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)

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

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

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

Pick your Poison

I'm on the hunt for a decorative decanter stopper that will give my bar some personality (I like when things speak for themselves).   Until I find the one (I'm feeling something  turquoise) I might have to try Martha Stewart's DIY version-it looks like fun! Keep you posted.

Other decanter/bar ideas:

PC: Martha Stewart, Westervin, CelebratedLiving, CoolMaterial, and AtticMay

The Thrill of the Grill

Check out Williams-Sonoma's new and improved Outdoor Grilling Accessories... perfect for your next BBQ or gift for your favorite chef!

Mesh Roasting Pan:

(Allows roasts, poultry and vegetables to cook and brown as they acquire irresistible smoky flavor)

Fine Mesh Grill Pan:

(Safely contains chopped veggies, delicate fish, scallops, shrimp and other foods that can be tricky to grill. Cooks ingredients evenly on all sides acquiring a delicious smoky flavor)

Stainless Steel Smoker Box

(Can be filled with aromatic wood chips for all kinds of smoky flavor infusions)

Slider Grilling Basket:

(Use this handy basket to grill a dozen crowd-pleasing burgers at a time!)

Related: The Square Slider Burger Press:

(For foolproof shaping in seconds)

Do you have any grilling secrets or accessories that we should know about? Please email me!

PC: Williams Sonoma

Chalk it up

Even though the school year is just about over, it doesn't mean you have to ditch those chalkboards.  They can add so much charm to just about anything like....

A Menu:

(I want one of these for my kitchen)

A label (available at Pottery Barn)

-can be used as place cards or food markers:

Cups/Storage

Or a  Kid's Placemat!

Have you ever used a chalkboard for anything else? Please share!!

Farmtastic!

I should have known I was bound for the food blogging world when I had a (mild) childhood obsession with fake food. By mild, I mean if anyone had some at their house (with a mini kitchen to go along with it) you could bet I would be there for a play date.

Well, as the saying goes, 'a leopard never changes its spots'...I'm still obsessed and the only thing that has changed is the fact I buy my own toys.

Bloom. UK, Second Story View

It's a Wrap!

Nothing finishes off a gift better than creative wrapping paper! Kate's Paperie is my absolute go to for all wrapping supplies.  With colorful patterns and themes galore, your gift will definitely be the prettiest one under the tree (or bush), or whatever you use for the holidays.

PC: kate's paperie