Finally Christmas cheer and the Queen’s belt loosening recipes exist in a new cook book called The Pastry Queen’s Christmas with the tagline: “Big-Hearted Holiday Entertaining Texas Style.”

The best part about this book, besides the food and the pictures that literally make my belly rumble, is the simplicity of it all.

Organized by holiday event, Rather gives you exactly what you need to make your holiday entertaining a success, one to be topped and beat next holiday season.

This uniquely crafted cookbook will help you revamp your holiday this season and keep your guests feeling full and topped to the brim with amazement at your new found Christmas cheer.

I think I might try to make the Chocolate Cookie-Crusted Eggnog Cheesecake….mmm. What’s your favorite holiday dessert?

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Annual Rogers’ Christmas Celebration

December 20, 2010

Who: Talia Rogers
Where: Newberry, FL, near Gainesville
How many guests: 20
What time of year: December 2010
Reason: Annual Christmas Celebration

I was going to post a different party today, but when Talia emailed about her family’s new holiday tradition, I knew I had to post this instead.

Her party just goes to show that any event with a lot of love will be a success.

Check it out.

Talia says:

This year, my hubby and I decided that instead of giving gifts, we would host a family holiday party and call it the “Annual Rogers’ Christmas Celebration” to make our family aware that this was becoming part of “our” tradition.

This year has been rather tumultuous for us, as my husband’s mommy was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer back in August.

She has always been the glue that holds us together, and usually the holiday dinners are mom’s doing, but since she is still recovering, we decided that now is the perfect time to take over and put our spin on this tradition.

The design theme was all things purple and pink, with accents of green and blue and it definitely wouldn’t be right if there wasn’t a little BLING too!

Because I was designing for my home entertaining space, I tried to incorporate the colors of my home in the theme.

In my living area the walls are a deep teal and bright, yet warm lime green and my favorite colors are purple and pink. Of course every girl loves her glitter and ice, so I tried to infuse elements of that as well.

Instead of the “normal” party foods everyone is so accustomed to (we love BBQ) we decided we would expose the family to some of the things we love the most. We even dressed up (at my mommy-in-law’s request).

Since the entertaining space is small on the 1st floor of my 1500 sq foot home, I wanted to created an atmosphere that was warm, inviting and appealing to the eye.

We offered shrimp cocktail, fresh breads and assortment of fine deli meats and cheeses (which my family was not used to). Trust me, they had no clue what Humbodlt Fog was…lol. However a great time was had by all.

We also had an assortment of sweet treats that included cake pops, caramel apple wedges amongst other sweet treats.

When throwing a family holiday party remain true to yourself, while incorporating things you know your family will love. For example, my sissy-in-law loves butterflies, so there were butterflies all over the tree.

While I am a jeans and heels kinda girl, my mommy-in-law requested we dress up, so we did. But we did the decor and food our way. We love LOTS of variety!

While we were ambitious in the overall feel, we weren’t so ambitious that we felt overwhelmed. Most importantly remember why you’re hosting the event in the first
place…so that a fabulous and unforgettable time will be had by ALL and to show just how much you love your FAMILY and FRIENDS!

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Recipes: Tequila Champagne Cocktails

December 17, 2010

Instead of Product Picks today, I thought it might be more helpful to showcase some recipes you can use as your plan your holiday parties or New Year’s Eve. I’m not sure about you, but I’m definitely all shopped out. Goodbye memories of shopping mall mobs, hello tequila champagne cocktails.

The folks at the tequila company Avion sent us these recipes, and they look pretty amazing. I’ve never mixed tequila and champagne before, so it’s new for all of us. Here they are…

Sparkling Avión Sangria

Ingredients

1 cup Tequila Avión
1 Bottle Sparkling Wine
2 Cups Lemon Lime Soda
1 Orange
2 Limes
1 Pear Cut Into Small Pieces
½ Pint of Rasberries

Method
Squeeze juice from half an orange and half a lime into the pitcher. Add ice to pitcher and Tequila Avión. Gently pour in sparkling wine and soda (so as not to diffuse all the bubbles). Stir gently and top with pear and raspberries. Serve in wine glasses.

The Avión Blue

Ingredients

1 oz Blue Curacao liqueur
1 oz Tequila Avión
1 oz Fresh lime juice
2 oz. Dry Champagne
Mint leaves
1 cherry

Method
Build all ingredients (except Champagne) in a shaker. Shake vigorously and then finely strain into a Champagne flute or coupe. Float 2 oz. dry Champagne on top and garnish with cherry and mint.

Avión Strawberry Fizz

Ingredients

2 Sweet Strawberries
¾ oz. Fresh Lemon Juice
1 oz. Agave Nectar
2 oz. Tequila Avión
2 oz. Dry Champagne

Method

Muddle strawberries in a shaker; add the remaining ingredients (except Champagne) in the shaker. Shake vigorously and then finely strain into a Champagne flute or coupe. Float 2 oz. dry Champagne on top and garnish with strawberry slice.

What’s your favorite cocktail? Share any tips or recipes in the comments.

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Read It: Plenty

December 15, 2010

Finding new and appealing vegetarian dishes can be a daunting task.

My father is a vegetarian so I have spent my entire life watching him try to spice up his limited menu with little success.

That is why I was especially struck by Yotam Ottolenghi’s Plenty, which brings vegetarians dishes with excitement and flavor.

What’s more is that these dishes are simple and easy too. Not a vegetarian himself, Ottolenghi approaches this meatless world with flare, originality, and simplicity.

From watermelon and feta to celeraic and lentils with hazelnut and mint, there is something fresh and alluring for anyone’s taste buds.

The large color photos by Jonathan Lovekin are just as enticing (and drool-worthy). Page after page showcase brilliant food images that will inspire even the most hesitant of cooks.

I can’t wait to surprise my father with “plenty” of recipes I’m sure will be instant hits!

What are your favorite vegetarian meals?

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Shannon’s Beachy Rehearsal Dinner

December 13, 2010

Who: Shannon Tual
Where: Her Matron of Honor’s house in Richmond, Virginia
How many guests: 35
What time of year: August 2010
Reason: Her wedding rehearsal dinner

With the weather being blistery cold here in New York, I thought it’d be fun to feature a party with a beach theme thrown at the height of summer.

After seeing Shannon Tual’s causal beach themed wedding rehearsal, I could not think of a better way for her to have celebrated her upcoming nuptials among family and friends.

With simple yet elegant decor and the good humor of her company, this day was truly an enjoyable one.

Shannon says:

My husband and I love to travel and especially enjoy the beach so it was an easy decision to plan a beach inspired wedding.

For our rehearsal dinner we chose a “Boardwalk” theme.

We had a variety of foods and snacks catered by Catering By Jill. All of the items we felt you would find on the boardwalk – grilled chicken, burgers, pasta salad, potato salad, and corn which was grilled in the husk.

Desserts included popcorn, cotton candy, and funnel cakes with toppings. We also served a variety of sodas, water and Hawaiian beers.

The tables were covered in two different shades of blue linens and blue star fish glass plates were placed on top of clear glass plates. DIY napkin rings were made of white rope, tied in boat knots with small white shells attached to the ends.

Metal fish candle holders with shells placed at the bottom, green plants in clear cases with river rocks, and white carnation arrangements in two different size vases were all part of the centerpieces.

We also had a wood Tiki Bar sign, tiki torches, a relax sign and a cardboard photo cut out.

The groom’s cake was special because it was a baseball inspired cake. Our first get away was to Baltimore, MD to watch a Detroit Tiger / Baltimore Oriole’s baseball game (I’m from Michigan originally).

It’s where we said “I love you” for the first time! The cake also had an Old English ‘D’ on it because of the Detroit Tiger’s connection, but also because my husband’s name is David.

It was a banana rum cake layered with rum caramel cream cheese filling and rum buttercream icing.

We hired vendors to entertain the guests including a singer who played a variety of beach inspired music such as Jimmy Buffet and The Beach Boys and a caricature artist drew pictures of all of the guests.

We provided mailer tubes (which we painted and labeled) for each picture. We only had two kids attend the party, but we wanted them to feel special!

I hired a clown to come in and sing songs and perform magic.

It was so popular that the neighborhood kids showed up to watch and even the adults enjoyed the show.

Looking back, I found there are many areas where you can cut back or DIY for any party or wedding.

My suggestion is to know your limits and realize when you need to hire the professional. Sometimes the extra money is worth the less aggravation.

Also, when looking for a caterer, price out several options.

I hosted a rehearsal dinner and many of the menus I saw were much more expensive because they were considered a “rehearsal dinner.”

Our event wasn’t super fancy so I asked the catering company to customize a “picnic menu,” which was considerably cheaper.

We provided our own beverages, which also saved us money. Look over your menu and make sure you have something for everyone, including yourself!

Also, make a list of everything you will need and stick to that list. It’s easy to get carried away.

Create a calendar of tasks to do to prepare for you party. This makes it easier to focus on the celebration rather than the stress of throwing the event.

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Product Picks: Host Holiday Gift Guide

December 10, 2010

Last week, it was all about the ladies in your life. This week, we’ve picked out gift suggestions for all the men who host a mean party.

Once again, we broke up these gifts based on interests. So, click each category to jump down below. Is your host interested in Rustic Charm, Food, Animals or Wine?

Rustic Charm

Boston Bread Mold from Terrain

Salt and Pepper Logs from Prismera

Wooden Bottle Opener from the MoMA store

Zinc Outdoor Thermometer from Terrain
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Foodie

Sous Vide Holiday Package from Sous Vide Supreme

Harvest Napkins from Terrain

Savenor’s Bacon Society from Savenor’s Market

Tsar Nicolai Infused Roe Sampler from Williams-Sonoma
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Animal Lover

Foldable Bird House from Palmer Cash

Show Dogs: A Photographic Breed Guide from Art Book

Bear Opener from Urban Outfitters

Eames House Bird from Design Within Reach
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Wine Enthusiast

Wine Chill Drops from Sky Bar

Eclectic Glass Bottles from Pottery Barn

Vinturi Essential Wine Aerator from Think Geek

Acts of Kindness Wine Bags from Wisteria (Preferably, with their favorite bottle of wine inside)
Back to Top.

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Read It: The Taste of the Season

December 8, 2010

Like it or not, winter is here. For those of you who dislike the frost, let me remind you of three great things about the colder months: boots, beanie hats with pom-poms, and most importantly comfort food.

The winter months have a way of infusing bountiful flavors into each meal that are absent when cooking in the hot bustle of the summer and spring.

Diane Rossen Worthington understands this well. In her book, The Taste of the Season: Inspired Recipes for Fall and Winter, Worthington explores all the joys of our wintery indulgences.

From white bean and arugula stew gratinée to roast duck with lavender honey sauce, this book captures all the meals that will tantalize your taste buds and fill your stomach.

By including preparation tips and easy recipes that do not require you to hover over the stove (although that may be the warmest place in the house), you will be well prepared to make it through even the most chilling of nights.

I personally can’t wait to snuggle up with my electric blanket and one of these delicious meals!

How do you fight the cold? What are your favorite winter comfort foods?

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A Pirate Party for Captain Tyler

December 6, 2010

Who: Chris Nease
Where: Her house in Chester, Virginia
How many guests: 5
What time of year: September 2010
Reason: Her son Tyler’s 8th birthday

It’s a tough job to fashion a classy pirate party, but Chris Nease makes it look easy. During this swashbuckling birthday event for her son, Chris combined both sophistication and fun to create a truly memorable day. Check it out!

Chris says:

My son loves the Pirates of the Caribbean movies so I thought it would be the perfect theme for his birthday celebration.

I only had about a week to pull the party together so I ordered all of the supplies online through Amazon and luckily, everything arrived in time for the festivities.

I actually discovered that there are so many resources available when throwing an event.

By utilizing sources online, you can find creative elements for your party that you may not have been able to find in local stores.

I have always felt that kids parties should still be beautiful even though they are intended for a younger audience so I tried to create a more sophisticated look in my decor.

I set a stylish table with real dishes, linen napkins, and pirate goblets filled with “grog” (apple juice).

I also created a ship’s mast to stand at the end of the table, with it’s sails pulled up at rest and filled a pirate’s chest with coins, jewels, and other golden treasures.

Each guest had a name card propped in a mini treasure chest so he would know just where to sit.

Upon arrival, the boys were greeted with pirate tattoos to apply, pirate costumes to wear, and a crafty pirate ship to build.

They loved the interactive nature of the activities and really got into character.

Keeping with the theme, the food table was set to resemble old boxes and crates that may have been pried open by some scallywags.

There we had a wide array of snacks, including popcorn, corn dogs, chocolate dipped marshmallows, and chocolate gold coins.

A light lunch was also served, followed by cupcakes of course!

After their appetites were satisfied, they enjoyed a treasure hunt, and a photo session while in their pirate costumes.

These were by far, the most enjoyed activities, as they enjoyed the thrill of hunting treasures, and really got into character for the photos.

The treasure at the end of the hunt was the favor bags–a pirate tote full of goodies, perfect to use for trick-or-treating on Halloween!

This party was in many ways a trial run for launching my own children’s party planning business and I found it to be a great success.

I love the design and planning process and hope to pursue that passion as a career in the future.

It was wonderful to be able to celebrate my son’s birthday while doing what I love at the same time!

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Product Picks: Hostess Holiday Gift Guide

December 3, 2010

In this season of multiple holiday parties, you may get tired of bringing your hostess yet another bottle of wine. Well, don’t fret dear ones. Here’s our lovely gift guide for your next hostess treat.

We broke up these gifts based on interests. So, click each category to jump down below. Is your hostess friend interested in Glamour/Relaxation, the DIY movement, Tech love, or Cooking/Baking?