). We had a wonderful night filled with good food, good spirits, and good friends/family.  Isn't that what the holidays are all about?

Here's what was served:

Latkes with Apple Sauce/Sour cream to start:

Spicy Pumpkin Soup:

This soup is out of this world-it is now my favorite soup of all time.

Zomick's Challah:

This challah is equally delicious.  I bought it at Whole Foods and it's one of the best challahs I've ever had! It's great dipped in the soup.

Roast Chicken with Dried Fruit:

Also a wonderful dish-the chicken is moist and succulent and the dried fruit is the perfect accompaniment.

Double Stuffed Sweet Potatoes:

Marshmallows, butter, & brown sugar-need I say more?

Store-Bought Jelly Donuts:

Who doesn't like donuts?

Happy Holidays!

PC: Latkes: diana's desserts, Soup: Junior Master Chef Australia, chicken: Bon Appetit, Food Network, Park East Kosher, & KosherMart