Tupperware to love

If you're an avid baker and enjoy being part of potlucks and parties, be sure to invest in one of these nifty covered baking pans.  They can be used to bake, serve, and  store your goodies and best of all, the snap-on lid preserves freshness.  Au revoir aluminum foil.

Covered Aluminum Cookie Sheet

Covered Muffin Pan

Covered Aluminum Brownie & Cake Pan

PC: Williams-Sonoma

Chip n' Dip

Having a 'Chip & Dip' platter is a must if you ever plan on entertaining.  Choosing one that matches the rest of your serving pieces is just as vital. After dozens of parties, I've decided I'm only investing in serving pieces that are white, silver, or wooden. Everything else (to me) just looks mismatched.   For those of you registering, please take my advice! I wish someone had told me this 2 years ago.

Here are some of my current favorites: 

Michael Aram 'Chrysanthemum' Chip & Dip

Nambe Scoop Server:

Great for a modern household

Michael Wainwright "Lines" Platinum Set

This is classic and beautiful

Atticus Bamboo Chip and Dip Tray

I actually own this tray-it's great for parties and holds a lot of food

Now the fun part-a recipe provided by my sister Meredith:

Feta Cheese Dip with Pita Triangles

Recipe:

Servings: 4-6

1/4 to 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese

1 8 oz package softened cream cheese

1 stick unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 clove minced garlic

1/4 tsp oregano

Other:

1 bag of pita bread, cut into small triangles

Combine all ingredients (besides the pita) with a whisk or food processor.  If using the latter, be sure not to overmix.  Form the mixture into whatever shape you desire on a plate or tray.  Refrigerate until ready to serve.  Top with diced tomatoes, chopped onions, and chopped black olives.

Serve with pita bread-throw the triangles on a baking sheet, and bake at 350 for 8 minutes right before serving.

Load the pita 'chips' and feta 'dip' onto your coolest tray.  Serve and enjoy!

*If you're pregnant, make sure the feta cheese is pasteurized. If not, pass on this appetizer.

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)

New and Notable

I'm not usually a huge fan of Michael Wainwright, but I happen to love his Manhattan Platinum dinner setting.  It's artistic, modern, and just plain cool.  It makes me want to register all over again.

Wildfire, Where art thou?

New York boasts some of the greatest restaurants in the world but one thing it lacks is my favorite chain of all time-Wildfire.  Wildfire is one of those restaurants where everyone knows your name (or at least my name, because I'm on their wall of fame). Is anyone out there (Lettuce Entertain You)? Will you please open shop in NYC, preferably downtown on the West side? I will become your best customer.

Since I have a feeling that it's not opening anytime soon, [sigh], I often recreate their chopped salad (roasted chicken, avocado, tomatoes, blue cheese, bacon, scallions, corn, tortillas strips with a side of citrus lime vinaigrette and ranch and a baked sweet potato) at home and even though it holds me over, it's nothing like the real thing. 

Here's the salad:

Luckily they sell their citrus dressing online. Buy it here.

And here's a similar bowl/chopper that they use at the restaurant for your own use:

Tree Spirit Bowl and Chopper:

PC: Lasplash, Lettuce Entertain You, Bed Bath & Beyond

"Float like a butterfly, sting like a Bee" -Muhammad Ali

PC: Porter House Designs, confetti.uk, Housetohome.com, Martha Stewart,  Nancy J Ciralsky Designs

Out with the Old, In with the New

FINALLY! (Stylish) Oven, broiler, and dishwasher-safe dinnerware that will make entertaining a cinch. Thank you Le Creuset.

PC: Sur La Table

H2O Savvy

I feel like water pitchers are often overlooked by the common entertainer.  It's as if they're an afterthought since most people like to secure their dishes/flatware before doing the extras.  Well, let me just tell you that after registering and entertaining dozens of times, you should invest in a pitcher that matches your dishes because water is indispensable to a meal, adds a nice amount of charm to your table, and, do you really feel like running to the kitchen to fill up everyone's glasses? Spend your energy on something else-like your guests.  

Here are some cool pitchers on the market:

Michael Aram Black Orchid Pitcher:

(I still like Michael Aram even though he has saturated the market)

Simon Pearce Woodbury Pitchers: (what I use)

Juliska Large Amalia Pitcher:

Nambe Serenity Pitcher: (might be a little too tall for my liking)

Nambe Bias Pitcher (cool for the ultra-modern entertainer)

And in case you have some unintelligent guests: William Yeoward's Country "Ice Water" Jug

(hopefully you don't have either)

PC: Gracious home, bloomingdales,

Greece

Here are some photos from my recent trip to Greece:

The town of Oia in Santorini with small winding alleys overlooking the Caldera (volcano) and the magnificent Aegean sea filled with restaurants, hotels, jewelry, pottery, and tourist shops:

Sky in the heart of Oia:

Mules heading down to Amoudi Beach:

Amoudi Beach (at the base of Oia with small fish taverns on the water)

Images from town:

Blown Glass Rose Cups:

Blown Glass Vases:

Decorative paintings (with a shutter frame)

'

Pottery (with more roses)

Evil Eyes:

More pottery:

Plates Galore:

The plate that now has a place in my home (notice the mini evil eyes scattered throughout):

More roses (lights)

And now some food:

Street Chicken Gyros:

Greek salad of course:

Chicken Souvlaki:

Greek Pasta:

Spinach Pie:

Hummus:

Seared Tuna with Mediterranean veggies:

An Amuse-Bouche of Lamb with Roasted Eggplant and Tomato:

Lastly: Nobo in Mykonos (at the trendy Belvedere Hotel):